H 

a I BRA  RY 
OF  THE 

U N I VERS  ITY 
or  I LLI N O I S 


973 
T59b 
V.  1 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


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973 

r5?i- 

v.| 


INTRODUCTION. 


To  the  general  reader  history  would  be  uninteresting  were  it  not  for  its 
battle  scenes.  Take  the  battle  scenes  out  of  the  famous  histories  which  have 
come  down  to  us  from  Ancient  Greece  and  Rome,  and  what  would  be  left  of 
them  ? It  is  the  battle  pictures  which  give  life  to  the  pages  of  Xenophon  and 
Thucydides,  of  Livy  and  Tacitus  ; and  the  modern  historians  have  found  it  as 
much  a pleasure  as  a necessity  to  dwell  upon  these  scenes  in  which  nations  are 
seen  struggling  against  some  fierce  internal  enemy,  or  measuring  their  strength 
with  a powerful  foreign  foe.  What  more  readable  book  than  Napier’s  History 
of  the  Peniusular  War  ? Gibbon  is  nevermore  brilliant  than  when  he  lingers 
over  a battle  scene.  And  wdio  would  read  through  the  bulky  volumes  of  Alison 
and  Thiers  were  it  not  for  the  wars  of  the  Great  Napoleon,  which  occupy  the 
chief  portions  of  the  narrative. 

It  is  the  object  of  the  author  to  present  in  detail  in  the  following  pages,  the 
great  battles  which  have  been  associated  with  the  rise  and  progress  of  America  ; 
and  it  is  his  confident  belief  that  the  work  will  commend  itself  to  all  who  take 
any  interest  in  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  the  Great  Republic. 

History  seems  to  teach  that  conflict  and  progress  are  convertible  terms  ; 
and,  indeed,  no  Nation  has  ever  risen  to  eminence  that  has  not  passed  through  a 
succession  of  conflicts,  cither  within  itself,  or  in  defensive  war  against  the 
encroachments  of  powerful  neighbors.  To  mark  the  course  of  these,  and  to 
observe  how  victory  almost  always  has  finally  remained  with  a people  true  to 
themselves  and  firmly  united  against  the  aggressor,  however  powerful,  is  a source 
of  nnminglcd  satisfaction  to  every  friend  of  man  ; and,  indeed,  nothing  can  more 
excite  the  sympathy  of  the  right-minded  than  to  follow  in  history  the  fortunes  of 
a heroic  people,  struggling  for  the  preservation  of  independence  and  liberty 
against  overwhelming  forces,  and  finally  throwing  off  the  oppressor  by  force  of 
heroism  and  superior  capacity  for  self-sacrifice  and  perseverance. 

Such  a scries  of  conflicts  America  has  passed  through ; and  it  is  pro- 
I)Osed  in  this  work  ti  give  a c ompendious  account  of  the  struggles  and  heroic 
conflicts  by  which  it  has  risen  from  the  condition  of  a few  feeble  and  scattered 


ii  INTRODUCTION. 


colonies  to  a position  among  the  first,  if  not  the  very  first,  of  the  great  Nations 
of  the  modern  world,  and  to  indicate  therefrom  something  of  the  future  grandeur 
that  awaits  them. 

It  will  adopt  the  order  of  time,  and  begin  with  the  colonial  struggle  with  the 
French,  in  the  course  of  which  occurred  the  capture  and  siege  of  Louisbourg, 
accomplished  mainly  by  the  daring  and  energy  of  the  men  of  New  England;  the 
disastrous  defeat  and  death  of  General  Braddock,  memorable  as  the  scene  of 
^Yashington’s  early  distinction,  the  loss  of  Fort  William  Henry,  the  capture  of 
Fort  Du  Qnesne,  the  battle  on  the  Heights  of  Abraham,  the  death  of  Wolfe  and 
Montcalm,  and  the  capture  of  Quebec. 

It  will  then  take  up  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  omit  no  conflict  of  those 
days  which  tried  men’s  souls.  From  the  battle  of  Lexington  to  the  surrender  at 
Yorktown,  every  contest  will  be  described:  the  struggle  on  Concord  Bridge,  the 
capture  of  Ticonderoga  by  Ethan  Allen  and  the  “Green  Mountain  Boys,”  the 
battle  of  Bunker’s  Hill,  in  which  the  provincials  first  discovered  that  they  were 
a match  for  British  regulars,  the  surrender  of  Montreal  and  the  unsuccessful 
siege  of  Quebec,  the  capture  of  Johnstown  by  Schuyler,  the  defeat  of  Lord 
Dunmore  in  Yirginia,  the  British  evacuation  of  Boston,  the  defence  of  Charles- 
ton and  Fort  Sullivan  by  General  ^Moultrie,  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  the 
evacuation  of  New  York  by  the  Patriot  forces,  the  battles  of  Harlem  and  White 
Plains,  the  siege  and  cai)ture  of  Fort  Washington  by  the  Briiish,  the  naval 
engagement  on  Lake  Champlain,  the  battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton,  the  fall  of 
Ticonderoga  and  the  battle  of  Hubbardtown,  the  battle  at  Fort  Stanwix  and  the 
death  of  Herkimer,  the  battles  of  Bennington  and  the  Brandywine  and  Bemis’s 
Heights,  followed  by  the  surrender  of  Buigoyne,  ihe  battles  of  Germantown 
and  ]\Ionmouth,  the  massacre  at  Wyoming,  the  defence  of  Charleston,  the  capture 
of  Yincennes,  the  storming  of  Stony  Point,  the  exi)loits  of  Paul  Jones,  and  the 
desperate  fight  between  the  Bon  Homme  Richard  and  the  Serapis,  the  disastrous 
assault  on  Savannah  under  D’Estaing  and  Lincoln,  the  fall  of  Charleston,  the 
battles  of  Camden,  King's  Mountain,  the  Cowpens,  Guilford  Court  House, 
Hobkirk’s  Hill  and  Eutaw  Springs,  the  siege  of  Yorktown  and  the  surrender  of 
Cornwallis,  with  all  the  minor  incidents  and  exploits  that  contributed  to  make 
the  war  memorable,  and  the  States  independent. 

Then,  also  in  the  order  of  time,  will  come  the  battles  of  the  War  of  1812, 
brought  about  l)y  arbitrary  French  decrees  and  the  British  orders  in  council, 
together  with  the  right  of  search  claimed  by  British  cruisers.  After  sketching 
the  affairs  of  the  Lcojiard  and  the  Chesapeake,  and  the  President  and  Little  Belt, 
and  Harrison’s  victory  at  Tippecanoe  — events  that  immediately  preceded  and 
hastened  the  outbreak  of  actual  hostilities — will  bo  narrated  the  long  series  of 
triumphs,  with  a few  reverses,  of  the  American  Navy,  so  gratifying  at  homo,  and 


INTRODUCTION. 


r 


producing  such  astonishment  in  Europe,  among  which  may  be  named  as 
deserving  the  reader’s  speeial  attention,  the  memorable  chase  of  - the  frigate 
Constitution  by  a British  squadron,  the  battles  between  the  Alert  and  the  Essex, 
the  Guerriere  and  the  Constitution,  the  daring  exploits  of  Decatur  at  Tri[)oli, 
and  the  capture  of  the  Macedonia,  the  battles  between  the  Frolic  and  the  Wasp, 
(be  Constitution  and  the  Java,  the  Hornet  and  the  Peacock,  the  Chesapeake  and 
the  Shannon,  the  Pelican  and  the  Argus,  the  Enterpiisc  and  the  Boxer,  the 
Essex  and  the  Phoebe,  off  Valparaiso,  the  battles  of  Lakes  Erie  and  Champlain, 
and  other  less  memorable  sea  fights,  in  wdiich  American  courage  and  daring  were 
conspicuous. 

Turning  to  military  operations,  it  will  be  seen  that  though  at  first  these  were 
less  fortunate,  there  were  not  wanting  displays  of  daring  and  energy,  worthy  of 
more  brilliant  success.  It  will  be  necessary  to  tell  of  the  shameful  surrender  of 
General  Hull  at  Detroit,  and  of  the  massacre  of  Captain  Heald’s  command  at 
the  beginning  of  the  war,  and  subsequently  of  the  surrender  of  Winchester  and 
the  massacres  at  the  River  Raisin  and  Fort  Mines.  Less  painful  will  be  the  task 
of  the  historian  in  narrating  Taylor’s  gallant  defence  of  Fort  Harrison,  the  battle 
of  Queenstown  and  the  defence  of  Fort  Niagara,  and  of  Fort  Stephenson  by 
Croghan,  the  siege  of  Fort  Meigs  and  the  capture  of  York  (now  the  large  and 
flourishing  City  of  Toronto)  and  Fort  George,  the  battle  of  Sackett’s  Harbor,  the 
battle  of  the  Thames  and  death  of  Tecumseh,  the  battles  of  Chippewa,  Lundy's 
Lane,  Bladensburg,  Baltimore,  and  New  Orleans — one  of  the  memorable  battles 
of  the  world. 

In  the  War  with  Mexico  the  Nation  will  be  exhibited  no  longer  contending 
with  the  superior  forces  of  an  aggressive  European  Power,  but  taking  the 
offensive  to  secure  the  independence  of  Texas,  threatened  by  the  persistent 
claims  of  the  Mexicans.  In  the  account  of  this  war  the  historian  has  little  moi-c 
to  do  than  to  recount  a succession  of  victories.  The  superiority  of  the  American 
troops,  in  everjdhing  but  numbers,  soon  made  it  evident  that  there  could  be  only 
one  conclusion  to  a contest  between  Anglo-Saxon  and  Mexican.  Beginning  with 
the  disaster  to  Colonel  Thornton’s  command,  then  will  follow  the  world-renowned 
battles  of  Palo-Alto  and  Resaca-de-la-Palma,  of  the  gallant  defence  of  Fort 
Brown,  of  the  battles  of  Monterey  and  Buena  Vista,  El  Paso  and  Sacramento, 
the  siege  and  capture  of  Vera  Cruz,  the  battles  of  Cerro  Gordo,  Contreras  and 
El  .Molino  del  Rey,  the  capture  of  Chapultepec,  and  the  surrender  and  occupation 
of  the  City  of  Mexico — the  crowning  triumph  of  the  war. 

In  the  Four  Years’  War  into  which  the  Nation  was  permitted  to  fall,  will  be 
narrated  a series  of  battles  of  a magnitude  with  few  parallels  in  modern  times, 
as  might  be  expected  when  men  of  the  same  race  and  country  were  arrayed 
against  each  other  in  vast  armies  of  ecj(ual  numbers,  and  commanded  by  officers 


INTRODUCTION. 


iv 


of  similar  experience  and  training,  and  whose  operations  extended  through 
every  Southern  State,  there  will  be  seen  no  longer,  as  in  Mexico,  a rapid 
succession  of  victories,  but  a series  of  persistent  and  terrific  struggles,  of  which 
the  termination  might  well  seem  doubtful  to  European  observers.  From  the  first 
gun  fired  on  Fort  Sumter,  whose  echoes  rang  throughout  the  world,  to  the  final 
surrender  of  General  Lee,  occurred  a vast  multitude  of  actions  and  operations,  on 
land  and  sea,  of  which  only  a few  of  the  more  prominent  can  be  named  here.  It 
will  be  the  duty  of  the  historian  to  describe  the  battles  of  Booneville,  Rich 
Mountain  and  Carrack’s  Ford,  the  disastrous  defeat  of  Bull  Run,  the  battle  of 
Springfield,  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Hatteras,  the  battles  of  Ball’s  Bluff  and 
Drainsville,  the  capture  of  Port  Royal,  the  battle  of  Mill  Spring,  the  capture  of 
Forts  Henry  and  Donelson  and  of  Nashville,  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  the  battle 
between  the  Monitor  and  the  Merrimac,  the  battles  of  Winchester  the  battle  at 
Pittsburg  Landing  and  Shiloh,  the  capture  of  New  Orleans.  McClellan’s  siege  oi 
Yorktown,  the  battle  of  Williamsburg,  the  attack  at  Drury’s  Bluff,  the  battles 
of  Hanover  Court  House,  Fair  Oaks  and  Green  Pines,  the  naval  battle  before 
i\lemphis,  the  Seven  Daj's’  battles  on  the  Peninsula,  the  battles  of  South  Mountain, 
Antietam  and  Fredericksburg,  the  tedious  siege  of  Yicksburg  and  Chai  leston 
and  Fort  Snmter  and  Petersburg,  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Fisher,  Farragut's 
twenty  days’  work  at  Mobile,  the  engagement  between  the  Kearsarge  and 
Alabama,  the  great  battles  of  Chancellorsville,  Salem  Heights,  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, the  Wilderness,  Sj)ottsylvania  Court  House,  Cold  Harbor,  the  Chickahominy, 
Atlanta,  Nashville  and  Five  Forks,  Sheridan’s  battles  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley, 
Sherman’s  great  march  to  the  sea,  and  the  brilliant  closing  events  of  the  war. 

But  attractive,  as  it  is  hoped  the  literary  jiortion  of  this  work  will  be,  the 
pictorial  illustrations — all  steel  engravings  of  the  first  class — will  be  pronounced 
unrivalled  for  their  beauty  and  accuracy.  These  will  be  profusely  distributed, 
and  will  consist  of  battles  on  sea  and  land,  accurate  pictures  of  battle-fields, 
fortresses,  and  scenes  of  memorable  events ; also  fine  portraits  of  all  the  more 
distinguished  military  and  naval  commanders.  Besides  which  will  be  given  a 
number  of  beautifully  colored  maps,  by  means  of  which  the  reader  may  readily 
follow  the  movements  of  armies  in  the  fields. 

In  brief,  it  is  confidentl^y  anticipated  that  “The  Battles  of  America”  will  be 
made  so  complete  a work  that  nothing  can  be  added  to  it  with  advantage  ; and 
that,  in  all  time  to  come,  the  United  States  may  have  no  more  battles  to  record, 
but  that  peace  may  become  the  true  panoply  of  all  Nations. 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


VOL.  I. 


Colonial  and  Revolutionary. 


BATTLE  OF  bunker’s  HILL Frontispiece. 

WASHINGTON  AT  VALLEY  FORGE Vignette  Title. 

THE  SIEGE  OF  LOUISBURG  - 20 

FALL  OF  'bRADDOCK 78 

WASHINGTON  RAISING  THE  BRITISH  FLAG  AT  FORT  DU  QUESNE  . - - . 106 

WOLFE’s  INTERVIEW  WITH  PITT,  BEFORE  HIS  DEPARTURE  FOR  CANADA  ...  108 

THE  STRUGGLE  ON  CONCORD  BRIDGE  145 

SPAULDING  MONUMENT,  FOREST  HILL  CEMETERY,  BUFFALO 171 

GENERAL  HOWE  EVACUATING  BOSTON  - - - - - - - - - 25 1 

INTERVIEW  OF  HOWE’S  MESSENGER  WITH  WASHINGTON  - - - - - - 310 

LORD  STIRLING  AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND  328 

BATTLE  OF  HARLEM 354 

WASHINGTON  CROSSING  THE  DELAWARE  - --  .-.-r,.  428 

BATTLE  OF  PRINCETON  4^^ 

GENERAL  STARK  AT  BENNINGTON ^22 

LAFAYETTE  WOUNDED ^^4 

SURRENDER  OF  BURGOYNE - 573 

MOLL  PITCHER 64J 

INDIAN  MASSACRE  AT  WILKESBARRE,  (vALLEY  OF  WYOMING) 654 

LAST  MOMENTS  OF  MAJOR  ANDRE 787 

DEATH  OF  FERGUSON.  AT  KING’s  MOUNTAIN 800 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


PART  l.-COLONiAL  BATTLES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

^■■he  Rivalry  between  England  and  France  in  tne  Old  World  revived  in  the  New, — France’s  Lust  of  Dominion  in  Anicr 
icii. — Jealous  of  Eiifrlisli  Colonists. — Fre^jnent  Conflicts,  with  no  Results  but  Spilling  of  Blood. — Loui.s  the  Four- 
Icciith’s  Contemptuous  Disregard  of  his  American  Subjects. — His  Fatal  Concessions  to  Great  Britain  by  the  Treaty 
of  Utrecht. — The  Consequent  Danger  of  Canada. — The  French  guard  against  it  by  the  Founding  of  Louisburg. — 
Its  Extensive  Fortifications  — The  Jealousy  of  the  English  Colonists  excited. — Their  Trade  endangered. — The  Fretich 
deemed  a Horde  of  Dangerous  Interlopers. — Anxiety  to  get  rid  of  them. — The  French  commence  Hostilities. — Can- 
seau  attacked  by  the  French  ami  captured. — Annapolis  repels  the  Invaders. — New  England  aroused  — Governor  Shir- 
ley, of  Massachusetts,  boldly  resolves  upon  a Secret  Expedition  against  Louisburg. — The  Secret  disclosed  by  a Fiou-' 
Member  of  the  General  Cour'. — Shirley  asks  the  Aid  of  the  Home  Government  for  the  Defence  of  Nova  Scotia. — So 
lieits  the  Assistance  of  the  Ei.glish  West-India  Fleet. — Shirley  opposed  by  the  I.egislature. — He  finally  triumphs  om  t 
the  Opposition. — Massachusetts  foremost  in  voting  Men  and  Money. — Land-Foices  and  the  Fleet  of  New  England  — 
Embarrassment  of  the  Governor  in  the  Choice  of  a Commander  of  the  Expedition. — Colonel  William  Peppercll  finally 
chosen. — Governor  Wentworth  passed  over,  on  the  Score  of  Ill-Health. — Wentworth,  disappointed,  declares  he  iias 
thrown  away  his  Crutches,  and  offers  his  Services,  but  too  late. — Pepperell  hesitates  to  accept. — The  famous  Whitcficid 
advises  him  religiously. — The  Expedition  against  Louisburg  a Religious  Crusade. — The  Pious  Enthusiasm  of  the 
I’coplo. — Pepperell’s  Origin,  Life,  and  Character. — A Great  Merchant. — Immense  Popularity. — Military  Experience 
— Recruits  crowd  to  ids  Standard. — Shirley,  anxious  to  take  Louisburg  by  a Coup  de  Main,  cuts  off  all  Commiinicalion 
with  the  Place. — The  Expedition  prjpares  to  sail. — A Heavy  Blow,  and  Great  Discouragement. — Admiral  Warren, 

3 co-operate. — Prayers  and  Sermons. — Expedition  sails  fur 

Canada  and  Louisiana,  was,  with  its  usual 
lust  of  dominion,  eager  to  enlarge  the 
boundaries  of  its  American  territory:  with 
this  view,  she  claimed  the  whole  region 
which  extended  back  of  the  orio-inal  Brit 

o 

ish  colonies  from  the  mouth  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  to  that  of  the  Mississippi,  and 
strove  on  every  occasion  to  make  good 
her  claims  by  military  possession.  The 
English  settlers,  with  their  rapidly-devel- 
oping commercial  and  trading  interests, 
looked  at  these  encroachments  with  a 
jealous  eye,  and  sought  every  opportuni- 

> 


of  the  West-India  Station,  at  tho  Lai^t  Moment,  refuses 
Canseau. 

The  rivalry  between  England  and 
France  in  the  Old  World  was  revived  in 
the  New  under  circumstances  calculated 
no  less  to  excite  jealousy,  and  stir  up  con- 
tention, than  those  which  had  for  ages 
brought  these  two  nations  in  another 
hemisphere  into  almost  constant  conflict. 
As  in  Europe,  so  in  America,  the  English 
and  French  w’ere  near  neighbors;  and 
with  this  proximity  of  tw’O  different  and 
aspiring  people,  came  naturally  a clash- 
ing of  interests,  and  repeated  struggles 
for  supremacy.  France,  in  possession  of 


— 

6 BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pakt  i 


ty  to  check  the  advances  of  their  French 
ri\'als.  Frequent  collisions  ensued  in 
consequence,  and  the  colonial  annals  are 
full  of  recorded  conflicts  between  the  two 
competitors  for  American  dominion.  The 
temporary  military  triumph  of  the  one  or 
Ihe  other  was  the  only  result  of  these  re- 
peated contests,  and  the  combatants  were 
left,  for  the  most  part,  in  the  possession 
of  their  original  territorial  claims. 

In  1713,  however,  Louis  XIV., 
with  a contemptuous  disregard  of 
the  interests  of  his  American  subjects, 
ceded  to  Great  Britain,  by  the  treaty  of 
Utrecht,  the  province  of  Nova  Scotia — 
called  by  the  French  Acadie — Newfound- 
land with  its  wealth  of  fisheries,  and  the 
territory  bordering  Hudson’s  bay. 

This  concession  was  a fatal  blow  to 
hi  ench  dominion  in  America.  Newfound- 
land and  Nova  Scotia  should  have  been 
retained  at  all  hazards  by  France,  as  they 
were,  from  their  position  off  the  mouth 
of  the  St.  Lawrence,  the  natural  guards  to 
Uanada.  It  is  true  that  the  island  of  Cape 
Breton,  to  the  west,  was  reserved  for  the 
protection  of  the  Canadian  possessions ; 
but  its  proximity  to  the  coast  of  New  Eng- 
land, and  to  Nova  Scotia  from  which  it 
was  only  separated  by  a narrow  strait, 
exposed  it  to  attack  from  those  quarters. 

The  French  were  alive  to  the  danger 
incurred  by  the  concessions  of  the  treaty 
of  Utrecht,  and  strove  to  secure  the  safety 
.af  their  Canadian  territory  by  strongly  for- 
lilying  Cape  Breton,  as  their  only  means 
of  guarding  the  approach  to  the  St.  Law- 
rence, and  thus  protecting  the  extensive 
territor}’  of  which  that  river  is  the  outlet. 
They  accordingly  foimded  a walled  town 


on  a tongue  of  land,  at  the  southeastern 
part  of  Cape  Breton,  and  called  it  Louis- 
burg,  in  honor  of  their  monarch.  Tin; 
most  skilful  engineers  of  France  wei  e 
commissioned  to  fortify  it  on  the  most 
extensive  plan,  and  according  to  the  besl 
approved  systems  of  defence. 

The  site  of  the  town  and  fortifications 
embraced  a circumference  of  no  less  than 
two  and  a half  miles ; while  a solid  ram- 
part of  masonry,  with  a height  of  more 
than  thirty  feet  and  a ditch  of  the  width 
of  eighty  feet,  was  constructed  to  protect 
every  part  that  was  approachable.  Tow- 
ard the  sea,  there  was  no  occasion  for 
more  than  the  defence  of  a dike  and  pick- 
ets, since  the  water  here  was  so  shallow 
and  so  underspread  with  dangerous  reels, 
that  there  was  no  danger  from  the  ap- 
proach of  armed  vessels.  The  entrance  t<i 
the  harbor  was  only  four  hundred  yards 
wide,  and  this  was  defended  by  the  con- 
struction of  a battery  of  thirty  twenty- 
eight  pounders  upon  a small  island  whicli 
was  conveniently  situated  in  the  very 
centre  of  the  strait.  Another  battery 
was  built  on  the  land  bordering  the  uj)- 
per  part  of  the  harbor,  and  directly  facing 
the  town.  This  was  termed  the  Boyal 
battery,  and  was  provided  with  twenty- 
eight  forty-two  and  two  eighteen-pound 
cannon.  On  the  elevated  ground  of  the 
main-land  opposite  to  the  fortified  island, 
stood  the  lighthouse, and  at  some  distance 
to  the  north  were  built  the  necessary 
magazines  and  storehouses. 

The  town  itself  was  handsomely  con- 
structed of  wood  and  stone,  and  was  en 
tered  through  a gate  at  the  west  over  a 
drawbridge,  which  was  defended  by  a air 


A 

,.;oi,()NiAi..j  LOUISBURG  AND  ITS  FORTIFICATIONS. 

oiilar  battery  containing  thirteen  twenty- 

va  Scotia  from  Cape  Breton  ; and  the 

four  pounders.  The  cost  of  the  whole 

other  at  Port  Royal,  or  Annapolis,  situ 

construction,  of  town  and  fortifications, 

ated  to  the  north.  The  French  com 

amounted  to  no  less  than  six  millions  of 

1 

mander  at  Louisburg,  anticipating  a dec- 

dollars;  and  such  had  been  the  deliber- 

laration  of  war  between  France  and  Eng- 

ate  care  with  which  the  works  were  con- 

land,  sent  out  a detachment  of  nine 

ducted,  that  they  required  twenty-five 

. 1744# 

hundred  men  against  the  garrison 

years  for  their  completion. 

of  Canseau.  The  English,  consisting  only 

The  English  colonists  of  the  New  Eng- 

of  a single  company  of  soldiers,  and  sus- 

land  coast  naturally  beheld  the  rising  of 

pecting  nothing,  were  taken  by  surprise 

this  strongly-fortified  citadel  with  anx- 

and  conveyed  to  Louisburg  as  captives. 

ions  alarm.  They  began  to  fear  for  the 

A similar  attempt  was  made  upon  An- 

safety  of  their  trade  and  commerce  : they 

napolis;  but  William  Shirley,  governor 

saw,  in  Louisburg,  a cover  for  French 

of  Massachusetts,  anticipating  the  dan- 

ci’uisers  and  privateers,  which,  on  the 

ger,  had  sent  a small  force  from  Boston 

lea.st  pretence  of  hostility,  might  sail  out 

to  the  aid  of  the  garrison,  which  succeed- 

aud  pounce  upon  their  merchantmen  and 

ed  with  much  difficulty  in  repelling  the 

(ishing-vesscls.  The  English,  with  a natu- 

French  attack. 

1 al  instinct  for  trade,  had  largely  devel- 

The  colonists  of  Massachusetts  were 

oped  the  Atlantic  fisheries  and  commerce. 

greatly  provoked  by  these  invasions,  and 

while  the  French,  more  intent  upon  mili- 

prepared  to  take  revenge.  Their  thoughts 

fai-y  possession,  seemed  eager  only  for 

naturally  turned  to  Louisburg,  the  pos- 

1 he  glory  of  dominion.  The  latter,  there- 

session  of  which  by  the  French  Avas  be- 

fore,  were  regarded  by  the  former  as  a 

lieved  to  be  so  dangerous  to  the  British 

horde  of  dangerous  interlopers,  whom  it 

colonial  interests.  The  prisoners  Avho 

was  necessary  to  get  rid  of  at  all  hazards. 

had  been  captured  at  Can.seau  and  taken 

as  fatal  obstacles  to  British  colonial  pros- 

to  Louisburg,  had  been  set  free.  On  their 

perity. 

arrival  in  Boston,  their  imprisonment  be- 

Odious,  however,  as  the  threatening 

came  naturally  a general  topic  of  convei- 

aspect  of  the  fortified  Louisburg  was  to 

sation,  and  served  to  stimulate  the  desire 

die  New-Englanders,  and  eager  as  they 

for  an  attack  upon  the  place  of  their  cap- 

were  to  rid  themselves  of  so  dangerous 

tivity.  Thejq  moreover,  Avere  enabled  to 

a neighbor,  it  was  not  before  the  French 

give  the  exactest  information  in  regaid 

had  provoked  the  attack,  that  the  Eng- 

to  Louisburg  and  its  fortifications.  With 

lish  prepared  to  commence  hostilities. 

this  definite  knoAvledge,  Governor  Shir- 

Nova  Scotia,  in  possession  of  Great 

ley  conceived  the  bold  idea  of  getting  u| 

Britain,  was  poorly  defended  by  two 

a secret  invasion  of  the  French  citadel, 

small  English  garrisons:  one  on  the  is- 

with  the  vieAV  of  taking  it  by  surprise 

land  of  Canseau,  at  the  mouth  of  the 

and  capturing  it  at  once  by  a coup  de  main 

'trait  of  that  name,  which  separates  No- 

Shirley  Avas  so  bent  upon  his  scheme. 

8 

and  so  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  se- 
crecy, that  he  extorted  from  each  mem- 
ber of  the  general  court  a solemn  oath 
not  to  divulge  his  plan.  The  secret  was, 
however,  only  kept  for  a few  days ; it 
having  been  disclosed  through  the  piety 
of  one  whose  voice  was  heard,  not  only 
in  the  legislature,  but  the  church.  In 
his  capacity  as  member  of  the  latter,  be- 
ing called  upon  to  pray,  he  piously  in- 
voked the  blessing  of  Heaven  upon  Shir- 
ley’s scheme,  and  thus  disclosed  the  gov- 
ernor’s important  secret.  The  subject 
now  became  the  common  talk,  and  gen- 
eral opinion  was  freely  expressed  against 
the  proposition,  as  reckless  and  impossi- 
ble 

Shirley  strove  even  to  mystify  the 
British  ministry  ; and,  while  he  invoked 
tlicir  aid,  he  carefully  concealed  from 
tliem  the  exact  purpose  of  his  demand. 
He  wrote  to  the  home  government,  ask- 
ing for  the  assistance  of  a naval  force,  on 
the  plea  that  Nova  Scotia  was  threatened 
by  the  French  ; and  addressed  also  a letr 
ter  to  Warren,  who  had  the  naval  com- 
mand on  the  Westrlndia  station,  and  was 
then  at  Antigua,  soliciting  his  aid. 

The  indefiitigable  Shirley  was  not  to 
be  balked  of  his  favorite  purpose  by  the 
opposition  of  the  legislature,  which  had 
reported,  through  a committee,  unfavor- 
ably to  the  attack  on  Louisburg.  He 
accordingly  used  his  influence  with  the 
traders  of  New  England,  to  prevail  upon 
(hem  to  get  up  a petition  to  the  legisla- 
ture to  reconsider  its  former  vote.  This 
was  done,  and  had  its  effect ; for  a new 
committee  was  appointed,  which  report- 
ed in  favor  of  the  expedition.  Upon  the 


report  being  warmly  and  longly  discussed, 
the  governor’s  plan  was  finally  carried 
by  the  majority  of  one.  The  vote  wns 
given ; there  was  no  longer  any  opposi 
tion  to  carrying  out  its  object ; and  all  the 
colonists  warmly  seconded  the  efforts  ox 
Shirley  for  the  execution  of  the  proposed 
attack  upon  Louisburg. 

New  England,  and  particularly  Massa- 
chusetts,  felt  naturally  the  greatest  inter- 
est in  the  enterprise,  and  the  share  borne 
in  it  by  that  portion  of  the  colonies  was 
accordingly  the  greatest.  Massachusetts 
was  foremost,  and  Amted  to  contribute 
more  than  three  thousand  men.  Next 
came  Connecticut,  Avith  five  hundi’ed  ; 
and  then  Rhode  Island  and  NeAv  Harnu- 
shire,  Avith  three  hundred  each.  Aid  Avas 
solicited  from  the  other  colonies,  l)u( 
there  Avas  little  active  sympathy  s1ioa\  n 
Avith  the  cause,  and  NeAV  England  Avas 
left  to  bear  the  chief  burden.  Pennsyl- 
vania, hoAvever,  sent  some  provisions,  and 
New  York  contributed  a small  supply  ol' 
artillery.  In  addition  to  the  land-forces, 
there  Avere  fourteen  small  armed  A^essels 
Avitli  an  aggregate  of  two  hundred  and 
four  guns,  made  up  of  the  Axarious  cruis- 
ers kept  ahvays  in  service  by  the  sea- 
board colonies.  With  the  transports,  the 
Avhole  fleet  amounted  to  no  less  than  a 
hundred  sail.  A provincial,  of  the  name 
of  EdAvard  Tyng,  Avas  appointed  commo- 
dore of  this  colonial  squadron. 

It  was  a matter  of  greater  difficulty  to 
find  a commander  for  the  land-forces,  and 
a general  leader  of  the  expedition.  The 
governor  of  Massachusetts  seemed  em- 
barrassed in  making  a choice,  as  might 
naturally  have  been  expected  among  a 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


r 

COLONIAL.]  WILLIAM  PfIPPERELL.  9 

people  whose  occupations  were  of  com- 

No  better  selection  could  probably 

merce  and  trade.  It  was  not  difficult  to 

have  been  made,  in  the  want  of  any  reg- 

find  among  the  fishermen,  lumberers,  sail- 

ular  military  tactician.  Pepperell,  how- 

ors,  and  mechanics,  of  New  England,  har- 

ever,  was  very  doubtful  of  his  own  capa 

dy  and  bold  men  enough  for  any  under- 

city  for  the  imdertaking,  and  hesitated 

taking  requiring  courage  and  endurance ; 

to  accept  the  position.  Governor  Shir- 

but  who  among  them  had  that  knowl- 

ley  strenuously  urged  him  to  comply,  on 

edge  of  military  art  necessary  to  disci- 

the  ground  that  his  influence  with  those 

pline  their  rude  force  into  the  order  re- 

upon  whom  the  expedition  depended  for 

quired  for  regular  warfare  ? It  is  true. 

its  success  could  not  be  dispensed  with. 

there  were  not  wanting  those  who  had 

He,  however,  still  pondered  the  matter, 

gathered  their  countrymen  together  from 

and  determined  to  consult  his  friends  be- 

the  bench,  the  field,  and  the  fishery,  and 

fore  coming  to  a final  conclusion. 

led  them  against  the  savages,  in  defence 

At  this  time,  the  celebrated  George 

of  their  lives  and  property.  These  were, 

Whitefield,the  eloquentMethodist  preach- 

however, mere  Indian  skirmishes  in  which 

er,  had  reached  New  England,  in  the 

there  was  no  occasion  for  military  art. 

course  of  his  evano-elizino:  labors  in  Amer- 

Governor  Shirley  was  supposed  to  have 

ica,  and  was  stopping  at  the  house  of 

hesitated  for  some  time  between  two  dis- 

Pepperell,  in  Maine.  The  host  took  this 

linguished  New-Englanders:  Wentworth, 

occasion  of  consulting  his  famous  guest 

governor  of  New  Hampshire,  and  Colonel 

in  regard  to  his  appointment,  and  is  siq> 

William  Pepperell,  president  of  the  coun- 

posed  to  have  been  influenced  by  White- 

cil  of  Massachusetts.  He  finally  chose 

field’s  advice,  in  his  resolution  to  accept. 

the  latter,  but  evidently  not  without  some 

The  divine  said,  he  did  not  think  the 

compunctions  of  injustice  toward  the  for- 

scheme  very  promising ; that  the  ejms  of 

mer,  to  whom  he  wrote,  after  the  appoinh 

all  would  be  upon  him ; that  if  it  should 

ment  of  Pepperell,  to  this  effect:  “It 

not  succeed,  the  widows  and  orphans  of 

would  have  been  an  infinite  satisfaction 

the  slain  would  reproach  him ; and  if  it 

to  me,  and  done  great  honor  to  the  ex- 

should  succeed,  many  would  regard  him 

pedition,  if  your  limbs  would  have  per- 

with  envy,  and  endeavor  to  eclipse  his 

mitted  you  to  take  the  chief  command.” 

glory;  that  he  ought,  therefore,  to  go 

Shirley  alluded  to  Wentworth’s  gout,  as 

with  a single  eye,  and  he  would  find  his 

his  reason  for  passing  him  by.  The  gov- 

strength  proportioned  to  his  necessity. 

ernor  of  New  Hampshire,  however,  did 

This  was  good  religious  advice,  and 

not  care  thus  to  be  invalided,  and  wrote 

gave  a holy  sanction  to  the  enterprise. 

in  reply  that  he  had  thrown  aw'ay  his 

which  seems  to  have  had  its  influence  in 

crutches,  and  was  ready,  in  spite  of  the 

detennining  Pepperell  to  undertake  it, 

gout,  to  march  at  the  head  of  the  expe- 

and  in  inspiring  many  of  the  New-Eng- 

dition.  But  it  was  too  late,  as  Pepperell 

land  people  with  a pious  ardor  in  favor 

had  already  received  his  appointment. 

2 

of  the  cause.  Many  of  Whitcfleld’s  own 

, 

1 

10  BATTLES  OB’  AMERICA.  [pakt  i 

converts  offered  themselves  with  enthii- 

cation,  religion,  habits,  and  occupation. 

siasm  as  recruits,  and  all  began  to  con- 

Ilis  father,  at  an  early  age,  had  emigrated 

sider  the  expedition  as  a sanctified  one. 

from  Wales  and  settled  at  Kittery,  on  the 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  Puritan  feel- 

banks  of  the  Piscataqua,  the  river  which 

ing  of  New  England  was  aroused  in  reli- 

separates  Maine  from  New  Hampshii’e. 

gious  hostility  to  the  French,  in  conse- 

Commencing  as  a fisherman,  he  finallv 

quence  of  their  Roman  Catholic  faith. 

reached  the  more  imposing  position  of  a 

Whitefield  himself  seems  to  have  given 

merchant,  and  became  colonially  famous 

such  a direction  to  the  sentiment  of  New 

for  wealth  and  integrity. 

England  by  the  motto  which  he  furnished 

His  son  William  was  born  in  1696  at 

for  the  flag  of  the  expedition.  Nil  ties- 

Kittery.  His  early  education  was  the 

pc?'andinn,  Christo  duce — “ With  Christ  for 

best  that  could  be  supplied  by  the  vil- 

our  leader,  nothing  is  to  be  despaired  of” 

lage  school,  and  consisted  only  of  the  ele- 

— were  the  words  supplied ; and  none 

mentary  reading,  spelling,  and  arithme- 

could  have  been  better  chosen,  to  give 

tic.  Having  soon  exhausted  these  aca- 

the  tone  of  a religious  crusade  to  the  un- 

demic  resources,  he  was  taken  into  his 

dertaking.  That  such,  in  effect,  was  the 

father’s  trading  establishment,  and  there 

result,  may  be  gathered  from  the  fact 

finished  his  education,  which  was,  of 

that  clergymen,  with  axes  on  shoulder. 

course,  more  of  a practical  than  scholas- 

prepared  to  demolish  popish  images, read- 

tic  character.  The  Pepperells  were  great 

ily  enlisted  for  service ; and  from  such 

merchants  for  those  times,  and  dealt  large- 

letters  as  this  from  one  Deacon  Gray,  ad- 

ly  in  timber,  fish,  and  West-Indian  mola.s- 

dressed  to  Pepperell : “ 0 that  I could 

ses,  rum,  and  negroes. 

be  with  you  and  dear  Parson  Moody  in 

The  elder  Pepperell,  from  a fi.sherman’s 

that  church,  to  destroy  the  images  there 

apprentice,  had  passed  rapidly  through 

set  up,  and  hear  the  true  gospel  of  our 

the  various  transitions  of  fisherman,  pro- 

Lord  and  Saviour  there  preached  ! My 

prietor  of  fishing-boats,  shopkeeper,  and 

wife,  who  is  ill  and  confined  to  her  bed, 

factor,  until  he  finally  became  ship-owner 

yet  is  so  spirited  in  the  affair,  on  hearing 

and  merchant.  He  had  his  coasters  to 

of  your  taking  the  command,  that  she  is 

send  to  the  West  Indies  with  lumber,  in 

very  willing  all  her  sons  should  wait  on 

exchange  for  sugar  and  other  tropical 

you,  though  it  is  outwardly  greatly  to 

productions ; his  ships  to  take  these  and 

our  damage.  One  of  them  has  already 

other  colonial  produce  to  Europe,  and 

enlisted,  and  I know  not  but  there  will 

bring  back  manufactured  goods;  and,  in 

be  more.  She  sends  her  duty  to  you. 

fact,  he  carried  on  as  important  commer- 

and  says,  so  long  as  she  has  life  she  shall 

cial  transactions  as  the  colonial  trade  al- 

importunately  pray  for  you.” 

lowed.  His  son  William  soon  became  a 

There  was  no  man  in  the  whole  colony 

partner  in  the  paternal  house,  and  add- 

more  popular  than  Pepperell.  He  was  a 

ed  rapidly  to  its  importance  and  wealth. 

thorough  New-Englander,  by  bii'th,  edu- 

On  his  father’s  death,  he  succeeded  him 

, 

COl-ONIAL.J 


jriLlTARY  ARDOR. 


as  the  principal  member  of  the  firm,  and 
in  a few  years  was  known  throughout 
New  England  as  the  wealthiest  and  most 
influential  of  its  merchants. 

Taking  an  active  part  in  the  public 
concerns  of  the  colony,  he  soon  secured 
a large  share  of  colonial  honor.  He  suc- 
cessively became  justice  of  the  peace,  a 
captain,  major,  lieutenant-colonel,  colonel, 
and  commander-in-chief,  of  the  militia  of 
Maine,  and  finally  member  of  the  coun- 
cil of  Massachusetts.  It  was  his  military 
prominence,  combined  with  his  great  per- 
so]ial  influence  and  popularity,  which  had 
induced  Governor  Shirley  to  give  him 
th(‘  command  of  the  expedition  about 
to  set  out  for  the  attempt  upon  Louis- 
burg. 

Pepperell’s  command  as  colonel  of  the 
militia  seems  to  have  inspired  him  with 
considerable  military  ardor.  He  devoted 
himself  with  great  spirit  to  his  duties, 
and,  by  frequent  drills,  musters,  and  pa- 
rades, imparted  to  his  miscellaneous  regi- 
ment of  fishermen,  lumberers,  and  me- 
chanics, all  the  discipline  of  which  they 
were  capable.  As  the  neighborhood  was 
particularly  exposed  to  the  incursions  of 
surrounding  savages,  there  was  the  mo- 
tive of  constant  and  imminent  danger  to 
prompt  to  alertness  of  military  prepara- 
tion. The  ardor  of  their  commander  was 
thus  readily  shared  by  his  fellow-colo- 
nists ; and  it  may  well  be  conceived 
that  the  troops  of  Maine  were  as  effech 
ive  as  the  best  of  the  irregulars.  None 
could  have  surpassed  them  in  courage 
and  endurance,  and  few  equalled  their 
skill  in  the  use  of  the  firelock.  In  the 
frequent  skirmishes  with  the  Indians, 


n 

they  had  become  practised  in  savage 
warfare ; while  not  only  their  occupa- 
tions as  fishermen  and  lumberers,  but 
their  amusements  on  the  sea  and  in  the 
forest,  served  to  inure  them  to  danger 
and  fatigue,  as  well  as  to  accustom  them 
to  the  exercise  of  their  strength  and  skill. 
All  they  required  was  the  practice  of  act- 
ing together  in  large  bodies;  and  this 
they  were  about  learning,  for  the  first 
time,  in  the  hazardous  attempt  upon  Lou- 
isburg. 

The  recruits  came  in  rapidly,  as  soon 
as  it  was  known  that  Colonel  Pepperell 
had  accepted  the  command  of  the  pro- 
posed expedition.  His  personal  influ- 
ence was  so  great,  that  all  his  immediate 
neighbors  capable  of  bearing  arms  seem- 
ed eager  to  join  his  standard.  The  whole 
town  of  Berwick  turned  out  almost  to 
man.  There  was  no  difficulty  in  obtain- 
ing the  necessary  quota  of  soldiers  for 
the  ranks,  but  there  was  some  trouble  in 
reconciling  the  officers  to  assuming  cer- 
tain subordinate  positions.  Some  of  these, 
even  in  Berwick,  were  accordingly  back- 
ward in  offering  their  services.  Pepper- 
ell, referring  to  this  remissness,  wrote  : 
“ I have  not  the  least  doubt  that  the  com- 
missioned officers  in  Berwick  are  as  brave 
and  as  good  men  as  any  in  this  province, 
and  would  vvillingly  venture  their  lives 
with  their  colonel.  Please  to  tell  them 
all  I sincerely  value  and  love  them,  and 
that  should  there  be  occasion  for  forces 
to  be  sent  after  us,  I don’t  doubt  in  tin 
least  but  they  will  be  ready  to  come.  1 
beg  all  their  prayers.” 

Governor  Shirley  was  still  bent  upon 
his  scheme  of  taking  Louisburg  by  sur- 


12  BATTLES  OF 

AMERICA.  [PART  I 

prise ; and  accordingly,  although  he  had 

and  to  take  the  fortress  and  Eoyal  bat- 

failed  to  keep  the  purpose  of  his  expedi- 

tery  by  surprise  before  daybreak.” 

(ion  a secret  from  his  own  people,  he  re- 

The  troops  all  being  raised  within  the 

solved  to  nse  every  precaution  to  mysti- 

brief  period  of  two  months,  and  to  the 

fy  the  French.  All  communication  with 

number  of  over  three  thousand,  prepared 

Louisburg  was  cut  off,  by  prohibiting  the 

to  sail  in  the  fleet  now  at  anchor  in  the 

sailing  of  colonial  vessels  to  that  place ; 

roads  of  Nantucket.  Some  of  the  fleeh 

and  it  was  strictly  forbidden  for  copies 

est  of  the  provincial  cruisers  were  sent 

to  be  taken  of  the  orders  read  to  the  com- 

in  advance,  to  hover  about  Louisburg, 

panics,  or  for  any  soldier  to  disclose  their 

and  intercept  all  French  vessels  bound 

purport.  Sliirley’s  plan  of  taking  Louis- 

thither.  The  rest  Avere  detained  to  trans- 

burg  by  surprise,  and  carrying  it  by  a 

port  the  provincial  forces.  A day  was 

coup  de  main,  was  based  upon  his  knowl- 

now  set  apart  for  prayer,  and  to  invoke 

edge,  not  only  of  the  strength  of  that 

the  blessing  of  Heaven  upon  the  expedi- 

citadel,  but  of  the  weakness  of  the  colo- 

tion.  Large  croAvds  gathered  together 

nial  forces.  He  naturally  supposed  that 

on  (he  shore,  on  the  Sunday  preceding 

an  undisciplined  militia  had  not  the  ne- 

the  day  of  embarkation ; solemn  prayei’s 

cessary  skill,  or  even  the  patience,  for 

Avere  offered  up  to  the  God  of  battles. 

executing  the  operations  of  a systematic 

imploring  his  aid  in  the  coming  struggle  ; 

siege.  He  knew,  moreover,  that  the  col- 

and  sermons  Avere  delivered  in  every 

onists,  to  a man,  would  do  all  that  enter- 

church,  setting  forth  the  holiness  of  the 

prise  and  courage  could  do  in  the  want 

cause,  and  urging  the  duty  of  each  sol- 

of  art,  and  accordingly  trusted  for  success 

dier  to  do  his  “ manfullest  in  the  service 

to  these  well-known  characteristics  of  the 

of  the  Great  Captain  of  our  salvation.” 

New-England  troops.  It  was,  therefore. 

On  the  day  before  the  departure,  a 

no  Quixotic  scheme  of  Shirley  to  design 

heavy  bloAV  and  great  discouragement 

a rapid  movement,  a sudden  surprise,  and 

came,  in  an  ansAver  from  Warren,  the 

a quick  execution,  by  which  the  skilled 

commodore  of  the  West-India  squadron, 

soldier  in  command  of  the  French  for- 

to  Governor  Shirley,  refusing  to  giA-e  the 

tress  would  be  thrown  off  his  guard,  and 

aid  solicited.  The  colonial  forces  had  ex- 

be  prevented  from  bringing  to  bear  the 

pected  to  be  reinforced  by  this  squadron 

resources  of  military  art  against  his  un- 

before  sailing ; but  the  cause  of  the  non- 

disciplined  opponents.  The  governor  of 

arriA^al  of  Warren  Avith  his  ships  having 

Massachusetts,  accordingly,  as  Bancroft 

been  kept  a secret  by  the  prudent  goA^- 

says,  “ wisest  of  all,  gave  instructions  for 

ernor,  and  only  disclosed  to  Pepperell 

the  fleet  of  a hundred  vessels  to  arrive 

(noAV  lieutenant-general)  and  his  second 

together  at  a precise  hour;  heedless  of 

in  command,  General  Wolcot,  the  troops 

the  surf,  to  land  in  the  dark  on  the  rocky 

embarked  in  ignorance,  and  expected 

shore  ; to  march  forthwith,  through  thick- 

merely  a temporary  delay  of  the  navel 

et  and  bog,  to  the  city  and  beyond  it; 

assistance  still  confidently  hoped  for. 

COLONIAL.J  BAILING  OF  THE  EXPEDITION. 


13 


The  small  settlement  of  Canseau,  in 
the  strait  of  that  name  dividing  Nova 
Scotia  and  Cape  Breton,  having  been  de- 
termined upon  as  the  rendezvous,  the 
various  vessels  set  sail.  The  troops  of 


Massachusetts,  which  fonned  the  larger 
proportion  of  the  forces,  sailed  first,  or 
the  24th  of  March,  and  were  sue- 

1745 

ceeded  at  brief  intervals  by  those 
of  New  Hampshire  and  Connecticut. 


CHAPTER  II. 


Arrival  at  Canseau. — Detained  by  lee. — A proposal  to  float  into  Lonishurg  upon  leebergs. — Encouraged  by  a Capture  - 
The  Judicious  Pepperell  keeps  his  Troops  busy. — The  Encouraging  Arrival  of  a British  Squadron. — Admiral  Warren 
— His  Life  and  Character. — His  Nephew,  Sir  William  Johnson. — Pepperell  superseded  in  the  Naval  Department. — 
His  Judicious  Behavior. — Shirley’s  Letter. — His  Desire  to  give  Warren  the  Pre-eminence. — Pepperell  tenacious  of*liis 
Bights. — Anxious  to  secure  the  Glories  of  the  Coming  Conquest  for  the  New-Englanders. — The  Ice  clears  away. — 
Departure  for  Louisburg. — The  French  unexpectant  of  the  Attack. — Sailing  into  the  Bay. — Landing. — The  Alarm  of 
the  Fortress. — The  Enemy  put  to  Flight. — The  Capture  of  Morepang. — Encampment  before  the  Town. — Admiral 
AVarren  doing  Good  Service  on  the  Coast. — Colonel  Vaughan  sent  to  reconnoitre. — The  Garrison  of  the  Grand  Bat- 
tery frightened  by  a Smoke. — Their  Flight. — The  Hoisting  of  a Bed  Coat. — A Sortie  from  the  Fort. — The  French  driven 
back. — The  Grand  Battery  reinstated  and  held  by  the  New-Englanders. — The  French  strive  by  a Brisk  Cannonade  to 
make  it  too  hot  to  hold — Their  Want  of  Success. — The  Siege  regularly  begun. — Erection  of  Batteries. — The  Diffi- 
culties spiritedly  overcome. — The  Island  Battery  a Great  Annoyance. — The  Attempt  upon  it  postponed  hy  the  Advice 
of  Pepperell. — The  Town  summoned  to  surrender. — The  Defiant  Answer  of  the  French. — Councils-of-War. — A De- 
termination to  carry  Louisburg  by  Storm. — Postponement. — The  Siege  expected  to  be  long. — The  New-Englanders, 
however,  still  hopeful. — The  Sufferings  of  the  Besiegers. — Pepperell  forced  to  send  to  Shirley  for  Beinforcements. — A 
Heavy  Fire  opened  against  the  Walls  — A Breach  made. — Compliments  passed  between  the  Hostile  Parties. — Split- 
ting of  Cannon. — Captures  by  the  Fleet. — Impatience  of  the  Admiral. — Pepperell  cautious  and  temporizing. — Another 
Attempt  upon  the  Island  Battery  proposed,  and  again  postponed. — A Small  Triumph  for  the  Enemy. — A GresU 
Triumph  for  the  British  Fleet. — The  Capture  of  the  Vigilant. — A General  Attack  by  Sea  and  Land  proposed. — An 
Unsuccessful  Attempt  upon  the  Island  Battery. 


The  vessels  Avith  the  Massachii- 

1 7S% 

setts  troops  on  hoard  reached  Can- 
seau on  the  first  of  April,  and  Avere  in  a 
feAV  days  joined  by  the  rest.  Here  they 
were  unfortunately  detained,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  ice,  Avhich,  breaking  up  in 
that  season,  had  drifted  in  such  masses 
in  and  about  the  harbor  of  Louisburg, 
that  it  Avas  impracticable  to  attempt  its 
entrance.  There  was  great  disappointr 
ment  felt  at  this  untimely  detention,  by 
the  ardent  and  sanguine ; and  it  Avas  even 
gravely  suggested  by  some,  more  imptd- 
sive  and  impatient  than  the  rest,  to  float 
the  troops  into  Louisburg  on  the  ice ! 
The  men,  however,  kept  up  their  spirits 


successfully,  in  spite  of  the  untoAvard  de- 
lay. An  opportune  chance  at  an  ene- 
my’s vessel  seiwed  to  occupy  their  mind.= 
and  reinvigorate  their  hopes.  A French 
colonial  vessel,  laden  with  tropical  prod- 
uce, rum,  and  molasses,  appeared  off  the 
coast,  making  its  way  to  the  port  of  Lou- 
isburg. The  NeAv-England  cruisers  at 
once  pounced  upon  it,  and,  making  it 
an  easy  capture,  brought  the  prize  into 
Canseau,  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
impatient  inA’aders. 

Care  Avas  taken  by  the  judicious  Peje 
percll  to  keep  his  men  busy.  Some  AA’ere 
put  to  preparing  the  ammunition ; some 
Avere  set  to. building  fortifications,  struc- 


14  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  i 

tures,  and  hospitals,  for  the  more  effect- 

cer  accordingly  could  be  better  fitted  to 

ive  protection  of  the  small  garrison  of 

guard  provincial  seaboard  interests.  He 

Cansean ; and  others  were  sent  out  in 

was,  moreover,  bound  by  a family  tie  to 

detacliments  to  practise  themselves  in 

the  colonies,  having  married  the  daugh 

skirmishes  with  the  neighboring  savages 

ter  of  James  Delaney,  lieutenant-go vern- 

and  French.  Important  information  in 

or  of  New  York.  He  had  become  also  a 

regard  to  Louisburg  was  gathered  from 

large  landed  proprietor,  owning  an  extern 

those  taken  captive  in  these  engage- 

sive  territory  watered  by  the  Mohawk. 

ments. 

His  nephew  was  the  well-known  Sir 

Three  weeks  had  thus  passed  with  the 

William  Johnson,  who,  having  been  in- 

troops  still  at  Canseau,  in  consequence 

vited  by  his  uncle  to  take  charge  of  his 

of  the  ice,  when  the  appearance  of  three 

American  estates,  became  so  enamored 

lai'ge  vessels  off  the  harbor  was  an- 

of  the  wild  life  on  the  borders,  that  he 

nounced.  These,  to  the  great  stttisfac- 

passed  the  remainder  of  his  years  among 

tion  of  the  colonists,  proved  to  be  British 

the  Indians,  over  whom  he  exercised  an 

men-of-war,  under  command  of  Warren. 

influence  perhaps  never  equalled  by  any 

Soon  after  this  officer  had  written  to  Gov- 

European.  These  various  circumstances 

ernor  Shirley,  refusing  to  co-operate  on 

served  to  identify  Warren  with  colonial 

his  own  responsibility  with  the  colonial 

interests,  and  caused  him  to  support  them 

expedition,  he  received  orders  from  the 

with  ardor. 

British  government  directing  him  to  ren- 

Warren  and  his  ships  were  a great  ac- 

der  with  his  squadron  all  the  aid  in  his 

cession  to  the  colonial  troops,  and  their 

power  to  the  New-England  enterprise. 

arrival  gave  increased  confidence  to  all. 

Warren,  who  was  a prompt  officer,  im- 

Peppered  might,  perhaps,  have  been  par- 

mediately  set  sail  in  the  Superbe,  ac- 

doned  a little  feeling  of  jealousy,  on  the 

companied  by  the  Launceston  and  the 

arrival  of  the  English  admiral,  who  was 

Mermaid.  He  was  making  for  the  port 

to  supersede  him  in  part  of  his  command. 

of  Boston,  quite  unaware  of  the  proposed 

Peppered  had  been  appointed  lieutenant- 

attack  on  Louisburg,  when  he  fell  in  with 

general  and  commander-in-chief  of  both 

a New-England  vessel,  from  which  he 

the  land  and  sea  forces.  He  was  now  re- 

learned  that  the  troops  had  sailed  for 

quested,  by  a letter  from  Shirley,  to  make 

Canseau.  He  accordingly  directed  his 

over  the  command  of  the  colonial  fleet 

course  at  once  for  that  place,  where  the 

to  Warren.  "You  will  perceive,”  says 

arrival  of  his  three  effective  men-of-war 

Shirley  to  Peppered,  " upon  your  perusal 

was  now  hailed  with  joyful  acclamation. 

of  his  majesty’s  orders  to  me,  that  in  an  v 

Warren  was  a brave,  impulsive  Irish- 

attempt  against  the  enemy’s  settlements. 

man,  and  a most  skilful  sailor  and  judi- 

he  has  plainly  given  Commodore  Warren 

cious  commander.  His  long  service  on 

the  command  of  the  shipping  or  naval 

the  American  coast  had  made  him  famil- 

force  with  which  I am  ordered  to  assist 

lar  with  its  navigation,  and  no  naval  offi- 

him;  hence  in  general  upon  any  oxpedi 

r 

ooLONiAL.j  ARRIVAL  OF  ADJITRAL  WARREN.  L'. 

tioii,  which  you  are  sensible  must  super- 

no  occasion,  if  this  be  true,  to  attribute 

sede  any  commission  from  me,  as  to  any 

Shirley’s  conduct  to  jealousy  of  his  friend 

sea-command ; and  doubtless  Commodore 

Pepperell.  It  Avas  quite  natural  that,  in 

\Varren  will  expect  and  insist  upon  the 

his  anxiety  for  the  success  of  the  ex[)edi- 

armed  vessels  with  which,  since  my  re- 

tion,  of  AAdiich  he  Avas  the  originator,  the 

ceiving  his  majesty’s  orders,  I am  assists 

governor  should  liaA^e  more  faith  in  the 

ing  him  in  obedience  to  the  royal  com- 

leadership  of  one  Avho,  like  Warren,  Avas 

mands,  the  command  of  those  ships  ; and 

of  established  fame,  than  in  Pepperell. 

I doubt  not,  sir,  from  the  extraordinary 

Avho,  Avitli  all  his  Avell-knoAvn  qualities  as 

conduct  and  vigilance  Avith  Avhich  you 

a good  and  true  man,  had  had  no  oppor- 

have  hitherto  acted  for  his  majesty’s  ser- 

tunity  of  giving  proof  of  his  capacity  as 

vice,  that  you  Avill  instantly  give  orders 

a military  commander. 

to  Tyng  and  the  other  cruisers  to  folloAV 

Pepperell,  though  tenacious  of  his  OAvn 

the  commodore’s  directions  and  orders  to 

rights,  Avas  the  first  to  Avelcome  Warren’s 

them,  the  omitting  of  Avhich  may  create 

arrival,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  yield  his 

a most  unhappy  disagreement  and  A^‘lri- 

naval  command  to  the  English  commo- 

ance  between  you  and  Mr.  Warren,  Avhich 

dore,  although  he  brooked  no  interfe- 

may  prove  fatal  to  the  service.  Had  I 

rence  Avith  his  leadership  of  the  land- 

not  received  these  precise  orders  from 

forces.  In  Pepperell’s  first  letter  to  War 

bis  majesty,  which  so  evidently  give  Mr. 

ren,  in  Avhich  he  hurried  to  congratulate 

Warren  a general  command  at  sea,  in  all 

him  upon  his  arrival,  he  took  care  at  once 

expeditions  from  hence,  I should  have 

to  define  Avhat  he  supposed  to  be  the  es- 

insisted  upon  my  command  given  you 

pecial  function  of  the  naval  branch  of  the 

over  tlie  sea-forces  (which,  as  it  is,  is  only 

service  : “ I am  confident,”  he  says,  “ that 

suspended  during  Captain  W arren’s  pres- 

nothing  Avhich  the  strictest  Augilauce  and 

ence,  and  Avould  revive  upon  his  going 

prudence  can  foresee  or  braA^ery  execute 

off),  against  every  person  AvhatsoeA^er ; 

Avill  be  Avanting  on  your  part,  and  doubt 

and  you  must  be  sensible  that  this  is  not 

not  you  Avill  succeed  in  preventing  the  in- 

a preference  given  to  him  by  me,  but 

trodiiction  of  provisions  and  siiceors  into  Lov- 

only  acting  in  obedience  to  his  majesty’s 

ishurg,  and  that  Ave  shall  soon  have  the 

orders.” 

pleasure  of  a meeting  there.” 

It  is  quite  evident  that  Shirley  Avas 

Pepperell  Avas  a positive,  self-confident 

particularly  anxious  to  shift  the  respon- 

man,  and  relied,  Avith  all  his  inexperience 

sibility  of  this  change  from  himself,  and 

and  that  of  his  troop.s,  upon  his  and  their 

at  the  same  time  not  the  less  desirous  of 

efforts  mainly  for  the  attempt  upon  Lou- 

securing  as  large  a share  of  the  command 

isburg.  He,  hoAvever,  Avas  a prudent  man 

as  po.ssible  for  Warren.  It  has  even  been 

Avithal,  and  Avas  not  disposed,  upon  a mei  f! 

asserted  that  the  governor  Avas  desirous 

question  of  etiquette,  to  quarrel  with  Wai- 

of  ffiviny;  the  Ena:lish  commodore  the  en- 

ren,  to  Avhom  and  Avhose  ships  he  looked 

tire  control  of  the  expedition.  There  is 

for  such  important  aid  in  the  approach  i up, 

IG  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i 

enterprise.  It  was  now  agreed  between 
the  two  commanders  that  the  naval  squad- 
ron should  proceed  to  blockade  the  har- 
bor of  Louisbnrg,  and  thus  cut  off  all 
communication  by  sea;  while  the  troops 
should  be  transported  at  the  earliest  mo- 
ment, and,  disembarking  at  the  most  con- 
venient point,  should  attack  by  land  the 
French  citadel. 

The  ice  did  not  clear  away  sufficiently 
until  toward  the  close  of  the  month  of 
April,  to  allow  of  the  sailing  of  the  troops. 
It  was  thus  as  late  as  the  29th  of  April 
when  the  transports  weighed  anchor  and 
sailed  for  Louisburg.  In  accordance  with 
Governor  Shirley’s  design,  it  was  intend- 
ed to  reach  that  place  in  the  dead  of 
night,  and  therefore  the  departure  from 
Canseau  had  taken  place  early  in  the 
mornino;.  Though  starting  with  a fair 
breeze,  the  wind  in  the  course  of  the 
evening  so  ffir  lulled,  that  the  vessels  did 
not  ari-ive  at  their  destination  until  an 
3arly  hour  next  day.  It  was  hoped  that 
they  would  have  reached  the  bay  of 
Chapeaurouge,or  Gabarus  as  it  was  called 
by  tlie  English,  upon  the  shores  of  which 
it  was  determined  to  land,  without  being 
discovered  by  the  inhabitants  of  Louis- 
burg. Every  precaution  had  been  taken 
to  prevent  a knowledge,  on  the  part  of 
the  French,  of  the  proposed  attack,  and 
with  complete  success.  The  English  men- 
of-war  had  been  observed  cruising  in  the 
neighborhood,  but  their  purpose  was  not 
suspected ; while  their  diligent  capture 
of  coasting  and  other  vessels  bound  to 
and  from  Louisburg,  put  a stop  to  all 
communication  from  without,  by  which 
the  French  might  have  been  made  aware 

of  their  impending  danger,  and  have  pro- 
tected themselves  accordingly. 

It  was  not  until  the  New-England  fleet 
of  a hundred  sail,  soon  after  daybreak  on 
the  morning  of  the  last  day  of  April,  came 
sailing  into  their  bay  under  full  canvas, 
that  the  French  were  conscious  of  their 
danger.  Great  was  the  alarm  and  great 
the  confusion  at  Louisburg  when  the  ap- 
proach of  so  formidable  an  enemy  was 
observed.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that 
if  the  colonial  troops  (so  unexpected  was 
the  invasion)  had  arrived  as  was  intend- 
ed, marched  to  the  town,  and  made  an 
assault  under  cover  of  the  night,  Louis- 
burg would  have  fallen  at  once,  and  Shir- 
ley’s bold  design  been  fully  justified  by 
a triumphant  success. 

The  provincial  troops  were  no  less  ea- 
ger for  the  attack  than  the  French  were 
dejected  at  its  prospect.  The  vessels  had 
hardl}'  come  to  anchor  in  the  bay, 
when  the  boats  were  lowered  and  ** 

pulled  off,  loaded  down  with  soldiers,  ea- 
ger to  reach  the  shore  and  commence  the 
affray.  As  they  neared  the  land  within 
a short  distance  of  the  walls  of  the  toAvn, 
the  fort  was  aroused  to  a great  state  of 
excitement. ' The  bells  began  to  sound  a 
general  alarm,  and  the  signal-guns  were 
fired  in  quick  succession.  Finally,  a de- 
tachment of  French  troops  appeared  is- 
suing from  the  gates  of  Louisburg,  and 
marching  rapidly  to  the  point  where  the 
provincials  seemed  about  to  land.  These 
latter,  however,  having  made  a feint  of 
pulling  their  boats  to  a certain  spot,  sud- 
denly changed  their  course,  and  disem- 
barked farther  inland,  before  the  eneiu}' 
could  arrive  and  dispute  their  landing. 

COLONIAL.]  FLYING  THE  RED  COAT.  17 


They  had  some  difficulty  in  getting  safe- 
ly in  with  their  boats,  in  consequence  of 
Ihe  great  surf,  but  finally  succeeded ; and 
had  no  sooner  sprung  to  the  shore,  than 
tliey  became  the  pursuing  force,  and 
rushed  eagerly  to  meet  the  French,  whom 
they  defeated  at  the  first  collision,  killing 
seven  or  eight,  and  wounding  and  captu- 
ring as  many  more,  among  whom  was  the 
French  commander  Morepang.  The  rest 
of  the  enemy  took  to  their  heels  and  fled 
back  in  panic  to  the  town.  The  provin- 
cials came  out  of  the  encounter  without 
any  loss,  and  with  only  one  or  two  wound- 
ed ; and,  being  in  fine  spirits,  their  com- 
mander was  eager  to  give  them  a “ time 
for  a general  push.”  The  troops  now 
succeed<  d in  landing,  Avithout  fear  of  mo- 
lestation , and  in  the  course  of  a few 
days,  the  whole  force  had  disembarked, 
and  encamped  before  the  toAvn.  In  the 
mcantmie,  Pepperell  kept  up  almost  dai- 
ly communication  by  letter  Avith  Warren, 
Avho,  with  his  squadron  off  the  mouth  of 
the  bay,  was  doing  good  service  in  block- 
ading the  harbor,  and  protecting  by  the 
coA'er  of  his  guns  the  provincial  camp  on 
shore. 

As  soon  as  a sufficient  number  of  the 
soldiers  had  landed,  Pepperell  sent,  on 
the  very  first  day  of  their  arrival.  Colonel 
Vaughan  (the  same  man  Avho  had  pro- 
posed the  bold  expedient  of  floating  the 
troops  upon  the  ice  into  Louisburg),  at 
the  head  of  a company,  to  reconnoitre 
Louisburg  and  its  environs.  This  officer 
approaiihed  as  near  as  possible  to  the 
garrison,  and,  having  let  them  hear  the 
sound  of  three  hearty  cheers,  he  marched 
his  men  to  the  acclivity  of  an  eminence 
a 


called  Green  hill,  which  overlooked  the 
Royal  battery,  at  some  distance  from  the 
toAvn,  to  the  northeast  of  the  harbor. 
Here  Vaughan,  having  arrived  at  night- 
fall, found  several  dAvellings  and  struc- 
tures, to  Avhich  he  set  fire,  making  a most 
portentous-looking  blaze  and  smoke.  Du- 
ring the  night  Vaughan  sent  back  most 
of  his  men,  and  encamped  Avith  thirteen 
only  on  the  spot;  and  at  break  of  day 
next  morning,  ascending  the  summit  of 
Green  hill,  to  make  a survey  of  the 
Grand  battery,  Avhich  Avas  situated  Avithin 
distinct  vicAV  beloAV,  he  was  surprised  to 
find  that  there  AA^as  every  appearance  of 
its  beino;  deserted.  There  AA^as  no  flao; 
flying,  no  smoke  rising  from  the  barrack- 
chimneys,  and  in  fact  no  indication  of  its 
containing  a single  soldier.  He  noAv  de- 
scended and  entered  the  battery  Avith  his 
thirteen  men,  and  sent  back  immediately 
to  the  proAuncial  camp,  asking  for  a rein- 
forcement to  aid  in  holding  the  position, 
and  a British  flag  to  fly  from  the  fort.  In 
the  meantime,  one  of  the  thirteen,  strip 
ping  off  his  red  coat,  and  taking  it  in  his 
teeth,  climbed  the  staff,  and  nailed  it  to 
the  top. 

It  seems  that  the  smoke  and  blaze 
from  the  conflagration  on  the  acclivity 
of  Green  hill,  during  the  night  before, 
had  been  observed  from  the  Grand  bab 
tery,  and  had  so  frightened  the  soldiers 
of  the  garrison,  Avho  supposed  that  the 
AAdiole  force  of  the  enemy  aviis  approach- 
ing, that  they  deserted  their  post  and 
fled  into  the  toAA'R. 

The  French  soon  discovered  their  mis- 
take, and  sent  out  boats,  Avith  a hundred 
men  or  so.  to  regain  possession  of  the 


V 

18  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  j 

battery  before  Vaughan  and  his  handful 

One  was  constructed  on  Green  hill,  fifteen 

of  men  conld  be  reinforced  by  the  pro- 

hnndred  yards  from  the  northwestern 

vincial  camp.  The  brave  Vaughan,  how- 

wall ; another  in  the  same  direction,  some 

ever,  leading  out  his  thirteen  to  the  shore, 

six  hnndred  yards  nearer;  and  a third 

succeeded  in  keeping  the  Frenchmen  at 

within  seven  hundred  yards  of  the  town. 

bay,  and  prevented  their  landing,  until 

These  batteries  were  composed  of  briish 

aid  from  Pepperell  arrived,  when  the  en- 

wood,  fagots,  and  turf,  which  naturally 

emy  were  forced  to  betake* themselves 

suggested  themselves  to  the  militia,  who 

hurriedly  to  the  town. 

made  no  pretension  to  skill  in  military 

The  provincials,  finding  that  the  can- 

art,  and  who  in  fixet  ridicided  its  techni- 

non  had  been  spiked  by  the  French  pre- 

calities.  It  was  a labor  of  great  difficulty 

vions  to  deserting  the  battery,  set  some 

to  land  the  cannon  and  place  them  in  po- 

twenty  smiths,  under  the  supervision  of 

sition.  In  consequence  of  the  boggy  na- 

one  Pomeroy,  a gunsmith  by  trade,  and 

ture  of  the  soil,  the  wheels  of  the  gun- 

now  a major  of  a Massachusetts  regiment. 

carriages  sank  deeply  into  the  morasses ; 

to  work  at  drilling  the  guns.  They  thus 

and  it  was  found  necessary  to  transport 

found  themselves  in  possession  of  twenty- 

them  upon  sledges,  which  were  construct- 

eight  serviceable  forty-two  pounders,  be- 

ed  by  a New-Hampshire  colonel,  of  the 

sides  a good  supply  of  shells,  balls,  and 

name  of  Messerve.  The  men,  having  har- 

other  ammunition.  The  powder,  how- 

nessed  themselves  to  these’  by  means  of 

ever,  had  been  thrown  into  a well.  With 

straps  drawn  over  their  shonlders,dragged 

the  Grand  battery  thus  reinstated,  the 

them,  as  they  sank  knee-deep  into  the 

provincials  were  enabled  to  turn  upon 

mnd,  to  the  batteries.  For  a full  forL 

the  enemy  their  own  guns  with  great 

night,  by  day  and  by  night,  they  were 

effect.  The  French  were  much  vexed  at 

thus  occupied  in  this  fatiguing  work  of 

the  result,  and  strove,  by  keeping  up  a 

getting  the  cannons  into  place. 

brisk  fire,  to  render  the  position  too  hot 

The  provincials  were  much  annoyed 

for  the  provincials  to  hold ; but  the  lat- 

by  a strong  battery  of  the  enemy,  built 

ter  succeeded  in  maintaining  possession. 

on  an  island  situated  at  the  opening  of 

and  in  retnrning  more  than  they  received. 

the  harbor,  and  facing  the  town.  This 

The  Grand  battery  remained,  impregna- 

island  battery  was  keeping  up  constantly 

ble,  in  the  hands  of  the  colonists,  to  the 

a brisk  fire  upon  Pepperell’s  works,  and 

end  of  the  siege. 

he  was  of  course  anxious  to  silence  its 

The  coup  de  viahi  suggested  by  Shirley 

gnns  at  his  earliest  chance.  Commodore 

having  been  now  abandoned,  there  was 

Warren  had  soon  discovered  the  impor- 

every  prospect  of  a long  siege  ; and  Pep- 

tance  of  carrying  it,  and  proposed  to  aid 

perell  accordingly  made  preparations  for 

Pepperell  in  the  undertaking.  Councils- 

a systematic  attack.  lie  began  erecting 

of-war,  on  land  and  on  shipboard,  were 

batteries  at  various  points,  from  which 

held  from  day  to  day,  to  devise  some  plan 

he  might  direct  his  fire  upon  the  town. 

for  this  puiqxose.  The  commodore  was 

coroNiAL.J  THE  SPIRIT  OF  THE  POMEROYS.  19 


for  attempting  it  at  once ; but  Pepperell, 
more  cautious  and  prudent,  insisted  upon 
waiting  until  his  battering  cannon  and 
mortars  were  ready  to  play  on  the  town. 
The  attempt,  therefore,  was  postponed  ; 
while  the  provincials,  in  the  meantime, 
busied  themselves  in  completing  and  fur- 
nishins:  their  batteries,  and  brinsring  them 
nearer  and  nearer  to  the  walls  of  the  citr 
adel. 

^ The  two  commanders  now  de- 
termined to  send  a flag  of  truce  to 
the  town,  with  a summons  to  surrender, 
'fo  the  demand  of  the  English  the  French 
returned  the  defiant  answer  that  their 
reply  would  be  at  the  cannon’s  mouth. 
After  a momentary  cessation  of  hostili- 
ties, during  this  brief  parley,  the  firing 
was  renewed  with  greater  vigor  than  ev- 
er ; and  the  provincials,  with  the  addition 
of  a fourth  fascine  battery,  within  two 
bund  red  and  fifty  yards  of  the  west  gate 
of  the  town,  were  now  enabled  to  send 
such  a shower  of  balls  and  shells  ao-ainst 
the  walls  as  to  do  the  enemy  great  mis- 
chief 

Warren  now  urged  again  his  favorite 
project  of  an  attack  upon  the  island  bat- 
tery. The  war-council,  however,  did  not 
approve  of  it,  considering  it  too  hazard- 
ous, although  Pepperell  favored  the  com- 
modore’s proposition.  The  objections  of 
the  army  were  overruled,  and,  for  several 
nights  in  succession,  boats  were  got  ready 
for  an  attack ; but  it  was  found  imprac- 
ticable, in  consequence  of  the  weather. 
The  two  commanders  were  in  constant 
communication,  and  for  the  most  part  in 
harmony  in  regard  to  the  operations  of 
the  siege.  Councils-of-war  were  daily  held 


on  sea  and  land,  and  the  results  of  their 
deliberations  communicated  through  Pep- 
perell and  Warren. 

It  was  finally  agreed  that  the  ^ 
town  of  Louisburg  be  attacked  by 
storm,  in  the  night,  with  all  the  vigoi 
possible.  Before  the  night  set  in,  how- 
ever, it  was"  found  advisable  to  postpone 
the  assault, " inasmuch  as  there  appears  a 
great  dissatisfactiQii  in  many  of  the  otfi 
cers  and  soldiers  at  the  designed  attack 
of  the  town  by  storm  this  night ; and  as 
it  may  be  attended  with  very  ill  conse- 
quences if  it  should  not  be  executed  with 
the  greatest  vigor  whenever  attempted, 
the  said  attack  of  the  town  be  deferred 
for  the  present,  or  until  the  cannon  arc 
all  mounted  and  in  full  play,  and  the 
enemy  more  reduced  by  the  siege.” 

“ Louisburg  is  an  exceedingly  strong 
place,”  wrote  Major  Pomeroy,  the  gun- 
smith, to  his  wife,  “ ami  seems  impregna- 
ble. It  looks  as  if  our  campaign  would 
last  long;  but  I am  willing  to  stay  till 
God’s  time  comes  to  deliver  the  city  into 
our  hands.”  The  good  dame  answered 
in  the  same  spirit  of  patriotic  and  pious 
confidence : “ Suffer  no  anxious  thought 
to  rest  in  your  mind  about  me.  The 
whole  town  is  much  engaged  with  con- 
cern for  the  expedition,  how  Providence 
will  order  the  affiiir,  for  which  religious 
meetings  every  week  are  maintained.  1 
leave  you  in  the  hand  of  God.” 

The  spirit  of  the  Pomeroys  was  thai 
of  the  whole  provincial  force ; and  the 
men  went  on,  day  by  day  and  night  by 
night,  toiling  'svithout  a murmur  and  with 
a pious  resignation,  waiting  for  the  ‘‘com- 
ing; of  God’s  good  time.”  Their  labors 


20  BATTLES  OF  AIMERICA.  l ' 

were  heavy  and  their  sufferings  great, 

stroying  the  Avestern  gate,  Avith  its  draAv- 

but  their  energies  never  flagged  and  their 

bridge,  and  making  a small  breach  in  the 

spirits  were  equal  to  every  trial.  With- 

Avails.  The  soldiers  on  both  sides,  on  this 

out  regular  tents,  they  were  obliged  to 

occasion,  Avere  brought  into  each  other’s 

house  thetuselves  under  temporary  erec- 

vieAV,  and  so  closely,  that  they  passed 

tions  of  turf  and  brushwood,  and  to  sleep 

mocking  compliments,  with  invitations  to 

upon  the  ground.  The  weather,  fortu- 

take  a glass  of  Avine,  and  exchanged  vml- 

nately,  Avas  unusually  dry ; but,  notwith- 

leys  Avith  their  muskets,  by  Avhich  some 

standing,  the  men  suffered  from  disease 

Frenchmen  Avere  toppled  off  dead  from 

in  consequence  of  their  severe  hardships 

the  Avails. 

and  exposure.  Pepperell  found  so  many 

The  enemy  did  not  appear  to  be  doing 

of  his  men  disabled,  that  he  was  forced 

as  much  damage  to  the  besiegers  as  the 

to  send  to  the  governor  of  Massachusetts 

besiegers  seemed  to  be  doing  to  them- 

for  another  reinforcement  of  a thousand 

selves,  for  the  latter  reported  several  as 

men,  for  the  bringing  of  whom  he  had 

Avounded  by  the  “ splitting”  of  their  oavu 

despatched  fourteen  transports,  which  he 

cannon.  Pepperell  Avas  apparently  v^ery 

took  occasion  to  load  with  a number  of 

Avell  satisfied  Avith  the  progress  of  his  O})- 

the  prisoners  that  had  been  taken. 

orations,  and  Avrote  : ‘‘We  have  had  con- 

The  provincials  continued  their  labors. 

siderable  success  hitherto,  having  cleared 

adding  battery  to  battery,  and  keeping 

three  forty-tAVOS  at  the  Grand  battery, 

up  a brisk  fire  night  and  day  from  the 

and  have  done  some  execution,  loda-ine; 

May  16  “Tester- 

several  shot  in  the  citadel ; the  mortars 

day,”  writes  Pepperell, " Ave  gave 

and  cohorns  throAV  into  the  toAvn  in  most 

the  AATst  gate  about  one  hundred  shot 

instances.”  Warren,  hoAvever,  Avas  not 

from  our  fascine  battery,”  and  concludes 

so  Avell  satisfied  Avitli  the  state  of  affairs, 

hopefully : “ I hope  that,  under  God,  Ave 

and  complained  of  the  apparent  delay. 

shall  soon  be  masters  of  this  island,  and 

Still,  the  tAVO  commanders  remained  on 

that  I shall  have  the  pleasure  of  Avriting 

the  most  friendly  terms  Avith  each  other. 

you  from  Avithin  the  Avails  of  Louisburg.” 

and  Ave  find  Pepperell  thanking  the  com- 

He  had  noAV  raised  his  fourth  fascine  bat- 

modore  for  the  “ claret  and  lemons,  and 

tery,  termed  Titcomb’s,  in  honor  of  one 

repeated  kind  offers.” 

of  the  bravest  and  most  daring  of  the 

Warren  took  care  to  keep  his  squad- 

NcAV-England  caji tains.  Having  mount- 

ron  busy;  and,  with  an  occasional  capture 

ed  this  Avith  some  of  the  heavy  French 

of  an  enemy’s  privateer  and  some  dozen 

guns  taken  from  the  Grand  battery,  the 

merchantmen,  and  a bombardment  of  tAvo 

provincials  Avere  enabled  to  open  a de- 

neighboring  French  settlements,  his  ac- 

structive  tire  upon  the  tOAvn.  As  they 

tivity  told  to  a good  purpose.  Pepperel] 

Avere  only  distant  tAVO  hundred  and  fifty 

Avent  on  in  his  usual  patient  Avay  Avith 

yards,  they  could  point  their  guns  Avith 

the  batteries,  to  Avhich.  having  found  tliir- 

Buch  effect,  that  they  succeeded  in  de- 

ty  cannon  in  the  east  harbor  at  loAV-Avatcr 

UOLONIAL.J  A Till UM PH.  • 21 

mark,  he  added  another  near  the  lightr 

in  his  squadron  and  trust  chiefly  to  the 

house.  Here  he  hoisted  an  English  flag, 

naval  forces  for  the  enterprise.  The 

and  sent  a regiment  to  guard  the  posi- 

troops  were  desirous,  if  honor  was  to  be 

tion.  The  French  crossed  over  in  boats 

won,  that  they  should  secure  for  them- 

from  the  town  opposite,  and  attempted 

selves  a fair  share  of  it.  Pepperell,  ac- 

to  dislodge  them,  but  were  repulsed  with 

cordingly,  went  on  with  his  systematic 

loss. 

siege,  and  seemed  satisfied  with  its  prog- 

Warren  was  getting  more  and  more 

ress.  “ W e have  continued,”  he  says,  “ oiu 

impatient,  and  continued  to  urge  Pepper- 

fire  on  the  enemy  from  the  west-gate  bat 

ell  daily  by  letter  to  more  active  operar 

tery,  which  has  shattered  the  wall  con- 

tions,  and  particularly  to  an  attack  on 

siderably;  but  we  were  so  unfortunate 

the  island  battery.  The  latter  answered 

last  night  as  to  split  one  of  the 

these  suggestions  courteously,  but  never 

forty-two  pounders.” 

failed  to  justify  his  own  conduct.  ‘‘  It  is 

The  enemy  about  this  time  enjoyed  a 

my  great  concern,”  he  says,  May  17th, 

small  triumph,  in  the  arrival  of  a Bor- 

“ that  our  progress  against  our  enemies 

deaux  merchantman,  laden  with  provis- 

on  shore  is  so  slow ; but  when  the  diffi- 

ions,  which  succeeded,  under  the  cover 

culties  of  attacking  the  island  battery 

of  a dark  and  stormy  night,  in  escaping 

are  duly  considered,  there  being  but  criti- 

the  vigilance  of  Warren  and  his  cruisers, 

cal  moments  in  which  it  can  possibly  be 

and  reaching  the  harbor  of  Louisburg  in 

done  with  hopes  of  success ; also  the  diffi- 

safety.  At  the  same  time  there  arrived 

cult}  of  scaling  walls,  without  a breach. 

a less  welcome  visiter  in  the  shape  of  a 

by  undisciplined  troops ; of  landing  our 

fire-ship,  which  Pepperell,  taking  advan- 

cannon  in  so  bad  a harbor;  of  getting 

tage  of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  had 

them  conveyed  on  such  bad  grounds  in 

sent  in,  and  which  did  considerable  dam- 

the  face  of  our  enemy’s  fire,  while  we  can 

age  to  the  enemy’s  shipping. 

not  annoy  them  at  all ; and  a general  ill- 

Commodore  Warren,  hoAvever,won  the 

ness  through  the  army : these  and  such 

greatest  triumph  of  all,  having  taken  a 

like  things  considered,  I hope  your  pa- 

French  man-of-war  of  sixty-four  guns, 

tience  will  not  tire.  The  probability  of 

manned  by  six  hundred  men,  and  laden 

the  speedy  arrival  of  a French  sea-force 

with  military  stores.  The  capture  of  the 

1 duly  consider,  but  I hope  the  best,  and 

Vigilante,  as  she  was  named,  produced  a 

nothing  in  my  power  shall  be  wanting 

burst  of  joy  in  the  army,  and  animated 

toward  tlie  greatest  despatch  and  most 

the  soldiers  Avith  fresh  courage  to  perse- 

vigorous  attack.” 

vere.  Pepperell  himself  seemed  now  to 

Warren  had  proposed  another  plan  for 

tire  of  the  slowness  of  his  own  operations, 

llio  attack  on  the  island  battery,  which 

and  proposed  a general  consultation,  in 

Pepperell  laid  before  his  couricil-of-war. 

order  to  determine  upon  a speedy  and 

Tlie  provincials  did  not  seem  to  approve 

vigorous  attack  with  the  Avhole  united 

of  it,  as  the  commodore  wished  to  bring 

forces,  both  sea  and  land.  Warren  re- 

. 

22  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  i 


ceived  this  suggestion  with  a hearty  wel- 
come, and,  with  the  advice  of  his  council, 
proposed  a plan  for  an  attack  upon  the 
town. 

It  was  proposed  that  all  his  majesty’s 
sliips,  and  all  the  colonial  cruisers  except 
two,  with  the  schooners  and  transports, 
should  sail  into  the  harbor  and  attack  the 
town  and  batteries  with  the  utmost  vig- 
or, “with  his  majesty’s  ships  in  such  order 
of  battle  as  shall  be  agreed  on,  and  that 
all  the  unarmed  vessels  anchor  in  the 
northeast  harbor,  out  of  gunshot.”  It  was, 
moreover,  proposed  that  sixteen  hundred 
of  Pepperell’s  men  should  go  on  board 
the  vessels  of  the  squadron,  to  aid  in  the 
attack,  while  the  marines  should  be  land- 
ed under  the  command  of  M‘Donald,  iheir 
colonel,  who  was  to  lead  the  attack  on 
shore,  and  be  sustained  by  the  provincial 
troops. 

This  proposition  was  by  no  means  wel- 
come to  Pepperell  and  his  army,  as  its 
whole  scope  was  to  place  the  provincials 
in  a very  subordinate  position,  and  de- 
prive them  of  all  chance  of  glory  in  the 
proposed  undertaking. 

Pepperell  and  his  council  had  other 
reasons  to  urge.  The  Indians,  they  con- 
tended, might  come  in  upon  their  backs, 
while  the  troops  were  on  board  the  ships, 
and  attack  what  forces  remained  in  the 
camp  and  hospitals.  Moreover,  they  de- 
clared that  the  army  was  so  reduced  by 
sickness,  that  the  soldiers  were  unfitted 
for  such  service  as  proposed  ; and  that  if 
the  plan  should  miscarry,  as  it  probably 
would  from  this  inefficiency,  the  result 
would  be  disastrous  to  the  colonies.  Pep- 
perell’s  council  then  proposed  that  a gen- 


eral attack  be  made  upon  the  town  by 
tile  land  and  naval  forces  forthwith ; that 
five  hundred  men  be  impressed  from  the 
cruisers  and  transports,  to  embark  in  < he 
Vigilante  (the  vessel  captured  from  the 
French),  and  that  the  other  men-of-war 
follow  her  into  the  harbor ; that  five  him 
dred  provincials  put  oft'  in  boats  from  the 
Grand  battery  at  a given  signal,  to  land 
and  scale  the  walls  in  front  of  the  town, 
under  cover  of  the  guns  of  the  squadron 
and  the  land-batteries ; that  the  marines 
and  sailors  of  the  fleet  should  put  off  and 
join  them;  that  five  hundred  of  the  troops 
should  scale  the  walls  at  the  southeast 
part  of  the  town,  and  that  the  same  num- 
ber should  make  a breach  at  the  western 
gate,  leaving  half  a thousand  disposable 
men  to  aid  any  party  that  might  need 
their  services. 

This  plan  of  Pepperell’s  council  was 
not  sent  at  once  to  Warren,  in  conse- 
quence of  a dense  fog.  The  commodore 
became  impatient,  and  wrote,  a.sking  why 
he  had  not  received  an  answer  to  the 

proposition  sent  two  days  be- 
11  j HI*iy  2G 

fore ; and,  after  reiterating  some 

of  its  details,  peevishly  remarked,  “ For 

God’s  sake,  let  us  do  something,  and  not 

waste  our  time  in  indolence  !” 

The  provincials  began  to  sympathize 
with  Warren’s  anxiety  to  do  something, 
and  the  council-of-war  proposed  that  the 
general  should  go  on  board  the  commo- 
dore’s ship,  and  try  to  decide  upon  .souie 
mutual  plan  for  immediate  action.  War- 
ren, although  he  had  been  reinforced  by 
several  additional  men-of-war,  Avhich  had 
joined  him  from  the  various  American 
and  West-Indian  stations,  was  fearful  that 


r 

COLONIAL.J  A REPULSE.  23 

the  arrival  of  the  French  fleet,  daily  ex- 

night,  and  every  precaution  was  taken 

pected,  would  give  him  so  much  to  do  in 

to  elude  the  vigilance  of  the  enemy,  the 

looking  after  it,  that  he  would  no  longer 

garrison  of  the  island  battery  caught  the 

have  it  in  his  power  to  aid  in  the  attack 

alarm,  and  began  to  fire  upon  the  boats 

upon  Louisburg.  He  therefore  pressed 

before  they  reached  the  shore.  On  the 

this  enterprise  with  all  his  energies.  As 

provincials  now  attempting  to  land,  they 

a preliminary  to  the  general  assault.  War- 

got  so  wetted  in  the  heavy  surf  that  many 

ren  thought  it  necessary  to  silence  the 

of  the  firelocks  could  not  be  discharged, 

island  battery,  which  guarded  the  ap- 

and  some  of  the  party  were  driven  back 

proach  to  the  town,  and  was  seriously  in 

at  once  in  confusion  to  their  boats ; oth- 

the  way  of  his  ships  making  an  attack. 

ers  succeeded  in  making  a stand  on  the 

He  accordingly  prevailed  upon  Pepperell 

shore  for  awhile,  but  were,  after  an  hour’s 

to  make  an  attempt  on  the  island,  though 

hard  struggle,  compelled  to  yield  to  the 

the  army  generally  was  averse  to  it,  as 

French.  Sixty  were  killed,  and  no  le.ss 

too  hazardous,  and  as  likely  to  result  in 

than  a hundred  and  sixteen  taken  pris- 

disappointment. 

oners.  “ Providence  seemed  remarkably 

A volunteer  party  of  provincials  was 

to  frown  upon  the  affair,”  as  one  of  the 

now  enlisted  for  the  purpose,  and  started 

pious  provincials  wrote,  in  giving  an  ac- 

with  scaling-ladders  to  make  the  assault. 

count  of  this  melancholy  disaster  to  his 

Although  it  was  in  the  darkness  of  the 

friends  in  New  England. 

CHAPTEK  III. 

Exultant  Shouts  of  the  Enemy. — Pepperell  discouraged. — A more  Vigorous  Push. — A Gkmeral  Attack  proposed. — Opposeu 

by  the  Admiral. — A French  Deserter  reports  the  Enemy  in  Good  Spirits. — A Plan  to  dash  them. — A Successful  Ruse. 

— An  Attack  upon  the  Island  Battery  again  [iroposed.— 

-Opposed  by  Pepperell. — The  Bombardment  of  the  Town 

brisker  than  ever. — The  General  Assault  decided  upon. — The  “ Three  Smokes  and  Dutch  Flag.” — Great  Preparations 

— Louisburg  suffering  more  than  ever. — The  Attempt  bet 

'un. — Stirring  Addresses  from  the  General  and  the  Commo- 

dore. — The  Enemy  sends  out  a Flag  of  Truce. — Proposes  to  capitulate. — Terms  of  Surrender  agreed  upon. — Pepperell 
and  Warren  disputing  about  the  Keys. — The  General  triumphs. — Louisburg  entered. — Its  Strength  and  its  Weakness. 

— Glorification. — Dinner. — Parson  Moody  .agreeably  disappoints  his  Friends  with  a Short  Grace. — Pepperell  and  War- 
ren Joint  Governors. — The  French  Fl.ag  hoisted  as  a Decoy. — Fat  Prizes. — Glorification  and  Thanksgiving  in  New 

England. — Ditto  in  Old  England. — The  King  delighted.- 

-The  Admiral  promoted,  and  Pepperell  made  a Baronet,  the 

first  and  last  in  New  England. — The  Effect  of  the  Victory. 

That  night’s  repulse  of  the  attack  on 

had  made  fair  progress  in  investing  the 

the  island  battery  was  a sad  blow  to  the 

citadel  with  his  batteries,  by  which  he 

provincials,  who,  as  the  morning  dawned 

had  succeeded  in  doing  much  damage 

upon  them  in  their  camp,  heard  the  ex- 

to  the  to’svn,  and  had  beaten  back  the 

ulting  shouts  of  the  enemy  over  the  first 

French  on  every  sortie  from  their  walls, 

success  they  could  claim  since  the  begin- 

he  was,  after  the  defeat  of  the  previous 

ning  of  the  siege.  Although  Pepperell 

night,  evidently  somewhat  disheartened. 

. 

1 ~ 

24  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [paut  i 

“ It  is  now,”  says  Pepperell 
May  28i  twenty-ninth  day 

to  do  his  best  in  pushing  on  the  siege. 

He,  hoAvever,  Avas  in  great  straits  for  Avant 

since  the  army  invested  Louisburg  and 

of  ammunition  and  effective  men.  In  his 

drove  in  the  inhabitants.  Five  fascine 

despatch  to  Governor  Shirley,  he  says : 

batteries  have  been  erected,  with  hard 

“ PoAvder  and  balls  are  nearly  used  up. 

service  to  the  men,  who  have  drawn  the 

on  account  of  which  many  of  our  guns 

cannon  and  mounted  them;  the  enemy 

are  silent.  We  have  one  thousand  five 

has  been  distressed,  some  breaches  have 

hundred  sick,  and  a reinforcement  there- 

been  made  in  their  walls,”  and  it  is  not 

fore  of  three  thousand  men  is  absolutely 

doubted  but  that  “ we  shall  soon  reduce 

necessary.”  The  French,  on  the  other 

the  circular  battery.  Five  unsuccessful 

hand,  seemed  to  be  in  excellent  condition, 

attempts  have  been  made  upon  the  island 

and  by  no  means  discouraged  as  to  their 

battery,  in  the  last  of  which  one  hundred 

ability  to  hold  out  against  the  besiegers. 

and  eighty-nine  men  and  many  boats 
were  lost.  Scouts  have  been  sent  out, 

A French  soldier  deserts,  and, 

, . , June  J* 

reaching  the  provincial  camp. 

and  have  succeeded  in  destroying  the 

reports  that  there  are  Avithin  the  garri- 

enemy’s  settlements  and  in  preventing 

son  three  thousand  six  hundred  that  bear 

surprise.  Fatigue,  however,  has  brought 

arms,  seven  or  eight  hundred  of  AA’honi 

on  disease,  and  left  not  more  than  two 

are  soldiers ; that  they  liaA^e  proAusions 

thousand  one  hundred  men  fit  for  duty. 

to  last  till  October,  and  considerable  am 

six  hundred  of  whom  are  gone  in  pursuit 

munition ; that  the  enemy  judged  vari- 

of  two  large  bodies  of  French  and  In- 

ously  the  provincial  forces  from  one  thou- 

dians  ea.stward  and  westward  of  the  pro- 

sand  to  four  thousand  five  hundred  men  ; 

vincial  camp.” 

that  they  have  burst  one  of  their  mortars 

This  wa.s  the  not  very  encouraging 

and  several  cannon;  that  they  are  pre- 

state  of  things,  when  Pepperell  resolved 

pared  to  receive  an  attack  every  night 

upon  a more  vigorous  push.  He  was 

in  all  parts  of  the  toAvn ; and  that  if  their 

anxious  now  for  a consultation  with  War- 

expected  ships  are  taken  they  aa  ill  have 

ren,  but  was  prevented  for  several  days 

to  surrender,  but  they  do  not  expect  the 

by  the  fog  from  going  on  board  the  com- 

British  ships  will  venture  into  the  liar- 

modore’s  ship.  He  finally,  however,  sue- 

bor. 

ceeded  in  reaching  him,  and  proposed  a 

Commodore  Warren,learning  from  this 

joint  attack  on  the  toAvn.  Warren,  hoAV- 

deserter,  who  Avas  sent  to  him  by  Pepper- 

ever,  Avas  not  now  disposed  to  concur  in 

ell,  hoAv  Avell  the  French  kept  up  their 

this  proposition,  although  it  had  origi- 

spirits,  resolved  upon  a plan  to  try  and 

nally  been  made  by  him.  He  thought 

dash  them  somewhat.  The  inhabitants 

it  better  not  to  send  his  ships  into  the 

of  Louisburg  had  not  yet  heard  of  the 

harbor  until  further  execution  had  been 

capture  of  the  Vigilante,  although  she 

done  against  the  enemy’s  batteries. 

had  been  in  the  hands  of  the  English  for 

Pepperell,  in  the  meantime,  continued 

nearly  three  Aveeks.  Warren  thought  if 

r 

COLONIAL.]  A RUSE.  25 


this  intelligence  could  be  conveyed  to 
the  French  commander,  it  would  natu- 
rally have  the  effect  of  lowering  his  hopes 
of  a continued  successful  resistance.  The 
commodore,  accordingly,  pretending  that 
he  had  heard  of  the  cruel  treatment  of 
some  of  the  provincials  held  by  the  ene- 
my’s garrison  as  prisoners,  suggested  to 
the  former  commander  of  the  Vigilante, 
who  was  now  a captive  of  the  English, 
to  write  to  Duchambon,  the  governor  of 
Louisburg,  and  interpose  in  their  behalf 
The  Frenchman  readily  complied,  and 
prepared  this  letter : — 

“On  board  the  Vigilante,  where  I am  a pris- 
oner, BEFORE  Louisrdrg,  June  8,  1745. 

“Herev’th  I send  you,  sir,  the  copy 
of  a letter  written  me  by  Mr.  Warren, 
commander  of  a squadron,  who  informs 
me  that  the  French  have  treated  some 
English  prisoners  with  cruelty  and  inhu- 
manity. I can  scarcely  believe  it,  since 
it  is  the  intention  of  the  king  our  master 
that  they  should  be  well  treated  on  ev- 
ery occasion.  You  are  to  know  that  on 
the  20th  of  May  I was  taken  by  the 
squadron,  as  I was  about  to  enter  your 
harbor;  and  it  is  fitting  you  should  be 
informed  that  the  gentlemen,  the  captains 
and  officers,  treat  us  not  as  prisoners,  but 
as  their  good  friends,  and  take  a very 
particular  care  that  my  officers  and  equi- 
page should  want  nothing.  To  me  it 
seems  just  you  should  treat  them  in  the 
same  manner,  and  see  that  those  be  pun- 
ished who  act  otherwise,  and  offer  any 
insult  to  those  whom  you  may  make 
prisoners. 

“ Yours,  &c. 

‘^De  la  Maison  Forte.” 


To  carry  out  his  ruse  more  effectually, 
Warren  selected  one  of  his  officers,  who 
understood  the  French  language.  Captain 
Macdonald,  and  intrusted  the  letter  to 
him  to  deliver.  Tliis  officer  was  accord- 
ingly sent  to  Louisburg  under  a flag  of 
truce,  and  was  duly  received  by  the  gov 
ernor,  who  was  greatly  startled  by  the 
letter,  which  gave  him  the  first  intelli- 
gence of  the  capture  of  the  Vigilante. 
Captain  Macdonald,  who  communicated 
with  the  French  officers  only  througli  an 
interpreter,  was  supposed  to  be  ignorant 
of  their  language ; and  accordingly  they 
freely  expressed  their  thoughts  and  opin- 
ions in  their  native  tongue,  without  the 
least  fear  of  being  understood.  The  Eng- 
lish officer  was  thus  enabled  to  bring 
back  to  Warren  a faithful  account  of  the 
fright  occasioned  by  this  untoward  news 
of  the  capture  of  that  large  man-of-war, 
the  Vigilante,  the  safe  arrival  of  which 
they  had  been  expecting,  with  supplies 
of  men,  provisions,  and  ammunition. 

The  French  were  further  disheartened 
by  learning  of  a large  accession  to  the 
British  squadron,  and  disappointed  at  the 
delay  of  their  own  expected  fleet.  Pep- 
perell,  too,  had  been  reinforced,  by  a 
timely  arrival  of  recruits  and  ammuni- 
tion, not  only  from  the  neighboring  BriV 
ish  settlements  of  Canseau  and  Annapo- 
lis, but  from  Massachusetts ; and  was  thus 
enabled  to  keep  up,  by  a more  eflectual 
fire  from  his  batteries,  the  lively  appre- 
hensions of  the  French,  first  aroused  by 
a knowledge  of  the  fate  of  the  Vigilante. 

By  a council-of-war  held  in  the  ^ ^ 

squadron,  it  was  determined  that 
it  was  not  practicable  or  advisable  to  at- 


1 

L>6  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [paut  i. 

tack  the  town  of  Lonisbnrg,  without  the 

his  ships,  in  accordance  with  Pepperell’s 

island  battery  should  be  first  taken.  It 

plan ; and  it  was  agreed  that,  as  soon  as 

was  therefore  projjosed  that,  if  proper 

the  wind  was  fair  for  the  squadron  <o 

pilots  could  be  found,  the  ships  should 

sail  into  the  harbor,  the  attack  upon  Lou- 

be  anchored  within  half  a cable’s  length 

isburg  should  be  made.  The  commodore 

of  the  island,  and  General  Pepperell  hav- 

was  to  hoist  a Dutch  flag  under  his  pen- 

ing  supplied  the  commodore  with  five 

nant  at  the  maintop-gallant  masthead,  as 

hundred  provincials,  that  these,  together 

the  signal  of  his  having  weighed  anchor ; 

with  the  sailors  and  marines  of  the  squad- 

and  Pepperell  was  to  answer,  when  he 

ron,  should  land  under  cover  of  the  ships. 

should  be  ready,  with  “ three  smokes.”  — 

and  attack  the  island  fortress. 

“ When  I hoist  a Dutch  flag,”  says  W arren 

Pepperell,  on  being  consulted,  did  not 

in  his  communication,  “ you  should  march 

altogether  approve  of  this  plan,  being 

toward  the  town,  drums  beating  and  col- 

especially  opposed  to  the  attack  on  the 

ors  flying ; when  I hoist  the  red  flag  on 

island  by  embarking  the  troops  in  the 

the  flagstaff,  you  may  then  be  assured  I 

whale-boats,  which  a few  musketrballs 

shall  be  in  and  begin  the  attack  in  about 

might  sink.  He  therefore  urged  again 

half  an  hour.” 

his  former  proposition  of  a general  attack 

Pepperell  was  as  eager  as  the  commo- 

upon  the  town.  As  for  the  island  bat- 

dore,  and  was  making  ready  with  all  pos- 

tery,  the  squadron,  he  suggested,  might 

sible  despatch.  He  ordered  all  the  trans- 

bombard  it  from  the  outside,  and  be  safe 

ports  out  to  join  the  squadron,  the  boals 

to  retreat.  Pepperell  sent  accordingly 

to  be  fitted  with  oars  and  ladders,  and 

three  pilots  from  his  own  transports,  to 

sent  to  Warren  a supply  of  cohorns  and 

take  charge  of  the  ships  and  bring  them 

shells,  and  what  oakum  and  moss  could 

to  a safe  anchorage  as  near  as  possible  to 

be  collected.  He  got  ready  three  more 

the  point  of  attack. 

forty-twos  to  play  upon  the  circular  bat- 

While  this  plan  of  Pepperell  is  being 

tery,  and  prevent  it  from  annoying  the 

considered,  the  provincials  set  to  work. 

ships.  He  was  keeping  up  a constant 

with  renewed  energy,  in  their  bombard- 

fire  from  his  lighthouse  battery  upon  the 

ment  of  Louisburg,  and  threw  into  the 

island  fortress,  and  had  succeeded  in  al- 

citadel  a continued  shower  of  red-hot 

most  silencing  it.  His  other  batteries. 

balls.  The  French,  too,  were  not  back- 

too,  were  kept  busy;  and  Louisburg  was 

ward,  and  returned  the  fire  with  great 

evidently  suffering  more  than  ever  it  had 

spirit.  They  succeeded  in  planting  six 

done  during  the  whole  six  weeks  of  the 

cannon,  during  the  night,  to  protect  the 

siege. 

west  gate,  which  was  the  chief  object  of 

Everything  was  now  in  readi- 

attack ; but  the  provincials  had  the  good 

ness  for  the  general  “push.”  The 

fortune  to  silence  them  early  the  next 

provincial  vessels  had  sailed  out  of  the 

morning. 

Ixay  to  join  the  squadron  ; the  brushwood 

Warren  finally  consented  to  bring  in 

had  been  gathered  and  placed  on  the 

coLONiAL.j  SURRENDER  OF  LOUISBURG.  27 

summit  of  Green  hill,  preparatory  to  the 

were  together,  and  had  just  determined 

raising  the  signal  of  “three  smokes and 

upon  a general  attack.  We  shall  com- 

all  was  now  eager  expectation  of  the  com- 

ply  with  your  desire  until  eight  o’clock 

ing  event. 

to-morrow  morning ; and  if  in  the  mean 

Warren  hoisted  his  Dutch  flafr; 

Iiiiip  15.  ’ 

time  you  surrender  yourselves  prisoners- 

Pepperell  answered  with  his 

of-war,  you  may  depend  upon  humane 

“three  smokes”  from  Green  hill;  War- 

and  generous  treatment. 

ren  replied  with  his  red  flag ; and  soon 

“We  are  your  humble  servants, 

the  fleet  sailed  in  before  the  wind,  and 

“Peter  Warren, 

anchored  in  a line  near  the  town.  The 

“ W ILLIAM  Pepperell  ” 

commodore  pulled  off  at  once  for  the 

shore,  and,  meeting  the  general,  they 

Next  morning,  Duchamlion  sent  back 

were  received  by  the  troops  on  parade. 

his  terms  for  the  surrender  of  Louisburg, 

Both  Pepperell  and  Warren,  having  ad- 

but  they  were  rejected  by  Warren  and 

dressed  them  in  a few  stirring  words,  pre- 

Pepperell,  who  insisted  upon  conditions 

pared  to  assume  their  several  positions. 

less  favorable  to  the  enemy.  These  were 

and  fulfil  the  duties  of  the  day.  Before 

accordingly  accepted  by  the  French,  who, 

they  had  parted,  however,  it  being  late 

however,  demanded  that  their  troops 

in  th(!  afternoon,  a flag  of  truce  was  seen 

might  be  allowed  to  march  out  of  the 

advancing  from  the  west  gate  of  the  gar- 

garrison  with  their  muskets  and  ba}  u 

risen.  The  bombardment  ceased  at  once. 

nets,  and  colors  flying.  This  privilege 

and  the  captain  of  the  foremost  of  the 

was  freely  granted  by  Pepperell  and  War- 

provincial  batteries  approaching  half  way. 

ren,  who  thought  it  not  v orth  while  to 

met  the  French  officer  who  bore  the  flag. 

“stickle  at  trifles.”  Terms  of  capitula- 

and  received  from  him  a proposal  for  the 

tion  having  been  agreed  upon,  hostages 

suspension  of  hostilities,  in  order  to  give 

delivered,  and  all  preliminaries  arranged. 

the  garrison  an  opportunity  for  the  con- 

the  two  commanders  prepared  to  take 

sideration  of  terms  of  capitulation.  Pep- 

possession.  There  now  sprang  up  a feel  ■ 

perell  and  Warren  sent  back  their  answer 

ing  of  rivalry  between  Pepperell  and  W ar- 

as  follows,  having  written  it  in  the  camp 

ren,  as  to  who  should  enter  Louisburg 

H.s  late  as  half-past  eight  at  night; — 

first  and  receive  the  keys  of  the  fortress. 

'•'•June  loth. 

Both  seemed  anxious  for  awhile  to  frus- 

“ Governor  Duciiambon  : 

trate  the  other;  and  each  wrote  to  Du- 

“We  have  yours  of  this  date,  propo- 

chambon,  demanding  that  the  town  should 

sing  a suspension  of  hostilities  for  such 

be  given  up  to  him.  Pepperell,  to  whom 

a time  as  shall  be  necessary  for  you  to 

probably  precedence  belonged,  wrote  tc 

determine  upon  the  conditions  of  deliver- 

the  French  governor  that  he  Avould  send 

ing  up  the  garrison  of  Louisburg,  which 

Colonel  Bradstreet  with  a detachment  at 

arrived  at  a happy  juncture  to  prevent 

four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  to 

the  effusion  of  Christian  blood,  as  we 

take  possession  of  the  town  and 

28  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpakt  i. 

forts,  to  wlioiii  he  desired  that  the  keys 

had  succeeded  with  his  batteries  in  shat- 

be  delivered. 

tering  its  strength  very  effectually.  In 

Warren,  having  stolen  a march  upon 

his  despatch  to  Shirley  he  said : “ I be- 

his  rival,  had  previously  written  to  Du- 

lieve  such  ruins  were  never  seen  before, 

j chambon,  demanding  that  the 

keys  of  the  town  be  delivered 

which,  however,  is  not  to  be  wondered  at. 
as  we  gave  the  town  about  nine  thousand 

to  such  officers  and  troops  as  he  should 

cannon-balls  and  six  hundred  bombs  be- 

appoint.  The  French  governor  seemed 

fore  they  surrendered,  which  sorely  dis- 

inclined  rather  to  yield  to  the  commo- 

tressed  them,  especially  the  day  before 

dore,  who  probably  passed  with  him  as 

they  sent  out  a flag  of  truce,  when  our 

the  superior  officer.  Duchambon  accord- 

incessant  fire  on  the  town  prevented  their 

ingly  showed  Pepperell’s  letter  to  War- 

showinsr  their  heads  or  stirrino;  froirr  their 

ren,  who  was  so  angered  by  its  purport. 

covert  ways;  and  from  lighthouse  bat- 

that  he  wrote  reproachfully  to  the  pro- 

tery  we  played  upon  the  island  battery 

vincial  general,  telling  him  he  was  sorry 

with  our  cannon  and  large  mortar,  so 

to  find  by  his  “ letter  a kind  of  jealousy 

that  some  of  them  ran  into  the  sea  for 

which  I thought  you  would  never  con- 

shelter.” 

ceive  of  me,  after  my  letter  to  you  of 

On  eirtering  Louisburg,  it  was  found 

la.st  night.  And  give  me  leave  to  tell 

to  corrtain  two  thousand  inhabitants,  in 

you  I don’t  want  at  this  time  to  accjuire 

addition  to  about  four  thousand  troops, 

reputation,  as  I flatter  myself  mine  has 

of  whom  about  six  hundred  and  fifty  orrl  y 

been  pretty  well  established  long  before.” 

were  regiflars.  All  these,  by  the  terms  of 

After  this  little  spirt  of  rivalry  between 

the  surrender,  were  to  be  sent  to  France, 

the  two  commanders,  the  affair  was  final- 

and  pledged  not  to  bear  arms  against 

ly  adjusted  by  Warren  conceding  to  Pep- 

Great  Britain  or  its  colonies  for  the  pe- 

perell — what  fairly  belonged  to  him  as 

riod  of  twelve  months.  A large  quantity 

commander-in-chief  of  the  expedition — 

of  provisions,  sufficient  to  have  lasted  the 

the  right  of  receiving  the  keys.  The 

garrison  for  half  a year,  and  immense  su])- 

1745  fortress  was  now  delivered 

up ; and,  as  the  troops  entered,  they 

plies  of  ammunition  and  military  stores, 
were  taken  possession  of  by  the  captors. 

were  so  struck  with  the  strength  of  the 

The  occasion  of  the  capture  was  cele- 

fortifications,  that  they  considered  their 

brated  by  a public  dinner,  given  by  Pep- 

own  success  as  a marvel  of  God’s  good- 

perell  to  his  officers,  of  which  a clerical 

ness.  God,”  wrote  an  eye-witness,  “ has 

anecdote  is  recorded  as  the  most  memora- 

gone  out  of  the  way  of  his  common  prov- 

ble  incident.  The  general  had  been  ac- 

idence,  in  a remark.able  and  almost  mirac- 

companied  by  a number  of  the  New-Eng- 

idous  manner,  to  incline  the  hearts  of 

land  clergy,  among  whom  was  his  wife’s 

the  French  to  give  up  and  deliver  this 

brother,  one  Parson  Moody.  This  divine 

strong  city  into  our  hands.” 

being  the  eldest,  was  entitled  to  the  hon- 

Strong  as  it  was,  however,  Pepperell 

or  of  saying  “grace  before  meat.”  As 

- 

COLONIAL.]  EXULTATION 

OF  VICTORY.  20 

he,  however,  was  apt  to  be  very  long- 

in  no  by-lane  or  alley,  but  joy  might  be 

winded  on  such  occasions,  the  company 

seen  through  its  windows.”  The  bells 

were  in  a state  of  nervous  anxiety,  lest 

rang,  the  cannons  roared,  and  the  people 

he  should  inflict  upon  them  his  usual  pro- 

shouted  the  whole  day,  while  bonfires 

lixity.  Moody,  however,  only  gave  vent 

burnt  and  houses  blazed  with  light  all 

to  the  following  brief  invocation,  much 

the  night.  A day  was  set  apart  through- 

to  the  relief  of  the  anxious  and  hungry 

out  the  province  to  return  thanks  “ to 

guests : “ Good  Lord  ! we  have  so  many 

God  for  his  appearance  on  our  behalf” 

things  to  thank  thee  for,  that  time  will 

Nor  did  the  news  of  the  victory  excite 

be  infinitely  too  short  to  do  it;  we  must 

less  joy  in  Old  England.  “We  are  ma- 

therefore  leave  it  for  the  work  of  eterni- 

king  bonfires  for  Cape  Breton,”  wrote 

ty.  Bless  our  food  and  fellowship  upon 

Horace  Walpole.  George  II.,  who  was 

this  joyful  occasion,  for  the  sake  of  Christ 

on  a visit  to  his  Hanoverian  possessions 

our  Lord.  Amen.”'^ 

when  he  received  the  intelligence  of  the 

Pepperell  and  Warren  became  the  joint 

capture  of  Louisburg,  was  aroused  to  an 

governors  of  Louisburg  on  taking  posses- 

unusual  pitch  of  enthusiastic  delight.  He 

sion  of  the  city  in  the  name  of  his  majes- 

made  Warren  an  admiral  at  once,  and 

ty  George  II. ; but  they  continued  to  fly 

governor  of  Louisburg;  and  issued  his 

the  French  flag  from  the  fortress,  with 

letters-patent,  dating  them  from  Hano- 

the  view  of  deceiving  the  French  vessels 

ver,  by  which  he  conferred  a baronetcy 

expected  to  arrive..  By  this  deception. 

upon  Pepperell.  Sir  William  was  tin 

they  succeeded  in  ensnaring  a large  num- 

first  and  only  native  New-England  colo- 

ber  of  prizes,  amounting  in  all  to  no  less 

nist  ever  raised  to  that  dignity. 

than  a million  of  dollars.  There  were 

In  London  the  news  created  great  ex- 

two  Eastrindiamen  supposed  to  be  worth 

citement ; the  tower  and  park  guns  Avere 

one  hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand 

fired,  and  the  city  illuminated.  On  the 

pounds  sterling,  and  a South-sea  ship  of 

return  of  George  H.  to  his  British  domin- 

the  enormous  value  of  eight  hundred  thou- 

ions,  he  Avas  met  by  congratulations  and 

sand  pounds.  This  prize-money,  however, 

addresses  of  the  toAvns  and  public  bodies, 

much  to  the  dissatisfaction  of  the  provin- 

upon  the  happy  event.  The  ministry 

eials,  fell  exclusively  to  the  naval  forces. 

of  the  duke  of  NeAvcastle  had  iiiA'olved 

When  they  heard  in  New-England  of 

Great  Britain  in  a Avar  Avith  France,  Avhich 

the  success  of  the  expedition,  there  was 

had  hitherto  only  resulted  in  disgrace  to 

great  joy  throughout  the  colony.  Bos- 

the  former  and  glory  to  the  latter.  The 

ton  was  illuminated  as  it  had  never  been 

English  had  noAV  the  conquest  of  Louis- 

before.  “ There  was  not  a house  in  town. 

burg,  “ the  DunJcirk  of  America,”  as  a set- 

* “ The  Life  of  Sir  William  Pepperell,  Bart.,  by  Usher 

off  to  the  French  triumph  at  Fontenoy. 

Parsons.  Boston:  Little,  Brown,  & Company,  1855."  A 

The  Americans  became  exalted  at  once 

N 

work  of  eareful  research,  to  which  the  author  of  the  “ Battles 
of  America”  has  been  indebted  for  much  valuable  informa- 
riua. 

in  the  estimate  of  their  British  felloAV- 
subjects,  as  they  alone  had  succeeded  in 

1 

30 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PAKT  I 


vin'licatiiig  the  fame  of  their  country  by 
a great  victory  over  its  enemies.  The 
reduction  of  Cape  Breton,  said  a contem- 
porary writer,  “ by  the  people  of  New 
England,  was  an  acquisition  so  unexpect- 
ed and  fortunate,  that  America  became 
on  that  remarkable  event  a more  general 
topic  of  conversation.  Of  such  conse- 
quence to  the  French  was  the  possession 
of  that  important  key  to  their  American 
settlements,  that  its  restitution  was  in 
reality  the  purchase  of  the  last  general 
peace  of  Europe.” 

The  effect  upon  the  future  destinies  of 
A.merica  was  no  less  than  upon  the  actu- 


al position  of  affairs  in  Europe.  At  the 
siege  of  Louisburg,  the  American  colo 
nists  learned  their  first  lesson  in  resrular 

o 

warfare,  and  acquired  that  self-confidence 
which  did  not  hesitate,  in  behalf  of  their 
own  great  cause  of  independence,  to  try 
the  chances  of  battle  with  European 
troops.  At  Louisburg,  too,  were  schooled 
those  famous  officers,  Wooster,  Whiting, 
Gridley,  and  others,  who  became  as  heroic 
Revolutionary  leaders  in  the  battle  for 
“ life,  liberty,  and  happiness,”  as  they  liad 
been  faithful  soldiers  in  the  service  of 
their  king,  whom  they  only  loved  the  less 
because  they  loved  their  country  more 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Tje  New-Englanders  eap:er  for  Conquest. — Proposal  to  invade  the  Canadas. — The  French  burning  with  Revenge. — An 
Avenging  Fleet. — Its  Fate. — A Second  French  Fleet. — Met  and  conquered  by  the  British. — Peace. — The  Concession 
of  Louisburg  to  the  French. — New-Englanders  dissatisfied. — France  again  lusting  for  Dominion. — Desires  to  unite  the 
St.  Lawrence  and  the  Mississippi. — Who  shall  be  supreme,  France  or  England  1 — Might  not  Right. — Marquis  Du 
Quesne,  Governor  of  Canada. — Ilis  Activity. — Forts  built. — Ohio  Company  alarmed. — Appeal  to  Governor  Dinwid- 
dle, of  Virginia. — A Commissioner  sent  to  expostulate  with  the  French. — Failure  of  the  Mission. — George  Washing- 
ton appointed. — A Bootless  Errand. — The  Ohio  Company  constructs  a Fort. — Dinwiddle  sends  a Force  to  protect  it. 
— Washington  declines  the  Honor  of  the  Chief  Command,  but  accepts  the  Second  Rank. — His  March  to  the  Ohio.— 
The  French  Invasion. — Washington  and  his  Difficulties. — Spirited  Conduct. — The  American  Fort  on  the  Ohio  at- 
tacked and  the  Virginians  routed. — The  Garrison  arrive  in  Washington’s  Camp  at  Will’s  Creek. — Their  Story  and 
Adventures. — Monsieur  Contrecoeur. — A Wily  Old  Indian. — Washington  perplexed.— A Council-of-War. — March  to 
Redstone  Creek. — Road-Making. — Little  Meadows. — Excessive  Labors. — The  Indians  propose  the  River  Route. — The 
River  found  impracticable  — Road-Making  resumed. — Rumors  of  the  French. — Arrival  of  the  Enemy. — Washington 
goes  in  Pursuit. — Finds  the  French,  attacks  and  beats  them. — The  Death  of  Jumonville. — A Spy  or  an  Embassador’ 
— Washington  slandered  by  the  French. 


^ The  New-Englanders  were  so  elor 

ted  by  their  success  at  Louisburg, 
that  their  minds  were  stirred  with  a de- 
sire for  further  conquests.  They  were 
now  prepared  to  carry  the  war  into  Can- 
ada ; and  a plan  for  a campaign  was  act> 
ually  devised,  by  Shirley,  the  governor 
of  Massachusetts,  and  the  two  heroes  of 
Louisburg,  Pepperell  and  Warren,  within 


the  walls  of  that  citadel.  The  British 
minister,  the  duke  of  Newcastle,  seemed 
to  favor  greatly  the  American  design ; 
and,  having  conferred  colonelcies  upon 
Shirley  and  Pepperell,  ordered  them  tc 
recruit  their  regiments  to  the  number  ol 
a thousand  each,  preparatory  to  the  in- 
vasion of  the  French  possessions  in  Can 
ad  a. 


r 

COLONIAL.]  DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  FRENCH  FLEET.  .H 

The  French,  on  the  other  hand,  hav- 

and  thence  invade  the  New-En gland 

ing  heard  with  great  vexation  of  the  loss 

coasts.  The  design  was  extensive,  and 

of  their  famous  citadel,  determined  to 

the  preparations  had  been  on  a scale  ol 

take  revenge.  They  accordingly  fitted 

grandeur  in  accordance.  But  man  pro- 

out  a large  fleet,  at  an  immense  expense. 

poses  and  God  disposes. 

in  the  port  of  Brest,  and,  placing  it  under 

The  fleet  had  hardly  sailed  out  of  Brest 

the  command  of  the  duke  d’Anvillc, 

in  gallant  trim,  and  fairly  got  to  sea,  Avhen 

despatched  it  to  America,  with  the 

a storm  arose,  which  wrecked  many  of 

view  of  reconquering  Cape  Breton,  and 

the  vessels,  and  separated  the  rest.  The 

striking  a severe  blow  upon  the  coasts  of 

duke  d’Anville  succeeded  in  reaching  the 

the  British  provinces  in  America.  Great 

American  coast  in  his  own  ship,  and  was 

preparations  were  made  in  New  England 

soon  joined  by  a few  of  the  smaller  ves- 

to  defend  it  against  this  formidable  ene- 

sels.  His  sudden  death,  however,  put  a 

my.  Forts  were  erected  along  the  coast. 

stop  to  all  his  plans;  and  the  command 

the  militia  of  the  various  provinces  gath- 

fell,  by  succession,  to  the  vice-admiral. 

ered  to  protect  the  exposed  points,  and 

This  commander  resolved  upon  returning 

sentinels  were  placed  on  the  hilltops  to 

to  France,  in  consequence  of  the  dimin- 

watch  for  the  first  signs  of  the  coming  of 

ished  number  of  his  vessels  and  their 

the  French  ships.  Sir  William  Pepperell, 

shattered  condition;  but  his  council-of 

the  hero  of  Louisburg,  had  now  returned 

war  overruled  him.  So  excited  was  the 

to  Maine,  and  assumed  his  old  command 

vice-admiral  by  the  opposition  of  his  ofli- 

of  its  militia.  He  was  full  of  martial 

cers,  that  he  ran  himself  through  the 

spirit  on  the  occasion,  and  had  his  com- 

body  with  his  sword. 

panics  mustered  by  their  captains,  their 

The  aged  De  laJonquiere  now  succeed- 

accoutrements  put  in  order,  and  every 

ed,  who,  in  spite  of  his  nearly  seventy 

possible  arrangement  made  for  the  ap- 

years,  had  not  only  advocated  the  bolder 

proaching  emergency. 

policy  in  opposition  to  the  vice-admiral, 

D’Anville  and  his  fleet  did  not  arrive. 

but  now,  in  command,  was  prepared  to 

however.  They  had  put  to  sea  in  great 

carry  it  out  with  the  greatest  energy. 

force,  with  no  less  than  eleven  ships-of- 

All,  however,  was  in  vain  : another  storm 

the-line,  thirty  small  vessels-of-war,  and 

arose,  off  Cape  Sable,  and  the  few  vessels 

various  transports  containing  three  thou- 

that  escaped  returned  in  a damaged  state. 

sand  regular  troops.  Nova  Scotia,  then 

to  give  testimony  of  the  fatality  which 

as  now  in  possession  of  the  English,  was 

had  attended  the  great  French  expedi- 

to  be  the  first  point  of  attack.  Calcula- 

tion. 

ting  upon  the  sympathy  and  active  aid 

The  government  of  France,  however. 

of  the  French  residents  of  this  the  for- 

was  not  discouraged,  and  soon  had  in 

rner  Acadie,they  anticipated  an  easy  con- 

readiness  another  fleet  to  invade  the  Brit^ 

quest.  Once  in  possession  of  this  penin- 

ish  colonies.  England,  early  con- 

“ 1746* 

Rula.  they  proposed  to  retake  Louisburg, 

m 

scious  of  this  renewed  attempt,  had 

J 

( 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  I. 


32 

also  equipped  a large  naval  force,  by 
which  it  was  proposed  to  intercept  the 
French.  Anson  was  made  admiral  of  the 
English  fleet,  and  Warren,  the  naval  hero 
of  Louisburg,  rear-admiral. 

On  hearim^  that  the  French  were  about 
to  sail,  the  English  put  to  sea,  and  awaib 
ed  the  enemy  ofl'  Cape  Finisterre,  on  the 
coast  of  France.  The  two  met  on  the 
3d  of  May,  1746,  and  immediately  began 
battle.  The  French  were  worsted  after 
a severe  struggle,  leaving  all  their  ships- 
of-t lie-line  in  the  hands  of  the  British, 
with  a large  quantity  of  bullion,  and  Ad- 
miral de  la  Jonquiere,  the  newly-appoint- 
ed governor  of  Canada,  to  reward  and 
grace  the  English  triumph. 

There  was  now,  with  the  exception  of 
an  occasional  brush  between  the  English 
and  French  on  the  frontiers,  an  almost 
entire  suspension  of  hostilities.  The  Brit- 
ish finally  disbanded  the  provincial  army; 
and  the  colonists  were  thus  prepared,  in 
anticipation,  for  the  event  which  now  oc- 
curred, that  of  the  declaration  of  peace 

1748  treaty  of  Aix-la-Chapelle. 

By  this  treaty,  the  island  of  Cape 
Breton,  with  the  hard-won  fortress  of 
Louisburg,  was  given  up  to  the  French, 
much  to  their  satisfaction,  and  to  the 
vexation  of  the  New-Englanders,  who 
considered  the  possession  of  this  to^vn  as 
essential  to  their  own  security.  It  was 
true,  the  right  of  Great  Britain  to  Nova 
Scotia  was  acknowledged;  but  the  French 
inhabitants  of  that  peninsula — under  the 
advice,  as  was  suspected,  of  the  govern- 
ment of  France — resisted  the  English 
claim.  The  treaty,  therefore,  was  very 
distasteful  to  New  England,  and  natural- 


ly, for  its  best  interests  had  been  sacri- 
ficed by  the  mother-country,  in  her  anx- 
iety to  bring  to  a close  a war  which  had 
cost  so  much,  and  profited  her  so  little. 

The  French,  in  spite  of  the  peace,  be- 
gan soon,  not  only  covertly,  as  in  Nova 
Scotia,  but  openly,  to  encroach  upon  Eng- 
lish colonial  rights.  France  had  long  en- 
tertained the  grand  idea  of  connecting 
its  northern  possessions  in  Canada  with 
those  she  held  on  the  gidf  of  Mexico. 
Her  possession  of  Louisiana,  with  its  then 
widely-extended  boundaries,  gave  her  the 
command  of  the  Mississippi;  while  her 
Canadian  territory,  stretching  from  the 
mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  great 
lakes,  brought  her  upper  dominion  so 
close  to  the  Ohio,  that  nothing  was  want- 
ing but  the  mastery  of  that  river  to  give 
her  the  united  power,  north  and  south 
which  she  coveted. 

The  Ens’lish  colonies  could  not  look 
calmly  upon  this  scheme,  which  was,  if 
consummated,  destined,  as  has  been  in- 
geniously said,  to  catch  them  in  a net, 
that,  being  tightened  at  either  end,  would 
inevitably  bring  them  entirely  within  th 
power  of  the  French.  There  were  claims 
and  counter-claims  urged  by  France  and 
Great  Britain  to  the  territory  watered  by 
the  Ohio,  but  those  of  the  one  and  the 
other  were  equally  baseless.  The  ques- 
tion was  not  one  of  disputed  rights,  but 
of  contending  powers.  The  whole  mat- 
ter resolved  itself  into  this : “ Who  shall 
be  supreme  in  the  West,  France  or  Eng- 
land?” It  was  of  little  importance  that 
the  latter  claimed  unlimited  territory 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  and  that 
the  former  insisted,  by  the  right  of  dis- 


r 


COI-ONIAL.J 


GEORGK  WASHINGTON. 


( •every  and  the  command  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, on  the  possession  of  all  its  tributar 
ries,  and  the  rich  land  west  of  the  Alle- 
ghany mountains  watered  by  them.  It 
was  clear,  with  such  unbounded  claims 
on  each  side,  that  neither  could  secure 
its  supposed  right  but  by  an  appeal  to 
might. 

The  French  first  threw  down  the  gauntr 
let.  The  marquis  du  Quesne  was  appoint- 
ed governor  of  the  French  dominions  in 
America — and  was  instructed  to 
make  good  the  widest  claims  of  his 
country,  by  military  possession.  He  ac- 
cordingly hurried  to  carry  the  orders  of 
his  government  into  eftect.  He  organ- 
ized the  militia  of  Quebec  and  Montreal, 
and  placed  all  the  forces  under  his  com- 
mand on  the  most  effective  footing.  He 
now  sent  various  detachments  to 
the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  establishing  forts  and  securing 
the  command  of  that  river,  that  he  might 
thus  unite  it  with  the  Mississippi  by  mili- 
tary posts,  and  complete  the  cordon  from 
Canada  to  Louisiana.  Such  was  the  ac- 
tivity of  Du  Quesne’s  movements,  that, 
before  the  end  of  the  year,  he  had  estab- 
lished a line  of  forts  from  Montreal  to 
the  Riviere  aux  Boeuff,  now  known  as  a 
small  stream,  in  Pennsylvania,  by  the 
name  of  French  creek. 

The  Ohio  Company”  was  the  first  to 
complain  of  what  they  called  an  invasion 
of  their  rights.  This  company  was  an 
English  association  chartered  some  time 
in  the  year  1749,  and  was  composed  of  a 
large  number  of  native  and  colonial  Eng- 
lishmen.  Its  purpose  was  to  colonize, 
and  trade,  principally  for  furs,  with  the 


33 

Indians ; and  accordingly  five  hundred 
thousand  acres  of  land  west  of  the  Alle- 
ghanies  had  been  granted  to  the  compa- 
ny. It  was  this  extensive  territory  which 
had  been  encroached  upon  by  the  French, 
and  the  Ohio  Company  therefore  called 
upon  Dinwiddle,  the  governor  of  Virginia, 
to  take  some  action  toward  dispossessing 
the  intruders.  Dinwiddle,  who  was  a pro- 
prietor  of  the  company,  saw  at  once  the 
necessity  of  interference,  and  sent  a com- 
missioner to  expostulate  with  the  French 
on  their  invasion  of  the  rights  of  Virginia. 
Captain  William  Trent,  who  had  been 
selected  to  perform  this  duty,  returned 
without  having  fulfilled  it,  but  came  back 
with  more  alarming  accounts  than  ever 
of  the  French  invasion. 

George  Washington,  who  was  only 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  was  then  select- 
ed by  the  governor  of  Virginia.  His  pro- 
fession as  a surveyor  had  led  him  into 
the  uncultivated  parts  of  the  country, 
and  made  him  familiar  Avith  the  Avild  life 
of  the  savage  and  the  borderer.  He  had 
had  also  some  experience  as  a military 
disciplinarian,  having  served,  before  he 
Avas  of  age,  as  one  of  the  adjutant-gener- 
als of  the  province,  Avhose  duty  it  Awas  to 
organize  and  drill  the  militia.  He  was 
noAV  appointed  adjutant-general  and  com- 
missioner to  bear  the  suimnom  of  the 
governor  of  Virginia  to  the  French  com- 
mander on  Lake  Erie,  requiring  him  to 
retire  from  AA'hat  Avas  claimed  to  be  Eng- 
lish  territory.  The  errand  of  Wa.shing- 
ton  proved  bootless,  and  the  French  con- 
tinued to  seize  and  disperse  the  English 
traders,  and  prepared  to  descend  the 
Ohio  and  take  military  possession,  by 


54 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


establishing  forts  at  each  available  point 
on  the  river. 

The  Ohio  Company  had  commenced 
the  construction  of  a fortified  post  on  the 
Ohio  river,  at  the  junction  of  the  Alle- 
ghany and  Monongahela.  This  was  sup- 
posed to  be  a point  that  would  attract 
the  invaders  at  once.  It  was  therefore 
determined  by  the  governor  of  Virginia 
to  send  a force  there,  to  aid  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  fort,  and  defend  it  against 
every  attack.  Captain  Trent  was  accord- 
ingly despatched  at  the  head  of  a hun- 
dred militiamen  on  this  service. 

The  youthful  Washington  was  also 
called  upon  again  by  Dinwiddie,  and  of- 
fered  the  chief  command  of  the 
three  hundred  men  whom  it  was 
proposed  to  enlist.  Washington,  how- 
ever, modestly  declined  the  honor,  and 
gave  way  to  a Colonel  Joshua  Fry,  under 
whom  he  served  as  lieutenant-colonel. 
Washington,  preceding  his  colonel,  set 
out  for  the  fork  of  the  Ohio  on  the  2d 
of  April,  at  the  head  of  two  companies, 
numbering  one  hundred  and  fifty  men. 
Fry  was  to  follow  with  the  rest  and  the 
artillery. 

The  French  at  this  time  were  in  pos- 
session on  Lake  Erie,  within  the  limits 
of  the  present  town  of  Erie,  of  a log-fort, 
which  had  been  built  for  several  years, 
and  which  was  well  protected  with  pick- 
ets, bastions,  and  ditch,  and  a strong  gar- 
rison of  soldiers.  They  had  also  taken 
possession  of  a spot  where  now  stands 
the  village  of  Waterford,  and  construct 
ed  a fort  on  the  Riviere  aux  Boeufs,  so 
called  from  the  numerous  herds  of  buf- 
falo which  fed  upon  the  fertile  meadows 


[PAKT  1 

watered  by  that  stream,  now  known  as 
the  French  creek,  in  Pennsylvania.  Far- 
ther on,  again,  toward  the  Ohio,  they  had 
also  lately  established  another  fortified 
post,  which  was  called  Venango.  This 
was  situated  on  the  Alleghany,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  “Riviere  aux  Boeufs,”  or 
French  creek.  A strong  garrison  was 
maintained  during  the  whole  winter  at 
the  fort  on  the  Riviere  aux  Boeufs,  and 
large  additional  forces  were  ordered  to 
rendezvous  there  the  subsequent 
spring.  Accordingly,  at  this  time, 
some  five  hundred  to  a thousand  well- 
organized  French-Canadian  soldiers  had 
mustered,  and  prepared,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Monsieur  de  Contrecoeur,  to  ad- 
vance down  the  Ohio  and  take  military 
possession  of  its  banks. 

It  was  to  meet  this  anticipated  inva- 
sion that  Washington  was  now  inarching 
with  his  one  hundred  and  fifty  men.  He 
found  his  progress  obstructed  by  every 
possible  difficidty.  On  reaching  Win- 
chester, he  was  forced,  in  order  to  obtain 
the  necessary  horses  and  baggage-wag- 
ons, to  put  into  effect  the  militia-law  of 
Virginia,  which  authorized  him  to  take 
by  compulsion  what  could  not  be  gotten 
from  the  freewill  of  the  reluctant  farmers. 
With  all  this  arbitrary  exercise  of  power, 
he  had  to  wait  more  than  a week  for  only 
ten  horses,  which  was  literally  but  a tithe 
of  the  number  demanded.  At  this  disad- 
vantage, Washington  was  forced  to  con- 
tinue his  march,  over  a country  tliat  was 
mountainous  and  unsupplied  with  roads. 
The  men  were  obliged,  in  consequence 
of  the  sorry  condition  of  the  horses  im- 
pressed from  the  fanners,  to  jnit  then 


. oi.oNiAL.]  ARRIVAL  OF  ENSIGN  WARD.  S/' 


^llou]ders  constantly  to  tlie  wheels  of  the 
wagons,  and  assist  them  over  the  steep 
f'a^ses  and  through  the  boggy  soil.  They 
were  not  disheartened,  however,  and  pro- 
ceeded bravely  on  their  toilsome  march, 
until  they  reached  Will’s  creek,  now'  the 
Cumberland  river,  wdiere  they  found  Cap- 
tain Trent.  From  him  they  learned  that 
he  had  left  his  men  under  the  command 
of  one  Lieutenant  Frazier,  all  w'ell,  and 
hard  at  w'ork  in  finisliino;  the  fort  on  the 
Ohio.  Washington  was  anxious  to  push 
on ; but  as  Trent  had  failed  to  provide 
the  pack-horses  expected,  he  was  forced 
to  send  and  make  another  levy  upon  the 
reluctant  patriots  of  Winchester.  As  this 
towm  w'as  at  a distance  of  forty  miles,  the 
youtliful  colonel  w'as  obliged,  much  to  his 
dissatisfaction,  to  repress  his  impatience 
to  move.  In  the  meantime,  all  uncer- 
tainty about  the  fate  of  the  men  at  the 
Ohio  fork  was  settled  by  their  appear- 
ance, on  the  25th  of  April,  at  Will’s  creek, 
loaded  dowm  with  their  w'orking-tools,  and 
commanded  by  one  Ensign  Ward. 

The  cause  of  this  unexpected  arrival 
was  soon  explained.  While  the  men — 
only  fifty  in  number,  thirty-three  of  wdioni 
alone  w'ere  effective — w'ere  busily  en- 
gaged on  the  w'orks  of  the  fort.  Monsieur 
Contrecoeur  suddenly  made  his  appear- 
ance, at  the  head  of  a thousand  men,  and 
w'ell  provided  wuth  artillery  and  other 
means  of  attack.  He  had  just  come  from 
the  fortified  post  of  Venango,  on  the  Al- 
leghany, having  floated  his  force  dow'ii 
that  river,  in  sixty  batteaux  and  three 
hundred  canoes.  He  now'  summoned  En- 
sign Ward,  who  in  the  absence  of  Trent 
and  Frazier  had  been  left  in  command. 


to  surrender,  and  gave  him  one  hour  in 
which  to  give  his  answ'er.  ^Vard  w'as 
perplexed,  as  in  the  absence  of  his  supe- 
riors he  hardly  cared  to  take  the  respon- 
sibility of  making  any  capitulation,  how'- 
ever  urgent  might  appear  its  necessity. 
In  this  dilemma,  he  consulted  the  Indian 
half-king  Tanacharisson,  w'ho  was  an  ally 
of  the  English,  and  happened  at  that  time 
to  be  in  the  fort.  This  w'ily  old  savage 
suggested  to  Ward  to  plead  w'ant  of  au- 
thority, and  to  ask  the  French  coimnand- 
er  to  be  polite  enough  to  postpone  the 
affair  for  the  present.  The  ensign  fol- 
low'ed  the  advice  of  his  Indian  counsel- 
lor; but  Monsieur  Contrecoeur  w'as  not 
to  be  dissuaded  from  his  purpose,  and  in- 
sisted more  urgently  than  ever  upon  im- 
mediate surrender.  There  w'as  no  alter- 
native for  Ward;  for  w'hat  could  he  do, 
with  only  thirty-three  men  able  to  bear 
arms,  and  a half-built  fort,  against  a thou- 
sand soldiers,  and  a w'hole  park  of  artil- 
lery ? The  fort  w'as  accordingly  given 
up,  the  men  being  allow'ed  to  depart  w'ith 
their  tools.  These  w'ere  the  visiters  who 
had  arrived  at  Will’s  creek,  and  such  the 
story  they  had  to  tell  of  their  adven- 
tures. 

Washington,  with  his  handful  of  men, 
W'as  sadly  perplexed  as  to  his  movements. 
The  French  greatly  outnumbered  him  iu 
force,  and  had  succeeded  by  liberal  pres- 
ents in  w'inning  over  to  their  side  the 
larger  tribes  of  the  Indian  savages  of  the 
w'ilderness.  The  French  w'ere,  moreover 
in  daily  expectation  of  receiving  rein- 
forcements from  Canada  and  their  soiith- 
ern  possessions ; and  no  less  than  six  hun- 
ared  warriors  of  the  Chippew'a  and  Otta- 


••  '•1 

36  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i. 

vva  nations  were  said  to  be  making  their 

other  sachem,  and  meet  him  at  a certain 

way  to  join  the  camp  of  Contrecoenr.  All 

point  on  the  road. 

that  Washington  could  calculate  upon,  in 

Washington’s  march  began,  but  wa.s 

addition  to  his  own  small  troop,  were  the 

exceedingly  toilsome  and  slow,  as  he  was 

hundred  and  fifty  men  with  the  artillery 

obliged  to  make  the  road  on  which  he 

under  Fry.  These,  however,  might  yet 

moved,  not  only  for  his  own  present  pur- 

be  detained  for  a long  time.  As  for  Trent 

poses,  but  for  the  future  passage  of  Fry’s 

and  his  men,  no  reliance  could  be  put  in 

artillery.  He  had  sent  some  sixty  men 

them.  The  captain  himself  was  timid 

in  advance,  several  days  before  he  set  out 

and  improvident,  and  his  followers  a set 

with  the  remainder  of  his  whole  force. 

of  independent  vagabonds,  who,  having 

numbering,  all  told,  only  one  hundred 

been  enlisted  as  volunteers,  exercised 

and  sixty.  The  advance  party  was  soon 

their  volition  in  doing  nothing,  and  in- 

overtaken,  as  they  had  made  but  slow 

terfering  with  the  general  good  discipline 

progress  in  their  labors.  The  rest  of 

of  the  troops. 

Washington’s  men,  on  coming  up,  fell  to 

Washington  now  called  a council-of- 

work  also ; but,  with  all  their  combined 

war,  in  which  it  was  resolved  to  march 

efforts,  it  was  found  that  they  could  not 

to  Redstone  creek,  where  the  Ohio  Com- 

get  on  at  the  best  with  more  than  four 

pany  had  a post.  It  was  proposed  to  pro- 

miles  a day.  It  took  them  ten  days  to 

ceed  thither,  and,  having  encamped,  to  for- 

reach  Little  Meadows,  only  twenty  miles 

tily  their  position  as  best  they  could,  un- 

fVom  Will’s  creek,  whence  they  had  set 

til  reinforcements  should  arrive,  or  some 

out.  They,  however,  continued  their  la- 

expedient  should  suggest  itself  in  the 

borious  undertaking,  and  labored  day  af- 

course  of  events  to  extricate  themselves. 

ter  day,  slaving  (as  Washington  himself 

or  to  justify  action.  Two  Indians  had 

describes  it)  through  woods,  rocks,  and 

come  into  Washington’s  camp  in  compa- 

mountains. 

ny  with  Ensign  Ward  and  his  men.  These 

They  finally  reached  the  river  Yougli- 

savages  had  been  sent  by  Tanacharisson, 

ioney,  where  they  were  obliged  to  build 

the  chief  of  the  western  tribes  of  Indians, 

a bridge.  While  engaged  in  this  work. 

who  were  friendly  to  the  Virginians.  The 

which  was  an  affair  of  several  days,  some 

two  Indian  warriors  bore  a speech,  pledg- 

friendly  Indians  entered  the  camp  of 

ing  fidelity  to  the  English,  and  a belt  of 

Washington.  On  hearing  of  his  plan  ol' 

wampnm  as  a symliol  of  friendship  for 

constructing  a road  over  the  mountr 

the  governor.  The  wampum  was  for- 

ains  to  Redstone  creek,  they  remonstra- 

ivarded,  under  the  care  of  its  Indian 

ted  with  him  upon  the  impractical)ility 

bearer,  to  Dinwiddie ; and  Washington 

of  such  a work.  He  then,  by  their  ad- 

sent  back  the  other  Indian  with  a return 

vice,  set  out,  in  company  with  a guard 

speech,  in  which  he  invoked  the  aid  of 

and  an  Indian  guide,  to  try  the  practica 

the  half-king  in  council,  and  called  upon 

bility  of  the  river-route.  This  was  found, 

him  to  come  down,  in  company  with  an- 

however,  so  full  of  rocks  and  shoals,  and 

OOLONIAL.]  ArPROACII  OF  THE  ENEMY.  37 

BO  interrupted  by  rapids  and  falls,  that  it 

the  French,  he  heard  that  they  had  al- 

was  useless  to  attempt  to  navigate  it  with 

ready  arrived  within  eighteen  miles,  and 

boats  sufficiently  large  for  military  pur- 

were  fording  the  very  river  upon  the 

poses.  Washington  accordingly  resolved 

banks  of  which  the  Virginians  were  at 

tc  continue  his  arduous  land-route. 

that  moment  encamped.  AVashington 

From  day  to  day,  as  the  Virginians 

now  decided  at  once  upon  his  position, 

remained  encamped  on  the  banks  of  the 

which  was  at  a spot  called  the  Great 

Youghioney,  and  were  going  on  with 

Meadows,  and  with  which  he  was  so 

their  work  upon  the  bridge,  Indian  scouts 

pleased,  that  in  his  journal  he  terms  it 

and  white  traders  came  in  with  every 

“ a charming  field  for  an  encounter.” 

variety  of  rumor  in  regard  to  the  enemy. 

The  space  being  cleared  of  its  scattered 

Some  told  how  the  French  commander 

trees,  long  grass,  and  thick  brushwood, 

was  building  a strong  fort  at  the  fork  of 

the  A^irginians  were  here  encamped,  and 

the  Ohio  ; some  reported  that  he  had  re- 

protected  by  entrenchments.  Althougli 

ceived  large  reinforcements  from  Canada, 

scouts  were  sent  out,  who  diligently 

and  was  preparing  to  come  down  the  riv- 

coursed  the  surrounding  country,  there 

er;  others,  however,  declared  that  the 

was  no  sign  of  an  enemy.  Washington’s 

French  were  only  eight  hundred  strong. 

men  were,  however,  in  a state  of  excited 

and  that  one  half  of  them  had  been  sent 

expectation,  and  were  prepared  for  an 

out  from  the  fort  on  a secret  expedition. 

attack  at  any  moment.  There  were  li  e- 

the  object  of  which  was  suspected  to  be 

quent  alarms;  and  on  one  occasion,  in 

an  attack  upon  the  English. 

the  middle  of  the  night,  the  sentinels 

This  latter  suspicion  was  confirmed  by 

fired  upon  some  men  in  the  dark.  Next 

a direct  messa2:e  from  Tanacharisson,  the 

morning,  it  was  discovered  that  six  sol- 

Indian  chief,  who  said : It  is  reported 

diers  had  deserted. 

that  the  French  army  is  coming  to  meet 

All  doubt  now  of  the  approach  of  an 

Major  Washington.  Be  on  your  guard 

enemy  was  removed  hy  the  arrival  of  an 

against  them,  my  brethren,  for  they  in- 

Indian  messenger,  who  reported  that  his 

tend  to  strike  the  first  English  they  shall 

chief  and  some  of  his  tribe  had  reached 

see.  They  have  been  on  their  march  two 

the  neighborhood,  and  were  now  only  six 

days.  I know  not  their  number.  The 

miles  distant.  The  half-king  sent  word 

half-kino;  and  the  rest  of  the  chiefs  will 

that  he  had  fallen  in  with  the  track  of 

be  with  jmu  in  five  days  to  hold  a coun- 

Frenchmen,  and  did  not  doubt  that  they 

cil.” 

were  lurking  near  by,  awaiting  a good 

This  was  information  that  could  not 

chance  to  attack  AVashington  and  his  par- 

be  disregarded,  and  Washington  made 

ty.  AVashington  now  detennined  to  go 

[)r(;])arations  to  act  in  accordance.  As 

at  once,  although  it  was  night,  to  meet 

he  was  examining  the  neighborhood  for 

his  friend  the  half-king,  and  accordingly 

\ 

a proper  position  in  which  to  entrench 

started  with  forty  men,  and  the  Indian 

his  force,  and  to  await  the  coming  up  of 

messenger  as  guide,  to  the  chief’s  lodge 

38  BATTLES  OF  AiMERICA.  [pakt  i 

It  was  mornini’’  before  Washington 

give  up  the  struggle,  and  took  to  their 

reached  the  end  of  his  journey,  Avhich,  as 

heels.  They  Avere  immediately  pursued 

it  Avas  throui>:h  a roiiffh  and  unbroken 

and  overtaken,  and  about  a score  of  pris- 

country,  and  during  an  unusually  dark 

oners  thus  secured,  AAdiom  Washington 

night,  Avith  a heavy,  pouring  rain,  Avas 

had  some  difficulty  in  keeping  out  of  the 

necessarily  tedious  and  fatiguing.  The 

merciless  hands  of  his  sat^age  allies,  aa’Iio 

half-kins;  received  Washington  Avitli  a 

Avere  eager  to  exercise  their  tomahaAvks 

Avarin  Avelcome,  and  Avas  ready  to  comply 

upon  them  for  the  sake  of  “ a little  blood- 

at  once  Avith  his  plans.  At  his  request. 

ying  the  edge  of  the  hatchet,”  as  the  In- 

Indian  scouts  Avere  sent  out,  Avho  soon 

dian  chief  himself,  in  his  broken  English, 

came  Isack,  Avith  the  report  that  they  had 

expressed  it. 

tracked  the  French  to  their  encampment. 

A young  Frenchman,  of  the  name  of 

With  these  Indian  scouts  as  his  guide.s. 

JumonAdlle,  the  leader  of  the  French  par- 

Washington  noAV  started  Avith  his  forty 

ty,  Avas  killed  at  the  first  fire.  As  he  Avas 

men,  and  accompanied  by  the  Indian 

much  beloved,  and  Avas  from  his  inlluen- 

chief  Tanacharisson  and  a small  num- 

tial  connections  of  considerable  social  im- 

her  of  his  Avarriors.  As  they  approached 

portance,  his  early  death  AA\as  the  subject 

the  position  of  the  enemy,  Washington 

of  much  expressed  grief  and  remark.  M. 

drew  up  his  men  in  single  fde  to  the 

de  Villiers,  Avho  held  a command  under 

right,  Avitli  himself  at  their  head,  and  sent 

De  Contrecoeur,  Avas  the  brother-in-law 

the  Indians  to  the  left.  As  the  object 

of  Jumonville;  and,  from  his  desire  to 

Avas  to  take  the  French  by  surprise,  the 

screen  the  memory  of  his  young  connec- 

force  moved  on  in  perfect  silence,  so  that 

tion,  determined  to  gHe  a complexion  to 

their  approach  Avas  not  suspected  until 

the  affair  in  Avhich  he  Avas  engaged  that 

they  met  ftice  to  face,  Avithin  gunshot. 

is  not  at  all  borne  out  by  the  facts. 

The  French,  though  taken  off  their  guard. 

De  Villiers  and  the  French  generally 

promptly  sprang  to  Their  arms,  and  be- 

declared  that  Jumonville  Avas  only  sent 

gan  returning  the  fire  of  the  Virginians. 

out  as  an  embassador,  to  Avarn  the  Eng- 

Washington,  at  the  head  of  his  men. 

lish  from  territory  claimed  by  France ; 

had  been  the  first  to  shoAV  himself  from 

and  that  the  attack  upon  him  by  Wash- 

behind  the  rocks  and  trees  Avhich  con- 

ington  was  unjustifiable,  and  the  fatal  re- 

cealed  the  path  that  led  into  the  holloAv 

suit  only  deserAmd  to  be  termed  an  assas- 

Avhcre  the  enemy  Avas  encamped.  He 

sination,  as  in  fact  it  Avas  termed  in  all 

accordingly  Avas  exposed  to  the  first  and 

the  French  reports. 

liottest  fire  of  the  French  ; one  of  his  men 

It  might  be  enough  for  us  to  knoAV  that 

AA’as  killed  l)y  his  side,  and  three  Avmund- 

the  great  and  good  Washington  Avas  an 

ed,  at  the  iirst  volley.  There  AAais  not 

actor  in  the  affair,  to  denounce  the  French 

much  difference  in  the  numbers  of  the 

statement  as  a base  slander ; but  AA'e  have. 

tAvo  opposing  parties;  but  the  French, 

in  his  OAvn  AAmrds,  the  true  version  of  the 

taken  at  a disadvantage,  Avere  forced  to 

character  of  Jumonville’s  party,  Avhich 

i 

I . _ 

COLONIAL.]  SPY  OR  EMRASSADOR? 

settles  the  matter  beyond  any  chance  of 

They  were  spies  undoubtedly,  but  they 

doubt.  In  his  despatch  to  Governor  Din- 

may  have  been  embassadors  as  well.  It 

widdie,  Washington  says:  “I  doubt  not 

seems,  in  fiict,  to  have  been  the  object  of 

luit  they  [the  prisoners]  will  endeavor  to 

their  orders,  to  give  Jumonville  and  his 

amuse  you  with  many  smooth  stories,  as 

force  this  double  character.  Tlie  written 

they  did  me ; but  they  were  confuted  in 

instructions,  found  on  the  body  of  the 

tliem  all,  and,  by  circumstances  too  plain 

young  French  leader,  directed  him  to  use 

to  be  denied,  almost  made  ashamed  of 

every  secret  means  he  could  to  obtiiin 

their  assertions. 

information  of  the  proceedings  of  the 

“ I have  heard  since  they  went  away. 

English,  and  send  it  back  to  his  chief  in 

they  should  say,  they  called  on  us  not  to 

command  as  soon  as  obtained.  It  is  true 

fire;  diii  that  I hiow  to  he  false,  for  1 was 

he  was  also  ordered  to  summon  the  Eng- 

the  first  man  that  approached  them  and 

lish  to  retire  from  what  was  claimed  to 

the  first  whom  they  saw,  and  immediate- 

be  French  territory,  but  only  after  he  had 

ly  they  ran  to  their  arms,  and  fired  brisk- 

exhausted  his  resources  as  a spy  was  he 

ly  till  they  were  defeated.  I fancy  they 

expected  to  begin  upon  his  more  digni- 

will  have  the  assurance  of  askiim:  the 

lied  duty  of  an  embassador.  Jumonville 

privileges  due  to  an  embassy,  when  in 

was  caught  in  the  act  of  his  preliminary 

strict  justice  they  ought  to  be  hanged. 

and  less  honorable  functions,  and  wiis 

as  spies  of  the  ivorst  sort.'' 

dealt  with  by  Washington  accordingly. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Washington  wins  his  Spurs. — “A  Brave  Braggart.” — The  Death  of  Junionville  declared  hy  the  French  an  Assassination 

— Plans  for  Revenge. — Fort  Du  Qucsne. — Expedition  against  Wasliington. — He  fortifies  himself  at  Great  Meadows. — 
Nothing  daunted,  but  prudent  withal. — Tanacharisson’s  Blood  up. — Promises  to  come  to  the  Rescue. — Fort  Necessity. 

— Sufferings  and  Trials. — Famine  approaching. — Arrival  of  Indians. — Relief — Promotions. — Van  Braam  a Captain. 

— Captain  Maekay  and  his  Independent  South-Caroliniai 

Volunteers. — The  French  approach. — Return  of  Washing- 

ton. — Stops  at  Great  Meadows. — Fortifications. — The  Idle  Carolinians. — Washington  puts  his  own  Hands  to  the  Work. 

— Fort  Necessity  described. — Desertion  of  the  Half-Chief  and  his  Indians. — Tanacharisson’s  Excuse. — The  Approach 

of  the  Enemy. — Attack  begun. — A Parley  proposed. — M 

ashington  consents  to  treat. — Van  Braam  appointed  Neg'ui- 

ator. — His  Knowledge  of  French  and  English. — Capitulation. — Washington  made  to  call  Himself  an  Assassin. — Van 

Braam  a Blunderer  or  a Rogue. — How  Washington  was 

deceived. — He  marches  out  with  Colors  living. — The  French 

Slanders. — Washington’s  Ariival  at  Williamsburg. — Vote  of  Thanks. — Tanacarisson’s  Opinion  of  Washinglon.— 

Fort  Necessity  destroyed  by  the  French. — Honors  paid  to  the  Memory  of  Jumonville. — De  Villiers’s  Return  to  Mon 
sieurde  Contrecoeur. — A Reverse  in  the  State  of  Affairs  at  Fort  Du  Quesne. — A Reinforcement  from  Canada. — Cham- 
pagne and  Costly  Velvets. — The  Court  at  Versailles  exultant  over  French  Successes  in  the  AVilderncss. — Jumonville 

called  a Hero,  Washington  an  American  Farmer  and  Assassin. — A Fanfaron. — Louis  XV.  resolves  upon  pushing  his 
American  Conquests. — England  feebly  remonstrates. — The  Duke  of  Cumberland  indignant. — An  aceomidished  See 

retary  of  State. — The  Young  Gates. — General  Braddock 

The  Virginian  colonel  had  now  first 

as  Washington  was,  being  only  twenty- 

won  his  spurs,”  and  no  ancient  knight 

tAvo  years  of  age,  he  had  borne  the  brunt 

better  deserved  to  wear  them.  Youno; 

O 

of  the  battle  with  the  steadiness  of  a vet- 

40 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


eran,  altliougli  he  had  exposed  himself 
perhaps  with  the  too  reckless  spirit  of  a 
youthfid  adventurer.  In  writing  to  a 
brother,  he  gives  vent  to  the  heat  of  his 
young  blood  in  the  following  burst  of 
enthusiasm : “ I fortunately  escaped  with- 
out any  wound ; for  the  right  wing,  where 
I stood,  was  exposed  to  and  received  all 
the  enemy’s  fire ; and  it  was  the  part 
where  the  man  was  killed  and  the  rest 
wounded.  I heard  the  hidlets  ivhistle,  and, 
believe  me,  there  is  something  charming  in  the 
soumir-^  Horace  Walpole  termed  this  the 
rhodomontade  of  ‘‘  a brave  braggart 
and  George  II.  is  said  to  have  remarked, 
when  he  heard  of  it,  “ He  would  not  say 
so  if  he  had  been  used  to  hear  many 
[bullets].”  Washington,  at  a later  peri- 
od of  life,  when  time  had  subdued  the 
reckless  daring  of  youth  into  the  prudent 
courage  of  age,  replied,  when  asked  if  he 
had  ever  made  the  remarks  about  the 
whistling  of  bullets,  “ If  I said  so,  it  was 
when  I was  young.” 

A French  Canadian,  having  escaped 
the  fate  of  most  of  his  companions,  suc- 
ceeded in  reaching  the  headquarters  of 
Contrecoeur,  and  gave  in  his  account  of 
the  death  of  Jumonville,  and  the  fatal 
result  of  his  expedition.  De  Villiers,  the 
brother-in-law  of  Jumonville,  was  greatly 
excited  by  these  tidings  of  wo,  and,  swear- 
ing revenge,  declared  at  once  in  favor  of 
the  most  violent  and  vindictive  measures. 
He  was,  however,  overborne  by  the  more 
judicious  of  his  fellow-olhcers ; and  it  was 
finally  agreed  in  the  council  that  six  hun- 

* This  letter  is  endorsed  by  Washington  Irving,  in  his 
“ Life  < f Washington,”  as  genuine,  although  the  expression 
italicized  has  been  hitherto  suspected  to  have  been  a mere 
oit  of  idle  scandal  propagated  by  ihc  gossip  Walpole. 


[part  1. 

dred  men  should  be  despatched  immedi- 
ately, under  Monsieur  de  Villiers  as  chief 
in  command,  to  meet  the  Virginians. 

Contrecoeur  had,  ever  since  he  had 
ejected  Ward  and  his  thirty  men  from  the 
fork  of  the  Ohio,  been  busy  in  strength- 
ening that  important  point.  The  works 
had  been  placed  under  the  supervision 
of  Mercier,  an  artillery-ofhcer  of  merit, 
and  he  had  succeeded  in  completing  a 
very  substantial  fort,  which  Contrecoeur 
had  called,  in  honor  of  the  governor  of 
Canada,  Fort  Du  Quesne.  Mercier’s  work 
being  over,  he  was  in  readiness  to  join 
De  Villiers,  to  whom  he  was  appointed 
second  in  command ; and  the  French 
force  sallied  forth,  without  more  ado,  in 
search  of  V/ashington. 

Washington,  in  the  meantime,  had  re- 
turned to  his  camp  at  the  Great  Mead 
ows,  and,  having  sent  off  his  prisoneis 
and  despatches  to  the  governor  of  Vir- 
ginia, prepared  to  strengthen  his  position 
with  the  expectation  of  an  early  attack 
by  the  French.  He  had  heard  of  the 
completion  of  the  new  fort  of  Du  Quesne. 
and  of  the  large  number  of  troops  gath- 
ering there.  He  knew  that  Contrecceur 
would  not  be  long  in  striking  a blow,  in 
return  for  the  death  of  Jumonville  and 
the  defeat  of  his  party.  He  was  there- 
fore in  daily  expectation  of  an  attack  — 
and  an  attack  in  which  he  would  be  at 
the  disadvantage  of  an  inferior  force. 
He,  however,  was  nothing  daunted.  I 
shall  expect  every  hour  to  be  attacked,” 
he  writes,  “ and  by  unequal  numbers, 
which  I must  withstand,  if  there  are  five 
to  one.”  Young  and  daring  as  he  was, 
Washington  was  not  wanting,  even  at 


COLONIAL.J  FORT  NPXESSITY.  41 


that  early  age  of  self-confidence,  in  the 
prudence  and  foresight  which  marked 
his  subsequent  life.  “ Your  honor,”  he 
declares  in  his  despatch  to  the  governor 
of  Virginia,  “ may  depend  I will  not  be 
surprised,  let  them  come  at  what  hour 
they  will.”  Ilis  deeds  confirmed  his 
words,  and  he  set  about  diligently  ma- 
king every  preparation  for  the  coming 
attack.  He  finished  his  entrenchments 
at  Great  Meadows,  and  began  to  erect  a 
palisade.  He  sent  a messenger  with  all 
despatch  to  Colonel  Fry,  who  was  ill  at 
Will’s  creek,  with  a request  that  he  would 
send  at  once  as  many  of  his  men  as  he 
could  spare.  The  half-king  Tanacharis- 
son  did  not  require  much  urging,  as  his 
savage  blood,  having  become  heated  in 
the  late  fight  witli  the  French,  was  now 
boiling  fiercely  for  another  struggle.  The 
chief  accordingly,  having  sent  the  scalps 
Riken  from  the  French  dead,  and  the  sig- 
nificant hatchet,  to  his  Indian  allies,  the 
Mintroes  and  Shawnees,  strove  to  engage 
them  to  take  up  arms  for  his  brothers 
the  English.  He  himself  went  away  to 
join  his  own  people,  promising  soon  to 
return  with  forty  or  more  of  his  own  war- 
riors. 

H aving  completed  his  fortification  at 
the  Great  Meadows,  Washington  gave  it 
the  name  of  Fort  Necessity,  as  well  he 
might,  from  the  compulsory  triols  to 
which  he  had  been  subjected  in  the 
course  of  its  construction.  Here  he  was 
forced  to  make  a stand  to  await  the  ap- 
proach of  an  enemy  that  firr  outnum- 
bered his  own  small  force.  Here  he 
Iieard  of  the  death  of  Fry  at  Will’s  creek; 
and  here  his  men,  Avorn  out  Avith  daily 


toil,  Avere  deprived  of  their  daily  bread. 
The  small  camp  almost  suffered  from  fam- 
ine in  consequence  of  the  neglect  of  the 
trader  Croghan,  who  had  contracted  U) 
supply  the  troops  Avith  flour.  For  nearly 
a Aveek  they  were  deprived  of  this  essen- 
tial staff  of  life.  The  scarcity,  moreover, 
Avhich  Avas  so  great  as  to  bring  W^a.shing- 
ton’s  men  to  the  verge  of  star\^ation,  Avas 
further  increased  by  the  arrival  at  the 
camp  of  the  half-king,  his  forty  Avarrions, 
and  all  their  families.  Supplies,  hoAvever, 
fortunately  soon  reached  the  almost  fam- 
ished garrison. 

Washino-ton  succeeded  to  the  chief 

O 

command  by  the  death  of  Fry,  upon  the 
arrival  of  whose  detachment  from  Will’s 
creek  the  force  at  Fort  Necessity  Avas  in- 
creased to  three  hundred.  A further  ad- 
dition Avas  expected  from  South  Carolina 
Avhich  had  enrolled  an  independent  com- 
pany of  one  hundred  men,  under  the  com- 
mand of  a Captain  Mackay,  Avhose  arri- 
val Avas  daily  looked  for. 

Some  changes  in  rank  occurred  among 
the  other  officers  in  consequence  of  Wash- 
ington’s advancement.  Captain  Adam 
Stephen  Avas  promoted  to  a majority,  and 
Jacob  Van  Braam,  Washington’s  old  com- 
panion and  interpreter,  was  made  a cap- 
tain. 

Fort  Necessity  having  been  put  in  a 
tolerable  condition,  Washington  (leaving 
the  hundred  men  of  South  Carolina  and 
their  captain,  Mackay,  Avho  had  lately  ar- 
rived, as  a garrison  to  defend  it)  took  up 
again  his  old  route  for  Redstone  creek. 
Washington  had  so  much  trouble  Avith 
Mackay’s  troop,  as  they  considered  them- 
selves in  the  light  of  volunteers,  and  thus 


42  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i 

relieved  from  the  obligation  of  ordinary 

ginians,with  Washington  himself  putting 

military  duty,  that  he  determined  to  pro- 

his  own  hands  to  the  work,  laboriously 

ceed  without  them  in  the  toilsome  labors 

cut  down  the  trees,  and  rolled  up  their 

of  completing  the  military  road.  The 

great  trunks  to  protect  the  small  en- 

Virginians  had  not  been  many  days  gone, 

trenchment. 

when  intelligence  was  received  of  the  ap- 

Fort  Necessity  was  a rude  stockade. 

proach  of  the  force  which  we  have  seen 

about  a hundred  feet  square,  a,nd  sur- 

was  sent  out  from  Fort  Du  Quesne.  Wash- 

rounded  by  trenches.  It  stood  in  the 

ington  sent  immediately  for  Captain  Mac- 

middle  of  the  Great  Meadows,  on  a level 

kay,  and  on  his  arrival  a council-of-war 

spot  hemmed  in  by  hills  mostly  covered 

was  held,  at  which  it  was  resolved  that  it 

with  wood.  A sm.all  stream  ran  near  the 

was  necessary  to  take  up  some  more  se- 

place,  and  continued  its  course  along  the 

cure  position  than  that  where  they  were 

base  of  the  high  ground  and  through  the  . 

then  encamped,  although  they  had  pro- 

valley  which  opened  into  the  Great  Mea- 

tected  themselves  by  hurriedly  throwing 

dows. 

up  entrenchments. 

Washington,  while  thus  manfully  pre- 

The  whole  force  now  began  to  retire ; 
and,  after  a toilsome  retreat,  for  want  of 
a sufficiency  of  pack-horses  and  wagons, 
July  1 reached  Fort  Necessity. 

The  Virginians  complained  loud- 

paring  to  defend  himself  with  his  hand- 
ful of  men  against  the  larger  force  which 
was  coming  to  attack  him,  was  further 
weakened  by  the  desertion  of  the  half- 
chief and  his  Indians.  Tanacharisson  pre- 

ly  during  the  whole  route  of  the  Carolin- 

tended  to  be  disaffected  in  consequence 

ians,  who  left  all  the  work  of  clearing  the 

of  not  having  been  sufficiently  listened 

road,  carrying  the  baggage,  and  dragging 

to  by  Washington  in  the  formation  of 

the  artillery,  to  them,  while  those  inde- 

his  plans.  It  was,  however,  suspecte' 

pendent  military  gentlemen  considered 

that  the  Indians  wished  only  to  secuiy 

it  inconsistent  with  their  dignity  to  do 

the  safety  of  their  families  and,  as  they 

anything  else  but  march  in  battle  array. 

were  aware  of  the  overpowering  num- 

When  Washington  reached  the  fort,  he 

bers  of  the  French,  they  feared  the  fatal 

found  that  his  own  men,  either  worn 

result  of  an  encounter  at  such  odds.  As 

down  with  fatigue,  or  influenced  by  the 

some  few  of  the  Indians  who  had  no 

bad  example  of  the  Carolinians,  would 

wives  still  remained,  it  was  supposed 

not  move  a step  farther,  and  was  ffiin  to 

that  the  motive  just  given  was  the  reai 

rest  at  the  Great  Meadows,  and  there 

cause  of  the  desertion  of  those  who  went 

await  the  coming  of  the  French. 

away. 

There  was  no  time  to  spare,  and  Wash- 

The  first  sign  of  the  approach  of  the 

mgton  set  his  men  at  work  at  once  upon 

enemy  was  the  arrival,  early  in  the  mom- 

the  fort,  which  he  strove  to  strengthen 
by  a breastwork  of  timber.  The  Caro- 

ing,  of  a wounded  sentinel,  who  „ 

came  staggering  in  from  the  out- 

linians  still  looked  idly  on,  while  the  Vir- 

posts.  Washington  immediately  drew  up 

COLONIAL. J CAPITULATION  OF 

his  men  on  the  plain  to  meet  the  antici- 
pated attack,  which  was  now  made  cer- 
tain by  the  arrival  of  the  sconts  with  in- 
formation that  a large  body  of  French 
and  Indians  was  within  a few  miles,  and 
rapidly  approaching.  Toward  noon  the 
enemy  had  taken  possession  of  a neigh- 
boring hill,  and  commenced  a fire  from 
under  cover  of  the  trees.  Their  shots  at 
hrst  fell  short,  and  Avere  not  returned  by 
tJie  provincials.  The  fire,  hoAvever,  of  the 
French  soon  began  to  tell  more  efiectual- 
ly,  and  Washington  wa.'  forced  to  order 
his  men  Avithin  the  fortifications ; and 
here  they  kept  up  a straggling  fire  Avith 
the  enemy,  seldom  securing  a good  aim 
at  them,  as  they  Avere  hid  among  the 
trees.  This  kind  of  skirmishing  lasted  the 
whole  day,  the  English  IniAung  already 
lost  thirty  Avhile  the  French  had  only 
three  killed,  Avlien,  night  coming  on,  De 
Filliers  proposed  a parley. 

After  some  hesitation  on  the  part  of 
Wasliington,  Avho  suspected  a ruse,  he 
consented  to  send  an  officer  to  treat  Avith 
the  French  commander.  Van  Braam,  Avho 
had  some  pretensions  to  the  knoAA'ledge 
of  the  language,  Avas  selected.  He  made 
several  journeys  baclcAvard  and  foinvard, 
between  the  fort  and  the  enemy’s  camp, 
before  he  brought  terms  of  capitulation 
to  AAdiich  Washington  AA'as  Avilling  to  as- 
sent. 

These  Avere  sent  by  the  French  com- 
mander, Avritten  out  in  due  form ; and, 
upon  being  delivered  to  Washington  by 
Van  Braam,  that  officer  Avas  called  upon 
to  translate  them.  This  he  undertook 
to  do,  and  hoAV  far  he  Avas  ecpial  to  the 
.jidertaking  Avill  be  found  by  the  result. 


FORT  NECESSITY.  43 

Washington  and  his  officers,  neither  of 
Avhom  understood  a AAmrd  of  French,  be- 
lieved that  they  had  got  a fair  idea  of 
the  terms  of  capitulation  proposed,  al- 
though Van  Braam  Avas  evidently  not 
quite  at  his  ease  either  in  French  or  Eng- 
lish. There  Avas  no  objection  made  to 
any  of  the  stipulations  as  translated,  Avith 
the  exception  of  that  Avhich  proposed 
that  Washington  should  give  up  all  his 
artillery  and  ammunition  to  the  enemy. 
This  he  Avould  not  concede,  and  De  Vil- 
liers  accordingly  altered  it. 

The  besieged  Avere  in  a condition  not 
very  fiiAmrable  certainly  for  insisting  up- 
on the  most  liberal  terms.  Their  cattle 
had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
and  Washington  had  only  t\Am  bags  of 
flour  and  a little  bacon  left  to  feed  his 
AAdiole  three  hundred  men  upon ; Avhile 
all  Avere  so  Avorn  out  with  the  hard  and 
hurried  labor  upon  the  Avorks  during  the 
three  days  and  nights  previous,  that  it 
required  all  the  undaunted  spirit  of  their 
young  commander  to  cheer  on  their  flag- 
ging energies.  The  Aveather,  too,  Avas 
imfaA'orable.  The  rain  poured  in  such 
torrents,  that  it  overfloAved  the  trenches, 
and,  Avetting  the  firelocks  of  the  men, 
prevented  them  often  from  returning  the 
fire  of  their  assailants. 

Washington,  hoAvever,  Avas,  even  un- 
der such  circumstances  of  discourage- 
ment, not  disposed  to  make  any  but  the 
most  honorable  terms  of  capitulation  AAntli 
the  enemy.  He  accordingly  insisted  that 
he  should  be  alloAved  to  depart  Avith  all 
the  honors  of  Avar,  Avith  drums  fjeating 
and  colors  flying.  That  Washington, 
therefore,  coidd  have  been  aAvare,  Avheii 


— V 

44  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i. 

1 

he  signed  the  capitiiLation,  that  it  con- 

lish.  The  rain  Avas  pouring  in  torrents  at 

tained  the  expression,  “ the  assassination  of 

the  same  moment,  and  Washington  and 

Jumonville,”  is  preposterous.  The  death 

his  officers  were  gathered  in  a confused 

of  that  young  Frenchman,  however,  was 

group  about  the  reader,  while  there  A\a.' 

thus  described,  and  Washington  had  sign- 

the  greatest  difficulty  to  see  with  suffi- 

ed  the  paper  upon  which  the  base  Avord 

cient  distinctness  to  make  out  the  Avri- 

was  written  ! Of  course,  no  one  noAV  be- 

ting,  or  even  to  keep  the  candle  burning. 

lieves  that  Washington  ever  kjiOAvingly 

Washington  probably,  in  the  confusion 

was  made  to  condemn  his  OAvn  honorable 

and  uncertain  light,  never  saAV  the  origi- 

action,  Avhich  resulted  in  the  death  of  Ju- 

nal  word,  and  intrusted  implicitly  to  his 

monville,  as  the  deed  of  an  assassin.  The 

interpreter. 

French  at  the  time,  hoAvever,  made  a great 
deal  of  this  admission,  Avhich  appears  to 

Early  next  day,  Washington,  ^ 

having  destroyed  his  artillery, 

have  been  particularly  SAveet  to  De  Vil- 

and  hid  aAvay  his  military  stores,  as  had 

liers’s  desire  to  revenge  his  young  rela- 

been  agreed  upon,  led  out  his  men,  Avitli 

tive.  In  his  report  of  the  affair  at  Fort 

all  the  honors  of  Avar.  Van  Braam,  Avho 

Necessity,  he  says:  ‘‘We  made  the  Eng- 

could  be  Avell  spared,  and  a Captain  Stobo, 

lish  consent  to  sign  tliat  they  had  assas- 

Avho  Avas  a man  of  different  and  more  gem 

sinated  my  Ijrotlier  in  his  camp.” 

nine  metal,  Avere  left  Avith  the  French 

It  has  been  suspected  that  the  cunning 

commander  as  hostages  for  the  fulfilment 

F rench  commander  liad  bribed  Van  Braam 

of  the  terms  of  the  capitulation.  De  Vil- 

to  misconstrue  purposely  the  Avord  assas- 

liers,  in  his  report,  utters  a contemptuous 

sinat,  in  order  that  the  French  might  in- 

lie,  declaring  that  “ the  English,  struck 

dulge  a stolen  pleasure  of  revenge.  It 

with  panic,  took  to  flight,  and  left  their 

is,  hoAvever,  more  probable  that  the  stu- 

flag  and  one  of  their  colors.”  They  did 

pid  Van  Braam,  avIio  kneAV  very  little 

leave  their  regimental  flag,  because  it  Avas 

English  and  much  less  French,  made  an 

too  burdensome  to  carry,  but  their  colors 

unintentional  blunder  in  the  translation. 

they  bore  aAvay  flying,  as  they  Avere  enti- 

Still,  the  French  Avord  assassinat  corre- 

tied  to  by  the  concession  made  by  this 

sponds  so  nearly  Avith  our  OAvn  “ assas- 

same  De  Villiers  avIio  forged  the  lie. 

sination,”  that  Ave  could  hardly  conceive 

The  French  had  been  better  occupied 

hoAV  Washington  himself,  even  Avith  his 

in  keeping  their  OAvn  AVord  than  in  de- 

ignorance  of  the  French  language,  should 

vising  false  accusations  against  others. 

have  been  misled,  Avere  it  not  from  this 

They  had  pledged  themselves  that  Wash- 

fact.  The  paper  Avith  the  Avritten  stipu- 

ington  and  his  men  should  be  alloAved  (o 

lations  Avas  brought  iu  at  night,  and  read 

march  out  Avithout  molestation  ; and  yet 

in  the  trenches,  by  means  of  a candle 

they  had  hardly  got  out  of  the  fort,  Avlien 

held  close  to  the  face  of  the  Ijlundering 

the  Indians  from  De  Villiers’s  camp  be- 

Van  Braam,  Avho  Avas  undertaking  to  read 

gan  plundering  the  baggage,  and  it  Avas 

and  explain  its  pur])ort  in  broken  Eng- 

found  necessary,  in  consequence,  to  de- 

. . - ■ _ ^ 

coLONiAL.J  TWO  OPINIONS  OF  W7VSII INGTON.  4o 

stroy  the  greater  part  of  it,  in  order  to 

about  destroying  its  rude  and  incomplete 

get  rid  of  these  ravenous  savages.  In  a 

works,  and  then  started  on  his  return 

few  days,  after  a toilsome  journey.  Wash- 

to  Fort  Du  (qjuesne.  As  there  was  little 

ington  succeeded  in  leading  his  jaded  and 

to  be  done  in  demolishing  the  simple 

disheartened  force  to  Will’s  creek,  where. 

defences  of  the  English  provincials,  the 

with  abundant  provisions,  and  in  a snug 

French  were  enabled  to  get  through  their 

encampment,  they  were  left  to  recruit 

labors  in  a single  morning,  and  marched 

their  strength  and  health,  until  they 

out  on  the  very  same  day  that  Washing- 

might  be  in  proper  condition  to  march 

ton  departed.  Their  force  was  noAv  di- 

homeward,  Washington  himself  pushed 

vided  into  Hvo  parties,  and  both  went  to 

on  directly  for  Williamsburg,  to  give  in 

work  destroying  all  the  English  trading- 

his  report  of  the  unfortunate  but  honor- 

posts  and  stockades  met  Avith  in  the 

able  results  of  the  expedition.  His  own 

course  of  their  different  routes.  De  Vil- 

province  justly  estimated  Washington’s 

liers  led  his  detachment  to  the  scene  of 

services,  and  he  received  a vote  of  thanks 

Jumonville’s  defeat  and  death,  and,  Avith 

from  the  Virginia  house  of  burgesses  for 

pious  affection,  seeking  out  from  among 

his  courage  and  the  prudence  of  his  con- 

the  mangled  corpses  of  the  slain  (aa'Iio,  in 

duct. 

accordance  Avith  Indian  Avarfare,  lay  scat- 

The  old  chief  Tanacharisson,  however, 

tered  about  Avith  their  skulls  bared  by 

who  had  deserted  his  " white  brother”  in 

the  tomahaAA  k)  his  brother’s  body,  buried 

Ids  emergency,  took,  as  it  seems,  a very 

it  with  the  honors  of  a soldier’s  grave. 

different  view  of  Washington’s  manage- 

This  pious  duty  performed,  De  Villiers 

inent.  “The  colonel,”  he  said,  “was  a 

hastened  on  to  Fort  Du  Quesne,  Avhere 

good-natured  man,  but  had  no  experi- 

he  arrived  on  the  7th  day  of  July. 

• 

ence  ; he  took  upon  him  to  command  the 

Monsieur  de  Contrecoeur  and  his  gar- 

Indians  as  his  slaves,  and  would  have 

risen  on  the  Monongahela  Avere  not  found 

them  every  day  upon  the  scout,  and  to 

by  De  Villiers  in  suc.h  a flourishing  con- 

attack  the  enemy  by  themselves,  but 

dition  as  Avhen  he  liad  left  them  on  his 

would  by  no  means  take  advice  from  the 

expedition  doAvn  the  Ohio.  Supplies, 

Indians.  lie  lay  in  one  place  from  one 

Avhich  had  been  sent  out  for  the  provis- 

full  moon  to  the  other,  without  making 

ion  of  the  fort,  had  been  delayed  on  the 

any  fortifications,  except  that  little  thing 

route.  Those  Avho  had  charge  of  them 

in  the  Meadow ; whereas,  had  he  taken 

had  Avandered  from  their  Avay,  and,  not 

advice,  and  built  such  fortifications  as  he 

succeeding  in  finding  horses  and  Avagons 

(Tanacharisson)  advised  him,  he  might 

to  carry  their  burden,  Avere  obliged  to 

easily  have  beat  off  the  French.  But  the 

bear  it  themselves.  With  the  fatigue. 

f'rench,  in  the  engagement,  acted  like 

the  delay,  and  the  scarcity  of  provisions. 

cowards,  and  the  English  like  fools.” 

the  men  sickened  ; and  no  less  than  four 

N 

De  Villiers,  having  taken  possession 

hundred  of  the  party  died  from  the  effects 

of  Fort  Necessity  on  its  surrender,  set 

of  hunger,  exhaustion,  and  the  scurvy. 

_ 

i6  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i 

Tliose  who  escaped  finally  broke  open 
Llie  packages  with  which  they  were 
charged,  and  helped  themselves  freely  to 
their  contents.  They  tliiis  got  an  abun- 
dant supply  of  the  generous  wines  of 
Champagne  and  Bordeaux,  and  in  their 
wild  orgies  dressed  themselves,  in  the 
midst  of  the  wilderness,  in  the  costly  vel- 
vet uniforms  sent  to  grace  the  dignity  of 
Monsieur  de  Contrecoeur  and  his  fellow- 
officers.  When  they  arrived  at  the  fort, 
they  had  hardly  anything  to  ofier  but 
themselves,  tricked  off  in  the  gaudy  suits 
of  their  superiors.  Fresh  instalments, 
however,  from  Canada,  soon  put  Fort 
Du  Quesne  on  a more  satisfactory  footr 
ing,  and  its  commander  was  enabled  to 
carry  out  his  plans,  for  the  possession  of 
the  Ohio,  in  a manner  to  gratify  the  un- 
bounded appetite  of  his  sovereign  for  do- 
minion. 

The  court  at  Versailles  were  in  raptures 
with  French  success  in  America;  and, 
while  they  slandered  the  young  Wash- 
ington, they  elevated  the  unfortunate 
tT union ville  to  the  rank  of  a hero.  Ills 
death  was  mourned  in  story,  as  that  of 
the  brave  and  the  good  ; while  Washing- 
ton, ce  plantenr  Americain  — that  American 
firmer  who  in  a few  years  afterward  was 
to  be  hailed  as  the  regenerator  of  the 
human  race  by  the  people  of  France  — 
was  held  up  to  scorn,  by  the  minions  of 
a lewd  king  and  liis  shameless  mistress, 
as  an  assassin ! 

In  England,  there  was  hardly  any  more 
disposition  to  do  Washington  justice; 
and  we  are  not  surprised  to  find  Walpole 
recording,  in  one  of  his  gossiping  letters, 
that  the  French  have  tied  up  the  hands 

of  an  excellent  fanfaron,  a Major  Wash- 
ington, whom  they  took  and  engaged  not 
to  serve  for  a year.”  Throughout  Eng- 
land, however,  the  ill  success  of  the  Vir- 
ginian expedition,  whatever  may  have 
been  thought  of  its  young  and  heroic 
leader,  was  received  with  undisguised 
vexation.  The  government  remonstra- 
ted, through  their  embassador  at  the 
court  of  Versailles,  the  dissolute  Albe- 
marle, against  the  aggressions  of  the 
French  in  America.  These  remonstran- 
ces, however,  produced  no  effect.  Louis 

XV.  continued  to  send  reinforcements  to 
Canada,  and  made  no  secret  of  his  deter- 
mination to  follow  up  his  successes  at 
Fort  Necessity  with  further  attempts  up- 
on the  territory  west  of  the  Alleghanies. 
Great  Britain,  with  unusual  equanimity 
of  temper,  contented  itself  with  opposing 
these  overt  acts  of  hostility  by  sending  a 
little  advice  to  its  colonies.  These  were 
urged  to  unite  for  their  common  protec- 
tion, and  defend  themselves  against  the 
whole  power  of  France.  The  languid 
hands  of  Pelham,  and  the  weak  grasp  of 
the  incapable  duke  of  Newcastle,  then 
held  the  reins  of  power,  and  the  active 
aid  necessary  could  hardly  be  expected 
from  the  indolent  prime  minister  and  his 
feeble  brother. 

The  duke  of  Cumberland  was  indig- 
nant at  the  inaction  of  his  government, 
and  swore  that,  rather  than  lose  one  foot 
of  ground  in  America,  he  would  oppose 
the  enemies  of  his  country  in  that  part 
of  the  Avorld  himself  To  this  prince,  ii, 
fact,  the  colonies  were  finally  indebted 
for  the  aid,  such  as  it  was,  that  the}’  re 
ceived.  Little,  certainly,  could  be  ex- 

^ ' 

COLONIAL.]  GENERAL  BRADDOCK.  47 

pected,  when  left  to  himself,  from  the 

in  Nova  Scotia,  learned  something  ol 

duke  of  Newcastle,  ‘‘  a statesman  without 

American  affairs — his  grace  of  Newoas- 

capacity,  or  the  smallest  tincture  of  hu- 

tie  sent  for  him. 

man  learning ; a secretary  who  could  not 

On  being  closeted  with  the  minister, 

write;  a financier  who  did  not  understand 

Gates  was  asked  for  a plan  for  an  Ameri- 

the  multiplication-table  ; and  the  treasur- 

can  campaign ; but  he  pleaded  his  youth 

er  of  a vast  empire  who  never  could  bal- 

and  inexperience,  and  modestly  declined. 

ance  accounts  with  his  own  butler.”  Such 

Others  were  resorted  to  in  the  emergen- 

a man  could  be  of  little  assistance  any- 

cy.  Pitt,  on  being  asked  his  views,  slyly 

where,  and  least  of  all  in  a country  of 

answered : “ Your  grace  knows  I have 

which  he  knew  so  little,  that,  when  it  was 

no  capacity  for  these  things ; and  there- 

suggested  that  Annapolis  should  be  de- 

fore  I do  not  desire  to  be  informed  about 

fended,  replied  : “ Annapolis,  Annapolis  ! 

them.”  Sharpe,  who  had  been  a lieuteii- 

Oh,  yes,  Annapolis  must  be  defended  ; to 

ant-governor  of  Maryland  ; Hanbury,  the 

be  sure,  Annapolis  should  be  defended : 

chief  of  the  Ohio  Company;  Lords  Towns- 

where  is  Annapolis  ?” 

hend  and  Walpole,  had  all  been  consult- 

After  considerable  delay,  when  noth- 

ed  in  turn — when,  finally,  it  Avas  found 

ing  was  done,  the  necessity  of  doing 

advisable  to  leave  the  whole  regulation 

something  was  agreed  upon,  but  how  to 

of  the  American  difficulty  to  the  duke  of 

do  it  was  the  puzzling  question.  The 

Cumberland.  This  martial  prince  Avas 

duke  of  Newcastle,  in  his  ignorance,  was 

for  sending  out  immediately  a military 

reduced  to  all  sorts  of  makeshifts  for  his 

force  to  driA^e  the  French  from  the  banks 

want  of  knowledge  and  capacity.  Hav- 

of  the  Ohio.  Taa’O  regiments  of  the  line 

ing  heard  of  a young  officer  of  the  name 

AA’ere  accordingly  detached  at  once  for 

of  Gates,  who  had  just  returned  from 

service  in  Virginia,  and  the  command 

America — where  he  had,  while  on  duty 

bestoAved  upon  General  Braddock. 

CHAPTER  yi. 

General  Braddoek. — His  Life  and  Character. — Braddock’s  Family. — His  Sister,  Fanny  Braddock. — Her  Love,  and  Traffic 

Death. — A Brother’s  Tribute  to  a Sister’s  ^Memory. — An  Iroquois. — Braddock’s  Military  Career. — His  Life  in  Lon 
don. — Mrs.  Upton  and  her  Last  Shillin<i. — Braddock’s  Duel  with  the  Earl  of  Bath. — A Poor  Dof: ! — His  Farewell  of 
a Frail  but  Constant  Friend. — Braddock  exiled  by  Poverty. — Recalled  by  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  and  given  the 
Command  of  the  American  Expedition. — His  Age  and  Military  Character. 

“ Desperate  in  his  fortune,  brutal 
in  his  behavior,  obstinate  in  his  sen- 

general  appointed  to  command  the  regi- 
ments noAV  about  to  be  sent  out  to  Amer- 

timents,  he  was  still  intrepid  and  capa- 

ica.  Six  feet  high,  of  Atlantean  shoul- 

ble,”  are  the  few,  biting  words  in  which 

ders,  of  good  appetite,  and  a lover  of  his 

Walpole  sums  up  the  character  of  the 

bottle,  he  Avas  equal  to  any  effort  of  per- 

48  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  '[part  i 


sonal  vigor.  lie  was  a match  for  the 
best  swordsman  in  the  army,  and  could 
drink  his  whole  mess  under  the  table ! 
He  swore  copiously,  as  troopers  were 
wont  to  do  in  those  days.  Turbident 
and  pugnacious,  he  was  never  so  much 
at  his  ease  as  in  the  hurly-burly  of  war. 
Intrepid  and  loyal,  he  was  always  ready 
to  fight  for  his  king  or  his  great  master, 
his  royal  highness  the  burly  duke  of 
Cumberland,  whom  he  was  proud  to  copy 
as  the  model  .soldier. 

Of  Braddock’s  early  history  little  is 
known,  although  there  is  sufficient  proof 
that  he  was  not  altogether  the  low  ad- 
venturer it  has  been  the  habit  of  histo- 
rians to  represent  him.  His  fiither  him- 
self was  a .soldier,  and  posse.ssed  of  suffi- 
cient patronage  or  desert  to  have  reached 
the  rank  of  major-general,  with  a colo- 
nelcy ill  the  guard.s.  He  was  known  as  a 
retired  veteran  officer,  living  in  his  old 
age  at  the  fashionable  town  of  Bath, 
where  he  died  on  the  loth  of  June,  1725. 
He  was  evidently  a man  of  competent 
fortune,  for  on  his  death  he  left  no  less 
than  six  thousand  pounds  as  a provision 
for  his  two  daughters,  and  probably  a 
much  larger  sum  to  his  only  son,  Edward 
Braddock. 

One  of  the  daimliters  died  earlv,  and 
her  sister,  Fanny  Braddock,  became  pos- 
sessed of  her  share  of  the  father’s  legacy. 
Goldsmith,  in  his  life  of  Beau  Nash,  has 
told  the  romantic  story  of  Fanny,  under 

the  name  of  “ Miss  Sylvia  S ,”  with 

his  usual  sweetness  of  narrative  and  gen- 
tle kindne.ss  of  sympathy.  She  was  de- 
scended, he  says,  from  one  of  the  best 
families  in  the  kingdom,  and  was  left  a 


large  fortune  upon  her  sister’s  decease. 
Whatever  the  fine.st  poet  could  conceive 
of  wit,  or  the  most  celebrated  painter  im- 
agine of  beauty,  were  excelled  in  the 
perfections  of  this  young  lady.  She  was 
naturally  gay,  generous  to  a fault,  good- 
natured  to  the  highest  degree,  affable  in 
conversation ; and  some  of  her  letters 
and  other  writings,  as  well  in  verse  as 
prose,  would  have  shone  among  those  of 
the  most  celebrated  wits  of  this  or  any 
other  age,  had  they  been  publi.shed. 

But  these  qualifications  were  marked 
by  another,  which  lessened  the  value  of 
them  all.  She  was  imprudent.  “ By 
which,”  says  the  kind  biographer,  “ I only 
mean  she  had  no  knowledge  of  the  use 
of  money.”  She  was  arrived  at  the  age 
of  nineteen,  when  the  crowd  of  her  lov- 
ers and  the  continued  repetition  of  new 
flattery  had  taught  her  to  think  that  she 
could  never  be  forsaken,  and  never  poor. 
‘‘  Young  ladies  are  apt  to  expect,”  wisely 
moralizes  Goldsmith,  in  a strain  that  re- 
minds us  of  a pa.ssage  in  the  “ Vicar  of 
Wakefield,”  “a  certainty  of  succe.ss  from 
a number  of  lovers ; and  yet  I have  sel- 
dom seen  a girl  courted  by  a hundred 
lovers  that  found  a husband  in  any.  Be- 
fore the  choice  is  fixed,  she  has  either 
lost  her  reputation  or  her  good  sense ; 
and  the  loss  of  either  is  sufficient  to  con- 
sign her  to  perpetual  virginity.” 

Among  the  number  of  this  young  la- 
dy’s lovers  was  a handsome,  good-natured, 
easy  kind  of  fellow,  of  whose  name  we 
can  learn  nothing  beyond  its  initial  “ S.” 
He  was  “ constitutionally  virtuous,”  but 
practically  it  appears  quite  the  contrary, 
for  he  followed  the  “dictates  of  every 


r 

COLONIAL.]  FATE  OF  FANNY  BRADDOCK.  49 


newest  passion.”  He  loved  Fanny  Brad- 
dock,  and  Fanny  Braddock  loved  him. 
The  vices  of  the  man  (Goldsmith  gently 
terms  them  “ imprudences”)  soon  ruined 
him,  and  he  was  thrown  into  prison  for 
debt.  Fanny  Braddock,  with  the  disin- 
terestedness of  a pure  and  loving  woman, 
was  resolutely  bent  on  freeing  him,  and 
sacrificed  her  whole  fortune  in  relieving 
her  lover  from  his  obligations  to  his  cred- 
itors, and  thus  restored  him  to  liberty. 

S , instead  of  improving  in  friendship 

or  affection,  only  studied  to  avoid  a cred- 
itor he  could  never  repay  ; for,  ‘‘  though 
small  favors  produce  good  will,  great  ones 
destroy  friendship,”  says  Goldsmith,  wlio 
could  utter  maxims  worthy  of  Solomon, 
while  he  lived  as  riotously  as  the  Prodi- 
g;il  Son. 

Poor  Fanny,  however,  was  ruined,  in 
reputation  as  well  as  in  fortune,  by  this 
profuse  generosity  to  her  ungrateful  lov- 
er. Beau  Nash,  then  meeting  with  her 
among  some  of  his  friends  in  London, 
prevailed  upon  her  to  go  with  him  to 
Bath,  where  the  Beau,  being  paramount 
in  power,  might  introduce  her  to  the 
best  company,  and  leave  it  to  her  merit 
to  do  the  rest.  People  of  distinction 
courted  her  acquaintance,  and  strove  to 
divert  her  with  the  social  enjoyments  and 
fa.shionable  frivolities  of  the  place  ; but  it 
was  apparent  that  a settled  melancholy 
had  taken  possession  of  her  mind,  and  she 
moved  among,  but  was  not  of,  the  gay 
throng.  With  loss  of  love,  loss  of  for- 
tune, loss  of  friends,  and  loss  of  health, 
she  was  finally  induced,  as  a mere  refuge 
from  her  own  wretchedness,  to  vield  to 
the  invitation  of  a Dame  Lindsey,  who 


desired  to  secure  so  much  beauty,  as  an 
additional  temptation  to  those  who  re- 
sorted to  her  gambling-rooms.  Although 
she  yielded  to  Dame  Lindsey’s  invitation, 
Fanny  Braddock  is  believed  never  to 
have  been  tainted  with  any  other  vice 
than  that  of  presiding  at  the  hazard-table 
for  the  advantage  of  others. 

She  could  not  long,  however,  endure 
this  disgrace,  and  preferred  the  humble 
condition  of  a housekeeper  in  a gentle- 
man’s family,  to  which  her  poverty  now 
reduced  her.  Here  she  remained,  always 
sad,  but  faithful  to  her  duty.  The  gen- 
tleman wuth  whom  she  lived  now  went 
up  to  London  with  his  wife,  leaving  the 
children  and  the  house  to  her  care.  On 
the  day  when  he  was  expected  to  return, 
Fanny,  after  the  discharge  of  her  daily 
household  duty,  went  into  the  dining 
room  and  wrote  these  lines  upon  one  ot 
the  window-panes: — 

“O  Deatli ! thou  pleasing  end  of  human  wo! 

Thou  cure  for  life,  thou  greatest  good  below ! 

Still  mayst  thou  fly  the  coward  and  the  slave. 

And  thy  soft  slumbers  only  bless  the  brave.” 

Some  visiters  coming  in,  she  entertained 
them  cheerfully,  and,  on  their  going  out^ 
she  went  to  the  library,  where  she  had 
ordered  supper.  Here  “ she  spent  the 
remaining  hours  preceding  bed-time  in 
dandling  two  of  Mr.  Wood’s  (the  gentle- 
man in  whose  ftimily  she  lived)  children 
on  her  knees.  In  retiring  thence  to  hei 
chamber,  she  went  into  the  nursery,  to 
take  her  leave  of  another  child,  as  it  lay 
sleeping  in  the  eradle.  Struck  with  tlie 
innocence  of  the  little  babe’s  looks,  and 
the  consciousness  of  her  meditated  guilt, 
she  could  not  avoid  bursting  into  tears. 


50  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  i-art  i 

and  hugging  it  in  her  arms.  She  then 

Such  is  the  history  of  Fanny  Braddock, 

bade  her  old  servant  a ‘ Good-night/  for 

for  the  most  part  as  related  by  Goldsmith. 

the  first  time  she  had  ever  done  so,  and 

“Hundreds  in  high  life,”  says  he,  “la- 

went  to  bed  as  usual. 

mented  her  fate.”  Her  brother,  when 

“It  is  probable  she  soon  quitted  her 

he  heard  of  it,  remarked,  “Poor  Fanny! 

bed.  She  then  dressed  herself  in  clean 

I always  thought  she  would  play  till  she 

linen  and  white  garments  of  every  kind, 

would  be  forced  to  tuck  herself  up.”  Hor- 

like  a bridesmaid.  Her  gown  she  pinned 

ace  Walpole  might  well  say,  “Braddock 

over  her  breast  just  as  a nurse  pins  the 

is  a very  Iroquois  in  disposition.” 

swaddling-clothes  of  an  infant.”  She 

Braddock  was  early  led  to  a military 

then  took  a pink-silk  girdle,  and,  length- 

life,  by  its  being  his  father’s  profession. 

ening  it  with  another  made  of  gold 

He  probably  entered  the  army,  as  is  the 

thread,  she  made  a noose  at  one  end,  and 

custom  with  “ young  bloods”  in  England, 

tied  three  knots  at  a small  distance  from 

before  he  had  got  out  of  his  teens,  and 

each  other. 

too  soon  to  have  acquired  much  educa- 

She  now  sat  down  to  read  that  passage 

tion.  His  first  commission  dates  from 

in  Ariosto’s  “Orlando  Furioso,”  where 

the  11th  of  October,  1710,  when  he  be- 

Olympia  is  abandoned  by  her  bosom 

came  ensign  in  the  Coldstream  guards. 

friend,  and  ruined.  Having  laid  aside 

His  promotion,  although  not  very  rapid, 

her  book,  she  arose,  took  the  girdle  she 

was  sufficiently  so  to  show  that  he  had 

had  prepared,  and,  tying  it  about  her 

either  the  command  of  money  or  the  ben- 

neck,  stepped  upon  a stool,  and,  throw- 

efitof  patronage.  He  probably  had  both, 

ing  the  end  of  the  girdle  over  a closet- 

as  his  father  was  an  officer  of  high  rank, 

door,  attempted  to  hang  herself  The 

and  withal  tolerably  rich.  The  fact  of 

girdle,  however,  broke  with  her  weight ; 

the  son  beginning  in  a crack  regiment. 

and  she  fell  with  such  a noise,  that  a 

like  that  of  the  Coldstream,  proves  that 

workman,  who  was  passing  the  night  in 

his  career  must  have  opened  wuth  the 

the  house,  was  aAVoke.  He,  nevertheless. 

advantage  of  either  family,  favor,  or  for- 

thinking  notliino;  more  of  it,  turned  over 

tune.  In  six  years  from  the  date  of  his 

and  fell  asleep  again.  She  now  made 

first  commission  he  becomes  a lieutenant ; 

another  attempt,  with  a stronger  girdle. 

in  twenty  years  more  he  is  a captain ; 

made  of  silver  thread,  and  succeeded. 

and,  in  the  brief  period  of  seven  years. 

Her  old  maid  next  morning  waited  as 

we  find  him  with  the  high  rank  of  lieu- 

usual  the  ringing  of  the  bell,  and  pro- 

tenant-colonel  in  the  line,  and  second 

tracted  her  patience,  hour  after  hour,  till 

major  in  his  own  regiment,  the  second 

two  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  the 

of  the  Footrguards. 

workmen,  at  length  entering;  the  room 

Braddock  had  considerable  opportuiii- 

through  the  window,  found  their  unfor- 

ties  of  seeing;  service.  He  had  served  in 

1 unate  mistress  still  hanging,  and  quite 

Flanders  and  Spain,  and  distinguished 

cold. 

himself  at  the  battle  of  Fontenoy,  where 

COLONIAL.J  BRADDOCK’S  LIFE  IN  LONDON.  .51 


the  French  won  so  brilliant  a victory,  and 
the  Guards,  of  whom  Braddock  was  an 
officer,  fought  so  furiously  in  the  action, 
and  drew  off  with  such  cool  courage  and 
steady  discipline  in  the  retreat,  as  to  win 
for  the  English  soldier  almost  enough 
credit  to  compensate  for  his  being  beaten. 
Braddock  was  promoted,  immediately  af- 
ter the  battle  of  Fontenoy,  to  the  first 
majority  of  his  regiment,  and  in  a few 
months  later  to  a lieutenantr-colonelcy. 
He  served  under  the  duke  of  Cumber- 
land in  Scotland,  when  that  ^‘sanguinary” 
prince  was  engaged  in  his  cruel  raid 
against  the  Young  Pretender  and  his  Jac- 
obite defenders.  Braddock  had  evident- 
ly won  the  esteem  of  Cumberland,  who 
sought  every  opportunity  to  serve  him. 
After  service  in  Scotland,  and  a further 
campaign  in  the  Low  Countries,  peace 
was  declared,  and  Braddock  returned 
with  his  reoriment  to  London. 

O 

While  in  the  capital,  Braddock,  like 
most  officers,  lived  a gay  life.  He  was 
known  about  town  as  a gallant  blade, 
reckless  of  every  virtue  save  that  of  cour- 
age, and  as  prodigal  of  his  money  as  he 
was  careless  of  character.  He  gambled,  as 
did  all  the  men  of  the  world  of  his  day ; 
and  his  losses  at  hazard  often  placed  him 
in  such  strait,  that  he  was  tempted  to  re- 
sort to  means  to  replenish  his  purse,  if 
we  can  believe  some  of  the  stories  told 
of  him,  which  proved  him  to  be  far  from 
the  gallant  gentleman  that  he  doubtless 
wished  to  be  considered. 

It  is  said  that  a certain  Mrs.  Upton, 
well  known  to  (ill)  fame  in  London,  Avas 
a paramour  of  Braddock,  and  Ave  are 
told  this  anecdote  of  his  relations  AAuth 


her : “ One  day,  Mrs.  Upton  frankly  an- 
SAvered  a demand  for  money  by  pulling 
out  her  purse,  Avith  but  twelve  or  four- 
teen shillings  in  it.  With  the  keen  eye 
of  an  experienced  forager,  Braddock  saAv 
cause  to  suspect  that  this  was  not  all  its 
contents.  ‘Let  me  see  that!’  he  cried, 
and  snatched  it  from  her  hand.  In  the 
farther  end  he  found  five  guineas.  Coolly 
emptying  all  the  money  into  his  pocket, 
he  tossed  the  empty  purse  into  his  nii.s- 
tress’s  lap.  ‘ Did  you  mean  to  cheat  me  ?’ 
cried  he ; and  he  turned  his  back  upon 
the  house,  to  see  her  no  more.”  This 
piece  of  dirty  meanness  Avas  freely  talked 
about  in  e\'ery  coffee  and  club  house  in 
London ; and,  finally.  Fielding  held  Brad- 
dock up  to  public  contempt,  by  bringing 
him  on  the  stage,  as  Captain  Bilkum,  in 
the  “ CovenbGarden  Tragedy.”*  The  au- 
thor of  the  book  just  quoted  has  ferreted 
out  this  interesting  literary  item,  and 
gives  the  folloAving  passage  from  Field- 
ing’s play,  in  which  Braddock’s  dirty 
transaction  Avith  Mrs.  Upton  is  supposed 
to  be  alluded  to : — 

“ Oh  ! ’tis  not  in  the  power  of  punch  to  save 

My  grief-strung  soul,  since  Hecatissa’s  false  — 

Since  she  could  hide  a poor  half-guinea  from  me ! 

Oh ! had  I searched  her  pockets  ere  I rose, 

I had  not  left  a single  shilling  in  them  !” 

Braddock’s  inveterate  habits  of  gam- 
bling kept  him  constantly  in  debt,  and 
often  involved  liim  in  quarrels  Avitli  some 
of  his  felloAV-debauchees.  It  Avas  in  con- 
sequence of  some  dispute  at  the  hazard 
table,  or  some  refusal  to  settle  a claim 

* The  History  of  the  Expedition  nsjainst  Fort  Dii  Qiiesne, 
&p.,  by  AVinthrop  Sargent,  M.  A. ; Philadelphi.a,  1855.  A 
valuable  work,  to  which  we  have  been  indebted  for  many  of 
the  facts  in  this  narrative 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
AT  URBANA- CHAMPAIGN 


52  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpaixt  i 

incurred  there,  which  brought  him  a dial- 

of  the  expedition  too  fatally  verified  the 

lenge  to  fight  from  a Colonel  Gumley,the 

general’s  expectations.  This  great  man,” 

brother-in-law  of  the  earl  of  Bath.  When 

she  adds,  ‘‘  having  been  often  reproached 

they  reached  the  ground  and  were  going 

with  brutality,  I am  induced  to  recite  the 

to  engage,  Gumley,  who  had  good  hu- 

following  little  anecdote,  which  evidently 

mor  and  wit,  said : “ Braddock,  you  are 

shows  the  contrary.  As  we  were  walk- 

a poor  dog ! Here,  take  my  purse ; if 

ing  in  the  Park  one  day,  we  heard  a poor 

you  kill  me,  you  will  be  forced  to  run 

fellow  Avas  to  be  chastised,  when  I re- 

away,  and  then  you  will  not  have  a shil- 

quested  the  general  to  beg  off  the  offend- 

ling  to  support  you.”  Braddock  refused 

er.  Upon  his  application  to  the  general 

the  purse,  insisted  on  the  duel,  was  dis- 

officer,  Avhose  name  Avas  Dury,  he  asked 

armed,  and  would  not  even  ask  for  his 

Braddock  hoAV  long  since  he  had  divest- 

life. 

ed  himself  of  brutality  and  the  insolence 

Braddock,  as  a man  of  wit  and  pleas- 

of  his  manners.  To  Avhich  the  other  re- 

ure,  and,  moreover,  with  the  reputation 

plied:  ‘You  never  kneAV  me  insolent  to 

of  a brave  officer  and  a good  swordsman. 

my  inferiors.  It  is  only  to  such  rude  men 

could  have  had  no  difficulty  in  making 

as  yourself  that  I behave  Avith  the  spirit 

his  way  in  the  best  society  of  London. 

Avhich  I think  they  deserve.’  ” 

He,  ho’svever,  suffered  in  the  estimation 

It  Avas  doing  the  handsome  thing  for 

of  those  whose  virtues  were  no  better. 

Miss  Bellamy,  the  pretty  actress  (for  she 

but  whose  manners  were  ; and  he  conse- 

AA’as  the  fair  apologist),  to  come  to  the 

quently  was  shunned  by  the  refined  for 

rescue  of  the  fame  of  Braddock ; but  avc 

the  brutality  of  his  conduct  and  the  rude- 

must  not  forget  that  she  Avas  a prejudiced 

ness  of  his  behavior.  Yet  he  has  found 

party,  as  the  general  had  been  one  of  her 

an  apologist,  in  a fair  but  frail  lady,*  with 

most  favored  and  deA’oted  lovers,  had 

whom  Braddock  was  an  intimate.  She 

bestoAA’ed  upon  her  putative  husband  the 

says,  in  giving  an  account  of  her  last  in- 

profitable  agency  of  his  regiment,  and 

terview'  with  him,  on  the  night  before 

left  him  by  his  will  his  Avhole  property, 

his  setting  out  for  America : “ Before  we 

amounting  to  something  like  thirty-five 

parted,  the  general  told  me  he  should 

thousand  dollars. 

never  see  me  more,  for  he  was  going 

Braddock,  as  Gumley  had  said,  aabs 

with  a handful  of  men  to  conquer  whole 

“ a poor  dog,”  and  had  got  so  deeply  in 

nations ; and,  to  do  this,  they  must  cut 

debt,  that  he  was  obliged  to  leave  Eng- 

their  way  through  unknown  woods.  He 

land.  Ilis  influential  friends,  hoAvevei’, 

produced  a map  of  the  country,  saying. 

secured  him  an  honorable  exile,  by  olr 

at  the  same  time,  ‘ Dear  Pop,  we  are  sent 

taining  for  him  the  rank  of  colonel  in  a 

like  sacrifices  to  the  altar.’  The  event 

regiment  then  at  Gibraltar.  While  there, 
his  old  patron,  the  duke  of  Cumberland. 

* George  Anne  Bellamy,  the  actress,  from  whose  Apolo- 
gy for  her  Life  this  passage  is  quoted  in  the  Appendix  of 
Sargent’s  “ History,”  ie 

Avas  mindful  of  him ; and,  upon  the  ex- 
pedition for  America  being  deternrined 

COI.ONIAL.J  BRADDOCK  AS  A SOLDIER.  53 

upon,  Bracldock  was  recalled,  ele- 
vated to  the  rank  of  major-general, 

Fontenoy  as  well  as  in  the  cruel  triumphs 
of  Culloden. 

made  commander-in-chief  of  all  the  Brit- 

At  St.  James’s  park,  too,  in  days  ol 

ish  forces  on  the  western  continent,  and 

peace  and  holyday,  Braddock’s  men  were 

given  the  command  of  the  troops  now 

marked  and  admired  as  among  tlie  most 

ordered  there  for  the  especial  service  we 

orderly  and  soldierly  looking  of  all  the 

shall  recount. 

household  troops  in  London.  He  Avas 

That  Braddock  was  a good  soldier  in 

just  the  man  to  please  the  duke  of  Cum- 

the  European  sense,  there  could  be  no 

berland,  who,  brought  up  in  the  school 

doubt.  He  was  now  advanced  in  years 

of  the  great  Frederick,  Avas  a devoted 

(having  reached  threescore),  and  a vet- 

believer  in  the  poAvdered,  beAvigged  sol- 

eran  in  service,  having  served  no  less 

dier  and  the  fonnal  tactics  then  prevail- 

than  three-and-forty  years  as  an  officer 

ing  in  all  the  camps  of  European  Avarfire. 

in  the  Guards,  during  which  time  he  had 

Braddock  had  undoubtedly  courage,  and 

been  engaged  in  most  of  the  great  bat- 

had  besides  a most  thorough  schooling, 

ties  of  his  country.  He  was  a martinet 

under  the  eye  of  Cumberland  himself,  in 

in  discipline,  and,  however  loose  in  pri- 

those  very  formalities  and  methods  Avhich 

vate  life,  no  one  could  find  fault  with 

Avere  thought  to  be  the  necessary  fi’anie- 

him  for  want  of  strictness  in  the  field  or 

AA’ork  of  all  military  art.  The  selection, 

on  parade.  His  regiment  was  always 

perhaps,  could  not  have  been  better,  for 

among  the  most  effective  in  the  army. 

a regular  European  campaign  ; but  how 

and  had  under  his  command  gained  un- 

it  suited  the  eccentricities  of  American 

dying  laurels  for  its  steady  behavior  and 

Avarfare,  Avill  be  shoAvn  in  the  course  of 

brave  bearing  in  the  unfortunate  field  of 

our  narrative  by  the  result. 

CHAPTEK  VII. 

Braddock  in  Council  with  the  Duke  of  Cumhcrland. — Objects  of  the  Expedition  to  America. — The  Pioneer  of  the  Entei 

prise. — Braddock  becomes  impatient. — Sails  from  Portsmouth,  in  advance  of  the  Troops. — His  Companions — The 
Departure  of  the  Troops  — Enirlish  Opinions  of  the  Expedition. — Walpole’s  Gossip. — Arrival  of  Braddock  in  Vir- 
ginia.— Consultation  with  Governor  Dinwiddie,  of  Virginia. — The  Arrival  of  the  Troops. — A Poetical  Welcome  — 

The  American  Governors  in  Council. — Their  Governments  recreant  to  Duty. — Braddock  storms  at  American  Didin- 
«^uency. — The  Little  Fire  which  enkindled  the  Revolutionary  Flame. — Fort  Du  Quesne  the  Great  Object  of  the  Ex|)e- 
dition. — The  Young  Washington  is  solicited  to  join. — Becomes  an  Aid-de-Camp  of  General  Braddock — Ills  Associ- 
ates of  the  Camp. — A Storming  Quartermaster. — Sir  John  St.  Clair  raging  like  a Lion  rampant. — Pennsylvania  back- 
ward in  Duty. — Benjamin  Franklin  comes  to  the  Rescue. — His  Interview  with,  and  Impression  upon,  the  General. — 

His  O[)inion  of  the  Expedition. — Ills  Ruse. — Its  Success. — Braddock’s  Coach  and  State. — His  Triumphal  Entrance 

into  Fort  Cumberland 

Br.\di)OCK  had  frequent  conferences 

master-spirit  of  the  American  enterprisiL 

with  the  ministry,  and  especially  with 

These  resulted  in  the  formation  of  a plan 

the  duke  of  Cumberland,  who  was  the 

for  the  campaign,  the  objects  of  Avhich, 

54  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Ipari  i. 

in  accordance  with  the  policy  of  the  gov- 

with  one  of  his  aids.  Captain  EobertOrmc. 

ernment  and  the  advice  of  the  military 

and  his  military  secretary,  Mr.  Williar. 

authorities,  were  — 

Shirley,  the  son  of  the  governor  of  Mas- 

To  eject  the  French  from  the  lands 

sachusetts.  Two  other  vessels,  the  Cen 

w liicli  they  held  unjustly  in  the  province 

turion  and  the  Siren,  with  a small  mill- 

of  Nova  Scotia. 

tary  guard  and  a company  or  so  of  the 

To  dislodge  them  from  a fortress  which 

soldiens,  sailed  with  the  Norwich.  The 

they  had  erected  at  Crown  Point,  on  Lake 

transports,  with  the  rest  of  the  troops. 

Champlain,  within  what  was  claimed  as 

the  artillery,  and  supplies,  were  to  follow 

British  territory. 

as  soon  as  ready. 

To  dispossess  them  of  the  fort  which 

There  was  considerable  delay  in  get- 

they  had  constructed  at  Niagara, between 

ting  the  troops  off,  notwithstanding  they 

Lake  Ontario  and  Lake  Erie. 

were  so  few  in  number ; it  having  been 

To  drive  them  from  the  frontiers  of 

determined  to  send  out  only  two  regi- 

Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  and  recover 

ments — the  forty-fourth,  with  Sir  Peter 

the  valley  of  the  Ohio. 

Halket  as  colonel,  and  the  forty-eighth, 

It  was  more  particularly,  however,  the 

Colonel  Thomas  Dunbar.  These  were  to 

last  object  which  was  reserved  for  Brad- 

make  up  tlieir  numbers  each  to  no  more 

dock ; and  his  instructions  were  so  far 

than  five  hundred  before  leaving,  with 

specific  in  this  respect,  that  he  was  or- 

the  intention  of  adding  three  hundred  by 

dered  to  march  as  soon  as  possible  after 

recruits  in  America.  One  thousand,  there- 

his  arrival  in  America  and  attack  the 

fore,  was  the  whole  force  of  regulars  sent 

French  fort  of  Du  Que.sne,  situated  on 

out  by  the  government,  and  these  were 

the  fork  of  the  Ohio. 

to  form  a nucleus  about  which  it  was 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Sir  John  St.  Clair 

hoped  to  gather,  in  the  provinces,  an  ar- 

was  sent  out  in  advance  to  Virginia,  as 

my  of  some  four  thousand.  The  soldiers 

deputy  quartermaster-general,  to  obtain 

w^ere  finally  recruited ; the  stores,  artil- 

every  possible  information,  and  to  make 

lery,  and  ammunition,  prepared  and  put 

the  preliminary  arrangements  for  the  fur- 

on  board ; the  whole  force  embarked ; 

therance  of  the  objects  of  the  proposed 

and  the  fleet  of  transports,  amounting  to 

expedition. 

more  than  a dozen,  sailed  under  the  ^ , 

Braddock  himself,  soon  after  his  arri- 

convoy  of  two  men-of-war,  on  the 

val  in  London,  hurried  to  Cork,  where  the 

14th  of  February,  three  weeks  subse- 

troops  were  to  embark.  He,  however, 

quent  to  the  departure  of  the  command- 

got  impatient  at  the  delay  in  recruiting 

ing  general. 

the  soldiers  and  fitting  out  the  exjjedi- 

The  hopes  of  England  were  not  very 

tion,  and  went  to  Portsmouth,  whence  he 

sanguine  about  the  success  of  this  expo- 

....  soon  after  sailed.  The  general  was 

dition  to  America,  if  we  can  trust  what 

on  board  the  Norwich,  in  company 

that  gossip  Walpole  wrote  : “ The  French 

* Life  of  Washiiifiton,  by  Irviii};. 

have  taken  such  liberties  with  some  oi 

1 

1 

; 

r 

cor.OKiAL.J  BRADDOCK  IN  AMERICA.  6.“) 

our  forts  that  are  of  great  consequence 

as  a native  poet,  in  anticipatory  jtoetical 

to  cover  Virginia,  Carolina,  and  Georgia, 

enthusiasm  of  the  great  event,  had  writ- 

that  we  are  actually  despatching  two 

ten. 

rcf>:iments  thither.  As  the  climate  and 

Braddock,  soon  after  the  arrival  of  his 

other  American  circumstances  are  against 

troops,  had  invited  the  governors  of  the 

these  poor  men,  I pity  them,  and  think 

different  British  colonies  to  meet  him  at 

them  too  many  if  the  French  mean  noth- 

Alexandria;  and  accordingly,  on  the  14th 

ing  further,  too  few  if  they  do.  Indeed, 

of  April,  a great  council  was  held. 

I am  one  of  those  who  feel  less  resent- 

Here  were  Eobert  Dinwiddie,  gov- 

ment  when  we  are  attacked  so  far  off : I 

ernor  of  Virginia ; General  William  Shir- 

think  it  an  obli(>:ation  to  be  eaten  the 

O 

ley,  governor  of  Massachusetts ; and  here 

last.” 

also  were  the  three  lieutenant-governors, 

After  a voyage  of  nearly  two  months. 

James  Delancey,of  New  York;  Sharpe, of 

Braddock  arrived  in  Hampton  roads,  in 

Maryland ; and  Morris,  of  Pennsylvania. 

Virginia,  and  proceeded  at  once  to  Wil- 

Braddock  the  general  and  Keppel  the 

liamsburg,  to  join  Governor  Dinwiddie, 

commodore  completed  the  number  of  this 

and  consult  with  him  in  reo:ard  to  the 

august  council.  The  various  governors 

details  for  carrying  out  the  proposed  ex- 

were  first  reminded,  by  the  reading  of 

pedition.  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  the  deputy 

the  orders  of  the  home  government,  of 

quartermaster-general,  and  Commodore 

the  duty  of  their  several  provinces  to 

Keppel,  commander  of  the  British  fleet. 

raise  a colonial  revenue,  and  make  pro- 

soon  after  repaired  to  Williamsburg  also. 

vision  for  the  expenses  of  the  expedition 

On  consultation  with  these  officers,  it  was 

They  all,  however,  Avithout  an  exception. 

determined  by  Braddock  that  the  troops 

had  a most  unsatisfactory  account  to  give 

should  disembark  at  Alexandria.  Orders 

of  their  endeavors  to  fulfd  the  oblio’ations 

O 

were  now  sent  for  the  transports,  as  they 

that  had  been  imposed  upon  them.  Their 

should  arrive,  to  sail  up  to  that  place. 

several  assemblies  had  been  diligently 

They  came  in  at  slow  intervals,  the  last 

urged,  but  had  refused  to  A'ote  the  tax 

vessel  being  as  late  as  the  14th  of  March, 

necessary  to  establish  the  fund ; and  the 

and,  as  was  directed,  after  anchoring  in 

governors  now  convened  declared  unani- 

Hampton  roads,  proceeded  up  the  Poto- 

mously  that  ‘‘  such  a fund  can  never  be 

mac  to  Alexandria,  where  the  troops  dis- 

established  in  the  colonies  without  the 

embarked  in  fine  condition,  in  spite  of 

aid  of  Parliament.  Having  found  it  im- 

the  long  voyage. 

practicable  to  obtain  in  their  respective 

The  colonies  hailed  this  aid  from  the 

governments  the  proportion  expected  by 

mother-country  with  great  joy,  and  gave 

his  majesty  towards  defraying  the  ex- 

an  enthusiastic  welcome,  after  their  pro- 

penses  of  his  service  in  North  America. 

pitious  voyage,  to  those  ships — 

they  are  unanimously  of  opinion  that  it 

Freighted  with  wealtli,  for  noble  ends  designed  ; 

should  be  proposed  to  his  majesty’s  min- 

So  willed  great  George,  and  so  the  Fates  inclined,” 

isters  to  find  out  some  method  of  com 

i 

56  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i. 


pelling  them  to  do  it,  and  of  assessing 
the  several  governments  in  proportion 
to  their  respective  abilities.” 

Braddock’s  arbitrary  spirit  Avas  chafed 
by  this  colonial  recreancy, and  he  stormed 
loudly,  Avith  anger,  that  no  such  fund 
Uad  been  yet  established.”  He  sent  the 
resoh^es  of  the  council  to  the  home  gov- 
ernment, accompanying  them  Avith  a let- 
ter from  himself,  in  Avhich  he  fiercely  com- 
plained of  the  neglect  of  their  duty  by 
the  colonies,  and  urged  the  necessity  of 
compelling  them,  by  taxation,  to  do  it 
effectually  for  the  future.  Here  AAms  the 
little  fire  by  Avhich  the  great  flame  of 
revolution  Avas  kindled,  and  Avhich  final- 
ly, after  a period  of  unsettled,  nebulous 
light,  concentrated  in  the  glorious  stars 
of  American  Independence. 

The  opinion  of  the  governors  in  council 
in  regard  to  some  other  matters,  shoAved 
a Aviser  discretion.  They  proposed  that 
Ncav  York  should  be  the  point  from  Avhich 
the  movements  of  the  campaign  should 
be  directed.  Braddock  Avould  not  or  could 
not  listen  to  such  suggestions.  It  Avas  sup- 
posed that  he  had  received  positive  or- 
ders to  march  upon  Fort  Du  Quesne,  and 
that  he  Avas  thus  obliged  to  carry  on  the 
expedition  across  the  Alleghanies,  Avith 
all  the  disadAmntages  of  a Avild  country. 
It  Avould  haA^e  been  Aviser,  doubtless,  to 
haA^e  attacked  the  French  settlements  in 
Canada,  as  they  could  be  reached  by  sea, 
and  the  land-forces  might  have  been  sus- 
tained by  a naval  squadron.  Fort  Du 
(Juesne,  hoAvever,  Avas  the  point  proposed, 
ai  d against  this  Braddock  determined  to 
lead  his  forces.  The  tAvo  battalions  raised 
and  commanded  by  Governor  Shirley 


and  Sir  William  Pepperell,  the  hero  of 
Louisburg,  AA'ere  directed  upon  Niagara 
General  Johnson  Avas  ordered  to  mustei 
his  Indians  for  an  attack  upon  CroAvn 
Point, at  Lake  Champlain;  and  the  Brit- 
ish colonel  Monckton,  Avith  the  provincial 
colonel  WinsloAA",  Avere  sent  to  do  service 
against  the  French  in  the  bay  of  Fundy. 

Sir  John  St.  Clair  had  succeeded  in  ob- 
taining the  Virginian  recruits  before  the 
arrival  of  the  British  troops,  and  they 
noAv,  on  Braddock’s  men  landing,  pre-. 
pared  to  join  them.  They  Avere,  lioAveA-- 
er,  taken  hold  of  at  once,  for  drill,  by  an 
ensign  of  the  forty-fourth,  Avho  had  been 
ordered  by  the  general  “ to  make  them 
as  like  soldiers  as  possible.” 

There  Avas  one  greater  than  all  the 
rest  Avho  at  this  time  offered  himself  as  a 
volunteer,  in  a cause  in  Avhich  his  beloA^ei 
Virginia  Avas  so  deeply  concerned.  This 
Avas  Washington.  “The  din  and  stir  of 
Avarlike  preparation,”  says  Irving,  “dis- 
turbed the  quiet  of  Mount  Vernon.  Wash- 
ington looked  doAvn  from  his  rural  retreat 
upon  the  ships-of-Avar  and  transport.s,  as 
they  passed  up  the  Potomac,  Avith  the  ar- 
ray of  arms  gleaming  along  their  decks. 
The  booming  of  cannon  echoed  among 
his  groves.  Alexandria  Avas  but  a feAv 
miles  distant.  Occasionally  he  mounted 
his  horse  and  rode  to  that  place ; it  Avas 
like  a garrisoned  toAvn,  teeming  Avith 
troops,  and  resounding  Avith  the  drum 
and  fife.  A brilliant  campaign  Avas  about 
to  open,  under  the  auspices  of  an  expe- 
rienced general,  and  Avith  all  the  means 
and  appurtenances  of  European  Avarfare. 
IIoAV  different  from  the  starveling  expe- 
ditions he  had  hitherto  been  doomed  to 


r 


.juLONiAL.]  INVITATION  TO  WASHINGTON.  57 

conduct ! What  an  opportunity  to  efTace 
(he  memory  of  his  recent  disaster!  All 
his  thoughts  of  rural  life  were  put  to 
flight.  The  military  part  of  his  charac- 
ter was  again  in  the  ascendant ; his  great 
desire  was  to  join  the  expedition  as  a 
volunteer.” 

When  General  Braddoek  heard  of  this 
desire  on  the  part  of  young  Washington, 
and  learned  who  he  was — his  high  social 
position  in  Virginia,  his  great  personal 
worth,  and  the  experience  he  had  already 
had  in  border  warfare — he  invited  him 
to  become  one  of  liis  aids.  This  is  the 
letter  bearing  the  invitation  : — 

“ WiLLiAMSBUKG,  2d  March,  1755. 

‘‘Sir:  The  general,  having  been  in- 
formed that  you  expressed  some  desire 
to  make  the  campaign,  but  that  you  de- 
clined it  upon  some  disagreeableness  that 
you  thought  might  arise  from  the  regu- 
lations of  command,  ha,s  ordered  me  to 
acquaint  you  that  he  will  be  very  glad 
of  your  company  in  his  family,  by  which 
all  inconveniences  of  that  kind  will  be 

obviated. 

“I  shall  think  myself  very  happy  to 
form  an  acquaintance  with  a person  so 
universally  esteemed,  and  shall  use  ev- 
ery opportunity  of  assuring  you  how 
much  1 am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  ser- 
vant, 

“ Robert  Orme,  Aid-de-  Camp!'' 

Orme  was  a young  lieutenant  of  the 
Guards,  of  a good  English  family,  which 
had  supplied  many  a brave  soldier  for 
the  service  of  their  king.  He  had  now 
nominally  the  rank  of  captain,  and,  being 
a great  favorite  of  Braddoek,  had  been 

8 

appointed  by  him  one  of  his  aids-de-camp. 

He  was  a spirited,  well-educated,  and 
high-bred  young  fellow,  and  commended 
himself  greatly  to  the  friendship  of  Wash 
ington,  with  whom  during  the  campaign 
he  became  very  intimate. 

The  offer  of  Braddoek  was  gladly  ac- 
cepted by  Washington;  and,  in  spite  of 
his  mother’s  entreaties,  and  all  the  house- 
hold interests  of  Mount  Vernon  which 
had  gathered  about  him  during  his  retire- 
ment, he  detennined,  as  soon  as  he  could 
settle  his  affairs  at  home,  to  join  the  ex- 
pedition. He  was  greatly  gratified  at 
the  appointment'  he  had  received.  He 
was  fond  of  a military  life,  and  had  only 
been  prevented  from  taking  a position, 
as  an  officer  in  the  Virginian  troops,  in 
consequence  of  the  contempt  of  those 
bearing  colonial  commissions  implied  bv 
a parliamentary  act,  which  gave  all  the 
British  officers  the  precedence  of  them 
in  rank  and  pay.  Washington’s  pride,  as 
a Virginian  gentleman,  revolted  at  this, 
and  naturally ; for  he  might  thus,  at  any 
moment,  be  placed  in  an  inferior  j^osition 
to  some  ignorant,  low-bred  person,  sud- 
denly elevated  above  him  by  a commis- 
sion which  had  been  either  bought  for 
money  or  truckled  for  by  fawning  servil- 
ity. The  young  W ashington  had  conse 
quently  smothered  all  his  burning  ardor 
for  military  glory,  rather  than  sacrifice 
his  own  self-re.spect. 

The  offer  of  Braddoek  now  came  to 
give  him,  what  he  so  much  desired,  an 
opportunity  for  honorable  service.  The 
position  as  aid-de-camp,  Avhich  he  had  ac- 
cepted, gave  him  rank  among  the  high- 
est of  his  years,  and  was  one  of  those 

1 

o8  IjATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i 

gentlemanly  offices — for  there  was  no 
pay  — that  particularly  commended  it- 
self to  a disinterested  Virginian  cavalier. 
There  was  the  further  advantage  that, 
as  aid-de-camp,  Washington  would  have 
the  best  opportunity  of  improving  him- 
self, and  that  this  was  a great  object  Avith 
him  he  confesses  in  Avriting  to  Orme  : “ I 
Avish  earnestly  to  obtain  some  knoAvledge 
in  the  military  profession ; and  believing 
a more  favorable  opportunity  can  not  of- 
fer than  to  serve  under  a gentleman  of 
General  Braddock’s  abilities  and  experi- 
ence, it  does,  you  may  reasonably  sup- 
pose, not  a little  influence  my  choice.” 

Washington  did  not  join  the  army  for 
several  Aveeks  after  receivimz:  his  conimis- 
sion.  When  he  presented  himself  he  Avas 
Avarmly  Avelcomed  by  the  general,  and 
received  into  the  intimate  friendship  of 
Braddock’s  two  aids-de-camp  and  secreta- 
ry, Orme,  Morris,  and  Shirley,  Avho  Avere 
of  about  the  same  age  as  the  young  Vir- 
ginian. 

While  the  congress  of  gOA^ernors  Avas 
being  held  at  Alexandria,  Sir  John  St. 
Clair,  the  deputy  quartermaster-general, 
Avas  sent  again  along  the  proposed  route 
of  the  army,  to  look  up  the  contractors, 
and  find  out  how  far  they  had  kept  their 
engagements.  He  soon  discoAmred  that 
their  promises,  of  Avhich  so  favorable  an 
account  had  been  reported  to  Braddock, 
were  far  from  being  fulfilled.  The  road 
that  Avas  to  haAm  been  made  liy  Pennsyl- 
vania, had  not  yet  been  begun  ; and  there 
was  no  sign  of  the  proAUsions  required  of 
that  province. 

Sir  John  became  highly  indignant  at 
this  remissne.s.s,  and  stormed  like  a lion 

rampant.  He  declared  to  the  Pennsylva- 
nia commissioners  that,  instead  of  ma roll- 
ing to  the  Ohio,  he  Avould  in  nine  days 
march  the  army  into  Cumberland  county 
to  cut  the  roads,  press  horses  and  Avag- 
ons ; that  he  Avould  not  sutler  a soldier 
to  handle  an  axe,  but  by  tire  and  SAVord 
oblige  the  inhabitants  to  do  it;  and  to 
take  aAvay  to  the  Ohio  every  man  that 
refused,  as  he  had  some  of  the  Virgin- 
ians. He  Avould  kill  all  kind  of  cattle, 
and  carry  away  the  horses,  and  burn  the 
houses.  If  the  French  defeated  the  troops 
by  the  delays  of  the  province,  he  Avould 
with  his  sword  draAvn  pass  through  it, 
and  treat  the  inhabitants  as  a parcel  of 
traitors  to  his  master.  He  A\muld  Avrite 
to  England  immediately  by  a man-of-Avar, 
shake  the  proprietorship  of  Mr.  Penn,  and 
represent  Pennsylvania  as  a disaffected 
province.  He  Avould  not  stop  to  impress 
the  assembly ; his  hands  AA'ere  not  tied.  ‘ 
Sir  John  said,  and  they  should  find  it  out. 

He  did  not  value  a d , the  Avrothy  bar- 

onet declared,  Avhat  the  governor  or  as- 
sembly did  or  resolved,  as  they  Avere  dil- 
atory, and  had  retarded  the  march  of  the 
army,  and  that  the  commissioners  might 
tell  them  so ; and,  moreover,  go  to  the 
general  if  they  pleased,  avIio,  if  they  did, 
Avould  give  them  ten  bad  A\'ords  for  one 
he  gave  ! He  (Sir  John)  Avould  do  their 
duty  himself,  and  not  trust  to  them  ; but 
he  declared  with  an  oath  that  they  should 
have  to  pay  dearly  for  it,  and  “ by  G-d” 
he  Avas  in  earnest!  Even  Braddock,  as 
little  mealy-mouthed  as  he  Avas,  could  not 
approve  St.  Clair’s  violence,  and,  on  its 
being  reported,  rebuked  him  severely. 

It  seemed  not  to  have  been  Avithouf  its 

cor.oMAL.J  SCARCITY  OF  SUPPLIES.  59 


efTect,  however,  upon  the  Pennsylvani- 
ans, who  set  about  the  road,  though  dil- 
atorily, and  did  not  make  much  prog- 
ress in  sending  forward  the  promised 
supplies. 

Other  provinces  were  equally  back- 
ward with  Pennsylvania.  Only  twenty 
wagons,  two  hundred  horses,  and  some 
utterly  worthless  provisions,  came  in,  out 
of  the  twenty-five  hundred  horses,  two 
hundred  and  fifty  Avagons,  and  eleven 
hundred  head  of  cattle,  which  had  been 
promised  by  Maryland.  Braddock  was 
thus  detained  at  Alexandria,  Avith  the  ar- 
tillery and  military  stores,  for  Avant  of 
means  to  convey  them.  He  finally  re- 
solved to  proceed  to  FredericktoAvn,  in 
Maryland,  to  endeaAmr  to  hasten  the  \eyy 
of  horses  and  Avagons.  He  left  behind 
him,  at  Alexandria,  four  companies  of  the 
forty-fourth  regiment,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gage,  Avho 
AA'as  ordered  to  forAvard  the  artillery,  am- 
munition, and  stores,  as  means  should  ar- 
rive for  their  conveyance.  The  main 
body  of  the  troops  Avere  at  Frederick- 
toAAm,Avhere  the  general  noAV  joined  them. 
The  Virginian  regiments  had,  hoAvever, 
been  ordered  to  Winchester,  Avith  the  ex- 
ception of  the  rangers,  sent  to  build  stock- 
ade forts  on  Greenbrier  river,  under  Cap- 
tain LeAvis,  subsequently,  in  our  revolu- 
tionary struggle,  a brigadier-general,  and 
an  especial  fiivorite  AAutli  Washington  for 
his  soldierly  qualities.  Six  companies 
of  the  forty-fourth  regulars  soon  after 
moA^ed  on  also,  under  the  command  of 
Sir  Peter  Halket,  to  Winchester,  Avhere 
they  Avere  ordered  to  remain,  Avith  the 
Virsi'inians,  until  the  road  Avas  in  proper  j 


condition,  and  then  to  march  to  Fort 
Cumberland. 

Commodore  Keppel  had  also  detached 
a number  of  seamen  from  his  ships,  Avho 
by  their  knoAAdedge  of  the  use  of  ropes 
and  tackle,  and  practice  in  roAving  and 
hauling,  might  assist  in  ferrying  the  ar- 
my OA^er  the  river.s,  making  the  bridges, 
and  moving  the  heavy  artillery  up  and 
doAAUi  the  accli\'ities  of  the  steep  roads. 
This  naval  detachment  aAvaited  at  Alex- 
andria the  movements  of  the  companies 
left  there,  to  come  on  Avith  the  guns  and 
military  stores. 

When  Braddock  reached  Frederick- 
toAvn,  he  found  the  troops  in  great  Avant 
of  proAUsions,  there  being  no  cattle  laid  in 
as  yet.  He  applied  to  Governor  Sharj'c. 
of  Maryland,  in  the  emergenc}" ; but  so 
little  influence  had  this  official  in  his  oacii 
province,  that  he  could  not  get  eithei 
Avagons  or  provisions.  The  general  scut 
round  the  country,  IioavcA' er,  and  succeed- 
ed in  purchasing  a fcAV  head  of  cattle. 
While  Braddock  Avas  thus  harassed,  and 
his  moA^ements  almost  entirely  stopped. 
Benjamin  Franklin  fortunately  arrived  at 
FredericktoAAm.  The  nominal  purpose  of 
his  visit,  as  he  Avas  tlien  at  the  head  of 
the  colonial  postoffice  department,  Avas 
to  make  suitable  proAusion  Avith  Brad- 
dock for  the  coriA^eyance  of  despatches 
to  and  from  the  provincial  gOA’crnraents. 
Franklin’s  real  object,  hoAvever,  aa  us  un- 
doubtedly to  acquaint  hinjself  Avith  the 
details  of  the  expedition,  and  to  reinstate 
if  possible,  his  oaaui  proA'ince  of  Pennsyl- 
vania in  the  good  opinion  of  the  army. 

OnFranklin’s  arrival  in  Fred  eric  ktoAAui. 
Braddock  expressed  a particular  desi''*^ 


GO  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Liart  i 

1 

to  see  him,  and,  from  the  first  interview. 

on  its  flanks,  and  to  be  cut  like  thread 

was  greatly  impressed  with  the  superior 

into  several  pieces,  which  from  their  dis- 

sagacity  of  his  visiter,  and  solicited  his 

tance  can  not  come  up  in  time  to  support 

advice.  Franklin  now  became  a daily 

one  another.’ 

guest  at  Braddock’s  table,  and  has  left  in 

“ He  smiled  at  my  ignorance,  and  re- 

his  autobiography  an  interesting  record 

plied ; ‘ These  savages  may  indeed  be  a 

of  his  occasional  talk  with  the  general : 

formidable  enemy  to  raw  American  mill- 

“ One  day,  in  conversation  with  him,” 

tia,  but  upon  the  king’s  regular  and  dis- 

says  Franklin,  ‘Oie  was  giving  me  some 

ciplined  troops,  sir,  it  is  impossible  they 

account  of  his  intended  progress.  0\fter 

should  make  an  impression.’  I was  con- 

taking  Fort  Du  Quesne,’  said  he, ‘I  am 

scions,”  adds  Franklin,  “ of  an  impropri- 

to  proceed  to  Frontenac,  if  the  season 

ety  in  my  disputing  with  a military  man 

will  allow  time  ; and  I suppose  it  will,  for 

in  matters  of  his  profession,  and  said  no 

Du  Quesne  can  hardly  detain  me  above 

more.” 

three  or  four  days : and  then  I can  see 

This  was  just  the  advice  wanted,  and 

nothing  that  can  obstruct  my  march  to 

the  general,  with  his  wrong-headed  oh- 

Niagara.’ 

stinacy  and  old-fashioned  camp  prejudice, 

“ Having  before  revolved  in  my  mind,” 

was  j ust  the  man  to  disregard  it.  In  an- 

Franklin  observes,  “ the  long  line  his  ar- 

other  matter,  however,  where  his  milita- 

my  must  make  in  their  march  by  a very 

ry  self-conceit  did  not  interfere,  the  gen- 

narrow  road,  to  be  cut  for  them  through 

eral  listened  to  Franklin,  and,  as  we  shall 

the  woods  and  bushes,  and  also  what  I 

see,  to  advantage.  “ It  is  a.  pity  the  troops 

had  heard  of  a former  defeat  of  fifteen 

had  not  landed  in  Pennsylvania,  where 

hundred  French,  who  had  invaded  the 

every  farmer  has  his  wagon,”  remarked 

Illinois  country,  I had  conceived  some 

Franklin.  “Then,  sir,”  answered  Brad- 

doubts  and  some  fears  for  the  event  of 

dock,  “ you,  who  are  a man  of  interest 

this  campaign ; but  I ventured  only  to 

there,  can  probably  procure  them  for  me, 

say : ‘To  be  sure,  sir,  if  you  arrive  well 

and  I beg  you  will.” 

before  Du  Quesne  with  these  fine  troops. 

Franklin  undertook  to  obtain  at  once 

so  well  provided  with  artillery,  the  fort, 

what  was  wanted,  and  was  as  good  as  his 

though  completely  fortified,  and  assisted 

promise.  A paper  being  drawn  up  by 

with  a very  strong  garrison,  can  proba- 

the  general,  giving  Franklin  due  authori- 

bly  make  but  a short  resistance.  The 

ty  to  hire  for  the  use  of  the  army,  fifteen 

only  danger  I apprehend  of  obstruction 

hundred  saddle  or  pack  horses,  and  one 

to  your  march,  is  from  the  ambuscades 

hundred  and  fifty  Avagons,  to  be  draAvii 

of  the  Indians,  who,  by  constant  practice. 

by  four  horses  each,  that  man,  so  prompt 

are  dexterous  in  laying  and  executing 

and  full  of  resource,  had  them  all  in  read- 

them ; and  the  slender  line,  nearly  four 

iness  to  send  in  less  than  a fortnight. 

miles  long,  which  your  army  must  make. 

The  means  he  adopted  were  characteris- 

may  exjiose  it  to  be  attacked  by  surprise 

tic  of  Franklin’s  shrewd  knoAvledge  of 

coLONiAL.J  FRANKLIN  TO 

THE  RESCUE.  Cl 

m.aiikinfl,  and  his  business  tact.  He  had 

tained  a very  lively  dread  of  the  summa- 

a handbill  printed,  and  sent  everywhere 

ry  proceedings  of  the  hussars  of  their 

about  the  country.  In  this  document 

fatherland.  This  home- thrust  had  such 

Franklin  shrewdly  appealed  to  the  fears 

an  astonishing  effect,  that  the  Gennans. 

of  the  people,  by  reminding  them  that 

from  being  the  most  remiss  before,  sud- 

“ it  was  proposed  to  send  an  armed  force 

denly  became  the  most  forward,  and  con- 

immediately  into  the  various  counties,  to 

tributed  more  than  their  share  of  the  re 

seize  as  many  of  the  best  carriages  and 

cjuired  supplies. 

horses  as  should  be  wanted,  and  compel 

Braddock  was  so  gratified  with  the 

as  many  persons  into  the  service  as 

success  of  Franklin’s  exertions,  that,  in 

should  be  necessary  to  drive  and  take 

his  despatches  to  the  British  government. 

care  of  them.” — “I  apprehended,”  says 

he  said  emphatically  it  was  almost  the 

Franklin,  “that  the  progress  of  a body 

first  instance  of  integrity,  address,  and 

of  soldiers  throuo;h  these  counties  on 

aliility,  that  he  had  met  with  in  all  the 

such  an  occasion,  especially  considering 

provinces. 

the  temper  they  are  in  and  their  resent- 

Franklin  volunteered  to  do  another 

ment  against  us,  would  be  attended  with 

act  of  gracious  service  to  the  army,  and 

many  and  great  inconveniences  to  the  in- 

did  it  with  the  same  promptitude.  While 

habitants;  and  therefore  more  willingly 

at  Frederick  town,  he  was  supping  with 

undertook  the  trouble  of  trying  first  what 

Colonel  Dunbar,  the  second  in  command, 

might  be  done  by  fair  and  equitable 

when  that  officer  remarked  that  his  sid> 

means.”  He  concluded  with  the  most 

alterns  were  hard  put  to  it,  with  their 

telling  point  when  he  said,  “ If  this  meth- 

small  pay  and  the  dearness  of  everything 

od  of  obtaining  the  wagons  and  horses 

on  the  route  of  an  army  on  the  march. 

is  not  likely  to  succeed,  I am  obliged  to 

to  provide  themselves  with  what  was  ne- 

send  word  to  the  general  in  fourteen 

cessary  to  their  comfort.  Franklin,  on 

days ; and  I suppose  Sir  John  Sf.  Clair, 

his  return  to  Philadelphia,  bore  this  in 

the  hussar,  with  a body  of  soldiers,  will 

mind,  and  succeeded  in  squeezing  out  of 

immediately  enter  the  province,  of  which 

the  assembly  sufficient  money  to  buy  a 

I shall  be  sorry  to  hear,  because,  I am, 

small  stock  of  luxuries  for  each  of  the 

vcnj  sincerely  and  truly,  your  friend  and  well- 

subalterns,  of  whom  there  were  a score, 

ivisher,  B.  Fr-v^klin.” 

under  Dunbar  and  Sir  Peter  Ilalket. 

The  inflammatory  Sir  John  had  already 

Packages  were  accordingly  made  up,  coji- 

made  himself,  by  his  explosive  wrath  on 

taining  tea,  good  butter,  some  dozens  oi' 

former  occasions,  sufficiently  formidable 

old  Madeira,  a couple  of  gallons  of  Ja- 

to  those  who  had  been  exposed  to  it; 

maica,  six  dried  tongues,  and  various 

but  this  threatening  aspect  of  him  as 

smaller  comforts  for  the  inner  man,  and 

“ the  hussar,”  was  calculated  to  make  him 

despatched.  These  timely  supplies  were 

still  more  terrific,  particularly  to  the  Ger- 

very  welcome,  and  the  officers  who  re- 

man  farmers  of  Pennsylvania,  who  re- 

ceived  them  gratefully  returned  theii 

_ _ 

r,2 


battlp:s  of  America. 


[PAKT  I 


liearty  thanks  to  those  who  “had  been 
so  good  as  to  think  of  them  in  so  genteel 
a manner.” 

The  o:eneral,  havins;  sent  forward  the 
0-0 

forty-eighth  regiment  under  Colonel  Dun- 
A ‘1  30  >'^0011  after  followed,  accom- 

panied by  his  aids-de-camp  and 
secretary.  Braddock  had  purchased  a 
coach  from  Governor  Sharpe, of  Maryland, 
in  which  he  now  travelled,  with  consid- 
erable state,  having,  as  he  dashed  along. 


a bodyguard  of  light-horse,  with  his  stafl 
at  their  head,  galloping  on  either  side. 
In  this  style  the  general  reached  Win- 
chester, and,  not  finding  the  Indians  he 
expected  there,  started  for  Fort  Cumber- 
land. Coming  up  with  the  forty-fourth 
regiment,  under  Dunbar,  the  general  en- 
tered, with  the  troops  following  him,  and 
their  drums  beatins:  “ The  Grenadiers’ 
] March and,  on  his  arrival,  w'as  saluted 
with  a volley  of  seventeen  guns 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


The  Hrtid  March  to  Fort  OumbcrlaTid. — The  General  swears  terrihiv. — Delay. — What  is  thought  of  it  in  England. — Arn 
val  of  the  Artillery. — Their  Hard  Experience  hy  the  Route. — A Rattlesnake  Colonel. — Braddock’s  T'orce  smaller  than 
expected. — Br  tish  Contempt  of  Provincial  Troops. — The  Grand  Display  of  Braddock’s  Camp. — Order. — Exercises. — 
Amusements. — Death. — Good  Cooks  ami  Good  Eating  at  Headquarters. — Good  Morals. — Arrival  of  Indians  — White 
Thunder  and  his  Daughter  Bright  Lightning. — Entertainment  of  the  Savages. — “ Drams  round.” — The  Indians  disaf 
fected,--Ihe  Indian  Women  the  Cause  of  the  Trouble. — Departure  of  the  Indians. — An  Occasional  Delaware  shows 
Himself. — Delawares  suspected  of  Villanv. — Captain  Jack  and  his  Indian-Killers. — The  Captain’s  History. — Brad 
dock’s  Contempt. — The  Consequences. — Captain  Jack  goes  off  in  a Huff,  and  all  his  Indian-Killers  with  him. — Arri- 
val of  Horses  and  Wagons  sent  by  Franklin. — First  Appearance  of  Daniel  Morgan  on  the  Field  of  Histort'. — Daniel 
and  the  British  Officer. — No  Flour  and  Beef. — A Dctiich.nsent  of  Cavalry  and  Wagons  ordered  out  for  Supplies. — 
Braddock  in  a Rage. — The  March  begun. — The  Hard  Road. — Five  Miles  in  Two  Days. — Lightening  the  March. - 
Women  and  Baggage  sent  back  to  the  Fort. — Shades  of  Death. — Arrival  at  Little  Meadows. 


The  army  bad  had  a tedious  march  to 
Will’s  creek,  or  Fort  Cumberland,  as  it 
was  now  called,  in  honor  of  the  British 
prince.  The  general  himself,  having  had 
a good  opportunity  of  seeing  the  absurdi- 
ty of  the  route,  and,  as  Washington  writes, 
“ of  damning  it  very  heartily,”  was  deter- 
mined now  to  alitindon  his  fine  coach  and 
his  stately  progress,  and  submit  himself 
to  the  hard  requirements  of  the  wild 
country  in  which  he  had  begun  his  cam- 
paign. 

Twenty-seven  days  had  been  already 
consumed  in  the  march,  and  there  was 
oveiy  pros])ect  of  a long  detention  now 


at  Fort  Cumberland.  The  British  min- 
isters, when  they  heard  of  the  delays, 
were  greatly  vexed.  “ The  duke  of  Cum- 
berland,” says  Walpole,  “ who  is  now  the 
soul  of  the  regency,  is  much  dissatisfied 
at  the  slowness  of  General  Braddock,  Mdio 
does  not  march  as  if  he  was  at  all  impa- 
tient to  be  scalped.  It  is  said  for  him  that 
he  has  had  bad  guides,  that  the  roads 
are  exceedingly  difficult,  and  that  it  was 
necessary  to  drag  as  much  artillery  as  he 

does This  is  not  the  first  time,”  adds 

the  malevolent  gossip,  “ that  the  duke 
has  found  that  brutality  did  not  neces- 
sarily constitute  a general.” 


r‘ 

OOLONIAI,.]  CAMP  AT  FORT 

CUMBERLAND.  63 

Braddock,  however,  was  not  to  blame 

houses  and  forts  they  stopped  on  their 

tor  these  delays,  which  fretted  his  impet- 

march.  There  was  ‘‘one  Cressop,  a rattle- 

nous  temper  as  much  as  they  could  pos- 

snake  colonel  and  a d d rascal,”  Avliom 

sibly  have  annoyed  his  patron  the  duke  of 

they  had  a particular  reason  for  remem- 

Cumberland.  The  general  had  met  with 

bering  for  his  roguery  and  ill  service. 

disappointment  at  every  point  and  turn. 

The  forces  were  now  all  collected  at 

Here  at  the  fort,  where  he  had  been  prom- 

Fort  Cumberland.  There  were  the  tw(j 

ised  the  greatest  plenty  of  all  kinds  of 

regiments  sent  out  from  England,  com- 

provisions,  none  that  were  fresh  could  be 

posed  of  a few  hundred  more  than  theii 

obtained.  The  men  had  already  marched 

original  strength  of  a thousand,  but  not 

through  an  uninhabited  wilderness,  with- 

up  to  their  full  complement  of  fifteen 

out  anything  but  salted  meat,  and  there 

hundred,  as  the  expected  recruits  from 

was  every  reason  to  fear  that  their  health 

Maryland  and  Virginia  had  not  been  ol)- 

would  suffer  in  consequence.  The  gen- 

tained.  There  was  the  troop  of  Virginia 

eral  did  all  in  his  power  to  remedy  these 

light-horse  ; the  two  independent  compa- 

deficiencies  by  offering  large  rewards  and 

nies  from  New  York,  under  Captain  llo- 

lending  money  out  of  his  own  pocket  to 

ratio  Gates;  two  companies  of  “hatchet- 

several  people,  in  order  to  enable  them 

men,”  or  pioneers ; a company  of  guides ; 

to  provide  the  camp.  By  these  means 

the  detachment  of  sailors,  and  a few  In- 

some  supplies  were  procured,  but  not  in 

dians,  making  in  all  about  two  thousand 

sufficient  abundance  to  satisfy  their  wants. 

men. 

The  artillery,  after  bein^;  de- 

May  20.  ^ . ...IT-  1 

tamed  at  Alexandria  a whole 

The  British  officers,  with  their  set  no- 
tions about  military  order  and  appear- 

fortnight,  awaiting  wagons  and  horses. 

ance,  were  not  very  well  pleased  with  the 

now  came  in,  under  the  command  of 

looks  of  the  provincials.  They  had  been 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Gage.  The  party. 

submitted  to  a systematic  drill.  Ensign 

which  was  accompanied  by  the  naval  de- 

Allen,  their  drill-master,  “had  taken  great 

tachment  of  seamen,  had  suffered  greatly 

pains  with  them,  and  they  performed 

on  the  route.  They  had  been  often  with- 

their  evolutions  and  firings  as  well  as 

out  provisions  for  themselves  and  fodder 

could  be  expected ; but  their  languid. 

for  their  horses.  The  men,  worn  out  with 

spiritless,  and  unsoldier-like  appearance. 

hauling  the  guns  over  prodigious  mount- 

considered  with  the  lowness  and  iftno- 

ains,”  and  exposed  to  the  fitful  changes 

ranee  of  most  of  their  officers,  gave  little 

of  the  spring  weather,  now  suffering  from 

hopes  of  their  future  good  behavior.” 

the  sultry  heat  and  again  from  the  damp 

Their  “future  good  behavior,”  however 

cold  and  heavy  dews,  became  ill,  and 

was  such  as  to  put  to  the  blush  the  boast- 

some  so  disabled,  that  they  were  obliged 

ed  superiority  of  the  regulars,  and  to 

to  be  left  on  the  route.  They  found  lit- 

prove  how  little  they  deserved  this  con- 

tie  ehcouraQ;:ement  from  the  various  semi- 

tempt,  which  was  common  to  British  gen 

barbarous  frontiersmen  at  whose  log- 

N 

eral  and  British  subaltern. 

/ 

64  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pakt  i 


Braddock  shared  in  this  depreciation 
of  the  provincinl  soldier,  and  wrote : “ The 
American  troops  have  little  courage  or 
good  will.  I expect  from  them  almost 
no  military  service,  though  I have  em- 
ployed the  best  officers  to  drill  them.” 
He  became  so  rude  in  his  denunciations 
of  the  provincials,  that  Washington’s  pa- 
triotism was  wounded,  and  he  warmly 
took  up  the  defence  of  his  countrymen. 
He,  however,  gave  up  the  general,  as  of 
impracticaljle  obstinacy  and  prejudice, 
and  as  one  who  was  “ incapable  of  argu- 
ing without  warmth,  or  giving  up  any 
point  he  had  asserted,  be  it  ever  so  incom- 
patible with  reason  or  common  sense.” 

Doubtless  the  provincial  troops  did  aj> 
[)ear,  during  these  comparatively  holyday 
times  at  Fort  Cumberland,  to  great  dis- 
advantage with  the  British  regulars.  Du- 
ring the  compulsory  detention  here.  Brad- 
dock  had  a fine  opportunity  of  displaying 
some  of  his  London-park  tactics,  and  even 
Washington  was  struck  Avith  admiration 
at  the  effective  shoAV  and  strict  discipline 
of  the  British  grenadiers.  The  general 
himself  kept  up  considerable  state.  He 
held  a daily  kvee  at  his  tent  every  morn- 
ing from  ten  to  eleven  o’clock,  and  ex- 
pected his  various  officers  to  present 
themselves  in  full  uniform.  The  camp 
was  arranged  on  the  most  approved  prin- 
ciples of  military  art,  and  the  strictest 
system  and  most  regular  order  every- 
where established.  The  troops  were  dai- 
ly exercised  and  submitted  to  the  seve- 
rest discipline.  None  of  the  usual  cere- 
monies were  omitted,  hut  all  as  strictly 
celebrated  as  if  the  troops  had  been  sta- 
tioned under  the  Tower-guns  at  London, 


instead  of  being  encamped  in  a Avildei 
ness. 

A Captain  Bromley  dies,  and  his  funeral 
takes  place,  with  every  detail  of  military 
order  and  respect,  notwithstanding  the 
discomforts  of  the  camp  on  ‘‘  an  exces- 
sively hot  day.”  A captain’s  guard  march- 
ed before  the  corpse,  with  the  captain  ol' 
it  in  the  rear,  the  firelocks  reversed,  and 
the  drums  beating  ‘‘The  Dead  March.” 
On  coming  near  the  grave,  the  guard 
formed  two  lines,  facing  each  other,  rest- 
ing on  their  arms  Avith  the  muzzles  doAAUi- 
Avard,  and  leaning  on  the  butts  of  their 
muskets.  The  body,  Avith  the  SAVord  and 
sash  of  the  dead  captain  on  the  coffin, 
Avas  noAV  carried  betAV'een  the  tAVO  lines 
of  soldiers,  and  folloAved  by  the  officers, 
Avalking  two  and  tAvo.  The  chaplain,  a 
Mr.  Philip  Hughes,  having  read  the  ser 
vice,  the  guard  fired  three  volleys  over 
the  grave,  and  marched  back  to  the 
camp. 

There  Avas,  however,  with  all  this  stricb 
ness  of  discipline,  an  effort  made  to  keep 
up  the  spirits  of  the  camp  by  occasional 
amusements.  The  young  officers  got  up 
races  and  hunting-parties ; and  the  gen- 
eral, Avho  had  his  cooks  from  Europe,  and 
prided  himself  upon  his  kitchen,  gave  fre- 
quent invitations  to  dinner.  There  Avas, 
however,  a strict  attention  paid  to  the 
morals  of  the  troops.  No  sutler  was  al- 
loAved  to  sell  more  than  one  gill  of  spirits 
a day  to  each  man,  and  this  Avas  to  be 
diluted  Avith  three  gills  of  Avater;  and 
every  soldier  found  drunk  was  sent  im- 
mediately to  the  guardhouse,  and  Avheu 
sober,  next  morning,  received  tAAm  hun- 
dred lashes.  Theft  Avas  punished  \vith 


r 

COLONIAL.]  INDIAN  CHIEFS 

AND  BEAUTIES.  Gi) 

death.  Gambling  was  prohibited  to  the 

Presents  of  rings,  beads,  knivcs,and  paint, 

non-commissioned  ofhcer  and  common 

being  distributed,  the  Indians  went  off. 

soldier,  under  a penalty  of  three  hundred 

greatly  rejoicing,  and, to  “show  they  were 

lashes;  and  all  lookers-on  were  deemed 

pleased,  made  a most  horrible  noise,  dan 

principals,  and  punished  the  same. 

cing  all  night.” 

Of  all  the  Indians  who  had  been  prom- 

“For  a time  all  went  well,”  says  Wash 

ised,  only  thirty  as  yet  had  arrived  at  the 

iiigton  Irving,  whose  description  of  the 

fort.  These  were  some  chiefs  and  war- 

issue  we  borrow;  for  when  he  once' gets 

riors  belonging  to  the  Six  Nations.  There 

upon  his  favorite  subject  of  the  Indians, 

was  Monicotoha,  the  wise  man,  whose 

his  narrative  becomes  so  charmingly  pic- 

duty  it  was  to  do  all  the  speaking  ; White 

turesque  and  humorous,  that  we  listen  to 

Thunder,  who  had  a daughter  called 

it  with  such  delight  as  not  to  care  to  in- 

Bright  Lightning he  it  was  who  had 

vestigate  its  accuracy.  “The  Indians 

charge  of  the  wampum-belts ; and  there 

had  their  separate  camp,”  writes  Irving, 

were  also  Silver-IIeels  and  Great  Tree, 

“ where  they  passed  half  the  night,  sing- 

all  potent  men  in  their  various  tribes. 

ing,  dancing,  and  howling.  The  British 

As  soon  as  they  arrived,  the  general  re- 

were  amused  by  their  strange  ceremonies. 

ceived  them  at  his  tent,  surrounded  by 

their  savage  antics,  and  savage  decora- 

all  his  officers  in  full  uniform,  and  with 

tions.  The  Indians,  on  the  other  hand. 

his  guard  drawn  up  and  presenting  arms. 

loitered  by  day  about  the  English  camp, 

The  interpreter  was  instructed  to  tell 

fiercely  painted  and  arrayed,  gazing  with 

the  assembled  chiefs  that  their  brothers 

silent  admiration  at  the  parade  of  the 

the  English,  wlio  were  their  old  friends, 

troops,  their  marchings  and  evolutions; 

were  come  to  assure  them  that  every 

and  delighted  with  the  horse-races,  with 

misunderstanding  that  had  been  in  for- 

which  the  young  officers  recreated  them- 

iner  times  should  now  be  buried  under 

selves. 

that  great  i.nountain,  which  was  throw- 

“ Unluckily,  the  warriors  had  brought 

ing  its  shadow  over  the  camp.  A belt 

their  families  with  them  to  Will’s  creek, 

of  wampum  was  then  passed,  with  still 

and  the  women  were  even  fonder  than 

further  assurances  of  friendship,  and  the 

the  men  of  loitering  about  the  British 

whole  concluded  with  “ the  ceremony  of 

camp.  They  were  not  destitute  of  at- 

drams  round.” 

traction.s,  for  the  young  squaws  resemble 

Again,  on  the  next  day,  the  general 

the  gipsie.s,  having  seductive  forms,  small 

had  another  reception  of  his  Indian 

hands  and  feet,  and  soft  voices.  Among 

friends,  when  he  expressed  his  great  sor- 

those  who  visited  the  camp  was  one  who 

row  at  the  death  of  the  half-king,  old 

no  doubt  passed  for  an  Indian  princess. 

Tanacharisson,  Washington's  capricious 

She  was  the  daughter  of  the  sachem, 

friend,  and  his  desire  that  they  should 

White  Thunder,  and  bore  the  dazzling 

take  up  the  hatchet  for  the  great  king  of 

name  of  Bright  Lightning.  The  charms 

England,  their  fath.er,  against  the  French. 

9 

of  these  wild-wood  beauties  were  soon 

r 

CG  I5ATTLES  OF  AMP:RICA.  Lpakt  l 

acknowledged.  ‘ The  squaws,’  writes  Sec- 

vice,  and  pretended  information  of  tb" 

retarj  Peters,  ‘ bring  in  money  plenty ; 

enemy.  The  British  officers  were  from 

the  officers  are  scandalously  fond  of  them.’ 

the  beginning  suspicious;  and  the  out- 

^‘The  jealousy  of  the  warriors  was 

spoken  sailor,  who  has  left  a journal  of 

aroused;  some  of  them  became  furious. 

the  expedition,  says,  “ These  people  [the 

To  prevent  discord,  the  squaws  were  for- 

Delawares]  are  villains,  and  always  side 

bidden  to  come  into  the  Pritish  camp. 

with  the  strongest.”  This  he  says  jusi 

This  did  not  prevent  their  being  souglit 

after  some  of  them  had  come  into  the 

elsewhere.  It  was  idtiniately  found  ne- 

camp  and  told  the  general  that  they 

cessary,  for  the  sake  of  quiet,  to  send 

would  return  home,  collect  their  warriors, 

Prigrlit  Lio’htnin'ji:,  with  all  the  other  wo- 

and  meet  him  on  their  march.  Anotlier 

men  and  children,  back  to  Aughquick. 

Delaware  turns  up  again,  with  some  du- 

White  Thunder  and  several  of  the  war- 

Ijious  information  about  Fort  Du  Quesne, 

riors  accompanied  them  for  their  protec- 

when  our  sailor  declares,  “ I believe  this 

tion.” 

fellow  is  a villain,  as  he  is  a Delaware. 

The  Indians,  for  some  reason  or  other. 

who  never  were  our  friends.”  Whatever 

never  returned  with  their  warriors  in 

may  have  been  the  cause,  Braddock  had 

such  numbers  as  they  had  promised. 

never  at  any  time  over  half  a hundred 

Some  have  blamed  the  general,  saying 

Indians  Avith  him,  and  of  these  only  eiglil 

that  he  underrated  their  services.  It  is 

were  left  at  the  close  of  the  expedition 

probable,  with  his  contempt  for  every- 

The  general,  however,  Avas  more  It 

thing  but  “ regular”  warfare,  he  did  ; but, 

blame  for  another  loss,  that  of  Caidaiii 

at  the  same  time,  he  seems  to  have  treat- 

Jack  and  his  band  of  “ Indian-killers.” 

ed  his  savage  visiters  always  with  great 

This  man  Avas  an  early  settler  on  the 

consideration.  Franklin  says,  “ lie  slighb 

frontiers  of  Pennsylvania,  AAdiere  Avith  his 

ed  or  neglected  them,  and  they  gradually 

liimily  he  lived  the  life  of  an  occasion;;! 

left  him,  ivlthough  they  might  have  been 

hunter  and  farmer.  During  the  season 

of  great  use  to  his  army  as  guides  or 

for  game,  he  Avas  abroad  in  the  forest- 

scouts,  if  he  had  treated  them  kindly.” 

Avilderness,  Avith  his  gun  upon  his  shoul- 

It  was  not,  however,  so  much  the  fault 

der,  and  in  his  leathern  suit,  engaged  in 

of  the  general,  as  the  treacherous  char- 

the  chase  for  deer,  the  bear,  and  the  fox, 

acter  of  the  people  he  had  to  deal  with. 

He  thus  supplied  his  family  Avith  Avild 

Some  of  the  Indians  evidently  were  act- 

meat,  and  gathered  skins  for  barter  ai 

ing  faithlessly  from  the  beginning,  and 

the  A'arious  trading-posts  Avith  the  fin 

only  coquetting  with  the  British,  to  ob- 

dealers,  avIio  supplied  him  in  exchange 

tcin  gifts,  or  awaiting  the  result  of  the 

Avith  guns,  ammunition,  Jamaica  spirits. 

struggle  with  the  French,  in  order  to 

and  articles  of  food  and  clothing  required 

gi\  e in  their  adherence  to  the  stron«:er. 

by  himself  and  family.  When  not  occu- 

Delaware  warriors  were,  almost  dailjq 

pied  in  the  chase,  he  busied  himself  in 

coming  into  the  camp,  with  offers  of  ser- 

cultiA'ating  the  patch  of  cleared  ground 

r- 

cor.ONFAL.J  CAPTAIN  JACK.  f)7 

which  surrounded  liis  rude  loii'-house,  and 

inutine  of  military  discipline.  Braddoi'k, 

planting  it  with  potatoes  and  Indian  corn. 

with  an  absurd  obstinacy, refused  compli- 

Though  roughened  by  the  wild  life  he 

ance.  The  captain  and  his  “Indian-kil- 

led  on  the  frontier,  he  had  taken  to  him- 

lers”  moodily  departed.  The  general 

self  a wife,  Avho  had  borne  him  several 

made  a great  mistake.  These  bold  woods- 

little  ones,  and  his  independent  and  some- 

men,  familiar  as  they  were  with  the  wild 

what  reckless  disposition  was  thus  still  in 

life  of  the  borders,  and  the  habits  of  the 

subjection  to  the  ties  of  civilization. 

Indians  — whom  they  even  resembled  in 

One  day,  the  hunter  returns,  loaded 

appearance,  their  faces  being  blackened 

with  game,  in  eager  expectation  of  a 

by  exposure  to  sun  and  weather,  and 

•warm  welcome  from  wife  and  children. 

their  garb  being  of  the  rude  Indian  ma- 

who)i,  as  he  reaches  the  familiar  spot  of 

terial  and  make  — would  have  been  the 

his  home,  he  finds  his  log-house  burned 

best  force  to  act  as  guides  through  the 

to  the  ground,  and  his  family  lying  dead 

forest,  and  as  a protection  against  the 

and  manyled  amid  the  ashes  ! This  cruel 

O 

chances  of  a savage  ambuscade. 

work  ho  knew  at  once  to  have  been  that 

The  horses  and  wagons  which,  as  will 

of  the  ruthless  savage.  The  rude  ele- 

be  recollected,  Franklin  had  undertaken 

ments  of  the  man’s  character  now  swelled 
up  with  a violence  that  overmastered  all 

to  supply,  and  had  so  promptly 

I ^ 111  Hlay  20i 

got  ready,  now  reached  the  camp. 

tlie  gentler  emotions,  which  were  once, 

after  considerable  detention  on  the  rough 

but  alas!  no  longer  called  forth,  at  the 

road.s.  There  came  with  the  wagons  a 

soft  entreaty  of  wife  and  child.  lie 

remarkable  man,  of  whom  we  shall  hear 

swore  revenge  against  the  whole  race  of 

more  in  the  progress  of  our  history  of 

Indiau'^! : and,  gathering  about  him  other 

the  battles  of  America.  This  was  Daniel 

frontiersmen,  broken  loose  like  himself 

Morgan,  of  Pennsylvania.  Living  a some- 

from  the  bonds  of  kindred  and  civilized 

what  reckless  and  dissipated  life,  but  be- 

life,  lie  commenced  a career  of  such  fierce 

ing  sufficiently  well  to  do  in  the  world 

onslaught  upon  his  savage  enemies,  that 

as  to  own  a Avagon  and  horses,  he  had 

" The  Black  Hunter  of  the  Forest” — for 

joined  the  expedition.  He  Avas  a person 

thus  he  was  called,  from  the  swarthiness 

of  humble  position,  but  of  high  spirit ; 

of  his  visage — was  a terror  from  the 

and  had  hardly  started  in  this  neAv  enter- 

northern  lakes  to  the  Chesapeake. 

prise,  Avhen  an  officer,  taking  adA\antage 

Such  was  the  Captain  Jack,  who  with 

of  the  former,  had  an  opportunity  of  find 

his  men  had  now  offered  himself  to  Brad- 

ing  out  the  latter.  Daniel,  being  behind 

dock,  and  been  rejected,  because  forsooth 

time  one  day  Avith  his  horses,  Avas  severe- 

the  Bi'itish  guardsman  would  not  bate  a 

ly  reprimanded  by  the  military  gentle 

jot  of  his  Tlyde-park  rules  of  discipline. 

man  in  command,  to  AA'hom  he  ansAvered 

even  in  the  wilderness  1 Jack  had  made 

in  terms  not  usually  addressed  in  the  Brit- 

it  a condition  of  his  services  that  he  and 

ish  army  to  a superior.  The  officer  drcAV 

his  n\en  should  not  be  subjected  to  the 

his  SAVord.  Daniel  brandished  his  whip 

68  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i. 


The  officer  made  a thrust.  Daniel  knocls- 
ed  the  weapon  out  of  his  hand,  and  lashed 
him  with  his  whip.  The  teamster  was 
accordingly  arrested  and  punished.  Five 
hundred  lashes  was  the  sentence ; but,  as 
Daniel  fainted  after  the  first  four  hun- 
dred and  fifty,  the  last  half-hundred  were 
remitted.  Daniel  has  reported  that  the 
officer  subsequently  acknowledged  that 
the  fault  was  his  own,  and  handsomely 
apologized. 

Althouo-h  the  wagons  and  horses  had 
arrived,  they  did  not  bring  with  them  the 
supplies  of  food  and  stores  expected. 
That  “ rattlesnake  colonel”  Cressop  had 
allowed  the  teams  to  pass  his  fort  at  Co- 
negogee  without  sending  the  flour  con- 
tracted for;  and  the  fellow’s  father  turned 
out  to  be  as  great  a rogue  as  the  son,  for, 
although  he  had  sent  the  beef,  it  was  ne- 
cessary to  bury  it  as  soon  as  it  reached 
the  camp.  The  father  had  been  paid  to 
salt  this  beef,  whereas  the  old  rascal  had 
put  it  up  without  pickle,  and  in  dry  casks 
which  could  never  have  contained  any. 

Without  flour  and  beef,  the  general 
was  obliged  to  send  thirty  wagons,  with 
a detachment  under  Washington,  to  Win- 
chester, over  sixty  miles  of  mountainous 
and  rocky  country,  for  a supply.  Three 
hundred  pack-horses  were  also  ordered 
off  for  flour ; and  a troop  of  light-horse 
to  l)ring  up  the  rascal  Cressop  from  Co- 
negogee,  full  ninety  miles  distant. 

Braddock  became  every  day  more  and 
more  inflamed  against  the  province.s,  and 
with  reason,  for  they  all  failed  in  their  en- 
gagements toward  him.  Governor  Mor- 
ris’s secretary,  Mr.  Richard  Peters,  came 
in  foi’  a lai’ge  share  of  the  general’s  anger. 


having  just  arrived  in  camp  when  the 
raging  storm  was  at  its  height.  Petei's 
asked  for  a guard  to  protect  the  laborers 
on  the  road  which  was  being  made,  in 
accordance  with  Braddock’s  requisition, 
to  connect  Fort  Cumberland  with  the 
high-roads  of  Pennsylvania,  in  order  to  se- 
cure a communication  for  reinforcements 
and  provisions  from  that  province.  He 
would  not  supply  guards  for  wood-cut- 
ters, not  he,  declared  the  general,  with 
an  oath  ; let  Pennsylvania  do  it.  Subse- 
quently, however,  Braddock  did  do  it 
himself,  as  without  his  aid  the  road  would 
never  have  made  any  progress ; for  the 
laborers  were  so  constantly  harassed  b}' 
their  fears,  and  occasionally  by  the  In- 
dians themselves,  that  they  hardly  ven- 
tured to  go  to  their  work  in  the  wilder- 
ness. 

Everything  that  was  done  had  to  be 
done  by  the  general  himself  It  was  only 
after  he  had  thus  taken  the  work  into 
his  own  hands,  that  he  got  the  necessary 
supplies,  and  was  prepared  to  march. 
Six  weeks  of  valuable  time  had  been  al- 
ready lost,  in  awaiting  the  slow  and  re- 
luctant action  of  the  provincial  govern- 
ments. He  was  again  detained  a month 
afterward  in  doing  what  ought  to  ha^  e 
been  done  long  before  by  the  colonial 
authorities. 

Toward  the  close  of  May,  a council-of 
war  having  been  called,  the  plan  of  march 
was  agreed  upon.  The  first  preliminary 
step  was  accordingly  made  immediately 
after,  by  sending  a detachment 
of  six  hundred  men,  under  the 
command  of  Major  Chapman,  to  act  as 
pioneers  and  open  the  way.  They  started 


COLONIAL.]  THE  HARD  MARCH.  G9 

at  daybreak,  and  when  night  came  they 

road  than  they  Avere  to  expect  afterAvard 

had  only  got  about  two  miles  from  the 

This  induced  Braddock,  on  consultation 

camp,  and  no  wonder ; for  there  was  a 

Avith  his  officers,  to  diminish  the  heav}' 

mountain  in  the  way,  the  ascent  and  de- 

load  Avith  Avhich  the  army  Avas  encum- 

scent  of  which  were  almost  a perpendic- 

bered.  Tavo  six-pounders,  four  cohorns. 

ular  rock.  Three  wagons  were  entirely 

and  a considerable  quantity  of  stores  and 

destroyed  in  the  operation  of  getting 

ammunition,  Avere  sent  back  to  the  fort, 

past  this  obstruction,  and  “ many  more 

and  tAventy  Avagons  thus  cleared ; the  load 

were  extremely  shattered, ’’although  three 

of  each  man  Avas  reduced,  and  the  horses’ 

hundred  men,  Avith  a company  of  miners, 

alloAvance  of  tAVO  hundred  Aveight  it  Avas 

had  been  engaged  several  days  previous- 

found  necessary  to  diminish  one  half,  as 

ly  in  making  that  hill  passable.  A pas- 

most  of  the  animals  Avere  sorry  nags,  in- 

sage,  however,  was  soon  after  discovered 

capable  of  full  duty.  Even  the  officers 

through  a valley  by  Lieutenant  Spend- 

determined  to  rid  themselves  of  much  of 

lowe  of  the  naval  brigade,  by  which  the 

their  personal  baggage,  and,  giving  up 

“great  mountain”  could  be  avoided,  and 

the  marquees  and  their  luxurious  aj> 

this  Avas  adopted  by  the  general  for  the 

pointments,  resoWed  to  content  them- 

march. 

selves  Avith  the  common  soldier’s  tent  and 

Sir  Peter  Halket  Avas  the  next 

its  bare  necessities.  They  Avere  thus  en- 

to  folloAV  Major  Chapman,  Avith 

abled  to  make  over  their  superfiuous 

his  brigade,  artillery,  and  baggage-Avag- 

horses  for  the  common  serAuce.  The 

ons.  Three  days  subsequently,  Colonel 

general  himself  gave  up  tAventy,  Avhich 

Dunbar  marched  Avith  his  division ; and 

proves  him  to  have  had  rather  an  exor- 

a feAV  hours  aftei'Avard,  General 

bitant  stud.  The  Aveakest  men  in  the 

Braddock,  accompanied  by  his 

ranks,  together  Avith  all  the  Avomen,  Avith 

aids-de-camp,  set  out  Avith  the  remainder 

the  exception  of  tAvo  to  each  conq^any. 

of  the  forces. 

Avere  also  sent  back  to  the  fort. 

The  general  Avas  not  long  in  discover- 

Lightened  and  relieved  even  as  they 

ino;  that  he  had  engaged  in  an  underta- 

Avere  noAV,  the  inarch  continued  to  be 

king  full  of  difficulty  and  danger.  The 

.exceedingly  difficult  and  sIoav,  and  the 

march  Avas  over  a rough  country — noAV 

Avhole  force  did  not  reach  Little  Mead- 

through  a deep  forest,  Avhich  required  to 

OAVS,  twenty-four  miles  only  from  Fort 

oe  cleared  at  every  step  ; and  again  OA'er 

Cumberland,  until  the  18th  of  June.  Du- 

mountains,  which  demanded  all  the  skill 

ring  this  march,  although  “all  possible 

of  the  sailors,  and  the  constant  labor  of 

care  Avas  taken,”  the  line  Avas  sometimes 

the  soldiers,  to  scale  Avith  their  heavy  ar- 

extended  to  a length  of  four  or  five  miles. 

tillery  and  baggage.  Lieutenant-Colonel 

8o  soon  came  to  pass  Avhat  Benjamin 

Burton  had  ridden  back  to  the  general. 

Franklin  foretold  of  the  army  making  “ a 

and  reported  that  he  had  been  t.Avo  days 

slender  line  nearly  four  miles  long,  Avhich 

in  marching  about  five  miles,  on  a better 

may  expose  it  to  be  attacked  by  surprise 

BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


?0 


fpART  I 


on  its  Hanks,  and  to  be  cut  like  thread 
into  several  pieces,  which  from  their  dis- 
tance can  not  come  up  in  time  to  sup- 
port one  another.” 

Thus  they  toiled  along,  sickened  with 
hard  work,  exposure,  and  bad  fare ; and 


thus  they  passed  sadly  and  slowly  througli 
that  forest  of  pines,  aptly  termed  The 
Shades  of  Death,”  and  ominous  of  a ter- 
rible future,  until  they  finally  came  to  a 
halt  and  pitched  their  tents  at  Little 
Meadows. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Briiddoek  disposed  to  change  his  Tactics. — Consults  Young  Washington,  his  Aid-de-Camp. — The  Army  divided. — Sit 
John  St.  Clair  in  advance. — A Foretaste  of  the  Future. — An  Indian  Ambuscade. — Braddock  advances  with  tlie 
Choicest  of  the  Troops. — Dunbar  left  behind,  to  proceed  leisurely  with  the  Rest. — Braddock  still  indulging  in  his  Old- 
fasliioncd  Notions. — Great  Crossings  in  a Week. — Indians  skulking  about. — Sickness  among  the  Troops. — Washing- 
ton ill. — Obliged  to  halt. — Tracks  of  Indians  and  French. — Braddock  becomes  cautious. — Encampment  at  Thickety 
Run. — News  and  Scalps  from  Fort  Du  Que.sne. — Gist’s  Report. — Smoke  in  the  Valley. — Washington  rejoins  Brail- 
dock. — Monakatuca  Camp. — The  Unfortunate  Death  of  the  Young  Monakatuca. — The  Reverence  paid  by  Braddock 
to  the  Dead. — The  Monongahela  Route. — Crossing  the  Monongahela. — The  Brilliant  Display  of  the  Troops. — The 
Virginians  in  the  Rear. — The  Conflict. — The  Brave  Struggle. — The  Courage  of  Braddock. — Four  Horses  shot  under 
Him. — The  General  falls. — The  Retreat. — Its  Horrors. — Washington  unhurt,  though  exposed  to  the  Hottest  Fire. — 
Havoc  of  Officers. 


At  Little  Meadows,  the  various  bri- 
gades came  in  in  slow  succession,  at  in- 
tervals of  two  or  three  days  of  each  oth- 
er ; and  the  men,  fatigued  and  dispirited 
by  the  tedious,  laborious,  and  melancholy 
march,  were  glad  to  tent  themselves  with- 
in the  camp,  wdiich  had  been  fortified 
by  Sir  John  St.  Clair  and  his  advance- 
party.  Braddock  now  became  conscious 
of  the  necessity  of  wvaiving  some  of  his 
old-fashioned,  European  notions  of  mili- 
tary progress.  His  line  he  found  was 
dangerou.sl}^  weakened  by  the  great  ex- 
tent of  bai>i:2:a£>:e  ; his  men  were  worn  out 
by  the  fatigue  of  remaining  so  many 
hours  under  arms ; and  the  horses  grew 
fainter  every  day,  and  many  died. 

The  proud  British  general  now  de- 
scended from  his  high  state  of  dignified 
selt-sutficiency,  and  deigned  to  consult 
his  young  provincial  aid-de-camp.  Wasli- 


ington’s  advice  was  solicited,  and  given 
straightforwardly,  but  with  a discreet 
modesty.  The  garrison  at  Du  Quesne. 
he  reminded  the  general,  was  weak  at 
this  time ; and  there  was  little  prospect, 
while  the  rivers  were  low,  of  any  addi- 
tion to  its  strength  from  the  coming  in 
I of  more  men  and  supplies.  Now  was  the 
time,  urged  the  young  Virginian,  to  make 
a rapid  march  and  strike  an  irresistible 
blow.  He  would  advise,  therefore,  tluit 
the  general  should  push  on  at  once  with 
a light  division,  and  leave  the  heavy 
troops  and  baggage  to  follow  after. 
Braddock  approved  of  this  view,  and  de- 
termined to  lay  it  before  his  council-of 
war,  where  Washington  himself,  of  course, 
from  his  position,  had  no  voice.  The 
plan  of  the  young  Virginian  aid-de-camp 
was  adopted,  and  preparations  made  at 
once  to  carry  it  into  effect. 


r 


COLONIAL.]  BRADDOCK  ON  THE  ADVANCE.  71 


Sir  John  Sinclair,  the  deputy 
June  18.  1 I 1 

quartermaster-general, whose  du- 
ty it  was  to  act  as  pioneer,  now  set  out 
with  four  hundred  men,  under  Gage,  to 
cut  and  make  the  road  to  the  “ Little 
Crossings,”  situated  on  a small  stream  emp- 
tying into  Cassehnan’s  river.  They  took 
with  them  the  pack-horses,  laden  with 
tools  and  provisions,  and  two  six-pound- 
ers for  defence.  The  Indians  also  ac- 
companied them,  to  act  as  scouts.  Sir 
John  St.  Clair’s  detachment  had  not  pro- 
ceeded far,  Avhen  the  peculiar  hazards 
of  the  march  were  strikingly  exhibited. 
The  Indian  chief  Monokatuca,  or  Scaro- 
vyadi,  as  he  was  sometimes  called,  had 
strayed,  in  company  with  his  son,  in  ad- 
vance of  the  party,  when  he  fell  into  an 
ambuscade  of  French  and  savages.  The 
former  were  for  killing  him  at  once  ; the 
Indians,  however,  refused,  and  declared 
that  they  would  join  the  English  if  they 
did  so.  They  then  agreed  to  tie  him  to 
a tree,  and  leave  him  there.  The  son 
escaped,  and,  bringing  word  to  his  Indian 
brethren  of  the  whereabouts  of  his  father, 
the  old  chief  was  released  at  once. 

Braddock  himself  set  out  the 
June  19.  n p 1 1 p 

next  day  alter  the  dejjarture  ol 

St.  Clair,  taking  with  him  the  two  veter- 
an grenadier  companies  and  live  hundred 
rank  and  file  of  the  best  of  the  remain- 
ing troops,  under  the  various  commands 
of  Sir  Peter  Ilalket,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Burton,  and  Major  Sparks,  which,  with 
the  eighteen  Virginia  light-horse  and  the 
small  party  of  seamen,  made  up  a divis- 
ion of  eight  hundred,  all  told.  Dunbar 
and  Olliers  left  behind  were  sorely  vexed 
at  the  preference  given  by  the  general 


to  the  troops  with  which  he  marched 
as  it  was  well  understood  that  his  pur- 
pose had  been  to  select  those  he  believed 
to  be  the  best. 

Disencumbered  as  the  general  compar- 
atively was,  his  march  Avas  still  slow. 
He  had  rid  him.self  of  much  of  his  artil- 
lery and  baggage,  taking  Avith  him  only 
four  hoAvitzers,each  draAvn  by  nine  horses: 
four  tAvelve-pounders,  Avith  seven  horses 
each  ; and  thirty  Avagons,  Avith  four  horses 
each.  Braddock  AA'as  still  too  set  in  his 
old  military  notions,  to  adapt  himself  to 
the  requirements  of  the  country  ; for,  as 
Washington  says,  “ imstead  of  pushing  on 
Avith  vigor,  Avithout  regarding  a little 
rough  road,  they  Avere  halting  to  leAxd 
CAxry  molehill  and  to  erect  bridges  over 
every  brook,  by  Avhich  means  Ave  Avere 
four  days  in  getting  tAAxlve  miles.”  With 
this  deliberate  kind  of  procedure,  there 
Avas  little  chance  of  reaching  Fort  Du 
Quesne  by  the  28th  of  June,  the  time 
proposed,  in  order  to  anticipate  the  arri- 
val of  the  half-thousand  regulars  aaJio 
Avere  reported  to  be  on  their  march  to 
the  aid  of  the  French  garrison.  They 
did  not,  in  fact,  reach  the  “ Great  Cross- 
ings” on  the  Youghioney  river  until  the 
24th  of  June,  although  it  Avas  but  seven- 
teen miles,  Avhich  had  taken  a Aveek  to 
march. 

Braddock  found  himself  ahvays  on  the 
heels  of  the  advance-party  under  Sir  John 
St.  Clair,  Avith  Avhom  he  Avas  constantly 
coming  up.  The  general  Avas  thus  obliged 
to  halt  until  the  sides  of  a mountain  Aveie 
cut  through,  or  the  swamps  Avere  made 
passable.  He  Avas  not  Avithout  disturb- 
ance, too,  from  daily  rumors  of  the  an- 


72 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  1. 


proach  of  the  enemy,  and  occasional  har- 
assment by  hostile  Indians.  At  one  time 
the  guides  came  running  in,  extremely 
frightened,  and  reporting  that  a great 
body  of  the  enemy  were  marching  to  at- 
tack the  advanced  guard.  This  alarm 
over,  intelligence  Avas  brought  that  some 
men.  avIio  had  roamed  beyond  the  out- 
posts, had  been  shot  and  scalped ; while 
Indians  Avere  constantly  observed  skulk- 
ing about,  to  Avaylay  a straggler,  or  to 
Avatch  the  progress  of  the  march.  Horse- 
thieves  abounded,  too ; and  it  Avas  with 
the  greatest  difticulty  that  the  fatigued 
nags,  after  a hard  day’s  Avork,  could  get 
a nibble  of  pasture,  before  they  Avere 
driven  oft’  by  some  of  the  freebooters  of 
the  forest. 

Sickness  also  prevailed  among  the  ofti- 
cers  and  soldiers,  in  consequence  of  the 
fatigue  and  bad  provisions.  One  of  the 
commanders  of  the  naval  brigade  Avas 
prostrated  by  fever,  and  sent  back  to  Lit- 
tle MeadoAvs.  Washington  fell  ill,  and, 
being  unable  to  sit  any  longer  on  his 
horse,  Avas  obliged  to  alloAV  himself  to  be 
conveyed  in  a covered  Avagon.  He  Avas 
finally  forced  by  his  disease  to  give  in, 
and  Avas  induced  at  the  earnest  solicita- 
tion of  Braddock — to  Avhom  he  had  be- 
come gi’eatly  endeared  from  his  virtues, 
and  Avas  noAV  almost  indispensable  from 
the  excellence  of  his  judgment  and  the 
value  of  his  opinions — to  stay  behind. 
Washington’s  ardor  to  go  on  Avas  only 
appeased  by  the  solemn  promise  of  Brad- 
rlock  that  he  should  liaA'e  a chance  of 
joining  him  befoi’e  he  engaged  Avith  the 
enemy. 

As  Braddock  moved  on  sloAA'ly  from 


the  “ Great  Crossings,”  he  had  more  and 
more  proof  that  he  Avas  in  the  Indian 
country,  and  greater  reason  to  be  on  his 
guard  against  the  ambuscades  of  the  Avily 
savages.  During  one  day’s  march,  an 
Indian  camp  was  discovered,  that  had 
been  just  abandoned,  and  AAdiich,  from  the 
number  of  huts,  proved  that  some  hun- 
dred and  seventy  of  these  savages  had 
lately  occupied  them.  They  had  stripped 
the  barks  from  the  trees,  and  inscribed 
upon  them  Avith  paint  all  kinds  of  threats 
and  bravadoes,  in  the  Indian  and  French 
languages. 

They  now  passed  the  Great  MeadoAvs, 

and  encamped  about  tAvo  miles  , 

, , -T  o T T Juue  25. 

on  the  otiier  side,  feome  Indians 

making  their  appearance  in  the  neigh- 
boring woods,  the  general  sent  the  light- 
horse,  a feAV  Indian  scouts,  and  some  vol 
iinteers,  to  surround  them ; but  they  re- 
turned without  success.  On  taking  up 
their  march  again,  next  day,  they  had 
made  but  a quarter  of  a mile  from  their 
late  encampment,  Avhen  they  reached  the 
summit  of  so  steep  a hill,  that  it  Avas  ne- 
cessary to  call  in  the  aid  of  the  sailors, 
and  let  doAvn  the  Avagons  Avith  tackle. 

On  this  day,  in  consequence 
of  the  badness  of  the  road,  the 
army  could  only  make  four  miles.  At  the 
halting-place,  Avhich  Avas  situated  where 
the  Indian  path  to  the  Monongahela  ter- 
minates, Avas  found  an  Indian  camp  Avhich 
had  been  so  recently  abandoned,  that  the 
fires  Avere  still  burning.  Triumphant  bra- 
vadoes Avere  seen  Avritten  upon  the  trees, 
Avith  the  number  of  scalps  that  had  been 
taken  tAvo  days  before.  There  had  evi- 
dently been  some  French  Avith  them,  for 


r 

COLONIAL.]  RETURN  OP"  WASHINGTON.  73 

they  had  inscribed  also  their  names,  and 

that  they  came  up  to  “ Thickety  Run,” 

many  insolent  expressions,  in  their  own 

where  they  encamped.  The  country  now 

language.  The  position  of  the  Indian 

became  less  mountainous  and  rocky ; and 

camp  was  strongly  fixed  upon  a high 

the  white-oak  woods  less  dense,  and  not 

rock,  with  a narrow  and  steep  ascent  to 

offering  so  good  a cover  for  a skulking 

the  top.  In  the  middle  flowed  a spring. 

enemy. 

It  was  by  the  Indian  pass,  which  led  to 

A couple  of  Indians,  who  had  been  sent 

this  camp,  that  the  French  and  Indian 

out  toward  Fort  Du  Quesne,  now  j jy  g 

force  had  come  which  attacked  Washing- 

returned,  bringing  the  scalp  of  a 

ton  at  Fort  Necessity.  Traces  were  dis- 

French  officer,  whom  they  had  fallen  in 

covered  of  the  route  taken  by  those  who 

with  while  he  was  out  shooting,  and  the 

had  so  recently  abandoned  the  place,  and 

intelligence  that  there  were  few  men  or 

some  ninety  volunteers,  provide'^  with 

tracks  about,  and  no  additional  works  at 

guides,  issued  out  at  night,  toward  the 

the  fort.  Gist,  the  general’s  provincial 

Monongahela,  in  pursuit;  but  although 

guide,  brought  back  a very  similar  re- 

they  found  by  the  way  some  provisions 

port,  with  the  additional  and  most  impor- 

and  a batteau,  which  they  destroyed,  they 

tant  information,  however,  that  he  had 

saw  no  men. 

observed  some  smoke  in  a valley  between 

Great  precautions  were  now  taken,  at 

the  English  encampment  and  Fort  Du 

every  halting-place  on  the  march,  lest 

Quesne.  Gist  had  had  a narrow  escape ; 

the  Indians  and  the  French  should  come 

for  while  attempting  at  night  to  get  closer 

upon  them  unawares.  The  pickets  were 

to  the  fort,  he  had  been  observed  by  a 

doubled ; the  men  kept  constantly  under 

couple  of  Indians,  who  pursued  and  came 

arms,  with  fixed  bayonets ; and  no  fire, 

very  near  catching  him. 

on  any  account,  allowed  to  be  lighted  in 

While  encamped  at  Thickety  Run,  the 

front  of  them.  In  cleaning  the  guns,  the 

captain  with  his  detachment  of  one  hun- 

soldiers  were  strictly  ordered  to  draw  the 

dred  men,  who  had  been  sent  to  Dunbar’s 

charges,  and  not  fire  them  off,  lest  the 

camp  at  Little  Meadows  for  provisions. 

enemy  should  be  within  hearing,  and  thus 

came  in  with  a very  welcome  supply. 

be  made  aware  of  the  approach  of  the 

The  delay  incurred  in  waiting  for  this 

troops.  The  cartridges  were  carefully 

seemed  absolutely  necessary,  but,  as  the 

examined,  and,  when  injured  by  the  wet. 

sequel  will  prove,  was  disastrous  to  Brad- 

exchanged  for  fresh  ones.  Although 

dock.  With  the  party,  however,  came 

it  was  the  30th  of  June  when  the  line 

Washington,  who  had  so  far  recovered  as 

had  crossed  the  Youghioney — the  men 

to  join  the  troop  on  its  Avay  to  the  gen- 

wading  through  a depth  of  three  feet. 

eral’s  camp.  He  was  warmly  welcomed 

and  across  a breadth  of  water  of  two  hun- 

on  his  arrival  by  Braddock  and  his  fellow- 

dred  yards — it  was  not  before  the  4th  of 

aids-de-camp,  Morris  and  Orme,  who  had 

July,  so  slow  was  the  progress,  the  march 

kept  him  during  his  absence  well  in- 

f]-equently  not  exceeding  two  miles  a day, 
10 

formed,  by  frequent  letters,  of  every  de- 

. 

r ( 

1 

74  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i. 

tail  of  the  march.  He  came  in  the  very 

John  St.  Clair  was  therefore  ordered  to 

nick  of  time,  for  the  army  was  only  dis- 

take  a captain  and  a hundred  men,  some 

taut  fifteen  miles  from  Fort  Du  Quesne, 

light-horse,  and  Indian  guides,  and  recon- 

and  might  expect  hot  work  at  the  earli- 

noitre  thoroughly  the  country  round 

est  moment.  The  next  day  after  Wash- 

about.  The  main  body  having  in  the 

ington’s  arrival  had  been,  in  fact,  appoint- 

meantime  encamped  for  the  night,  the 

ed  as  the  day  of  attack. 

reconnoitring  party  returned  with  the 

The  place  where  Braddock  had  now 

report  that  another  route,  by  fording  the 

halted  was  styled  “ Monakatuca  Camp,” 

Monongahela,  had  been  discovered,  by 

from  an  unhappy  accident  that  occurred 

which  both  the  precipice  and  the  narrows 

in  its  neighborhood.  A few  stragglers 

might  be  avoided. 

in  the  rear  of  the  march  had  been  at- 

It  was  determined,  therefore,  to  pursue 

tacked  by  hostile  Indians,  and  ruthlessly 

the  Monongahela  route,  by  which  the  ar- 

scalped.  A company  of  grenadiers  hav- 

my  would  be  obliged  to  cross  that  river 

ing  been  ordered  out  to  look  after  these 

twice  in  order  to  reach  Fort  Du  Quesne. 

savages,  met  with  a party  of  Indians  be- 

The  road  through  the  Narrows  was  the 

longing  to  the  English  line,  and,  mista- 

more  direct  one  ; but,  as  it  was  but  a nar- 

king  them  for  the  enemy,  fired  upon 

row  pass  of  two  miles  in  length,  with  a 

them — notwithstanding  the  countersign 

river  on  the  left  and  a very  high  mount- 

agreed  upon,  raising  a bough  and  ground- 

ain  on  the  right,  and  in  such  a rough  con- 

ing  arms,  was  made — and  killed  the  son 

dition  that  it  would  require  much  time 

of  the  chief  Monakatuca.  When  his  body 

and  labor  to  make  it  passable  for  car- 

was  brought  to  the  camp  by  the  wailing 

riages,  it  seemed  right  to  abandon  it. 

Indians,  the  general  did  everything  in  his 
power  to  console  the  father  and  the  rest. 

The  next  morning,  therefore, 

o’  ’ Jyjy  9, 

Braddock, who  had  been  encamp- 

The  usual  presents  were  bestowed,  a mil- 

ed  the  previous  night  within  two  miles 

itary  funeral  with  all  its  solemnities  was 

of  the  Monongahela,  made  his  arrange- 

ordered,  the  officers  attended,  and  a vol- 

ments  for  passing  his  forces  across  the 

ley  was  fired  over  the  forest-grave  where 

two  fords,  one  of  Avhich  would  take  them 

the  young  chief  was  laid.  This  marked 

to  the  opposite  bank,  and  the  other  bring 

respect  to  their  dead  seemed  to  have 

them  back  to  the  side  whence  they  start- 

greatly  won  for  Braddock  the  attachment 

ed,  but  in  the  immediate  neighborhood 

of  the  few  Indian  followers  left  to  him. 

of  the  fort.  Accordingly,  at  daybreak. 

July  8 taking  up  his  march,  Brad- 

dock strove,  in  order  to  avoid 

LieutenaiitrColonel  Gage  was  ordered  to 
march  with  two  companies  of  grenadiers. 

the  dangerous  pass  called  “The  Narrows,” 

one  hundred  and  sixty  rank  and  file  of 

to  cross  the  narrow  stream  known  as  Tur- 

the  forty-fourth  and  forty-eight.  Captain 

lie  creek.  He  had  not,  however,  pro- 

Gates’s  independent  company  of  New 

ceeded  far,  when  he  reached  a precipice 

Yorkers,  some  four  hundred  men  in  all, 

that  it  was  impossible  to  descend.  Sir 

two  six-pounders,  and  pro]3er  guides.  H is 

. 

COLONIAL.]  CROSSING  THE 

MONONGAHELA.  75 

instructions  were,  to  pass  the  two  fords 

Avhich  he  had  been  accustomed.  Roused 

of  the  Monongahela,  and  on  crossing  the 

to  noAV  life,  he  forgot  his  recent  ailments. 

second  to  post  himself  so  as  to  secure  the 

and  broke  forth  in  expressions  of  enjoy- 

passage  of  the  river.  Washington  is  said 

ment  and  admiration,  as  he  rode  in  com 

to  have  ventured  to  propose  that  the  ran- 

pany  Avith  his  felloAV  aids-de-camp,  Orme 

gers,  of  Virginia,  accustomed  to  the  wild 

and  Morris.  Often  in  after-life  he  used 

country  and  Indian  warfare,  should  lead 

to  speak  of  the  effect  upon  him  of  the 

the  advance  ; but  that  Braddock  peremp- 

first  sight  of  a Avell-disciplined  European 

torily  and  angrily  refused  to  listen  to  any 

army,  marching  in  high  confidence  and 

such  proposition,  and,  to  show  his  supe- 

bright  array,  on  the  eve  of  a battle.” 

rior  confidence  in  the  regulars  and  his 

From  early  morning,  the  advance  par- 

contempt  for  the  provincials,  ordered  the 

ty  under  Gage  having  moved  before  day- 

Virginians  to  the  rear.  Gage  advanced 

break,  until  the  afternoon,  it  being  near- 

and  crossed  the  fords,  as  had  been  or- 

ly  tAvo  o’clock  Avhen  the  rear-guard  passed 

dered,  meeting  with  no  opposition  but  a 

the  second  ford,  Braddock  had  been  en- 

show  of  hostility  from  some  thirty  Indi- 

gaged  in  getting  his  forces  again  in  the 

ans,  who,  however,  took  to  their  heels  at 

line  of  march  toAvard  the  fort.  As  soon 

once  and  disappeared. 

as  all  Avere  over,  there  Avas  a general  halt. 

Vhe  general  now  moved  his  main  body. 

and  then  the  army  fell  into  marching  or- 

and  it  marched  across  the  two  fords  in 

der.  First  Avent  an  engineer,  three  guides 

admirable  order.  The  troops  Avere  in  full 

and  six  light-horsemen,  to  lead  the  AA^ay. 

uniform,  their  colors  Avere  flying  gayly, 

folloAved  closely  by  the  grenadiers,  and 

the  drums  Avere  beating,  and  the  fifes 

flanking-parties  distributed  along  the  edge 

playing  “ The  Grenadiers’  March.”  The 

of  the  Avood  Avhich  bounded  the  march. 

provincials  Avere  struck  Avith  admiration 

Next  came  the  Avorking-force,  under  Sir 

at  the  gallant  martial  display,  and  the 

John  St.  Clair.  Then  marched  the  main 

Avhole  line  thrilled  Avith  confident  hope 

body  Avith  Braddock  himself,  Avhile  the  un- 

of  a speedy  and  glorious  termination  to 

appreciated  Virginians  sullenly  brought 

their  long  march.  Both  passes  liaAdng 

up  the  rear. 

been  got  over  in  such  gallant  array,  Avitli- 

The  banks  of  the  riA^er  along  Avhicb 

out  any  disorder  or  interference,  they 

the  army  Avas  noAV  formed  rose  gradually 

began  to  think  that  the  enemy  Avould 

from  the  Avater  in  natural  terraces,  gen- 

not  even  venture  to  make  an  attack,  “ as 

tly  sloping  from  one  to  the  other,  until 

they  might  liaA^e  done  Avith  so  many  ad- 

suddenly  bounded  by  the  steep,  rocky 

vantages  a little  time  before.” 

wall  of  the  mountain-range.  The  ground 

“ W ashington,”  says  Irving,  “ Avith  his 

upon  Avhich  they  halted,  immediately  oi 

keen  and  youthful  relish  for  military  af- 

the  border  of  the  Monongahela,  Avhere  it 

fairs,  Avas  delighted  with  the  perfect  or- 

Avas  crossed  by  the  second  ford,  Avas  for 

der  and  equipment  of  the  troops,  so  dif- 

a fourth  of  a mile  almost  level,  Avith  an 

ferent  from  the  rough  bush-fighters  to 

open,  park-like  groAvth  of  hickory-trees 

76  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Ivart  i 

! 

i^pread  over  it,  and  clear  of  vines  and 

circular  line,  and  then  disappeared  in  an 

brushwood.  When  the  van  took  up  its 

instant.  Now  came  forth,  from  the  dark 

inarch,  however,  the  road  of  only  twelve 

ravines  about,  a terrible  volley,  by  which 

feet  in  width  soon  led  through  a forest. 

three  fourths  of  those  in  advance  were 

which  crowded  the  rising  ground  back  to 

struck  down  at  once.  The  grenadiers, 

the  hills.  On  either  side  was  a ravine. 

coming  up,  were  aghast  at  this  frightful 

and  each  so  shrouded  with  tangled  vines 

blow  from  an  unseen  enemy.  Gage,  how- 

and  spreading  trees  as  to  be  unnoticed 

ever,  awaiting  a moment  the  arrival  of 

from  the  road. 

St.  Clair  and  his  working-party  who  were 

At  two  o’clock.  Lieutenant- Colonel 

immediately  behind  him,  rallied  and  led 

Gage  had  been  ordered  to  begin  his 

his  men  on  to  meet  the  foe.  They  had 

march  with  the  advance  and  working 

hardly  advanced  a step,  when,  with  ter- 

parties,  and  continue  it  until  three.  lie 

rible  ^mlls,  came  another  volley  out  of 

had  now  proceeded  about  a quarter  of  a 

the  thick  covert  of  wood  in  front,  as  well 

mile  in  advance,  when  the  genei’al  or- 

as  on  the  right  and  the  left,  staggering 

dered  the  rest  of  his  forces  to  move. 

the  whole  force,  and  striking  down  the 

The  word  had  hardly,  however,  been 

British  grenadiers,  one  after  the  other. 

given,  when  the  sound  of  an  excessively 

with  the  rapidity  and  mystery  of  the 

qui(;k  and  heavy  firing,  coming  fi-om  the 

thunderbolts  of  heaven. 

I'arthest  front,  reached  the  ears  of  all 

True  to  discipline,  the  soldiers  fixed 

those  in  the  rear.  The  general,  at  once 

their  bayonets,  advanced,  levelled  their 

supposing  that  the  advanced  parties  were 

muskets,  and  fired,  but  fired  in  vain,  for 

very  warmly  attacked,  ordered  the  van- 

they  hardly  saAV  an  enemy,  and  merely 

guard,  eight  hundred  strong,  to  march  to 

shot  at  random  into  the  thick  forest  and 

their  relief ; and  the  rest  of  the  line,  com- 

deep  ravines,  wdrere  their  foes  were  sup- 

posed  of  some  four  hundred  only,  to  halt 

posed  to  be  lurking.  The  artillery  w'as 

and  guard  the  artillery  and  baggage. 

brought  up,  and  grape-shot  was  showmred 

Braddock  was  correct  in  his  surmise. 

about,  and  rrot  without  effect,  for  all  the 

The  advance  party  had  been  attacked. 

Indians  who  had  ventured  from  their  hi- 

and  Avarmly  too.  As  the  engineer,  fol- 

ding-place  w^ere  killed;  and  their  leader 

lowed  by  a party  of  “ hatchetr-men,”  had 

more  daring  than  the  rest,  fell  dead  at 

gone  ahead  to  make  his  survey  and  mark 

the  very  first  fire.  The  Iirdians  w^ere  now' 

out  the  route,  he  caught  a glance  of  a 

momentarily  discouraged  by  the  loss  of 

large  number  of  Indians,  led  on  appa- 

their  commander,  the  chief  w'ith  the  sil- 

rently  by  a chief  dressed  in  a gay  huntr 

ver  gorget,  w'ho  proved  to  be  De  Beau- 

ing-suit,  and  who,  from  the  silver  gorget 

jeu,  a gallant  French  officer.  They  ac- 

glistening  from  his  neck,  was  supposed 

cordingly  retreated  through  the  thicket, 

to  be  an  officer  of  rank.  With  a wave 

in  scattered  flight,  but  were  rallied  sue- 

of  their  leader’s  hat,  the  savages  scattered 

cessfully  by  the  loud  and  spirited  appeals 

to  the  right  and  left,  forming  a semi- 

of  another  young  Frenchman,  of  the  name 

- 

COLONIAL.J  THE  STRUGGLE.  77 

of  Dumas,  who  had  succeeded  to  the  com- 

When  the  general  reached  the  scene 

maud  of  Beaujeu. 

of  struggle,  he  strove  to  rally  his  panic- 

The  Indians  now  recommenced  their 

stricken  army.  He  rode  after  the  flying 

" hush”  firing,  and  with  such  certainty  of 

men,  and  fiercely  called  upon  them  to 

death  to  their  opponents  and  security  to 

stand  their  (ground  and  fimlit.  “ W e woidd 

themselves,  that  the  Iiitherto  firm  ranks 

fight,”  they  said,  “ if  we  could  see  the  ene- 

of  the  grenadiers  began  to  yield ; and  at 

my,  but  it  was  useless  to  fire  at  trees  and 

last,  finding  that  their  officers  were  fall- 

bushes,  and  we  can  not  stand  to  be  shot 

ing  rapidly,  one  after  the  other,  and  that 

down  by  an  invisible  foe.”  lie  succeed- 

their  own  fire  was  without  effect,  they 

ed  in  rallying  some  of  them,  and  strove 

fled  from  the  spot.  As  they  fell  back. 

to  form  the  men  in  small,  detached  par- 

they  were  met  by  the  vanguard,  under 

ties,  which  might  thus  gain  the  neighbor- 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Burton, who  had  been 

ing  hills  and  dislodge  the  enemy.  The 

sent  by  the  general  to  the  relief  of  the 

officers,  however,  having  been  mostly 

advance-party.  This  produced  inextrica- 

killed  or  wounded — for  the  Indians  had 

ble  confusion.  Burton  was  strivino;  to 

aimed  their  deadly  shots  first  at  them  — 

form  his  men  on  the  ground  for  an  ad- 

there  was  not  a sufficient  number  left  to 

vance,  while  the  panic-stricken  force  un- 

carry  out  this  manoeuvre.  The  general, 

der  Gage  was  trying  to  save  itself  by  a 

notwithstanding,  still  rode  madly  about. 

retreat  to  the  rear.  The  two  forces  now 

raving  at  the  cowardice  of  the  men.  lie 

became  so  mixed  together,  that  it  was 

had  had  already  four  horses  shot  under 

impossible  to  separate  them ; and,  with 

him,  and,  although  wounded,  had  mount- 

all  the  spirited  efforts  of  the  officers  to 

ed  the  fifth.  The  surviving  officers  strove 

keep  up  discipline,  there  was  nothing  but 

equally  with  their  undaunted  command- 

disorder:  and  soon,  as  the  French  and 

er-in-chief  to  form  the  ranks  and  bring 

Indians  were  still  continuing  their  dead- 

them  to  the  charge.  All,  however,  seemed 

ly  fire  from  their  hiding-places,  Burton’s 

vain.  The  officers  continued  to  come  gal- 

troops  became  as  discouraged  as  those  of 

lantly  on,  but  the  men  quailed  before  the 

Gage,  and  shared  In  the  common  panic. 

demoniac  howl  of  the  savages,  and  the  fa- 

The  general,  in  the  rear,  became  every 

tality  of  their  hidden  aim.  The  soldiers. 

moment  more  and  more  anxious,  as  the 

distracted  by  the  confusion,  either  fired 

firing  continued,  and  it  was  evident  that 

wildly  into  the  air,  or  shot  in  any  dii-ec- 

the  strimcrle  was  o:ettino:  more  serious. 

oo  o o 

tion  where  they  beheld  smoke,  thus  often 

He  first  sent  an  aid-de-camp,  to  bring 

killing  their  own  comrades  on  the  flank 

back  intelligence  of  the  nature  of  the 

O 

or  in  advance. 

attack.  Getting  impatient,  however,  he 

That  this  unequal  warfare  could  noi 

did  not  await  the  return  of  his  messen- 

last  long  was  early  foreseen  by  the  pro- 

N 

ger,  but,  leaving  the  command  of  the 

vincials;  and  Washington,  finniliar  with 

baggage  to  Sir  Peter  Halket,  galloped 

Indian  fighting,  begged  the  general  to 

forward  himself. 

let  the  men  shelter  themselves  under  the 

78  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  i 

cover  of  tlie  trees,  and  thus  Avage  an 

ington,  escaped  ; all  being  either  Avound- 

equal  battle  Avitli  tlie  enemy.  Bracldock 

ed  or  killed.  Shirley,  Braddock’s  secreta- 

wiis  so  maddened  by  the  ill  conduct  of 

ry,  Avas  shot  dead  by  a musket-ball,  Avhicb 

his  men,  or  so  wedded  to  system,  that  be 

struck  him  in  the  head.  Orme  and  Mor- 

would  not  listen  to  such  a proposal,  and 

ris,  the  tAvo  aids-de-camp,  Avere  seAmrely 

insisted  upon  bis  soldiers  keeping  the 

Avounded,  and  so  early  in  the  engage- 

ranks.  iNIoreoAmr,  AvbeneA'er  be  found  a 

mcnt,  that  the  duty  of  carrying  the  or- 

poor  fellow  covering  himself  behind  a 

ders  of  the  general  devohmd  solely  upon 

tree,  be  Avould  ride  up  to  him,  and,  stri- 

Washington,  Avhose  escape  seemed  mar- 

king  him  with  the  Hat  of  bis  sword,  and 

vellous.  He  Avas  everyAvhere,  and  ex- 

fiercely  calling  him  a coAvard,  drive  him 

posed  to  the  hottest  fire  throughout  the 

back  to  the  open  ground.  A company 

action.  He  had  tAvo  horses  shot  under 

of  Virginians,  however,  familiar  Avitb  the 

him,  and  four  bullets  passed  through  his 

Indian  warfare,  succeeded  in  gaining  the 

coat ; and  yet  he  did  not  receive  a single 

cover  of  a large  trunk  of  a felled  tree,  and 

Avound. 

thence  fired  upon  the  enemy  Avitb  excel- 

Amid  the  terrible  massacre  Avhich  Avas 

lent  effect.  The  British  soldiers,  unable 

going  on  about  him,  Braddock  himself 

in  their  fright  and  confusion  to  distih- 

remained  in  the  centre  of  the  field,  brave- 

gnish  friend  from  foe,  no  sooner  saAV  the 

ly  struggling  for  a long  time  against  fate. 

flashes  and  smoke  of  the  provincials’  fire- 

At  last,  Avhen  almost  all  his  officers  Inul 

locks,  Avhich  Avere  doing  such  good  ser- 

fallen — Avhen  nearly  tAvo  thirds  of  the 

vice,  than  they  turned  their  guns  upon 

army  had  been  slain,  and  the  rest  so 

them,  and  thus  killed  fifty  out  of  the 

panic-stricken  as  to  be  hardly  capable  of 

whole  Virginian  company  of  eighty,  and 

keeping  their  ranks,  in  formal  obedience 

forced  the  small  remnant  to  fly  for  their 

to  his  command — the  general  saAV  that 

1 iAX‘s ! 

all  Avas  lost,  and  gave  the  order  to  re- 

Everything  had  been  done  that  cour- 

treat.  The  retreat  became  at  once  a pre- 

age  could  do  by  the  officers,  hardly  one 

cipitate  flight.  ‘‘  They  ran  as  sheep  pur- 

of  Avhom  Avas  noAv  able  to  keep  the  field. 

sued  by  dogs,  and  it  Avas  impossible  to 

Sir  Peter  llalket  had  been  struck  doAvn 

rally  them.” 

soon  after  arriving  upon  the  ground ; 

Braddock  had  hardly  giv'en  the  order. 

and  his  son,  a young  subaltern,  Avas  shot 

Avhen  he  Avas  struck  Avith  a muskeVball, 

by  liis  side,  and  fell  dead  across  his  fa- 

Avhich  passed  through  his  right  arm  into 

iher’s  body.  Not  a single  one  of  the  gen- 

his  lungs.  He  fell  immediately  from  his 

oral’s  aids,  Avith  the  exception  of  Wash- 

horse  to  the  ground. 

i 

• 

r 


coLONiAL.J  THE  FLIGHT,  79 

CHAPTER  X. 

Braddock  prostrate  on  the  Field. — The  AfFectionate  Devotion  of  the  Survivinp:  Officers. — The  Panic  of  the  Soldiers  — 

Men  hribed  to  hear  awav  the  Fallen  General. — Braddock’ 

s Desponding  Courage. — Demands  his  Pistols,  and  thrcateni 

Suicide. — The  Coolness  of  Wasliiiifrton  in  Coverini;  tlie  Hetroat  across  the  Mononffahela. — Braddock  still  mindful  of 

Dutv. — Attempts  to  rally  the  Fu‘.ritivcs. — His  Failure. — Washinfrfon  sent  in  Advance  to  summon  Dunbar  to  the  Ties 
cue. — Braddock  continues  the  Kctreat,  lyine;  on  a Litter. — Kindness  of  the  Dvina;  General. — Arrival  at  Dunhar’.a 

Camp. — Its  Disorder. — Last  Words,  Death,  and  Buria 

, of  Braddock. — A Betrospect. — The  Ficiicli  at  Foit  Du 

Qaesne — The  Works  at  the  Fort. — The  Despair  of  Contrecceur. — The  Darinr;  l’ro|iosition  of  a Subaltern. — De  Beau- 

jeu  and  his  Indian  Allies. — De  Beaujeu’s  Ktfective  Appe 

al. — The  Cruelty  of  the  Conquerors. — A Scene  of  Fcroi  ious 

Barharitv. — Dunhar’s  Frijjht  and  Pell-mell  Flight. — Whr 

t he  did  do,  and  what  he  might  have  done. — Preparations  in 

Philadelphia  for  the  Celehration  of  the  Expected  Yietorv  of  Braddock. — Franklin’s  Wet  Blanket. — News  of  the  Defeat, 
and  its  Effect  upon  the  Philadelphians. — Shirley  and  Fort  Niagara. 

In  the  i>;enera],  helter-skelter 

1755.  . . 

flight  which  succeeded  the  order 

his  services.  They  at  last  succeeded,  by 
the  assistance  of  some  servants  attached 

to  retreat,  the  wounded  Braddock  lay 

to  the  army,  who  were  bribed  by  a guin- 

upon  the  ground,  abandoned  by  all  but 

ea  and  a bottle  of  rum  to  each,  in  placing 

those  few  of  his  officers  who  were  still 

the  helpless  Braddock  in  a tumbril,  and 

alive  and  yet  able,  in  spite  of  their 

thus  l)ore  him  off  the  field.  The  general, 

wounds,  to  bestow  upon  him  their  atfec- 

however,  at  first  refused  to  be  carried 

tionate  and  faithful  services.  Ilis  aid-de- 

away,  declaring  that  he  wi.shed  to  be  leli. 

camp  Orme,  though  disabled,  succeeded 

on  the  spot  where  he  had  fallen.  He 

in  reaching  the  side  of  his  fillen  general. 

even  became  impatient  of  the  death 

and  called  upon  the  flying  soldiers  to 

which  was  fiist  coming,  and  begged  the 

come  to  his  aid  and  bear  him  from  the 

pistols  of  a bystander,  that  he  might 

field.  He  ordered;  he  urged;  he  begged; 

thus,  like  an  ancient  Roman,  put  an  end, 

he  finally  strove  to  brilie,  with  a purse 

by  suicide,  to  the  torturing  reflections  of 

of  gold,  .!:e  pnnic-stricken  fugitives,  but 

a de.spairing  courage. 

in  vain : they  continued  their  flight — 

The  retreat  continued  ; the  British  sol- 

throwing  away  their  arms  and  ammuni- 

diers  flying  in  confused  fright,  and  the 

tion,  and  even  their  clothes,  to  escape 

Indians  following  after,  howling  in  fierce 

the  faster  from  the  deadly  aim  and  the 

pursuit,  and  only  ceasing  their  deadly 

ruthless  tomahawk  of  their  savage  ene- 

fire  when  they  stopped  to  scalp  some 

my. 

prostrate  fugitive.  The  retreat  was  thus 

Orme  was  almost  in  despair  for  the 

harassed  to  the  bank  of  the  Monongahela 

salety  of  his  general,  when  Captain  Stew- 

river,  which,  however,  ivas  crossed  Avitli 

art,  the  commander  of  the  Virginia  light- 

mitigated  suffering,  thanks  to  the  cool- 

horse,  came  up,  and,  sharing  with  the 

ness  of  Washington,  wdio  succeeded  in 

young  aid-de-camp  his  kind  and  devoted 

rallying  a small  force  of  men,  sufficient 

sympathy  for  their  wounded  chief, otiered 

to  keep  at  bay  the  pursuing  savages. 

1 

80  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i. 

while  the  remnant  of  the  troops  were 

ney.  He  had  left  the  field  at  five  o’clock 

hurriedly  crossing  the  ford. 

in  the  afternoon,  and  the  shades  of  even 

When  about  a quarter  of  a mile  on 

ing  began  now  to  fall.  He  travelled 

the  other  side  of  the  Monongahcla,  al- 

slowly  on,  with  the  darkness  of  night 

though  most  of  the  soldiers  still  eontin- 

gathering,  to  throw  an  added  gloom  upon 

ued  their  llight,  Braddock  succeeded  in 

his  saddened  heart. 

brin^ino;  to  a halt  about  a hundred  men. 

On  crossing  the  second  ford  of  the 

The  general,  though  his  life  was  ebbing 

Monongahcla,  Braddock  was  joined  by 

fast,  and  though  his  pride  had  been  so 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Gage,  who  had  sue- 

mortally  wounded  by  the  disgrace  of  the 

ceeded  in  rallying  some  eighty  men,  who 

day,  did  not  lose  his  sense  of  duty.  He 

now  offered  themselves  as  a timely  escort 

still,  though  prostrate  under  the  hands 

to  the  dying  general  and  his  wounded 

- of  the  surgeon,  gave  his  orders, and  strove 

officers.  Thus  reinforced,  they  marched 

to  hold  the  position  -where  he  was  until 

all  that  night  and  the  next  day  until  ten 

he  might  be  reinforced  by  Dunbar,  with 

o’clock  in  the  evening, when  they  reached 

the  hope  of  yet  revenging  himself  for 

Gist’s  Plantation.  Here  they  found  a 

the  defeat  he  had  suffered  from  the  en- 

timely  supply  of  wagons,  provisions,  and 

emy. 

hospital-stores,  which  had  been  brought 

Washington  was  sent  accordingly  to 

on  from  Dunbar’s  camp  by  Washington, 

Dunljar,  with  orders  for  that  officer  to 

who,  having  fulfilled  his  commission,  wa. 

hasten  on  immediately  with  his  troops. 

now  on  his  return  to  meet  the  gener- 

Braddock  in  the  meantime  moved  his 

al.  After  a slight  halt  for  refreshment 

few  men  to  an  advantageous  spot  about 

at  Gist’s  Plantation,  they  all  proceeded 

two  hundred  yards  from  the  road.  Small 

to  Dunbar’s  camp,  some  thiideen  miles 

parties  and  sentinels  were  then  posted 

distant.  The  first  thing  done  by  Brad- 

about,  and  it  was  intended  to  keep  pos- 

dock,  on  arriving  there,  was  to  send  a 

session  of  that  ground  until  the  arrival 

sergeant’s  party  back  with  provisions,  to 

of  Dunbar.  All  the  men,  however,  be- 

be  left  on  the  road  from  the  Mononga- 

fore  they  had  been  there  an  hour,  ran 

hela,  for  any  stragglers  who  might  have 

off,  leaving  the  general  and  his  wounded 

lost  their  way  on  the  route.  It  is  pleas- 

officers,  with  none  but  a small  remnant 

ing  to  record  this  proof  of  a kindly  im- 

of  the  vaimuard.  It  was  of  course  use- 

O 

pulse  on  the  part  of  a man  who,  like 

less,  after  this  desertion,  for  Braddock  to 

Braddock,  was  so  often  accused  of  bru 

remain;  and,  trying  at  first  to  mount  a 

tality. 

horse,  but  finding  himself  unable  from 

At  Dunbar’s  camp  all  was  disobedience 

his  increasing  weakness,  he  was  obliged 

and  confusion.  Many  of  those,  princi 

to  lie  carried  on  a litter.  Borne  thus. 

pally  the  Pennsylvania  wagoners,  who 

and  accompanied  Ijy  Orme  and  Morris, 

had  lied  from  the  fatal  field  without  ceas- 

his  woumled  aids-de-camp,  on  litters  like 

ing  a moment  their  flight,  had  come  in 

himself,  the  general  began  his  sad  jour- 

here,  with  the  sad  tidings  of  the  defeat, 

K 

JULONIAL.J 


DEATH  OF  DRADDOCK. 


81 


which  they  hurried  to  communicate  in 
despairing  cries,  exclaiming,  “All  is  lost! 
Braddock  is  killed!  Wounded  officers 
have  been  borne  off  from  the  field  in 
bloody  sheets ! The  troops  are  all  cut 
to  pieces !”  Dunbar’s  camp  itself  became 
infected  with  the  panic,  and  many  of  his 
men  had  run  away,  Avhile  those  who  were 
left  seemed  to  have  forgotten  all  disci- 
pline. The  presence  of  the  general  se- 
cured a little  more  order  in  the  camp, 
and  he  had  still  hoped  so  far  to  reassure 
his  troops  as  to  be  able  to  march  them 
again  toward  Fort  Du  Quesne.  Finding, 
however,  Dunbar  and  his  men  in  a con- 
dition of  hopeless  disaffection  and  disor- 
der from  fright,  the  dying  Braddock  re- 
solved to  give  up  all  hope  of  redeeming 
the  disgrace  of  the  fatal  defeat,  and  sadly 
but  firmly  from  his  camp-bed,  where  he 
lay  prostrate,  ordered  the  troops  to  retire 
to  the  seaboard.  The  military  stores  Avere 
noAV  destroyed,  much  of  the  artillery  Avas 
buried,  the  Avagons  burned,  the  poAvder- 
casks  stove  in,  and  the  poAvder  emptied 
into  a spring  of  Avater.  Nothing  Avas  pre- 
served but  Avhat  Avas  actually  Avanted  for 
the  march. 

Braddock  lingered  on,  though  groAving 
Aveaker  and  Aveaker.  His  heart  seemed 
to  give  way  before  his  life-blood  ceased 
to  run ; and  he  Avas  heard  to  utter,  in 
accents  of  despair,  “AVho  Avould  have 
thought  it!”  He,  hoAvever,  occasionally 
rallied  in  spirits,  and  exclaimed,  Avith  a 
gleam  of  ho])e,  “We  shall  better  know 
how  to  deal  Avith  them  another  time.” 

July  13  march  having  been  be- 

gun, the  troops  succeeded  in 
reaching  Great  MeadoAvs  in  tolerable  or- 


der, the  general  and  his  wounded  ofiicers 
having  been  conveyed  to  that  place  on 
litters  borne  by  horses.  A halt  had  hard- 
ly been  ordered,  and  the  prostrate  Brad- 
dock borne  to  his  tent,  when  the  brave 
but  unfortunate  general  died.  He,  Iioaa"- 
ever,  retained  his  self-pos8ession  to  the 
last,  and  availed  himself  of  the  feAV  re- 
maining moments  of  his  life  to  thank 
those  Avho  Avere  about  him,  and  Avho  had 
been  devotedly  kind  and  faithful  to  him 
during  the  struggle  on  the  battle-field, 
as  Avell  as  in  the  agony  of  death.  Wash- 
ington he  particularly  signalled  out,  ask- 
ing his  forgiveness  for  his  irritable  tem- 
per toAvard  him,  and,  to  prove  his  grati- 
tude for  the  young  Virginian’s  fidelity 
and  friendship,  left  him  his  fixvorite  horse 
and  his  negro-seiwant  Bishop. 

The  last  sad  duty  to  the  remains  of 
the  general  Avas  paid,  in  consequence  of 
the  chaplain  being  Avounded,  by  Wash- 
ington, Avho  read  the  funeral-service  over 
the  grave.  The  burial  Avas  conducted 
Avith  the  greatest  reverence,  although  the 
usual  drum-beat  and  the  A'olley  of  guns 
Avere  omitted,  for  fear  that  the  Avatchful- 
ness  of  some  lurking  savages  in  the  nei^h- 
borhood  might  be  aroused,  and  that  they 
might  thus  seek  out  the  spot  and  dese- 
crate the  last  resting-place  of  the  unfor- 
tunate Braddock.  “ WhatcA-er  may  have 
been  his  faults  and  errors,”  says  Irving, 
“ he  in  a manner  expiated  them  by  the 
hardest  lot  that  can  befall  a braA^e  sol- 
dier, ambitious  of  renoAvn — an  uuiioii- 
ored  grave  in  a strange  land  ; a memory 
clouded  by  misfortune ; and  a name  lor 
ever  coupled  Avith  defeat.” 

Let  us  noAV  tuni  back,  in  re<>:ard  to 


1) 


52  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  lpaut  i 


time,  and  observe  the  condition  and  con- 
duct of  the  enemy  when  anticipating  the 
approach  of  the  English  on  that  expedi- 
tion against  Fort  Du  Quesne  which  re- 
sulted in  the  disastrous  defeat  we  have 
just  recorded. 

The  French  fort,  which  was  situated  on 
the  triangular  piece  of  land  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Monono-ahela  with  the  Alle- 

O 

ghany,  had  been  tolerably  well  construct 
ed,  and  was,  with  a strong  garrison,  able 
to  endure  a long  and  vigorous  siege.  It 
was  well  protected  on  one  side,  and  nab 
urally,  by  the  river  Monongahela,  on  the 
eastern  bank  of  which  it  stood ; and  its 
more  exposed  points,  facing  the  land, 
were  fortified  with  bastions  built  up  of 
great  logs  to  the  height  of  a dozen  feet, 
and  filled  in  with  firmly-packed  earth 
and  sod.  These  bastions  were  joined  by 
a strong  stockade  of  piles  driven  deep 
into  the  ground,  and  fenced  with  thick, 
transverse  poles,  between  which  inter- 
stices were  left  for  loopholes  for  cannon 
and  muskets.  A ditch,  with  a stockade 
to  support  it,  surrounded  the  whole  on 
the  land-side.  The  inner  part  of  the  fort, 
containing  the  magazines  and  the  officers’ 
and  men’s  quarters,  was  made  of  heavy 
logs ; and  its  walls  were  so  deeply  laid 
down  in  the  ground,  that  the  earth  al- 
most reached  the  top.  The  roof,  which 
was  the  only  part  exposed,  was  thickly 
covered  with  clay.  The  whole  fortifica- 
tion was  deemed  so  strong  as  to  be  only 
pregnable  to  hot  shot  or  bombs  thrown 
upon  it  from  the  neighboring  hills;  and 
here  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  after  his  prelimi- 
nary survey,  had  proposed  to  Braddock 
to  mount  his  artillery,  and  thence  direct 


his  attack — a plan  which,  it  is  supposed, 
had  obtaine(I  the  concurrence  of  the  gen- 
eral. 

During  the  spring  of  1755,  at  the  time 
when  Braddock’s  forces  were  originally 
intended  to  have  reached  Fort  Du  Quesne, 
Contrecoeur,  who  was  in  command,  had 
only  two  hundred  men,  including  French 
and  Indians,  to  garrison  the  place.  Ee- 
inforcementswere  urgently  solicited  from 
Canada;  and, although  there  were  rumors 
which  had  reached  the  English  camp  that 
a large  force  was  on  its  march  to  strength 
en  the  garrison,  none  had  arrived  when 
Braddock  approached. 

As  the  English  drew  near,  and  no  word 
came  of  aid  from  Canada,  Contrecoeur  sc 
far  despaired  of  defending  himself,  that 
he  had  almost  made  up  his  mind  to  sui 
render  without  striking  a blow.  He  had, 
in  fact,  prepared  the  solitary  gun,  t^ 
march  out  with,  on  his  being  granted  — 
which  was  evidently  intended  to  be  tin 
extent  of  his  demand — the  honors  of  war 
on  capitulation.  Contrecoeur  had  been 
kept  well  informed  of  all  the  particulars 
of  Braddock’s  march  by  means  of  the  In- 
dians in  the  French  interest,  who  were 
constantly  skulking  about  the  British 
line ; and  it  was  not  until  the  8th  of  July, 
when  an  Indian  scout  brought  in  word 
that  the  army  was  about  to  ford  the  Mo- 
nongahela, that  there  was  entertained  the 
least  hope  of  successful  opposition.  It 
was  at  this  time  that  De  Beaujeu,  a young 
and  spirited  French  officer,  proposed  to 
prepare  an  ambuscade,  by  which  he  might 
surprise  the  English  forces,  and  atteirpt 
to  stop  their  progress  as  they  recros,^  ed 
the  second  ford  of  the  Monongahela 


( oi.o.viAL.j  FRENCH  BARBARITY  Sr 

The  old  French  commander  shrugged 

the  fourteen  hundred  and  sixty  English. 

his  shoulders  doubtinglj  as  he  listened 

four  hundred  and  fifty-six  were  killed. 

to  his  youthful  subaltern’s  hazardous  pro- 

and  four  hundred  and  twenty-one  wound- 

[)Osal.  He  was,  however,  so  far  won  over 

ed ; giving  a total  of  eight  hundred  an 

by  the  urgent  enthusiasm  of  the  young 

seventy-seven,  of  whom  sixty-three  were 

officer,  that  he  consented,  provided  he 

officers.  The  French  only  had  three  of- 

could  get  volunteers  for  his  rash  enter- 

ficers  killed  and  four  wounded,  and  lost 

prise.  De  Beaujeu  took  his  commander 

besides  some  score  of  Indians  and  sol- 

at  his  word,  and  submitted  the  plan  to 

diers.  Everything  in  the  way  of  baggage 

the  garrison.  The  whole,  to  a man,  im- 

had  been  lost  by  the  English,  even  to 

mediately  declared  themselves  ready  to 

their  personal  clothing.  Artillery,  cattle. 

join  him. 

provisions,military  treasure  amounting  to 

The  Indians,  however,  were  more  back- 

more  than  a hundred  thousand  dollars, 

ward,  and  said  to  young  Beaujeu,  taunt- 

and  all  the  private  letters  and  des])atches 

ingly,  after  he  had  laid  before  them  his 

contained  in  Braddock’s  chest,  fell  into 

plans : “We  are  only  eight  hundred  men. 

the  hands  of  the  French. 

and  you  ask  us  to  attack  four  thousand 

The  conquerors  shamed  the  chivalry 

English  !”  They  then*  told  him  plainly 

of  their  country,  and  their  own  fame,  by 

that  what  he  had  said  showed  he  had  no 

permitting  the  Indians  to  glut  their  sav- 

sense.  They  promised,  however,  to  sleep 

age  instincts,  in  the  torture  of  the  Eng 

over  the  proposition  for  a night,  and  give 

lish  prisoners.  Contrecoeurand  his  French 

in  their  final  answer  next  morning.  Ac- 

garrison  are  described  as  having  looked 

cordingly,  on  the  succeeding  day,  at  an 

from  the  bastions  of  the  fort,  if  not  un- 

early  hour,  De  Beaujeu  started  out  with 

moved,  still  Avithout  interference,  upon  a 

a handful  of  French,  and,  arousing  the 

terrific  scene,  Avhich  an  observer,  has  de- 

Indians,  asked  them  whether  they  were 

scribed  as  if  “ Hell  had  given  a holiday, 

ready  to  go.  They  answered  him  with 

and  turned  loose  its  inhabitants  upon  the 

a very  decided  negative.  Beaujeu,  who 

upper  Avorld  !”  Here  is  the  spectacle. 

was  prompt  in  an  emergency,  and  ready- 

with  all  its  details  of  horror  elaborately 

witted,  then  exclaimed : “ I shall  go  out 

wrought  up  by  the  fervid  pen  of  an  an- 

myself  against  the  enemy;  I’m  sure  of 

nalist  — 

victory ! Will  you  allow  your  father  to 

“An  hour  before  sunset,  the  French 

go  out  alone  ?”  They  then,  with  one  ac- 

and  Indians,  returning  to  the  fort,  halted 

cord,  answered  the  implied  rebuke  with 

Avithin  a mile’s  distance,  and  announced 

a burst  of  enthusiastic  devotion  to  their 

their  success  by  a joyful  uproar,  discharg- 

leader,  and  expressed  their  willingness  to 

ing  all  their  pieces,  and  giving  the  scalp 

fidlow  him.  We  know  the  result,  so  fa- 

halloo.  Instantly  the  great  guns  respond- 

tal  to  Braddock  and  the  English,  and  so 

ed,  and  the  hills  around  re-echoed  to  their 

successful  to  the  French,though  it  brought 
death  to  the  gallant  De  Beaujeu.  Out  of 

* The  History  of  an  Expedition  against  Fort  Du  Quesne 
&c.,  by  Winthrop  Sargent,  M.  A.  Philadelphia,  1855. 

1 

84  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  ^part  i 

I 

roar.  Pushing  hastily  on,  the  majority  of 

ite  tortures.  His  trunk  was  seared  with 

the  savages  soon  appeared,  blood-stained 

red-hot  gun-barrels ; blazing  brands  were 

and  laden  with  scalps,  and  unconthly  ar- 

thrust  into  his  mouth  and  nostrils ; boil 

rayed  in  the  spoils  of  the  army.  Tall 

ing  whi.skey  was  poured  in  flames  down 

grenadiers’  caps  surmounted  their  paintr 

his  throat ; and  deep  gashes  made  in  his 

ed  faces,  and  the  regimental  colors  trailed 

body,  to  receive  burning  coals.  His  eye- 

disgracefully  at  their  heels.  With  less 

balls  Avere  gradually  consumed  by  the 

di.sordered  pace  the  French  succeeded,  es- 

thrusts  of  pointed  sticks  or  the  applica- 

corting  a long  train  of  pack-horses  borne 

tion  of  a heated  ramrod ; and  the  Avarrior 

down  with  plunder.  Last  of  all,  and 

Avas  prized  the  most  highly  Avho  could 

while  the  parting  light  of  day  lingered 

farthest  prolong  sensibility  in  his  prey, 

on  the  beautiful  bosom  of  the  Ohio,  ap- 

and  extract  a reneAAud  cry  of  anguish 

peared  a small  party  who  had  dallied  be- 

from  the  Avretch  Avho  had  almost  ceased 

hind  to  make  the  needful  preparations 

to  sufler — ‘ his  Aveary  soul  hanging  upon 

for  the  crowning  scene  of  horror.  Before 

his  trembling  lips — Avilling  to  take  its 

them, stripped  perfectly  naked,  their  faces 

leave,  but  not  suffered  to  depart !’  The 

blackened  and  their  hands  bound  behind 

last  expedient  was  generally  to  scalp  the 

their  hacks,  with  reluctant  steps  were 

poor  creature,  and  on  his  bare,  palpita- 

driven  twelve  British  regulars,  on  whom 

ting  brain,  flash  gunpoAvder  or  throAV  a 

God’s  sun  had  shone  for  the  last  time. 

handful  of  live  embers ! . . . . The  horrors 

“ Delirious  with  excitement,  their  bar- 

of  this  night  endured  till  daAvn.” 

barons  conquerors  could  hardly  wait  for 

After  Braddock’s  death.  Colonel  Dnn- 

the  tardy  night,  to  consummate  their  un- 

bar,  Avho  had  succeeded  to  the  chief  com 

hallowed  joy.  A stake  was  at  once  sunk 

mand,  seemed  to  have  lost  all  self-posses- 

on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  Alleghany, 

sion,  and,  Avithout  regard  to  duty  or  to 

whither  the  crew  repaired  ; the  prisoners 

the  consequences  of  its  neglect,  began 

lost  in  dumb  sorrow  at  the  surprising  fate 

and  continued  one  of  the  most  disgrace- 

which  they  now  began  to  comprehend. 

ful  retreats  on  record.  If  he  had  made 

Here,  one  by  one,  they  were  given  to 

a stand  upon  the  frontier,  and  reassured 

the  most  cruel  and  lingering  of  deaths. 

his  troop.s,  it  Avould  not  have  been  difli- 

Bound  to  the  post  under  the  eyes  of  their 

cult,  Avith  reinforcements  from  the  prov 

remainino;  comrades  and  of  the  French 

inces,  to  have  again  marched  upon  Fort 

garrison,  who  crowded  the  ramparts  to 

Du  Quesne ; and  probably,  AA'ith  the  ben- 

behold  the  scene,  they  were  slowly  roasL 

efit  of  the  experience  of  Braddock’s  dis- 

ed  alive ! Coals  from  an  adjacent  fire 

astrons  faults,  the  English  Avould  have 

were  first  apjdied  to  various  parts  of  the 

struck  a successful  bloAV,  as  the  enemy. 

victim’s  person.  Sharp  splinters  of  light. 

though  cheered  by  their  unexpected  vie- 

dry  pine-wood  were  thrust  into  his  flesh. 

tory,  Avere  aAvaiting  in  timid  anxiety  an- 

and  ignited,  to  consume  and  crackle  be- 

other  attack,  against  AAdiich  they  Avere  ill 

neath  the  skin,  causing  the  most  exquis- 

prepared.  Dunbar  himself,  hoAA^ever,  Avas 

— . _ _ 

coi.oNiAL.j  THE  EFFECT  OF  BRADDOCK’S  DISASTER.  8c 


pcanic-stricken,  and  had  no  control  over 
Ills  men.  lie  was  despised  by  his  own 
soldiers  for  his  cowardice ; and,  as  they 
neither  feared  nor  respected,  they  would 
not  obey  him.  The  consequences  showed 
themselves  in  the  retreat,  in  which  the 
soldiers,  loosened  from  all  control,  wan- 
dered at  their  will  over  the  country,  and 
devastated  it  with  a wantonness  which 
left  its  inhabitants  nothin <2;  to  dread  from 
an  enemy. 

The  provinces  were  not  prepared  to 
hear  of  Braddock’s  defeat.  They  were, 
in  fact,  so  confident  of  victory,  that  in 
Philadelphia  they  had  begun  to  prejiare 
for  its  celebration.  The  preliminary  sub- 
scription had  even  begun  to  circulate, 
when  the  shrewd  Franklin  threw  the  wet 
blanket  of  his  prudence  upon  the  scheme, 
and  effectually  put  out  the  kindling  en- 
l husiasm  of  his  fellow-citizens.  “ I looked 
grave,”  Franklin  writes,  in  his  own  ac- 
count of  the  premature  affair,  “and  said 
it  would,  I thought,  be  time  enough  to 
prepare  the  rejoicing  when  we  knew  we 
should  have  occasion  to  rejoice.  They 
seemed  surprised  that  I did  not  immedi- 
ately comply  with  their  proposal.  ‘ Why, 
the  devil !’  said  one  of  them,  ‘ you  surely 
do  n’t  suppose  that  the  fort  will  not  be 
taken?’ — ‘I  don’t  know  that  it  will  not 
be  taken  ; but  I know  that  the  events  of 
war  are  subject  to  great  uncertainty.’  ” 

Governor  Morris,  who,  while  on  the 
frontier,  supervising  the  construction  of 
I he  Pennsylvania  road,  had  learned  the 
melancholy  news,  hastened  to  Philadel- 
[)hla  to  carry  it,  but  on  his  arrival  was 
insulted  for  venturino;  to  o:ive  out  tliat 
tloneral  Braddock  was  defeated ! The 


people  began,  however,  to  suspect  the 
truth  when  the  frightened  fugitives  came 
in,  one  after  another,  and  told  with  trem- 
bling lips  the  story  of  the  disaster.  And 
yet  they  were  not  finally  persuaded  of 
the  fact  until  Braddock’s  own  messeimers 

O 

passed  from  post  to  post,  from  tavern  to 
tavern, from  “ The  Whip”  to  the  “ Indian 
Queen,”  with  that  open  letter,  which  au- 
thoritatively published  the  catastrophe. 

Dunbar  himself  finally  came  in  with 
his  fifteen  hundred  men,  and  took  up  his 
winter-qnarters  in  Philadelphia  in  mid- 
summer, where  we  hear  of  him  and  his 
gallant  officers  getting  up  a military  l)all, 
to  do  honor  to  the  beauty  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania dames. 

Smollett  has  truly  said  of  the  French 
success  and  of  the  English  retreat:  “ On 
the  whole,  this  was  perhaps  the  most  ex 
traordinary  victory  that  ever  was  ob- 
tained, and  the  farthest  flight  that  ever 
was  made.” 

The  effect  of  Braddock’s  unfortunate 
campaign  was  something  far  greater  than 
the  loss  of  a battle,  with  its  waste  of  life 
and  treasure.  It  so  weakened  the  tie 
between  the  colonies  and  mother-coun- 
try, that  it  finally  gave  way  in  the  Amer- 
ican Revolution.  The  provinces  now  no 
longer  trusted  to  the  courage  and  skill 
of  British  regulars,  and  had  learned  to 
confide  in  the  strength  of  their  own 
forces,  which  had  shown  themselves  so 
much  superior  as  allies,  that  they  had  nc 
reason  to  dread  the  possible  position  of 
enemies.  The  British  contempt  for  tlw 
provincial  militiaman  had  been  proved 
to  be  so  little  merited,  that  the  Ameri 
can,  no  longer  humbled,  became  assured 


^0  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  1 paut 

of  his  own  power;  while  his  pride,  in- 


flamed by  the  humiliating  treatment  it 
had  received,  burned  to  vindicate  itself 
against  those  who  had  wantonly  offend- 
ed it. 

Shirley,  of  Massachusetts,  one  of  the 
most  energetic  and  able  of  the  provincial 
governors,  had  the  command  of  the  ex- 
pedition ordered  for  the  reduction  of  Fort 
Niagara.  His  force  consisted  principally 
of  the  two  provincial  regiments  of  New 
England  known  as  those  of  Shirley  and 
Pepperell,  both  of  whom  had  been  made 
British  colonels,  in  reward  for  their  ser- 
vices in  the  conquest  of  Louisburg.  This 
energetic  commander  had  reached  Alba- 
ny, and  was  preparing  to  move  on  to  Os- 
wmgo,  wdien  the  news  of  Braddock’s  mis- 
fortune reached  him,  and  struck  a panic 
to  the  hearts  of  his  men.  Many  of  his 
troops  deserted  him,  and  all  the  native 
Imatmen  and  fur-hunters  whom  he  had 
en«:a2:ed  to  man  his  batteaux  for  the  con- 
veyance  of  his  force  and  its  supplies  west- 
ward, fled  away,  and  could  not  be  pre- 


vailed upon  to  return.  Shirley,  however 
with  the  remnant  left  him,  boldlj^  pushed 
on,  and,  being  reinforced  by  a detach- 
ment of  Royal  artillery  spared  him  from 
the  troops  disheartened  by  the  defeat  of 
Braddock  and  the  inglorious  retreat  of 

Dunl^ar,  reached  Oswesro,  with 

1 r.  . Aug.  IS. 

some  liope  of  a successful  at- 
tempt on  Niagara.  At  Oswego,  on  the 
southeast  side  of  Lake  Ontario,  there  was 
a fortified  trading-post  in  the  English  in- 
terest. Here  it  was  hoped  to  obtain  a 
large  accession  of  Indians ; but  these  wa- 
ry savages,  having  heard  of  the  French 
success  on  tlie  Monongahela,  were  not 
disposed  to  join  those  whom  they  be- 
lieved to  belong  to  the  weaker  party. 
Deprived  of  this  Indian  aid,  and  finding 
the  season  advanced  and  provisions  scan- 
ty, Shirley  was  forced  to  return  from  Os 
Avego,  Avithout  proceeding  to  Niagara, 
He,  hoAvever,  strens'thencd  the  OsAvego 
fort,  and  left  a garrison  of  seA^en  hundred 
men,  under  Mercer,  for  its  more  effectual 
protection  against  the  French. 


r 

■ 

coi.oNiAL.j  COLONIAL  WILLIAM  JOHNSON.  --  87 

CIIAPTEE  XI. 

Jolonel  William  Johnson  at  Crown  Point. — Johnson’s  Career,  Character,  Majjnificcnce,  and  la/iaonce  npon  his  Saviifit 

Dependants. — Ilis  Baronial  Hall  and  its  Guests. — Partial  Siktcss  at  Lake  George — Surprise. — itepulse  of  the  French. 

-Great  Rewards  and  Small  Deeds. — Joiinson  made  a Baronet. — An  Indian  in  London. — One  Shilling  Each  Person. — 

A S|)irit('(l  Suhaltern. — The  Easy  Triumph  in  Acadia. — 

A Garden  turned  into  a Desert. — Tne  Energy  of  the  FrcncI'.. 

— Tlie  Gallant  Bradstrcct. — His  Desperate  hut  Successful  Ex|)cdition  to  Oswego. — The  Pertinacious  Resistance  of  the 
French. — The  British  Government  making  a more  Vigorous  Demonstration. — The  Earl  of  Loudoun’s  Appointment. 

•Grand  I’rcparaiious. — Major-General  Abercromhie  arrives  in  Advance. — Does  nothing. — The  Earl  of  Loudoun  ar- 
rives, and  does  likewise. — British  Contempt  of  Colonial  Troops. — The  French  make  Great  Preparations. — The  Mar- 
quis de  Montcalm. — His  Life  and  Character. — His  Heroism  at  Exillcs. — Montcalm’s  Energy. — A Winter  Attack  on 

Fort  Ontario. — Victory. — Canadian  Exultation. — “ Bring  Lilies  with  Full  Hands.” — The  English  in  Despair. — Inao- 

tivity  of  Lord  Loudoun  — The  Massacre  at  Kittanang. 

Colonel  William  Johnson  cominaiided 

tensions  to  manly  strength  and  beauty. 

f.he  third  expedition.  This  set  out  to  at- 

He  was,  moreover,  so  cool,  that  he  never 

tack  the  French  fort  at  Crown  Point,  on 

seemed  to  lose  his  self-posse.ssion ; and. 

Lake  Champlain.  Johnson  was  selected, 

although  ordinarily  a man  of  few  words, 

not  from  any  proof  he  had  given  of  mili- 

yet,  Avhen  the  occasion  prompted,  he  wa^; 

tary  skill,  but  in  consequence  of  the  won- 

fervid  and  even  eloquent  in  speech.  He 

derful  influence  he  was  known  to  possess 

was  fond,  too,  of  the  exciting  dangers  of 

over  the  Indians.  Having  been  early  in- 

the  chase.  He  excelled  as  a marksman. 

duced  to  leave  his  native  Ireland  by  his 

Avith  his  rifle  ; Avhile,  incapable  of  fatigue. 

uncle.  Admiral  Warren,  who  had  large 

he  could  folloAV  the  game  Avith  as  long 

possessions  in  the  western  part  of  the 

and  untiring  an  endurance  as  that  of  the 

province  of  New  York,  and  who  wished 

most  practised  natHe  hunter.  The  In 

him  to  tnke  charge  of  them,  the  young 

dians  found,  in  these  characteristics  of  the 

Irishman  came  over  to  America.  His 

young  Irishman,  so  much  that  Avas  con- 

home  was  now  fixed  on  the  banks  of  the 

genial  to  their  oaa’u  nature,  that  thev 

Mohawk,  then  almost  a wilderness,  with 

readily  Avelcomed  Johnson  among  them 

no  inhabitants  but  the  roaming  Indians. 

as  one  of  themselves.  His  poAvers  of  com- 

Johnson  became  fond  of  this  wild  life. 

mand  soon  effected  the  rest ; and,  from 

and  sought  to  share  with  his  savage 

appreciation  of  him  as  a companion,  came 

neighbors  iji  their  untrammelled  habits. 

naturally  admiration  of  his  superior  na- 

His  personal  appearance  — as  he  was 

ture,  and  a ready  subjection  to  his  Avill. 

tall,  well-proportioned,  and  posse.ssed  of 

With  a lingering  attachment,  in  spite 

a handsome  face,  Avith  an  expression  of 

of  his  love  of  a foresblife,  for  the  luxu 

calm  dignity  such  as  belongs  to  those 

ries  and  comforts  of  civilization,  he  Imilt 

born  to  command  — commended  him  at 

on  the  banks  of  the  MohaAA’k  tAA’o  spa- 

once  to  Indian  admiration,  wdiich  is  free- 

cions  mansions,  knoAvn  as  his  castle  and 

h’  extended  to  those  who  can  claim  pre- 

his  hall.  In  the  former  he  shut  himsell 

1 

68  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pakt  i. 

Lip  in  the  winter,  and  the  latter  was  liis 

borders  of  a lake,  to  which  he  gives  the 

summer  residence.  Here  he  received  all 

name  of  his  sovereign,  and  which  has  ever 

British  officers  or  adventurous  travellers 

since  been  knoAvn  as  Lake  George. 

whom  luty  or  love  of  travel  had  brought 

Bancroft,  with  his  usual  artistic  skill, 

there,  and  entertained  them  with  the  free 

paints  a picture  of  the  scene  thus : ‘‘  The 

hospitality  of  an  old  English  baronial  hall. 

lake  protects  him  on  the  north ; his  flanks 

Here,  too,  the  Indians  came  in  tribes ; and 

are  covered  by  a thick  wood  and  a swamp. 

five  hundred  of  them  have  been  known 

The  tents  of  the  husbandmen  and  me- 

to  be  welcomed  by  him  to  the  profuse 

chanics,  who  form  his  summer  army,  are 

conviviality  of  the  hall  by  day,  and  to 

spread  on  a rising  ground ; but  no  forth 

have  thrown  themselves  at  night  on  the 

fications  are  raised,  nor  is  even  a trench 

ground,  with  their  liberal  host  in  their 

thrown  up.  On  week-days,  the  men,  ac- 

midst,  and  thus  have  slept  over  the  effects 

customed  to  freedom,  saunter  to  and  fro 

of  the  carouse.  Johnson  had  won  such 

in  idleness ; or  some,  weary  of  inaction, 

an  influence  over  the  Indian.s,  that  he 

are  ready  to  mutiny  and  go  home.  On 

never  feared,  though  the  only  white  man 

Sunday,  all  come  forth  and  collect  in  the 

present,  thus  to  trust  himself  unguarded 

groves  for  the  worship  of  God ; three  him- 

to  his  savage  neighbors.  With  the  Five 

dred  men,  also,  regularly  enlisted  under 

Nations  he  ruled  almost  supreme  ; and 

the  English  flag,  and  paid  from  the  Eng- 

now  that  he  was  called  upon  to  do  ser- 

lish  treasury,  seat  themselves  on  the  hil 

vice  for  his  country,  Hendrik,  a Mohawk 

lock,  and,  while  the  light  of  a summer’ 

chief,  followed  him  at  his  bidding,  with 

afternoon  is  shedding  its  sweetest  influ- 

three  hundred  warriors  of  his  tribe. 

ence  on  the  tops  of  the  forest-clad  mount- 

Besides  his  Indian  allies,  John.son  had 

ains  and  on  the  still  waters  of  the  deep, 

mustered  at  Albany  a large  provincial 

transparent  lake,  they  listen  gravely  to  . 

force,  consisting  of  several  thousand  men. 

the  interpretation  of  a long  sermon. 

chiefly  from  Connecticut  and  Massachu- 

Meanwhile,  wagon  after  wagon  brought 

setts.  Most  of  these  were  sent  forward. 

artillery,  and  stores  and  boats  for  tin 

to  establish  a post  between  Lake  George 

troops  that  were  listlessly  whiling  away 

and  the  Hudson  river.  This  was  done. 

the  season.” 

and  the  place  was  called  Fort  Edward. 

This  idle  state  of  existence  Avas,  hoAv 

Johnson  himself  followed  after  with  his 

ever,  interrupted  by  the  return  of  some 

Indians  and  the  rest  of  the  troops,  and. 

scouts  Avith  the  intelligence  that  Dieskau 

joining  the  advance-party  at  the  fort 

Avas  approaching  Avith  a large  force  ; but 

.vhich  they  had  completed,  marched  on. 

AA'hatAvere  their  exact  numbers,  the  scouts 

with  all  his  force,  excepting  a small  gar- 

(avIio  Avere  Indians,  and  unable  to  count) 

rison  of  three  hundred  loft  to  guard  Fort 

could  not  tell.  Johnson  noAV  resolved 

Edward.  Passing  through  the  wilderness. 

upon  sending  out  a force  to  check  the 

where  there  Avas  neither  house  nor  fort. 

French  advance.  Accordingly,  one  thou- 

Johnson  halts  his  men  on  the  southern 

sand  provincials  and  tAVO  hundred  Indians 

t 

r 

JOLONIAL.I  JOHNSON’S  SMALL  SUCCESS.  89 

were  despatched  for  this  service,  under 

which  they  kept  up  a desultory  and  al- 

the  command  of  Colonel  Ephraim  Wil- 

most  harmless  fire.  The  Frenchmen,  how- 

Hams.  Among  his  private  soldiers  was 

ever,  under  their  gallant  commander,  still 

Israel  Putnam,  of  Connecticut,  of  whom. 

advanced  in  the  very  mouth  of  the  can 

in  the  course  of  our  history,  we  shall 

non,  until  finally  almost  every  man  was 

have  much  that  is  memorable  to  relate. 

struck  down,  and  among  the  foremost 

They  had  hardly  gone  three  miles  from 

fell  the  baron  Dieskau  himself,  mortally 

the  camp  on  Lake  George,  and  fairly  en- 

wounded.  Two  of  his  soldiers  hurried 

tered  the  ravine  through  which  the  nar- 

to  his  relief,  and  one  being  shot  down. 

row  road  passed,  when  they  were  at- 

the  other  was  ordered  away ; and  the 

tacked  by  the  French  and  Indians,  who 

dying  commander,  crawling  to  the  fallen 

had  awaited  them  in  ambush  among  the 

trunk  of  a tree,  seated  himself  upon  it. 

forests  and  wooded  swamps  extending  on 

and  calmly  awaited,  amid  a shower  of 

either  side  of  the  long  line  of  march. 

bullets,  the  issue  of  the  struggle.  The 

With  this  disadvantage,  the  English  pro- 

result  was  a complete  victory,  the  French 

vincials,  though  they  resisted  bravely. 

having  lost  no  less  than  eight  hundred 

were  utterly  routed,  and  pursued  to  with- 

men,  while  the  Americans  suffered  only 

in  a short  distance  of  the  camp,  where 

to  the  extent  of  two  hundred  and  twenty 

the  French  were  brought  to  a check  hy 

killed  and  nineteen  wounded.  Johnson 

a vigorous  onset  of  a party  of  three  him- 

himself  was  wounded  early  in  the  strng 

dred  men  sent  by  Johnson  to  drive  off 

gle,  and  was  obliged  to  retire  to  his  tent. 

the  pursuers. 

Lyman,  his  second  in  command,  however. 

The  camp  had  not  been  intrenched. 

completed  the  success  of  the  day  by  pur- 

So,  while  the  enemy  was  brought  to  a 

suing  the  enemy  for  a short  time  at  the 

. pause,  Johnson  began  to  prepare  a tern- 

close  with  great  slaughter. 

porary  defence,  by  cutting  down  trees 

The  Canadians  and  Indians,  as  they 

and  rolling  them  together,  in  order  to 

retreated,  were  met  by  a party  of  a Inm- 

fonn  a breastwork,  behind  which  several 

dred  and  twenty  New-Hampshire  men. 

cannon  were  dragged  and  placed  in  posi- 

under  a youth  of  the  name  of  ]\FGinnes, 

tion.  The  wagons  and  baggage  were  also 

and,  being  attacked,  were  put  to  the  rout. 

arranged  so  as  to  serve  as  a cover  for 

although  the  young  American  leader  was 

the  provincial  marksmen. 

killed. 

Johnson  had  hardly  time  to  make 

This  small  success  of  Johnson  wa,s  such 

these  hasty  preparations,  before  Dieskau 

an  exceptional  case  of  triumph  during 

and  his  French  and  Indians  made  a rush 

that  year  for  the  English  arms  in  Amer- 

for  the  camp.  The  English  artillery  now 

ica,  that  the  British  government  was  dis- 

began  to  play  with  such  good  effect,  that 

posed  to  make  the  most  of  it.  A baro- 

the  savages  were  scattered  at  once,  and 

netcy  was  accordingly  bestowed  upon 

hid  themselves  in  the  pine-wood  covert 

Colonel  Johnson,  and  a grant  of  five  thou- 

on  the  neighboring  rising  ground,  from 
12 

sand  pounds,  as  a reward  for  his  services. 

.....  . 

1 

1 

— — — 

90  BATTLES  OF  AMElllCA.  Lpart  i. 

The  public  interest  in  England  in  John- 

stroke  for  the  position  at  CroAvn  Point, 

son’s  success  was  kept  alive  by  the  exag- 

Avhich  Avas  the  object  of  the  expedition, 

gerated  importance  given  to  it  by  the 

Johnson  remained  at  Lake  George.  Here 

authorities ; and  in  this  contemporary  ad- 

it  is  true  he  kept  his  men  busy,  for  he 

vertisement  in  the  Public  Advertiser  of  the 

built  a fort,  which  he  named  Fort  Henry, 

year  1755,  we  read  the  appeal  of  a show- 

and  garrisoned  it  Avith  a small  detach- 

man,  which  illustrates  the  general  curi- 

ment  of  provincial  troops;  he  then  moA'ed 

osity  of  London  on  the  occasion;  — 

the  main  body  of  his  forces  back  to  Al- 

bany,  and  sent  the  men  to  their  several 

» THE  ONLY  INDIAN  IN  ENGLAND  SINCE  THE 

REIGN  OF  QUEEN  ANNE! 

homes. 

"Just  arrived  from  America,  and  to  be 

A spirited  subaltern,  of  the  name  of 

seen  at  the  New  York  and  Cape  Breton 

Eogers,  avIio-  Avas  left  at  Lake  George,  did 

Coffee-House,  in  Sweeiing's  Alley,  from  12 

something,  hoAvever,  by  his  activity  and 

to  3,  and  from  4 till  6,  to  the  latter  end 

boldness,  toAvard  retrieving  what  Avas  lost 

of  next  week,  and  then  will  embark  for 

by  the  remissness  of  Johnson.  Eogers 

America  in  the  ‘ General  Webb',  Captain 

made  frequent  sallies  against  the  Frencli 

Boardman,  a famous  Mohawk  Indian  AYar- 

in  the  neighborhood  of  CroAvn  Point,  by 

RiOR ! the  same  person  who  took  M.  Dies- 

Avhich  he  succeeded  in  cutting  off  many 

kau,  the  French  General,  prisoner  at  the 

of  their  detached  parties,  and  keeping  a 

Battle  of  Lake  George,  where  General 

Avatchful  eye  upon  their  proceedings. 

Johnson  beat  the  French,  and  was  one  of 

Thus,  he  learned  that  the  French  had 

the  said  General’s  Guards.  He  is  dressed 

collected  together  some  tAvo  thousand 

in  the  same  manner  Avith  his  native  In- 

Canadians  and  Indians,  and  a good  force 

dians  wdien  they  go  to  war ; his  ftice  and 

of  artillery,  at  Ticonderoga,  situated  at 

body  painted,  Avith  his  scalping-knife,  tom- 

the  northern  end  of  Lake  George,  and 

AXE,  and  all  other  implements  of  Avar  that 

that  they  Avere  busy  in  fortifying  that 

are  used  by  the  Indians  in  battle  ; a sight 

post. 

Avortliy  the  curiosity  of  every  true  Briton. 

To  this  partial  success  of  Johnson,  the 

" Price,  one  shilling  each  personA 

British  could  only  add  that  of  the  cruel 

expulsion  of  the  Acadians  from  Nova  Sco- 

The  conduct  of  Colonel  Johnson  Avas 

tia.  It  is  not  for  us,  hoAvever,  to  do  more 

hardly  such  as  to  merit  all  the  distinc- 

than  make  a passing  mention  of  Avhat  cer- 

tion  and  public  notice  it  received.  Hoaa"- 

tainly  can  not  properly  be  included  in 

ever  brilliant  his  success  at  Lake  George, 

" The  Battles  of  America.”  It  is  true 

his  proceedings  afterward  shoAved  less 

that  NeAv  England  sent  its  tAvo  thousand 

energy  and  spirit  than  might  have  been 

men,  and  some  heavy  artillery  served  by 

expected  from  the  supposed  courage  and 

British  regulars,  to  compel  by  force,  if 

activity  of  this  remarkable  man.  Instead 

need  be,  the  submission  of  the  French 

of  pushing  oil,  Avhile  his  troops  Avere  in 

inhabitants  of  the  English  province  of 

the  full  tide  of  victory,  and  making  a bold 

Nova  Scotia.  The  troops  w'ere  landed 

. 

COLONIAL.J  RELIEF  OF  OSWEGO.  91 

without  interruption ; they  paraded  gay- 

two,  were  mercilessly  scalped  by  the 

ly  upon  the  shores,  and,  after  a night’s 

French  savages. 

quiet  repose,marched  deliberately  against 

Another  expedition  from  Canada  now 

the  Acadians,  who  hardly  ventured  to  op- 

set  out  to  attack  the  provincial  fort  i.t 

pose  them.  The  fort  of  Beausejour  sur- 

Oswego ; but,  before  reaching  it,  the 

rendered  in  four  days.  That  of  St.  John 

French  halted  at  a short  distance,  and 

was  abandoned  and  burnt;  and  the  other 

erected  a small  fortification  of  their  own. 

small  fortresses  capitulated  without  resist- 

so  hid  in  the  forest  as  to  be  unseen  by 

ance.  The  inhabitants  were  declared  trai- 

their  opponents ; and  thus  succeeded  in 

tors,  their  ^possessions  forfeited,  and  all 

greatly  harassing  them,  by  cutting  olf 

the  men,  women,  and  children,  exiled  for 

supplies  and  preventing  reinforcements. 

ever  from  their  homes  and  their  altars. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Bradstreet,  who  had 

their  gardens  and  their  pastures!  This 

won  the  confidence  of  Sir  William  Pep- 

was  persecution,  not  war.  Hate  tortured 

perell  in  the  famous  siege  of  Louisburg, 

her  victims.  Courage  did  not  strike  a 

by  his  prowess,  now  went  to  the  rescue 

blow.  The  tears  of  the  weak  and  inno- 

of  Oswego.  His  men  were  chiefly  raw 

cent  were  poured  out.  Not  a drop  of 

Irish  recruits,  but  Bradstreet  knew  hoAV 

blood  was  shed  by  the  strong  in  the 

to  control  their  irregular  impulses,  and 

might  of  resistance.  We  pass,  therefore. 

succeeded  in  getting  a great  deal  of  ef 

gladly  from  woman’s  tears  and  children’s 

fective  work  out  of  them.  He  succeeded 

cries,  wrung  by  cruelty,  to  listen  to  the 

in  reaching  Oswego,  and  supplying  the 

shouts  of  men  and  heroes  battling  for 

garrison  with  provisions.  A French  force 

right  or  might.  Our  duty,  thank  Heav- 

of  seven  hundred  men  tried  to  intercept 

en,  is  to  record  the  deeds  of  the  manly 

him,  but,  having  lost  their  way  in  the  for- 

brave,  not  the  work  of  the  inhuman  per- 

est,  did  not  discover,  until  it  was  too  late. 

secutor 1 

that  Bradstreet  was  in  advance  of  them. 

The  French  were  prepared  to  recoin- 

They  now  determined  to  lay  in  wait  for 

mence  hostilities  with  the  opening  of  an- 

him  on  his  return. 

other  year,  and  their  first  move- 

Bradstreet,  having  relieved  Oswego, 

ment  was  a success.  There  was  a 

now  commenced  to  retrace  his  steps. 

small  English  fort  on  the  Oswego  route. 

His  route  lay  by  the  river  Onondaga,  on 

This  was  now  the  point  of  attack.  Three 

the  banks  of  which  the  French  had  con- 

hundred  and  fifty  Canadians,  under  M. 

cealed  themselves,  awaiting  his  approach. 

Chaussegros  de  Levy,  arrived  before  the 

He,  either  conscious  of  this  danger,  or 

fort.  Lieutenant  Ball,  in  command,  with 

from  his  experience  of  American  warfare 

two  dozen  men,  was  summoned  to  sur- 

became  exceedingly  wary,  and  hit  upon 

render.  He  refused,  determined  to  resist 

an  excellent  expedient  for  avoiding  the 

to  the  last.  The  French  began  their  ah 

dangers  of  an  ambuscade.  Bradstreet 

tack,  and  overpowered  their  handful  of 

accordingly  took  the  precaution  of  divi- 

opponents,  who,  with  the  exception  of 

ding  his  men  into  three  parties,  each  one 

BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  lI’aR’i’  i- 

of  which  was  placed  in  a separate  fleet 

having  plunged  into  the  river  and  made 

of  canoes,  Avhich  were  ordered  to  ascend 

their  way  through  a ford,  had  arrived  be- 

the  Onondaga  at  small  distances  apart. 

fore  him.  So  spirited,  however,  was  the 

In  this  way,  if  one  party  was  attacked 

onset  of  the  colonel  and  his  half-dozen 

suddenly,  the  others  might  come  up  pre- 

men,  that  he  succeeded  in  driving  back 

pared  to  sustain  it.  Bradstreet  himself 

the  enemy  to  the  mainland. 

took  the  lead,  in  the  very  first  canoe ; 

The  French,  however,  now  came  up 

the  others  followed  after,  hold  and  eager 

again  to  the  attack  with  increased  num- 

enough  for  a fight ; and  it  was  with  the 

bers.  Bradstreet,  too,  in  the  meantime 

greatest  difficulty  that  their  prudent  lead- 

had  been  reinforced  by  fourteen  other 

er  could  keep  the  Irish  hlood  of  his  men 

men,  who  had  just  landed  from  those  ca- 

sufficiently  cool  for  the  discreet  conduct 

noes  which  had  brought  up  the  rear  of 

that  was  necessary. 

the  advance-party.  The  French  were 

Bradstreot’s  experience  in  border  war- 

forced  again  to  retire ; and,  renewing  for 

fare  led  him  to  expect,  at  any  moment. 

a third  time  the  attack,  with  more  men 

to  see  the  flash  of  the  Canadian  mu.sket. 

still,  a fierce  struggle  ensued,  which  last- 

or  hear  the  war-whoop  of  the  savage,  from 

ed  nearly  an  hour.  Bradstreet  was  again 

the  dark  clumps  of  cedars,  and  the  crags 

victorious,  and  with  his  twenty  men  sne- 

of  the  rugged  banks  which  bordered  the 

ceeded  in  putting  to  a complete  rout  all 

river.*  It  was  on  the  3d  of  July  when 

who  were  left  of  the  seventy  Frenchmen 

they  embarked.  The  stream  was  low. 

who  had  attempted  to  dislodge  him  from 

and  difficult  of  navigation  ; and  the  trees 

the  island. 

and  underwood,  luxuriant  with  their  mid- 

The  rest  of  Bradstreet’s  forces  had  land- 

summer  foliage,  afforded  complete  con- 

ed  on  the  shore  lower  down,  and  were 

cealment  to  the  enemy.  For  a length  of 

marching  to  the  relief  of  their  comrades 

nine  miles  the  canoes  were  forced  up  the 

on  the  island.  The  main  body  of  the 

Onondaga  with  great  toil,  but  with  no 

French,  observing  this  movement,  crossed 

interference.  They  had  thus  reached  a 

the  stream,  to  prevent  the  junction.  But 

point  where  there  was  a small  island  sur- 

Bradstreet,  having  now  succeeded  in  beat- 

rounded  by  rapids,  and  the  banks  of  the 

ing  off  the  enemy’s  attack  on  the  island, 

river  were  thickly  shaded  by  a dense  for- 

was  free  to  join  the  rest  of  his  troops 

estrgrowth,  when  suddenly  a volley  of 

which  he  succeeded  in  doing,  and  led 

mu.sketry  and  an  Indian  war-whoop  burst 

them  with  a vigorous  onslaught  against 

through  tlie  silence  of  the  wilderness. 

the  main  body  of  the  French,  Avho  were 

The  effect  upon  those  in  the  advance- 

forced  back  into  the  river.  Many  fell 

canoes  was  terribly  fatal ; but  Bradstreet 

dead  before  the  brisk  fire  of  Bradstreet’s 

and  six  of  his  men  pushed  at  once  for 

men,  but  many  more  were  droAvned  in 

the  island,  where  a score  of  the  enemy. 

their  attempts  to  cross  the  river. 

* 'I’he  Conquest  of  Can.nda,  hv  the  Author  of  “ Hochela- 
ita,”  &c.  Xew  York:  Harper  and  Brollicrs. 

The  enemy,  in  s])ite  of  the.se  repeated 
defeats,  still  pertinaciou.sly  prolonged  the 

COLONIAL.]  BRADSTREET’S  VICTORY.  93 

striio:o:le.  A number,  while  Bnulstreet 

posed  principally  of  the  SavIss  and  Ger- 

was  below,  on  the  mainland,  began  to 

man  Protestants  in  America,  and  to  be 

cross  the  ford  below,  near  the  small  isl- 

commanded  by  officers  of  their  OAvn  na- 

and ; but  they  had  hardly  reached  the 

tiA'e  countries.  To  giA'e  additional  dig 

opposite  bank,  and  made  ready  for  an 

nity  to  his  lordship’s  appointment,  he  Avas 

attack,  when  the  English  came  rushing 

also  made  governor  of  Virginia. 

down,  and  with  one  impulsive  eflbrt  drove 

Previous,  hoAvever,  to  the  setting  out 

them  back  into  the  stream.  The  French 

of  the  earl  of  Loudoun,  Major-General 

lost  more  than  a hundred  men,  wdio  Avere 

Abercrombie  had  been  ordered  to  pre- 

either  shot  or  droAvned,  Avhile  seventy 

cede  him,  and  hold  the  command  until 

Avere  taken  prisoners.  The  loss  of  Brad- 

his  lordship’s  arrival.  Abercrombie  Avas 

street,  too,  Avas  no  less  than  sixty  killed 

now  at  Albany,  Avith  four  regiments  o( 

or  Avounded. 

The  English  troops  Avere  too  much  fa- 

British  regulars,  tAvo  of  Avhich  ^ 
had  accompanied  him  from  Eng- 

tigued  to  continue  the  pursuit  immedi- 

land,  the  NeAA'-England  battalions,  eight 

ately;  and  Avhen,  next  morning,  they 

independent  companies,  and  a large  body 

were  reinforced  by  a company  of  grena- 

of  provincial  militia,  making  all  togethei' 

diers  on  their  Avay  to  OsAvego,  and  some 

the  formidable  army,  for  those  days,  of 

two  hundred  men  besides  Avho  had  come 

ten  thousand  men.  At  Albany,  too,  Avas 

to  their  aid  from  that  fort,  Bradstreet 

assembled  the  council  of  gOA'ernors  from 

found  that  the  Onondaga  Avas  so  flooded 

the  various  proA'inces,  to  confer  Avith  the 

with  the  pouring  rain  during  the  night. 

British  general  in  regard  to  the  plans  ol' 

that  it  AAmuld  be  quite  impracticable  to 

a campaign  against  the  French  in  Ainer- 

folloAV  the  enemy.  The  company  of  gren- 

ica.  Abercrombie  resisted  the  urgent  ap 

adiers,  therefore, accompanied  the  detach- 

peals  of  the  council  to  carry  out  a scheme 

ment  from  the  fort  back  to  OsAvego,  and 

of  general  attack,  on  the  plea  that  his 

Bradstreet  Avith  the  rest  of  his  forces  Avent 

force  Avas  not  sufficiently  large  for  so  ex- 

on  his  Avay  to  Albany. 

tensive  an  undertaking.  He,  therefore. 

The  British  government,  liaA'ing  noAV 

declined  to  act  on  his  OAvn  responsibility, 

at  last  declared  an  open  Avar  against  the 

and  determined  to  aAvait  the  arrival  of 

French,  Avas  disposed  to  carry  on 
hostilities  in  America  Avith  greater 

his  superior  in  command,  the  earl  of  Lou 
doun.  He,  hoAvever,  Avas  prevailed  upon 

vigor.  The  earl  of  Loudoun,  a great 

to  send  General  WinsloAV,  Avith  the  pro- 

stickler  for  the  prerogatives  of  the  croAvn, 

vincial  forces,  to  the  English  fort  William 

!md  a proportionate  opponent  of  all  co- 

Henry,  on  Lake  George,  Avhere  he  AAas 

louial  dlsenthralment,  Avas  sent  out  to 

to  aAvait  reinforcements,  and  then  march 

America,  Avith  unusual  poAvers.  He  Avas 

against  the  French  post  at  CroAvn  Point, 

made  general-in-chief  of  all  the  forces  on 

on  Lake  Champlain. 

the  American  continent,  and  colonel  of  a 

On  the  arrival  of  the  brave  Bradstreet 

regiment  of  four  battalions,  to  be  com- 

at  Albany,  he  hurried  to  the  quarters  of 

94  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i. 


General  A]jercroin1}ie,  and,  giving  in  the 
report  of  his  own  successes,  laid  before 
him  the  dangerous  position  of  Oswego, 
and  earnestly  urged  the  necessity  of  de- 
spatchuig  immediate  relief.  The  British 
officer,  Colonel  Webb,  was  accordingly 
ordered  to  hold  himself  in  readiness  to 
march  Avith  his  regiment  on  this  service  ; 
but,  for  some  reason  or  other,  a long  and 
fatal  delay  ensued.  The  provincial  coun- 
cil and  Abercrombie  Avere  supposed  to 
be  at  lo«:o:erhcads.  The  former  declared 
for  CroAvn  Point : the  latter  faAmred  the 
march  to  OsAA'Cgo.  So,  to  settle  the  dif- 
ference, nothing  Avas  done. 

Lord  Loudoun  uoav  arrwed  at 
Jiilj  29.  , , 

Albany,  and  assumed  command 

at  once  ; but,  full  of  his  oaaui  dignity,  and 
reserved  in  his  communications  Avith  oth- 
ers, he  Avould  listen  to  no  suggestions 
from  those  aa’Iio  kncAV  so  much  of  a coun- 
try about  Avhich  he  kncAV  so  little.  He 
had  the  proATihial  contempt  of  his  coun- 
trvmen  for  the  colonies,  and  had  no  faith 
either  in  the  AAdsdom  of  the  colonial  gOA"- 
ernor  or  the  courage  of  the  colonial  sol- 
dier, The  force  at  Albany  Avas  large  — 
amounting,  as  Ave  have  seen,  to  ten  thou- 
sand men ; but  more  than  half  of  these 
Avere  provincials  — “mostly  A'agabonds 
picked  up  by  the  NeAV-Englanders  at  ran- 
dom,” Avrote  Abercrombie, AA'ho  exclaimed, 
“With  such  troops,  AAdiat  can  Ave  do?” 
Loudoun  no  doubt  echoed,  Avith  felloAA^- 
.•outempt,  these  opinions  so  disparaging 
l o the  colonists.  They  coidd  not  learn  the 
simple  lesson  of  experience,  AA'hich,  if  they 
had,  Avould  have  taught  them  that  all  the 
victories  had  been  Avon  in  these  colonial 
battles  by  the  “ vagabonds,”  Avhile  the  de- 


feats Avere  to  be  set  doAvn  to  the  boasteil 
“ regulars.”  Abercrombie  did  nothing : 
Lord  Loudoun  did  no  more. 

The  French,  lioAveA’er,  were  not  inac- 
tive. The  court  at  Versailles  had  sent 
out  a considerable  force  of  regulars  to 
America,  under  the  command  of  the  mar- 
quis de  Montcalm.  A better  leader  could 
not  have  been  chosen.  Montcalm  had  a 
Avise  head  and  a dauntless  spirit.  Born 
of  a noble  family,  he  had  inherited  the 
traditional  cluAoalry  of  his  race.  On  his 
escutcheon  he  bore  the  motto  of  “Extin- 
guisher of  the  Dragon,”  as  a perpetual 
record,  handed  doAvn  from  generation  to 
generation,  of  the  proAvess  of  an  ances- 
tral Templar  of  St.  John,  Avho  had  dellA- 
ered  the  isle  of  Bhodes  from  the  ravages 
of  some  mysterious  monster.  He  Avas  de- 
scended from  a long  line  of  heroes,  and 
Avas  destined  to  illustrate,  in  his  OAvn  ca- 
reer the  heroic  temperament  of  his  fam- 

ilj-  _ 

His  education  Avas  carefully  conducted 
by  a distinguished  man  of  science,  AAdio 
bore  the  name  of  Dumas.  Under  his  tui- 
tion, the  young  Montcalm  Avas  so  endued 
Avith  a love  of  study,  that,  although  he 
entered  the  army  at  the  early  age  of  four- 
teen, he  preserved  his  taste  for  science 
and  literature  amid  all  the  tumultuous 
life  of  the  camp,  and  became  remarkable, 
for  his  mental  acquirements. 

Montcalm’s  military  career  Avas  rapidly 
made  brilliant  by  his  gallant  behavior. 
He  Avas  Avounded  three  times  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Plaisance,  and  tAvice  in  the  heroic 
struggle  at  Exilles.  This  latter  Avas  the 
battle  Avliere  Avas  enacted  a scene  thai 
has  only  been  paralleled  since  by  tin* 


L. 


r 

coLONiAL.J  CHAIJACTKR  OF  JIONTCALM.  95 

charge  of  the  English  “ LightrBrigade” 

French  troops  for  OsAvego,  Avliich  had 

at  Balaklava,  when — 

been  so  disgracefully  neglected  by  the 

“ Into  tlie  valley  of  Death 

dilatory  Abercrombie  and  the  self-sufli- 

Rode  tlie  six  hundred  !” 

cient  Lord  Loudoun.  De  Vaudreuil  avos 

Tlie  count  of  Belleisle  had  been  prom- 

sent  in  adA'ance  Avith  a considerable  force 

ised  the  baton  of  a marshal  if  he  should 

of  Canadian  militia,  raised  at  Montreal. 

succeed  in  the  campaign  in  Piedmont. 

Montcalm  Avas  not  long  behind  him,  Avith 

Meeting  the  enemy  at  Exilles,  the  count 

his  regulars,  and  ready  to  commence  op- 

began  an  imprudent  attack,  which  resultr 

orations.  The  French  commander’s  first 

ed  in  the  defeat  of  the  French.  He  felt 

object  was  to  attack  Fort  Ontario,  Avhich 

so  greatly  tlie  ill  success  of  an  attempt 

Avas  situated  on  the  river  Onondaga,  at 

which  had  been  disapproved  of  by  all 

its  mouth,  Avdiere  it  empties  into  Lake 

experience,  that  in  his  desperation  he 

Ontario,  and  opposite  to  the  more  im- 

put  himself  at  the  head  of  his  oflicers. 

portant  Fort  Oswego.  Here  accordingly 

and  led  them  in  a column  against  the 

he  opened  his  trenches  at  once,  ^ ^ 

intrenchments  within  Avhich  the  enemy 

and,  Avith  his  usual  promptness,  ^ 

had  withdrawn ! Few  only  escaped. 

beginning  at  the  daAvn  of  day,  succeeded 

Belleisle  himself,  wmunded  in  both  hands. 

in  overcoming  the  resistance  of  the  be- 

madly  strove  to  tear  down  with  his  teeth 

sieged  before  nightfall.  Taking  po.sses- 

the  palisades  of  the  wall,  when  he  re- 

sion  of  Fort  Ontario,  from  which  the  gar 

ceived  a mortal  shot.  Montcalm  w\as  one 

rison  had  fled  to  OsAvego,  AAdtliout  spiking 

of  this  heroic  brigade,  which,  true  to  dis- 

all  the  cannon  in  their  hurry,  Montcalm 

cipline,  obeyed  even  the  insane  command 

turned  the  remaining  guns  Avith  great  ef- 

of  their  leader. 

feet  upon  the  fort  opposite.  It  aauis  not 

But  a few  years  past  forty,  Montcalm, 

long  before  the  Avails  of  OsAvego  gave 

although  full  of  the  enterprising  spirit 

Avay ; and  the  English  seeing,  Avith  their 

of  youth,  was,  from  his  long  service  in 

leader  Mercer  struck  doAvn,  and  a breach 

the  army,  a veteran  in  experience.  He 

made  in  their  fortress,  no  hope  of  a longer 

was  short  in  person,  but  of  a wdry  struc- 

resistance,  capitulated. 

ture.  Active,  and  of  great  powers  of  en- 

The  victory  for  the  French  Avas  a great 

durance,  he  possessed  all  the  gay  vivaci- 

one.  They  became  possessed  of  an  im- 

ty  of  his  countrymen,  and  was  lively  in 

portant  post,  took  captive  tAA'elve  hundred 

times  of  social  enjoyment  as  he  was  all 

prisoners,and  obtained  several  armed  A'es- 

activity  in  business.  lie  was  quick  to 

sels,  tAVO  hundred  batteaux,  and  a vast 

observe,  and  bold  and  prompt  in  action. 

cpiantity  of  treasure,  military  stores,  and 

lie  soon  proved  that  he  was  the  right 

provisions.  They  made  the  most  of  their 

man  in  the  right  place. 

triumph,  sending  the  British  flags  to  be 

There  was  no  dilly-dallying  about  Mont- 

hung  in  the  churches  of  Quebec  and  Mo?> 

(adm.  lie  had  not  been  at  Quebec  a week 

treal ; erecting  crosses  at  OsAA'cgo,  AAuth 

before  he  was  ready  to  set  out  with  his 

the  inscription,  “ This  is  the  banner  of 

t 

OC  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [paut  i 

victory  ;”and  raising  triumphant  columns, 

having  so  far  done  nothing,  noAv  seemed 

upon  which  their  joy  was  illustrated  by 

resolved  to  do  nothing  for  the  future ; 

the  exultant  words,  carved  in  stone  — 

and,  after  an  inglorious  inactivity  at  Al- 

“ Bring  lilies  with  full  hands !” 

bany,he  sent  the  provincials  to  their  sev 

Montcalm  razed  the  fort  at  Oswego  to 

eral  homes. 

the  ground,  and  began  a desolating  march 

The  English  colonists  obtained  some 

eastward,  burnimj’  the  dwellings  and  the 

consolation  for  their  repeated  ill  fortune, 

crops  of  the  frontier  settlers  of  New  York, 

by  a small  success  against  the  Indian 

and  killing  and  scalping  all  the  unfortu- 

toAAm  of  Kittanang,  lying  in  a valley 

nate  inhabitants  he  met.  Colonel  Webb, 

among  the  Alleghanies.  This  Avas  the 

in  the  meantime,  with  his  seventeen  bun- 

nest  of  a horde  of  Indian  savages,  Avho 

di’ed  men,  who  had  been  kept  back  until 

had  stolen  upon  the  English  settlers  scab 

it  was  too  late  to  render  any  service  to 

tered  about  the  Avestern  frontier,  and  mas- 

the  neglected  fort  at  Oswego,  was  slowly 

sacred  a thousand  of  them.  About  three 

making  his  way,  until  he  heard  of  the 

hundred  men  noAV  hurriedly  collected  to- 

French  success,  when  he  precipitately 

gether,  and,  choosing  one  Armstrong  for 

took  to  tiight.  Walpole  might  well  say. 

their  leader,  determined  to  reAmnge  the 

when  this  disastrous  neAVS  reached  Eng- 

merciless  murder  of  their  countiymen. 

land:  “The  negligence  and  dilatoriness 

They  pushed  on,  forgetting  the  fatigues 

of  our  government  at  home,  and  the  lit- 

and  perils  of  the  hard  and  dangerous  roa  1 

lle-minded  quarrels  betAveen  the  regular 

of  some  hundred  and  fifty  miles  in  length, 

and  irregular  forces,  liaAT  reduced  our  af- 

in  their  eagerness  for  revenge.  On  arri- 

fairs  in  that  part  of  the  Avorld  [America] 

ving  at  the  Indian  settlem*ent  at  night. 

O O' 

to  a most  deplorable  state.  OsAvego,  of 

they  heard  the  savage  murderers  exult- 

ten  times  more  importance  even  than  Mi- 

ing,  in  songs  and  dances,  OA^er  their  late 

norca,  is  so  annihilated,  that  Ave  can  not 

massacre.  Armstrong  aAvaited  until  daAvn 

learn  the  particulars.” 

the  next  morning,  Avhen,  suddenly  pre- 

Something  Avas  naturally  expected  from 

senting  himself,  he  offered  the  Indians 

the  expedition  of  General  WinsloAV,  an 

quarter,  on  their  immediately  surrender- 

able  officer,  avIio  had  acquired  great  re- 

ing.  The  savages  dared  not  accept  it ; 

noAvn  in  the  siege  of  Louisljurg ; but,  al- 

and  then  the  provincials  began  an  attack. 

though  the  French  fort  at  Crown  Point, 

AAdiich  resulted  in  a slaughter  and  a cm- 

on  Lake  Champlain,  Avas  its  original  des- 

elty  that  could  have  only  been  equalled 

tination,  it  got  no  farther  than  the  Eng- 

by  the  Indians  themselves.  Some  of  the 

lish  forts  EdAvard  and  William  Henry. 

saA'ages  Avere  shot,  some  beaten  doAvn 

These  WinsloAV  strengthened  by  leaAung 

Avith  the  butt-ends  of  muskets,  some  shut 

a portion  of  his  force  ; but  Avas  prevented 

up  in  their  huts  and  burned  to  death, 

(Vom  striking  a bloAV  against  the  enemy 

some  bloAvn  up  Avith  gunpoAvder,  and 

by  the  inactivity  and  pusillanimous  con- 

others  seized  and  scalped  as  the  Indians 

duct  of  his  superiors.  Lord  Loudoun 

themselves  Avould  haA'e  seized  and  scalped 

r 

COLONIAL.]  ACTIVITY  OP^  MONTCALM.  97 

the  English  if  they  had  been  victims  in- 

Avhich  Avere  to  weigh  against  the  prepon- 

stead  of  avengers. 

derating  victories  of  the  French  during 

This  was  one  of  the  pitiful  successes 

the  Avhole  campaign  of  1756. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

A Noith-Amcrican  Winter. — Montcalm’s  Vigor. — Attack  upon  Fort  William  Henry. — Repulse. — Lord  Loudoun’s  Great 

Means  and  Small  Results. — Sails  with  a Great  Fleet  to  Halifax. — Does  nothing. — Success  of  Montcalm  against  Fort 

William  Henry. — Lord  Loudoun  returns  to  New  York. — 

England  in  De.^pair. — Pitt  comes  to  the  Rescue. — The  Right 

Men  in  the  Right  Flace. — Amherst. — Hoscawen. — James  Wolfe. — His  Life,  Character,  and  Personal  Appearance. — 

The  Exjiedition  against  Louishurg. — Wolfe  the  first  to  la 

nd. — The  French  repulsed  from  the  Shore. — Cooke  the  Navi- 

gator. — Victory  at  Louishurg. — Wolfe  returns  Home  ill.— 

-Seeks  Employment  in  the  next  American  Campaign. — Pitt’s 

Liberal  Measures  toward  Provincial  Othcers. — Abercrombie  succeeds  Lord  Loudon  in  Command  in  America  — An 
Immense  Provincial  Force  marches  against  the  French  Fort  of  Ticonderoga. — Surprised  by  the  French. — Death  of  the 

Gallant  and  Youthful  Lord  How'e. — Grief  at  his  Fall. — F 

ailure  of  the  Attaek  upon  Ticonderoga. — Bradstreet’s  Expe- 

dition. — Its  Success. — The  Expedition  against  Du  Quesne. — The  Highlanders. — A Celt  in  Kilt  taken  for  an  Indian  — 

A Catastrophe. — The  Highlanders  in  Difficulty. — A Cann 

y Scot  gets  the  Advantage  of  the  Indians. — Escapes  Torture 

— Fort  Du  Quesne  abandoned. — Washington  plants  the  British  Flag. — Pittsburg. 

With  the  successes  of  the  previ- 
ous year,  the  French,  under  the 

active  spirit  to  groAV  torpid,  even  under 
the  influence  of  a North- American  Avin 

ever  vigilant  and  active  Montcalm,  were 

ter.  In  the  very  depth  of  this  season  of 

emboldened  to  begin  1757  with  great 

frost  and  snoAV,  he  determined  to  send  a 

vigor.  It  was  January.  Canada  was 

force  against  the  English  fort  William 

bound  with  the  fetter.s  of  Avinter.  The 

Henry,  at  the  southern  end  of  Lake 

waves  of  those  great  inland  seas,  the 

George.  Fifteen  hundred  men,  four  hun- 

northern  lakes,  were  stilled.  The  rivers 

dred  of  Avhom  Avere  Indians,  Avere  accord- 

ceased  to  flow.  The  waters  everywhere 

ingly  selected  for  this  service,  and  placed 

had  turned  to  ice.  The  snow  covered 

under  the  command  of  Rigaud  de  Van- 

the  mountain-tops,  and  filled  in  the  val- 

dreuil. 

leys.  Fields,  roads,  and  by-paths,  had 

The  route  Avas  a long  one.  One  him- 

departed  with  the  life  of  the  year,  and 

dred  and  fifty  miles  Avere  to  be  travelled 

were  now  overspread  with  the  universal 

before  reaching  the  fort.  Sledges  Avere 

shroud  of  winter.  The  smoke  of  a few 

made  ready,  and  dogs  harnessed  to  them 

hamlets,  under  the  cover  of  the  hillsides. 

Avith  thongs,  as  in  the  ai’ctic  regions,  to 

scattered  distantly  over  the  Avide,  Avintry 

drag  the  provisions  and  stores  through 

expanse,  betokened  the  existence  of  oc- 

the  snoAV  and  over  the  ice.  Each  man 

casional  home  a\’ arm th  and  comfort;  but 

Avas  clad  like  an  Esquimaux,  in  furs,  and 

for  the  most  part  the  scene  Avas  one  of 

giA’en  a leathern  mask  to  protect  his  face 

uniA’ersal  wintry  desolation. 

from  the  fatal  touch  of  the  biting  Avind 

It  was  not  in  the  nature  of  Montcalm’s 
13 

and  the  frost,  and  a bearskin  Avithin  AA’hich 

1 

1 

1 

98  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  ' 

to  enfold  liiiiiself  when  encamped  at  night 

under  the  gallant  subaltern  Stark,  and 

upon  the  snow.  Thus  equipped,  they  set 

succeed  in  hilling  in  with  sledges  on  their 

out,  passing  rapidly  over  the  frozen  sur- 

route,  with  men  and  provisions,  for  the 

face  of  Lake  Champlain  and  of  Lake 

French  forts.  Stark,  with  some  seventy 

George  with  their  sledges  and  their  snow- 

men,  takes  a party  thus  by  surprise,  at- 

shoes.  As  they  approach  the  English 

tacks  them,  and  comes  off  victorious.  He 

fort,  they  await  the  coming  of  night,  and 

is,  however,  intercepted  by  a considera- 

are  more  cautious  in  their  movements. 

hie  force  on  his  return  to  the  fort,  with 

Pioneers  are  sent  in  advance,  with  axes 

his  prisoners  and  booty,  and  a third  of 

in  hand,  to  try  the  strength  of  the  ice. 

his  adventurous  rangers  are  laid  low; 

and  to  guide  the  force  in  safety  to  the 

but  Stark  and  the  survivors  so  gallantly 

walls  of  the  enemy.  With  cautious  steps 

defend  themselves,  that  the  enemy  are 

they  reach  the  spot  in  the  dead  of  night. 

obliged  to  retreat,  and  the  English  come 

and  are  lifting  the  scaling-ladders  against 

off  with  all  the  glory. 

the  fortification.s,  when  the  sentry  oh- 

Lord  Loudoun,  having  done  nothing 

serves  them,  and  gives  the  alarm.  The 

where  he  could  do  something,  now  un 

garrison  are  in  a moment  on  their  de- 

dertook  to  do  something  where  he  could 

fence,  and.  with  a brisk  volley  from  their 

do  nothing.  Taking  a large  provincial 

cannon  and  musketry,  drive  back  the  as- 

force  from  the  colonies,  where  they  wer*^ 

sail  ants. 

needed,  he  embarked  them  on  board  ai 

Next  morning  the  French  renew  the 

English  fleet  consisting  of  numerous  men- 

attack,  but  without  effect ; and  again 

of-war  and  transports,and  sailed  with  them 

make  an  attempt  later  in  the  day,  hut 

to  Halifax,  in  Nova  Scotia.  With  nine- 

are  once  more  driven  back.  They  now 

teen  ships-of-the-line  and  a large  number 

summon  the  officer  in  command,  a Major 

of  smaller  vessels  in  that  harbor,  and  no 

Eyres,  to  surrender.  He  resolutely  re- 

less  than  thirteen  battalions  of  troops 

fuses.  The  French  continue  the  assault, 

landed  after  a prosperous  voyage,  Lou- 

and,  after  making  in  all  five  unsuccessful 

doun  was  in  a condition  to  have  under- 

efforts,  they  give  up  in  despair.  The 

taken  anything,  no  matter  how  formida- 

stronghold  can  not  be  taken.  The  ene- 

ble.  The  time  was,  nevertheless,  wasted 

my,  however,  revenged  themselves  for 

in  parade  and  mock-fights.  Louisburg. 

their  repulse,  by  destroying  such  ouh 

which,  after  the  fiimous  conquest  by  Sir 

works  of  the  fort  as  were  within  their 

William  Peiiperell,  had  been  ceded  to 

reach.  Yaudreuil  now  sent  reinforce- 

France,  was  supposed  to  be  the  object 

ments  to  the  French  forts  at  Ticondero- 

of  attack  of  this  magnificent  armament. 

ga.  Crown  Point,  and  Niagara,  and  then 

New^s  arriving,  how^ever,  to  the  effect  tlnii 

returned  to  Montreal. 

the  French,  with  some  three  thousanci 

The  garrison  at  Fort  William  Henry 

troops,  a considerable  body  of  Indians 

does  not  allow  (lie  winter  to  pass  in  idle- 

and  militiamen,  and  a fleet  of  eighteen 

ness.  Its  rangers  accordingly  sally  out, 

ships-of-the-line,  w' ere  prepared  to  defend 

. 

.u)i-ONiAL.j  FALL  OF  FORT  WILLIAM  HENRY. 


lliomselves,  it  was  determined  by  the  pru- 
dent Loudoun  to  postpone  the  attempt 
upon  Louisburg. 

Wlien  Loudoun  sailed  away  from  the 
place  Avhere  he  wns  most  wanted,  Mont- 
calm took  occasion  to  avail  himself  of  his 
absence,  by  making  an  attack  upon  Fort 
William  Henry,  on  Lake  George.  Gath- 
ering some  eight  thousand  men  at  the 
French  fort  at  Ticonderoga,  he  marched 
with  his  us’jal  rapidity  against  Fort  Wil- 
liam Henry,  and  met  with  a brave  resist- 
ance from  the  English  commander,  Mun- 
ro,  who,  to  a haughty  demand  to  surren- 
•der,  answered  thus  spiritedly : “ 1 will 
defend  my  trust  to  the  last  extremity !” 
It  was,  however,  in  vain.  The  English, 
disappointed  in  their  hope  of  relief  from 
the  timid  Webb,  who  was  running  away, 
iiistead  of  coming  to  their  assistance,  v.- ere 
obliged  to  capitulate. 

Lord  Loudoun,  while  at  Halifix  in  a 
state  of  inaction,  heard  this  disastrous 
news  of  the  capture  of  Fort  William  Hen- 
ry, and  immediately  returned,with  a large 
proportion  of  his  troops,  to  New  York; 
but,  with  what  purpose,  it  would  be  diffi- 
cult to  conjecture.  He  left  the  English 
admiral  at  Halifax ; but  that  officer  did 
nothing  but  sail  to  Louisburg  and  back 
again.  When  this  intelligence  reached 
England,  Walpole  wrote,  on  the  3d  day 
of  September,  1757:  “We  had  a torrent 
of  bad  news  yesterday  from  America. 
Lord  Loudoun  has  found  an  army  of 
twenty  thousand  French,  gives  over  the 
design  on  Louisburg,  and  retires  to  Hali- 
fax. Admiral  Ilolborne  writes  that  they 
have  nineteen  ships  to  his  seventeen,  and 
that  he  can  not  attack  them.  It  is  time 


yo 

for  England  to  slip  her  own  cables,  and 
float  away  into  some  unknown  sea.” 

Lord  Loudoun  arrived  at  New  York, 
and  thence  made  his  waay  to  Fort  Edward, 
the  only  northern  post  left  to  the  Eng- 
lish. Here  he  gave  some  directions  for 
defence,  and  prudently  retired  to  Albany. 
Nothing,  however,  was  done ; and  the 
British  people  and  the  British  govern- 
ment became  aware  at  last  that,  without 
some  change  in  men  and  measures,  Brit- 
ish dominion  in  the  West  would  be  lost 
to  them  for  ever. 

“ My  lord,  I am  sure  that  I can  save 
this  country,  and  that  no  one  else  can !” 
were  the  proud,  self-reliant  words  of  the 
great  commoner,  William  Pitt.  Ilis  coun 
try  took  him  at  his  word ; and,  with  the 
i^ower  to  execute  what  his  comprelien- 
sive  genius  had  conceived,  he  made  good 
his  grand  promise.  The  incaj^able  duke 
of  Newcastle,  deserted  by  Fox,  was  forced 
to  let  drop  from  his  feeble  hands  the 
reins  of  government.  Fox  himself  noAV 
strove  to  form  a ministry ; but,  with  all 
his  great  talents,  he  felt  himself  incapa- 
ble of  the  charge  of  administration  with- 
out the  aid  of  Pitt,  and  solicited  his  alli- 
ance. The  “ great  commoner,”  however, 
rejected  all  overtures  from  his  superior, 
in  wealth  and  rank,  but  by  far  his  in- 
ferior in  moral  influence.  Pitt,  conscious 
of  the  faith  of  the  British  nation  in  lihii. 
and  him  alone,  was  determined  to  share 
with  no  other  the  glory  of  delivering  that 
nation  from  her  agony  of  shame  and  dis 
grace. 

“Whoever  is  in  or  whoever  is  out,” 
writes  Lord  Chesterfield,  in  despair  of 
his  country,  “ I am  sure  we  are  undone, 


100  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [^part  i. 

1 

both  at  home  and  abroad : at  home,  by 

28th  of  May,  when  he  met  the  impatient 

our  increasing  debt  and  expenses;  abroad, 

Boscawen  coming  out,  with  all  his  ships. 

by  our  ill  luck  and  incapacity The 

on  his  way  to  Louisburg. 

French  are  masters  to  do  what  they  please 

The  two  forces,  land  and  naval,  thus 

in  America.  We  are  no  longer  a nation. 

combined,  presented  a formidable  array. 

1 never  yet  saw  so  dreadful  a prospect.” 

There  floated  the  grand  fleet,  with  twen- 

The  British  people,  however,  still  had  a 

ty-two  ships-of-the-line,  fifteen  frigates. 

hope  : that  hope  was  William  Pitt.  The 

and  one  hundred  and  twenty  smaller  ves- 

lords  were  in  despair,  and  yet  resisted. 

sels.  There  gathered  the  eleven  thou- 

in  their  mad  pride  of  birth,  the  aid  of  a 

sand  six  hundred  troops,  mostly  British 

commoner.  But  such  was  the  resolute 

regulars,  with  their  battalions  of  infantry, 

will  of  the  nation  to  be  governed  by  Pitt, 

their  formidable  artillery,  and  their  skil- 

that  king  and  peers  were  obliged  to  yield. 

ful  engineers.  Amherst’s  land-force  was 

and  sutler  him  to  take  hold  of  the  helm 

divided  into  three  brigades, under  the  sev- 

and  guide  the  ship  of  state. 

oral  commands  of  the  brio;adier-o:enerals 

With  Pitt’s  administration  beg-an  a new 

Whitmore,  Lawrence,  and  Wolfe.  This 

era  for  British  arms  in  xA.merica.  Ilis  first 

effective  armament  now  sailed 

act  was  to  get  rid  of  the  incapables,  and 

for  Cape  Breton,  and  in  a few  '^'***^ 

to  put  the  right  men  in  the  right  place. 

days  reached  Gabarus  bay,  within  can- 

The  weak  and  capricious  Loudoun,  as  well 

non-shot  of  Louisburg. 

as  the  over-cautious  and  inactive  Admi- 

There  was  one  in  this  expedition  whose 

ral  Ilolborne,  w'cre  recalled,  and  men  of 

subsequent  career  of  heroism  entitles  him 

sterner  stuff  sent  to  America  to  replace 

to  more  than  a mere  enumeration  among 

them.  Amherst,  the  resolutely  brave,  the 

a list  of  other  gallant  officers.  This  was 

spiritedly  active,  and  the  coolly  judicious. 

Wolfe. 

was,  in  spite  of  the  formalities  of  inilita- 

James  Wolfe  was  the  son  of  a soldier. 

ry  precedence,  promoted  to  the  rank  of 

His  father  had  won  an  honorable  name 

major-general,  and  given  the  command 

as  an  officer  under  Marlborough.  The 

of  the  land-forces  destined  for  America. 

eider  Wolfe  had  sought — after  his  mar- 

Boscawen,  a dashing  naval  officer,  of 

riage  with  a Miss  Thompson,  the  sister 

known  skill  and  courage,  was  made  admi- 

of  the  member  of  Parliament  for  York — 

ral  of  the  fleet  then  off  Halifax,  in  Nova 

a temporary  retreat  in  the  neighborhood 

Scotia. 

of  that  city,  in  the  quiet  village  of  West- 

Louisburg  was  marked  out  in  the  plan 

erham.  Here  his  son  wms  born,  on  the 

of  the  campaign  as  the  first  object  of  afi 

2d  of  January,  1727,  at  the  modest  vicar- 

tack.  Amherst  sailed  with  a large  anna- 

age-house,  which  the  father  had  rented 

1758  February  for 

for  his  temporary  residence.  At  West- 

Halifax,  but  v/as  delayed  in  his 

erham  the  young  Wolfe  was  sent  to  a 

voyage  by  storms  and  unfavorable  winds. 

good  private  school,  where  he  remained 

and  did  not  arrive  off  that  port  until  the 

until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  As 

COLONIAL.  1 JAMES 

WOLFE.  101 

a boy,  he  was  spirited  and  clever,  Init  not 

dashingly  gallant  in  battle,  but  he  was 

reniarkoble  for  liis  devotion  to  work. 

remarkable  for  his  judgment,  and  the 

Ilis  fatlier  being  now  ordered  to  join 

careful  study  of  his  art.  He  was,  more- 

Lord  Catlicart’s  expedition  to  Flander.s, 

over,  not  purely  a professional  routinist. 

he  took  Avitli  liiin  bis  son,  although  but 

but  posse.ssed  of  a general  culture,  which 

fourteen  years  of  age.  On  the  journey. 

had  liberalized  and  refined  his  whole  life 

the  lad,  who  was  always  feeble  in  health. 

and  character. 

fell  ill,  and  was  landed  at  Portsmouth. 

When  General  Sir  John  Mordaunt  nnd 

In  a short  time,  however,  he  recovered 

Admiral  Barker  were  sent  against  Boche- 

his  strength,  and  rejoined  his  father  at 

fort,  with  a large  force,  Pitt  chose 

the  camp,  where  he  entered  at  once  with 

Wolfe,  for  his  merit  alone,  as  the 

youthful  ardor  upon  all  tlie  duties  of  a 

quartermaster-general.  The  expedition 

military  life.  A commission  was  secured 

arrived  in  the  Basque  roads.  The  load- 

for  him,  and  the  boy  of  fourteen  became 

ers  were  quarrelling,  and  nothing  was  be- 

an  officer  in  a battalion  of  marines  as 

ing  done.  Wolfe,  impatient  of  this  slug- 

early  as  1741.  In  another  year  he  was 

gishnes.s,  takes  a boat  and  lands  alone 

made  ensign,  and  then  fought  his  first 

upon  the  shore.  He  now  quietly  walks 

battle  at  Dettingen.  In  1743,  he  becomes 

into  the  enemy’s  country  for  a mile  oi 

a lieutenant,  and  is  engaged  in  active  ser- 

more,  observing  with  a soldier’s  eye  its 

vice  in  Flanders.  He  next  receives  the 

weaknesses  and  its  strength.  He  returns 

command  of  a company,  and  we  hear  of 

on  board  the  admiral’s  ship,  and  reports 

the  youthful  officer  fighting  under  the 

the  result  of  his  observations  to  the  lead- 

duke  of  Cumberland  at  Fontenoy,  and 

ers  of  the  expedition.  He  urges  them  to 

redeeming,  by  his  gallant  behavior,  in 

land  and  begin  an  attack  on  Rochefort 

common  with  the  other  British  officers. 

at  once,  as  there  was  no  obstacle  suffi- 

the  misfortunes  of  that  day. 

cient  to  resist  it.  His  advice  is  scorned. 

The  young  Wolfe’s  merit  was  so  obvi- 

He  now,  in  his  earnestness,  declares  that 

OLis,  that  nothing  could  resist  his  advance- 

if  three  ships-of-war  and  five  hundred  men 

ment,  and  he  was  rapidly  promoted.  Ev- 

are  given  him,  he  will  carry  the  place 

ery  step  he  took  in  rank  was  more  than 

himself  His  proposition  is  rejected. 

jastified  by  his  progress  in  the  path  of 

The  expedition,  making  no  attempt  up- 

glory.  A major  under  Cumberland  at 

on  Rochefort,  returned  ingloriously  home. 

the  battle  of  Feldt,  his  conduct  was  so 

Wolfe’s  conduct  becoming  known  to  Pitt, 

admirable,  that  his  general-officer  loudly 

confirmed  that  statesman  in  his  high  es- 

thanked  him,  in  the  presence  of  the  whole 

timate  of  him.  The  pidjlic  welcomed 

army,  on  the  battle-field. 

him  as  the  only  hero  of  the  occasion,  and 

Pitt,  who  was  ever  alive  to  merit,  had 

the  minister  elevated  him  to  the  rank  of 

his  eye  upon  young  Wolfe,  who  plucked 

colonel. 

fresh  laurels  on  every  occasion.  It  was 

On  the  23d  of  January,  Wolfe 

not  only  that  the  youthful  officer  was 

was  appointed  a brigadier-general, 

lOS  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  LPakt  i. 

under  Amherst,  and  now  has  arrived  off 
Lonishnrj^,  in  eomniand  of  one  of  the 
three  divisions  of  the  large  foree  about 
to  attack  that  citadel. 

It  was  hoped  to  take  Louishnrg  by 
surprise.  Arriving  before  the  break  of 
da}^,  Amherst  gave  orders  tliat  not  a light 
should  be  shown,  and  no  noise  be  made, 
in  order  that  the  transports  might  work 
their  way  silently  into  the  harbor,  and 
the  troops  landed  so  suddenly  as  to 

come  upon  the  garrison  unexpectedly. 
As  the  morning  broke,  hoAvever,  a thick 
fog  shrouded  the  land  so  completely,  that 
it  was  impossible  to  attempt  to  disembark 
tlie  treojis.  As  the  day  advanced,  the  fog 
dispersed  ; but  a strong  wind  then  began 
to  blow,  bringing  in  witli  it  from  the  At- 
lantic a great  swell,  wliich  broke  in  such 
a high  surf  upon  the  shores  of  the  bay, 
that  it  was  quite  impossible  for  a small 
boat  to  ride  through  it  in  safety  to  the 
land.  The  general,  however,  in  the  com- 
pany of  Wolfe  and  another  officer,  ven- 
tured to  approach  the  shore  during  the 
night,  for  tlie  purpose  of  reconnoitring, 
and  saw  that  the  French  had  been  very 
busy  in  adding  to  the  defences,  by  ouh 
works  and  posts,  which  greatly  increased 
the  risks  of  landino;. 

For  a week  the  Atlantic  continued  to 
pour  in  its  great  waves,  so  as  to  cause 
such  a swell  in  the  harbor,  and  dash  such 
a surge  upon  the  beach,  that  no  attempt 
was  made  during  that  whole  time  to  land. 
On  the  eighth  day,  however,  the  sea  went 
down,  but  still  leaving  a dangerous  surf 
A naval  officer  having  made  a prelimi- 
nary survey,  and  reported  a favorable 
place  for  disembarking,  the  troops  were 



ordered  out  before  daybreak  into  the 
boats,  to  prepare  for  the  attempt.  There 
were  three  divisions.  The  right  and  cen- 
tre were  under  the  commands  of  Whit 
more  and  Lawrence.  Wolfe  led  the  left 
at  the  head  of  his  grenadiers,  five  hundred 
infantry,  and  a company  of  provincial 
rangers.  lie  was  the  first  to  approach 
the  shore.  The  French  gathered  in  large 
force  to  oppose  the  landing,  but  withheld 
their  fire  until  their  enemy  came  close  in ; 
and,  as  the  boats  rose  in  the  white  crests 
of  the  surf,  as  it  curled  up  from  the  shore, 
they  began  a near  and  murderous  fire : the 
English  suffered  greatly,  but,  retaining 
their  coolness,  and  not  returning  a shot, 
vigorously  drove  their  boats  through  the 
surf,  into  the  very  mouths  of  the  French 
muskets.  Wolfe  now  succeeded  in  land- 
ing his  troops,  and  began  an  onslaught 
wliich  soon  drove  the  enemy  in  disorder 
from  their  outworks,  to  the  very  walls 
of  the  city.  The  pursuit  was  continued 
with  great  slaughter,until  checked  by  the 
cannon  of  the  citadel,  when  Wolfe  retired 
to  a position  near  where  he  had  landed, 
bringing  back  with  him  seventy  prison- 
ers. The  other  divisions  had  succeeded 
also  in  landing,  but  not  until  they  had 
lost  a hundred  boats,  and  a large  number 
of  men,  from  the  violence  of  the  sea. 

Another  severe  storm  coming  on,  the 
artillery  was  not  brought  on  shore  foi 
two  or  three  days.  This  postponed  the 
siege,  which,  however,  was  soon  com- 
menced in  good  earnest.  The  guns  in 
position  and  the  intrenchments  dug,  the 
bombardment  began.  Day  and  night  the 
English  poured  from  their  batteries  on 
land,  and  their  ships  in  the  bay,  such  a 

r 


noLONiAL.]  SURRENDER  OE  LOUISHURG.  103 


tempest  of  balls,  bombshells,  and  red-hot 
shot,  that  finally,  the  citadel  having  been 
on  fire,  the  barracks  burnt  to  the  ground, 
and  the  walls  so  crumbled  and  brought 
so  close  within  the  approaching  land-baD 
teries,  that  the  enemy  were  unable  to 
stand  to  their  guns  ; and  the  French  com- 
mander was  forced,  after  a spirited  resistr 
ance,  which  was  prolonged  for  several 
weeks,  to  make  an  unconditional  surren- 
der. 

The  shipping  of  the  harbor,  and  a fine 
French  fleet  at  anchor  in  the  bay,  wei«e 
almost  annihilated.  Two  of  the  vessels- 
of-war,  toward  the  close  of  the  siege,  still 
remained  secure ; when  a volunteer  par- 
ty. in  a number  of  small  boats,  moved 
into  the  harbor,  in  spite  of  a liot  fire  kept 
up  by  the  enemy,  and,  boarding  the  sur- 
viving ships,  gallantly  took  them.  With 
this  volunteer  party  was  Cook,  then  a 
petty  officer  on  a British  ship-of-war,  af- 
terward the  famous  Captain  Cook,  who 
sailed  round  the  world. 

The  victory  Avas  a great  one.  England 
rejoiced  at  it,  and  did  honor  to  the  gal- 
lantry of  her  soldiers.  The  French  flags 
were  hung,  Avith  solemn  ceremonies,  on 
the  Avails  of  St.  Paul’s  cathedral ; and 
thanks  and  honors  Avere  decreed  by  Par- 
liament to  the  brave  officers  and  soldiers 
Avho  had  so  Aailiantly  Avon  a victory  in 
their  country’s  cause.  Wolfe,  having  per- 
formed a painful  duty  in  expelling  a rem- 
nant of  Acadians,  still  in  Nova  Scotia, 
from  their  homes,  Avas  attacked  Avith  a 
severe  illness,  and  AAms  obliged  to  return 
to  England.  On  his  arrival  there,  his  first 
act  Avas  to  address  a letter  to  Mr.  Pitt,  in 
which  he  modestly  but  spiritedly  offered 


his  services  for  the  ensuing  campaign  in 
America. 

The  British  government,  under  the  ad 
ministration  of  Pitt,  had  expressed  its  res 
olution  to  redeem,  at  every  hazard,  the 
disasters  Avhich  had  sullied  English  fame 
in  the  North  and  West.  England  voted 
men,  arms,  ammunition,  provisions,  and 
all  that  Avas  necessary  for  a campaign  • 
and  for  the  first  time,  at  the  suggestion 
of  the  able  Pitt,  bestoAved  upon  provin- 
cial olficers  the  rank  and  pay  of  regulars. 
The  American  colonies  sympathized  Avith 
these  liberal  measures  of  the  home  gov- 
ernment, and  raised  a large  force  of  pro- 
vincial militia : seven  thousand  men  came 
from  Massachusetts,  five  thousand  from 
Connecticut,  nine  hundred  from  Ncav 
Hampshire,  and  large  numbers  from 
Rhode  Island,  Ncav  York,  and  Ncav  Jer- 
sey, and  gathered  together  at  Albany,  un- 
der the  command  of  Abercrombie,  Avho, 
since  the  departure  of  Lord  Loudoun, had 
become  commander-in-chief.  In  addition 
to  the  large  provincial  force,  amounting 
to  over  nine  thousand,  there  Avere  nearly 
seven  thousand  British  regulars,  Avell  offi- 
cered by  some  of  the  most  brilliant  of 
England’s  military  chiefs,  among  Avhom 
Avas  the  young  Lord  HoAve,  “ the  idol  and 
soul  of  the  army.” 

This  great  force  now  set  out.  ‘‘  On  the 
fifth  day  of  July,”  says  Bancroft, 

“ the  Avhole  armament  of  more  than 
fifteen  thousand  men,  the  largest  body  of 
European  origin  that  had  ever  been  as- 
sembled in  America,  struck  their  tents 
at  daybreak,  and  in  nine  hundred  small 
boats  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-fiA'e 
Avhale-boats,  Avith  artillery  mounted  on 


104 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PART  J 


rafts,  onibarked  on  Lake  George.  The 
fleet,  bright  with  banners,  and  cheered 
by  martial  music,  moved  in  stately  pro- 
cession down  the  beautiful  lake,  beaming 
with  hope  and  pride,  though  with  no  wit- 
ness but  the  wilderness.  They  passed 
over  the  broader  expanse  of  waters  to 
the  first  nai-rows ; they  came  where  the 
mountains  step  down  to  the  water’s  edge, 
and,  mantled  wdth  forests,  enhance  the 
picturesque  loveliness  of  the  scene ; and, 
in  the  richest  hues  of  evening  light,  they 
haltcid  at  Sabbatli-day  point.  Long  after- 
Avard,  Stark  (who  was  now  a captain)  re- 
membered that  on  that  night,  Howe,  re- 
clining in  his  tent  on  a bearskin,  and  bent 
jn  winning  a hero’s  name,  questioned 
him  closely  as  to  the  position  of  Ticon- 
deroga,  and  the  fittest  mode  of  attack.” 

At  Sabliath-day  point  they  halted  but 
a few  hours;  and, while  it  was  yet  night, 
the  ti’oops  took  to  their  boats  again,  and 
sailed  along  the  lake  until  they  reached 
the  Narrows,  where  they  arrived  at  break 
of  day.  Here  the  brave  Colonel  Brad- 
street  was  put  ashore  at  once  with  two 
thousand  men  to  reconnoitre,  who,  find- 
ing no  enemy,  were  followed  immediate- 
ly by  the  rest  of  the  forces. 

The  F rench  fort  of  Ticonderoga,against 
which  the  English  were  now  marching, 
was  placed  on  the  narrow  strip  of  land 
between  Lake  George  and  Lake  Cham- 
})lai  n.  Montcalm  was  vigilant,  and,  aware 
of  the  approach  of  the  British,  had  sent 
out  a small  force  to  the  borders  of  Lake 
(Jeorge,  to  oppose  their  landing.  This 
fori'-e,  however,  observing  the  large  num- 
bers advancing,  began  to  retire ; but,  in 
attempting  to  return,  they  got  lost  in  the 


forests,  which  crowded  thickly  the  sur 
rounding  country.  A small  party  of  the 
English,  under  Lord  Howe,  being  in  ad- 
vance, reconnoitring,  fell  in  with  the 
French  ; and  a desperate  struggle  began 
at  once,  in  the  midst  of  the  tangled  woods 
and  in  the  yielding  swamp.  The  English 
fought  gallantly,  and  the  enemy  stoutly 
resisted.  The  heroic  Howe  was  foremost 
in  the  fight,  but,  struck  early  by  a mus- 
ket-ball, fell  instantly  dead.  The  loss  of 
tlieir  good  and  chivalrous  young  leader 
gave  the  intensity  of  revenge  to  the  cour- 
age of  his  men,  and  they  battled  more 
desperately  tlian  ever  with  the  enemy ; 
but  such  was  the  obstinate  fierceness  with 
which  the  French  held  their  ground,  that 
they  did  not  yield  until  they  were  nearly 
all  exterminated,  with  but  a single  hun- 
dred out  of  their  whole  force  of  half  a 
thousand  left! 

The  death  of  Howe  was  so  discoura- 
ging to  the  troops  and  to  their  general, 
that  both  seemed  to  lose  heart.  Aber- 
crombie himself  acted  almost  like  a mad- 
man. With  no  purpose  that  was  intelli- 
gible, he  marched  his  forces  back  again 
to  the  spot  whence  they  had  come  the 
day  before,  with  the  greatest  trial  to  their 
spirit  and  endurance.  He,  however,  soon 
recovered  sufficient  courage  to  act,  but 
only  to  act  with  reckless  imprudence. 
He  marched  upon  Ticonderoga,  and,  en- 
countering the  French,  to  the  number  of 
four  thousand  or  more,  in  an  intrenched 
camp  at  Cerrillon,in  front  of  the  fort,  gave 
them  battle.  With  an  unreflecting  an- 
dacity, Abercrombie  led  his  troops  against 
the  impregnable  centre  of  the  enemy’s 
position,  though  the  flanks  were  exposed. 


r 

COLONIAL.]  FALL  OF  FRONTENAC.  105 


and  would  have  readily  yielded  to  an  as- 
sault. The  British  fought  gallantly,  but 
they  dashed  themselves  in  vain  against 
the  enemy’s  defences,  like  an  angry  sea 
upon  a granite  coast.  They  were  driven 
back  with  fearful  slaughter.  They  came 
up  again  and  again  to  the  attack ; but  so 
useless  seemed  their  efforts,  and  so  great 
their  loss,  that  the  survivors  at  last  fled 
in  confusion  from  the  place.  Montcalm 
had  earned  a great  victory : Abercrombie 
had  suffered  a disgraceful  defeat.  The 
loss  of  the  English  amounted  to  nineteen 
hundred  and  fifty,  among  whom  was  a 
large  number  of  officers.  The  French, 
protected  as  they  had  been  by  their 
strong  breastwork,  had  lost  less  than  four 
hundred.  Pitt,  when  he  received  intelli- 
gence of  this  British  defeat,  was  almost 
inconsolable.  “I  think  this  check,  my 
dear  Pitt,”  wrote  Bute,  “ affects  you  too 
strongly.” 

Abercrombie  returned  now  to  the  safe 
quarters  of  Fort  Edward,  and  busied  him- 
self in  strengthening  its  defences.  With 
an  unaccountable  stupidity,  however,  he 
sent  away  the  artillery  and  ammunition 
to  New  York,  and  thus  deprived  himself 
of  the  means  of  acting  on  the  offensive, 
which  his  large  number  of  troops  would 
so  fully  have  justified.  The  gallant  Brad- 
street  fretted  at  this  inactivity  of  his  gen- 
eral, and  begged  that  he  might  be  per- 
mitted to  lead  a force  against  the  French 
post  of  Frontenac,  on  Lake  Ontario.  Ab- 
ercrombie yielded  to  the  solicitations  of 
his  spirited  subaltern,  and  sent  him  out 
with  several  thousand  men  and  a detach- 
ment of  artillery. 

Bradstreet  moved  rapidly  on.  Clear- 
14 


ing  with  immense  labor  the  logs  from 
W ood  creek,  with  which  W ebb,  with  stu- 
pid officiousness,  had  obstructed  its  navi- 
gation, he  embarked  his  artillery  and 
stores,  and  marched  his  men  by  land  to 
Lake  Oneida.  Thence  he  sailed  up  the 
Onondaga  to  Lake  Ontario,  and  landed 
within  a mile  of  Fort  Frontenac.  He  now 
apjiroached,  and,  gaining  possession  of  an 
old  intrenchment  near  the  French  posi- 
tion, threw  up  some  additional  works,  and 
began  a vigorous  attack. 

The  French  commander  soon  surren- 
dered, and  Bradstreet  succeeded  in  the 
object  of  his  expedition  without  the  loss 
of  a single  soldier.  While  Abercrombie 
was  securely  intrenched  within  Fort  Ed- 
ward, keeping  his  large  body  of  troops 
in  almost  complete  inactivity,  a British 
expedition  was'  being  carried  on  with 
great  spirit  to  the  West. 

General  Forbes  had  been  intrusted  with 
the  command  of  a large  force,  with  which 
to  march  against  Fort  Du  Quesne,  and 
strove  to  redeem  the  disgrace  of  Brad 
dock’s  defeat.  In  addition  to  five  thou- 
sand provincials — among  whom  was  a 
corps  of  Virginians,  under  Washington — 
Forbes  had  with  him  a regiment  of  High- 
landers, and  a number  of  officers,  like 
himself,  who  were  brave  but  hot-headed 
Celts.  These  were  the  reclaimed  Jaco- 
bites, of  whom  Pitt  said,  and  by  his  own 
wise  policy  was  enabled  to  say,  “Tliey 
cheerfully  bled  in  defence  of  those  liber- 
ties which  they  had  attempted  to  over- 
throw but  a few  years  before.” 

Starting  from  Philadelphia,  the  army 
had  a long  and  difficult  march  over  the 
Alleghanies;  but  Forbes  had  learned,  by 


106  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i 

the  sad  experience  of  Braddock,  to  pro- 

was  resolved  upon  escaping,  if  not  death, 

vide  against  the  trials  and  dangers  of  a 

at  any  rate  the  lengthened  agonies  of 

passage  through  the  wilderness.  He  met 

savage  torture.  He  accordingly  hit  upon 

with  no  reverse  until  within  about  nine- 

this  ingenious  expedient : He  gave  out 

ty  miles  of  the  fort,  when  one  of  his  too 

that  he  knew  the  secret  of  a great  medi- 

impulsive  Scotch  officers, while  in  advance 

cine,  which,  if  applied  to  the  skin,  would 

to  reconnoitre  the  enemy’s  position,  sound- 

make  it  invulnerable.  He  was  believed 

ed  his  bagpipes  and  challenged  the  French 

by  his  barbarous  listeners,  who  allowed 

to  battle.  The  challenge  was  accepted ; 

him  to  gather  the  necessary  herbs,  witli 

and  the  impatient  Higlilander,  with  his 

whicli  Allan  made  a decoction,  and  ap- 

eight  hundred  kilted  followers,  was  worst- 

plied  it  to  his  neck.  “ Strike,  now,”  he 

ed.  lie  had  to  pay  for  his  rashness  by 

told  them,  “with  all  your  might,  and 

his  own  captivity  and  that  of  three  hun- 

you’ll  see  the  power  of  the  great  medi- 

dred  of  his  men. 

cine  !”  The  savage  raised  his  tomahawk. 

The  Highlanders — who  were  raw  re- 

and,  bringing  it  down  with  all  tlie  force 

emits,  fresh  from  their  mountain-fastnes- 

of  his  arm,  sent  poor  Allan  Maepherson’s 

ses — were  constantly,  by  their  ignorance 

head  rolling  off  several  yards ! The  In- 

and  disregard  of  military  discipline,  get- 

dians  saw  the  trick,  by  which  the  shrewd 

ting  into  all  sorts  of  serious  difficulties. 

Highlander  had  saved  himself  the  tor- 

On  one  occasion,  a man  was  seen  coming 

ments  of  a lingering  death.  They  wei  e 

' 

out  of  the  woods,  with  his  long  hair  all 

so  tickled  with  Maepherson’s  ingenuity, 

awry,  and  his  ])ody  wrapped  in  some  dark- 

that  they  became  sufficiently  good-na- 

colored  drapery.  The  sentinel  challenged 

tured  to  spare  his  surviving  comrades. 

liim,  but  receiving  no  answer,  or  not  un- 

not  from  death,  but  from  a long  and  pain- 

derstanding  it,  shot  him  dead.  It  turned 

fid  journey  to  it.  Torture  was  not  in- 

out  that  the  poor  fellow,  who  was  sup- 

dieted  upon  the  rest  of  the  victims. 

posed  to  be  a skulking  Indian  in  a blan- 

In  spite  of  the  mishap  in  which  the 

ket,  was  no  more  than  a raw,  unkempt. 

recklessness  of  his  officers  had  involved 

and  innocent  Ilielander,  in  his  mountain- 

him,  Forbes  persevered  in  his  advance. 

plaid,  astray  in  the  woods.  He  had  prob- 

and  had  the  satisfaction  of  dnding,  on 

^ably  answered  the  sentinel’s  challenge  in 

reaching  Fort  Du  Quesne,that  the  French 

his  native  Gaelic,  his  only  tongue ; and 

had  ded.  The  British  took  possession  of 

the  Saxon  soldier  had  mistaken  it  for 

the  deserted  fort,  with  Washington  and 

Choctaw,  or  some  other  Indian  dialect ! 

his  “ really  dne  corps  ” of  Virgin-  ,,  ^ , 

Again,  on  another  occasion,  several  of 

• 1 11  iSov* 

lans  among  the  first  to  plant  the 

these  Highland  soldiers,  by  their  undis- 

English  dag,  and  called  the  place  Pitts- 

ciplined  habits  of  wandering,  fell  into  an 

burg,  in  honor  of  the  great  statesman  whu 

ambush  of  Indians.  These  savages  be- 

was  now  redeeming  everywhere  the  glo- 

gan  their  cruel  tortures,  when  one  Allan 

ry  of  his  country.  Thus  ended  the  cam- 

Maepherson,  finding  his  turn  had  come. 

paign  of  1758. 

r- 

COLONTAL.J  CANADA  TO  BE  CONQUERED.  10/ 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

I’ltt  determines  to  wrest  America  from  the  Dominion  of  France. — Expedition  to  Canada,  under  Amherst. — Its  Failure. — 

Johnson’s  Success  at  Niagara. — Wolfe  appointed  to  command  the  Expedition  against  Quebec. — His  Interview  with 

Pitt — Wolfe’s  Entliusiasm. — Ilis  Better  Qualities. — Poet  and  Soldier. — Honor  and  Piety. — The  Expedition  sails. — 

The  Force. — The  Officers. — The  Voyage. — Arrival  on  the  American  Coast. — Off  Quebec. — Wolfe’s  Impetuosity  of 
Temper. — Promptitude  of  Action. — Landing  of  a Small  Detachment  on  the  Island  of  Orleans. — Audacity  stronger 

than  Numbers. — The  Whole  Force  debarked. — Wolfe’s 

Contemplation  of  the  Scene  of  the  Coming  Struggle. — His 

Reflections. — A Storm,  and  an  Overshadowed  Heart. — Clear  Weather,  and  Bright  Hope. — A Nocturnal  Incident — A 
Fire-ship  in  the  Night. — Wolfe’s  Proclamation. — A Gentle  Nature  curdled  by  Blood. 

The  attention  of  England  was 
now  concentrated  upon  its  Ameri- 

unaccountable  procrastination,  sailed  at 
length  to  the  north  of  Lake  Champlain. 

can  colonies.  Pitt,  encouraged  by  the 

The  enemy  had  feared  to  meet  the  ])re- 

triumphs  which  his  active  administration 

ponderating  numbers  of  the  English  on 

litid  succeeded  in  winning,  and  cheered 

their  march ; and,  as  the  latter  came  m'ar 

by  the  sympathies  of  the  whole  British 

Montreal,  the  inhabitants  of  that  city,  al- 

nation,  resolutely  bent  all  his  energies 

though  making  every  effort  to  prepare 

toward  wresting  completely  the  domin- 

for  resistance,  were  in  a state  of  groat 

ion  of  America  from  the  grasp  of  France. 

alarm.  The  English,  however,  turned 

The  English  Parliament  seconded,  almost 

back  again  when  wdthin  reach  and  almost 

with  one  mind,  this  spirited  design  of 

certain  of  victory. 

their  leader,  and,  to  carry  it  out,  gener- 

The  expedition  against  Niagara  had. 

ously  voted  the  large  sum  of  two  him- 

with  the  aid  of  Johnson  and  his  Indian 

dred  thousand  pounds.  The  great  object 

force,  been  successful,  and  that  important 

was,  to  conquer  Canada ; and,  with  this 

position  had  surrendered  also  to  the  Eng- 

purpose,  he  determined  to  send  three  ex- 

lish. 

peditions  against  those  strongholds  of 

It  was  to  Wolfe  that  Pitt  intrusted  the 

French  power  in  America  — Niagara, 

expedition  against  Quebec.  In  January, 

Montreal,  and  Quebec. 

1759,  the  young  officer  was  gazetted  a 

Amherst,  who  had  been  so  successful 

major-general,  and  given  the  command- 

at  Louisburg,  was  appointed  commander- 

in-chief  of  the  troops  destined  for  Canada, 

in-chief  of  the  British  forces  in  America, 

Wolfe  was  now  thirty-two  years  of  age. 

and  ordered  to  advance  toward  Canada, 

He  is  not  described  as  being  particularly 

by  the  northern  lakes.  He  accordingly 

well-favored  in  looks.  His  frame  w’as 

marched,  with  an  immense  force,  and,  al- 

meager,  and  indicative  of  a feeble  const! 

though  with  much  toil,  delay,  and  occa- 

tution.  His  features  were  sharp  and  an- 

sional  opposition,  succeeded  in  possessing 

gular,  his  forehead  receding,  his  complex- 

nimself  of  the  two  French  forts  of  Ticon- 

ion  coarse  and  freckled,  and  his  hair  red- 

deroga  and  Crown  Point,  and, after  a most 

dish.  His  mouth,  however,  bore  a refined 

.08  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  i PAr.T  i 


and  gentle  expression,  while  his  large 
bine  eyes  beamed  with  intelligence  and 
a sweet  sensibility.  His  manner  was  not 
particularly  engaging  to  strangers,  but  all 
who  knew  him  well  loved  him  well.  He 
was  frank  and  sincere.  Warm  in  his  af- 
fections, and  of  a loving  nature,  he  clung 
to  his  parents,  and  particularly  to  his 
mother,  with  the  devotion  of  a pure  and 
fond  heart.  He  was  naturally  domestic 
in  his  tastes,  notwithstanding  his  military 
life,  and  in  writing  to  his  mother  he  says 
of  himself : I have  a turn  of  mind  that 
favors  matrimony  prodigiously ; I love 
children,  and  think  them  necessary  to 
people  in  their  later  days.” 

He  became  enamored  of  a beautiful 
woman  at  an  early  age,  but  his  love  was 
not  at  first  returned.  Persisting,  howev- 
ei',  in  his  suit,  he  was  finally  accepted  by 
Miss  Lowther,  a celebrated  beauty  (sub- 
se(pieutly  the  duchess  of  Bolton),  whom 
ho  was  to  marry  on  his  return  from  the 
Canadian  expedition.  He  gave  his  be- 
trothed, on  his  last  farewell,  a necklace 
of  pearls.  She  wore  it  ever  after,  but,  in 
a few  months,  always  wrapped  in  dlac/c 
velvet. 

Wolfe  was  excitable  in  manner,  and 
somewhat  impetuous  in  temper.  His  nar 
ture  was  an  enthusiastic  one,  and  he  pur- 
sued with  ardor  whatever  touched  his 
heart.  His  warmth  occasionally  caused 
those,  who  did  not  know  him  well,  to 
doubt  his  discretion.  A day  or  two  after 
he  had  received  his  command,  he  dined 
with  Pitt.  After  dinner,  the  subject  of 
his  expedition  to  Quebec  naturally  com- 
ing up,  Wolfe  became  so  excited,  that  he 
sprang  from  his  seat,  strode  about  the 


room,  flourishing  his  sword,  and  spoke  of 
what  he  would  do  in  such  a boastful  man- 
ner, that  Pitt  was  said  to  have  been  fright- 
ened for  a moment  at  having  intrusted 
to  apparently  such  a frivolous  character 
so  weighty  a matter  as  the  fate  of  na- 
tions. 

Wolfe’s  mercurial  temper  was,  howev- 
er, balanced  by  a strong  and  well-culti- 
vated intellect.  He  was  fond  of  study, 
and,  by  diligent  application,  though  most 
of  his  life  had  been  spent  in  the  camp, 
had  become  no  mean  scholar.  He  wrote 
both  prose  and  verse  with  facility.  That 
famous  camp-song  is  his  which  still  echoes 
in  every  tent  where  the  British  soldier  is 
serving  his  country: — 

“ How  stands  the  glass  around  ? 

For  shame  ! ye  take  no  care,  my  beys, 

IIow  stands  tlie  glass  around? 

Let  mirth  and  wine  abound, 

Tlie  trumpets  sound, 

The  colors  they  are  flying,  boys; 

To  fight,  kill,  or  wound. 

May  we  still  be  found 
Content  with  our  hard  fate,  my  boys, 

On  the  cold  ground  ! 

“ Why,  soldiers,  why. 

Should  we  be  melancholy,  boys  ? 

Why,  soldiers,  why? 

Whose  business  ’tis  to  die  ! 

What,  sighing?  fie  ! 

Don’t  fear,  drink  on  ; be  jolly,  boys  ! 

’Tis  he,  you,  or  I ! 

Cold,  hot,  wet,  or  dry. 

We’re  always  bound  to  follow,  boys, 

And  scorn  to  fly ! 

“’Tis  but  in  vain  — 

I mean  not  to  upbraid  you,  boys  — 

’T  is  but  in  vain 

For  soldiers  to  complain 

Should  next  campaign 


;oi.on:al.J  THE  MAD  WOLFE.  109 


Send  us  to  IIiM  wlio  made  us,  boys, 
We’re  free  from  pain  ! 

But,  if  we  remain, 


A bottle  and  a kind  landlady 
Cure  all  again !” 

Wolfe’s  affectionate  and  domestic  na- 
ture, in  sympathy  with  the  devotional 
sentiment  of  his  pious  mother,  whom  he 
so  strongly  loved,  was  religiously  dis- 
posed. lie  had  even  the  reputation  of 
being;  fanatical.  A courtier  remonstrated 
with  the  king  on  the  appointment  of 
Wolfe,  saying,  “ He  is  mad”  (meaning  by 
mad,”  over-religious).  “ If  he  be  mad,” 
replied  the  sovereign,  “ I wish  he  would 
bite  some  of  my  other  generals !”  Wolfe 
tells  his  mother,  in  a letter  from  Scot- 
land : “ I have  observed  your  instructions 
so  rigidly,  that,  rather  than  want  the 
word,  I got  the  reputation  of  being  a 
very  good  Presbyterian,  by  frequenting 
the  kirk  of  Scotland  till  our  chapel, 
opens.” 

On  the  14th  of  February,  the 
British  land-forces,  under  Wolfe, 
sailed  for  America.  The  transports  which 
bore  them  were  convoyed  by  a large 
English  squadron,  commanded  by  Saun- 
ders, “ that  admiral  who  was  a pattern 
of  most  sturdy  bravery  united  with  the 
most  unaffected  modesty.  No  man  said 
less  or  deserved  more.  Simplicity  in  his 
manners,  generosity,  and  good  nature, 
adorned  his  genuine  love  of  his  coun- 
try.” On  the  21st  of  April,  the  whole 
firmament  arrived  off  Cape  Breton,  but 
could  not  enter  the  harbor  of  Louisburg, 
as  was  originally  intended,  in  consequence 
of  the  large  quantity  of  floating  ice.  They 
set  sail  for  Halifax,  in  Nova  Scotia,  and 


anchored  in  that  port.  Here  were  now 
gathered  a magnificent  fleet  of  twmnty 
two  ships-of-the-line,  five  frigates,  nine- 
teen smaller  vessels,  and  a crowed  of  trans 
ports,  under  the  Hag  of  Admiral  Saunders, 
General  Wolfe  mustered  eight  tliousnnd 
troops  under  his  command.  A detach- 
ment of  artillery  and  engineers,  ten  bat- 
talions of  infantry,  and  six  companie.'-^ 
of  rangers,  made  up  the  wdiole  force, 
which,  how^ever,  was  afteiuvard  increased 
by  the  addition  of  several  companies  from 
the  garrison  at  Cape  Breton,  and  which 
formed  wdiat  wms  called  the  corps  of  Lou- 
isburg  grenadiers. 

“ On  board  one  of  the  ships,”  sa3ts  Ban- 
croft, “ was  Jervis,  afterw%ard  Earl  St.  Vin- 
cent; another  which  follow'ed  bore  as  mas- 
ter James  Cook,  the  navigator  who  was 
destined  to  explore  and  reveal  the  un- 
knowm  paths  and  thousand  isles  of  tlie 
Pacific.  The  brigades  had  for  their  com- 
manders the  brave,  open-hearted,  and  lib- 
eral Robert  Monckton,  afterward  govern- 
or of  New  York  and  conqueror  of  Mar- 
tinico ; George  Townshend,  elder  brother 
of  Charles  Townshend,  soon  to  succeed 
his  father  in  the  peerage,  and  become 
known  as  a legislator  for  America,  a man 
of  quick  perception  but  unsafe  judgment ; 
and  the  rash  and  inconsiderate  Murray. 
For  his  adjutant-general  Wolfe  selected 
Isaac  Barre,  an  old  associate  at  Louis- 
burg ; an  Irishman  of  humble  birth,  elo- 
quent, ambitious,  and  fearless.  The  gren- 
adiers of  the  army  were  formed  into  a 
corps,  commanded  by  Colonel  Guy  Carle- 
ton.  A detachment  of  light  infiuitiy 
were  to  receive  orders  from  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  afterwmrd  Sir  William  TTow’e.” 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPART  . 


llu 

The  ice  having  cleared,  Admiral  Saun- 
ders bore  away  for  Louisburg.  He  de- 
tached from  his  fleet,  however,  a small 
squadron,  under  Admiral  Darrell,  to  inter- 
cept the  French  vessels  which  were  said 
to  be  making  their  way  to  the  St.  Law- 
rence, in  order  to  carry  relief  to  Quebec. 
On  the  arrival  of  the  sliips  and  troops  in 
the  harbor  of  Louisburg,  the  two  com- 
manders (Saunders  and  Wolfe)  counselled 
together  in  regard  to  the  plans  of  the 
proposed  attack  on  Quebec ; and  orders 
were  soon  after  issued  to  all  the  vessels, 
in  case  of  separation,  to  make  Gaspe  bay, 
in  the  gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  the  first,  and 
the  island  of  Bic,  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  up  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  the  sec- 
ond rendezvous. 

All  the  forces,  land  and  sea,  were  in  a 
state  of  high  confidence,  and  impatient 
for  action.  They  were  just  ready  to  start, 
when  bad  news  arrived.  Darrell  had  lost 
his  chance  at  the  French  squadron,  which 
had  given  him  the  slip  and  sailed  up  the 
St.  Lawrence.  This,  however  disappoint- 
ing, did  not  bate  a jot  of  the  confident 
enthusiasm  which  filled  the  heart  of  ev- 
ery British  soldier  and  sailor.  On  the 
6th  of  June,  as  the  splendid  fleet  cleared 
the  dismal,  snow-covered  shores  of  Cape 
Breton,  the  troops  drew  up  on  the  decks, 
iind  the  crews  manned  the  yards  of  each 
vessel,  from  the  proudest  ship-ofthe-line 
to  the  humblest  tender,  and  gave  one 
shout  of  joyful  hope  of  soon  meeting  the 
enemy.  There  was  victory  in  the  full 
sound  of  this  burst  of  confident  enthusi- 
asm Tlu!  men  relied  upon  their  own 
strength  and  courage,  and  trusted  in  the 
skill  of  their  leadens.  Each  tar  knew 


Saunders  to  be  every  inch  a sailor.  No 
soldier  doubted  the  courage  and  ability 
of  3^oung  Wolfe.  Affection,  too,  warmed 
the  faith  of  every  follower  into  devotion 
to  his  leaders.  Saunders,  and  more  espe- 
cially Wolfe,  were  beloved  by  their  men. 

With  fine  weather  and  favorable  winds 
the  fleet  moved  on  gallantly  past  New- 
foundland, in  its  mantle  of  snow ; along 
the  Bird  islands,  with  a “ ten-knot  breeze 
and,  on  the  11th  of  June,  came  up  with 
the  Gaspe  headland.  One  frigate,  how- 
ever, had  pushed  on  ahead,  the  Richmond, 
which  bore  the  impatient  Wolfe,  and  which 
with  his  ea<ii:erness  to  be  foremost  he  had 
selected  as  the  fastest  in  the  fleet.  On 
the  13th  of  June,  the  daimers  of  the  island 
of  Anticosti,  lying  threateningly  at  the 
mouth  of  the  gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  were 
safely  passed ; and,  on  the  18th,  the  fleet 
came  to  anchor  not  far  from  the  island 
of  Bic.  At  this  point,  although  the  ships 
had  “ kept  well  together,”  the  Richmond, 
with  Wolfe  aboard,  had  already  arrived, 
having  been  to  this  moment  far  in  ad- 
vance of  all  the  rest. 

The  fleet  moved  on  again  the  next  d,ay. 
There  was  a calm  off  the  mouth  of  the 
Saguenay,  where  there  was  some  danger 
of  wreck  to  the  small  vessels  from  the 
current-drifts,  but  from  wdiich  they  were 
fortunately  relieved  by  the  evening  wind 
blowing  off  the  land ; there  rvas  a cap- 
ture of  a French  vessel,  Avith  a distin- 
guished lady  belonging  to  the  family  ot 
the  marquis  de  Vaudreuil,  governor  oi 
Canada,  and  some  nuns,  all  of  whom  were 
most  courteously  treated,  and  sent  to 
Q\iebec ; and  nothing  more  of  incident 
until  the  whole  fleet  came  to  anchor  in 


r 


(oi.OMAL.J  WOLFE  BEHOLDS  QUEBEC.  Ill 


the  evening  of  the  23d  of  June,  oh’  the 
village  of  St.  Joseph.  Here  there  was  a 
slight  brush  with  the  enemy.  Some  sur- 
vey-boats were  shot  at  by  the  inhabitants, 
and  the  English  took  summary  revenge 
with  a company  of  grenadiers,  who,  with 
fire  and  slaughter,  laid  waste  the  Cana- 
dian hamlet. 

On  the  2Gth  of  June,  the  whole  fleet 
of  men-of-war  and  transports  anchored  ofl' 
the  island  of  Orleans,  from  which  could 
be  distinctly  seen  the  lofty  cliffs  of  jag- 
ged slate  on  wdiich  Quebec  stood,  with  its 
citadel  grimly  defiant.  Wolfe’s  love  of 
action — for,  although  judicious,  he  was 
impetuously  prompt — would  not  allow 
him  to  waste  a moment.  He  ordered  his 
troops  at  once  to  make  ready  to  land  ; 
and  on  the  very  first  night  he  sent  a small 
reconnoitring  force  of  forty  rangers,  un- 
der the  command  of  a lieutenant,  to  make 
their  way  silently  to  the  island,  and  gain 
what  intelligence  they  could.  The  ran- 
gers landed  cautiously  and  without  ob- 
servation, but,  in  groping  their  way  qui- 
etly over  the  ground,  came  suddenly 
u})on  a large  number  of  the  iuhabitauts, 
busily  engaged  in  burying  in  the  earth 
their  valuables,  to  secure  them  against 
the  invaders.  The  British  officer  looked 
somewhat  aghast  at  the  overpowering 
crowd,  but,  finding  that  his  only  safety 
was  in  audacity,  boldly  confronted  them, 
and  began  at  once  an  onslaught.  The 
Canadians  struggled  manfally  for  awhile, 
but.  fearful  of  a larger  body  of  the  ene- 
my in  reserve,  soon  gave  wvay  and  fled. 

The  English  were  too  glad  at  their 
happy  escape,  to  risk  anything  by  pur- 
suit, and,  quietly  making  their  way  to  a 


neighboring  farmhouse,  rested  there  un- 
til the  next  morning.  During  the  night 
all  the  inhabitants  made  their  escape, 
leaving  the  island  in  possession  of  the 
lieutenant  and  his  twoscore  of  rangor.s. 
Tliey  were,  however,  soon  joined  by  the 
whole  of  Wolfe’s  troops,  who  landed  early 
in  the  day.  The  boats  had  made  for  a 
cove,  and  the  men  landed  on  a spot  near 
a church,  on  the  walls  of  which  the  priest 
had  reverently  inscribed  an  appeal  “ to 
the  worthy  officers  of  the  British  army,” 
invoking  them  to  spare  the  holy  edifice 
and  its  sacred  altars.  The  church  was 
spared. 

While  the  men  encamped  on  the  beau- 
tiful island,  and,  when  off  duty,  lingered 
with  delight  over  its  fertile  fields  and  rich 
garden.s,  all  in  the  freshness  and  bloom 
of  early  summer,  their  anxious  command- 
er was  thoughtful  only  of  duty.  His  first 
impulse  was  to  make  his  way,  in  compa- 
ny with  the  chief-engineer  and  an  escort, 
to  the  farthest  west  of  the  i.sland,  that  he 
might  look  upon  the  scene  of  the  great 
work  in  wffiich  his  wdiole  mind  w^as  now 
absorbed. 

“A  magnificent  butdishearteningseene 
lay  before  him,”  says  Warburton.  “On 
the  summit  of  the  highest  eminence,  over 
the  strait  in  the  great  river  from  whence 
the  basin  before  him  opened,  the  French 
flag  waved.  The  crest  of  the  rocky  height 
was  crowned  with  formidable  works,  re- 
doubted and  flanked.  On  every  fa^•ora- 
ble  spot,  above,  below,  or  on  the  rugged 
ascent,  were  batteries  bristling  with  guns. 
This  stronghold  formed  the  right  flank 
of  a position  eight  miles  in  extent ; the 
falls  and  the  deep  and  rapid  stream  of 


112  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i 


the  Montmorenci  was  the  left.  The 
shoals  and  rocks  of  the  St.  Lawrence  pro- 
tected the  broad  front ; and  the  rich  val- 
ley of  the  St.  Charles,  with  the  pro.sper- 
ous  and  beautiful  villages  of  Charlesburg 
and  Beauport,  gave  shelter  and  hospitali- 
ty in  the  rear.  A crested  bank  of  some 
height  over  the  great  river  marked  the 
main  line  of  the  defences  from  east  to 
west;  parapets,  Hanked  at  every  favora- 
ble spot,  aided  their  natural  strength. 
Cuowded  on  the  embattled  bank,  swarm- 
ingr  in  the  irre«:ular  village-streets,  and 
formed  in  masses  on  the  hills  beyond, 
were  twelve  thousand  French  and  Cana- 
dian troops,  led  by  the  gallant  Mont- 
calm.” 

Wolfe  looked  on  with  momentary  feel- 
ings of  despair ; and,  as  he  gazed,  ponder- 
ing upon  the  undertaking  which  loomed 
in  such  immensity  before  his  imagination, 
there  came  up  a heavy  cloud,  which  had 
gathered  over  the  city,  and  now  burst  in 
a violezit  storm  over  his  head.  The  hur- 
ricane blew  with  great  fury ; and,  as  the 
lio-htnino;  flashed,  the  terrible  eflects  of 
the  rag-ino;  wind  were  visible.  The  fleet 
of  vessels  were  in  a state  of  great  com- 
motion, being  thrown  about  almost  at  the 
mercy  of  the  agitated  waters.  The  iron 
chains  which  moored  the  transports  were 
rent  in  twain  as  if  they  had  been  of  straw; 
the  small  boats  were  reft  from  their  moor- 
ings, and  da.shed  in  useless  wrecks  upon 
the  shore ; and  the  great  ships-of-the-line 
could  hardly  hold  to  their  heavy  anchors. 

Wolfe,  almost  overwhelmed  with  what 
appeared  to  be  an  omen  of  fatal  disaster 
to  his  great  enterprise,  turned  away  from 
the  melancholy  scene  in  deep  thought, 


full  of  sad  presage  for  the  future.  His 
mind,  however,  soon  turned  in  retrospect 
to  the  land  he  had  left,  and  to  that  coun- 
try which  had  intrusted  him  with  the 
guardianship  of  its  glory. 

Other  feelings  now  stirred  his  heroic 
soul;  despair  and  irresolution  gave  way 
to  hope  and  firmness.  He  had  promised 
that  “no  dangers  or  difficulties  shoifld 
discourage  him,”  and  he  now  determined 
that  none  should.  As  the  calm  self-reli- 
ance which  belongs  to  genius  settled  up- 
on his  mind,  and  all  the  disordered  fan- 
cies which  had  momentarily  vexed  his 
thoughts  were  scattered.  Nature,  as  if  in 
sympathy  with  the  noble  Wolfe,  became 
also  lulled  to  quiet.  The  storm  passed 
suddenly  away ; and,  as  night  darkened, 
all  was  in  repose,  with  but  a star  here 
and  there  gentlv  twinkling  a faint  light 

The  British  soldiers  now  encamped, 
and  all  soon  were  sleeping  on  their  arms, 
except  the  watchful  sentinels  who  passed 
to  and  fro  along  the  shore.  As  the  night 
advanced,  the  darkness  deepened,  and 
the  quiet  became  more  still.  Nothing 
was  heard  but  the  ripple  of  the  water, 
and  nothing  seen  but  the  waving  glim- 
mer of  scarcely  a star,  here  and  there,  in 
the  slight  surf  where  the  waves  beat  at 
the  feet  of  the  sentinels.  Some  dark  ob- 
jects appear  suddenly,  ho  we  ver,like  black 
clouds,  floating  on  the  surface  of  the  riv- 
er. Those  on  the  watch  are  bewildered 
as  they  look  upon  the  strange  phenome- 
non, and  exchange  whispering  words  of 
surprise  and  doubt.  In  a moment,  before 
the  sentinels  have  decided  to  arouse  the 
drowsy  camp,  there  burst  from  those  dark 
objects,  which  had  now  floated,  with  the 


r 

1 

COLONIAL.]  A PANIC.  113 

tide,  into  the  neighborhood  of  the  an- 
chored fleet,  a terrible  volley  of  hissing 
bombs,  rattling  muskets,  and  booming 
cannon.  Louder  and  more  frequent  was 
heard  the  noisy  cannonade ; nearer  and 
nearer  approached  the  dreaded  objects. 
Now,  in  an  instant,  when  almost  within 
reach  of  the  English  fleet,  the  mystery 
was  revealed  by  one  burst  of  lurid  light. 
The  sentries  did  not  pause  to  look,  where 
all  was  now  as  bright  as  noonday,  but 
turned  and  fled  in  fright  loward  the  camp, 
arousing  every  soldier  in  confused  alarm. 
The  whole  army  was  panic-stricken,  and 
each  affrighted  man  wandered  about,  lost 
in  bewilderment,  and  regardless  of  disci- 
pline and  order. 

Some  officers,  more  cool  than  their 
comrades,  hurried  to  the  farthest  extrem- 
ity of  the  island  looking  toward  Quebec. 
Here,  in  the  blaze  of  light,  which  threw 
its  bidght  glare  over  the  whole  scene, 
they  could  see  that  the  cause  of  the  com- 
motion was  the  appearance  of  a number 
of  fire-, ships,  which  the  enemy  had  sent 
down  to  destroy  the  English  fleet.  The 
contrivance  had  failed,  for  the  “ diaboli- 
cal machines”  had  blazed  prematurely, 
and  thus  failed  of  their  intended  effect. 
Admiral  Saunders  had  coolly,  but  with 
bated  breath,  watched  the  threatening 
approach ; and  when  he  saw  that  the  fire- 
ship.s,  from  the  premature  discharge  of 
their  explosives,  had  been  deprived  of 
their  chief  means  of  injury,  he  coolly  or- 
dered out  boats  to  grapple  with  them, 
and  tow  them  far  out  of  reach  of  harm 
to  his  fleet. 

Order  in  the  course  of  the  night  was 
restored  to  the  camp  on  the  island  of  Or- 
1 ^ 

leans.  Next  day,  before  commencing  a 
systematic  attack,  Wolfe  sent  forth  to  the 
inhabitants  of  Canada  this  proclamation 

“We  haat:  a powerful  armament.  W 

ARE  SENT  BY  THE  ENGLISH  KING  TO  CONQUER 

THIS  PROVINCE,  BUT  NOT  TO  MAKE  WAR  UPON 

WOMEN  AND  CHILDREN,  THE  MINISTERS  OF  RELI- 
GION, OR  INDUSTRIOUS  PEASANTS.  We  LAMENT 

THE  SUFFERINGS  WHICH  OUR  INVASION  MAY  IN- 
FLICT UPON  YOU  ; BUT,  IF  YOU  REMAIN  NEUTER. 

WE  PROFFER  YOU  SAFETY  IN  PERSON  AND  PROP- 
ERTY, AND  FREEDOM  IN  RELIGION.  We  ARE 
MASTERS  OF  THE  RIVER  : NO  SUCCOR  CAN  REACH 

YOU  FROM  France.  General  Amherst,  with 

A LARGE  ARMY,  ASSAILS  YOUR  SOUTHERN  FRON- 
TIER. Your  cause  is  hopeless,  your  valor 
USELESS.  Your  nation  have  been  guilty  of 

GREAT  CRUELTIES  TO  OUR  UNPROTECTED  SET- 
TLERS; BUT  WE  SEEK  NOT  REVENGE:  WE  OFFER 

YOU  THE  SWEETS  OF  PEACE  A.MID  THE  HORRuRS 

OF  WAR.  EnGL.\ND,  in  HER  STRENGTH,  WILL 
BEFRIEND  YOU  : FraNCE,  IN  HER  WEAKNESS, 
LEAVES  YOU  TO  YOUR  FATE.” 

This  was  a clever  production,  undoubt- 
edly from  Wolfe’s  owni  pen.  Nothing 
could  have  been  more  judiciously  word- 
ed ; but  its  author  hardly  expected  any 
other  effect  from  it  than  it  produced.  It 
was  more  for  the  purpose,  as  is  usual  with 
military  conquerors,  to  give  a coloring  of 
right  and  a tone  of  confidence  to  his  new' 
enterprise,  than  to  persuade  those  to 
^vhom  it  w'as  addressed  to  forsake  tlieii 
own  country  in  its  adversity,  and  to  em- 
brace wdtli  affection  that  country’s  bitter- 
est enemy.  The  proclamation  was  met, 
on  the  side  of  the  French,  by  an  earnest 
appeal  to  the  Canadians  from  their  priests, 
to  fight  for  their  faith,  against  the  heretic 

1 

114  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  I pauti. 

English;  and  counter-manifestoes  from 

eral  could  not,  or  would  not.  The  almost 

the  fierce  Montcalm,  containing  some  ter- 

feminine  sensibility  of  the  brave  and  hu- 

rible  threats  against  traitors. 

mane  Wolfe  was  so  far  worked  into  a fer- 

The  Canadians,  of  course,  remained 

mentation  of  cruel  anger  by  the  result 

faithful  to  their  country,  and  proved  their 

of  his  appeal  to  the  humanity  of  Mont- 

devotion  by  liberal  contributions  of  men 

calm,  that  he  issued  this  order: — 

and  means  to  the  cause.  More  than  this  : 

“The  general  strictly  forbids  the  in- 

they  became  so  ferocious  in  their  enmity. 

human  practice  of  scalping,  except  where 

that  they  joined  with  the  Indians  in  in- 

THE  ENEMY  ARE  INDIANS  OR  CANADIANS  DRESSED 

dieting  savage  cruelties  upon  all  the  Eng- 

LIKE  Indians.” 

lish  who  fell  into  their  hands.  Wolfe  ap- 

Such  is  war,  that  even  the  gentlest 

pealed  to  the  humanity  of  Montcalm,  to 

spirit  is  curdled  into  cruel  rage  by  its 

stop  these  atrocities ; but  the  French  gen- 

touch  of  blood ! 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  British  Fleet  draws  nigh  Quebec. — Point  Levi  taken. — De  Vaiulreuil  and  Montcalm  quarrel. — The  French  strive  o 

diive  away  the  British  Fleet. — Quebec  not  yet  taken. — Wolfe’s  First  Manoeuvres. — The  British  Rangers  in  the  Forest.— 
Pursued  by  the  Savages. — The  Murder  of  the  Innocents. — Failure  of  Wolfe  on  the  Montraorenci. — De  Cliassier’ii 
Night-Attack. — Its  Catastrophe. — Admiral  Holmes  moves  his  Ships  farther  up  the  St.  Lawrence. — Consternation  of 
the  French. — Wolfe  takes  a Survey,  and  does  not  admire  the  Prospect  of  the  Heights  of  Quebec. — Wolfe’s  Serond 
Attempt  and  Failure. — A Touching  Incident. — Ochterlony  and  Peyton,  the  Two  Friends. — Escape  from  the  Savages. 

— Death  of  Ochterlony,  and  Safety  of  Peyton. — Wolfe 

unsuccessful,  but  not  despondent. — News  from  Johnson  and 

Amherst,  and  its  Eli'ect. — Wolfe’s  Illness. — The  Genera 
Priest  arouses  his  Flock  to  Action. — Mutual  Barbarity. 

commands,  and  forms  Plans,  on  his  Sick-Bed. — A French 

1759  -Admiral  Saunders,  made  aware 

by  the  effects  of  the  storm,  from 

Wolfe  to  pass  over  from  the  island  of 
Orleans  with  his  brigade,  and  drive  away 

which  his  ships  had  so  greatly  suffered, 

the  French  from  the  point.  After  some 

of  their  insecurity,  was  now  anxious  to 

difficulty,  and  two  or  three  repulses, 

move  them  from  the  channel  between 

Monckton  finally  succeeded  in  his  object, 

the  island  of  Orleans  and  the  south  shore, 

and  the  village  of  Levi  fell  into  his  pos- 

where  they  were  moored,  to  the  safer  an- 

session.  The  Canadian  troops  and  Indi- 

chorage  of  the  “ Basin,”  facing  the  city. 

ans  were  forced  to  fly,  and,  crossing  the 

Point  Levi,  however,  which  commanded 

St.  Lawrence,  took  refuge  within  the 

the  place  to  which  he  proposed  to  take 

walls  of  Quebec. 

tlie  fleet,  was  held  by  the  enemy,  with  a 

The  loss  of  Point  Levi  was  severe  1} 

considerable  force  of  artillery,  by  which 

felt  by  Montcalm,  who  had,  with  his  usual 

they  could  keep  up  an  annoying  fire. 

judgment,  early  discovered  the  impor- 

Monckton  was  accordingly  ordered  by 

tance  of  the  position,  and  had  strongly 

. 

COLONIAL.  CAPTURE  OF  POINT  LEVI.  1 . 


urged  upon  the  marquis  de  Vaudreuil 
the  necessity  of  so  strengthening  it  as  to 
resist  any  attempt  of  the  English.  The 
governor  had,  however,  obstinately  ob- 
jected ; and  when  the  result  that  Monb 
calm  had  feared  occurred,  and  the  town 
of  Levi  was  taken  by  his  enemy,  he  was 
so  vexed,  that  he  never  forgave  De  Vau- 
dreuil. From  that  time,  the  two  were 
no  longer  friends.  This  quarrel  fatally 
interfered  with  the  success  of  the  French 
arms. 

The  English,  once  in  possession  of  Point 
Levi,  began  to  fortify  it  with  batteries, 
placed  upon  various  elevations  which 
commanded  Quebec ; and  were  able,  al- 
thouo-h  the  distanre  across  the  river  was 

O 

three  quarters  cf  mile,  to  throw  a dam- 
aging fire  upon  the  city.  The  French 
for  awhile  made  a useless  effort  to  dis- 
lodge Monckton’s  force,  by  means  of  floaL 
iug  batteries  moored  in  the  river;  but 
they  were  soon  silenced  by  the  guns  of 
one  of  Saunders’s  frigates,  sent  to  drive 
away  the  annoyance. 

Wolfe  daily  increased  his  fortifications 
on  Point  Levi,  and  continued  to  fire  with 
great  effect  upon  the  city.  With  red-hot 
balls  and  bombshells  he  succeeded  in  set- 
ting fire  to  over  forty  houses  in  one  night, 
destroying  the  greater  part  of  the  lower 
town,  and  so  angering  the  inhabitants, 
that  they  volunteered  to  cross  the  St. 
Lawrence  in  a body  and  drive  away  the 
invaders.  This  was,  however,  but  a tem- 
[lorary  fit  of  enthusiasm ; and  the  citizens, 
becoming  more  discreet,  thought  better 
i)f  their  rash  determination,  and  retired 
from  their  ruined  habitations  to  the  se- 
curity of  the  citadel,  which,  perched  on 


the  heights,  the  English  guns  could  not 
reach. 

The  British  had  now  been  a fortnight 
before  Quebec ; and,  although  they  had 

made  srood  their  possession  of 

,,  c.  T 111  Jwiys). 

tlie  St.  Ijawrence,  and  had  suc- 
ceeded in  keeping  up  a brisk  fire  from 
the  Point-Levi  batteries,  no  impression 
had  been  made  upon  the  citadel  itself, 
and  the  object  of  the  expedition- seemed 
almost  as  remote  from  accomplishment 
as  ever. 

Wolfe  now  determined  upon  a plan  of 
operations  by  which  he  hoped  to  get  at 
the  enemy  more  effectually.  Montcalm 
had  extended  his  camp  from  the  citadel, 
along  the  northern  bank  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence, as  far  as  the  river  and  falls  of 
Montmorenci.  Wolfe  proposed  to  laud 
his  forces  on  the  side  of  this  river  and 
these  falls  opposite  to  the  farthest  east 
ern  extremity  of  the  French  encamp 
ment.  In  order  to  divert  the  enemy, 
while  Wolfe  was  engaged  in  crossing  the 
St.  Lawrence  to  the  Montmorenci,  the 
smaller  vessels  of  the  fleet  were  worked 
in  close  to  the  northern  shore,  and  began 
to  play  their  guns  upon  the  French,  and 
with  such  success,  that  they  were  forced 
to  draw  back  their  troojis  from  the  bor- 
der of  the  river  to  the  higher  ground 
behind. 

Monckton,  too,  was  ordered  to  make  a 
diversion,  on  Point  Levi,  toward  Quebec- 
He  accordingly  sent  out  a small  compa- 
ny of  his  rangers,  under  Lieutenant  Pog 
ers,  to  prepare  the  way  for  a larger  move- 
ment on  the  southern  shore  of  the  river 
The  rangers  pushed  on  with  such  zeal, 
that  they  got  lost  in  the  thick  woods. 


116  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  LI>akt  i. 

and,  night  coining  on,  were  forced  to  pass 

most  in  despair.  His  only  hope  Avas  noAv 

it  in  the  forest,  sleeping  on  their  arms. 

in  a terrible  sacrifiee.  The  ehildren  must 

Next  morning,  while  making  their  way 

be  silenced ; and  silenced  they  Avere,  by 

to  Monckton’s  camp,  they  observed,  in 

death ! A SAVord  was  plunged  into  the 

some  rising  smoke,  signs  of  habitation. 

heart  of  eaeh  of  the  innocents,  and  their 

and  accordingly,  having  cautiously  ad- 

bodies  cast  aside,  to  be  eaten  by  the 

vanced,  came  upon  a log-honse,  where 

AAmlves.  Rogers  noAV  sueceeded  in  reach- 

they  found  a Canadian  settler  and  his 

ing  Monckton’s  camp  in  safety  with  all 

three  children,  the  eldest  of  whom  was 

liis  rangers  and  the  bereaved  remnant  of 

less  than  fifteen  years.  They  were  taken 

his  prisoners. 

captive,  and  we-ie  being  led  baek  to  the 

Wolfe  succeeded  AAuthout  difficulty  in 

camp,  when  suddenly  the  whoop  of  the 

conveying  a large  force  from  the  island 

Indian  sounded  upon  their  ears,  and  they 

of  Orleans  to  the  opposite  bank  of  the 

discovered  that  a large  body  of  these  sav- 

river,  and  there  encamped  them.  The 

ages  were  elose  upon  their  track. 

river  and  the  falls  of  Montmorenci  Avere 

There  was  no  hope  now  but  in  eonceal- 

noAV  betAveen  him  and  the  enemy : he 

ment  and  flight.  The  rangers,  skilled  in 

Avas  on  the  east  side  of  the  stream,  Avhose 

forest-warfixre,  plunged  at  once  into  the 

course  is  north  and  south,  and  they  on 

woods,  and  strove  to  dodge  the  Indian  pur- 

the  Avest.  The  falls,  Avith  a descent  of 

suit  among  the  trees  and  undergrowth. 

three  hundred  feet,  and  the  rapids  of  the 

They  moved  on  with  the  greatest  possi- 

riAmr,  near  Avhere  Wolfe  Avas  encamped. 

blc  haste,  dragging  their  prisoners  with 

formed  an  impassable  barrier  betAveen 

them,  and  endeavored  to  keep  so  silent 

the  tAA'o  camps.  The  ground  Avhich  the 

as  not  to  be  heard  by  the  savages,  who 

English,  after  a slight  struggle  Avith  the 

were  beating  the  woods  like  so  many 

Indians  and  bush-rangers,  noAV  held,  Avas 

bloodhounds.  Silence,  however,  was  im- 

in  a commanding  position,  and  so  lofty. 

possible.  The  Canadian  father  and  his 

that  from  its  cliffs  the  eye  readily  looked 

eldest  son  were  readily  kept  quiet;  but 

doAvn  Avithin  the  intrenehments  of  the 

the  two  younger  children,  who  were  al- 

enemy  on  the  opposite  side.  A crossing- 

most  infants,  kept  up  sueh  a continual 

place  Avas  noAV  searehed  for,  and  a ford 

cry  of  fear  and  anguish,  that  it  was  found 

found  some  three  miles  distant  from  the 

impossible  to  stop  them.  Threats  were 

mouth  of  the  Montmorenci.  But  the 

tried  in  vain,  and  persuasions  were  found 

French  side  Avas  so  Avell  protected  by  the 

equally  useless.  They  were  urged  by 

natural  barriers  of  precipice  and  throng- 

Lieutenant  Rogers  to  leave  him,  and  find 

ing  Avoods,  and  the  strong  intrenehments 

their  way  home ; but  they  would  not  be 

Avhich  the  alert  Montcalm  had  thrown 

entreated,  and  continued  their  lamenta- 

up,  that  it  seemed  almost  impractieable 

lions,  so  that  the  woods  rang  with  their 

to  attempt  it.  Several  efforts  Avere,  not- 

cries.  The  savage.s,  guided  by  the  noise. 

withstanding,  made  — Avhich,  hoAAmver, 

were  fast  approaching.  Rogers  Avas  al- 

Avere  repulsed  each  time  by  a murderous 

ooLONiAL.J  THE  FLEET  ASCENDS 

THE  ST.  LAWRENCE.  117 

fire  from  the  Indians  hidden  in  the  forest 

until  seventy  had  been  killed,  and  both 

covert.  Wolfe  now  abandoned  for  ever 

parties  had  been  put  to  flight  in  opposite 

all  hope  of  crossing  at  that  point. 

directions ! The  only  result  of  this  un- 

Montcalm  became  confident  and  more 

fortunate  expedition  was  this  sad  suici- 

daring  when  he  found  Wolfe’s  plan  had 

dal  slaughter. 

failed ; and,  believing  that  the  English 

While  the  British  troops  were  busily 

had  made  a fatal  error  in  dividing  their 

engaged  on  Point  Levi  and  the  bank  of 

force,  tried  to  profit  by  it.  He  accord- 

the  Montmorenci,  in  throwing  up  their 

ingly  sent  a body  of  troops  from  Quebec 

intrenchments,  Wolfe  continued  active  in 

to  the  south  bank  of  the  St.  Lawrence, 

studying  the  defences  of  the  enemy,  and 

to  the  west  of  Point  Levi,  where  Monck- 

the  natural  position  of  the  surrounding 

ton  was  encamped,  and  gave  orders  for 

country.  A portion  of  the  fleet,  under 

a night-attack.  Wolfe,  hearing  of  this 

Admiral  Holmes,  having  been  mo  ved  du- 

movement,  made  his  way  across  at  once. 

ring  the  night,  much  to  the  surprise  and 

and  took  command  in  person  of  the  troops 

alarm  of  the  inhabitants  of  Queljec,  up 

in  Monckton’s  camp.  Not  conscious  of 

the  St.  Lawrence,  and  even  beyond  that 

the  dangers  which  were  pressing  to  over- 

city,  where  they  were  anchored,  Wolfe 

whelm  them  in  the  darkness,  the  British 

seized  the  opportunity  of  taking  a survey 

soldiers  threw  themselves  down,  after  a 

of  the  northern  bank  of  the  river,  to  tin 

day’s  hard  duty  at  the  works,  and  now 

west  of  the  town.  He  accordingly  tools 

lay  in  profound  repose. 

a barge  and  pushed  off  from  the  shore 

Two  thousand  French,  Canadians,  and 

to  the  nearest  ship  in  the  stream.  The 

savages,  as  soon  cis  the  shades  of  evening 

barge  was  observed,  and  immediately  the 

had  begun  to  fall,  took  up  their  silent 

enemy’s  guns  began  to  play  upon  her ; 

march.  De  Chassier,  a brave  man,  lord 

but  she  happily  succeeded,  with  only  the 

of  the  domain  of  Point  Levi,  and  familiar 

loss  of  her  mast,  in  carrying  her  precious 

with  every  landmark  and  foreskpath,  led 

freight  to  the  safe  guardianship  of  a sev- 

the  force.  This  was  separated,  as  it  ap- 

enty-four.  Wolfe  did  not  like  the  look 

proached  the  British  camp,  into  two  di- 

of  things  above  Quebec.  The  northern 

visions.  One  was  sent  in  advance,  and 

banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence  rose  in  rimsced 

the  other  followed  at  some  distance  in 

precipices  from  the  shore,  there  as  else- 

the  rear.  As  the  first  proceeded  through 

where,  about  the  site  of  the  formidable 

the  wood  in  the  increasing  darkness,  the 

citadel.  Moreover,  the  French  had  de- 

men  became  suddenly  alarmed,  and  fled 

fended  the  approach  by  intrenchments 

back  in  confusion.  The  other  division 

and  a strong  battery  at  Sillery,  whicb 

oming  up,  and  hearing  the  approaching 

crowned  the  hi<i::h  ground  of  the  northern 

footsteps  of  their  retreating  comrades. 

shore  of  the  river.  Wolfe,  therefore,  for 

took  them  for  the  enemy,  and  commenced 

the  present,  turned  his  attention  else- 

s 

a deadly  fire,  which  was  returned ; and 

where. 

the  awful  mistake  was  not  discovered 

Near  where  the  Montmorenci  emj)ties 

, 

118  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  frART  i 


into  the  St.  Lawrence,  the  stream,  after 
its  turbulent  course  over  the  falls  and 
rapids,  becomes  smooth,  and  at  low  tide 
so  sliallow,  that  it  can  in  some  places  be 
crossed  on  foot.  Montcalm,  conscious  of 
the  natural  facilities  here  for  the  approach 
of  the  enemy,  had  fortified  the  place  with 
a redoubt  below  the  bank;  while  the  bank 
itself  rose  so  precipitately,  and  was  so 
strongly  intrenched,  that  even  if  an  op- 
posing force  should  succeed  in  gaining 
the  shore,  they  Avould  have  a tough  work 
before  them  in  an  attempt  to  scale  the 
precipitous  heights  in  the  very  mouths 
of  a threatening  battery.  Wolfe,  how- 
ever, growing  impatient — as  he  had  al- 
ready been  five  weeks  before  Quebec,  and 
had  done  nothing  to  satisfy  the  impulsive 
energies  of  his  restless  spirit — was  now 
resol  \ ed  upon  the  desperate  undertaking 
of  throwing  his  troops  across  to  this  very 
point,  so  strongly  resisting,  and  presenb 
ing  so  little  hope,  even  to  the  most  dar- 
ing and  re.solute.  The  general,  notwith- 
standing, undertook  it,  and  failed.  The 
bri()::ades  succeeded  in  Q:ettin2:  across  from 
the  opposite  side  of  the  Montmorenci, 
and  Monckton’s  force  landed  in  fine  or- 
der from  Point  Levi.  But  the  grenadiers 
were  in  too  great  a hurry,  and,  pushing 
with  too  much  eagerness  for  the  intrench- 
ments,  were  repidsed,  and  came  fljdng 
back  in  disorder;  although  Monckton’s 
men,  with  admirable  coolness,  formed  and 
held  the  ground  where  they  had  landed, 
and  thus  prevented  a precipitate  and  con- 
fased  retreat.  The  attack  had  been  de- 
layed by  the  grounding  of  some  of  the 
boats.  Night  Avas  now  approaching,  and 
the  tide  rising  fast;  so  Wolfe  withdrew 


his  men,  and  give  up  the  attempt  as  fu 
tile. 

In  this  unfortunate  repulse,  there  oc- 
curred an  incident  which  so  beautifully 
illustrates  the  manly  affection  of  comrade 
for  comrade,  and  affords  so  bright  a rev- 
elation of  the  gentle  goodness  of  brave 
hearts,  while  even  steeled  to  the  cruel 
duties  of  war,  that  Ave  interAveave  Avith 
heightened  pleasure  this  pure  page  of 
brotherly  feeling  Avith  the  leaves  of  the 
“ Battles  of  America,”  stained  as  they  are 
by  fratricidal  blood:  — 

Captain  Ochterlony  and  Ensign  Pey- 
ton belonged  to  the  regiment  of  Boyal 
Americans.  They  were  nearly  of  an  age. 
Avhich  did  not  exceed  thirty.  The  first 
Avas  a North  Briton,  the  other  a native 
of  Ireland.  Both  Avere  agreeable  in  per- 
son and  unblemished  in  cliaracter,  and 
connected  together  by  the  ties  of  mutual 
friendship  and  esteem.  On  the  day  that 
preceded  the  attempt  AAdiich  Ave  have  just 
related,  Captain  Ochterlony  had  been 
obliged  to  fight  a duel  AA’ith  one  of  the 
German  officers  of  the  mercenary  troops 
employed  under  Wolfe,  in  Avhich,  though 
he  Avounded  and  disarmed  his  antao-onist, 
yet  he  himself  received  a dangerous  hurt 
under  the  right  arm,  in  consequence  of 
AA'hich  his  friends  insisted  on  his  remain 
ing  in  camp  during  the  action  of  the  fol- 
loAving  day.  But  his  spirit  A\aas  too  great 
to  comply  AAuth  this  remonstrance.  lie 
declared  it  should  never  be  said  that  “ a 
scratch,”  received  in  a private  rencounter 
had  prevented  him  from  doing  his  dut\ 

AA’hen  his  country  required  his  service ; 
and  he  took  the  field,  though  he  Avas 
hardly  able  to  carry  his  arms.  In  lead-  I 


L 


r ■ • ^ 


COLONIAL.]  PEYTON  AND  OCIITERLONY.  ll'i 

ing  up  his  men  to  the  enemy’s  intrench- 
ments,  he  was  shot  through  the  lungs 
with  a musket-ball ; but  he  still  contin- 
ued advancing,  until,  by  the  loss  of  blood, 
be  became  too  weak  to  proceed  farther. 

About  the  same  time,  Mr.  Peyton  Avas 
lamed  by  a shot,  which  shattered  the 
small  bone  of  his  left  leg.  The  soldiers, 
in  their  retreat,  earnestly  begged,  Avith 
tears  in  their  eyes,  that  Captain  Ochter- 
lony  Avoidd  allow  them  to  carry  him  and 
the  ensign  off  the  field.  Mr.  Peyton,  Avith 
a generous  disdain,  rejected  their  good 
offices,  declaring  that  he  Avould  not  leave 
his  captain  in  such  a situation ; and  in  a 
little  time  they  remained  the  sole  survi- 
vors on  that  part  of  the  field. 

Caphain  Ochterlony  sat  doAvn  by  his 
friend ; and,  as  they  expected  nothing 
but  immediate  death,  they  took  leaA^e  of 
each  other.  Yet  they  did  not  altogether 
lose  hope  of  protection  as  prisoners ; for 
the  captain,  seeing  a French  soldier  Avith 
t Avo  Indians  ajiproach,  started  up  and  ac- 
costed them  in  the  French  tongue,  Avhich 
he  perfectly  understood,  and  expressed 
his  expectation  that  he  and  his  compan- 
ion Avould  be  treated  as  officers  and  gen- 
tlemen. The  Frenchman,  hoAvever,  came 
up  to  Mr.  Peyton,  as  he  lay  upon  the 
ground,  and  snatched  liis  laced  hat  from 
him,  and  robbed  Ochterlony  of  his  Avatch 
and  money.  This  outrage  Avas  a signal 
to  the  Indians,  Avho  seemed  to  be  entire- 
ly under  the  control  of  the  French  mis- 
creant. to  begin.  Accordingly,  one  of 
these  savages  struck  at  the  captain  be- 
hind with  the  butt-end  of  his  musket,  but, 
missing  his  head,  at  Avhich  he  aiuted,  the 
blow  fell  upon  his  shoulder.  At  the  same 

moment  the  other  Indian,  Avith  his  muzzle 
to  the  breast  of  the  unfortunate  Ochter- 
lony, poured  its  contents  into  his  chesh 
“ 0 Peyton,”  cried  out  the  captain,  “ the 
villain  has  shot  me !”  The  savage,  not 
yet  satiated  in  his  cruelty,  then  sprang 
upon  him  and  stabbed  him  in  the  belly 

Avith  his  tomahaAvk.  The  captain  Avas 
Avithout  a single  Aveapon  of  defence.  The 
Frenchman  and  his  associate  savages  now 
strove  to  strangle  him  Avith  his  OAvn  sash  : 
and  he  seemed  completely  at  their  mer- 
cy, struggling  upon  his  knees  with  all  his 
might. 

Peyton,  observing  the  position  of  his 
friend,  lifted  himself  from  the  ground, 
and,  levelling  his  double-barrelled  mus- 
ket, brought  one  of  the  savages  doAvn. 

AAdio  fell  dead  upon  the  spot.  The  sur- 
viAdng  Indian  noAV  made  for  Peyton,  Avho 
seeing  the  saA^age  coming,  fired  Avith  a 
sure  aim  his  second  barrel  at  him,  but 
apparently  Avithout  effect.  The  Indian 
then  returned  the  fire,  AAdiich  Avounded 
Peyton  in  the  shoulder ; and,  to  complete 
his  bloody  Avork,  rushed  upon  him  and 
thrust  his  bayonet  through  his  body. 

The  young  English  officer  Avas,  liOAveA'cr, 
not  yet  despatched  ; and,  as  a second  at- 
tempt Avas  being  made  Avith  the  bayonet, 
he  seized  the  musket  of  the  Indian,  and, 
dragging  him  close  to  him,  succeeded  in 
draAving  the  dagger  at  his  side,  and 
plunged  it  into  his  antagonist.  Noav  en- 
sued a fierce  struggle  for  life  or  death : 
but  Peyton  managed  to  get  the  better  of 
the  Indian,  and  Avith  another  thrust  Avith 
the  poniard  the  savage  rolled  over,  and, 
Avith  one  last  agony,  breathed  no  more. 

At  this  moment  the  young  British  officer 

120  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  . 


was  seized  with  an  uncontrollable  curi- 
osity to  find  out  Avhetlier  his  shot,  which 
had  seemed  to  be  a sure  one,  had  taken 
efiect.  On  stripping  the  blanket  off  the 
dead  body  of  the  savsige,  he  discovered 
that  his  ball  had  passed  quite  through 
the  chest ! 

Peyton  no-w  managed  to  raise  himself 
on  one  leg,  and  to  hobble  toward  the 
place  where  he  saw  his  friend  Ochterlony 
standing  up,  with  the  Frenchman  at  his 
side,  not  fiir  from  the  French  battery. 
“ Captain,  I am  glad  to  see,”  cried  out  his 
friend,  “ that  you  have  at  last  got  under 
protection ; but  beware  of  that  villain 
with  you,  who  is  more  barbarous  than  the 
savages  themselves  ! God  bless  you,  my 
dear  fellow  ! I see  some  Indians  comino; 
this  way,  and  expect  to  be  murdered  im- 
mediately.” 

The  Indians  were,  indeed,  coming — 
some  thirty  of  them — who,  having  left 
oft'  pillaging  and  scalping  the  dead  who 
had  fallen  in  the  late  unfortunate  attempt, 
were  now  making  for  Peyton.  He,  dis- 
abled as  he  was,  made  a run  for  life,  but 
had  not  proceeded  far,  when  he  found 
himself  unable  to  continue  his  flight.  He 
now  came  to  a stop,  and  had  just  loaded 
his  musket,  when  two  of  the  Indians, 
ahead  of  their  fellow-savages,  came  al- 
most w'ithin  range  of  his  fire ; but,  as  he 
aimed  at  them,  they  suddenly  paused, 
awaiting  the  coming  up  of  the  others. 
The  French,  in  the  meantime,  began  to 
play  with  their  cannon  and  musketry  up- 
on the  poor,  solitary,  and  maimed  Pey- 
ton ! This  was  his  almost  hopeless  posi- 
tion, when  he  caught  a sight  in  the  dis- 
tance of  a Highland  officer,  to  whom  he 


waved  his  hand,  in  signal  of  distress.  It 
was  fortunately  noticed,  and  three  men 
were  immediately  sent  to  his  aid. 

The  three  British  soldiers,  in  spite  of  a 
terrible  fire,  succeeded  in  reaching  Pey- 
ton, and  one  of  them  bore  him  off  on  his 
shoulders.  The  Highland  officer  was  his 
kinsman,  and,  having  heard  that  Peyton 
had  dropped  on  the  field,  had  come  out 
with  a party ; and,  driving  off  the  oppo- 
sing French  and  savages,  had  thus  suc- 
ceeded in  bringing  him  rescue,  and  car- 
rying him  off  in  triumph.  Ochterlony 
was  conveyed  as  a prisoner  to  Quebec, 
where  he  soon  after  died  of  his  wounds 
— the  surgeons  declaring  that  he  might 
have  recovered  of  the  two  shots  in  his 
breast,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  fatal 
plunge  of  the  savage’s  tomahawk  in  the 
belly.'^ 

The  failure  at  the  Montmorenci  so 
wrought  upon  the  sensitive  nature  of 
Wolfe,  and  his  feeble  comstitution  had 
been  so  broken  by  fatigue  and  exposure, 
that  he  now  fell  ill,  and  was  prostrate  in 
his  camp  with  fever  and  dysentery.  His 
proud  soul  recognised  death  alone  as  tin 
alternative  of  conquest;  and,  while  there 
was  life,  he  resolutely  strove  for  victory 
He  now,  stretched  as  he  was  on  the  bed 
of  sickness,  bated  not  a jot  of  his  energy 
and  resolute  courage.  He  issued  his  or- 
ders with  his  usual  promptness,  and  ex 
ercised  his  command  with  the  same  strict- 
ness of  di.scipline.  The  impetuous  rush 
of  the  grenadiers  had  lost  the  day,  and 
he  now  sternly  rebuked  them:  — 

" The  check  which  the  grenadiers  met 

* Smollett  tells  this  story,  and  we  have  repeated  it  very 
nearly  in  his  own  words. 


r 

COLONIAL.]  ILLNESS  OF  WOLFE.  121 

with  will,  it  is  hoped,”  said  Wolfe,  ‘‘be  a 

and  so  diligently  guarded  against  sur 

lesson  to  them  for  the  time  to  come. 

prise,  that  it  was  found  impossible  to  do 

ouch  impetuous,  irregular,  and  unsoldier- 

more  than  destroy  the  small  village  of 

like  proceedings,  destroy  all  order,  and 

Dechambault  in  the  course  of  the  passage 

put  it  out  of  the  general’s  power  to  exe- 

up  the  river.  Some  prisoners  of  distinc- 

cute  his  plans.  The  grenadiers  could  not 

tion  were  here  taken,  and  letters  found 

suppose  that  they  alone  could  beat  the 

upon  them,  which  gave  the  first  informa- 

French  army ; therefore  it  was  necessary 

tion  of  the  success  of  Amherst  at  Crown 

the  corps  under  Brigadiers  Townshend 

Point,  and  that  of  Johnson  at  Niagara. 

and  Monckton  should  have  time  to  join 

This  news  was  brought  back  by  Murray 

them,  that  the  attack  might  be  general. 

exultingly,  with  the  hope  of  cheering  his 

The  very  first  fire  of  the  enemy  was  suf- 

general ; Wolfe,  however,  derived  but  lib 

ficient  to  have  repulsed  men  who  had 

tie  comfort  from  the  intelligence,  as  he 

lost  all  sense  of  order  and  military  disci- 

saw  at  once  that  there  was  no  hope  now 

pline.  Amherst’s  and  the  Highland  regi- 

of  aid  from  either  Johnson  or  Amherst, 

ment,  by  the  soldierlike  and  cool  manner 

so  dilatory  had  been  their  progress. 

in  which  they  formed,  would  undoubted- 

Wolfe  now  became  so  ill,  that  he  could 

1}^  have  beaten  back  the  whole  Canadian 

no  longer  bear  the  daily  presence  of  his 

army  if  they  had  ventured  to  attack  them. 

officers;  but  his  mind  continually  dwelt 

The  loss,  however,  is  very  inconsiderable. 

upon  the  great  undertaking,  the  fate  of 

and  may  be  easily  repaired  when  a favor- 

which  rested  on  him  alone.  He  devised 

able  opportunity  offers,  if  the  men  will 

plans  of  attack,  and  from  his  bed  dictated 

show  a proper  attention  to  their  offi- 

their  several  details,  with  this  general 

cp*rs.” 

letter  to  his  brigadiers: — 

Wolfe,  however,  was  not  the  man  to 

“ That  the  public  service  may  not  suf 

linger  despondingly  upon  the  errors  of 

fer  from  the  general’s  indisposition,  he 

the  past.  His  impulsive  spirit  was  ever 

begs  the  brigadiers  will  meet  and  con 

looking  forward  with  hope  to  the  future, 

suit  together  for  the  public  utility  and 

and  his  sense  of  duty  prompted  him  to 

advantage,  and  consider  of  the  best  meth 

act  as  long  as  there  was  any  chance  of 

od  to  attack  the  enemy. 

doing:  something;  for  the  cause  to  which 

“If  the  French  army  be  attacked  and 

he  had  pledged  his  service  and  his  honor. 

defeated,  the  general  concludes  that  the 

There  was  no  hesitation  in  his  conduct ; 

town  would  immediately  surrender,  be- 

and  he  promptly  sent  Murray,  immedi- 

cause  he  does  not  find  that  they  have 

ately  after  the  repulse  on  the  Montmo- 

any  provision  in  that  place. 

enci,  with  twelve  hundred  men,  to  aid 

“ The  general  is  of  opinion  that  the 

iVdmiral  Holmes  in  effecting  a landing 

army  should  be  attacked  in  preference 

above  Quebec.  Little,  however,  was  ac- 

to  the  place,  because  of  the  difficulties  of 

complished  by  this  movement,  as  Mont- 

penetrating  from  the  lower  to  the  upper 

calm  had  so  strongly  fortified  every  point, 
16 

town ; in  which  attempt  neither  the  guns 

1 

1 

122  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i 

of  the  shipping  nor  of  our  own  batteries 

of  his  flock,  and  fortified  himself  in  a 

could  be  of  much  use.” 

large  stone-house,  about  ten  miles  east- 

Wolfe’s  plans,  which  accompanied  this 

ward  of  the  British  camp  at  Montmoren- 

letter,  were  all — in  accordance  with  his 

ci.  Thence  he  sent  a message,  challen- 

view  of  attacking  the  army  and  not  the 

ging  to  combat,  an  English  detachment 

citadel — based  upon  operations  against 

posted  in  his  neighborhood.  At  the  same 

the  French  encampment  extending  along 

time,  with  eccentric  French  courte.sy,  he 

the  northern  shore  from  the  city  of  Que- 

sent  a polite  invitation  to  the  English 

bee  to  the  river  Montmorenci.  The  brig- 

commander  to  do  him  the  honor  of  dining 

adiers  met  and  deliberated,  and  finally 

with  him,  offering  him  a safe-conduct  for 

determined  on  another  and  bolder  pro- 

the  occasion.  The  invitation  was  cour- 

ject,  said  to  have  been  suggested*  by 

teously  refused.  Soon  after,  a company 

Colonel  George  Townshend,  that  heroic 

of  light-troops,  with  a fieldpiece,  was  sent 

officer  who  had  abandoned  rank,  position. 

against  the  belligerent  French  priest  and 

parliamentary  influence,  and  the  endear- 

his  flock.  The  English  placed  themselves 

ments  of  domestic  life,  to  share  in  the 

in  a wood  near  by,  and  by  a stratagem 

hardships  and  dangers  of  the  American 

succeeded  in  enticing  the  French  out  of 

campaign.  Wolfe  did  not  hesitate  to 

their  fortified  house;  and,  surrounding 

adopt  the  daring  suggestion  of  his  infe- 

some  thirty  of  them,  killed  and  scalped 

rior  in  command,  and  now  bent  all  his 

the  whole,  including  the  gallant  priest 

energies  to  crown  it  with  triumph. 

That  the  victims  were  disguised  as  Indi- 

The  whole  army  welcomed  the  pros- 

ans,  was  pleaded  as  an  excuse  for  the 

pect  of  some  decisive  action.  They  had 

savage  cruelty  with  which  they  were 

been  harassed  by  the  irregular  warfare 

treated  !* 

u ith  the  Indians  and  Canadians,  who  were 

With  such  unholy  and  unsatisfactory 

constantly  provoking  them  into  skirmish- 

warfare  to  noble  spirits,  it  was  not  sur- 

es,  which  merely  fevered  cruelty  with  a 

prising  that  the  whole  army  was  eager 

thirst  for  blood,  and  brought  them  no 

for  a change.  The  soldiers,  too,  suffered 

nearer  to  the  settlement  of  the  great 

from  hardships  and  want  of  provisions. 

struggle.  The  Christian  soldier  was  laps- 

Horseflesh  had  already  been  served  out 

ing  into  the  fxirbarity  of  the  heathen  sav- 

as  occasional  rations.  Moreover,  tw'o 

age.  In  fact,  the  conversion  would  seem 

months  had  been  passed  in  vain,  and  all 

already  to  have  been  made.  For  exam- 

felt  the  impatience  which  awaits  unsal-- 

pie : A French  priest  armed  some  eighty 

isfied  expectation. 

* Warburton. 

* Warburton. 

COLONIAL.]  WOLFE’S  DISCOURAGEMENT.  12.‘l 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Wolfe's  Letter  to  Pitt. — The  Great  Commoner’s  Di.smay. — Walpole’s  Rabble. — Townshend  suggests  a Plan  for  the  Cum 
paign. — Wolfe  adopts  it. — Reconnoitres  the  Heights. — Finds  a Place  of  Landing. — Wolfe’s  Cove. — The  Army  kept 
in  Ignorance. — The  Wisdom  of  the  Caution. — A Deserter  from  the  French. — The  Enemy  losing  Heart. — Montcalm 
writes  despairingly  to  Count  Mol6. — His  Remarkable  Prophecy. — The  British  proceed  to  the  Attack. — Wolfe’s  Night- 
Sail. — His  Song. — The  Plan  of  the  Attack. — Wolfe  and  Gray’s  Elegy. — AVolfe  on  the  Shore. — The  British  on  the 
Heights  of  Abraliam. — Montcalm  doubtful. — Assured  at  bast. — The  Battle. — Gallantry  on  Both  Sides. — Wolfe  falls. — 
The  British  victorious. — Wolfe  dies  “ happy.” — De  Bougainville  blusters  loudly,  and  flies. — Montcalm’s  Heroic  Death. 
— News  of  the  Victory  reaches  England. — Joy  and  Sorrow. — Honor  to  the  Brave. — End  of  the  Canadian  Campaign. 


Wolfe,  after  several  weeks  of  ill- 
I759>  ’ 

ness,  had  sufficiently  recovered  liis 
strength  to  present  himself  again  to  his 
troops.  He  showed,  as  always,  the  same 
undaunted  air  of  confidence  to  his  sol- 
diers, cheering  them  by  his  inspiriting 
words,  and  encouraging  them  by  his  self- 
reliant  example.  His  tone,  however,  to 
the  British  government  was  more  dis- 
trustful. “I  am  so  far  recovered,”  he 
wrote,  “ as  to  do  business ; but  my  con- 
stitution is  entirely  ruined,  without  the 
consolation  of  having  done  any  consid- 
erable service  to  the  state,  or  without 
any  prospect  of  it.”  Pitt  was  dismayed 
at  these  despairing  words,  and  began  to 
tremble  for  the  glory  of  his  country,  and 
to  fear  lest  he  had  intrusted  it  to  the 
guardianship  of  feeble  hands.  The  unfa- 
vorable news  began  to  circulate  in  Lon- 
don, and  its  great  people  to  quake  with 
fear.  Walpole  caught  up  the  echo  from 
the  aristocratic  circle  which  gathered 
about  the  personages  of  state,  and  re- 
peated it  in  a gossiping  letter : “ In  short, 
you  must  not,”  he  says,  “ be  surprised 
that  we  have  failed  at  Quebec,  as  we  cer- 
tainly shall. . . . How  this  little  army  will 
get  away  from  a much  larger,  and  in  this 


season,  and  in  that  country,  I do  n’t  guess 
— yes,  I do.”  Walpole’s  ‘‘guess,”  vdiich 
was  sure,  in  accordance  with  his  small, 
tittle-tattle  spirit,  to  take  a mean  direc- 
tion, was  very  far  from  doing  justice  to 
the  great  character  of  Wolfe.  Walpole 
“guessed”  that  the  British  would  run 
away ! 

The  plan  which  Wolfe  had  adopted,  at 
the  suggestion  of  Townshend,  Avas  to  con- 
vey a large  force  above  the  tov/n,  and 
thus  draw  Montcalm  from  his  citadel  to 
an  open  fight.  This  was  the  general  dc- 
si«:n : the  details  were  now  to  be  settled. 

Wolfe  allowed  no  weakness  or  tardy 
convalescence  to  interfere  with  the  activ- 
ity of  his  movements.  He  started  him- 
self at  once  on  board  one  of  the  frigates 
in  Admiral  Holmes’s  squadron,  and,  sail- 
ing up  the  stream,  landed  in  a cove  on 
the  northern  bank  of  the  St.  Lawrence, 

three  miles  above  Quebec,  vdiile 

1 P T . a . 1 Sept.  9. 

tlie  men-ol-war  diverted  with  a 

busy  fire  the  various  French  batteries, 

and  covered  the  landing  of  the  general 

and  his  brigadiers  who  accompanied  him. 

The  place  where  they  had  driven  in  the 

boat  was  slightly  hollowed  out  in  the 

course  of  that  great  volcanic  movement. 


124  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i 

wliich,  ages  ago,  had  reft  in  two  the  land, 

the  hours  of  the  night ; and  directed  the 

and  made  way  for  the  rush  of  the  waters, 

men  to  be  quite  silent,  and  not  on  any 

wliich  now  calmly  flow,  in  the  beautiful 

account,  when  about  to  land,  to  fire  from 

river  St.  Lawrence,  between  its  rugged 

the  boats.  He  said  nothing,  however 

banks  of  slate.  I'he  place  has  ever  since 

about  the  specific  object  of  his  design, 

been  called  “Wolfe’s  Cove.”  From  the 

but  confined  himself  to  the  general  order 

scant  spot  of  alluvial  shore  where  Wolfe 

to  “ the  army  to  hold  themselves  in  read! 

hi.nded,  there  led  up  the  precipice,  which 

ness  to  land  and  attack  the  enemy.” 

frowned  high  above,  a narrow  and  wind- 

Wolfe’s  caution  was  wise;  for,  on  the 

ing  way  to  the  summit.  Once  at  the  top, 

very  morning  which  preceded  the  night 

the  ground  becomes  almost  like  a table- 
land, and  stretches  with  but  gentle  ele- 

of  his  proposed  attempt,  one  of  ^ ^ 

his  soldiers  deserted  to  the  ene-  *'* 

vations  to  the  walls  of  Quebec,  which 

my.  Knowing  nothing,  however,  this  fel- 

stands  upon  a part  of  this  high  level,  and 

low  had  nothing  to  communicate  to  the 

defiantly  from  its  guarded  height,  raised 

French.  One  of  Montcalm’s  regulars,  who 

upon  steep  sides  of  stone,  would  seem  to 

in  his  turn  deserted  to  the  English  camp, 

scorn  all  invaders. 

had  more  to  say.  From  him  it  w\as 

Wolfe  resolved  upon  taking  his  troops 

learned  that  the  French  general  believed 

up  the  path  at  the  foot  of  which  he  had 

the  attack  would  only  be  made  on  the 

landed,  and  which  led  to  the  “ Plains  of 

Montmorenci  side,  and  accordingly  still 

Abraham,”  as  the  level  land  at  the  top 

kept  his  main  force  below  the  tow  n ; that 

of  the  headlong  cliff  was  called.  This 

a large  detachment  of  troops  had  been 

was  such  a daring  resolve  — so  hazardous, 

sent  off  (thus  weakening  the  garrison  of 

so  remote  from  probability  and  apparent 

Quebec)  to  meet  Amherst,  whose  success 

possibility  — that  even  Montcalm,  with 

at  Crowm  Point,  and  that  of  Johnson  at 

all  his  vigilant  foresight,  could  not  anti- 

Niagara,  had  greatly  alarmed  the  Cana- 

cipate  it.  Secrecy  was  absolutely  neces- 

dians ; that  M.  de  Bougainville,  with  fifteen 

sary,  and  it  was  therefore  determined  to 

hundred  men,  was  watching  the  move- 

land  the  troops  in  the  dead  of  night. 

ments  of  the  British  fleet  above  the  town  ; 

Wolfe  took  great  care  to  keep  his  own 

and,  finally,  that  the  French  w'ere  in  great 

counsel ; and,  although  he  at  once  made 

want  of  provisions,  and  much  disheart- 

active  and  thorough  preparations  for  car- 

ened. 

rying  out  his  design,  he  let  no  word  e.s- 

The  French  had  too  much  occasion  to 

cape,  by  which  the  precise  object  of  his 

lose  heart.  The  British  fleet  rode  in  their 

operations  might  be  known  to  the  sol- 

Avaters,  in  triumphant  mastery  of  the  St. 

diers,  and  his  plans  thus  exposed  to  the 

Law'rence,  cutting  off  all  hope  of  aid  by 

chance  of  reaching  the  enemy  through  a 

sea.  Amherst  and  John.son  threatened 

^ de.serter.  In  his  orders  to  the 

feepft  III  , , , . 

troops,  lie  spoke  ot  their  embar- 

the  Canadian  frontier  by  land.  And. 
worse  than  all,  the  able  Montcalm  was 

kation  and  disembarkation,  specifying 

tlnvarted  hy  the  obstinate  resistance  to 

‘V. 

coi.oNiAL.J  THE  LAST  ORDERS.  125 

his  plans  by  the  less  capable  De  Van- 

The  British  troops  AA'ere  embarked. 

dreuil.  ‘‘  Vou  have  sold  your  country !” 

Wolfe  himself  AA^as  on  board.  The  night 

cried  out  the  general,  in  excited  rage 

had  set  in.  The  evening  Avas  clear.  The 

against  the  governor ; but  while  I live,” 

AA'ind  Avas  fair,  AAuth  the  promise  of  a fresl 

added  the  resolute  Montcalm,  “1  will  not 

breeze  to  carry  the  ships  rapidly  up  the 

deliver  it  up  !”  He  wrote,  almost  in  the 

St.  LaAA'rence.  The  plan  of  sending  the 

bitterness  of  despair,  to  M.  de  Mole,  presi- 

larger  A^essels,  AAutli  the  mock  sIioaa'  of 

dent  of  the  Parliament  of  France  : “ The 

landing  a force  on  the  northern  bank  ol' 

enemy  are  in  a condition  to  offer  battle 

the  river,  near  the  Montmorenci,had  been 

when  they  please,  and  I can  not  refuse 

succe.ssful,  and  the  enemy  Avere  still  un- 

them,  although  I shall  be  beaten.  My 

smspicious  of  "Wolfe’s  real  design.  The 

Canadians,  without  discipline,  and  deaf 

British  general  noAv^  issued  his  last  orders, 

to  the  call  of  the  drum,  will  lly  at  the 

in  Avhich,  having  reminded  his  army  that 

first  charge ; and  what  will  be  left  for 

the  fate  of  Canada  might  be  determined 

me,  but  to  be  overwhelmed  Avithout  a 

by  a vigorous  bloA\"  struck  at  this  moment. 

resource  ? Such  is  my  position — a posi- 

he  tells  them  mysteriously,  still  keeping 

tion  so  terrible  for  a general,  that  it  gives 

his  secret,  that  they  are  to  land  ay  here 

me  some  awful  moments  of  reflection ! 

the  French  Avmuld  least  expect  it.  “ The 

But,  come  what  will,  be  assured  I shall 

first  body  that  gets  on  shore  is  to  march 

not  survive  the  loss  of  the  colony.  There 

directly  to  the  enemy.  The  battalions 

are  times  when  all  that  is  left  for  a gen- 

must  form  on  the  upper  ground  Avith  ex 

era!  is  to  die  with  honor.”  He  then  “con- 

pedition,  and  be  ready  to  charge  Avhat- 

soles”  himself,  as  he  declare.s,  Avith  a re- 

e\'er.  presents  itself  ....  The  officers  and 

markable  prophecy  of  the  fatality  Avhich 

men  Avill  remember  Avliat  is  expected 

should  attend  British  dominion  by  the 

from  them,  and  Avhat  a determined  body 

conquest  of  Canada : “ I shall  console  my- 

of  soldiers,  inured  to  Avar,  is  capable  of 

self,”  Avrites  Montcalm,  AAutli  the  serious 

doing,  against  fi\'e  Aveak  French  battal- 

earnestness  of  a prophet  of  avo,  “ for  my 

ions,  mingled  Avith  a disorderly  peas- 

defeat,  by  the  certain  conviction  that  that 

an  try.” 

defeat  Avdll  one  day  be  AAmrth  more  to  my 

Wolfe,  absorbed  as  he  Avas  in  the  prep- 

country  than  a single  Auctory,  and  that 

aration,?  for  his  great  enterprise,  and  anx- 

the  conqueror,  in  AA'idening  his  dominion. 

iously  disturbed  Avith  thoughts  of  its  haz- 

Avill  but  open  for  himself  a tomb.”  Monh 

ards,  and  the  importance  of  the  stake 

calm  Avas  conscious  that  his  chief  dan<>:er 

still  preserved  his  cheerful,  confident  tone 

lay  above  Quebec,  and  AA'rote : “ Unless 

in  the  presence  of  all.  At  his  evening 

Wolfe  lands  above  the  toAvn,  and  forces 

mess  he  Avas  even  joyous  in  the  compan  a 

me  to  a battle,  I am  safe.”  Yet,  on  the 

of  his  felloAV-officers,  and  sang  his  own 

v(!ry  night  that  the  danger  he  feared 

song  — 

threatened  him,  he  kneAV  nothing  of  its 

“ Why,  soldiers,  why, 

Approach ! 

Should  we  be  melancholy,  boys^ 

.1 

I2(j 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPAIIT  1 


Why,  soldiers,  why? 

Wliose  business  ’tis  tc  die  !”* 


The  ships,  with  a part  of  the  troops, 
now  sailed,  and,  with  a favorable  breeze, 
soon  passed  up  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the 
rendezvous,  eight  miles  above  Quebec, 
where  they  joined  the  llect  stationed 
there  under  Holmes.  That  portion  of 
the  army  at  Point  Levi  moved  simulta- 
neously along  the  southern  bank  of  the 
river,  and,  halting  opposite  to  the  ships, 
embarked.  The  troops,  to  the  number 
of  sixteen  hundred,  were  then  removed 
into  llat-bottomed  boats,  in  the  utmost 
silence.  Everything  promised  success. 
The  enemy  were  evidently  quite  uncon- 
scious of  the  English  movement,  although 
an  event  occurred  which  had  nearly  ex- 
posed the  whole  aflixir,  and  might  have 
spoiled  the  enterprise.  A couple  of 
French  deserters  had  sought  refuge  on 
board  one  of  the  ships-of-war,  and,  giving 
information  of  an  expected  convoy  of 
provisions,  destined  to  Quebec,  from  De 
Bougainville’s  force  up  the  river,  the  cap- 
tain of  the  ship  was  on  the  lookout,  and 
determined  to  stop  the  supplies.  The 
movement  among  the  English,  while  the 
troops  were  getting  into  the  small  boats, 
was  observed  by  the  French  deserters, 
and  it  was  supposed  that  they  were  the 
convoy  preparing  to  make  for  Quebec. 
Tlic  British  captain,  whose  vessel  was  at 
some  distance,  and  who  was  unconscious 
of  Wolfe’s  plan,  had  pointed  his  guns  and 
was  about  to  fire,  when  fortunately  his 

* Wo  have  already  quoted  the  whole  of  this  sorif^,  as  given 
in  that  most  exeellent  and  accurate  work  of  the  hrotheis 
Duvckinck,  “ The  Cyclopsedia  of  American  Literature.” 
The  song  is  suppo  cd  to  have  been  composed  on  the  night 
when  it  was  lirsl  sung  by  Wolte,  tiiat  of  the  attack. 


preparations,  in  consequence  of  the  noise 
and  bustle,  were  observed  by  Wolfe,  who 
succeeded  in  setting  the  zealous  naval 
officer  aright,  and  thus  preventing  him 
from  killing  his  countrymen  and  alarm- 
ing the  French. 

About  an  hour  before  daybreak,  the 
lleet  of  flatrlxottomed  boats  began  to  move 
down  with  the  ebbing  tide.  Wolfe,  in 
company  with  some  of  his  officers,  led 
the  van.  The  rowers,  Avith  muffled  oars, 
just  touched  the  rippling  stream,  and 
they  glided  silently  and  calmly  on.  The 
stars  shone  out  bright  in  the  clear  sky. 
The  stillness  and  daikness  of  the  night, 
the  gentle  movement,  the  regular  dip  of 
the  oar,  the  pulsation  of  the  tide  against 
the  ribbed  gunwale  of  the  boat,  the  stilled 
throbbings  of  the  expectant  hearts,  natu- 
rally subdued  all  to  quiet  and  serious 
thought.  Wolfe  Avas  the  first  to  brealx 
the  silence,  by  uttering,  in  a tone  of  gen- 
tle melancholy,  this  verse  of  Gray’s  Ele- 
gy:— 

“ ‘The  boast  of  heraldry,  the  pomp  of  power, 

And  all  tliat  beauty,  all  that  wealth  e’er  gave, 
Await  alike  the  inevitable  hour  — 

The  path  of  glory  leads  but  to  the  grave  ” 

“ Now,  gentlemen,”  said  Wolfe  to  his  olfi- 
cers,  “ I Avould  rather  be  the  author  of 
that  poem  than  take  Quebec.”* 

The  boats  now  approached  the  land, 
and,  cautiously  floating  under  the  over- 
hanging cliffs,  they  tit  hist  reached  the 
cove  Avhich  Wolfe  had  selected  for  tlie 
plage  of  disembarkation.  The  genertu 

* This  incident  is  told  by  a gentleman  who  was  a mid 
shipman,  doing  duty  on  board  Wolfe’s  boat  on  that  night, 
and  became  afterward  Professor  John  llobinson,  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Edinburgh. 


r 

COI.ONIAL.J  ON  THE  PLAINS  OF  AP.RAHAM.  127 

himself,  in  the  foremost  boat,  was  the 

ham,”  and,  being  formed  on  solid  ground. 

first  to  leap  ashore.  Some  of  the  boats, 

were  ready  for  the  enemy  at  any  mo- 

carrying  a company  of  Highlanders,  had 

ment. 

beer  borne  by  the  tide  to  some  distance 

When  a messenger  arrived  at  Mom 

below.  Donald  Macdonald,  their  captain. 

calm’s  quarters  with  the  intelligence  of 

however,  without  hesitation,  leaped  on 

the  English  army  being  drawn  up  on  the 

shore,  and,  nothing  daunted  by  the  steep 

plains  of  Abraham,  he  would  hardly  lie- 

ascent  above  him,  sprang  at  an  overhang- 

lieve  it,  and  contemptuously  declared. 

ing  tree  ; and,  bidding  his  men  to  follow. 

“ It  can  be  but  a small  party,  come  to 

climbed  up  the  jagged  precipice  to  the 

burn  a few  houses  and  retire.”  After 

top,  with  his  soldiers  close  Ijehind  him. 

more  explicit  information,  however,  ho 

On  the  summit  was  a French  sentinel. 

became  assured  of  the  fact,  and  cried  out, 

who,  hearing  approaching  steps,  cried  out. 

angrily : “ Then  they  have,  at  last,  got 

Qui  vive?" — “Za  France!”  was  the  quick 

to  the  weak  side  of  this  miserable  garri- 

reply  of  Macdonald,  who  fortunately  un- 

son.  I must  give  battle,  and  crush  them 

derstood  the  French  language.  “rl  quel 

before  noon !”  Montcalm  acted  accord- 

regiment  ?”  pertinaciously  inquired  the 

ingly,  and  unwisely.  His  gallantry  mis- 

Frenchman.  “Z>e  la  Eeine !”  answered 

led  him.  His  true  policy  would  have 

tlie  captain,  who  knew  that  was  De  Bou- 

been  the  discreet  one  of  retiring  within 

gainville’s.  And  the  French  soldier,  mut- 

the  citadel,  and  awaiting  there,  safe  with 

tering,  Passe”  continued  to  pace  his 

in  its  walls,  until  he  had  exhausted  the 

round.  The  Highlanders,  however,  as 

patience  and  resources  of  his  enemy.  He 

they  scrambled  up  among  the  bushes. 

recklessly  determined,  however,  to  give 

and  the  loosened  slate  of  the  precipice. 

battle ; and,  hastily  collecting  his  forces 

made  a rustling  noise,  which  alarmed  the 

from  Quebec  and  from  below,  along  the 

enemy’s  guard,  who,  after  rushing  toward 

northern  shores  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  to 

the  edge  of  the  cliff,  and  firing  a volley. 

the  Montmorenci,  he  drew  them  up,  and 

to  3k  to  their  heels. 

marched  to  face  the  foe. 

^yolfe,  with  his  brigadiers  Monckton 

At  eight  o’clock  in  the  morning,  the 

and  Murray,  and  the  first  division  of  the 

French  column  was  observed  from  the 

army,  were  not  less  successful  below. 

English  camp  to  be  advancing  up  the 

They  all  clambered  along  the  precipitous 

rising  ground  from  the  river  St.  Charles 

path,  so  narrow  that  but  two  could  go 

to  the  plains  of  Abraham.  M^olfe  had 

abreast,  and  reached  the  top  without  op- 

succeeded  in  dragging  up  the  cliff  but  a 

position.  The  French  pickets  stationed 

single  piece  of  artillery ; but  this  solitary 

on  the  summit  were  overpowered  at  once. 

gun  was  made  to  play  with  such  effec 

and  the  rest  of  the  forces  continued  to 

upon  Montcalm’s  forces,  that  they  were 

come  up  in  rapid  succession,  without  re- 

obliged  to  alter  their  line  of  march. 

sistance.  As  the  day  broke,  the  whole 

At  ten  o’clock,  Montcalm  had  reached 

army  had  reached  the  “ Plains  of  Abra- 

the  battle-field,  and  began  to  form  his 

f 


128  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  i 

anny.  As  he  came  up,  however.  De  Bou- 

awaited,  in  battle  array,  the  coming  up 

gainville,  who  had  been  summoned  by 

of  the  enemy.  Wolfe  himself  led  the 

the  French  general  to  his  aid,  sent  up,  in 

front  line,  on  the  right  with  Moncktou, 

advance  of  his  own  march,  a body  of  light 

and  Murray  the  left.  The  second  line 

cavalry,  which  made  a show  of  attack  up- 

was  under  the  command  of  Townshend, 

on  Wolfe’s  left,  but  were  easily  checked 

who,  with  his  lightrinfantry  and  the  Royal 

by  Townshend,  at  that  post.  Montcalm 

Americans,  took  position  at  the  extreme 

formed  his  centre  of  seven  hundred  and 

left.  A reserve  was  thrown  back  in  a third 

twent}^  regulars,  of  the  regiments  of 

line,  under  Burton  and  Howe.  Wolfe’s 

Bearne  and  Guienne,  with  twelve  him- 

whole  force  was  less  than  five  thousand. 

dred  militia,  and  led  it  in  person.  To 

but  each  man  was  a trained  soldier. 

his  right  ho  placed  the  regiments  of  La 

Montcalm  had  sent  in  great  haste  for 

Sasse  and  Lanwiiedoc,  some  sixteen  him- 

De  Bougainville  and  De  Vaudreuil  to 

dred  strong,  all  veteran  soldiers ; with 

come  up  with  their  troop, s,  and  in  the 

these  was  a militia  force  of  less  than  five 

meantime  checked  his  impatience  for  the 

hundred,  and  a single  small  fieldpiece. 

onset  by  a diversion  with  his  three  small 

On  the  left  were  thirteen  hundred  infan- 

pieces  of  artillery,  ivhich,  in  his  hurry. 

try  of  the  Royal  Rousillon  regiment,  to- 

were  all  he  had  brought  with  him.  For 

gether  v/ith  twenty-three  hundred  Cana- 

an  hour  he  continued  firing  his  cannon 

dial!  militia  and  a marine  battalion.  The 

upon  the  British,  who  rejoined  with  theii 

whole  French  force  thus  amounted  to 

single  gun ; and  thus,  during  that  time, 

half  a hundred  less  than  eight  thousand. 

an  inefiect-ive  fire  was  kept  up. 

without  counting  the  Indian.s,  who  were 

Montcalm  now  lost  all  patience,  and 

distributed  about,  to  hide  themselves  in 

began  the  attack  in  earnest.  His  first 

the  neighboring  bush,  and  thus  execute 

attempt  was,  by  a flank  movement,  to 

what  annoyance  they  could  by  their  usu- 

crowd  the  English  down  the  precipice. 

al  mode  of  warhire.  Less  than  a half  of 

With  this  purpose  in  view,  the  French 

jMontcalm’s  force,  however,  were  regulars. 

veterans  on  the  right  swept  round  the 

and  the  rest  were  raw  Canadians,  in  whom 

English  left,  under  Murray,  with  impetu- 

he  had  no  confidence.  Wolfe  himself 

ous  force,  and  poured  in  a murderous  fire 

enumerated  his  enemy  thus  contemptu- 

upon  the  light-infantry  in  the  rear,  under 

ously — “Five  weak  French  battalions. 

Howe.  This  young  officer  gave  them  a 

mincjled  with  a disorderly  peasantry !” 

warm  reception,  and  stayed  their  prog- 

But  this  was  his  statement  to  his  own 

ress  until  Townshend  came  up  to  his  re- 

men,  for  the  sake  of  encouragement.  He 

lief  with  his  infiintry  and  the  Royal  Amer- 

knew  that  he  had  one  of  the  most  skilful 

leans,  and  drove  the  French  back  to  tluiir 

generals  of  the  age,  with  some  of  the 

lines  in  greatly-diminished  numbers. 

most  experienced  soldiers,  pitted  against 

The  attempt  upon  the  light-infantry  in 

him. 

front  of  the  British  centre  was  more  sue 

The  English  from  an  early  hour  had 

cessful,  and  came  near  deciding  the  day 

r — 

COLONIAL.]  WOLFE  FALL;>'.  12y 


disastrously  for  Wolfe.  Observing  these 
troops  yielding  before  the  French  marks- 
men, and  fearing  lest,  as  they  fell  back 
in  their  flight,  they  might  force  the  mahi 
body  into  confusion,  Wolfe  hurried  along 
the  line,  and,  encouraging  his  men,  bade 
them  to  hold  back  their  fire,  and  not  to 
move  a step  until  ordered.  He  was  none 
too  soon;  for  the  soldiers  in  the  rear, 
having  become  conscious  of  the  confused 
movement  in  front,  were  in  a state  of 
anxious  excitement.  Wolfe’s  presence, 
however,  and  his  few  inspiriting  words, 
calmed  them  at  once,  and  they  again 
firmly  stood  their  ground. 

Now  Montcalm,  encouraged  by  the  suc- 
cess of  his  skirmishers,  bore  down  with 
his  whole  centre  toward  the  English  right 
wing.  The  French,  as  they  halted,  poured 
in  a terrible  fire.  The  British  fell  fast  be- 
fore it ; and  Wolfe  himself,  who  was  in  the 
foremost  van,  was  among  the  first  to  suffer. 
A shot  wounded  him  in  the  wrist ; but 
hastily  wrapping  a handkerchief  around 
it,  he  continued  to  pass  from  rank  to  rank, 
exhorting  each  man  not  to  fire.  The 
troops,  true  to  discipline,  obeyed ; and 
these  "unknown  demigods”  coolly  bore 
the-  murderous  attack  of  the  enemy  with- 
out a waver,  moving  only  to  step  over 
the  dead  bodies  of  their  heroic  comrades, 
into  their  empty  ranks. 

Wolfe  waited  until  the  enemy  had 
reached  within  a distance  of  forty  yards, 
and  then  ordered  the  whole  line  to  fire. 
The  effect  was  terrific.  The  French  col- 
umns seemed  to  stagger  as  one  body  un- 
der the  shock.  Whole  ranks  fell  in  heaps 
together — leaving  to  the  view,  as  the 
smoke  cleared  away,  the  scattered  sol- 
17 


diers  standing  aghast  here  and  there,  and 
marking,  like  monumental  stones,  the 
places  of  the  dead.  Officers  and  men 
had  suffered  alike.  St.  Ours  and  De  Zen- 
czergnes  were  dead,  and  Montcalm  him- 
self severely  wounded.  The  French  vet- 
erans, a ghastly  remnant,  still  stood  their 
ground,  but  the  Canadian  militia  had  fled 
in  fright.  The  victory  was  won,  but  the 
gallant  Montcalm  would  not  give  up  the 
fight.  Though  deserted  by  all  tlie  Cana* 
dian.s,and  though  his  own  faithful  French- 
men had  been  fearfully  diminished  in 
numbers,  the  general  brought  together 
the  scattered  remnant  of  his  regulars, 
and  cheered  them  on  for  another  attack. 
They  halted,  and  prepared  to  fire. 

Wolfe  at  this  moment  ordered  his  line 
to  advance,  and  the  whole  anny  moved 
forward  and  calmly  returned  the  volley 
which  just  came  from  the  enemy.  The 
British  soldiers, however,  provoked  by  the 
resistance  of  the  shattered  French  ranks, 
could  no  longer  restrain  themselves,  and 
began,  in  spite  of  discipline,  to  run  with 
an  impetuous  rush  at  the  enemy,  sweep- 
ing all  before  them.  Wolfe  was  leading 
on  the  twenty-eighth  and  the  Louisburg 
grenadiers,  as  with  fixed  bayonets  they 
charged  the  steady  French  veterans  (who, 
though  falling  fast,  kept  up  an  obstinate 
fire),  when  he  was  wounded  a second 
time,  in  the  body,  but  carefully  concealed 
it.  Again,  as  he  bravely  bore  on  in  front, 
a ball  from  the  enemy’s  redoubt  struck 
him  in  the  breast.  Staggering  with  the 
shock,  he  quietly  said  to  an  officer  by  his 
side,  " Support  me,  that  my  brave  fellows 
may  not  see  me  fall.”  He,  however,  after 
an  effort  to  rally  his  strength,  sank  im- 


130  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i 


mediately  into  the  arms  of  his  friend,  and 
with  the  aid  of  some  soldiers  was  borne 
to  a short  distance  in  the  rear. 

Monckton  was  sent  for,  to  take  com- 
mand; but  he  had  been  wounded,  and 
could  no  longer  do  duty.  Townshend 
was  then  summoned,  and,  coming  up  to 
the  spot  where  his  general  lay  in  agony, 
cast  a momentary  glance  of  despair,  and 
then  hurried  away,  as  chief,  to  complete 
the  victory  of  the  day.  The  French  still 
gallantly  resisted,  for  Montcalm  was  yet 
on  the  alert,  and  impetuously  urging  his 
troops  to  form  and  to  fight.  He  was  ev- 
erywhere, riding  about  among  them,  and 
shoutino;  out  brave  words  of  encourao::e- 
ment.  His  troops  did  continue  to  strug- 
gle manfully,  but  it  was  useless ; the  Eng- 
lish, thronging  up,  drove  all  before  them. 
Montcalm  himself  was  now  struck  down, 
and  his  soldiers  fled  in  dismay. 

The  dying  Wolfe  struggled  against  the 
agonies  of  death,  with  his  mind  still  in- 
tent upon  duty.  As  his  strength  weak- 
ened, he  made  a strong  effort  to  bring 
back  his  departing  vitality.  With  his 
hand  he  strove  to  brush  away  the  web 
which  Death  was  busily  weaving  before 
his  eyes,  and  at  the  same  moment  suc- 
ceeded in  raising  himself  to  a sitting  pos- 
ture. At  this  instant,  an  officer  cried 
out,  “ See ! see  ! how  they  run !” — “ Wlio 
runs?”  exclaimed  Wolfe.  ‘‘The  enemy, 
sir ; they  give  way  everywhere,”  was  the 
answer.  “ Go,  then,  one  of  you,  to  Bur- 
ton, and  tell  him  to  march  Webb’s  regi- 
ment to  the  bridge,  and  cut  off  the  re- 
treat,” said  the  dying  general,  who  to  the 
last  was  mindful  only  of  his  duty.  “ Now, 
God  be  praised,  I shall  die  happy!”  he 


faintly  uttered ; and,  turning  over  his 
body,  shuddered  with  the  last  agony : his 
eyes  closed;  and  the  brave  Wolfe  lived 
only,  but  for  ever,  in  memory. 

The  rout  of  the  French  was  complete ; 
the  English  pursuit  fierce  and  pertina- 
cious. The  Highlanders,  with  their  clay- 
mores, made  a great  havoc  among  the  fu- 
gitives, some  of  whom  begged  piteously 
to  be  spared,  as  they  had  not  been  among 
those  at  Fort  William  Henry.*  Many  of 
the  enemy  made  for  the  citadel,  and  were 
not  safe  until  they  had  succeeded  in  get- 
ting within  its  walls.  The  British  troops, 
in  the  ardor  of  the  pursuit,  were  in  a state 
of  confusion ; but  Townshend,  expecting 
the  coming  up  of  De  Bougainville  with 
his  fresh  force,  took  care  to  recall  his  dis- 
ordered battalions,  and  draw  them  up  in 
readiness  for  the  still-unconquered  por- 
tion of  the  enemy. 

De  Bougainville  had  hurried  up  with 
his  fifteen  hundred  men;  but,  so  rapid 
had  been  the  defeat  of  Montcalm’s  troops, 
that  he  found  none  to  co-operate  with. 
So  complete,  mQreover,had  been  the  Eng- 
lish victory,  that  De  Bougainville’s  forces, 
although  composed  of  the  choicest  of  the 
French  grenadiers  and  lighhinfan try, were 
so  discouraged  by  the  total  rout  of  their 
countrymen,  that  they  hardly  dared  to 
show  an  opposing  front  to  the  troops 
Townshend  sent  against  them.  Their 
advance  was  checked  at  once  by  a cou- 
ple of  regiments  and  two  fieldpieces ; and 
the  French  scarcely  caught  a glimpse  of 
them,  before  they  were  off  in  a precipi- 

* The  conduct  of  the  victorious  French  at  Fort  William 
Henry  had  been  cruel,  and  the  English  burned  to  retaliat* 
upon  the  enemy  for  their  ferocity  on  that  occasion. 


COLONIAL.J  DEATH  OF  MONTCALM.  LJl 

tate  retreat  along  the  northern  bank  of 

ent  perplexities.”  The  priest  was  then 

the  river,  above  Quebec.  De  Vaudreiiil 

summoned,  who  performed  extreme  unc- 

was  still  more  in  a hurry ; and,  as  soon 

tion,  and  remained  by  his  side  until  he 

as  he  heard  of  Wolfe’s  success,  he  made 

breathed  his  last.  With  his  dying  word 

off  with  his  fifteen  hundred  Canadians, 

he  paid  this  tribute  to  his  foe : “ Since 

leaving  behind  him  his  artillery,  ammu- 

it  was  my  misfortune  to  be  discomfited 

nition,  and  all  his  stores.  De  Vaudreuil 

and  mortally  wounded,  it  is  a great  con- 

was  conscience-stricken,  and  feared  great- 

solation  to  be  vanquished  by  so  great 

1 

ly  lest  he  should  foil  into  tlie  hands  of 

and  generous  an  enemy.  If  I could  sur- 

1 

i 

the  English,  who,  as  Walpole  says,  “ were 

vive  this  wound,  I would  eno:ao:e  to  beat 

1 

determined  to  scalp  him,  he  having  been 

three  times  the  number  of  such  forces  as 

the  chief  and  blackest  author  of  the  cruel- 

I commanded,  with  a third  of  their  num- 

ties  exercised  on  our  countrymen.  Some 

ber  of  British  troops.” 

1 

of  his  letters  were  taken,  in  which  he  ex- 

De  Vaudreuil, on  reaching  Cape  Rouge 

plicitly  and  basely  said  that  ‘ peace  was 

where  he  had  retreated  and  joined  his 

the  best  time  for  making  war  on  the 

forces  to  those  of  De  Bougainville,  grand- 

English !’  ” 

iloquently  expressed  the  opinion  to  the 

The  whole  loss  of  the  British  on  the 

assembled  officers,  that  “ they  should  take 

plains  of  Abraham  was  only  fifty-five 

their  revenge  on  the  morrow,  and  endeav- 

killed  and  six  hundred  and  seven  wound- 

or  to  wipe  off  the  disgraces  of  the  day. 

ed;  while  that  of  the  French  could  not 

The  council,  liowever,  more  discreetly  re- 

have  been  less  than  fifteen  hundred  in 

solved  upon  continuing  tlie  retreat,  and 

all. 

De  V audreuil  himself  was  not  backward 

The  brave  Montcalm,  when  he  was 

in  giving  in  his  adhesion  to  the  prudent 

wounded,  was  borne  to  the  citadel ; and 

resolve.  They  retired  to  Point  aux  Trem- 

when  the  surgeon  began  to  examine  his 

bles,  where  they  were  soon  joined  by  De 

wound,  he  was  asked  by  the  general  if 

L e vi  and  his  troops  from  Montreal,  whence 

it  was  mortal.  Being  told  that  it  was. 

he  had  commenced  his  march  as  soon  as 

Montcalm  calmly  rejoined,  “ I am  glad  of 

he  heard  of  Montcalm’s  defeat.  After  this 

1 

t,”  and  asked,  “ how  long  can  I survive  ?” 

junction  there  was  a momentary  feeling 

— “ Perhaps  a day,  perhaps  less,”  was  the 

of  hope,  and  the  genta’als  wrote  to  Ram- 

surgeon’s  answer.  “ So  much  the  better ; 

say,  in  command  of  the  garrison  at  Que- 

I shall  not  live  to  see  the  surrender  of 

bee:  “We  exhort  you  by  all  means  to 

Quebec !”  exclaimed  the  gallant  Mont- 

hold  out  to  the  last  extremity.  On  the 

calm.  He  now  prepared  for  death,  and. 

18th  [September]  the  whole  army  shall 

when  asked  for  his  commands  in  regard 

be  in  motion.  A disposition  is  made  to 

to  the  citadel,  he  refused  to  give  tliem. 

throw  in  a large  supply  of  provisions,  and 

saying : “ My  time  is  very  short,  so  pray 

to  relieve  the  town.”  It  was  too  late. 

leave  me.  I wish  you  all  comfort,  and 

Quebec  was  surrendered  on  the  very 

to  be  happily  extricated  from  your  pres- 

morning  (September  18,  1759)  that  De 

132  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  i 


Vaiidreilirs  messenger  readied  the  gates 
of  the  citadel. 

The  joyful  news  of  Wolfe’s  great  vic- 
tory was  received  in  England  with  a uni- 
versal acclamation  of  delight.  “ You  may 
now  give  yourself,”  writes  W alpole  to  the 
British  embassador  at  the  Hague  (Sir  H. 
Mann),  “ what  airs  you  please ; you  are 

master  of  East  and  West  Indies It 

was  a very  singular  affair,  the  generals 
on  both  sides  slain,  and  on  both  sides  the 
second  in  command  wounded — in  short, 
very  near  what  battles  should  be,  in 
which  only  the  principals  ought  to  suffer. 
If  their  army  has  not  ammunition  and 
spirit  enough  to  fill  again  upon  ours  be- 
fore Amherst  comes  up,  all  North  Amer- 
ica is  ours  ! What  a scene  ! an  army 

in  the  night  dragging  itself  up  a preci- 
pice by  stumps  of  trees,  to  assault  a town 
and  attack  an  army  strongly  intrenched 
and  double  in  numbers.  Adieu  ! I think 
I shall  not  write  to  you  again  this  twelve- 
month  ; for,  like  Alexander,  we  have  no 
more  worlds  left  to  conquer.” 

Pitt,  the  great  minister,  in  the  afflu- 
ence of  his  glowing  rhetoric,  spoke  to 
the  British  senate  of  “ the  horror  of  the 
night ; the  precipice  scaled  by  Wolfe;  the 
empire  he  with  a handful  of  men  added 
to  England ; and  the  glorious  catastro- 
phe of  contentedly  terminating  life  where 
his  fame  began. . . . x\ncient  story  may  be 
ransacked,  and  ostentatious  philosophy 
thrown  into  the  account,  before  an  epi- 
sode can  be  found  to  rank  with  Wolfe’s  !” 
These  eloquent  words  of  Pitt  prefaced 
his  motion  that  a monument  should  be 
erected  in  Westminster  Abbey  to  the 
memory  of  the  hero.  The  British  people. 


pious,  grateful,  and  exultant,  joined  in 
public  thanksgiving  to  God  for  the  vic- 
tory ; bestowed,  through  their  represen- 
tatives in  Parliament,  a liberal  largess 
upon  Wolfe’s  family ; and  raised  with  one 
voice,  throughout  England’s  wide  domin- 
ions, a burst  of  triumph  on  a day  set 
apart  for  holyday  rejoicing.  In  Westr 
minster  Abbey,  sculptured  art  and  classic 
learning  record  the  gratitude  and  sorrow 
of  Great  Britain.  A tall  column  of  stone 
rises  above  the  heights  of  Quebec,  to  tes- 
tify to  the  taste  and  feeling  of  a noble 
Englishman.  A small  stone,  planted  on 
the  plains  of  Abraham,  tells  the  traveller 
that  “ Here  Wolfe  deed  victorious.”  But 
the  memory  of  Wolfe  requires  neither 
sculptured  art,  nor  lofty  column,  nor  tab- 
let of  stone : it  is  fixed  for  ever  in  the 
hearts  of  all  who  love  the  good  and  the 
brave. 

“ Who  the  deuce  Avas  thinking  of  Que- 
bec ?”  asks  Walpole.  “ America  Avas  like 
a book  one  had  read  and  done  Avith,  or, 
at  least,  if  Ave  looked  at  the  book,  one 
just  recollected  that  there  was  a supple- 
ment promised,  to  contain  a chapter  on 
Montreal,  the  starving  and  surrender  of  it; 
but  here  AA-e  are  on  a sudden  readino;  our 
book  baclvAvard.  An  account  came  tAvo 
days  ago”  (Walpole  is  Avriting  on  the  20th 
June),  “that  the  French,  on  their  march 
to  besiege  Quebec,  had  been  attacked  by 
General  Murray,  Avho  got  into  a mistake 
and  a morass,  attacked  tAvo  bodies  that 
Avere  joined  Avhen  he  hoped  to  come  up 
Avith  one  of  them  before  lie  Avas  enclosed, 
embogged,  and  defeated.”  The  gossiping 
Walpole  thus  tells  the  AA’hole  story  in  a 
pleasant  Avay.  All  Ave  have  to  add  is 


V. 

COLONIAL.]  AMHERST’S  EXPEDITION.  183 

that  Murray,  who  had  been  left  in 
command,  did  foolishly  march  out 

carried.  Fort  Levi,  on  the  island,  was 
still  in  possession  of  the  enemy,  and. 

with  his  small  force  against  De  Levi’s 
troops,  ten  thousand  strong,  and  was  beat- 

though  invested  by  Amherst’s 

r 11  ,,  Aug.  23 

immense  force,  with  all  the  reg- 

en  back  within  the  walls  of  Quebec,  which 

ularities  of  a siege,  and  a severe  cannon- 

would  probably  have  fallen,  had  not  a 

ade  opened,  was  so  spiritedly  defended 

British  fleet  arrived,  sailed  up  the  St. 

by  its  little  garrison,  that  one  of  the  Brit- 

Lawrence,  and  driven  away  the  French 

ish  vessels  was  obliged  to  strike  her  col- 

besiegers  encamped  upon  its  banks. 

ors.  Amherst,  checked  by  this  unex- 

General  Amherst  (now  Sir  Jeffrey  Am- 

pected  vigor  on  the  part  of  the  French, 

herst),  calm,  cautious,  and  slow,  had  moved 

put  off  the  assault  until  the  next  day 

too  deliberately  to  satisfy  the  impulsive 

In  the  meantime,  the  French  command- 

spirit  of  Wolfe.  He  had,  however — in 

ant,  finding  that  it  was  impossible  to  hold 

time  to  complete  tlie  conquest  of  Canada 

out  long  against  the  overwhelming  force 

— succeeded  in  concentrating  his  large 

of  his  assailants,  surrendered  at  discre- 

force  of  over  ten  thousand  men,  including 

tion. 

the  provincials  under  Gage  and  the  In- 

When  the  fort  was  given  up,  Johnson’s 

dians  led  by  Sir  AVilliam  Johnson,  on  the 

Indians,  who  had  been  thirsting  to  wreak 

shores  of  Lake  Ontario,  from  the  waters 

their  vengeance  upon  the  Frenchmen. 

of  which  two  British  ships  had  driven  the 

W’oiild  have  begun  their  cruel  work  had 

French  cruisers,  and  forced  them  to  seek 

not  Amherst,  with  a noble  humanity,  in- 

refuge  in  the  intricate  and  labyrinthine 

terposed.  He  immediately  gave  orders 

channels  of  the  “ Thousand  Isles.” 

to  Sir  William  to  deter  the  savages,  if  pos- 

On  the  7th  of  August,  the  grenadiers 

sible,  from  their  purpose,  promising  them 

and  lightrtroops,  including  a battalion  of 

all  the  stores  found  in  the  fort ; but  warn- 

Highlanders,  were  sent  forward,  to  post 

ing  them,  at  the  same  time,  that  if  they 

themselves  at  the  end  of  the  lake,  where 

persisted,  he  would  restrain  them  by  force. 

the  St.  Lawrence  receives  its  waters. 

The  Indians,  in  sullen  submission,  return- 

On  the  10th,  Amherst  in  person  followed. 

ed  to  their  camp,  but  fiercely  resented 

with  the  remainder  of  the  regulars  and 

the  interference ; and  Sir  William  John- 

the  Indians;  but  the  lagging  Gage  did 

son  informed  the  general  that  they  wmuld 

not  come  up  with  his  provincials  until 

probably  quit  the  army.  Amherst  an- 

the  12th,  when  the  whole  army  was  gath- 

swered  : “ Although  I wish  to  retain  their 

ered  at  La  Galette,  on  the  banks  of  tlie 

friendship,  I will  not  purchase  it  at  the 

St.  Lawrence. 

expense  of  countenancing  barbarity ; and 

Embarked  once  more,  the  whole  force 

tell  them  that,  if  they  commit  any  acts 

dropped  down  the  river  to  Isle  Roj’ale, 

of  cruelty  on  their  return  home  from  the 

capturing  on  their  way  a French  cruiser. 

army,  I will  assuredly  chastise  them.”* 

which  was  spiritedly  attacked  by  some 

The  Indians  left  him,  but  the  humane 

soldiers  in  the  whale-boats,  and  gallantly 

* Wirhurton. 

L_ 

J 

134 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  I 


Amherst  won  <‘i  triumph  worth  more  than 
hundreds  of  bloody  victories. 

Levelling  the  captured  works  on  Isle 
Royale,  the  troops  descended  the  stream, 
and  entered  the  turbulent  and  dangerous 
passage  of  the  Cedars.  As  the  heavily- 
laden  boats  got  among  the  broken  rocks 
and  boiling  eddies,  they  were  so  crowd- 
ed and  tossed  together,  that  some  were 
swamped,  and  others  dashed  to  pieces. 
Sixty-four,  laden  with  artillery  and  stores, 
were  in  this  manner  lost,  and  eighty  men 
drowned. 

On  landing  upon  the  island 
Septi  6.  Montreal,  the  French  retired 

within  the  walls  of  the  city,  and  Amherst 
invested  the  place.  Murray  in  the  mean- 
time had  sailed  from  Quebec,  with  all  the 
disposable  force  which  could  be  spared, 
and  joined  Amherst  on  the  7th  of  Sep- 
tember, with  twenty-four  hundred  and 
fifty  of  the  conquerors  of  Quebec.  Colo- 


Septt 8. 


nel  Haviland,  who  had  come  from  Crown 
Point,  arrived  the  next  day  with  another 
body  of  troops,  and  now  upon  the  island 
of  Montreal  were  gathered  sixteen  thou- 
sand British.  The  marquis  de  Vaudreuil, 
who  had  fled  to  Montreal  after  Wolfe’s 
conquest  of  Quebec,  now  gave 
up  all  in  despair,  and  signed  a 
capitulation,  by  which  all  Canada  was 
lost  to  France  for  ever. 

After  long  negotiations,  protracted  by 
the  expansive  demands  of  the  imperious 
Pitt,  the  war  between  Great  Britain  and 
France  ceased  with  the  treaty 
of  peace  at  Paris,  in  1763.  The 
French  ministry  yielded  with  reluctance ; 
and  the  proud  Choiseul,  who  resigned  his 
place,  asked,  despairingly:  “But  what 
can  we  do  ? The  English  are  furiously 
imperious ; they  are  drunk  with  success 
and,  unfortunately,  we  are  not  in  a con- 
dition to  abase  their  pride.” 


END  OF 


PA 


r 


c 

PART  11 

BATTLES  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 

CHAPTER  I. 

Representation  and  Taxation. — Tyranny  of  Great  Britain.- 

-Resistance  of  Massachusetts. — The  Stamp-Act. — The  Tea- 

Party. — Boston  Port-Bill. — Starvation. — General  Gage. — 

His  Life  and  Character. — Gage’s  Proceedings. — His  Seizures. 

— Fortification  of  Boston. — Indignation  and  Vigilance  of  the  Patriots. — Secret  Designs  discovered. — March  on  Con 
cord. — The  Struggle. — Lexington. — The  Conflict. — The  Excitement  throughout  the  Country. — The  Return  of  the 

British  toward  Boston. — Galled  by  the  Patriots. 

" They  say  you  have  no  right  to 
tax  them  without  their  consent. 

force,  by  threats  if  possible,  by  violence 
if  necessary,  the  obedience  of  New  Eng- 

They  say  truly.  Representation  and  tax- 

land  to  the  tyrannical  edicts  of  the  moth- 

ation  must  go  together : they  are  insepa- 

er-country.  Tlie  people  of  Massachusetts 

rable.”*  This  was  the  American  cause  : 

had  been  the  first  — although  the  other 

Representation  and  taxation  must  go  together 

colonies  .showed  the  same  spirit  of  inde- 

— a cause  which  the  colonists,  almost 

pendence  — to  resist,  by  overt  act,  the 

with  one  voice,  had  now  determined  to 

tyrannical  exercise  of  British  authority. 

seal  with  their  blood.  British  Tyranny 

They,  in  common  with  the  rest  of  the 

resolved  to  force  submission.  American 

people  of  the  province.s,  had  contented 

Liberty  determined  to  oppose  resistance. 

themselves  with  opposing,  by  petition 

The  struggle  began.  Battles  were  fought. 

and  protest,  the  stamp-act;  and,  on  its 

and  continued  to  be  fought,  until  inde- 

repeal,  only  exhibited  their  spirit  of  in- 

pendence  was  won.  These  it  is  our  pur- 

dependence  by  a burst  of  joy.  The  ex- 

pose  to  record,  to  which  we  shall  proceed 

ultation  of  these  lovers  of  liberty  was. 

now  without  further  preface. 

however,  soon  vexed  into  the  excitement 

General  Thomas  Gage, having  been  ap- 

of  passionate  resistance  by  other  tyran- 

pointed  captain-general  and  governor  of 

nical  acts  of  Great  Britain.  The  colonists 

Massachusetts,  was  now  at  Boston,  in 

now,  almost  with  one  voice,  determined 

command  of  the  British  troops ; while 

upon  retaliation.  They  would  puni.sh  the 

English  men-of-war  floated  threateningly 

mother-country  by  not  consuming  her 

in  the  harbor.  He  had  been  selected  by 

products,  and  thus  weaken  her  strength 

the  government  of  Great  Britain  to  en- 

by  diminishing  her  revenue.  Great  Brit- 

* Earl  Chatham’s  speech  in  the  house  of  lords. 

18 

ain,  in  spite  of  her  suffering  trade  and 

1 

— — 

■ ■■  - ■ — — ■ ’ 1 

\ 

138 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPAKT  11 


a,nd  his  British  soldiers  were  now  on  the 


commerce,  and  the  urgent  appeals  of  her 
men  of  business  to  change  her  odious  co- 
lonial policy,  madly  persisted,  and  strove 
to  compel  where  she  had  failed  to  per- 
suade. 

An  effort  was  made  to  force  upon  the 
colonies  the  consumption  of  tea.  A cargo 
arrived  at  Boston.  A “tea-party”  was 
formed,  composed  of  fifty  men — “very 
dark-complexioned  persons,  dressed  like 
Mohawks,  of  very  grotesque  appearance.” 
With  an  Indian  whoop,  these  Bostonians 
— and  “solid  men”  they  were  — rushed 
to  the  wharf,  boarded  the  ships,  and  in 
the  course  of  two  hours  threAv  into  the 
river  three  hundred  and  forty-two  chests 
of  tea.  This  was  no  impulsive  act  of  riot, 
but  the  deliberate  proceeding  of  men  of 
iletermined  character,  appointed  to  carry 
out  the  calm  resolutions  of  their  fellow- 
townsmen. 

The  tea-proceeding,  when  heard  of  in 
England,  was  received  with  applause  by 
the  friends  of  liberty,  and  with  indigna- 
tion by  the  government  and  its  favorites. 
Tyranny  now  suggested  an  act  of  oppres- 
sion as  a punishment  for  those  who  had 
dared  to  disobey  its  caprices.  It  was 
readily  acceded  to,  with  the  object  of  re- 
ducing the  people  of  Boston  to  “ starva- 
tion”— a word  then  first  coined,  in  the 
British  Parliament,  by  a tory  member, 
whose  inveteracy  of  hate  could  find  no 
expression  in  the  English  language  suffi- 
ciently strong  to  bear  the  impress  of  his 
cruel  purpose.  The  punishment  of  Bos- 
ton came  in  tlie  form  of  the  “ Boston  port- 
bill,”  the  object  of  which  was  to  deprive 
the  refractory  town  of  its  privileges  and 
rights  as  a place  of  commerce.  Gage 


spot  to  carry  that  bill  into  execution. 

Gage  had  proved  himself  a gallant  sol- 
dier in  the  unfortunate  campaign  of  Brad- 
dock  ; but  he  was  nothing  else  than  a 
soldier,  with  all  the  decided  sentiments 
in  favor  of  absolute  authority  engendered 
by  a long  military  life.  He  was,  more- 
over, a thorough  aristocrat  in  feeling,  and 
a tory  by  political  association.  He  did 
not  understand  what  “the  mob”  (as  he 
called  the  people),  as  long  as  they  had 
enough  work,  and  could  eat  and  drink 
abundantly,  had  to  do  with  political  prin- 
ciples. Their  whole  public  duty,  he  be- 
lieved, was  obedience.  To  govern,  or 
even  to  say  who  was  to  govern,  was  not 
their  vocation.  Gage,  however,  should 
have  learned  something  of  the  character 
of  the  American  colonists.  He  had  been 
a good  deal  among  them,  and  had  mar- 
ried a native  lady  of  New  York.  But, 
nevertheless,  he  did  not  understand  them, 
and  seemed  as  unconscious  as  the  khan 
of  Tartary  of  the  devotion  of  Americans 
to  liberty,  and  of  their  resolute  firmness 
to  defend  it  against  any  oppressor.  His 
associations  in  the  colonies  were  too  much 
with  the  loyalists,  who  were  always  fawn- 
ing about  royal  governors,  and  whisper- 
ing into  their  ears  what  would  flattering- 
ly  exaggerate  the  self-importance  of  the 
dignitary,  and  contemptuously  depreci- 
ate “ the  rabble.”  In  New  York  he  had 
found  among  his  kindred,  and  the  pre- 
tentious aristocracy  of  its  tory  society,  a 
more  obsequious  courtiership  than  evei 
licked  royal  hands  at  the  court  of  St. 
James.  He  was  now  in  Puritan  New 
England  ; and  while  among  his  own  suite, 


nEVOLi'TiONARY.]  CHARACTER  OF  GAGE.  130 


and  surrounded  by  a few  exceptional 
Massachusetts  tories,  he  did  not  seem  to 
be  conscious  of  the  difference  in  his  po- 
sition. He  took  no  account  of  the  great 
body  of  the  Puritan  people,  who  had 
learned  from  their  ancestors,  under  the 
orders  of  Cromwell,  and  the  teachings  of 
Milton,  those  principles  of  liberty  which 
they  carried  with  them  to  America,  and 
taught  their  children  not  only  to  vener- 
ate, but  to  guard,  at  all  hazards  of  life 
or  fortune,  against  the  oppressor. 

It  was  claimed  for  Gage  that  he  was  a 
man  naturally  frank,  and  of  a gay,  social 
disposition.  This  he  may  have  been, 
among  those  he  considered  his  “ equals,” 
but  to  his  “inferiors”  he  was  haughty 
and  arrogant.  He  was,  in  fact,  in  every- 
thing except  capacity,  a perfect  instru- 
ment to  compel  “ a full  and  absolute  sub- 
mission” to  the  tyrannical  acts  of  his  mas- 
ters. With  his  British  troops  to  back 
him,  he  did  not  hesitate  at  fulfilling  the 
most  cruel  purpose  of  despotism. 

Gage,  in  common  with  most  British 
officers  and  many  British  statesmen,  held 
the  colonial  opposition  in  great  contempt. 
The  American  leaders  were,  in  his  opin- 
ion, without  capacity,  their  followers  with- 
out courage.  While  he  thus  increased 
the  hostility  against  him,  he  diminished 
his  power  of  resistance.  Gage  never  just- 
ly appreciated  the  sentiments  or  rightly 
measured  the  streno-th  of  his  enemies.* 
While  the  Americans  declared — “No  dan- 
ger shall  affright,  no  difficulties  shall  in- 
timidate us;  and  if,  in  support  of  our 

* “ General  Gage,  in  his  private  letters,  encouraged  the 
ministers  to  be  fi_rm,  and  that  if  they  would  be  so,  they  would 
prevail.” — Walpole. 


rights,  we  are  called  to  encounter  even 
death,  we  are  yet  undaunted,  sensible 
that  he  can  never  die  too  soon  who  lays 
down  his  life  in  support  of  the  laws  and 
liberties  of  his  country” — Gage  called 
the  authors  of  these  heroic  resolves  “a 
despicable  rabble,”  and  undertook  to  keep 
them  quiet  Avith  five  regiments,  saying, 
“ The  Americans  Avill  be  lions  only  as  long 
as  the  English  are  lambs !”  So,  too,  a 
Colonel  Grant,  who  until  then  was  only 
known  in  America  by  his  folly — which 
had  nearly  ruined  the  expedition  under 
Forbes  against  Fort  Du  Quesne — now, 
with  the  attempted  wisdom  of  a counsel- 
lor, declared  that  the  Americans  Avere 
coAvards.  “ With  five  regiments,”  said 
this  brao:2:adocio  to  the  assembled  Parlia- 
ment  of  England,  “ I could  march  through 
all  America.”  Truth,  hoAvever,  Avas  bursb 
ing  from  the  eloquent  lips  of  Lord  Chat- 
ham almost  at  the  same  moment  and 
Avithin  the  same  Avails : “ My  lords,”  said 
the  great  orator,  “ there  are  three  mil- 
lions of  Avhigs.  Three  millions  of  Avhigs, 
my  lords,  Avith  arms  in  their  hands,  are 
a very  formidable  body.”  But  English 
Tyranny  closed  its  ears  and  eyes  to  truth, 
and  rushed  recklessly  on  to  destruction. 
The  king  said  loudly,  and  Avith  a scornful 
laugh,  that  “ he  had  as  lief  light  the  Bos- 
tonians as  the  French.” — “Corruption,” 
Avrote  Walpole  in  England,  “ smiled,  and 
Avas  not  afraid  of  SAVords  at  such  a dis- 
tance.” 

On  the  first  day  of  the  operation  of  the 
“ Boston  portrbill,”  the  people  contented 
themselves  Avith  signifying  their 
affliction  at  this  invasion  of  their 
rights  by  tolling  their  church-bells,  by 


140  BATTLES  OF  AMElilCA.  (rAKX  u 


fasting  and  prayer,  and  by  hanging  their 
houses  and  public  buildings  with  crape. 
Tt  was  not  until  those  further  acts  of  the 
British  Parliament — which  virtually  de- 
stroyed the  charter  of  Massachusetts — 
deprived  the  people  of  the  right  of  pub- 
lic meetings,  thus  cutting  awmy  the  scaf- 
folding of  English  freedom,  and  interfered 
with  the  trial  hy  jury,  that  an  armed  re- 
sistance was  determined  upon.  A meetr 
ing  was  held  at  Faneuil  hall,  composed 
of  delegates  from  various  parts  of 
Massachusetts.  It  was  by  them 
resolved  that  " a provincial  Congress  is 
necessary  to  counteract  the  systems  of 
despotism,  and  that,  as  a necessary  means 
to  secure  the  rights  of  the  people,  the 
military  art  ought  to  be  attentively  prac- 
lised.”  A provincial  Congress  was  ac- 
cordingly held;  the  militia  mustered,  and, 
arming  themselves,  prepared  for  resist- 
ance. 

Gage, not  satisfied  with  dissolving  meetr 
mgs  at  Boston  with  his  soldiers,  seized 
the  artillery  and  ammunition  which  be- 
longed to  the  city,  and  thus  greatly  ex- 
cited the  indignation  of  the  townspeople. 
The  seizure  of  the  powder  was  magnified, 
hy  the  excited  imaginations  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts men,  into  a cannonade  of  Bos- 
ton ; and  the  neighboring  colonists  began 
to  ring  their  alarm-bells,  light  up  the  bea- 
con-fires, and  hurry  in  armed  crowds  to  the 
scene  of  the  supposed  danger.  Gage  him- 
self became  anxious,  and  wrote  to  the  gov- 
ernment at  home  that  " the  flames  of  se- 
dition had  spread  universally  throughout 
the  country,  beyond  conception;”  that 
“ civil  government  was  near  its  end ;”  and 
that  “ the  time  for  conciliation,  modera- 


tion, reasoning,  was  over.”  Notliing  now, 
he  believed,  could  be  done  but  by  force, 
and  this  he  resolved  upon  using.  “ The 
torrent  should  be  stemmed,  not  yielded 
to.”*  The  Massachusetts  people  were,  in 
their  turn,  making  preparations  for  the 
struggle,  by  disciplining  their  militia,  and 
collecting  together  their  arms  and  am- 
munition. 

Gage,  strengthened  by  addition- 

0 7 O ^ 177^ 

al  troops,  had  fortified  Boston  neck, 
and  turned  the  city  into  a camp,  where 
his  four  thousand  men  stacked  their  guns 
in  Faneuil  hall,  and  converted  the  church- 
es into  mess-rooms.  He  now  decided  up- 
on a movement,  by  which  he  hoped  to 
overwhelm  the  Massachusetts  men,  and 
put  an  end  to  their  means  of  mischief 
Ilis  plan  was,  to  take  the  colonists  by 
surprise,  and  destroy  their  magazine  of 
arms  and  ammunition  at  Concord,  some 
eighteen  miles  from  Boston.  Gage  em- 
ployed every  possible  means  to  keep  his 
purpose  secret.  He  sent  out  his  officers 
in  disguise  to  make  sketches,  and  to  bring 
back  reports  of  the  position  of  Concord, 
its  strength,  and  the  various  approaches 
to  the  place.  He  also  determined,  in  or- 
der to  further  conceal  his  design,  to  make 
the  attack  under  the  cover  of  the  night. 

The  patriots  were  vigilant,  and  became 
conscious  of  Gage’s  movements.  They 
accordingly  strengthened  their  guard  at 
Concord,  and  removed  some  of  their  stores 
secretly  to  other  places.  Gage  continued 

* Gage  was,  however,  seemingly  not  without  some  sense 
of  discretion,  for  Walpole  records:  “It  was  said,  on  Gen- 
eral Gage  receiving  orders  to  seize  and  send  over  hither  tlie 
chief  patriots,  he  had  for  answer  that,  should  he  attempt  u 
do  any  such  thing,  that  wonld  be  the  last  letter  the  • vould 
ever  receive  from  him,  for  he  should  be  knocked  on  tlie 
head.” 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  HANCOCK  AND  ADAMS.  Ill 

his  preparations,  but  each  act  of  his  was 

at  Concord,”  was  the  answer.  Percy  re- 

watched  closely  by  the  alert  patriots;  and, 

turned  at  once  to  Gage,  and  told  what 

seeing  the  boats  one  night  launched  and 

he  had  heard,  Avhen  orders  Avere  immedi 

A ’I  15  under  the  sterns  of  the 

''Pi’d  * • men-of-war,  took  care  to 

ately  issued  that  no  person  should  be  al 
loAved  to  leave  the  toAvn.  It  Avas,  how- 

send  intelligence  of  the  fact  to  Concord. 

ever,  too  late:  the  vigilant  Warren  had 

A few  days  after,  some  English  officers 

already  despatched  a couple  of  messcn- 

were  sent  out  on  the  roads  leading  from 

gers,  and  giA'en  orders  for  the  hoisting  of 

Boston,  to  prevent  any  messengers  going 

the  Avarning  lantern. 

out  to  carry  information  of  the  proposed 

The  Avhole  country  Avas  aroused.  The 

expedition. 

toAvn  of  Lexington,  through  Avhich  the 

The  night  finally  arrived.  When  elev- 

road  to  Concord  passed,  Avas  especially 

en  o’clock  struck,  some  nine  hun- 
April  18.  choicest  of  the  Brit- 

on  the  alert;  and  its  minute-men,  to  the 
number  of  about  a hundred  and  thirty, 

ish  troops,  under  the  command  of  Lieu- 

turned  out  in  the  middle  of  the  night. 

ten.ant-Colonel  Smith,  embarked  in  small 

and  Avere  assembled  together  on  the  com- 

boats  at  the  foot  of  Boston  common,  and. 

mon  until  tAVO  o’clock  in  the  morning. 

landing  near  Lechmere  point,  began  their 

Avith  their  guns  “ loaded  Avith  poAvder  and 

silent  march  to  Concord. 

ball.”  At  this  time  a messenger  retumed. 

The  patriots,  however,  were  on  the 

Avith  the  Avord  that  no  troops  had  yet 

alert  Warren,  the  Boston  physician — 

shoAvn  themselves  on  the  road.  Accord- 

whose  whole  soul  was  in  the  cause,  and 

ingly,  as  the  morning  Avas  chilly,  the  men 

who  was  one  of  the  most  active  members 

were  dismissed  to  a neighboring  tavern, 

of  the  committee  of  safety — had  already 

Avith  orders  to  make  their  appearance 

sent  messengers  to  his  friends  at  Concord ; 

on  the  first  sound  of  the  drum.  The 

and  when  the  British  embarked,  he  or- 

tAVO  messengers,  avIio  had  been  sent  on  to 

dered  the  lantern,  which  was  agreed  up- 

give  Concord  the  alarm,  Avere  met  by  a 

on  as  the  signal,  to  be  hoisted  from  the 

party  of  British  officers,  Avhen  a scuffie 

steeple  of  the  North  church  in  Boston. 

ensued,  and  one  of  the  patriots  Avas  taken 

Gage,  much  to  his  surprise,  discovered 

prisoner;  Avhile  the  other  succeeded  in 

that  his  secret  was  known.  Having  com- 

escaping  • by  leaping  a stone-Avall,  and, 

municated  his  design  in  the  evening  to 

running  off,  made  his  Avay  to  the  place 

Lord  Percy,  that  officer  retired,  and  was 

Avhere  Hancock  and  Samuel  Adams  had 

on  his  way  to  his  quarters,  when,  crossing 

temporarily  concealed  themselves. 

the  common,  he  fell  in  with  a group  of 

These  tAVO,  Hancock  and  Adams,  both 

citizens  in  earnest  conversation,  in  the 

men  of  distinction  in  Boston,  had  early 

course  of  which  one  Avas  heard  to  say. 

made  themselves  conspicuous  as  earnest 

“ The  Biitish  troops  have  marched,  but 

friends  of  the  popular  cause ; and,  as  tlieii 

will  miss  their  aim !”  — “ What  aim  ?” 

safety  Avas  regarded  as  of  the  utmost  im- 

asked  his  lordship.  “ Why,  the  cannon 

portance,  they  Avere  induced  to  hide  them 

:42 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPAKT  II. 


selves  from  observation,  lest  they  should 
be  taken  prisoners  by  the  Bi’itish.  Dor- 
othea Quincy,  Hancock’s  betrothed,  in- 
sisted upon  accompanying  them,  and  she 
was  now  with  the  two  patriots ; and  the 
three  were  sittin«;  down  to  an  “elegant 
dinner”  at  the  house  of  a friend,  when 
suddenly  a man  broke  in  upon  them  with 
a shriek,  and  the  alarm  was  given  that 
the  regulars  were  upon  them.  Hancock 
and  Adams  were  then  led  along  a cart- 
way to  another  and  more  humble  house, 
where  they  were  glad  to  make  up  for 
their  lost  spread  of  good  things,  by  a dish 
of  “ salt  pork  and  potatoes.” 

In  the  meantime,  the  British  troops, 
under  LieutenantrColonel  Smith,  were 
fast  approaching  The  route  they  had 
taken  led  them  through  a morass,  into 
which  the  men  plunged  waist-deep  until 
they  reached  the  high-road  to  Charles- 
town. Their  midnisrht  march  was  cau- 

O 

tious  and  stealthy ; net  a drum  was  al- 
lowed to  beat,  nor  a fife  to  sound.  Some 
members  of  the  provincial  Congress,  stop- 
ping at  a roadside  inn,  where  they  had 
been  holding  a “rebel”  conclave,  aware 
of  the  approach  of  the  troops,  were  up, 
and  silently  watching  the  soldiers  as  they 
came  on.  The  front  ranks  passed  by 
steadily,  but  with  measured  tread.  The 
centre,  however,  no  sooner  reached  a 
point  opposite  to  the  tavern,  than  there 
was  a halt;  and,  directly,  an  officer  and 
a fde  of  men  were  seen  advancing  to  the 
house.  But  the  “rebels” were  too  quick 
for  them;  and,  while  the  soldiers  were 
ransacking  the  tavern,  those  of  whom 
they  were  in  search  Avere  in  a field  hard 
by,  securely  hid  from  their  pursuers. 


The  British  commander  soon  discov- 
ered that  all  the  precautions  Avhich  had 
been  taken  to  keep  the  expedition  a se 
cret  had  failed.  Although  it  was  night, 
the  whole  country  Avas  aroused.  E\"eiy 
church  AA'as  rinaiim  its  bells,  beai^on-fires 
Avere  blazing,  and  signal-guns  firing.  The 
Briti.sh  officers  Avho  had  been  on  the  road, 
on  a tour  of  observation,  noAV  joined  the 
troops,  and  reported  tliat  at  least  five 
hundred  of  the  “ rebels”  Avere  in  arms,  in 
readiness  for  the  attack.  Smith  sent  Ma- 
jor Pitcairn  foiavard  Avith  six  companies 
of  light-infantry,  to  secure  the  bridges  at 
Concord ; and  an  orderly  back  to  Gage, 
at  Boston,  for  a reinforcement.  Pitcairn 
pressed  on  hurriedly,  only  stopping  on 
the  road  to  capture  any  straggler  he 
could  pick  up.  One  man,  hoAvever,  Avas 
too  much  on  the  alert  to  be  caught;  foi, 
getting  a glimpse  of  the  British  coming 
up  the  road,  he  turned  his  horse,  and, 
laying  on  his  Avhip,  galloped  into  Lexing- 
ton, Avith  the  news  that  the  “red-coats” 
Avere  at  hand. 

Captain  Parker  ordered  his  drums  to 
beat,  and  alarm-guns  to  be  fired  immedi- 
ately; and  soon  the  minute-men  began 
to  turn  out  and  to  muster  on  the  ground 
about  the  meetinghouse.  These  men 
formed  a part  of  that  resolute  band  — 
“the  constitutional  army” — Avhich  had 
been  authorized  to  make  a forcible  and 
regular  resistance  to  any  hostility  by  the 
British  soldiery;  and  there  they  were 
ready  to  do  their  countrj^’s  bidding.  Be- 
fore tliey  had  fairly  mustered  and  formed, 
the  British  Avere  in  sight,  at  a short  dis- 
tance from  the  ground. 

Pitcairn,  seeing  the  assemblage,  and 


r 

KKVOLUTIONARY.]  BLOOD  FLOWS 

AT  LEXINGTON.  145 

bearing  the  drums  of  the  patriots,  halted 

hands  and  knees,  and  thus  crawled  tow- 

his  troops  and  ordered  them  to  load.  He 

ard  the  door  of  his  dwelling.  His  wife 

then  brought  them  on  in  double  quick 

was  there  to  meet  him,  but  only  to  see 

time.  Some  sixty  or  seventy  only  of  the 

him  dying  at  her  feet. 

minute-men  had  mustered  and  found  time 

The  British  now  formed  on  the  com- 

to  present  an  orderly  rank  in  front,  when 

mon, and,  exulting  in  their  “ victory,” fired 

the  regulars  rushed  forward,  shouting, 

a feu-de-joie,  gave  three  loud  huzzas,  and 

with  their  commander  at  their  head,  wa- 

marched  on  toward  Concord.  There  were 

ving  his  sword,  and  crying  out:  “Ye  vil- 

two  thoughtful  observers  of  this  Lexing- 

lains!  ye  rebels!  disperse  I Lay  down 

ton  affair,  in  a house  near  by,  who  could 

your  arms!  Why  don’t  you  lay  down 

have  told  the  British  that  this  was  no 

your  arms  ?”  Two  or  three  shots  were 

time  for  exultation.  They  knew,  with 

now  fired,  but  without  effect.  Then  en- 

the  foresight  of  wisdom,  that  no  defeat. 

sued  a general  volley,  by  which  some  of 

ever  suffered  by  English  troops,  was  so 

the  minute-men  were  killed  and  wound- 

disastrous  as  this  “ victory.”  Samuel  Ad- 

ed.  Their  fellow-patriots  now  no  longer 

ams  and  John  Hancock  saAV,  in  the  blood 

withheld  their  fire,  which  they  had  hith- 

which  flowed  at  Lexington,  that  which 

erto  done  in  obedience  to  the  command 

was  to  cement  the  colonies  into  an  indis- 

of  Parker,  their  captain.  Their  shots, 

soluble  union,  and  thus  secure  a founda- 

however,  were  straggling,  and  did  little 

tion  upon  which  to  establish  the  great 

damage,  only  wounding  two  of  the  pri- 

hope  of  their  patriotic  hearts — the  inde- 

vates  and  the  horse  of  the  British  major. 

pendence  of  America.  “ Oh,  what  a glo- 

The  regulars  fired  with  much  greater  ef- 

rious  morning  is  this !”  exclaimed  Adams, 

feet,  killing  eight,  wounding  ten,  and  put- 

as  he  walked  abroad ; for,  although  his 

ting  the  rest  to  flight.  One  daring  fellow. 

countrymen  were  falling,  and  he  and  his 

who  had  always  said  “ he  never  would 

companion  were  driven  from  home  and 

run  from  the  British,”  though  wounded. 

fortune  by  the  cruelty  of  tyrants,  he  saw 

stood  his  ground,  and,  while  loading  his 

that  that  morning  would  be  “glorious” 

piece,  was  thrust  through  and  through  by 

for  all  time,  as  the  first  gleam  of  the  ,per- 

a bayonet,  and  died  on  the  spot  where 

petual  light  of  American  liberty. 

he  had  so  firmly  planted  himself  An- 

The  provincials,  though  put  to  flight, 

other  was  pursued  to  the  road  facing  the 

did  not  lose  heart.  Some  retreated  along 

common,  and  was  struck  down  by  a shot 

the  road,  but  the  most  gathered  again  on 

within  view  of  his  own  house.  The  blood 

a height  to  the  north  of  the  Lexington 

was  gushing  from  his  breast,  but  he  start- 

common,  formed  readily  under  their  lead- 

ed  up,  and  stretching  out  his  hands  tow- 

er,  and  eagerly  awaited  his  orders  to  go 

ard  his  wife,  who  was  at  the  window. 

when  and  where  their  country  required 

staggered  a moment,  and  fell  again. 

their  services.  The  British,  once  aga  in  on 

Striving  once  more  to  stand,  he  could 

the  road  to  Concord,  were  joined  by  the 

only  succeed  in  raising  himself  upon  his 

rest  of  the  troops,  under  their  colamd. 

_ 

144  liATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  _ [part  ii 

Concord,  as  it  appeared  in  those  days, 
was  a town  covering  considerable  space, 
between  two  hills  which  completely  com- 
manded it.  It  had  its  church,  jail,  and 
courthouse ; and  its  dwellings,  though  not 
very  numerous,  were  scattered  over  a 
large  expanse  of  ground.  Through  the 
town  winds  sluggishly  the  Concord  river, 
which  was  crossed  by  two  bridges,  the 
north  and  the  south,  as  they  were  called. 
The  British  had  determined  to  possess 
themselves  of  these  bridges,  so  that  they 
might  cut  off  all  approach  to  the  town, 
while  they  should  be  engaged  in  destroy- 
ing the  magazines  and  military  stores 
there  collected  and  guarded  by  the  pro- 
vincials. 

The  town,  however,  was  on  the  alert. 
The  people  had  been  timely  warned,  and, 
wlien  tliey  heard  of  the  skirmish  at  Lex- 
ington, were  roused  to  fierce  indignation. 
The  militia  were  for  marching  immedi- 
ately to  meet  the  British  on  the  road, 
and  they  accordingly  star  ted  ; but,  on  dis- 
covering that  the  numbers  of  the  enemy 
amounted  to  treble  their  own  force,  they 
fell  back  and  took  up  their  position  on  a 
high  ground  which  rises  to  the  north,  not 
far  from  the  centre  of  the  town.  There 
they  stood,  around  the  liberty-pole  lately 
raised,  and  awaited  the  approach  of  those 
who  came  as  determined  enemies  to  that 
freedom  of  which  it  was  the  emblem. 

Concord  was  but  six  miles  distant  from 
Lexington ; and  it  was  still  early  when 
the  British  troops  came  marching  in,  with 
^ ..  drums  beating,  flags  flying,  and 

with  the  liglit  of  the  morning 
sun  reflected  glitteringly  upon  their  pol- 
ished guns  and  gilded  accoutrements. 

Many  of  the  militia  were  for  giving 
fight  at  once ; but  their  commander.  Colo- 
nel Barrett,  checked  their  reckless  enthu- 
siasm, and  prudently  withdrew  his  men 
when  the  enemy  were  seen  advancing, 
within  a quarter  of  a mile.  Barrett  con- 
ducted his  force  along  the  road  which  led 
to  the  north  bridge,  and,  having  crossed 
the  Concord  river,  drew  them  up  on  the 
high  ground  about  a mile  from  the  cen- 
tre of  the  town. 

On  the  British  now  coming  up,  one  di- 
vision posted  itself  on  the  hill  just  left 
by  the  provincials,  and  the  rest  of  the 
troops  continued  tlieir  march  along  the 
main  road  until  they  reached  the  centre 
of  the  town.  The  enemy  now  began 
their  work.  Two  hundred  men  were  de- 
tached to  hold  the  north  bridge,  and  pre- 
vent the  advance  of  the  militia ; another 
party  took  possession  of  the  south  bridge. 

The  rest  of  the  troops  were  occupied  in 
carrying  out  the  especial  object  of  their 
visit.  Some  were  sent  to  tlie  house  of 
Barrett,  the  militia-colonel,  on  the  out- 
skirts of  the  town,  to  destroy  the  military 
stores  concealed  there.  The  remainder 
went  about  their  work  of  destruction  in 
the  town  itself  Threescore  or  less  of 
barrels  of  flour  Avere  staved  in,  three  can- 
non Avere  spiked  and  otherAvise  maltreatr 
ed,  some  sixteen  carriage-wheels  were 
burnt  to  cinders,  three  or  four  barrelsful 
of  wooden  spoons  reduced  to  ashes,  the 
liberty-pole  felled,  the  courthouse  set  on 
fire,  but  put  out  by  a Avoman  Avith  a pail 
of  Avater,  and  half  a thousand  iron  balls 
rolled  into  the  river.  ‘‘  Tliese,”  says  Gor- 
don, Avere  all  the  stores  they  could  dis- 
cover and  destroy;  on  the  account  of 

r~ 

UEVor.UTiON/RY.J  STRUGGLE  ON  CONCORD  BRIDGE.  145 


wliicli  a civil  war  lias  commenced  be- 
tween the  colonies  and  the  parent-state. 
The  inhabitants  of  Britain  may  see  rea- 
son, for  many  ages,  to  curse  the  memory 
of  the  man  or  men  who  has  or  have  been 
at  the  foundation  of  this  fatal  catastrophe, 
should  they  ever  be  known.”  While  the 
British  troops  were  thus  occupied  for  a 
couple  of  hours,  the  provincials  were  not 
les'j  busy. 

The  neighboring  towns  and  country, 
fully  alive  to  the  doings  of  the  English 
soldiery,  began  to  send  in  their  “ minute- 
men,”  as  the  militia  were  called,  until  the 
force  of  patriots  on  the  hill  numbered 
nearly  five  hundred.  These,  in  addition 
to  the  Lexington  people,  were  composed 
of  men  from  Carlisle,  Chemlsford,  West- 
ford,  Littleton,  and  Acton.  They  were 
farmers,  tradesmen,  mechanics,  from  six- 
teen years  of  age  to  sixty,  who  came  in 
with  their  guns  with  which  they  had  oft- 
en followed  the  Indian,  the  bear,  and  the 
wolf;  and  many  of  them  were  dressed  in 
the  homespun  suits  which  had  been  wo- 
ven at  their  own  winter  firesides.  Even 
the  clergy  presented  themselves,  and,  al- 
though debarred  by  their  calling  from 
active  hostilities,  did  what  they  could  in 
giving  advice  to  the  men,  and  quieting 
the  alarms  of  the  women  and  children. 

The  militia-officers  joined  in  council, 
when  it  was  proposed  to  dislodge  the  en- 
emy from  the  north  bridge.  One  ardent 
captain  declared  that  he  “ had  n’t  a man 
that  was  afraid  to  go.”  The  British  sol- 
diers could  be  easily  seen,  and  their  do- 
ings were  watched  with  painful  anxiety. 
As  the  fires  began  to  blaze,  and  it  was 
observed  that  the  meetinghouse  had  al- 
ia 


ready  caught,  the  people  began  to  fear 
for  their  town  and  their  homes.  The 
militia  were  eager  to  rush  to  their  res- 
cue ; and  accordingly,  without  more  ado. 
Colonel  Barrett  ordered  his  men  to  the 
north  bridge,  and  to  strive  to  pass  it,  but 
not  to  fire  a shot  unless  they  were  first  at- 
tacked. In  double  file,  and  with  trailed 
arms,  the  detachment  moved  on. 

The  British  on  the  brido-e,  observinor 
tlie  advance  of  the  provincials,  retired  to 
the  east  side  of  the  river,  and  began  to 
remove  the  planks.  The  American  ma- 
jor in  command  of  the  militia,  as  he  ap- 
proached, cried  out  to  the  enemy  to  stop 
doing  what  he  claimed  they  had  no  right 
to  do,  and  hurried  on  his  men  to  prevent 
it.  When  the  provincials  had  reached 
within  a few  feet  of  the  bridge,  the  Brit- 
ish troops  began  to  fire,  but  with  no  effect, 
as  but  few  guns  were  let  off,  and  with  no 
fixed  aim.  A second  and  fuller  volley 
succeeded,  and  with  a different  result, 
killing  two  of  the  provincials  and  wound- 
ing a third.  Their  captain  now  cried  out, 
“Eire,  fellow-soldiers!  for  God’s  sake,  fire!” 
when  his  men,  true  to  the  word,  did  fire, 
and  brought  down  a number  of  the  ene- 
my. The  British  then  fied,  and  the  pro- 
vincials after  them,  when  a thoughtless 
lad,  coming  up  with  a wounded  grena- 
dier, struck  him  on  the  head  and  dashed 
out  his  brains. 

The  provincials  did  not  continue  their 
pursuit  far ; but,  dividing,  one  party  went 
back  with  their  dead  and  wounded,  while 
the  rest  proceeded  on  the  road  and  took 
up  their  joosition  on  a height  which  over- 
looked it.  Smith,  the  British  colonel, 
now  gatliered  together  his  force,  and  pre- 


• - 

146  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [vaut  ii. 

pared  to  return  to  Boston,  but  lingered 

country.  So  full  were  the  roads  and  hill- 

at  Concord  nearly  two  hours  before  he 

sides  of  the  armed  provincials,  that  it  ap- 

commenced  his  march.  This  delay  near- 

peared  to  the  British  as  if  “ men  had 

ly  proved  the  total  destruction  of  his 

dropped  from  the  clouds.”  Smith  threw 

whole  force. 

out  a flank-guard  on  the  side  of  the  main 

All  the  country  round  was  now  in  a 

road,  to  protect  his  march ; but  in  the 

state  of  great  excitement,  and  every  man 

woods,  on  each  hill,  and  behind  every 

was  eager  to  rush  to  the  rescue  of  the 

wall,  there  were  gathered  the  vigilant 

patriot  cause.  Each  village  was  alive 

provincials,  who  with  a sure  aim  were 

with  preparation.  All  the  inhabitants 

bringing  down  a British  soldier  at  every 

turned  out,  and  there  was  hardly  a man 

step.  The  enemy  suffered  terribly  as 

under  seventy  and  above  sixteen  years 

they  advanced  for  miles  between  two 

of  age  who  did^  not  shoulder  his  musket 

fires,  which  were  incessant  from  both 

and  present  himself  for  parade  on  the 

sides  of  the  road.  The  British  quickened 

church  green.  Thence,  after  a blessing 

their  march  almost  to  a run,  hut  this 

from  their  pastor,  they  were  marched  off 

only  served  to  hasten  their  death,  as  they 

to  the  scene  of  action.  Although  the 

offered  themselves  more  rapidly  to  the 

most  were  fresh  from  their  farms  and 

successive  shots  of  the  American  marks- 

shops,  and  knew  little  of  military  disci- 

men.  Smith,  the  British  colonel,  was  se- 

pline  but  what  they  had  learned  in  an  oc- 

verely  wounded ; and  another  officer,  on 

casional  militia  muster,  there  were  among 

a fine  blood-horse,  while  brandishing  his 

them  some  gray-headed  veterans  who  had 

sword  and  urging  on  his  men,  was  killed 

fought  at  Louisburg  and  Quebec.  They 

by  a shot  from  behind  a rail-fence.  As 

were  all,  however,  more  or  less  familiar 

his  rider  fell  dead,  the  horse  ran  in  his 

with  the  use  of  firearms,  and  had  become 

fright  toward  the  fence,  leaped  it,  and 

practised  shots  in  pursuit  of  the  game 

joined  the  provincials.  Just  as  the  troops 

which  abounded  in  the  yet  uncleared 

were  hastening  into  Lexington,  one  of 

forest-wilds.  With  a sober  determination 

the  British  soldiers  lagged  behind,  and, 

to  make  the  cause  of  their  country  a ho- 

falling  in  with  a militia-man,  levelled  his 

ly  one,  each  man  dwelt  with  pertinacious 

musket  and  cried  out,  “You’re  a dead 

conscientiousness  upon  the  fiict  that  “ the 

man!” — “So  are  you!”  was  the  answer. 

regulars  had  fired  the  first.”  Tlie  blow 

Both  fired  at  the  same  instant,  and  both 

having  been  given,  they  all  prepared  to 

were  killed. 

return  it.  None  now  talked  of  forbear- 

The  British  troops,  thus  constantly 

ance  or  peace.  Every  voice  was  urgent 

galled  by  this  incessant  and  most  fatal 

for  war. 

fire  along  the  road,  began  to  lose  all  self- 

It  was  mid-day  before  the  British  colo- 

command,  and,  as  they  approached  Lex- 

nel  began  his  march,  and  he  was  soon 

ington,  became  so  confused  and  disor- 

convinced  of  and  greatly  startled  by  the 

dered  by  their  suffering  and  despair,  that 

hubbub  he  had  created  throughout  tlie 

they  would  have  fled  precij)itately,  had 

REVOLUTIONARY.] 


PERCY  TO  THE  RESCUE. 


14: 


not  their  officers  placed  themselves  in 
front,  and  threatened  the  men  with  in- 
stant death  if  they  moved  without  or- 


ders. At  this  moment  a welcome  relief 
presented  itself,  in  a reinforcement  from 
Boston. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Lord  Perry  to  the  Rescue. — Dancing  to  “ Clievy  Chase.” — His  Lordship’s  Arrival  at  Lexington. — General  Heath  arrives 
and  takes  Command  of  the  Piovinciuls. — Doctor  Warren  on  the  Alert. — The  British  retreat  to  Boston. — Tlic  Slaugh- 
ter on  the  Route. — The  Britisli  arrive  at  Cliarlestown. — The  Panic  in  the  Town. — Arrival  at  Boston. — The  Killed  and 
Wounded. — The  General  Excitement. — Meeting  of  the  Provincial  Council. — Their  Remonstrance. — General  Artemas 
Ward  appointed  Commander-in-Chief. — The  Whole  Country  aroused. — Israel  Putnam. — Benedict  Arnold. — American 
Troops  called  out. — Cambridge  made  Headquarters. — A Second  Continental  Congress. — Washington’s  Reflections 
on  the  Lexington  Affair. — Canada. — Ticondcroga  and  Crown  Point. — Action  of  Connecticut. — Ethan  Allen  and  the 
Green-Mountain  Boys. — Expedition  to  'I'iconderoga. — Arnold  volunteers  — Fall  of  Ticondcroga. — Skeensborough. — 
The  Meeting  of  the  Continental  Congress. — Washington  chosen  Commander-in-Chief. — The  Army  organized. 


1775. 


General  Gage,  having  received 
Colonel  Smith’s  request  for  a rein- 
forcement, sent  to  his  relief  nine  hundred 
men  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  under  the 
command  of  Lord  Percy,  “ a penurious,* 
undignified  young  man,”  as  Walpole  call- 
ed him.  At  nine  o’clock  in  the  morning, 
April  19  detachment  marched  out  of 
Boston,  the  bands  ‘‘  playing,  by 

* “When  Lord  Percy  was  in  Ireland  with  his  regiment, 
the  fifth  infantry,  he  consented,  after  much  consideration,  to 
give  a dinner  to  the  officers  in  garrison  at  Limerick.  The 
gallant  but  cautious  earl  ordered  the  repast  at  a tavern,  spe- 
cifying  that  it  should  be  for  fifty  persons,  at  eighteen  pence 
oer  head.  The  officers  heard  of  the  arrangement,  and  they 
ordered  the  landlord  to  provide  a banquet  at  a guinea  per 
nead,  promising  to  pay  the  difference  in  the  event  of  their 
entertainer  declining  to  do  so.  When  the  banquet  was 
served,  there  was  but  one  astonished  and  uncomfortable  in- 
dividual at  the  board,  and  that  was  the  earl  himself,  who 
beheld  a feast  fit  for  the  gods,  and  heard  himself  gratefully 
complimented  upon  the  excellence  of  both  viands  and  wines. 
The  astonished  earl  experienced  an  easily-understood  diffi- 
culty in  returning  thanks  when  his  health  was  drunk  with 
an  enthusiasm  that  bewildered  him  ; and,  on  retiring,  early 
sought  out  the  landlord,  in  order  to  have  the  solution  of  an 
enigma  that  sorely  puzzled  him.  Boniface  told  the  un- 
adorned and  unwelcome  truth  ; and  the  inexperienced  young 
carl  acknowledged  his  mistake,  and  discharged  the  bill  with 
» sigh  on  himself  and  a check  on  his  banker.”  — Doran, 
“ Table-Traits,  and  Something  on  Them  ” 


way  of  contempt,  ‘ Yankee  Doodle^  a song 
composed  in  derision  of  theNew-England- 
ers, scornfully  called  Yankees'.'  A “ smart” 
boy,  observing  it  as  the  troops  passed 
through  Roxbury,  made  himself  extreme- 
ly merry  with  the  circumstance,  jumping 
and  lauwhinor  so  as  to  attract  the  notice 

O O 

of  his  lordship,  who,  it  is  said,  asked  him 
at  what  he  was  laughing  so  heartily ; and 
was  answered,  “ To  think  how  you  will 
dance,  by-and-by,  to  Chevy  Chase !"  It  is 
added  that  the  repartee  stuck  by  his  lord- 
ship  the  whole  day.* 

Percy  suffered  but  little  annoyance  on 
his  march  to  the  relief  of  Smith  and  his 
men.  At  Charlestown  he  found  the  bridge 
taken  up,  but,  as  the  planks  were  discov- 
ered near  by,  they  were  readily  replaced ; 
and  he  marched  on  without  difficulty  un- 

* Gordon’s  History  of  the  American  Revolution.  Tli 
allusion  to  Chevy  Chase  will  be  understood  by  the  reader, 
if  he  calls  to  mind  that  a Lord  Percy  is  the  hero  of  that  old 
ballad.  The  Lord  Percy  spoken  of  in  the  text  is  the  one 
afterward  duke  of  Northumberland,  of  whom  Halleck  writes  ■ 

" who,  when  a younger  son, 

Fought  for  King  George  at  Lexington, 

A major  of  draeoons.” 


148  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 


til  he  reached  Lexington,  where  he  found 
the  retreating  force  “ so  much  exhausted 
with  fatigue,  that  they  were  obliged  to 
lie  down  for  rest  on  the  ground,  their 
tonffues  hano'ing  out  of  their  mouths, 
like  those  of  dogs  after  a chase.”  Percy, 
bringing  his  fieldpieces  to  bear  from  a 
commanding  position  upon  the  provin- 
cials (who  were  hanging  upon  his  troops, 
prepared  to  gall  them  with  their  shots 
whenever  they  took  up  their  march), 
there  was  a brief  cessation  of  hostility. 

The  friends  of  the  patriot  cause  had, 
in  the  meantime,  been  busy  in  Boston. 
General  Heath,  who  had  been  authorized 
by  the  provincial  Congress  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  minute-men  whenever  called 
out,  now  hurried  to  the  scene  of  action ; 
having  in  his  route  given  orders  suita- 
ble to  the  emergency,  and  directed  the 
Charlestown  people  to  form  a barricade 
of  the  planks  of  tlieir  bridge,  and  there 
post  themselves  to  oppose  the  British  as 
they  returned  to  Boston.  When  he  ar- 
rived at  Lexington,  Heath  took  com- 
mand of  the  provincials,  and  strove  to 
form  them  in  military  order.  Warren, 
too,  the  patriotic  physician  of  Boston, 
was  active  in  cheering  and  advising  his 
countrymen,  as  he  rode  forward  to  meet 
tiie  British.  “Keep  up  a brave  heart,” 
he  said  to  one.  “ They  have  begun  it — 
that  either  party  could  do;  and  we’ll 
end  it — that  only  one  can  do.”  To  an- 
other, who  exclaimed,  “Well,  tiiey  are 
gone  out,”  he  answered,  “Yes,  and  we’ll 
be  up  with  them  before  night!” — “His 
soul,”  as  it  was  justly  said,  “ beat  to  arms 
as  soon  as  he  Jearned  the  intention  of 
the  British  troops.” 


Percy  did  not  halt  long,  as  he  found 
the  provincials  gathering  so  fast,  and  so 
bent  upon  resisting  him  to  their  utmost. 
He  had  now  over  eisrhteen  hundred  well- 
disciplined  men  under  arms ; but  he  had 
evidently  determined  upon  no  act  of  hos- 
tility, beyond  what  might  be  necessary 
to  protect  his  retreat  to  Boston.  So,  af- 
ter proper  refreshment  of  his  men,  and 
placing  the  harassed  force  of  Colonel 
Smith  as  far  as  possible  under  the  cover 
of  his  fresher  troops,  he  began  his  retreat. 
The  British,  however,  no  sooner  began  to 
move,  than  the  Americans  renewed  their 
harassing  attacks.  The  soldiers,  in  spite 
of  the  efforts  at  restraint  of  Lord  Percy, 
were  excited  to  such  a pitch  of  uncon- 
trollable rage,  that  they  began  to  retal- 
iate by  acts  of  devastation  and  cruelty. 
They  rushed  into  the  houses  and  mur- 
dered the  sick,  the  helpless,  and  even 
mothers  with  their  babes  at  the  breast  I 
They  drove  the  inhabitants  away  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet,  and  burned  their 
dwellings.  But  the  provincials,  nothing 
daunted,  kept  up  their  harassing  fire,  and 
did  not  hesitate  to  come  out  in  thrones 

O 

upon  the  road  and  skirmish  with  the  reg- 
ulars. Fierce  slaughter  raged  on  both 
sides.  The  British  fell  first,  and  Lord 
Percy  himself  nearly  lost  his  life  from  a 
musket-ball  which  shot  off  a button  from 
his  coat.  The  provincials,  too,  suffered 
greatly,  but  continued  to  hang  on  the 
rear  of  the  British  troops,  and  harass 
them  Avith  their  sharp-shooting.  Harris 
and  Warren  were  constantly  cheering  on 
the  men,  and  bravely  taking  the  lead  i)) 
every  struggle.  Warren  barely  escaped 
with  his  life,  a musket-shot  having  struck 


RKVoi.uTtoNAKT. ] BACK  TO  BOSTON.  T19 


his  hair,  and  driven  out  tlie  pin  by  which 
it  was  gathered  behind  his  ears. 

When  the  Britisli  troops  were  about 
entering  Charlestown,  and  had  reached 
the  base  of  Prospect  hill,  the  attack  of 
the  provincials  became  terribly  severe ; 
but  Percy,  after  playing  his  fieldpieces 
with  effect,  hurried  on  his  men  to  a run, 
until  they  reached  Charlestown  neck,  and 
were  protected  by  the  guns  of  the  men- 
of-war.  Charlestown  had  been  the  whole 
day  in  a state  of  great  excitement.  The 
schools  had  been  dismissed  ; the  men  had 
marched  to  the  relief  of  their  fellow-pa- 
triots ; the  shops  had  been  closed ; and 
the  old  and  feeble,  the  women  and  chil- 
dren, huddled  together  in  anxious  groups 
in  the  houses,  or  gathered  in  knots  about 
the  streets,  discussed  with  alarm  the  ter- 
rible events  of  the  day.  Now  that  the 
enemy  were  returning,  a general  panic 
ensued,  and  the  people  scattered  in  all 
directions,  crying  out,  The  British  are 
coming,  with  fire  and  slaughter !”  Lord 
Percy  had  his  troops  under  sufficient  con- 
trol during  his  march  through  Charles- 
town  to  keep  them  from  doing  much  mis- 
chief, and  the  inhabitants  were  accord- 
ingly more  frightened  than  hurt.  None 
were  harmed,  and  all  the  troops  insisted 
upon  was  ‘‘something  to  drink.”  The 
main  body  of  the  British  occupied  Bun- 
ker’s hill,  and  the  rest  entered  Boston, 
perfectly  worn  down  with  fatigue.  The 
ollicers  immediately  thronged  the  tavern 
in  the  square,  and  called  upon  “mine 
host”  for  supper  and  wine ; while  the  men 
were  ordered  to  their  quarters,  to  sleep 
off  the  effects  of  their  hard  day’s  work. 
General  Gage  strengthened  the  guards 


throughout  the  city,  and,  posting  a party 
at  the  neck,  ordered  them  to  allow  no 
one  to  leave  Boston  that  night. 

The  whole  loss  of  the  Americans  was 
computed  at  forty-nine  killed,  thirty-nine 
wounded,  and  five  missing,  with  a de- 
struction of  property  amounting  to  about 
three  thousand  pounds.  The  British  had 
seventy-three  killed,  one  hundred  and 
seventy-four  wounded,  and  twenty-seven 
missing.  Among  these  were  no  less  than 
eighteen  officers.  In  the  record  of  bat- 
tles, the  affairs  of  Concord  and  Lexing- 
ton rank  merely  as  skirmishes.  In  the 
history  of  America,  they  are  the  great 
events  which  began  the  AYar  of  the  Rev- 
olution. Gage  and  his  chief  officers,  now 
aware  of  the  evil  consequences  of  the 
rash  attack  which  had  been  made  upon 
the  provincials,  affected  great  indignation 
at  the  conduct  of  Pitcairn,  in  his  charge 
upon  the  militia  at  Lexington.  Startled 
as  they  were,  they  might  well  be  solicit- 
ous about  incurring  the  responsiblity  of 
an  act  which  had  inflamed  the  indigna- 
tion of  the  whole  country,  and  which,  in 
the  foresight  of  the  wise,  Avas  the  com- 
mencement of  a revolution  which  Avas 
destined  to  tear  from  the  croAvn  of  Great 
Britain  the  American  jcAvel,  Avithout 
AA’hich,  Lord  Chatham  declared,  it  Avould 
not  be  Avorth  the  Avearing. 

The  inhabitants  Avere  noAv  everyAA’here 
in  arms ; and  they  collected  in  such  num- 
bers about  Boston,  that  thev  seemed  ef 
fectually  to  invest  the  city,  and  created 
great  anxiety  on  the  part  of  General 
Gage  and  his  British  troops.  The  pro- 

Auncial  Congress  met  almost  im- 

r f 1 Cf  ^1  ''P'’**  22. 

mediately  after  these  occurren- 


L____ J 


!50  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [i-aht  i- 

! 

ces  at  Lexingrton  and  Concord,  and  drew 
up  a narrative  of  the  massacre,”  which, 
with  an  address,  they  sent  to  the  British 
throne.  Yet  disposed  to  be  loyal,  if  the 
king  could  only  be  just,  they  declared 
that  " these  marlvs  of  ministerial  ven- 
geance” had  not  yet  detached  them  from 
their  royal  sovereign,  whom  they  were 
still  ready  to  defend  in  “ person,  family, 
crown,  and  dignity.”  They  were,  how- 
ever, resolutel}^  determined,  as  they  said, 
not  to  submit  tamely  to  tyranny ; but, 
with  God  on  their  side,  to  die  or  be  free. 
The  Congress,  moreover,  prepared  for  the 
worst,  by  everywhere  organizing  the  mi- 
litia, and  by  the  appointment  of  General 
Artemas  Ward  as  commander-in-chief 
The  feeling  in  Massachusetts  was  soon 
communicated  to  all  the  colonies.  Every 
colonist  felt  that  the  cause  of  the  Boston 
people  was  his  own  ; and  crowds  Hocked 
in,  to  unite  with  those  who  had  already 
struck  a blow  on  the  memorable  day  of 
Lexington  and  Concord.  They  came 
from  every  part  of  New  England.  Old 
Israel  Putnam,  now  threescore  years  of 
age,  who  had  seen  service  in  the  French 
war,  had  retired  to  his  Connecticut  farm, 
and,  like  another  Cincinnatus,  was  plough- 
ing his  field,  when  one  of  his  sons  ran  up 
to  him  with  the  last  news  from  Boston. 
The  veteran  dropped  the  handle  of  the 
plough,  unharnessed  his  horses,  and,  sad- 
dling one  of  them,  galloped  away  to  join 
the  INIassachusetts  patriots.  Stark,  too,  of 
New  Hampshire,  an  old  campaigner,  came 
in,  offering  his  services.  The  people  now 
looked  up  to  these  veterans  for  counsel, 
and  readily  submitted  to  the  guidance  of 
the  one,  who  from  a private  had  reached 

the  militia  rank  of  general;  and  of  the 
other,  who  was  known  as  colonel  in  the 
same  service. 

Another  and  more  remarkable  man 
still,  whose  life  supplies  the  darkest  page 
in  American  annals,  was  then  among  the 
first  to  devote  himself  to  the  patriotic 
cause.  This  was  Benedict  Arnold,  of  New 
Haven,  a Yankee  skipper  and  small  tra- 
der. He  had  been  chosen  the  captain  of 
a volunteer  company ; and  no  sooner  did 
the  Lexington  news  reach  him,  than  he 
called  his  men  together,  and  asked  them 
whether  they  would  march  off  with  him, 
the  next  morning,  for  the  neighborhood 
of  Boston,  distant  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  miles.  They  agreed  to  a man,  and 
mustered  at  the  time  appointed,  in  front 
of  the  tavern  where  the  Connecticut  com- 
mittee of  safety  were  in  session.  Arnold 
applied  to  these  gentlemen  for  a supply 
of  powder  and  ball.  They  demurred,  on 
the  ground  that  he  was  not  duly  author- 
ized. He  then  proposed  to  his  soldiers 
to  help  themselves,  by  force,  if  necessary, 
to  which  they  agreed.  Arnold  next  sent 
word  to  the  committee,  of  his  resolution. 
Colonel  Wooster  now  came  out,  and  tried 
to  persuade  him  to  wait  until  he  had  re- 
ceived proper  orders.  The  impetuous 
Arnold  answered,  “None  but  Almighty 

God  shall  jirevent  my  marching !”  He 
got  his  ammunition,  and  marched  to  Bos- 
ton. 

The  provincial  Congress, still  in  session, 
resolved  that  thirty  thousand  men  be  im- 
mediately raised,  and  that  all  New  Eng- 
land be  iii’ged  to  add  their  quota  of  men 
to  the  Massachusetts  troops.  Cambridge, 
near  Boston,  was  made  the  heafhpiarters ; 

KEVOLUTiONARy.]  RESPONSE  OF  THE  PROVINCES.  l.H 


and  the  college  there  (the  venerable  Har- 
vard) was  emptied  of  its  students,  that 
room  might  be  made  for  the  provincial 
militia. 

The  appeal  of  Massachusetts  to  the  oth- 
er New-England  provinces  was  respond- 
ed to  width  spirit.  Connecticut  voted  six 
thousand  men,  two  thousand  of  whom 
were  for  its  own  defence,  and  the  rest  to 
send  in  aid  to  the  neighboring  colony, 
under  the  command  of  the  veteran  Put- 
nam (already  on  the  ground),  and  Spen- 
cer and  Wooster.  New  Hampshire  did 
not,  as  yet,  organize  an  army,  but  ex- 
pressed an  ardent  sympathy  with  the 
cause,  and  recommended  supplies  to  be 
sent  to  the  gallant  Stark  and  his  volun- 
teers. Rhode  Island  was  already  repre- 
sented by  Nathaniel  Greene,  a blackslnith 
by  trade  and  a Quaker  in  religion  — now, 
however,  “ read  out  of  meeting,”  for  his 
warlike  propensities.  This  little  prov- 
ince, notwithstanding,  voted  an  army  of 
observation,  numbering  fifteen  hundred 
men,  and  invested  the  bellicose  young 
“ friend”  with  the  chief  command.  Penn- 
sylvania held  public  meetings,  appointed 
a “committee  of  safety,”  with  Benjamin 
Franklin  as  its  chairman,  enrolled  volun- 
teer companies,  and  expressed  the  most 
patriotic  resolutions.  The  people  of  New 
York,  struggling  against  the  adverse  in- 
fluence of  a tory  assembly,  met  together 
in  spite  of  strong  opposition,  and  united 
in  an  “ association  for  the  defence  of  co- 
lonial rights,”  and  recommended  the  ear- 
ly meeting  of  a provincial  Congress,  “ to 
deliberate  on  and  direct  such  measures 
as  may  be  expedient  for  our  common 
safety.”  At  the  South,  too,  each  prov- 


ince— Delaware,  Virginia, the  Carolina;?,* 
and  all — was  firm  for  the  patriotic  cause 
and  prepared  to  act  in  its  defence. 

To  give  unanimity  to  the  action  of  the 
colonists,  a second  continental  Congress 
was  to  be  held,  at  Philadelphia.  Wash- 
ington was  at  Mount  Vernon,  preparing 
to  set  out  as  a delegate  to  this  assembly, 
which  was  to  meet  in  May,  when  he  re- 
ceived news  of  the  affair  at  Lexington. 

“ Washington’s  feelings,”  says  Irving, 
“ were  of  a mingled  nature.  They  may 
be  gathered  from  a letter  to  his  friend 
and  neighbor,  George  William  Fairfax, 
then  in  England,  in  which  he  lays  the 
blame  of  this  ‘deplorable  affair’  on  the 
ministry  and  their  military  agents ; and 
concludes  with  the  following  words,  in 
which  the  yearnings  of  the  patriot  give 
affecting  solemnity  to  the  implied  resolve 
of  the  soldier : ‘ Unliappy  it  is  to  reflect 
that  a brother’s  sword  has  been  sheathed 
in  a brother’s  breast ; and  that  the  once- 
happy  and  peaceful  plains  of  America  are 
to  be  either  drenched  with  blood  or  in- 
habited by  slaves.  Sad  alternative  ! But 
can  a virtuous  man  hesitate  in  his  choice  ? ’ ” 
The  impression  produced  in  England  may 
be  learned  from  this  record  of  Walpole 
in  his  journal,  after  the  victories  of  Con- 
cord and  Lexington  were  announced: 
“Stocks  immediately  fell.  The  provin- 
cials had  behaved  with  the  greatest  con- 
duct, coolness,  and  resolution.  One  cir- 
cumstance spoke  a thorough  determina- 
tion of  resistance.  The  provincials  had 
sent  over  affidavits  of  all  that  had  passed, 
and  a colonel  of  the  militia  had  sworn  hi 

* In  North  Carolina  they  even  precipitated  matters,  by  • 
“ Declaration  of  Independence.” 


1,52  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

an  affidavit  that  he  had  given  his  men 
order  to  fire  on  the  king’s  troops  if  the 
latter  attacked  them.  It  was  firmness, 
indeed,  to  swear  to  having  been  the  first 
to  begin  what  the  Parliament  had  named 
rebellion ; thus  was  the  civil  war  begun, 
and  a victory  gained,  tlie  first  fruits  of 
which  were  on  the  side  of  the  Americans, 
whom  Lord  Sandwich  had  had  the  folly 
and  rashness  to  proclaim  cowards.”  Let 
us,  however,  pass  from  what  was  said  to 
»vhat  was  done  by  the  patriots ; for  the 
purpose  of  our  history  is  to  tell  how  they 
fought,  and  not  what  they  thought. 

When  the  struggle  between  the  colo- 
nies and  the  mother-country  became  im- 
minent, the  attention  of  some  thoughtful 
men  in  New  England  was  directed  to  the 
pro1)able  position  of  Canada  in  the  com- 
ing contest.  Few  doubted  but  that  it 
would  remain  loyal  under  any  circum- 
stances ; and,  with  such  a disposition,  it 
was  quite  evident  that  Canadian  territo- 
ry would  offer  to  the  British  a firm  hold- 
ing-ground, upon  which  they  might  es- 
tablish a basis  of  military  operations,  and 
througli  which  they  could  do  continued 
mischief  to  all  the  colonie.s,  and  particu- 
larly to  New  England  and  New  York. 
The  main  route  from  the  Canadas  to  the 
provinces  south  was  over  Lake  Cham- 
plain i and  upon  this  lake  were  tlie  two 
forts  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point, 
held  each  by  a British  garrison.  These, 
accordingly,  commanded  the  way.  To 
.acquire  them,  therefore,  was  thought  of 
great  importance  to  the  patriot  cause  by 
the  wise  in  counsel.  The  bold  in  action 
were  not  wanting  to  offer  to  do  what  was 
deemed  advisable  to  be  done.  The  neces- 

sity  of  securing  Ticonderoga  and  Crown 
Point  had  been  urged  by  many  through- 
out New  England,  but  Connecticut  was 
foremost  in  proposing  a plan  of  action, 
and  sending  out  an  expedition. 

Several  members  of  the  assembly  of 
Connecticut  got  up  the  enterprise,  but 
kept  it  a secret,  as  it  might  not  have 
been  safe  to  intrust  a knowledge  to  those 
who,  however  patriotically  disposed,  had 
not  yet  declared  themselves  boldly  for 
war.  Money  was  obtained,  and  a few 
volunteers  enlisted  in  Connecticut  and 
Massachusetts.  The  projectors  of  the  un- 
dertaking, however,  looked  for  the  main 
staple  of  their  force  to  the  “Green-mount- 
ain boys”  of  the  “New-Hampshire  grants.” 

This  territory  was  then  a wild  region : it 
is  now  the  state  of  Vermont.  In  those 
early  days  it  was  settled  by  a few  hardy 
men,  who  joiiif^d  to  the  strong  attach- 
ment of  the  farmer  to  his  land,  the  wild 
and  fierce  characteristics  of  the  forest- 
borderer.  The  territory  in  their  posses- 
sion was  derived  from  New  Hampshire. 
New  York,  however,  claimed  the  title, 
which  was  confirmed,  on  appeal,  by  royal 
authority.  The  latter  province  then  at- 
tempted to  eject  the  settlers  of  the  “ New- 
Ilampshire  grants,”  but  found  itself  re- 
sisted by  a band  of  resolute  fellows  who 
called  tliemselves  “ The  Green-mountain 
boys.”  The  legislature  of  New  York  now 
outlawed  these  bold  resistants,and  offered 
a reward  for  their  apprehension. 

Ethan  Allen,  born  in  Connecticut,  but 
living  from  childhood  among  the  Green 
mountains,  was  the  chosen  leader  of  these 
“ New-IIampshire  grant”  outlaws.  He  ad- 
vised arming  and  defiance : his  followers 

r 

itlCVOLUTIONARV.]  ETHAIS 

ALLEN.  153 

adopted  his  counsel,  and  pledged  them- 

for  he  had  some  pretensions  to  a rude 

selves  to  resist  New  York  to  the  death. 

eloquence — is  described  as  that  of  “a 

Allen  was  bold  almost  to  fierceness,  a 

singular  compound  of  local  barbarisms, 

natural  contemner  of  authority,  yet  one 

scriptural  phrases,  and  oriental  wildness 

who,  with  all  his  reputed  disregard  of 

and,  though  unclassic  and  sometimes  un- 

traditional  religious  opinion,  was  of  the 

grammatical,  highly  animated  and  forci- 

strictest  integrity.  “An  anecdote  is  re- 

ble.”  And  Washington  said  there  was 

lated  of  him,”  says  Lossing,  “ which  illus- 

“an  original  something  in  him  which 

trates  the  purity  of  his  principles.  He 

commanded  admiration.” 

owed  a citizen  of  Boston  sixty  pounds, 

The  small  force  collected  together  in 

for  which  he  gave  his  promissory  note. 

Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  now  rap- 

It  was  sent  to  Vermont  for  collection. 

idly  pushed  on  to  join  the  “Green-mount- 

It  was  inconvenient  for  Allen  to  pay. 

ain  boys,”  who  readily  flocked  to  the  call 

and  the  note  was  put  in  suit.  Allen  em- 

of  their  old  leader,  Ethan  Allen.  Castle- 

ployed  a lawyer  to  attend  the  court,  and 

ton  was  the  rendezvous,  and  here  soon 

have  the  judgment  postponed  until  he 

the  whole  force  was  gathered,  amounting 

could  raise  the  money.  The  lawyer  de- 

to  two  hundred  and  seventy,  all  of  whom, 

termined  to  deny  the  genuineness  of  the 

with  the  exception  of  forty,  were  “Green- 

signature,  as  the  readiest  method  of  post- 

mountain  boys.”  Now  a council-of-war 

poning  the  matter,  for  in  that  case  a wit- 

was  held.  On  the  road,  the  small  Con 

ness  at  Boston  would  have  to  be  sent  for. 

necticut  detachment  had  met  with  one 

When  the  case  was  called,  it  happened 

who  was  apparently  a countryman,  from 

that  Allen  was  in  a remote  part  of  the 

whom  they  had  gathered  such  an  account 

courthouse,  and  to  his  utter  astonishment 

of  the  formidable  position  of  things  in  Ti- 

heard  his  lawyer  gravely  deny  the  sig- 

conderoga,  that  their  hearts  almost  failed 

nature  of  the  note.  With  long  and  fierce 

them.  This  incident  was  laid  before  the 

strides  he  rushed  through  the  crowd,  and. 

council,  and  was  thus  reported  by  the 

confronting  the  amazed  ‘ limb  of  the  law,’ 

witnesses : While  they  were  on  their  way, 

rebuked  him  in  a voice  of  thunder:  ‘Mr. 

they  fell  in  with  one  who  appeared  to  be 

, I did  not  hire  you  to  come  here 

an  undesigning,  honest  traveller.  They 

and  lie  ! That  is  a true  note — I signed 

addressed  him.  “From  whence  came 

it — I’ll  swear  to  it — and  I’ll  pay  it!  I 

you  ?” — “ From  Ty"  (so  Ticonderoga  was 

want  no  shuffling ; I want  time.  What 

called,  for  shortness) ; “ left  it  yesterday,” 

I employed  you  for  was  to  get  this  busi- 

at  such  an  hour. — “Has  the  garrison  re- 

ness  put  over  to  the  next  court;  not  to 

ceived  any  reinforcements?” — “Yes;  I 

come  here  and  lie  and  juggle  about  it!’ 

saw  them  : there  were  a number  of  artil- 

The  result  was,  the  amicable  postpone- 

lerymen  and  other  soldiers.” — “ What  are 

rnent  of  the  claim,  arranged  between  the 

they  doing  ? Are  they  making  fascines  ?’" 

‘wo  lawyers.” 

— “ Faschics?  I do  n’t  know  what  you  call 

The  style  of  the  man  as  a speaker — 
20 

fascines.  They  are  tying  up  sticks  and 

— 

— 1 

1 

I,'>4  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  | -art  ii. 

brush  in  bundles,  and  putting  them  where 

and  claimed  the  supreme  command;  but, 

the  walls  are  down.” 

finding  tliat  the  men,  who  were  mostly 

This  account  so  alarmed  many  of  the 

“ Green-mountain  boys,”  insisted  upon  be- 

party,  that  there  was  some  thought  of  re- 

ing  led  by  their  old  commander,  Allen, 

turning ; and  it  was  only  determined  by 

he  was  fain  to  content  himself  with  the 

a majority  of  one,  that  they  should  push 

position  of  second. 

on.  And  well  they  did ; for  the  ‘‘  conn- 

One  Captain  Noah  Phelps  now  came 

tryman”  was  a shrewd  fellow,  affecting 

in  with  certain  intelligence  in  regard  to 

not  to  know  anything,  and  yet  knowing 

Ticonderoga.  This  bold  fellow  had  dis- 

enough  to  deceive,  by  giving  such  infor- 

guised  himself  as  a rustic  laborer,  and  had 

mation  as  he  thought  would  save  the 

gone  into  the  fort,  requesting  to  be  shaved 

British  forts,  and  which  information  was 

by  the  barber  of  the  garrison.  Suspect- 

very  far  from  the  truth.  Etlian  Allen 

ing  nothing,  he  was  readily  admitted ; 

was  no  sooner  appointed  to  command  the 

and,  as  he  was  searching  for  the  man  of 

whole  expedition,  by  the  council  of  offi- 

the  razor,  he  went  all  about  the  fort,  pry- 

cers  at  Castleton,  than  there  came  one. 

ing  into  every  nook  and  corner,  and  ask- 

in  great  haste,  to  dispute  the  honor  with 

ing,  with  the  affected  greenness  of  a coun- 

him.  This  was  Benedict  Arnold. 

tryman,  all  sorts  of  questions.  After 

Arnold,  fresh  from  Connecticut,  where 

spending  the  better  part  of  the  day  thus. 

the  expedition  against  Ticonderoga  and 

and  getting  rid  of  his  beard  at  the  hands 

Crown  Point  was  the  subject  of  talk 

of  the  barber,  he  left,  and  returned  to  his 

among  the  patriots,  no  sooner  arrived  at 

fellow-patriots,  with  the  fullest  informa- 

Boston  — and  not  finding  much  there  at 

tion  of  what  he  had  seen  and  heard.  It 

that  moment  for  the  occupation  of  his  busy 

was  determined  to  make  the  attack  at 

activity — than  he  laid  before  the  Massa- 

once,  and  the  adventurous  Noah  Phelps 

chusetts  committee  of  safety  a proposi- 

undertook  to  guide  the  party  to  the  fort. 

tion  for  an  attack  upon  the  British  forts. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  Allen  began 

He  was  readily  listened  to  when  he  spoke 

his  march, and  reached  Lake  Cham- 

of  the  dismantled  condition  of  Ticonder- 

plain,  at  a point  opposite  to  Ticonderoga, 

oga,  its  great  stock  of  cannon  and  milita- 

in  the  middle  of  the  night.  There  were 

ry  stores,  and  of  how  easily  it  might  be 

but  few  boats  to  be  had,  but  Allen  was 

taken,  defended  as  it  was  by  only  two- 

too  impatient  to  wait  until  more  could 

score  men.  The  committee  approved  of 

be  obtained ; so  he  and  Arnold,  with 

his  proposition,  and  appointed  him  colo- 

eighty-three  men,  crossed  at  once.  When 

nel,  with  the  authority  to  raise  four  him- 

on  the  other  side,  it  was  suggested  that 

dred  men.  Arnold,  however,  knowing 

tliey  should  await  the  arrival  of  the  rest 

that  Allen  was  before  him,  did  not  wait 

of  the  force ; but  Allen  would  not  listen 

for  recruits,  but  pushed  on  and  arrived 

to  it  for  a moment,  and  declared  that  he 

at  Castleton  with  a single  servant.  Here 

was  for  striking  a blow  on  the  instant. 

he  showed  his  Massachusetts  commission, 

“ It  is  a desperate  attempt,  I know,”  said 

n F,  V O T,  U T 1 0 N A 1 5 V . J 

he,  “and  I ask  no  man  to  go  against  his 
will.  I Avill  take  the  lead,  and  be  the 
first  to  advance.  You  that  are  willing 
to  follow,  poise  your  firelocks !”  Every 
firelock  was  “poised.” 

The  fort  stood  upon  a height  above 
them,  and  they  now  rapidly  climbed  the 
hill,  with  Phelps  and  a farmer’s  lad  they 
had  picked  up,  guiding  the  way.  On 
reaching  the  top,  a sentry  on  the  outer 
wall  snapped  his  fusee  at  Allen,  and  then 
repeated  within.  A dispute  now  took 
place  between  Arnold  and  Allen.  The 
former  “ became  assuming,  and  swore  he 
would  go  in  first;  the  other  swore  he 
should  not.”  At  last  it  was  agreed  that 
they  should  go  in  together ; so  Allen  and 
Arnold  entered  the  port  leading  to  the 
fort  side  by  side.  It  was  in  the  early 
gray  of  the  morning,  as  they  si- 
May  10.  marched  in,  followed  by 

their  handful  of  men.  A soldier  on  guard 
struck  at  one  of  the  officers,  but  was  soon 
brought  to  his  knees  by  a blow  from  Al- 
len’s sword  upon  the  head,  and  forced  to 
beg  for  quarter. 

As  the  provincials,  with  a loud  shout, 
rushed  into  the  parade  within  the  walls, 
the  garrison  came  flying  out,  and  were 
easily  made  prisoners.  Allen  now  made 
his  way  (with  the  aid  of  the  farmer’s  lad, 
who  knew  every  turn  in  and  out  of  the 
fortress)  to  the  quarters  of  Captain  Dela- 
place,  the  commander,  who  was  still  in 
bed.  Allen  gave  a thundering  rap  at  the 
door  with  the  hilt  of  his  sword,  which  at 
once  aroused  Delaplace,  who  came  out 
half-dressed,  “ with  the  frightened  face  of 
his  pretty  wife  peering  over  his  shoulder,” 
and  demanded,  with  an  air  and  tone  of 


15,5 

affected  firmness,  Avhat  the  disturbance 
meant.  Allen  insisted  upon  his  instant 
surrender.  “ By  what  authority  ?”  asked 
Delaplace.  “In  the  name  of  the  Grea 
J ehovah  and  the  continental  Congress !” 
was  the  memorable  answer,  rounded  off 
with  the  usual  oath  of  the  leader  of  the 
wild  “ mountain-boys.”  It  is  true,  at  that 
moment  there  5vas  no  continental  Con- 
gress ; and  it  might  be  very  questionable 
whether  a profane  character  like  Allen 
could  justly  claim  divine  authority:  but 
there  was  the  provincial  force  in  posses- 
sion, to  which  their  leader  had  only  to 
point,  which  settled  the  matter,  and  put 
an  end  at  once  to  all  questions.  Dela- 
place had  nothing  else  left  him  but  to 
surrender ; and  accordingly  Ticonderoga 
was  immediately  given  up,  with  all  its 
effects,  including  the  captain  with  his  for- 
ty men,  and  a large  stock  of  artillery  and 
military  stores. 

Arnold,  with  his  usual  uneasy  longing 
for  power,  insisted  impetuously  upon  the 
command  of  Ticonderoga  being  given  to 
him ; but  was  forced  to  yield  to  Allen, 
who  had  the  advantage  of  being  second- 
ed by  the  predominating  majority  of  his 
“ Green-mountain  boys,”  with  whom  he 
was  so  great  a favorite.  Arnold,  ho5v- 
ever,  protested,  and  sent  a letter  of  com- 
plaint to  the  Massachusetts  committee. 
The  rest  of  the  force  now  coming  up  from 
the  lake,  they  were  detached  to  take  pos- 
session of  Crown  Point,  in  which  they 
succeeded  without  firing  a gun.  It  sur- 
rendered on  the  I2th  of  May,  being  al- 
most without  defence,  as  the  garrison 
numbered  only  a dozen  men,  under  the 
command  of  a sergeant.  Its  hundred 


FALL  OF  TICONDEROGA. 


I-jG  battles  of  AMERICA.  lpakt  ii 


cannon  and  various  stores  were,  however, 
a timely  addition  to  tlie  meager  supplies 
of  the  provincials. 

Arnold’s  restlessness  now  found  vent 
in  an  enterprise  that  was  concocted  in 
council  at  Ticonderoga.  A small  detach- 
ment, composed  of  some  thirty  men,  had 
been  sent  to  Skenesborough,  to  secure 
the  son  of  Major  Skene,  who  was  an  ar- 
dent royalist,  and  a man  of  large  wealth 
and  influence,  by  which  he  was  enabled 
greatly  to  serve  the  cause  to  which  he 
was  devoted.  They  had  succeeded  in 
taking  young  Skene  by  surprise,  while 
out  shooting.  Otherwise,  they  might 
have  had  tough  work  in  effecting  their 
object ; for  Skene  was  quite  a lord  in  his 
way,  with  his  numerous  tenants  and  ne- 
groes, who  were  ready  to  do  his  bidding 
at  all  hazards,  and  to  defend  him  and 
his  family  to  the  death.  The  provincials 
seized  the  son — known,  as  well  as  his  fa- 
ther, as  a Major  Skene — his  strong  stone- 
house  and  fortress,  a number  of  his  de- 
pendants and  slaves,  and  his  boats,  among 
which  there  was  a good-sized  schooner. 
They  likewise  made  another  capture,  of 
which  they  had  but  little  expectation.  It 
was  that  of  the  elder  Skene’s  wife,  who 
had  not  accompanied  her  husband,  as 
might  naturally  have  been  expected,  to 
England,  where  he  had  gone.  On  ran- 
sacking the  great  stone-house,  they  found 
the  mistress  of  the  mansion  in  the  cellar. 
She  had  been  there,  it  seems,  many  years. 
The  good  lady,  however,  was  dead,  and 
had  been  so  for  a long  time  ; but  her  hus- 
band, having  a strong  attachment  to  an 
annuity  which  was  to  be  continued  to 
her  “ while  she  remained  above-ground,” 


had  taken  care  to  secure  the  object  of  his 
affection,  by  keeping  his  wife’s  body  out 
of  the  grave.  The  provincials  reveren- 
tially removed  the  remains,  and  buried 
them  behind  tlie  great  stone-house. 

It  was  now  determined  that  Arnold 
should  lead  the  men  who  had  been  so 
successful  at  Skenesborough,  and,  em- 
barking them  on  the  boats  which  they 
had  captured,  sail  with  them  down  Lake 
Champlain,  and  take  St.  Johns,  a Cana- 
dian post  on  the  river  Sorel.  Arnold  hinv 
'self,  who  had  been  a sailor  in  early  days, 
took  command  of  the  schooner,  and  with 
a fair  wind  succeeded  in  outsailing  the 
batteaux,  which  were  left  so  far  behind, 
that  he  had  landed  and  captured  the  place 
with  his  small  advance-party  before  the 
rest  could  come  up.  Arnold,  now  learn- 
ing that  the  troops  from  Canada  were 
coming,  destroyed  what  he  could  not  car- 
ry away,  and,  taking  with  him  an  armed 
vessel  and  some  military  stores,  set  sail 
up  the  lake  again.  He  had  not  got  far, 
when  he  was  met  by  Ethan  Allen  and 
his  men,  in  the  slow-moving  batteaux. 
Arnold  exultingly  saluted  his  rival  com- 
mander with  a broadside  of  cannon,  which 
Allen  returned  with  a volley  of  musketry 
from  his  militia.  An  interview  on  board 
Arnold’s  royal  ‘‘man-of-war”  of  seventy 
tons  followed,when  Allen  was  informed  of 
the  particulars  of  the  late  success.  The 
latter  then  determined  to  continue  his 
course  for  St.  Johns,  and  make  an  at- 
tempt to  hold  it.  He  was,  hoAvever,  fore- 
stalled by  a superior  British  force,  and 
had  to  turn  back  to  Ticonderoga.* 

* This  account  is  derived  from  Irving,  who  gives  rathcv 
a different  version  from  other  writers. 


BEVOLUTIONARY.]  WASHINGTON  MADE  COMMANDER-IN-CIIIEF.  l.W 


The  second  continental  Congress 
I775t  ° 

assembled  in  Philadelphia  on  the 

10th  of  May.  Almost  the  first  subject 
which  came  before  them  was,  the  state  of 
things  in  Massachusetts.  In  the  attitude 
of  the  British  government  toward  that 
province,  they  saw  a subversion  of  its 
charter,  and  advised  the  organization  of 
a government  which  might  restore,  as  far 
as  possible,  the  former  laws  of  Massachu- 
setts. The  Congress,  however,  so  far  as- 
sumed a conciliatory  tone,  as  to  resolve 
upon  another  petition  to  the  British 
throne.  The  New-Englanders,with  whom 
the  spirit  of  independence  was  rife,  op- 
posed all  further  efforts  at  conciliation  • 
and  John  Adams  was  among  the  foremost 
to  denounce  them  as  “imbecile.”  The 
petition  to  the  king  was,  however,  car- 
lied.  Still,  the  Congress  continued  to 
act  as  if  the  colonies  were  already  inde- 
pendent, and  proceeded  to  deliberate  up- 
on measures  of  offence  and  defence  as  if 
they  constituted  a separate  nation. 

That  the  people  of  New  England  were 
in  arms  to  resist  the  British  government, 
was  a fact  that  could  not  be  concealed ; 
and  that  their  interest  was  the  common 
interest  of  the  whole  country,  every  one 
felt,  and  determined  to  sustain  it.  The 
question  now  came  up,  as  to  who  should 
be  commander-in-chief  to  lead  the  forces 
which  were  fast  gathering  to  the  rescue 
of  their  country.  There  was  no  little  jeal- 
ousy, even  at  this  early  period,  between 
the  North  and  the  South.  The  Massa- 
chusetts men  were  greatly  in  favor  of 
Hancock,  of  Boston,  and  he  himself  un- 
doubtedly aspired  to  tlie  high  position, 
h’olonel  W ashington  was  the  choice  of  the 


South.  That  great  man,  liowever,  mod- 
estly thought  not  of  himself,  but  of  his 
country  only.  John  Adams  now,  Avith 
the  consent  of  most  of  the  New-England- 
ers,  made  a concession  to  the  southein 
provinces,  by  proposing  Mr.  G eorge  Wash- 
ington, “ a gentleman  Avhose  skill  and  ex- 
perience as  an  officer,  Avhose  independent 
fortune,  great  talents,  and  excellent  uni- 
versal character,  would  command  the  ap- 
probation of  all  America,  and  unite  the 
cordial  exertions  of  all  the  colonies  bet- 
ter than  any  other  person  in  the  Union  ” 
As  soon  as  Adams  had  uttered  these 
words,  “Mr.  Washington,  who  happened 
to  sit  near  the  door. ...with  his  usual  mod- 
esty, darted  into  the  library-room.” 

There  were  many  New-Englanders  op- 
posed to  this  nomination,  and  one  avIio 
was  particularly  chagrined.  It  Avas  Han- 
cock, Avho  Avas  sitting  at  that  time  as 
president  of  the  Congress,  in  the  absence 
of  Peyton  Randolph,  aa'Iio  had  returned 
to  Virginia,  to  preside  at  the  assembly  of 
his  OAvn  province.  Adams  says : “ While 
I Avas  speaking  on  the  state  of  the  colo- 
nies, the  army  at  Cambridge,  and  the  en- 
emy, Hancock  heard  me  AAuth  pleasure ; 
but  Avhen,”  he  adds,  “ I came  to  describe 
Washington  for  the  commander,  I never 
remarked  a more  sudden  and  striking 
change  of  countenance.  Mortification 
and  resentment  AA^ere  expressed  as  forci- 
bly as  his  face  could  exhibit  them.” 

The  election  Avas  delayed  for  a few 
days,  in  consequence  of  the  opposition ; 
when,  finally,  George  Washington  avjis 
unanimously  chosen  command- 
er-in-chief  of  the  provincial  for- 
ces. On  his  election  being  announced 


i 


158 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPART  11. 


Washington  arose  and  modestly  said,  af- 
ter thanking  the  Congress  for  the  honor 
conferred  upon  liim : “Lest  some  un- 
lucky event  should  happen  unfavorable 
to  my  reputation,  I beg  it  may  be  remem- 
bered, by  every  gentleman  in  the  room, 
that  I this  day  declare,  Avith  the  utmost 
sincerity,  I do  not  think  myself  equal  to 
the  command  I am  honored  with.  As  to 
pay,  I beg  leave  to  assure  the  Congress 
that,  as  no  pecuniary  consideration  could 
have  tempted  me  to  accept  this  arduous 
employment,  at  the  expense  of  my  do- 
mestic ease  and  happiness,  I do  not  wish 
to  make  any  profit  of  it.  I will  keep 
an  exact  account  of  my  expenses.  These 
I doubt  not  they  Avill  discharge,  and  that 
is  all  I desire.” 

In  the  congressional  resolution  to  ap- 
{loint  a commander-in-chief,  a provision 
was  made  for  his  support  to  the  amount 
of  five  hundred  dolhars  a month.  The 
army  which  had  been  gathering,  princi- 
pally from  the  various  parts  of  New  Eng- 


land, was  now  formally  adopted  by  the 
continental  Congress ; and  a commander- 
in-chief  having  been  appointed,  they  pro- 
ceeded to  organize  the  whole  miliiaiy 
staff.  Artemas  Ward  was  chosen  second 
in  command,  Charles  Lee  the  third,  Phil- 
ip Schuyler  the  fourth,  and  Israel  Putnam 
the  fifth,  all  with  the  rank  of  major-gen- 
eral. Seth  Pomeroy,  Kichard  Montgom- 
ery, David  Wooster,  William  Heath,  Jo- 
seph Spencer,  John  Thomas,  John  Sulli- 
van, and  Nathaniel  Greene,  Avere  the  eight 
appointed  as  brigadier-generals.  Horatio 
Gates  had  the  same  rank,  Avith  the  espe- 
cial function  of  adjutant-general.  There 
Avas  a good  deal  of  opposition  to  the  ap- 
pointment of  Lee  and  Gates,  but  Wash- 
ington’s earnest  adA^ocacy  secured  their 
elections.  They  Avere  both  Englishmen, 
and  Avere  looked  upon  Avitli  suspicion  as 
military  adventurers,  more  concerned 
about  their  OAvn  priA'ate  interests  than 
the  public  good  of  a country  to  Avhich 
they  Avere  comparatively  strangers. 


CHAPTER  III. 


riie  Provincial  Camp  before  Boston. — Men  and  Officers. — The  Country  round. — Charlestown  and  Boston  : their  Aspect.  - 
The  British  reinforced  — Bur};03'ne,  Clinton,  and  Howe. — Gage’s  Proclamation. — Indignation  of  the  People. — Breed’s 
and  Bunker’s  Hills. — Taken  Possession  of  b}'  the  Provincials. — The  Fortifications. — Colonel  Prescott. — His  Martial 
Air. — Character. — The  Labors  and  Anxieties  of  the  Night  on  Bunker’s  Hill. — The  Morning. — The  Surprise  of  the 
British. — The  Bombardment  of  the  AVorks  by  the  British  Ships. — Colonel  Prescott  encourages  his  Men. — The  British 
Troops  prepare  to  atta<>k. — Activitj'of  Putnam. — Lord  Howe. — His  Character. — The  Preparations  for  the  Struggle. — 
The  E.xcitement  of  the  People. — The  Stir  in  the  Provincial  Camp. — Putnam  on  the  Move. 


1775. 


Sixteen  tliou.sand  NcAv-England 
patriots  Avere  uoav  in  arms  before 
Boston.  Of  these,  about  three  fourths 
Avere  from  Massachusetts ; and  the  rest 
from  Connecticut,  New  Hampshire,  and 


Rhode  I.shind.  One  common  sentimeni 
of  patriotism  united  them  all  in  a firm 
resoh'e  to  defend  their  country  against 
the  oppressor.  This  AA’as  their  strength, 
Avliich  was  sure  to  give  them  the  ultimate 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.J  WHO  WERE  THE  PROVINCIALS?  150 

victory  over  their  enemies.  They  had 

smooth  with  long  use ; some  carried  blun- 

their  weaknesses,  however; — and  these 

derbusses ; others  implements  of  peaceful 

greatly  diminished  their  efficiency  as  an 

husbandry,  sharpened  into  weapons  of 

army  gathered  to  resist  the  disciplined 

war ; and  but  few  were  provided  with  the 

troops  of  Great  Britain.  With  the  ex- 

" regulation”  musket  and  its  efficient  bay 

ception  of  a few  veterans,  who  had  fought 

onet. 

in  the  British  ranks  at  Louisburg  and 

There  was  a general  scarcity  of  mili- 

Quebec,  most  of  the  men  were  fresh  from 

tary  stores.  The  artillery  was  scanty,  the 

the  shop  and  the  field.  All  varieties  of 

ammunition  small  in  quantity,  and  there 

trades  and  occupations  had  their  repre- 

was  a great  want  of  tents,  clothing,  and 

sentatives  in  the  American  ranks.  There 

oven  roofs,  to  protect  the  troops  from  ex- 

was  even  a divine,  the  Reverend  John 

posure  to  the  weather.  There  was,  more- 

Martin,*  of  Rhode  Island,  who,  having 

over,  worse  than  all,  an  absence  of  unity 

delivered  a stirring  sermon  on  the  text 

in  command.  “ The  Massachusetts  men 

— ‘‘  Be  not  ye  afraid  of  them : remember 

had  their  own  commander,  Connecticut 

the  Lord  which  is  great  and  terrible,  and 

and  the  other  provinces  theirs and  each 

fight  for  your  brethren,  your  sons,  and 

insisted  upon  being  governed  exclusively 

your  daughters,  your  wives,  and  your 

by  his  own  leader.  They  were  all,  how- 

houses”  (Neh.  iv.  14),  shouldered  his  mus- 

ever,  ready  to  fight  for  the  one  cause ; 

ket,  and  took  his  position  as  a private  in 

and  we  shall  see  how  this  unanimity  of 

the  line.  Most  of  the  Americans,  at  best. 

feeling,  in  the  time  of  trial,  smoothed 

had  had  but  a few  days’  militia-training. 

many  of  the  irregularities  which  came 

and  knew  nothing  of  war  but  its  “ first 

from  a want  of  discipline. 

steps.”  They  could  form  ranks,  face  to 

Among  the  officers  there  were  men  of 

the  right  and  left,  and  march,  keeping  an 

military  experience,  and  well  able,  with 

irregular  step  to  the  village  drum  and 

proper  materiel,  and  under  favorable  cir- 

fife,  to  the  undisguised  ridicule  of  the 

cumstances,  to  organize  an  army,  and  to 

critical  looker-on. 

command  it.  Artemas  Ward,  the  gener- 

There  was  hardly  a man,  however,  in 

al  of  the  Massachusetts  men,  had  fought 

those  early  days,  who  could  not  steadily 

gallantly  under  Abercrombie.  “ Old  Put,” 

poise  his  gun  and  bring  down  his  game 

of  Connecticut,  had  learned  a good  deal 

with  the  sure  aim  of  a “ good  shot.”  In 

of  war  while  serving  as  a private  in  the 

appearance,  they  had  none  of  the  look 

French  campaign.  Pomeroy  had  distin- 

of  a soldier.  In  dress  they  pretended  to 

guished  himself  at  Louisburg,  and  so  had 

no  uniformity,  and  civilized  broadcloth 

Gridley,  where  he  had  shown  great  skill 

coats,  homespun  jackets,  and  coarse  sliirh 

as  a military  engineer.  Prescott  and 

sleeves,  indiscriminately  diversified  the 

Stark,  too,  were  vetei’ans,  who  had  fought 

patriot  ranks.  Some  shouldered  fowling- 

bravely  while  serving  in  the  British  ranks 

pieces  rusty  from  neglect,  or  polished 

against  the  French.  The  men  looked  up 

* He  fought  bravely  at  Buuker’a  hill. 

with  veneration  to  these  leaders,  and  con- 

160 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II 


fideiitly  obeyed  tlieir  orders.  Such  was 
the  patriot  force  now  loosely  scattered 
over  some  ten  miles  of  country  surround- 
ing Boston,  and  holding  that  city  in  a 
state  of  siege. 

The  town  itself  and  the  suburbs  were 
emptied  of  their  inhabitants.  Charles- 
town was  almost  entirely  deserted,  but 
one  or  two  hundred  out  of  two  or  three 
thousand  of  the  population  being  left. 
'V  few  only  of  the  citizens  returned  occa- 
sionally, to  plant  their  gardens,  mow  their 
grass,  and  look  after  the  property  which 
they  could  not  take  away  with  them. 
The  removals  of  the  citizens  from  Boston 
into  the  country  were  so  frequent,  that 
General  Gage  became  alarmed ; and,  al- 
though he  had  pledged  himself  to  give 
passes  to  those  who  desired  to  leave,  he 
tlirew  all  kinds  of  obstructions  in  their 
way  to  prevent  their  departure.  The 
passes  were  made  out  in  such  a manner 
as  to  prevent  those  who  bore  them  from 
carrying  anything  with  them.  “ All  mer- 
chandise was  forbid ; after  awhile,  all  pro- 
visions were  forbid;  and  now  all  merchan- 
dise, provisions,  and  medicine.  Guards 
were  appointed  to  examine  all  trunks, 
boxes,  beds,  and  everything  else,  to  be 
carried  out.”  The  passports,  too,  were 
often  so  worded  as  to  separate  men  from 
their  wives  and  children,  whom  the  gov- 
ernor was  particularly  desirous  of  retain- 
ing as  pledges  for  the  “ good  conduct”  of 
the  patriots.  Passes  finally  were  refused 
altogether.  The  whole  city  was  given 
up  almost  entirely  to  the  British  soldiery. 
Occasional  skirmishes  occurred  between 
Gage’s  outposts  and  the  American  patri- 
ots, but  nothing  was  effectually  done  un- 


til the  arrival  of  reinforcements  from 
Great  Britain. 

A large  number  of  British  troops  now 

arrived,  -which,  added  to  Gag-e’s 

’ ’ ° Jun£> 

previous  force,  gave  him  an  ar- 
my of  ten  thousand  well-disciplined  sol- 
diers, mostly  by  long  service  inured  to 
war.  Three  British  generals  of  renown 
also  arrived  — Howe,  Clinton,  and  Bur- 
goyne.  As  the  Cerberus  man-of-war,  on 
board  of  which  these  officers  came,  was 
entering  the  harbor,  she  spoke  a coaster ; 
and  the  skipper,  being  asked  what  news 
there  was,  replied,  “ Boston  is  surround- 
ed by  ten  thousand  country-people.” — 
“ How  many  regulars  are  there  in  the 
town  ?”  asked  General  Burgoyne ; and, 
being  told  there  were  about  five  thou- 
sand, he  cried  out,  with  astonishment: 
“ What ! ten  thousand  peasants  keep  five 
thousand  king’s  troops  shut  up  ? Well, 
let  us  get  in,  and  we’ll  soon  find  elbow- 
room  1”  This  expression,  “ clhow-rooml'  * 
stuck  by  Burgoyne  during  all  the  time 
he  remained  in  America.  The  British 
generals  might  well  be  surprised  at  the 
state  of  things  in  Boston  ; for,  when  they 
left  England,  they  had  no  thought  of  be- 
ing obliged  to  draw  the  sword,  and  sup- 
posed that  their  mere  appearance  would 
settle  all  the  difficulties.  They  had  ac- 
cordingly prepared  themselves  with  fowl- 
ing-pieces and  fishing-rods,  with  the  vieAV 

* “ General  Burjjoyne  is  designated  by  Elbow-room  in  the 
satires  of  the  times.  It  is  said  that  he  loved  a joke,  and 
used  to  relate  that,  after  his  Canada  reverses,  while  a pris- 
oner-of-war, he  was  received  with  great  courtesy  by  the  Bos- 
ton people,  as  he  step|)ed  from  the  Charlestown  ferry-boat; 
hut  he  was  really  annoyed  when  an  old  lady,  perched  on  a 
shed  above  the  crowd,  cried  out  at  the  top  of  a shrill  voice: 
‘ Make  way,  make  way  — the  general ’s  coming  1 Give  him 
elbow-room  !’  " — I''kotiiingu.vm. 


r 

KEVOLUTIONARY.J  THE  PROVINCIALS  AND  THEIR  LEADERS.  IGl 

of  “'good  sport”  in  America,  during  their 

and  Putnam  said : “ The  Americans  are 

leisure  hours,  when  off  duty. 

not  afraid  of  their  heads,  though  very 

Gage,  thus  reinforced,  prepared  for  ac- 

much  afraid  of  their  legs ; if  you  cover 

tive  hostilities.  As  a beginning,  he  is- 

these,  they  will  fight  for  ever.”  Genera 

sued  a proclamation  which  excited  the 

Ward  and  Warren  (who  had  been  ap- 

indignation  of  each  patriot,  and  fixed  him 

pointed  a brigadier-general,  but  had  not 

more  firmly  in  his  resolve  to  fight  for  his 

yet  received  his  commission)  opposed  the 

country.  The  British  fretted  greatly  at 

plan.  The  advice  of  Putnam  and  Pres- 

the  idea  of  being  shut  up  within  Boston, 

cott,  however,  carried  the  day. 

and  now  resolved  to  extend  their  elbow- 

The  American  forces  were  much  scat- 

room.”  It  was  accordingly  proposed,  in 

tered  about  the  neighborhood  of  Boston 

council,  to  take  possession  of  Dorchester 

General  Thomas  was  at  Roxbury,  with 

and  the  other  heights  which  surrounded 

four  thousand  Massachusetts  men;  Gen 

the  city. 

eral  Greene  was  at  Jamaica  Plains,  with 

The  provincial  leaders  heard  of  these 

the  Rhode-Islanders;  where  also  was  Gen- 

designs  of  the  enemy,  and  prepared  to 

eral  Spencer,  with  the  larger  portion  of 

counteract  them.  Several  plans  of  oper- 

his  Connecticut  regiment.  The  main 

ation  were  considered,  and,  among  oth- 

body  of  the  American  militia,  consisting 

ers,  that  of  occupying  B linker’s  hill.  This 

of  some  nine  thousand  men  and  four  ar- 

hill  formed,  with  that  of  Breed’s,  the 

tillery-companies,  was  in  and  about  Cam 

heights  which,  overlooking  the  northern 

bridge,  where  General  Ward  had  his  head- 

end  of  Boston,  were  at  the  back  of  Charles- 

quarters.  This  part  of  the  forces  Avas  dis- 

town,and  gradually  descended  to  the  neck 

tributed  over  a considerable  surface  of 

of  Uie  peninsula  upon  which  that  town  is 

ground,  and,  extending  through  most  of 

situated.  The  object  was,  to  hem  the  Brit- 

the  villages  over  Charlestown  neck,  Avith 

ish  in  effectually  on  that  side,  and  pre- 

its  outposts  it  reached  even  the  base  of 

vent  all  sallies.  Many,  however,  opposed 

Bunker’s  hill. 

the  plan,  as  too  hazardous,  deeming  the 

With  the  main  body,  besides  General 

militia  not  sufficiently  expert  as  yet  to 

Ward  of  Massachusetts,  Avere  Putnam  of 

be  capable  of  a sustained  military  op- 

Connecticut,  Stark  and  Reed  of  Noav 

eration.  But  others  contended  that  the 

Hampshire,  and  Gridley  the  engineer. 

country  was  growing  discontented  with 

The  officers  and  men  Avere  quartered  in 

the  inactivity  of  the  army,  and  that  the 

the  college-buildings,  churches,  taverns. 

soldiers  themselves  were  eager  for  work. 

farmyards,  and  in  tents  under  the  feAV 

Tlie  veteran  Putnam  and  the  martial 

breastAvorksAvhich  had  been  hastily  erect- 

Prescott  strongly  advocated  the  posses- 

ed  here  and  there.  It  may  be  Avell  here 

sion  of  Bunker’s  hill,  by  which  means 

to  give  a more  specific  description  of  the- 

they  might  draw  out  the  British  and  have 

scene  of  the  struggle  Avhich  Ave  are  about 

a fair  fight  with  them  These  officers 

to  record.  We  borroAV  it  from  Frothing- 

professed  great  fiiith  in  the  provincials, 
21 

ham.  Avho  says:  — 

I 

— — 

162  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

“ The  peninsula  of  Charlestown  is  situ- 
ated opposite  to  the  north  end  of  Boston, 
and  is  separated  from  it  by  Charles  river. 
It  is  about  a mile  in  length  from  north 
to  south ; and  its  greatest  breadth,  next 
to  Boston,  is  about  half  a mile,  whence 
it  gradually  becomes  narrower  until  it 
makes  an  isthmus,  called  ‘The  Neck,’  con- 
necting it  with  the  mainland.  The  Mys- 
tic river,  about  half  a mile  wide,  is  on  the 
east  side  ; and  on  the  west  side  is  Charles 
river,  which  here  forms  a large  bay — a 
part  of  which,  by  a dam  stretching  in  the 
direction  of  Cobble  hill,  is  a millpond.  In 
1775,  the  Neck,  an  artificial  causeway, 
was  so  low  as  to  be  frequently  overflowed 
by  the  tides.  The  communication  with 

1 Boston  was  by  a ferry  where  Charles- 

river  bridge  now  is,  and  with  Malden  by 
another  called  ‘Penny  Ferry,’  where  at 

present  Malden  bridge  is Bunker  hill 

begins  at  the  isthmus,  and  rises  gradually 
for  about  three  hundred  yards,  forming 
a round,  smooth  hill,  sloping  on  two  sides 
toward  the  water,  and  connected  by  a 
ridge  of  ground  on  the  south  with  the 
heights  now  known  as  Breed’s  hill.  The 
easterly  and  westerly  sides  of  this  height 
were  steep ; on  the  east  side,  at  its  base, 
were  brick-kilns,  clay-pits,  and  much 
sloughy  land ; and  on  the  west  side,  at 
the  base,  was  the  most  settled  part  of  the 

town The  easterly  portions  of  these 

hills  were  used  chiefly  for  hay-ground  and 
jiasturing ; the  westerly  portions  con- 
tained fine  orchards  and  gardens.” 

Friday  night  (16th  of  June)  was 
the  time  appointed  for  taking  pos- 
session of  and  fortifying  Bunker’s  hill.  Ac- 
cordingly, orders  were  issued  for  the  as- 

sembling  of  the  troops  drafted  for  the 
purpose  ; and,  at  six  o’clock  in  the  even 
ing,  they  mustered  ready  for  duty.  They 
were  some  twelve  hundred  men  in  all, 
mostly  of  the  Massachusetts  regiments, 
although  Connecticut  supplied  a fatigue- 
party  of  two  hundred.  Colonel  William 
Prescott,  of  Pepperell,  was  appointed  to 
command  the  Massachusetts  detachment; 
Captain  Thomas  Knowlton,  a favorite  of 
Putnam,  and  an  officer  in  his  regiment, 
led  the  Connecticut  men.  The  two  field- 
pieces  and  forty-nine  artillerymen  were 
in  charge  of  Captain  Samuel  Gridley,  a 
son  of  Colonel  Richard  Gridley,  who  was 
the  chief-engineer  of  the  enterprise,  and 
was  to  plan  the  fortifications  about  to  be 
constructed. 

The  men  came,  as  had  been  ordered, 
provided  with  all  the  intrenching-tools 
that  could  be  found  in  the  camp,  and 
with  jiacks,  blankets,  and  provisions  for 
twenty-four  hours  (it  Avas  supposed,  for 
that  had  been  the  order).  They  were  not 
informed  of  the  precise  object  of  the  en- 
terprise in  which  they  Avere  about  to  en- 
gage. Their  leader,  Prescott,  had  received 
aAAwitten  order  from  General  Ward,  direct- 
ing him  to  proceed  that  evening  to  Bun- 
ker’s hill,  build  fortifications  there,  and  to 
defend  them  until  relieved.  This  order 

Avas,  hoAvever,  not  to  be  communicated  to 
his  force  until  they  had  reached  Charles- 
toAvn  neck. 

Colonel  Prescott  presented  himself  in 
full  uniform,  “ being  equipped  Avith  a three- 
cornered  hat,  a top-Avig,  and  a single-breast- 
ed blue  coat,  Avith  facings,  and  lapped  up 
at  the  skirts and,  as  he  paraded  his  men, 
his  tall  figure,  thus  magnificently  arrayed, 

REVOLVTioNARY.]  THE  MARCH  TO  BUNKER'S  HILL.  1G3 


and  his  military  bearing — for  he  was  a 
veteran,  having  served  as  a lieutenant  at 
the  siege  of  Louisburg — were  the  admi- 
ration of  his  raw  and  miscellaneously- 
clothed  troops.  He  had,  moreover,  not 
only  the  look  and  spirit  of  a good  soldier, 
but  was  known  to  be  a most  detennined 
patriot.  A few  months  before  this  time, 
while  he  commanded  a regiment  of  min- 
ute-men, his  brother-in-law,’  Colonel  Wil- 
lard, was  at  his  house,  and  endeavored  to 
dissuade  him  from  the  active  part  he  waas 
taking  against  the  king’s  government. 
Upon  his  being  reminded  that  if  he  should 
be  found  in  arms  against  his  sovereign,  his 
life  and  estate  would  be  forfeited,  Pres- 
cott replied : “ I have  made  up  my  mind 
on  that  subject.  I think  it  probable  I 
may  be  found  in  arms,  but  I will  never  be 
taken  alive.  The  tories  shall  never  have 
the  satisfaction  of  seeing  me  hanged.” 
Such  was  the  resolution  of  the  man  who 
was  intrusted  with  the  important  com- 
mand at  Bunker’s  hill. 

The  men  having  been  reviewed  on  the 
common  by  General  Ward,  President 
Langdon  offered  up  an  earnest  prayer, 
and  dismissed  the  force  with  a blessing. 
It  was  nine  o’clock  when  they  began 
their  march,  which  had  been  purposely 
delayed  until  that  late  hour,  in  order  that 
it  might  be  under  the  cover  of  the  dark- 
ness of  the  night,  and  that  the  enemy 
might  thus  remain  unsuspicious  of  the 
movement.  Each  man  was  ordered  to 
keep  the  utmost  silence ; and,  with  two 
men  carrying  dark  lanteims  in  front,  they 
thus  continued  their  still  and  groping 
rnarch  to  Charlestown  neck,  where  they 
came  to  a halt.  Here  the  veteran  Put- 


nam rode  up,  and  Major  Brooks  joined 
them.  A guard  now  having  been  de- 
tached to  the  town  of  Charlestown,  tlie 
main  body  cautiously  continued  their 
march  along  Charlestown  neck,  to  the 
base  of  Bunker’s  hill,  where  there  was 
another  halt,  when  Prescott  communi- 
cated his  orders  to  his  chief  officers. 

A question  now  arose  as  to  the  hill  to 
be  fortified.  Bunker’s  hill  was  the  place 
specified  in  the  written  orders ; but,  as 
Breed’s  hill  was  nearer  Boston,  it  was 
thought  by  most  of  the  officers  to  be 
the  most  suitable  for  the  purpose  intend- 
ed. There  seemed  considerable  difficul- 
ty in  coming  to  a decision ; but,  as  the 
night  was  passing,  Gridley  declared  there 
was  no  longer  any  time  to  spare,  and  it 
was  finally  determined  to  proceed  to 
Breed’s  hill,  and  there  erect  the  main 
fortifications — although,  at  the  earnest 
persuasion  of  General  Putnam,  it  was  al- 
so agreed  to  raise  some  works  on  Bun- 
ker’s hill  as  well.  The  men  were  now 
marched  fiirther  along  to  the  heights  of 
Breed’s  hill,  and,  when  near  the  top,  they 
halted,  stacked  their  guns,  threw  off  their 
packs,  and  prepared  for  the  duty  of  the 
night.  Gridley  marked  out  the  lines  rap- 
idly, and  at  twelve  o’clock  had  his  men 
fairly  at  work. 

In  the  meantime,  Prescott  Avas  greatly 
anxious  lest  the  labors  of  the  provincials 
should  be  detected  by  the  British.  He 
sent  a party  l)elow  to  patrol  the  shore, 
and  keep  a close  Avatch  upon  the  men-of 
Awar  lying  in  Charles  river,  Avithin  gun- 
shot, and  upon  the  battery  at  Copp’s  hill, 
at  the  north  end  of  Boston,  just  across 
the  river.  Prescott  mio;ht  Avell  be  anx- 


iri4  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [i’art  n 

ions,  with  the  enemy  so  threateningly 

since  he  believed  it  would  be  difficult  to 

near,  and  who,  if  once  aroused,  before  the 

keep  them,  however  firm  in  their  patriot 

American  works  were  completed,  would 

ism,  steady  enough  to  stand  for  the  first 

be  sure  to  defeat  the  whole  enterprise. 

time  in  an  open  field  against  artillery  and 

Tlie  patriots  had  so  far  succeeded,  by 

well-disciplined  soldiers. 

their  exceeding  cjiution,  in  escaping  ev- 

When  morning  broke,  so  diligent  had 

ery  clanger.  They  had  passed  the  neck 

been  the  Americans,  that  they  had  al- 

in  safety,  under  the  very  guns  of  a man- 

ready  fortified  their  position  with  a re- 

of-war  stationed  to  guard  that  approach. 

doubt  almost  complete,  and  an  intrench- 

There  was  now  more  occasion  than  ever 

raent  of  six  feet  in  height.  All  this,  more- 

for  watchfulness,  as  their  present  position 

over,  had  been  done  in  such  silence  and 

was  commanded  by  no  less  than  three 

secrecy,  that  nothing  was  observed  or 

armed  vessels  and  several  floating  batte- 

suspected  by  the  British,  until  the  sailors. 

ries,  whose  guns  pointed  directly  at  the 

as  day  dawned,  saw  from  the  decks  of 

height  where  the  Americans,  as  they  busi- 

the  men-of-war  the  American  fortress. 

ly  worked,  were  totally  unprotected.  As 

which  had  risen  upon  the  hill  during  the 

their  thousand  spades  were  diligently 

night  as  if  by  magic.  The  captain  of  the 

plied,  the  progress  was  rapid ; and  the 

Lively  immediately  put  a spring  on  his 

men  continued  their  labor  without  inter- 

cable,  and,  hauling  in,  opened  a fire  on 

ruption,  listening  with  eager  ears  to  the 

the  works.  This  was  done  without  or- 

bell-watches  of  the  British  men-of-war. 

ders ; and,  upon  the  admiral  being  made 

and  the  “ All ’s  well !”  of  the  sentries  on 

aware  of  it,  it  ceased  momentarily,  and 

the  opposite  shores.  Prescott  himself,  as 

then  each  of  his  ships  opened  its  broad- 

the  night  was  passing,  became  more  and 

side  and  played  unceasingly  upon  the 

more  anxious.  He  continued  to  urge  on 

hill.  The  British  battery  on  Copp’s  hill 

his  men  constantly  to  increased  effort; 

also  joined  in  with  a brisk  cannonade. 

and  went  down  himself  to  the  shore,  to 
watch  the  enemy,  and  try  if  he  could 

The  firing  aroused  all  Boston 
and  the  neighboring  suburbs; 

catch  the  least  sound  of  movement  among 

and  the  inhabitants  poured  out,  taking 

the  ships  or  the  troops.  He  could  hear 

their  positions  on  the  housetops,  the  roofs 

nothing,  in  the  quiet  summer  night,  but 

of  the  churches,  and  the  hills,  looking 

the  hour-watches  striking,  and  the  sen- 

anxiously  at  what  was  going  on.  The 

tries’  cry,  and  returned  up  the  hill  with 

patriots  continued  their  work,  in  spite 

words  of  renewed  encouragement  and 

of  the  fatigue  of  the  night’s  labor  and 

hope.  The  men  went  to  work  with  greatr 

the  heat  of  the  summer  sun,  as  it  came 

er  spirit  than  ever ; and  Colonel  Prescott 

out,  darting  its  burning  rays  upon  them. 

saw,  with  great  satisfaction,  as  the  dawn 

For  awhile,  the  firing  from  the  British 

of  morning  approached,  the  intrenchment 

ships  and  the  battery  on  Copp’s  hill  did 

rising  fast:  for  he  was  particularly  anx- 

no  damage,  as  the  provincials  were  pro- 

ions  to  have  a screen  for  his  raw  troops. 

tected  by  the  intrenchments  A private, 

RT  Tor  uTioNARY  ] THE  FIRST  KILLED.  165 


however,  having  ventured  out,  was  struck 
down  by  a ball  and  instantly  killed.  This 
created  quite  a panic  among  the  raw 
troops,  and  some  of  the  men  made  off  in 
fright. 

Colonel  Prescott,  in  order  to  reassure 
his  inexperienced  soldiers,  now  mounted 
the  parapet,  and,  walking  deliberately 
upon  it,  encouraged  them  at  their  work, 
and  talked  laughingly  of  the  chances  of 
war.  At  this  moment,  General  Gage  was 
watching  with  his  glass  the  patriot  move- 
ment on  tilG  hill,  and,  seeing  a tall  per- 
son on  the  top  of  the  works,  asked  Coun- 
cillor Willard,  at  his  side,  “ Who  is  that 
person,  giving  orders  ?” — “ It’s  my  broth- 
er-in-law  Prescott,”  was  the  answer.  ‘‘Will 
he  fight?”  inquired  the  general.  “Yes, 
sir,”  replied  Willard ; “ he’s  an  old  soldier, 
and  will  fight  while  there  is  a drop  of 
blood  left  in  his  veins!” — “The  works 
must  be  carried,”  was  all  that  Gage  said 
in  rejoinder. 

Colonel  Prescott,  succeeding  in  allay- 
ing the  panic,  and  getting  his  men  again 
at  work,  the  fortifications  continued  to 
make  fair  progress ; although  the  day,  as 
it  advanced,  became  fearfully  hot,  and 
the  troops  suffered  greatly,  not  only  from 
the  heat,  but  from  excessive  fatigue  and 
want  of  refreshments,  which  they  had 
strangely  neglected  to  provide  them- 
selves with.  The  men  at  last  began  to 
grow  discontented,  and  some  murmured 
loudly.  The  officers  took  up  their  cause, 
and  urged  the  colonel  to  send  to  General 
Ward,  at  Cambridge,  for  other  men  to 
take  the  place  of  those  who  had  worked 
all  night.  Prescott  refused,  saying : “ The 
enemy  will  not  dare  to  attack  us ; and  if 


they  do,  they  will  be  defeated.  The  men 
who  have  raised  the  works  are  the  best 
able  to  defend  them ; already  they  have 
learned  to  despise  the  fire  of  the  enemy. 
They  have  the  merit  of  the  labor,  and 
shall  have  the  honor  of  the  victory.” 

The  patriots  were  certainly  becoming 
fast  inured  to  warfare,  under  the  severe 
discipline  of  Prescott,  who  gave  them  a 
foretaste  of  the  summary  mode  of  doing 
business  in  the  time  of  war,  by  the  man- 
ner in  which  he  disposed  of  their  com- 
rade, the  first  killed  by  a cannon-ball. 
His  death  was  reported  to  the  colonel  by 
one  of  the  subaltern  officers,  who  asked 
what  was  to  be  done  with  the  body. 
“ Bury  it,”  replied  Prescott.  “ The  chap- 
lain,” says  Irving,  describing  this  scene, 
“ gathered  some  of  his  military  flock  about 
him,  and  was  proceeding  to  perform  suita- 
ble obsequies  over  the  ‘ first  martyr,’  but 
Prescott  ordered  that  the  men  should 
disperse  to  their  work,  and  the  deceased 
be  buried  immediately.”  The  object  of 
the  colonel  was,  no  doubt,  to  remove  as 
soon  as  possible  from  the  thoughts  of  his 
agitated  men  this  by  no  means  unusual 
event  of  battle,  upon  which  they  were 
disposed  to  dwell  with  a persistency  of 
grief  quite  unsuitable  and  inconvenient 
to  the  occasion. 

The  British  troops  now  began  to  move, 
and  evidently  with  the  view  of  attacking 
the  American  works  on  Breed’s  hill.  Gen- 
eral Gage  had  held  a council  of  his  offi- 
cers in  the  morning,  when  there  was  a 
dispute  respecting  the  plan  of  operations. 
Some,  of  whom  Clinton  was  one,  had  ex- 
pressed themselves  strongly  in  favor  of 
landing  in  the  rear,  and,  by  thus  cutting 


1G6 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


off  the  retreat  of  the  patriots  from  the 
liill,  proposed  to  hem  them  in  within  the 
peninsula  between  two  British  fires : oth- 
ers, and  among  them  Gage,  who  decided 
the  question,  were  for  crossing  directly 
from  Boston,  and  attacking  them  in  front. 
This  was  the  bolder  expedient,  but  far 
the  more  dangerous,  and  which  would 
probably  never  have  been  entertained, 
had  it  not  been  for  tha  general’s  absurd 
contempt  of  the  proAvess  of  the  provin- 
cials. 

The  Americans  heard  the  commotion 
in  the  British  camp  with  some  degree  of 
anxiety.  As  the  sound  of  the  Avheels  of 
the  artillery-AvagOiis  rattling  in  the  streets 
)f  Boston,  and  of  the  beating  to  quarters 
of  the  troops  with  drum  and  fife,  came 
across  the  waters,  it  startled  the  raw  mi- 
litia Avith  such  an  alarming  expectation 
of  approaching  battle,  that  they  began  to 
shoAV  considerable  solicitude  for  relief 
Their  officers  noAV  urged  again  upon  Pres- 
cott to  send  to  General  Ward  for  fresh 
men  as  substitutes  for  those  on  the 
ground,  who  Avere  completely  AAmrn  out 
by  the  night’s  fatigue  and  the  Avant  of 
refreshment.  Prescott  AAmuld  not  listen 
to  anything  Avhich  should  depriAm  the 
men  then  under  his  command  of  the  glo- 
ry Avhich  he  earnestly  believed  Avould  be 
the  result  of  the  day,  but  Avas  induced  to 
send  a messenger,  soliciting  reinforce- 
ments and  a supply  of  provisions. 

Ward  had  been  already  urged  to  send 
aid  to  Prescott  early  in  the  morning,  by 
General  Putnam,  Avdiose  experienced  eye 
saw  that  the  struggle  Avas  to  be  on  the 
hill,  and  that  the  day  Avould  be  a hard 
one.  The  general  had  consented,  some- 


LPART  IT. 

Avhat  unAvillingly,  and  had  ordered  Stark 
and  Reed,  with  the  NeAV-IIampshire  men, 
to  reinforce  Prescott.  These  Avere  on 
their  march  Avhen  the  messenger  arrived 
from  the  hill.  Ward  now  refused  to  send 
any  more,  as  he  Avas  convinced  that  the 
British  attack  Avas  to  be  in  his  OAvn  direc- 
tion, and  not  against  the  American  forti- 
fications on  Breed’s  hill. 

As  the  day  advanced,  the  British  suc- 
ceeded, by  means  of  the  flood-tide,  in 
floating  in  toAvard  the  CharlestoAvn  pen- 
insula several  batteries,  by  Avhich,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  ships,  they  Avere  enabled 
greatly  to  increase  their  fire.  The  pro- 
vincials, however,  took  no  further  notice 
of  the  cannonade,  than  by  an  occasional 
return-shot  from  a single  gun  in  their  re- 
doubt. They  Avent  on  Avith  their  Avork 
until  eleven  o’clock,  Avhen  they  stopped 
from  their  labors,  and,  having  laid  aside 
their  intrenching-tools, anxiously  aAvaited 
the  arrival  of  the  expected  refreshments 
and  reinforcements  from  Cambridge. 

General  Putnam  now  rode  up  to  the 
redoubt,  and,  hurrying  to  Colonel  Pres- 
cott, told  him  that  the  intrenching-tools 
must  be  sent  off,  or  they  Avould  be  lost. 
The  colonel  replied  that,  if  he  sent  any 
of  the  men  aAvay  Avith  the  tools,  not  one 
of  them  would  return.  To  this  the  gen- 
eral ansAvered,  “ They  shall  every  man 
return !”  A large  party  Avas  then  sent 
off  Avith  the  tools,  and  not  one  of  them 
returned  ! Some  of  the  tools,  hoAvever 
and  men  to  use  tliem,  got  no  farther  than 
Bunker’s  hill,  Avhere  Putnam  jAut  them  to 
good  service  in  raising  a breastAvork. 

At  about  noon,  the  British  became  ac- 
tive in  their  preparations  for  attack.  The 


KEVOLCTIONAUY.J  CHARACTER  OF  GENERAL  HOWE.  1G7 


inen-of-war  were  hauled  closer  in  toward 
tlie  Charlestown  shore,  and  their  guns 
began  to  play  briskly  along  the  low  lands 
opposite  to  the  north  end  of  Boston, 
where  the  British  troops  were  embarking 
in  their  boats  and  barges.  Under  the 
cover  of  this  fire  from  the  ships,  and  a 
continued  cannonade  from  the  battery 
June  17  Copp’s  hill,  the  troops  left  the 
Boston  side,  and  began  to  cross 
the  river.  The  barges,  twenty-eight  in 
number,  crowded  with  soldiers,  moved 
regularly  across  in  parallel  lines.  It  was 
a bright  summer’s  day,  and  the  mid-day 
sun  was  pouring  down  a flood  of  light, 
which  glowed  brilliantly  in  the  stream, 
and  upon  the  flashing  accoutrements  of 
the  English  officers  and  soldiers  in  their 
uniforms  of  scarlet,  and  with  their  pol- 
i.slied  arms  and  gilded  ornaments.  The 
troops  were  three  thousand  of  the  choi- 
cest of  Gage’s  army,  and  were  led  by 
Major-General  Howe. 

William  Howe  was  a younger  brother 
of  the  gallant  earl  who  fell  at  Ticonder- 
oga  in  1758.  So  greatly  had  that  youth- 
ful nobleman  endeared  himself,  by  his 
amiable  qualities,  to  the  Americans,  while 
fighting  with  them  in  the  common  cause 
against  the  French,  that  they  now  saw 
with  exceeding  pain  his  brother  present- 
ing himself  as  their  enemy.  " America 
is  amazed  to  find  the  name  of  Howe  in 
the  catalogue  of  her  enemies ; she  loved 
his  brother,”  were  the  warm  words  of  an 
address  of  the  continental  Congress  to 
the  people  of  Ireland.  William  Howe 
himself,  however,  was  not  the  man  to 
sympathize  strongly  with  any  sentimen- 
tal affection.  He  was  a careless,  good- 


natured  man,  “ the  most  indolent  of  mor- 
tals, and  never  took  further  pains  to  ex- 
amine the  merits  or  demerits  of  the  cause 
in  which  he  was  engaged  than  merely  to 
recollect  that  Great  Britain  was  said  to 
be  the  mother-country ; George  HI.  king 
of  Great  Britain  ; that  the  king  and  Par- 
liament formed  the  supreme  power ; that 
a supreme  poiver  is  absolute  and  uncon- 
trollable ; that  all  resistance  must  conse- 
quently be  rebellion  ; but,  above  all,  that 
he  was  a soldier,  and  bound  to  obey  in 
all  cases  wdiatever.”*  Being  a younger 
son,  he  Avas  “provided  for”  by  a commis- 
sion in  the  army,  and,  confidently  trust- 
ing to  the  influence  of  his  aristocratic 
family  for  advancement,  gave  himself  lit- 
tle a xiety  about  the  present  or  the  fu- 
ture. He  was  brave,  like  all  his  race, 
and  Avith  his  handsome  figure,  six  feet  in 
height,  and  his  frank,  chivalrous  air,  made 
a gallantrlooking  officer.  He  had  no  pre- 
tensions, hoAvever,  to  the  genius  Avhich 
can  conceive  great  enterprises,  and  bring 
them  to  triumphant  results.  He  had  nei- 
ther the  active  sympathy  Avith  the  good, 
of  the  young  lord  avIio  fell  at  Ticonder- 
oga,  nor  the  administrative  ability  and 
energy  of  Admiral  Howe  (at  this  time 
the  earl);  but,  like  his  tAvo  brothers,  he 
possessed  courage,  and,  as  that  Avas  all 
that  Avas  required  in  the  present  emer- 
gency, he  had  the  spirit  equal  to  the  oc- 
casion. Lee  dashes  off  his  character  thus; 
“ He  is  naturally  good-humored,  complai- 
sant, but  illiterate  and  indolent  to  the  last 
degree,  unless  as  an  executive  soldier,  in 
Avdiich  capacity  he  is  all  fire  and  activity 
brave  and  cool  as  Julius  Coesar.  flis  un- 

* General  Charles  Lee. 


( 

168  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pakt  h 

derstanding  is  rather  good  than  other- 

but  large  numbers  of  old  men,  women, 

wise ; but  was  totally  confounded  and 

and  children,  whose  sons,  husbands,  and 

stupefied  by  the  immensity  of  the  task 

sires,  had  shouldered  tlmir  muskets,  and 

imposed  upon  him.  He  shut  his  eyes, 

were  aw\aiting  a struggle  which,  brought 

fought  his  battles,  drank  his  bottle,  had 

it  victory  or  defeat,  would  certainly  bring 

his  little advised  with  his  counsellors. 

death  and  sorrow  to  many  a loving  heart. 

received  his  orders,  shut  his  eyes,  fought 

The  bells  of  the  churches  and  college  at 

{igain.” 

Cambridge  were  ringing ; drums  beat  in 

Howe  succeeded  in  landing  his  men 

the  American  camp ; and  horses  clattered 

in  admirable  order  on  the  Charlestown 

through  the  streets,  bearing  messengers 

, , ^ shore,  and  drew  them  up  in  three 

with  orders  for  the  commanders  to  assem- 

lines.  Covered  as  they  were  by 

ble  their  regiments  and  prepare  to  march. 

the  British  men-of-w^ar  and  batteries,  no 

Adjutantswere  seen  riding  fast  from  point 

attempt  was  made  by  the  patriots  to  dis- 

to  point.  One  comes  by  at  full  gallop. 

pute  their  landing;  and  they  quietly  took 

“ What  is  the  matter  ?”  shouts  a youth. 

up  tlieir  position  at  the  bottom  of  Breed’s 

coming  quietly  out  of  his  lodgings  after 

hill  at  the  north,  without  even  a musket- 

dinner.  “ Have  you  not  heard  ?” — “ No.” 

shot  being  fired.  How^e  now  reconnoi- 

— “ Why,  the  regulars  are  landing  at 

tred  the  American  fortificatiuiis,  and,  find- 

Charlestown,  and  we  are  all  to  meet  and 

ing  them  more  formidable  than  he  had 

march  immediately  to  Bunkers  hill,  to 

supposed,  thought  it  would  be  necessary 

oppose  the  enemy.”  The  adjutant  puts 

to  have  reinforcements  before  he  could 

spurs  to  his  horse,  and  is  away,  shouting. 

eftectually  perform  the  duty  of  the  day. 

“ Turn  out ! turn  out !”  The  youth  waits 

wdiich  was,  “ to  drive  the  rebels  from  their 

not,  but  runs,  gets  his  arms  and  ammuni- 

works.”  He  accordingly  sent  to  Gage 

tion,  and  hastens  to  his  company  in  the 

for  more  troops  and  ammunition,  as,  by 

church  where  it  has  its  barrack,  and  finds 

a stupid  blunder,  the  cartridges  he  had 

his  comrades  almost  ready  for  the  march. 

brougiit  with  him  were  too  big  for  his 

They  are  soon  equipped  with  their  frocks 

fieldpieces ! In  the  meantime,  refresh- 

and  trousers  of  “blue  turned  up  with  red,” 

mcnts  were  plentifully  distributed  to  the 

drawn  over  their  other  clothes ; for  they 

men,  who  were  allowed  to  stack  their 

are  loth,  with  a rising  martial  pride,  to 

arms,  and  gather  in  groups  upon  the 

expose  themselves  in  other  than  a mili- 

grass,  while  they  ate  and  drank  to  their 

tary  trim.  Thus  prepared,  off  they  start. 

fill. 

General  Putnam,  who  seemed  to  be  ev- 

The  landing,  however,  of  the  British 

ery where  that  day  (riding  hurriedly  now 

troops  at  Charlestown,  though  unresisted. 

to  Bunker’s  hill  and  urging  on  his  favor- 

created  a great  commotion  in  Cambridge, 

ite  work  there,  now  to  Breed’s,  and  then 

where  General  Ward  had  his  headquar- 

to  Cambridge),  at  this  moment  came  gal- 

ters,  and  where  were  gathered,  not  only 

loping  his  horse  to  headquarters,  and,  or- 

the  main  body  of  the  provincial  troops. 

dering  out  those  of  the  Connecticut  men 

r 

REVOLUTIONART.J  WARREN  TO  THE  RESCUE.  169 

that  were  left,  led  them  forward  to  the 

was  natural  that  a raw  militia,  under  such 

aid  of  Prescott  on  the  heights.  General 

circumstances,  should  be  disheartened, 

^yard,  retaining  two  or  three  regiments 

and,  wanting  self-confidence,  should  tern- 

to  protect  Cambridge,  sent  on  the  remain- 

porarily  lose  trust  in  their  leaders.  A 

der  of  the  Massachusetts  troops  to  Charles- 

the  reinforcements  did  not  come,  as  the 

town. 

supply  of  provisions  fiiiled  them,  they  not 

The  patriots  on  the  hill,  still  without 

unnaturally  became  disaffected.  They 

reinforcements,  and  with  but  a scanty 

were,  however,  now  cheered  by  the  time- 

supply  of  refreshments,  looked  down  from 

ly  arrival  of  Generals  Warren  and  Pome- 

their  intrenchments  upon  the  brilliant 

roy,  who  as  they  came  in  were  welcomed 

array  of  the  enemy  below  them  with  re- 

with  loud  hurrahs.  These  were  true  pa- 

spectful  awe,  and  almost  wdth  envy,  as. 

triots,  whom  none,  the  most  suspicious. 

half  famished  themselves,  they  beheld  the 

ever  doubted.  Their  assurances  of  ap- 

“red-coats”  making  jolly  over  their  abun- 

proaching  aid,  and  their  own  resolute  dec- 

dant  food  and  “ bucketfuls  of  grog.”  The 

laration  to  share  as  volunteers  in  the  dan- 

patriots  became  irritable  and  suspicious. 

gers  of  the  day,  soon  dispelled  all  suspi- 

and  even  charged  their  leaders  with  wan- 

cion,  and  encouraged  the  men  to  renewed 

tonly  exposing  them  to  destruction.  The 

hope  and  confidence.  The  ever-active 

men  were  almost  exhausted  by  fatigue 

Putnam,  too,  came  riding  in,  cheering  aU 

and  hunger ; they  were  conscious  of  their 

by  his  hearty  words  and  his  undaunted 

inexperience  as  soldiers ; they  saw  a for- 

bearing,  and  then  galloping  away  again. 

midable  British  force,  with  its  immense 

to  hurry  on  the  approaching  reinforce 

resources  of  art,  threatening  them.  It 

nients. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Tlie  Works  on  Bunker’s  Hill  described. — The  Approach  of  the  British  Troops. — Arrival  of  Warren. — Howe’s  Address 

to  his  Soldiers. — The  Struffgle. — The  British  repulsed. — 

■“Old  Put’’ at  the  Guns. — Cheers  of  Victory. — The  British 

ay:ain  driven  back. — Charlestown  set  on  Fire. — General  Clinton  volunteers. — Another  Attack  and  Repulse. — The  Sub- 
limity of  the  Scene. — A Final  Rally  of  the  British. — The  Last  Struggle,  and  Retreat  of  the  Provincials. — Howe  does 
not  pursue. — The  Dead  and  Wounded. — The  Moral  Victorv  of  the  Provincials  at  Bunker’s  Hill. — Death  of  Warren, 

and  the  Public  Grief. — His  History. — The  English  Loss. 

j j The  patriots,  with  renewed  spirit, 

three  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  , 

indulged  less  in  despairing  reflec- 

and  the  British  might  be  expect- 

tions  about  the  formidable  aspect  of  the 

ed  at  any  moment,  the  fortifications  on 

enemy  which  threatened  them,  and  set 

Bunker’s  hill  were  by  no  means  complete 

to  work  in  making  further  preparations 

The  redoubt  which  had  been  built  was 

for  defence.  Although  it  was  as  late  as 
22 

small,  being  only  eight  rods  square  j and 

r 1 

, J 

170 

although  tolerably  strong  in  front,  with 
its  projecting  angles,  it  was  weaker  on 
the  other  sides.  On  the  east  was  a large 
field,  which  was  commanded  by  the  guns 
of  the  redoubt  on  that  side.  Continuous 
with  this  eastern  side  of  the  redoubt,  a 
breastwork  extended  a hundred  yards 
north,  to  what  was  called  ‘‘  The  Slough.” 
Beyond  this  slough  there  was  a space  of 
some  three  hundred  feet  entirely  unpro- 
tected ; while,  still  fixrther  on,  there  was 
a rail-fence.  The  redoubt  and  the  breast- 
work were  cannon-proof  The  rail-fence 
merely  offered  a partial  cover  to  a marks- 
man, and  could  not  be  styled  a defence, 
though  it  might  slightly  obstruct  the  ap- 
proach of  the  enemy.  Thus,  to  tlie  north 
of  the  breastwork  from  the  ridge  of  the 
hill  down  to  the  water’s  edge  of  the  Mys- 
tic river,  there  was  nothing  but  a rail- 
fence  ; and  in  this  direction  there  offered 
an  opportunity  for  the  British  to  approach 
in  security. 

Howe  began  now  to  move  his  troops ; 
and,  as  his  right  wing  seemed  to  be  ta- 
king a direction  along  the  shore,  which 
was  thought  to  indicate  the  design  of 
making  a flank  movement  through  the 
unprotected  approach  at  the  north,  Pres- 
cott ordered  Captain  Knowlton,  with  his 
Connecticut  men,  to  go  down  the  hill  and 
prepare  to  oppose  the  British  advance  in 
that  direction.  Knowlton  marched  and 
took  up  his  position  to  the  rear  of  the 
redoubt,  on  the  low  ground  which  sepa- 
rated like  a shallow  valley  the  two  hills 
of  Bunker  and  Breed.  Here  he  found  a 
rail-fence,  which  topped  a foot-wall  of 
stone,  and,  with  ready  Yankee  ingenuity, 
turmM  it  into  a very  tolerable  breast- 


LI’AUT  II 

work.  Having  gathered  together  a num- 
ber of  rails,  he  erected  another  fence,  be- 
hind the  original  one,  and  filled  in  the 
space  between  them  with  new-mown  hay 
which  he  found  ready  to  his  hand  in  the 
neighboring  fields. 

While  the  Connecticut  men  were  thus 
engaged  in  their  novel  style  of  construct- 
ing a fortification.  Stark  came  to  their 
aid  with  his  New-Hampshire  men.  He 
had  been  long  in  crossing  from  Medford, 
whence  he  had  set  out  early  by  the  or- 
ders of  General  Ward.  As  he  was  com- 
ing deliberately  along  Charlestown  neck, 
and  the  British  man-of-war  which  com- 
manded that  point  was  blazing  at  him 
and  his  troops,  an  officer  suggested  to 
Stark  that  it  might  be  well  to  quicken 
their  march.  But  the  veteran  shook  hi> 
head,  and  replied,  “ One  fresh  man  in  ao 
tion  is  Avorth  ten  fatigued  ones.”  His 
troops  continued  their  sIoav  and  regular 
step  as  before.  When  Stark  reached  the 
ground,  he  addressed  a few  pithy  words 
to  his  men,  and,  after  sending  some  of 
them  to  aid  General  Putnam  at  the  works 
upon  Bunker’s  hill,  set  the  rest  to  labor 
with  Knowlton’s  party  at  the  rail-and- 
hay  battery. 

When  the  struggle  Avas  about  to  com- 
mence, Warren  stationed  himself  in  the 
redoubt.  As  he  came  in,  he  was  offered 
by  Prescott  the  chief  command,  but  de- 
clined, saying,  " I am  come  to  fight  as  a 
volunteer,  and  feel  honored  in  being  al- 
loAved  to  serve  under  so  able  a command- 
er.” Pomeroy  Avent  doAAm  to  do  duty  at 
the  rail-fence,  and  here  Warren  had  also 
gone  and  remained  momentarily,  Avhen 
the  command  there  was  likewise  offered 


LAT'lLES  OF  AMERICA. 


KKVOLUTIONAUT.J  THE  FIRST  ONSET 

him.  “ No,”  he  replied ; “ I only  wish  to 
know  where  I can  be  of  most  service  as 
a private  soldier.” — "The  redoubt,”  said 
General  Putnam,  who  also  remarked  that 
he  would  be  there  under  cover.  " Don’t 
think  I seek  a place  of  safety ! where  will 
the  attack  be  the  hottest?”  sharply  re- 
joined Warren.  Putnam  again  replied  : 
“ The  redoubt,  for  that  is  the  enemy’s  ob- 
ject; and,  if  that  can  be  maintained,  the 
day  is  ours.”  This  decided  Warren,  and 
he  returned  to  the  redoubt ; but  nothing 
would  induce  him  to  take  the  command, 
as,  although  he  had  been  chosen  general, 
he  had  not  yet  received  his  commission. 

This  was  now  the  disposition  of  the 
American  force  at  the  moment  of  acting. 
Colonel  Prescott  was  at  the  redoubt  and 
breastwork,  with  the  Massachusetts  part 
of  the  detachment  which  had  arrived  on 
the  ground  the  evening  before,  and  had 
raised  the  fortifications.  The  Connecti- 
cut troops,  under Knowlton,  together  with 
the  New-Hampshire  men,  commanded  by 
Stark,  were  at  the  rail-fence  battery ; and 
here  also,  for  a time,  was  General  Putnam. 
Captains  Gridley  and  Callender  had  their 
artillery-company  and  fieldpieces  posted 
at  the  exposed  space  between  the  breasb 
work  and  the  rail-fence.  As  a reinforce- 
ment of  Massachusetts  troops  came  up  at 
the  last  moment,  some  of  them  entered 
the  redoubt,  while  others  planted  them- 
selves on  the  outside,  to  the  right. 

The  British  forces  having  remained  at 
Moulton’s  point,  where  they  landed,  un- 
til they  had  received  the  reinforcements 
arid  ammunition  which  had  been  sent  for 
to  Boston,  now  prepared,  at  three  o’clock 
in  the  afternoon,  to  make  the  assault  on 


AT  BUNKER’S  HILL.  171 

the  American  works  upon  Breed’s  hill. 
Ills  troops  being  draAvn  up, General  Ilowe 
rode  in  front  and  addre.ssed  them:  — 

" Gentlemen,  I am  very  happy  in  hav- 
ing the  honor  of  commanding  so  fine  a 
body  of  men.  I do  not  in  the  least  doubt 
but  that  you  will  behave  like  English- 
men, and  as  becometh  good  soldiers. 

" If  the  enemy  will  not  come  from  their 
intrenchments,  we  must  drive  them  out, 
at  all  events ; otherwise  the  town  of  Bos- 
ton will  be  set  on  fire  by  them ! 

" I shall  not  desire  one  of  you  to  go  a 
step  farther  than  where  I go  myself  at 
your  head ! 

"Remember,  gentlemen,  we  have  no 
recourse  to  any  resources,  if  we  lose  Bos- 
ton, but  to  go  on  board  our  ships,  which 
will  be  very  disagreeable  to  us  all !” 

These  spirited  words  were  received  by 
the  soldiers  with  a hearty  cheer,  and  then 
the  army  began  to  move.  The  left  wing, 
under  General  Pigot,  was  to  advance  up 
the  hill  in  face  of  the  redoubt,  and  at- 
tempt to  take  it  by  assault.  Howe  him- 
self was  to  lead  the  right  wing  against 
the  American  lines  at  the  rail-fence,  and 
thus  endeavor,  by  a flank  movement,  to 
surround  the  rear  and  cut  off  the  retreat 
from  the  works. 

This  disposition  having  been  made,  the 
march  began.  Howe  orders  his  artillery 
on  the  flank  to  fire ; and  simultaneously 
the  English  ships,  the  floating  batteries, 
and  Copp’s  hill,  join  in  with  a furious  can- 
nonade, in  order  to  cover  the  British  ad 
vance.  The  people  in  Boston,  crowding 
the  tops  of  the  houses  and  churche.s,  are 
listening  to  the  thundering  cannon  with 
stifled  hearts;  and  watching,  at  every 


]72  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA  | part  ii. 


brcjik  in  the  thick  smoke,  with  eager 
glance,  to  catch  a sight  of  the  slightest 
movement.  On  Copp’s  hill  stand  the  two 
T5ritish  generals  Clinton  and  Biirgoyne, 
coolly  contemplating  with  professional 
interest  the  military  manoeuvres,  and  not 
for  a moment  doubting  the  success  of  the 
British  regulars. 

flowe’s  artillery  soon  ceased  its  fire ; 
not,  however,  before  it  had  silenced  the 
guns  of  Gridley  and  Callender  on  the 
hill.  The  latter  even  withdrew  to  Bun- 
ker’s hill,  declaring  that  his  cartridges 
were  useless  from  being  too  large.  Here 
he  was  confronted  by  the  ubiquitous  Put- 
nam, who  would  listen  to  no  excuses,  and 
ordered  him  back  to  his  post  on  Breed’s. 
The  panic-stricken  Callender,  however, 
did  not  return,  and  his  men  abandoned 
him  in  contempt.  Ilis  fieldpieces  were 
then,  by  the  order  of  Putnam,  dragged 
by  some  of  his  own  men  to  the  rail-fence, 
and  there  posted  for  its  defence.  Howe’s 
artillery  had  ceased  its  fire,  on  account 
of  another  stupid  blunder,  twelve-pound 
balls  having  been  for  the  most  part  sup- 
plied in  lieu  of  six-pound,  which  the  guns 
required.  They  were  then  ordered  to  be 
charged  with  grape.  The  artillery- wag- 
ons, however,  got  mired  at  the  base  of 
the  hill,  and  became  fixed  in  a position 
where  the  guns  were  of  little  service 

General  Pigot  wms  now  advancing  up 
the  hill,  at  a deliberate  and  regular  pace. 
His  men  began  at  once  to  fire,  although 
they  were  at  a great  distance,  and  con- 
tinued to  discharge  their  muskets  as  fast 
as  they  could  load  them,  and  at  every 
step  forward.  The  Americans  had  been 
ordered  not  to  return  a shot  until  the 


British  were  within  thirty  or  forty  paces. 
“ Powder  is  scarce,  and  must  not  be  wasG 
ed  !” — “Fire  low:  aim  at  the  waistbands!” 
— “ Wait  until  you  see  the  white  of  their 
eyes!” — “Aim  at  the  handsome  coats!” 
— “ Pick  off  the  commanders !”  Such  were 
the  expedient  but  rather  unmilitary  or- 
ders hurriedly  given  by  raw  officers  to 
raw  men.  Some  of  the  provincials,  how- 
ever, lost  patience,  and  began  to  return 
the  British  fire.  Colonel  Prescott  angrily 
rebuked  them  for  their  disobedience;  and 
some  of  his  officers  sprang  on  the  top  of 
tlie  parapet  of  the  redoubt,  and  kicked 
up  the  muskets  which  the  men  were  lev- 
elling, and  about  to  let  off! 

Pigot  had  now  brought  his  grenadiers 
quite  close  to  the  works,  when  Prescott 
ordered  his  whole  line  to  fire.  The  effect 
of  the  volley  was  murderous,  for,  as  each 
American  was  a marksman,  hardly  a gun 
mi.ssed  its  aim.  The  British,  however, 
quickly  filled  in  the  empty  places  of  their 
dead,  and,  firmly  holding  their  ground, 
returned  the  fire,  but  with  little  damage 
to  the  Americans,  who  were  protected  by 
their  redoubt  and  breastwork.  The  sec- 
ond volley,  which  is  even  more  effective 
than  the  first,  is  so  terrible,  that  the  ene- 
my are  staggered,  confused,  and  driven 
back  in  flight.  The  officers  run  down 
after  their  men,  and,  brandishing  their 
swords,  passionately  urge  them  back. 
They  succeed  in  rallying  them  again  to 
face  the  redoubt,  but  are  once  more  re- 
pulsed ; and  Pigot,  agonized  by  the  car- 
nage, and  hopeless  of  success,  orders  a 
retreat.  The  Americans  shouted  out  a 
loud  and  triumphant  hurrah  as  the  ene- 
my retired. 


rticvoLiiTiONARY.]  CHARLESTOWN  IN  FLAMES.  17.3 

1 

While  Pigot  was  thus  repulsed  in  front, 
Howe  was  marching  his  right  wing  in 
confidence  against  the  left  of  the  Ameri- 
cans. These  latter  were  ready  for  the  en- 
emy ; and  as  soon  as  the  British  showed 
themselves,  General  Putnam  ordered  the 
artillery  abandoned  by  the  inefficient  Cal- 
lender to  fire,  which  was  done  with  ex- 
cellent effect,  “Old  Put”  himself  pointing 
the  pieces.  As  the  enemy  advanced,  but 
when  still  at  some  distance,  several  of  the 
provincials,  contrary  to  orders,  began  to 
fire.  Putnam,  however,  soon  put  a stop 
to  this,  declaring  he  would  strike  down 
the  next  man  who  dared  to  disobey.  The 
premature  musket -balls  succeeded  in 
drawing  the  fire  of  the  British  lines,  which 
then  began  a regular  succession  of  vol- 
leys ; but  their  shots  were  too  high,  and 
passed  over  the  heads  of  the  Americans. 

The  eager  provincial  marksmen  were 
now  permitted  to  return  the  enemy’s  fire, 
which  they  did  with  the  usual  efficacy  of 
such  good  shots.  Each  man  rested  his 
musket  upon  the  fence,  and,  deliberately 
taking  aim,  did  not  fail  to  bring  down  his 
victim.  The  officers  were  here,  as  at  the 
redoubt,  picked  off  the  first.  “ There ! 
see  that  officer!” — “Let  us  have  a shot 
at  him  1”  they  cried,  in  their  eager  rival- 
ry to  shoot.  The  execution  was  as  ter- 
rible as  it  was  sure  ; and  the  British  ranks 
were  so  affrighted  by  the  carnage,  that 
they  began  to  retreat  in  dismtler,  after 
the  verj?^  first  volley.  The  Americans 
were  in  high  spirits,  to  which  they  gave 
vent  in  cheers  of  victory. 

When  these  repulses,  so  disheartening 
to  the  British,  were  observed  by  Gage, 
he  determined  to  fulfil  a purpose  which 

he  had  resolved  upon  before  the  strug- 
gle. This  purpose  was,  to  burn  Charles- . 
town.  Orders  were  now  given  to  the 
battery  at  Copp’s  hill  to  shower  shells 
upon  the  town ; and  soon,  as  the  houses 
and  buildings  were  of  wood,  the  whole 
place  was  in  a blaze.  Simultaneously, 
Howe  and  Pigot  had  rallied  their  troops, 
and  were  commencing  a second  assault. 
General  Clinton,  who  had  been  so  coolly 
looking  on  from  the  heights  of  Copp’s 
hill  in  the  beginning,  no  sooner  observed 
the  repulse  of  his  boasted  regulars,  than, 
without  awaiting  orders,  he  jumped  into 
a boat,  crossed  the  river,  and  hurried  to 
the  aid  of  his  comrades. 

The  Americans,  too,  in  confident  en- 
thusiasm, were  spiritedly  preparing  for 
the  renewed  strirngle.  Colonel  Prescott 
was  encouraging  his  troops  with  well- 
deserved  jiraise,  and  urging  them  to  obe- 
dience in  regard  to  the  reserve  of  their 
fire.  The  busy  Putnam  had  galloped  off 
for  reinforcements,  and  was  back  with  a 
few  stragglers  only.  He  inspirited  his 
men,  however,  who  had  done  their  duty 
so  well  before,  with  promises  of  the  same 
success  on  the  same  good  conduct  in  the 
coming  action. 

The  struggle  again  began.  The  Brit- 
ish troops  seemed  resolved  on  victory, 
but  did  not  alter  their  plans  of  attack. 

As  before,  Pigot  was  moving  up  the  hill 
in  front  of  the  redoubt,  and  Howe  was 
renewing  his  flank  movement.  The  well- 
disciplined  regulars  marched  slowly  and 
steadily  to  their  work. 

To  the  beholder,  the  whole  scene  of 
action  was  terrific.  General  Burgoync. 
who  was  a looker-on  from  the  battery  at 

- 

174 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PART  II 


Copp's  hill,  said  : “ Sure  I am,  nothing 
ever  has  been  or  can  be  more  dreadfully 
terrible  than  what  was  to  be  seen  or 
heard  at  this  time.  The  most  incessant 
discharge  that  ever  was  heard  by  mortal 
ears  ! . . . Terrilile  indeed  was  that  scene,” 
he  repeats,  “ even  at  our  distance.  The 
western  horizon  was  one  huge  body  of 
smoke,  and  in  the  evening  a continued 
blaze ; and  the  perpetual  sound  of  can- 
non and  volleys  of  musketry  worked  up 
our  imaginations  to  a high  degree  of 

o o o 

fright.”  Tlie  scene  was  no  doubt  terrific, 
but  the  patriots  beheld  it  without  dismay, 
though  not  without  indignation.  The 
provincial  troops  were  not  even  inconve- 
nienced, for.  as  the  summer  breeze  quick- 
ened toward  evening,  the  dark  clouds  of 
smoke  were  driven  aside,  and  the  enemy 
so  revealed  to  view,  that  each  American 
musket  could  mark  its  victim  in  the  clear 
light  of  the  summer  afternoon. 

The  British  came  on  as  before,  firing 
at  every  step  as  they  advanced.  The 
Americans,  more  obedient  than  on  the 
former  occasion,  reserved  their  fire  until 
the  enemy  were  close  to  them,  and  then 
sent  forth  a murderous  volley.  The  Brit- 
ish troops  bore  it  well,  notwithstanding 
its  fatal  effect  upon  their  ranks,  and  held 
their  grohnd.  The  second  volley  stag- 
gered them,  however,  and  sent  them  fly- 
ing back.  Their  officers  did  their  best  to 
rally  them  — ordering,  threatening,  and 
even  trying  to  goad  them  back  to  their 
duty  with  the  points  of  their  swords.  It 
was,  however,  all  in  vain : the  men  fled 
to  the  bottom  of  the  hill.  Howe  was  con- 
spicuous among  the  officers  in  their  efforts 
ro  encourage  the  troops  by  their  words 


and  own  daring  example.  He  was  con- 
stantly in  the  van  during  the  attack  up- 
on the  fence ; and,  as  one  after  another 
of  his  aids  was  shot  down,  and  his  men 
were  falling  back,  he  was  left  almost 
alone,  exposed  as  a prominent  mark  to 
the  whole  American  line  of  sharp-shootr 
ers.  But  neither  his  example,  his  com- 
mands, nor  his  threats,  could  induce  his 
troops  to  advance  in  the  face  of  the  ter- 
rible fire  of  their  foes.  They  continued 
their  retreat,  and  in  great  disorder ; some 
even  rushed  to  the  shore,  fiiid  sprang  in- 
to the  boats. 

At  this  moment,  the  thousands  of  pa- 
triots who  beheld  the  scene,  from  every 
neighboring  point  of  view,  were  cheered 
with  almost  certain  hope  of  final  victory  ; 
while  the  British  looked  on  from  Boston 
with  anxious  alarm.  Burgoyne,  who  was 
a witness  of  the  whole  action  from  Copp’s 
hill,  acknoAvledged  that  the  moment  was 
critical,  for  he  saw  that  Howe’s  forces 
were  staggered.  He  declared  loudly  that 
it  would  require  the  utmost  exertion  of 
all  the  officers,  from  the  generals  down 
to  the  subalterns,  to  repair  the  disorder 
which  the  hot  and  unexpected  fire  of  the 
Americans  had  ]:roduced.  A long  pause 
now  ensued,  while  Howe  and  his  gener- 
als were  striving  to  reform  their  disor- 
dered troops. 

Prescott,  in  the  meanwhile,  pointing  to 
the  heaps  of  the  dead  and  dying,  which 
lay  scattered  on  the  hill  to  within  a few 
yards  of  the  works,  reminded  his  men  of 
the  good  service  they  had  done,  and  en- 
couraged them  to  meet  with  the  same 
spirit  the  next  attack.  “ If  they  are 
driven  back  once  more,”  said  he,  “ they 


r 

REVOLUTiONARY.J  THE  LAST  ASSAULT.  175 


will  never  rally  again.”  The  men  an- 
swered him  with  a cheer,  and  cried  out, 
“ We  are  ready  for  the  red-coats  again  !” 
The  colonel,  however,  felt  more  anxiety 
than  he  cared  to  express.  He  knew  that 
the  ammunition  was  failing ; and  so  long 
had  he  been  expecting  in  vain  the  arri- 
val of  reinforcements,  that  he  almost  gave 
up  all  hope  of  any  aid  reaching  him  in 
time.  The  British  still  hesitated  about 
renewing  the  attack ; and  the  pause  ap- 
peared so  long,  that  the  Americans  began 
to  hope  that  the  work  of  the  day  was 
over,  and  that  the  victory  was  theirs. 

While  Prescott  was  anxiously  await- 
ing reinforcements,  Putnam  was  doing  his 
best  to  bring  them.  He  rode  to  the  rear 
of  Bunker’s  hill,  and,  meeting  with  a regi- 
ment of  Massachusetts  men,  detailed  some 
(br  work  on  the  fortifications,  and  sent 
the  rest  to  do  duty  at  the  fence.  He 
found  Gridley  falling  back,  with  the  view 
of  covering,  as  he  said,  the  retreat  of  the 
patriots,  and  tried  to  bring  him  to  the 
«:round  ay’ain,  but  did  not  succeed.  Put- 
nam  was  indefatigable,  but  failed  to  get 
the  aid  which  he  hoped,  and  returned  to 
his  post. 

Howe  now  determined  upon  another 
assault.  Some  of  his  officers  loudly  op- 
posed it,  saying  it  would  be  downright 
butchery  to  lead  the  men  against  the  ter- 
rible American  fire.  The  general,  how- 
ever, insisted,  declaring  that  British  hon- 
or was  at  stake.  They  must  “ fight,  con- 
quer,  or  die,”  as  it  would  never  do  for 
English  soldiers  to  give  way  before  a 
rabble  rout  of  rustic  rebels ; and,  besides,” 
he  continued,  “ there  is  no  chance  now  to 
retreat,  as  all  the  boats  are  on  the  other 


side  of  the  river.”  General  Clinton  ar- 
riving at  this  moment,  and  bringing  with 
him  a timely  reinforcement  of  foui  hun- 
dred marines,  the  men  were  encouraged, 
and  resigned  themselves,  though  with  a 
dishe,artened  air,  to  the  seemingly  des- 
perate orders  of  their  commander.  Howe 
had  learned  wisdom  from  the  ‘‘rustics,” 
and  prudently  assumed  their  mode  of 
warfare.  His  troops  were  ordered  to  re- 
serve their  fire  until  close  to  the  works, 
which  it  Avas  now  determined  to  m.ake 
the  main  object  of  attack.  The  .artillery 
Avas,  moreover,  to  be  applied  more  effect- 
ually, and  to  be  brought  up  in  such  a 
position  <as  to  r.ake  the  breastAvork  and 
fence.  Clinton  and  Pi2:ot  AA^ere  to  le.ad 
the  left  division,  against  the  redoubt; 
AA'liile  IIoAA'e  had  reserved  for  himself  and 
his  grenadiers  and  lightrinfiintry  the  at- 
tack on  the  breastAvork. 

The  British  officers  Avere  determined 
to  carry  the  American  Avorks  at  all  haz- 
ards of  toil  and  death.  They  Avere  en- 
couraged by  the  discovery  that  the 
“ rebels  ” Avere  almost  Avithout  .ammuni- 
tion, and  the  fact — from  the  raking  fire 
AAdiich  the  English  ships  and  batteries 
succeeded  in  keeping  up  across  Charles- 
toAvn  neck  — that  the  Americ.ans  had  but 
little  chance  of  receiving  reinforcements. 
The  troops  Avere  ordered,  if  their  fire 
should  prove  ineffectual,  to  carry  the 
Avorks  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  To 
lighten  them  for  this  active  service,  the 
men  Avere  told  to  throAV  off  their  knap- 
sacks ; and  some  of  the  soldiers,  on  that 
hot  d.ay,  stripped  themselves  to  their 
shirt-sleeves. 

Prescott  now  beheld  the  steady  ap- 


176 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PAKT  II. 


proach  of  the  British  with  unusual  anxi- 
ety. His  ammunition  w'as  reduced  to  a 
few  artillery -cartridges.  These  he  or- 
dered to  be  opened,  and  the  powder  they 
contained  to  be  distributed  to  his  troops, 
begging  them  " not  to  waste  a grain  of 
it,  and  to  be  sure  to  make  every  shot 
tell.”  A few  only  of  the  Americans  had 
liayonets  to  their  muskets,  and  these  were 
stationed  at  the  most  exposed  points  of 
tlie  redoubt.  Such  w^ere  the  desperate 
straits  to  which  the  rest  w^ere  reduced 
for  want  of  means  of  defence,  that  they 
collected  together  heaps  of  stone.s,  to  use 
as  missiles  against  the  enemy;  and  the 
men,  laying  hold  by  the  barrels,  bran- 
dished their  muskets,  and  declared  that 
the}^  would  beat  back  the  British  with 
the  butbends. 

Howe  first  made  a show  of  attack  on 
(he  rail-fence,  but  he  soon  concentrated 
his  force  against  the  works.  His  artille- 
ry was  so  brought  to  bear,  that  it  swept 
the  breastwork  from  end  to  end,  and  drove 
its  defenders  into  the  redoubt.  Prescott 
saw  the  success  of  this  manoeuvre,  and 
feared  the  fatal  result.  He  wa.s,  however, 
firm  in  his  determination  to  resist  to  the 
last,  and  continued  resolutely  to  give  his 
orders,  with  his  usual  calmness.  His  men, 
whose  powder  was  reduced  to  little  more 
than  a single  charge  each,  were  again  and 
again  ordered  to  reserve  their  fire  until 
the  latest  moment.  When  the  enemy 
had  reached  within  twenty  yards  of  the 
redoubt,  the  wmrd  ‘‘  Fire  !”  w’as  given,  and 
the  Americans  sent  forth  another  of  their 
volleys,  with  the  usual  terrific  effect : the 
British  ranks  were  broken  by  the  numer- 
ous dead,  and  the  whole  body  staggered 


momentarily  ; but  the  columns  quickly 
formed  again,  and,  without  returning  the 
fire,  advanced  steadily  forward.  As  usual, 
the  English  officers  suffered  the  most  by 
the  American  fire,  several  of  them  having 
been  killed,  and  General  Howe  himself 
wounded  in  the  foot.  He  conirinued,  how- 
ever,  to  lead  on  his  troop.s,  without  giving 
a momentary  regard  to  his  own  suffering. 

The  Americans,  wdth  hardly  any  am- 
munition left,  could  no  longer  fire  their 
fatal  volleys ; and  their  shots  were  so 
scant,  that  the  British  troops  succeeded 
in  marching  up  to  the  redoubt,  and  be- 
gan to  scale  its  walls.  A spirited  young 
Irish  officer  was  the  first  to  mount  the 
parapet,  which  he  had  just  reached,  shoub 
ing,  ‘‘  The  day  is  ours !”  when  he  was  shot 
down,  and  with  him  fell  those  who  had 
immediately  followed.  Major  Pitcairn, 
who  commanded  the  British  in  the  skir- 
mish at  Lexington,  was  among  the  earli 
est  on  the  wall,  and,  as  he  mounted,  cried 
out,  “ Now  for  the  glory  of  the  marines !” 
when  he  was  toppled  over  by  a mortal 
shot,  from  a negro  volunteer. 

The  British  soldiers  now  began  to 
swarm  over,  while  the  Americans  inef- 
fectually attempted  to  resist  them  by 
hurling  stones  at  them.  This  only  en- 
couraged the  enemy,  for  they  w'ere  con- 
scious that  the  ammunition  of  the  re- 
doubt was  exhausted.  The  struggle  now 
was  hand  to  hand.  The  British  had  the 
advantage  of  their  bayonets  and  reserved 
fire,  but  the  Americans  made  a manful 
resistance  with  the  stocks  of  their  mus- 
kets. It  was,  however,  in  vain.  Gener 
al  Pigot  had  succeeded,  by  the  aid  of  a 
tree,  in  mounting  the  wall ; and,  spring- 


r 

KEVOLUTIONARY.]  RETREAT  OF  THE  PROVINCIALS.  177 


ing  down  into  the  redoubt,  was  followed 
by  swarms  of  his  men,  whose  bristling 
bayonets  filled  the  space  within;  and 
their  thronging  steps,  stirring  up  the 
ground,  raised  such  a cloud  of  dust,  that 
the  outlet  of  the  fortress  could  scarcely 
be  seen.  Colonel  Prescott,  seeing  that 
all  hope  of  further  successful  resistance 
was  gone,  ordered  his  men  to  retreat. 
Driven  as  they  were  into  a corner,  it  was 
difficult  for  them  to  get  out.  Some  scram- 
bled over  the  top  of  the  walls,  and  others 
had  to  cut  their  way  through  the  oppo- 
sing enemy.  Prescott  himself  was  the 
last  to  retire,  and  only  succeeded  in  es- 
caping by  striking  down,  with  his  sword, 
bayonet  after  bayonet,  thrust  at  his  life, 
lie  retained  his  martial  bearint>:  throimh- 
out.  “ He  did  not  run,  but  stepped  along, 
with  his  sword  up.”  Notwithstanding  his 
cool  and  deliberate  movements,  he  got 
off  unharmed,  although  both  his  “ banyan 
and  waistcoat  were  perforated  in  several 
places.”* 

As  the  British  took  possession  of  the 
American  works,  they  set  up  a loud  huz- 
za of  triumph.  They  then  reformed,  and 
began  to  fire  upon  the  retreating  provin- 
cials, doing  more  havoc  than  they  had 
yet  done.  Warren  was  at  this  moment 
killed  by  a shot  through  the  head ; and, 
as  he  was  among  the  last  to  leave  the 
works,  there  were  none  to  carry  him  from 
the  field.  Colonel  Gardner  was  killed ; 
Gridley  and  Bridge  were  wounded ; and 
a number  of  other  officers,  with  many 
privates,  sufiered. 

The  Americans  at  the  rail-fence,  in  the 
meanwhile,  had  gallantly  held  their  posi- 

* Frotliinohain. 

23 


tion,  having  resisted  all  attempts  to  turn 
their  flank.  When,  however,  they  saw 
that  the  redoubt  was  in  possession  of  the 
enemy,  and  that  their  comrades  were  in 
full  retreat,  they  also  retired,  but  with 
wonderful  regularity  for  such  raw  troops. 
Their  steady  courage  and  excellent  or- 
der saved  Prescott’s  force  from  being  ex- 
terminated ; for,  by  defending  the  rear, 
they  2:)revented  the  British  troops  from 
surrounding  the  American  main  body, 
and  thus  cutting  off  its  retreat.  General 
Putnam  steadily  withdrew  his  men,  from 
their  position  at  the  base,  up  the  ascent 
of  Bunker’s  hill,  where  he  strove  to  bring 
the  rest  of  the  retreating  forces  to  a stand. 
He  rode  to  the  rear  of  the  troops,  while 
the  British  bullets  were  flying  thick  and 
fast  about  his  head,  and  entreated  them 
to  turn  again  and  front  the  enemy.  “ W 
can  make  a stend  here !”  he  cried ; “ we 
can  stop  them  yet.  In  God’s  name,  form 
and  give  them  one  shot  more !”  The 
slaughter  continued  dreadful ; and  still 
“ Old  Put,”  nothing  daunted,  stopped  an 
artillery-piece,  and,  pointing  it  against 
the  pursuers,  stood  by  it  until  the  Britr 
ish  bayonets  were  almost  at  his  breast. 
Pomeroy,  too,  another  veteran,  planting 
himself  with  his  broken  musket  in  his 
hand  at  the  side  of  the  resolute  Putnam, 
endeavored  by  his  words  and  example  to 
rally  his  retreating  comrades.  The  tor- 
rent, however,  could  not  be  stayed : the 
patriots  continued  their  flight  over  the 
top  and  down  the  side  of  Bunker’s  hill, 
across  Cha)lestown  neck  (terribly  galled 
as  they  fled  by  a fire  from  the  English 
men-of-war  and  batteries),  and  into  the 
J country,  until  they  reached  Cambridge. 


178 

Tlie  Biitisli  did  not  continue  the  pur- 
suit, although  General  Clinton  earnestly 
begged  Howe  to  follow  up  his  success  by 
pushing  on  his  troops  to  Cambridge.  He 
seemed,  however,  satisfied  at  present  with 
his  hardly-earned  victory.  Ilis  men  were 
exhausted  by  the  day’s  work,  and  discour- 
aged by  the  loss  of  their  comrades,  among 
whom  the  carnage  had  been  so  terrible. 
It  was  getting  late,  moreover,  it  being 
past  five  o’clock  when  the  British  in  pur- 
suit reached  Bunker’s  hill.  Here  they 
paused,  and,  receiving  additional  forces 
from  Boston,  spent  the  night  in  raising 
a breastwork  to  protect  the  position. 

When  Colonel  Prescott  reached  Ward’s 
headquarters  at  Cambridge,  he  found  the 
general  in  great  alarm,  lest  the  enemy 
should  advance  upon  him  and  catch  him 
when  so  ill  prepared  for  resistance.  Pres- 
cott, however,  set  his  mind  somewhat  at 
ease,  telling  him  he  did  not  think  that 
the  British  would  lie  in  a very  exulting 
mood  after  that  day’s  success.  The  colo- 
nel, after  receiving  Ward’s  thanks  for  his 
irallant  conduct,  declared  that  it  was  true 
he  had  been  vanquished,  but  that  the  en- 
emy had  no  reason  to  triumph ; for,  if 
the  handful  of  men  under  his  command, 
though  exhausted  by  fatigue  and  hunger, 
had  been  supplied  with  sufficient  ammu- 
nition and  with  bayonets,  he  could  have 
held  his  position.  He  offered,  moreover, 
to  retake  the  hill  that  very  night,  if  fif- 
teen hundred  men,  properly  equipped 
and  supplied,  should  be  given  him.  But 
the  more  cautious  Ward  was  not  disposed 
to  accede  to  this  daring  proposition. 

The  loss  of  the  British  in  killed  and 
wounded,  in  this  momentous  conflict,  was 


[PARP  11. 

at  least  one  thousand  and  fifty-four,  while 
that  of  the  Americans  was  no  more  tliar 
four  hundred  and  fifty. 

Though  forced  to  retreat,  the  Ameri 
cans  gained  a great  moral  victory,  while 
the  British  sustained  equally  a defeat. 
The  raw  militia  had  proved  that  they 
could  not  only  stand  the  fire  of  regular 
troops,  but  that  they  could  resist  them 
effectually,  with  a fair  hope  of  victorious 
success.  Critical  judgments  severely  con- 
demned the  conception  of  the  enterprise 
as  rash,  but  all  united  in  praising  the 
courage  and  steadiness  with  which  it  was 
executed.  An  orator  in  the  British  house 
of  commons  could  not  withhold  his  admi- 
ration of  the  American  gallantry  on  the 
occasion : “ To  a mind,”  he  said,  " which 
loves  to  contemplate  the  glorious  spirit 
of  freedom,  no  spectacle  can  be  more  af- 
fecting than  the  action  at  Bunker’s  hill. 
To  see  an  irregular  peasantry,  command- 
ed by  a physician,  inferior  in  number, 
opposed  by  every  circumstance  of  can- 
non and  bombs  that  could  terrify  timid 
minds,  calmly  wait  the  attack  of  the  gal- 
lant Howe,  leading  on  the  best  troops  in 
the  world,  with  an  excellent  train  of  ar- 
tillery, and  twice  repulsing  those  very 
troops,  who  had  often  chased  the  chosen 
battalions  of  France,  and  at  last  retiring 
for  want  of  ammunition,  but  in  so  re- 
spectable a manner  that  they  were  not 
even  pursued — who  can  reflect  on  such 
scenes,  and  not  adore  the  constitution 
of  government  which  could  breed  such 
men 

The  strimsrle  on  Bunker’s  hill  might 

oo  o 

* Governor  Johnstone,  in  a speceh  in  tnt  house  of  com- 
mons, October  30,  1775. 


ijattlp:s  of  amekica. 


REVOLUTIONARY.  I JOSEPH  WARIIEN.  17!) 


well  be  condemned  on  stragetic  princi- 
ples, for  nothing  was  gained  in  a purely 
military  point  of  view.  It  had,  however, 
a great  influence  in  promoting  the  patri- 
otic cause ; it  gave  increased  hope  to  the 
defenders  of  that  cause,  and  lessened  the 
confidence  of  its  opponents.  The  most  in- 
veterate tories  in  Great  Britain  acknowl- 
edged, when  they  heard  of  this. dearly- 
bought  victory,  that  “ affairs  wore  a seri- 
ous aspect  in  America and  none  now 
pretended  that  “ with  a couple  of  regi- 
ments” the  whole  of  the  colonies  could 
he  subjected.  The  friends  of  America 
were  no  less  elated  than  its  enemies  were 
depressed.  When  Washington  heard  of 
the  struggle  at  Bunker’s  hill,  his  first 
question  was.  whether  the  militia  had 
stood  the  fire  of  the  British  regulars.  On 
being  told  that  they  had,  he  answered, 
“ The  liberties  of  the  country  are  safe.” 

Though  joy  was  the  more  common 
feeling  throughout  the  country  at  the  re- 
sult of  the  contest,  there  was  a universal 
grief  at  the  loss  sustained  in  the  death 
of  Warren.  Howe  passed  the  highest  eu- 
logium  on  him  when  he  said,  as  he  saw 
the  body  of  the  illustrious  patriot  lying 
upon  the  battle-field,  that  his  death  was 
worth  to  the  British  five  hundred  of  the 
provincials.”  Warren  was  still  a young 
man  when  he  gave  up  his  life  to  the  cause 
of  his  country.  He  was  born  in  1740,  at 
the  farmhouse  of  his  father  in  Roxbury. 
Though  of  comparatively  humble  origin, 
he  enjoyed  the  best  opportunities  of  cul- 
ture that  his  country  afforded.  He  grad- 
uated at  Harvard  college,  and  studied 
medicine  under  the  most  eminent  physi- 
cian at  Boston,  where  he  himself  prac- 


tised his  profession,  and  rapidly  reached 
its  highest  rank.  Though  devoted  to  his 
art,  his  impulsive  nature  soon  exhibited 
a warm  sympathy  with  the  patriot  cause 
and  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  liberal 
colonial  politics  of  his  day.  He  boldly 
joined  the  bands  of  the  *‘Sons  of  Liber- 
ty,” and  became  conspicuous  as  a leader 
among  this  brotherhood  pledged  to  the 
cause  of  freedom.  He  was  a man  cool 
and  judicious  in  counsel,  and  yet  fervid 
and  even  eloquent  in  utterance.  He  had 
so  much  the  reputation  of  an  orator,  that 
he  was  chosen  to  deliver,  in  1771,  the  ora- 
tion commemorative  of  the  Boston  mas- 
sacre. In  1775,  he  volunteered  to  per- 
form the  same  duty,  for  no  other  reason 
than  because  the  British  officers  had 
threatened  to  take  the  life  of  any  man 
who  should  venture  upon  its  perfonn- 
ance.  Warren’s  offer  was  accepted,  and 
the  day  arrived.  The  meetinghouse  was 
the  place  appointed,  and  the  British  offi- 
cers seemed  determined  upon  executing 
their  threat,  for  they  filled  the  pews,  the 
aisles,  and  even  the  pulpit,  with  armed 
soldiers.  The  young  orator  was  obliged 
to  make  his  way,  by  means  of  a ladder, 
through  a window,  to  a back  part  of  the 
pulpit.  The  audience,  though  threaten- 
ing in  look,  kept  a profound  silence,  while 
Warren  began  his  oration.  Such  was  the 
power  of  his  earnest  eloquence,  that  even 
his  military  auditors,  who  had  come  steel- 
ed to  vengeance,  Avere  softened  to  tears 
of  sympathy  and  compassion  for  those 
martyrs  of  freedom  Avhose  sacrifice  the 
youthful  orator  so  feelingly  described. 

Warren  was  so  highly  esteemed  iiiNew 
England,  that  he  Avas  chosen  to  succeed 


180  . BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [uart  ii 


John  Hancock  as  president  of  the  provin- 
cial Congress ; and  when  hostilities  with 
Great  Britain  were  imminent,  he  received 
the  commission  of  major-general.  A con- 
temporary of  Warren  has  said  : He  was 
valued  in  private  life  for  his  engaging 
manners,  and  as  a phj’sician  for  his  pro- 
fessional abilities.  The  death  of  an  ami- 
able consort  had  made  his  life  of  the 
greatest  importance  to  his  children ; he 
was  willing,  however,  to  risk  it  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  public.  His  intrepidity  and 
zeal  for  the  cause  he  had  espoused,  to- 
gether with  the  electing  voice  of  the  pro- 
vincial Congress,  induced  him  to  enter 
upon  the  military  line.  Within  four  days 
after  his  appointment  to  a major-general- 
ship, he  fell  a noble  sacrifice  to  the  natu- 
ral riffhts  of  mankind.  He  was  of  a mid- 

O 

dling  size,  and  of  a lowish  stature.  The 
ladies  pronounced  him  handsome.” 

There  were  memorable  officers,  too, 
who  fell  on  the  British  side.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Abercrombie  was  killed  while 


leading  on  his  grenadiers  up  the  hill.  As 
his  soldiers  were  bearing  him  from  the 
field,  he  begged  them  to  spare  his  old 
friend  Putnam.  “ If  you  take  General 
Putnam  alive,  don’t  hang  him,  for  he’s  a 
brave  man,”  were  among  his  dying  words, 
which  showed  how  his  brave  heart  was 
beating  true  to  a noble  gallantry  in  its 
latest  pulsations.  Major  Pitcairn  was  also 
greatly  beloved,  and  his  death  sincerely 
mourned.  “ I have  lost  my  father !”  cried 
his  son,  who  was  of  the  same  regiment. 
“We  all  have  lost  a father!”  was  the  ut- 
terance of  each  soldier  in  it.  Spendlove 
and  Addison,  too,  were  gallant  men;  the 
former  a veteran  of  forty  years’  service, 
and  the  latter  a worthy  collateral  de- 
scendant of  the  gentle  author  of  “ The 
Spectator.”  Only  a single  aid-de-camp  of 
Howe,  so  fatal  to  the  British  officers  had 
been  the  struggle,  lived  to  reach  England 
— Lieutenant  Page — whose  escape  from 
the  bloody  conflict  on  Bunker’s  hill  made 
him  memorable.* 


CHAPTER  V. 


A Sad  New-England  Sabbath.— The  Anxieties  of  the  British  at  Boston.— The  Stir  in  the  American  Camp.— Arrival  of 
Washington. — His  Life. — Personal  Appearance. — The  Effect  of  liis  Presence  in  the  Camp.  A Council  of  War.  Or- 
ganization of  the  Armv. — Reform  and  Discipline. — Wants. — Want  of  Government. — Want  of  Respect.  Want  of 
Uniformity. — Want  of  Clothing. — Want  of  Powder. — Want  of  Money. — No  Lack  of  Spirit. 


^ It  was  an  unusual  Sunday  for  New 
England,  the  day  after  the  bloody 
struggle  on  Breed  s hill.  The  British 
cannonade  disturbed  the  peace  of  the 
sabbath  witli  its  threatening  roar.  “It 


o’clock,  sabbath  afternoon,”  writes  Mrs, 

Adams.  “It  is  expected  they  , 

June  18. 

will  come  out  over  the  Neck  to- 
nitflit,  and  a dreadful  battle  must  ensue 
Almighty  God ! cover  the  heads  of  our 


has  not  ceased  yet,  and  it  is  now  three 


* Frothinghiim. 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  A SAD  SABBATH.  181 


countrymen,  and  be  a shield  to  our  dear 
friends.”  A rumor  was  abroad  that  the 
British  were  about  to  march  to  Cam- 
bridge, and  take  dreadful  reveime  for  the 
slaughter  they  had  suffered  on  the  previ- 
ous day.  From  the  whole  country  round 
crowds  were  hurrying  to  the  American 
camp.  Some  were  volunteers,  coming 
with  their  muskets  on  their  shoulders,  to 
proffer  their  aid  in  the  approaching  dan- 
ger; and  many  were  fathers,  too  old  to 
bear  arms,  mothers,  wives,  and  daugh- 
ters, who,  Avith  hearts  stifled  with  com- 
pressed doubts  and  fears,  anxiously  sped 
on  their  Avay,  and  breathlessly  caught 
the  joyful  word  of  hope  or  the  agonizing 
sentence  of  despair.  They  came  to  hear 
of  the  life  or  the  death  of  those  they 
loved.  It  Avas  a day  of  mourning  to  ma- 
ny, and  not  a joyful  sabbath  to  a single 
soul.  The  country  Avas  in  the  agony  of 
its  trial,  and  the  throes  of  its  suffering 
sorely  Avrung  the  hearts  of  the  bravest. 

The  British,  hoAvever,  Avere  in  no  hu- 
mor or  condition  to  execute  the  ven- 
geance Avhich  Avas  feared.  Their  victory, 
with  its  terrific  slaughter,  had  staggered 
them  more  than  an  ordinary  defeat.  As 
the  dead,  during  that  Avhole  day,  Avere 
borne  through  the  streets  of  Boston,  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  looked  upon  the  remains 
of  their  comrades  Avith  gloomy  thoughts, 
to  Avhich  they  gave  utterance  in  murmurs 
against  their  leaders,  on  account  of  the 
sacrifice  they  had  Avrought. 

Those  inhabitants  still  left  in  the  city 
whose  sympathy  Avas  Avith  the  patriotic 
cause,  could  not  conceal  their  indigna- 
tion at  an  army  Avhich  seemed  deter- 
mined, at  any  cost  of  blood,  to  crush  out 


American  liberty.  It  Avas  feared  by  the 
British  generals  that  the  “ rebels”  of  Bos- 
ton Avould  arise  in  their  rau-e,  attack  and 
burn  the  town.  All  “unsuspected”  citi 
zens  Avere  called  upon  to  relieve  the  niili 
tary  guards  by  establishing  night-patrols 
Governor  Gage  issued  a proclamation,  re- 
quiring the  inhabitants  to  surrender  up 
their  fire.arms,  and  declarino;  that  “all 
persons  in  whose  po.ssession  any  firearms 
may  hereafter  be  found  shall  be  deemed 
enemies  to  his  majesty’s  gOA'ernment.” 
Gage  Avas  alarmed,  and  only  thought  now 
of  defence,  and  not  of  active  hostilitie.s. 
He  had  good  occasion  for  anxiety,  Avhen 
he  saAV  from  day  to  day  the  increased  ani- 
mation of  the  patriotic  spirit,  and  the  ac- 
tivity Avith  Avhich  the  Americans  prepared 
to  sustain  the  cause  of  their  country. 

The  American  camp  Avas  soon  astir  Avith 
the  daily  arrivals  of  fresh  troops  from  all 
parts  of  New  England.  The  patriots,  al- 
though anxiously  expectant  of  an  attack 
from  the  British,  Avere  noAV  in  high  spir- 
its, and  they  even  longed  to  “ speak  Avith 
them  again.”  The  militia  had  learned  a 
great  deal  at  Bunker’s  hill,  and  they  be- 
came not  only  more  cautious  and  vigi- 
!ant,but  tolerably  skilful  in  availing  thenv 
selves  of  the  means  and  apjAliances  of 
military  art.  They  at  once  set  about 
throAving  up  various  kinds  of  defence, 
and  busied  themselves  in  intrenching  the 
heights  Avhich  they  commanded  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Boston.  General  Put- 
nam, as  usual,  Avas  indefatigable.  After 
the  retreat  from  Bunker’s  hill,  he  had 
posted  his  Connecticut  men  on  Prospect 
hill,  and  at  once  began  throwing  up  for- 
tifications. Such  Avas  the  untiring  ener- 


J 


182 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPART  II. 


gy  of  thi.s  aged  veteran,  that  here  he  was 
found,  as  described  by  his  son,  two  days 
after  the  Ijattle,  hard  at  work 
June  19.  hands,  without  hav- 

ing  “put  ofl’  his  clothes  or  washed  him- 
self” since.  At  lloxbury.  Winter  hill  was 
newly  fortified,  and  Cambridge  strength- 
ened by  additional  works. 

Little  was  done,  by  either  the  Ameri- 
cans or  British,  for  a fortnight,  in  the  way 
of  hostility.  There  was  an  occasional 
skirmish.  At  one  time,  a couple  of  In- 
dians, beloiming  to  a Massachusetts  tribe 
which  had  joined  the  Americans,  had  sur- 
prised, in  ambush,  an  outpost  of  British 
soldiers,  and  shot  down  with  their  arrows 
four  of  them.  This  brought  in  revenge 
a cannonade  from  Boston.  Bombs  were 
frequently  thrown  by  the  enemy,  which, 
however,  beyond  setting  a house  or  a 
barn  on  tire,  did  little  damage.  The  pa- 
triot army  was  now  awaiting  the  arrival 
of  their  new  general,  George  Washington, 
whose  reputation,  as  a gallant  officer  in 
the  colonial  battles,  gave  great  hopes  to 
every  man  in  the  American  ranks. 

Most  biographers  have  fondly  traced 
back  the  oriti-in  of  Washington  to  a Wil- 
liam  de  Hertburn,  who  lived  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  thirteenth  century.  This  gen- 
tleman came  into  the  possession  of  a man- 
orial estate,  in  the  county  of  Durham,  in 
England,  called  Washington,  which  name 
he  thence  assumed,  and  his  descendants 
after  him.  Along  line  of  reputable  doc- 
tors, divines,  lawyers,  and  squires,  fol- 
lowed. Among  them  there  was  even  a 
knight,  a gallant  Sir  Henry  Washington, 
who  fought  loyally  for  King  Charles  I., 
bravelv  sustained  the  sieace  of  Worcester 


against  the  parliamentary  forces,  and  dis- 
tinguished himself  at  the  taking  of  Bris- 
tol.  Diligent  investigators  have  discov- 
ered that,  in  1538,  there  was  a Lawrence 
Yfashington,  who  had  been  a lawyer  of 
Gray’s  Inn,  and  mayor  of  Northampton, 
to  whom  the  manor  of  Sidgrave,in  North- 
aiiqitonshire,  was  granted.  Two  great- 
grandchildren of  this  gentleman  went  as 
settlers  to  the  colony  of  Virginia,  about 
the  year  1G57.  Their  eldest  brother  re- 
mained at  home ; and  proof  is  given  of 
his  importance,  by  the  statement  of  the 
fact  that  he  married  a half-sister  of  the 
duke  of  Buckingham.  John  and  Law- 
rence were  the  names  of  the  two  emi- 
grants to  Virginia,  who,  being  youngei 
brothers,  were  forced  to  shift  for  them- 
selves. 

The  American  hero  was  immediately 
descended  from  Augustine  Washington, 
the  second  son  of  Lawrence,  the  elder  of 
the  first  two  settlers  in  the  colony.  Au- 
gustine was  married  twice.  By  his  first 
wife,  Jane  Butler,  he  had  four  children : 
Butler,  who  died  in  infancy  ; Lawrence  ; 
Augustine;  and  Jane,  who  did  not  sur- 
vive her  childhood.  By  his  second  wife, 
Mary  Ball,  whom  ho  married  on  the  6th 
of  March,  1730,  he  had  six  children 
George,  Betty,  Samuel,  John  Augustine, 
Charles,  and  Mildred. 

George  Washington  was  born  on  the 
22d  of  February.  1732,  on  an  estate  whicb 
his  father  held  and  cultivated  as  a planu 
er,  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  in  West 
moreland  county.  The  father  died  at  the 
age  of  forty-nine,  leaving  landed  property 
of  sufficient  extent  to  bequeath  to  each 
of  his  sons  a plantation,  and  to  make  suiu 


r 


REV0LCTI0NART.1 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 


183 


greatest  care,  and  with  hardly  a scratch 


able  provision  for  his  widow  and  daugh- 
ter. Mrs.  Washington,  upon  whom  the 
care  of  five  children  devolved,  the  eldest 
of  whom  at  the  time  of  the  death  of  her 
husband  was  only  eleven  years,  showed 
herself  equal  to  her  charge,  and  was  re- 
warded for  her  tender  and  wise  manage- 
ment by  a long  life,  which  was  graced  by 
the  virtues  of  all  her  offspring,  and  ren- 
dered triumphant  by  the  glory  of  her 
eldest  son. 

The  young  George  was  sent  to  one  of 
the  best  schools  in  Virginia,  where,  how- 
ever, there  was  little  in  those  da3’s  to  be 
acquired  beyond  the  elementary  reading, 
writing,  and  arithmetic.  He  was  a docile 
child,  and  soon  learned  all  that  the  hum- 
ble learning  of  his  teacher  could  impart. 
He  was  of  a kindly,  affectionate  disposi- 
tion, and,  though  somewhat  hobtempered, 
was  a great  favorite  with  his  schoolfel- 
lows. Strong,  in  constitution,  and  active 
and  supple  in  movement,  he  took  the 
lead  in  the  playground,  and  few  coidd 
equal  him  in  wrestl ing,  running,  and  j ump- 
ing.  He  is  said  even  in  his  boyhood  to 
have  shown  a martial  taste,  and  to  have 
frequently  got  up  mimic  battles,  in  which 
he  always  bore  a prominent  part,  as  the 
leader  of  one  of  the  fighting-parties. 

He  was  remarkable,  at  a very  early 
age,  for  his  love  of  system  and  order. 
His  copy-books  w^ere  always  written  and 
kept  with  great  neatness ; and  he  seems 
to  have  shown,  while  yet  a child,  a taste 
lor  business.  A manuscript  book  exists, 
written  when  he  was  but  thirteen  years 
of  age,  in  which  page  after  page  contains 
copies  of  bills  of  exchange,  leases,  receipts, 
and  land-warrants,  all  penned  with  the 


or  a blot.  He  was  no  less  systematic,  it 
would  appear,  in  his  study  of  the  propri- 
eties of  conduct;  for  in  the  same  manu- 
script book  there  is  a part  devoted  to 
“ Rules  of  Behavior  in  Company  and  Con- 
versation.” This  consists  of  written  max- 
ims of  manners  and  morals. 

Arithmetic  was  his  favorite  study,  and 
as  he  advanced  in  age  he  pursued  dili- 
gently the  elements  of  the  higher  math- 
ematics, and  became  proficient  in  geome 
try,  trigonometry,  and  surveying.  These 
latter  studies  were  his  chief  occupation 
during  Ids  last  two  years  at  school,  which 
he  quitted  just  before  he  reached  his  six- 
teenth birthday. 

His  brother  Lawrence,  who  had  served 
with  credit  as  a British  officer  in  the  West 
Indie.s,  and  had  won  the  respect  and  friend- 
ship of  General  Wentworth  and  Admiral 
Vernon  (from  whom  he  called  his  plan- 
tation “Mount  Vernon”),  was  enabled, 
through  the  influence  of  these  distin- 
guished friends,  to  obtain  for  George  a 
midshipman’s  warrant.  The  lad  was  all 
eagerness  at  this  prospect  of  being  a 
young  officer;  but  his  mother  would  not 
consent,  and  Washington  was  reserved 
for  another  and  more  glorious  destiny. 

The  boy,  disappointed  of  his  naval  but- 
tons, went  to  live  with  his  brother  Law- 
rence at  Mount  V ernon,,  and  there  passed 
the  winter  in  the  study  of  mathematics, 
with  the  purpose  of  preparing  himself 
for  the  profession  of  a surveyor.  Law- 
rence had  married  the  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Fairfax,  of  a noble  English  family, 
and  high  colonial  distinction.  Fairfax  re- 
sided at  Belvoir,  near  Mount  Vernon,  and 


f 


J84  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  l^’^RT  ii 


at  this  period  he  had  as  a guest  at  his 
house  no  less  a personage  than  Lord 
Fairfax.  His  lordship,  an  accomplished 
Oxford  man,  and  a writer  for  “ The  Spec- 
tator,” Avas  fond  of  study,  and,  becoming 
naturally  a recluse  in  his  habits,  had  late- 
ly arrived  with  the  intention  of  living 
upon  one  of  his  Virginian  estates.  Law- 
rence Washington  presented  his  brother 
to  the  Fairfaxes,  and  an  intimacy  at  once 
ensued,  which  in  the  course  of  a few 
months  was  turned  to  the  profit  of  the 
young  surveyor. 

Lord  Fairfax  held  a large  tract  of  ter- 
ritory lying  among  the  valleys  of  the  Al- 
leghany mountains.  As  the  land  Avas 
Avild  and  not  surveyed,  settlers  Avere  con- 
stantly encroaching  upon  it.  His  lord- 
ship  Avas  therefore  desirous  of  having  his 
property  accurately  measured  and  bound- 
ed. He  accordingly  chose  Washington 
for  the  purpose,  AAdio  readily  undertook 
the  enterprise,  as  it  suited  both  his  busi- 
ness and  his  tastes.  The  journey  through 
the  Avilderness  Avas  rough  and  dangerous, 
but  Avas  accomplished  spiritedly,  and  its 
object  satisfactorily  gained.  Other  en- 
gagements ensued,  and  the  youthful  sur- 
veyor passed  three  years  busily  and  prof- 
itably in  his  profession. 

The  threatening  troubles  Avith  the 
French  and  Indians  on  the  frontiers, 
called  out  the  militia  of  the  province ; 
and  Washington,  at  the  age  of  nineteen, 
received  his  first  military  appointment. 
He  Avas  made  adjutant-general,  Avith  the 
rank  of  major,  and  the  pay  of  a hundred 
and  fifty  pounds  a year.  His  duty  Avas 
to  discipline  the  militia  of  one  of  the  dis- 
tricts into  Avhich  the  province  was  divided. 


This  appointment  revived  his  military 
tastes,  and  he  devoted  himself  Avith  great 
eagerness  to  his  ncAV  pursuit.  His  broth- 
er LaAvrence’s  experience  was  now  of 
good  service,  as  it  enabled  him  to  tutor 
the  young  officer  in  the  military  art ; and 
he  accordingly  gave  him  daily  lessons  in 
the  use  of  the  sword,  the  manual  exer- 
cise, and  tactics.  George  at  the  same 
time  read  industriously  all  the  books  he 
could  obtain,  and  mastered  pretty  thor- 
oughly the  theory  of  war. 

These  martial  pursuits  Avere  noAV  inter- 
rupted by  the  illness  of  LaAvrence,  Avho 
Avas  in  consequence  advised  to  take  a 
voyage  to  the  West  Indies.  George  ac- 
companied him,  and  they  sailed  for  Bar- 
badoes  in  September,  1751.  They  had 
hardly  arrived  there,  Avhen  the  younger 
bi’other  Avas  taken  sick  Avith  the  small- 
pox; but,  although  the  disease  Avas  se- 
A^ere,  he  so  soon  recovered  in  that  tropi- 
cal climate,  that  he  Avas  able  to  be  out 
again  in  less  than  three  Aveeks.  LaAv- 
rence appeared  in  the  meantime  so  great- 
ly to  have  improved,  that  it  A\ms  agreed 
that  George,  now  entirely  Avell,  should 
return  to  Virginia  and  bring  his  brother’s 
Avife  to  Bermuda,  Avhere  LaAvrence  pro- 
posed to  proceed.  LaAvrence,  hoAvever, 
on  reaching  this  island,  and  finding  that 
he  greAV  Aveaker,  hastened  back  to  Mount 
Vernon,  Avhere  he  died  soon  after  his 
arrival. 

Of  Washington’s  subsequent  military 
campaigns  against  the  Indians  and  the 
French  Ave  have  already  given  a record, 
and  the  rest  of  Ids  military  history  Avill 
be  developed  in  the  course  of  this  nar- 
rative. 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  ARRIVAL  OF  WASHINGTON.  185 


Mount  Vernon  fell  to  the  possession  of 
Washington,  by  the  death  of  his  brother’s 
daughter;  and  there,  in  the  intervals  of 
his  military  career,  he  lived  the  life  of  a 
southern  planter.  On  the  6th  of  Janua- 
ry, 1759,  he  married  Mrs.  Martha  Custis, 
a widow  three  months  younger  than  him- 
self, and  the  mother  of  a son  and  daugh- 
ter by  her  former  husband,  John  Parke 
Custis.  She  received  one  third  of  this 
gentleman’s  property,  which  consisted  of 
several  large  estates  and  forty-five  thou- 
sand pounds  sterling  in  money.  Wash- 
ington thus  became  greatly  enriched,  for 
those  early  times,  b}^  his  marriage.  Al- 
though he  had  won  fame  in  the  wars  of 
the  province,  and  still  continued,  as  a 
member  of  the  house  of  burgesses  in  Vir- 
ginia, to  bear  somewhat  the  character  of 
a public  man,  Washington  retired,  soon 
after  his  marriage,  to  his  estate  on  the 
banks  of  the  Potomac,  with  the  view  of 
passing  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  the 
privacy  and  simplicity  of  a country  gen- 
tleman. 

His  country  now  had  called  him ; and 
he  did  not  hesitate  to  give  up  the  ease 
and  happiness  of  his  home  for  the  lead- 
ership of  a cause  whose  trials  and  dangers 
were  immediate,  while  its  triumphs,  how- 
ever certain  in  the  future,  were  yet  too 
indefinite  greatly  to  tempt  the  desires  of 
the  most  ambitious. 

Washington  set  out  from  Phila- 

1 7 7 

delphia,  on  the  21st  of  June,  to 
take  command  of  the  troops  at  Cam- 
biidge,  now  adopted  as  the  army  of  the 
twelve  confederated  colonies.  He  was 
accompanied  by  Generals  Lee  and  Schuy- 
ler, and  all  three  started  on  horseback, 
24 


escorted  by  a troop  of  gentlemen  of  Phil- 
adelphia. The  newly-appointed  general 
was  received  everywhere  on  the  journey 
with  great  distinction.  Each  town  an 
village  was  on  the  alert,  and  welcomed 
Washington  and  his  cavalcade  with  ev- 
ery possible  exhibition  of  respect.  Dep- 
utations of  the  principal  gentlemen  rode 
out  to  meet  him,  and,  escorting  him  to 
the  places  whence  they  came,  addressed 
him  in  highly-eulogistic  terms,  expressive 
of  their  joy  at  his  appointment. 

Washington,  even  at  this  late  moment, 
still  hopeful  of  a reconciliation  with  the 
mother-country  which  he  so  warmly  loved, 
declared  to  the  committee  of  the  provin- 
cial Congress  of  New  York,  who  had  ad- 
dressed him,  that  “ every  exertion  of  my 
worthy  colleagues  and  myself  will  be  ex- 
tended to  the  re-establishment  of  peace 
and  harmony  between  the  mother-coun- 
try and  these  colonies.” 

It  was  at  New  York  that  the  news  of 
the  battle  of  Bunker’s  hill  was  first  an- 
nounced to  Washington,  when  he  anx- 
iously inquired  whether  the  militia  had 
stood  their  ground  against  the  British 
regulars.  Upon  being  told  that  they  had, 
he  answered  in  these  memorable  words : 
“ The  liberties  of  the  country  are  safe.” 
He  was  now  more  anxious  than  ever  to 
reach  the  camp  at  Cambridge,  and  sped 
on  with  unusual  haste.  As  he  entered 
Massachusetts,  he  was  met  by  a cavalcade 
of  New-England  gentlemen  and  a com- 
mittee of  the  provincial  Congress,  who 
addressed  him  in  the  usual  congratulato- 
ry terms,  to  which  the  general  suitably 
responded. 

W ashington’s  personal  appearance  pro- 


186 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PAKT  11 


duced  an  impression,  n^ion  all  who  now 
beheld  him  for  the  first  time,  in  every 
respect  corresponding  to  the  reputation 
which  preceded  him.  Ilis  figure  was  tall 
and  commanding,  and  the  sedate  dignity 
of  his  demeanor  secured  respect,  while 
his  refined  courtesy  of  manners  invited 
approach.  His  excellent  horsemanship, 
perfected  in  the  chase,  of  which  he  Avas 
so  fond,  added  much  to  the  popular  effect 
of  his  manly  appearance.  He  had,  more- 
over, the  true  martial  bearing : his  ser- 
vice in  the  provincial  campaigns,  and  as 
an  aid-de-camp  under  that  military  mar- 
tinet Braddock,  had  given  him  the  air  of 
a veteran ; for,  young  as  he  was,  being 
little  over  forty,  he  always  appeared  old- 
er than  his  years.  The  nice  fastidious- 
ness he  exhibited  in  his  dress,  which  was 
in  character  Avith  the  systematic  regulari- 
ty of  all  his  personal  habits,  served  still 
more  to  distinguish  him  in  tlie  public 
eye.  All  the  particularities  of  military 
costume  Avere  seen  to  be  rigidly  observed 
in  his  personal  adornment,  and  thus  a con- 
temporary describes  “ his  blue  coat  Avith 
buff-colored  facings,  a rich  epaulette  on 
each  shoulder,  a buff'  imder-dress,  an  ele- 
gant small-sAVord,  and  a black  cockade  in 
his  hat.”  Tlie  chastened  severity  of  his 
countenance,  and  his  formal  and  some- 
what paternal  manners,  did  not  even  pre- 
vent the  softer  sex  from  Avarming  in  ad- 
miration of  the  new  general.  “ I Avas 
struck,”  Avrites  Mrs.  Adams  to  her  hus- 
l)and,  “Avith  General  Washington.  You 
had  prepared  me  to  entertain  a favorable 
opinion  of  him,  but  I thought  the  half 
Avas  not  told  me.  Dignity,  Avith  ease  and 
comjdacency,  the  gentleman  and  soldier. 


look  agreeably  blended  in  him.  Mod<‘s- 
t}^  marks  every  line  and  feature  of  his 
face ” 

Though  “much  too  old  a young  man” 
to  please  the  Mrs.  Mountains  of  the  cav- 
alier times  of  Virginia,  this  sedateness  of 
anticipated  age  Avas  but  an  additional 
claim  to  the  admiration  of  the  prim  and 
pious  NeAA^-England  ladies,  Avho,  in  the 
calm  sobriety  of  Washington’s  manners, 
saAV  Avith  no  disappointment  the  absence 
of  any  proof  of  “early  Avild  oats,”  but 
looked  Avith  satisfaction  upon  the  signs 
of  a Avell-ordered  youth,  and  anticipated 
Avith  confidence  the  hopes  they  gave  of 
a manhood  endoAved  Avith  a strength  of 
virtue  equal  to  its  highest  and  gravest 
duties.  The  young  southern  aids-de-camp 
— the  Mifflins  and  Eandolphs — doubtless 
found  more  faAor  in  the  eyes  of  the  Mrs. 
Mountains  of  those  days,  than  the  rigid! y- 
virtuous  Washington. 

On  reaching  Cambridge,  Washington 
Avas  received  by  the  Avdiole  army, 
draAvn  up  to  do  honor  to  the  oc- 
casion. The  firing  of  the  artillery,  and 
the  loud  shouts  of  the  patriots,  echoed 
the  Avelcome  Avith  Avhich  his  presence  was 
hailed.  Washington  Avas  noAV  escorted 
to  the  handsome  quarters  provided  for 
him,Avhere  he  and  his  suite,  liaAdng  alight- 
ed and  tarried  aivliile,  they  returned  on 
foot  to  the  Cambridge  common.  The 
general,  having  stepped  foi'Avard  out  of 
the  group  of  the  chief  officers  avIio  sur- 
rounded him,  spoke  a few  words  to  the 
assembled  troops,  and  Avith  drawn  SAvord 
formally  assumed  command  of  the  conti 
nental  army.  General  Greene,  of  Khode 
Island,  testified  for  himself  and  his  officers 


July  3. 


iiEVOLUTioNART.J  “^s'EW  LORDS,  NEW  LAWS.”  187 


in  a few  well-spoken  and  dignified  word.s, 
the  satisfaction  they  should  feel  in  serv- 
ing under  Washington  as  their  command- 
er, and  that  commander  had  never  a more 
faithful  subordinate. 

Washington,  with  his  quick  sense  of 
duty,  lost  no  time,  but  at  once  set  about' 
learning  what  he  had  to  do  and  how  it 
was  to  be  done,  and  doing  it.  His  pres- 
ence was  immediately  felt  everywhere  in 
the  camp  by  the  change  effected  by  his 
orders.  “ There  is  a great  overturning 
in  the  camp  as  to  order  and  regularity,” 
wj’ites  a contemporary.  ‘ New  lords,  new 
laws.’  The  generals  W ashington  and  L ee 
are  upon  the  lines  every  day.  New  or- 
ders from  his  excellency  are  read  to  the 
respective  regiments  every  morning  after 
prayers.  The  strictest  government  is  ta- 
king place,  and  great  distinction  is  made 
between  officers  and  soldiers.  Every  one 
is  made  to  know  his  place,  and  keep  in 
it,  or  be  tied  up  and  receive  thirty  or  for- 
ty lashes,  according  to  his  crime.  Thou- 
sands are  at  work  every  day  from  four 
till  eleven  o’clock  in  the  morning.  It  is 
surprising  how  much  work  has  been  done. 
The  lines  are  extended  almost  from  Cam- 
bridge to  Mystic  river,  so  that  very  soon 
it  will  be  morally  impossible  for  the  ene- 
my to  get  between  the  works,  except  in 
one  place,  which  is  supposed  to  be  left 
purposely  unfortified,  to  entice  the  ene- 
my out  of  their  fortresses.  Who  would 
have  thought,  twelve  months  past,  that 
all  Cambridge  and  Charlestown  would  be 
covered  over  with  American  camps,  and 
cut  up  into  forts  and  intrenchments,  and 
all  the  lands,  fields,  orchards,  laid  com- 
mon— horses  and  cattle  feeding  in  the 


choicest  mowing-land,  whole  fields  of  corn 
eaten  down  to  the  ground,  and  large  parks 
of  well-regulated  locusts  cut  down  for  fire- 
wood and  other  public  uses  ? This,  I must 
say,  looks  a little  melancholy.  My  quar- 
ters are  at  the  foot  of  the  famous  Pros- 
pect hill,  where  such  great  preparations 
are  made  for  the  reception  of  the  ene- 
my... . 

“ It  is  very  diverting  to  walk  among 
the  camps.  They  are  as  different  in  form 
as  the  owners  are  in  their  dress ; and  ev- 
ery tent  is  a portraiture  of  the  temper 
and  taste  of  the  persons  who  encamp  in 
it.  Some  are  made  of  boards,  and  some 
of  sail-cloth  ; some  partly  of  one  and  part- 
ly of  the  other.  Again,  others  are  made 
of  stone  and  turf,  brick  or  bush.  Some 
are  thrown  up  in  a hurry;  others  curi- 
ously wrought  with  doors  and  windows, 
done  with  wreaths  and  withes,  in  the 
manner  of  a basket.  Some  are  your 
proper  tents  and  marquees,  looking  like 
the  regular  camp  of  the  enemy.  In  these 
are  the  Rhode-Islanders,  wdio  are  fur- 
nished with  tentrequipages,  and  every- 
thing in  the  most  exact  English  style. 
However,  I think  this  great  variety  is 
rather  a beauty  than  a blemish  in  the 
army.”* 

Soon  after  his  arrival  at  Cambridge, 
Washington  summoned  the  major  and 
brigadier  generals  to  a council  of  war. 
The  military  appointments  by  the  gen- 
eral Congress,  it  will  be  recollected,  were, 
in  addition  to  Washington  as  commander- 
in-chief,  four  major-generals,  in  the  rank 
and  order  named,  viz. : I.  Artemas  Ward. 

* Letter  of  Reverend  William  Emerson,  quoted  by  Sparks 
in  his  Life  of  Washington. 


188  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [i'art  ii 

2.  Charles  Lee.  3.  Philip  Schuyler.  4.  Is- 

an  effort  to  increase  it  to  twenty-two 

rael  Putnam;  and  eight  brigadier-gener- 

thousand. 

als,  viz. : 1.  Seth  Pomeroy.  2.  Richard 

The  position  of  the  two  opposing  camps 

Montgomery.  3.  David  ^Yooster.  4.  Wil- 

at  this  time  is  best  described  in  a letter 

liam  Heath.  5.  Joseph  Spencer.  6.  John 

written  by  Washington  himself : “I  found 

Thomas.  7.  John  Sullivan.  8.  Nathan- 
iel Greene.  The  precedence  which  this 

the  British,”  he  says,  strongly 

. , , . t/  1 > i n 

intrenching  on  Bunkers  hill. 

established  was  not  altogether  satisfacto- 

about  a mile  from  Charlestown,  and  ad- 

ry.  Spencer  grumbled  at  the  advance- 

vanced  about  half  a mile  from  the  place 

ment  of  General  Putnam  over  his  bead ; 

of  the  late  action,  with  their  sentries  ex- 

and  Thomas  was  dissatisfied  with  the  su- 

tended  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards 

perior  rank  given  to  Pomeroy.  General 

on  this  side  of  the  narrowest  part  of  the 

Spencer,  in  fact,  took  what  he  considered 

Neck,  leading  from  this  place  [Cam- 

his  relative  degradation  in  such  high  dud- 

bridge]  to  Charlestown.  Three  floating 

geon  as  to  leave  the  army,  without  hav- 

batteries  lie  in  Mystic  river,  near  their 

ing  paid  his  respects  to  Washington  ; but 

camp,  and  one  twenty-gun  ship  beloAV  the 

he  was  induced  to  return,  on  being  pro- 

ferry-place,  between  Boston  and  Charles- 

moted  to  the  first  rank  after  Putnam. 

town.  They  have  also  a battery  on  Copp’s 

Pomeroy’s  resignation  gave  Thomas  a 

hill,  on  the  Boston  side,  which  much  an- 

chance  of  advancement,  and  the  urgent 

noyed  our  troops  in  the  late  attack.  Up- 

advice  of  his  friends  induced  him  to  re- 

on  Roxbury  neck  they  are  also  deeply 

main  and  take  the  benefit  of  it.  These 

intrenched  and  strongly  fortified.  Their 

were  some  of  the  minor  difficulties  which 

advance-guards,  till  last  Saturday,  occu- 

thronged  in  upon  Washington,  and  em- 

pied  Brown’s  houses,  about  a mile  from 

barrassed  his  action.  He  continued,  how- 

Roxbury  meetinghouse,  and  twenty  rods 

ever,  in  the  calm  and  resolute  perform- 

from  their  lines ; but,  at  that  time,  a par- 

ance  of  his  duty,  and  went  systematically 

ty  from  General  Thomas’s  camp  surprised 

about  the  organization  into  an  army  of 

the  guard,  drove  them  in,  and  burned  the 

the  miscellaneous  crowd  of  patriots  un- 

houses.  The  bulk  of  their  army,  com- 

der  his  command. 

manded  by  General  Howe,  lies  on  Bun- 

At  the  council  of  war,  an  inquiry  was 

ker’s  hill,  and  the  remainder  on  Roxbury 

instituted  in  regard  to  the  numbers  and 

neck,  except  the  liglibhorse,  and  a few 

condition  of  the  two  armies.  Eleven  thou- 

men  in  the  toAvn  of  Boston. 

sand  five  hundred  regulars  were  given  as 

“ On  our  side  Ave  have  thrown  up  in- 

the  estimate  of  the  British  force ; while 

trenchments  on  Winter  and  Prospect  hills 

the  Americans  had  seventeen  thousand 

— the  enemy’s  camp  in  full  view,  at  the 

men  enrolled,of  whom  only  fourteen  thou- 

distance  of  little  more  than  a mile.  Such 

sand  five  hundred  were  considered  capa- 

intermediate  points  as  Avould  admit  a 

ble  of  duty.  The  patriotforce  was  deemed 

landing,  I have,  since  my  arrival,  taken 

inadequate,  and  it  was  resolved  to  make 

care  to  strengthen,  doAAui  to  SeAvall’s  farm 

KKVOLUTIONARY.]  WANTS  OF  THE  PATRIOTS.  18'J 


where  a strong  intrenchment  has  been 
thrown  np.  At  Roxbiiry,  Thomas  has 
thrown  up  a strong  work  on  the  hill,  about 
two  hundred  yards  above  the  meeting- 
house ; which,  with  the  brokenness  of  the 
ground,  and  a great  number  of  rocks,  has 
made  that  pass  very  secure.  The  troops 
raised  in  New  Hampshire,  with  a regiment 
from  Rhode  Island,  occupy  Winter  hill ; 
a part  of  those  of  Connecticut,  under  Gen- 
eral Putnam,  are  on  Prospect  hill.  The 
troops  in  this  town  (Cambridge)  are  en- 
tirely of  the  Massachusetts ; the  remain- 
der of  the  Rhode-Island  men  are  at  Sew- 
all’s  farm.  Two  regiments  of  Connecti- 
cut, and  nine  of  the  Massachusetts,  are 
at  Roxbury.  The  residue  of  the  army, 
to  the  number  of  about  seven  hundred, 
are  posted  in  several  small  towns  along 
the  coast,  to  prevent  the  depredations  of 
the  enemy.” 

Washington  arranged  the  army  in 
three  great  divisions.  The  centre,  at 
Cambridge,  was  under  the  command  of 
Major-General  Putnam;  the  right, at  Rox- 
bury, under  Major-General  Ward ; and 
the  left  under  Major-General  Lee,  part 
of  which  was  at  Prospect  hill,  and  the 
rest  at  Winter  hill.  The  country,  once 
so  beautiful  at  this  season  (July),  was  now 
sadly  changed.  The  landscape  described 
as  so  charming  with  its  hills  and  valleys, 
rocks  and  woods,  interspersed  with  strag- 
gling villages,  with  here  and  there  a spire 
peeping  over  the  trees,  and  with  every- 
where fields  of  the  most  charming  green 
that  delighted  eyes  ever  gazed  on,  pre- 
sented now  a universal  scene  of  prepara- 
tion for  war.  The  wide-spread  camp  cov- 
ered a surface  of  several  miles  in  extent ; 


farmhouses  were  turned  into  barracks, 
and  pastures  into  parade-grounds;  and 
the  quiet  of  the  country  was  disturbed 
by  the  daily  beatings  to  arms  of  the  as- 
sembled troops. 

Washington  found  a disorderly  crowd 
of  followers,  whom  it  required  all  his  gen- 
eralship to  drill  into  the  shape  of  soldiers  ; 
" a mixed  multitude  of  people,”  he  said, 
‘‘  who  are  under  very  little  discipline,  or- 
der, or  government.”  Disrespect  to  offi- 
cers and  unsoldierlike  conduct  were  the 
chief  vices  of  his  irregular  forces ; and 
Washington  did  his  best,  by  means  of 
fines,  the  pillory,  the  wooden  horse,  whip 
ping,  and  drumming  out  of  camp,  to  in 
culcate  among  his  independent  militia 
lessons  of  respect  and  subordination.  The 
ciders  military  eye  was  greatly  offended 
at  the  ragged  and  miscellaneously-assort- 
ed dresses  of  his  men.  One  of  his  first 
efforts  was  to  get  a supply  of  ten  thou- 
sand hunting-shirts,  to  clothe  the  naked- 
ness and  to  give  some  uniformity  of  ap- 
pearance to  the  troops. 

There  was  a meagerness  of  supply,  in 
another  respect,  more  serious  than  any 
scantiness  of  clothing.  The  American 
army  was  short  of  powder.  Washington 
found  his  “ situation  in  the  article  of  pow- 
der much  more  alarming  than  he  had  the 
most  distant  idea  of.” — “We  reckoned 
upon  three  hundred  quarter-casks,”  wrote 
his  secretary,  Reed,  “ and  had  but  thirty 
two  barrels.”  The  scarcity,  in  fact,  had 
become  so  great,  that  an  order  was  issued, 
forbidding  any  one  to  waste  it  in  shoot- 
ing birds,  or  in  any  kind  of  sport.  This 
deficiency  became  very  alarming,  as  the 
enemy  seemed  to  threaten  an  attack,  and 


J 


190 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  11 


were  daily  keeping  up  a brisk  cannonade 
at  the  American  lines,  though  fortunate- 
ly with  but  little  effect,  except  when  the 
imprudence  of  the  raw  militia  exposed 
them  to  danger.  “ Two  were  killed,” 
writes  Reed,  “ at  the  lines  last  week,  by 
running  after  cannon-shot.  We  scarcely 
lie  down  or  rise  up,  but  with  the  expec- 
tation that  the  night  or  the  day  must 
produce  some  important  event.”  The 

want  of  ammunition  was  not  only  alarm- 

•/ 

ing,but  exceedingly  vexatiou.s,as  it  forced 
Washiimton  to  “ bear  with  the  rascals  on 

O 

Bunker’s  hill,  when  a few  shot,  now  and 
then,  in  return,  would  keep  the  men  at- 
tentive to  their  business,  and  give  the 
enemy  alarms.” 


Nor  were  these  the  only  wants  which 
Washington  required  to  be  supplied.  He 
was  in  need  of  money,  being  much  em- 
barrassed, as  he  wrote  to  the  president 
of  Congress,  for  want  of  a military  chest. 
He  also  solicited  the  appointment  of  a 
commissary-general, a quaiiermaster-gen- 
eral,  a commissary  of  musters,  and  a com- 
missary of  artillery.  With  all  these  dis- 
advantages of  want  of  discipline,  want  of 
ammunition,  and  want  of  the  means  of 
organization,  the  American  troops  were 
not  distrustful  of  their  powers  to  cope 
with  the  enemy,  and,  in  frequent  skir- 
mishes with  the  British,  showed  no  lack 
of  spirit,  but  often  “ played  the  man  and 
beat  them.” 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Kumors  of  a Sortie  of  the  British  from  Boston. — Gage  discouraged. — The  III  Condition  of  tlie  British  Force. — The  Suf 
ferings  of  the  Patriots  at  Boston. — Forced  Gayety  of  the  Tories. — Tlie  American  Prisoners. — 111  Treatment. — Sharp 
Correspondence  between  Washington  and  Gage. — Long  Inaction. — A Bombardment. — Arrival  of  Ammunition. — Ex- 
pedition to  Canada  determined  upon. 


Rumors  now  began  to  circulate 
in  the  American  camp,  of  an  in- 
tended sally  of  the  British  from  Boston. 
Gage,  however,  was  not  much  in  the  hu- 
mor for  active  operations  against  the  be- 
siegers. Although  reinforced  by  some 
troops  originally  intended  for  New  York, 
, , he  began  to  think,  and  so  wrote  to 
tlie  government  at  home,  that  his 
[iosition  Avas  the  most  disadvantageous 
po.ssible  for  action.  He  now  felt  himself 
to  be  on  the  defensive,  and  talked  of  what 
he  would  do  in  case  “ the  rebels  presumed 


to  make  an  attack.”  The  troops  suffered 
severely  from  their  fatiguing  duties,  being 
kept  constantly  on  the  alert  by  the  “ au- 
dacity” of  the  provincials,  who  were  con- 
tinually advancing  near  to  the  British 
lines  ever  since  the  “ arrival  of  Generals 
Washington  and  Lee  to  command  them.” 
The  men,  unaccustomed  to  an  American 
climate,  suffered  greatly  from  the  heat, 
to  which  they  were  much  exposed  in 
their  encampments.  Their  food,  too,  Avas 
so  scanty,  that  even  the  sick  and  Avounded 
had  often  nothing  to  eat  but  “ salt  pork 


r 

KKVOI.IJTIONARY.]  SUFFERINGS  OF  THE  ENEMY.  191 


aiid  fish.”  Strong  drink,  however,  they 
had  in  abundance,  from  which  it  was  im- 
possible to  keep  the  soldiers,  for  a six- 
pence would  buy  a quart  of  Wesfilndia 
and  fourpence  the  same  quantity  of  New- 
England  rum.  With  the  excessive  thirst 
engendered  by  the  heat  of  the  summer 
sun,  and  by  their  hard  work,  the  men 
freely  indulged  in  the  liquor  which  was 
so  cheaply  obtained,  and  destroyed  their 
vigor  and  health.  Fevers  and  dysentery 
prevailed  in  the  camp,  attributed  to  “ the 
fatigue  of  duty,  bad  accommodation,  and 
the  use  of  too  much  spirits.”  An  occa- 
sional supply  of  fresh  provisions  would 
be  obtained  by  a lucky  capture,  by  the 
British  men-of-war,  of  some  stray  coaster, 
when  the  bells  of  Boston  were  rung,  as 
if  in  honor  of  a triumph,  so  greatly  over- 
joyed were  the  half-starved  soldiers  at 
Uie  prospect  of  a mess  of  fresh  beef  or 
mutton : - 

“ Britons,  with  grief  your  bosoms  strike ; 

Your  faded  laurels  loudly  weep  ; 

Behold  your  heroes,  Quixote-like, 

Driving  a timid  flock  of — sheep  !” 

Thus,  with  less  heart  than  truth,  sneered 
a whiggish  wag  of  London,  on  the  an- 
nouncement that  General  Gage  had  suc- 
ceeded in  capturing  “ eighteen  hundred 
sheep  and  above  some  one  hundred  head 
of  oxen,  which  will  be  some  relief  to  the 
troops  in  general,  and  of  great  benefit  to 
the  hospitals.” 

The  few  patriots  left  in  Boston  were 
subjected  to  all  kinds  of  annoyances  and 
injury.  Now  one  Avas  clapped  into  the 
guardhouse,  for  seditious  conversation; 
again,  another  was  thrown  into  prison  on 
suspicion  of  being  a spy,  and  signalling 


the  enemy  from  the  church-steeple ; and 
all  Avere  daily  exposed  to  insuk  from  the 
soldiers  and  Avrong  from  the  authorities. 
It  Avas  not  until  food  became  scarce,  that 
Gage  Avould  alloAV  the  patriots  to  leaA^e 
tlie  city,  and  thus  escape  his  persecutions. 
Even  then  they  Avere  not  permitted  to 
cany  aAvay  Avith  them  their  valuables  or 
any  money,  beyond  a feAV  pounds  each. 
Many,  hoAvever,  succeeded  in  eluding  the 
viy-ilance  of  the  guards  ; and  Avomen  Avere 
knoAAui  to  liaAm  carried  out  their  silver 
spoons,  seAved  in  the  lining  of  their  pet- 
ticoats. 

The  tory  citizens  suffered,  in  common 
Avith  all,  from  the  scant  supply  of  the 
luxuries  and  even  the  necessities  of  life, 
but  kept  up  their  hearts  Avith  the  confi- 
dent hope  that  a better  time  Avas  soon 
coming,  and,  as  one  Avrote,  that  “ Boston 
Avill  be  thisAA'inter  the  emporium  of  Amer- 
ica for  plenty  and  pleasure.”  These  loy- 
al folks  rather  pitied  the  patriots,  and  in 
their  letters  to  those  of  their  friends  en- 
gaged in  the  American  cause,  “ heartily 
Avished”  they  Avere  as  safe  as  they  them- 
selves Avere.  They  kept  up  a forced  gay- 
ety  Avithin  the  besieged  town,  by  an  oc- 
casional concert  and  farce,  at  the  play- 
house in  Faneuil  hall,  during  the  Aveek; 
and  managed  on  Sundays  to  form  a “ gen- 
teel audience”  to  listen  to  the  excellent 
discourse”  of  the  tory  parson,  Avho  had 
“ received  a call  to  the  elegant  neAV 
church”  vacated  by  the  flight  of  its  pa- 
triotic rector. 

There  Avere  certain  sufferers  within  the 
besieged  city,  Avhose  position  aAvakened 
especially  the  sympathy  of  the  patriots : 
these  were  the  prisoners  Avho  had  been 


192 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


taken  at  Bunker’s  hill.  W asliington,  hav- 
ing learned  that  they  were  treated  with 
severity,  and  that,  no  distinction  being 
made  between  officers  and  soldiers,  both 
were  thrown  into  a common  jail,  deter- 
mined to  write  to  the  British  general, 
and  demand  redress.  His  letter  Avas  calm 
and  dignified. 

The  British  general  sent  an  answer, 
which  Avas  unnecessarily  irritating  and 
impolitic.  Gage  mu.st  have  recalled  the 
old  times  Avhen  he  and  Washington  Avere 
comrades  in  Braddock’s  campaign ; and, 
although  the  lapse  of  tAventy  years  had 
brought  the  great  change  Avhich  placed 
them  in  antagonism  as  enemies,  nothing 
had  ever  occurred  to  ruffle  the  relations 
Avdiich  the  two  bore  to  each  other  as  gen- 
tlemen. Gage  might  therefore  have  for- 
borne the  use  of  those  expressions  of  con- 
tumely in  which  he  indulged. 

Washington  rejoined  in  severe  butAvell- 
merited  terms,  and,  true  to  his  Avord,  treab 
ed  his  British  prisoners  as  Gage  had  treat- 
ed the  Americans.  He  ordered  those  avIio 
had  enjoyed  comparative  liberty  at  Wa- 
tertoAAui  and  Cape  Ann,  to  be  thrust  into 
jail  at  Northampton.  His  humanity,  hoAV- 
ever,  soon  revolted  at  this  severity,  and 
in  a few  days  he  countermanded  those 
orders.  The  correspondence  Avith  Gage 
here  closed  for  ever,  as  Washington  had 
thought  probable. 

It  Avas  noAV  t\A'o  months  since  the  arri- 
val of  Washington ; and,  although  he  had 
been  active  in  strengthening  his  defences 
and  in  organizing  the  army  — Avith  such 
a success,  that  he  flattered  himself  that 
in  a little  time  he  should  Avork  up  the 
‘ raw  materials  into  a good  manufacture” 


— yet  little  had  been  done  in  the  Avay 
of  active  hostility.  The  British  Avere  so 
hemmed  in,  and  so  depressed,  that  they 
shoAved  even  less  than  the  Americans  any 
disposition  toAvard  beginning  an  attack. 
A battery,  hoAvever,  wdiich  in  the  course 
of  a night  had  risen  under  the 
busy  hands  of  a thousand  patri-  * 
ots,  on  the  top  of  Ploughed  hill,  excited 
the  enemy  to  action,  and  they  began  a 
brisk  cannonade  from  Bunker’s  hill  upon 
the  neAV  American  Avorks.  At  one  time 
the  British  Avere  seen  to  move,  and  it  Avas 
thought  that  they  were  preparing  for  an 
attack.  Washington,  accordingly,  with 
hopes  of  an  engagement,  sent  doAvn  five 
thousand  men  on  the  CharlestoAvn  road 
to  meet  the  enemy,  and  be  prepared  to 
give  battle.  The  British,  hoAvever,  did 
not  come  out;  and,  as  a contemporary 
chronicler  records,  “ the  most  aAvful  si- 
lence AA\as  observed  on  both  sides.”  The 
next  day  the  bombardment  Avas  resumed, 
Avhich  the  Americans,  careful  of  their  am- 
munition, did  not  return,  except  by  firing 
a single  pounder,  Avith  Avhich  they  suc- 
ceeded in  sinking  a floating  battery. 

The  American  camp  Avas  greatly  en- 
couraged by  the  timely  arrival  of  a sup- 
ply of  ammunition  from  Rhode  Island. 
It  was  said  to  have  been  got  from  the 
various  British  posts  on  the  coast  of  Af- 
rica, by  means  of  the  NeAv-England  coast- 
ers, AAdiich  Avent  laden  Avith  native  rum, 
and  brought  back  a “ fiery  commodity  of 
a different  quality.”  So  successful  AA'as 
this  venture,  that  every  garrison  visited 
on  the  African  coast  AA'as  supposed  to  have 
given  up  its  last  ounce  of  powder,  in  ex- 
change for  the  highly-marke table  Yankee 


ARNOLD  ASTIR. 


r_ 


REVOLUTIONARY.] 


193 


liquor.  The  British,  however,  still  kept 
within  Boston,  and  would  give  Washing- 
Ion  no  opportunity  to  use  with  effect  his 
fresh  supply  of  ammunition.  But  while 
thus  condemned  to  a forced  inactivity  at 


Cambridge,  he  found  an  occasion  ^ ^ 
for  the  employment  of  a portion 
of  his  troops  in  active  service.  He  had 
resolved  upon  sending  an  expedition  to 


Canada. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Allen  nncl  Arnold  disputing  for  the  Command  at  Ticonderoga. — Arnold  o.allcd  to  Account  by.  the  Massachusetts  Legisla- 
ture.— Throws  up  his  Commission  in  High  Dudgeon. — Returns  to  Cambridge. — Is  pacified  by  the  Prospect  of  a Com- 
mand in  the  Expedition  to  Canada. — Appointed  to  co-operate  with  Schuyler. — Daniel  Morgan  and  his  Rifle-Corps. — 
Arnold  sets  out  for  Canada. — Schuyler  sets  out  also. — Illness  of  Schuyler. — Montgomery  succeeds  to  the  Command. 
- -Ilis  Life  and  Character. — Siege  of  St.  Johns  — Allen  succeeded  in  Command  of  the  Green-Mountain  Boys  by  Seth 
Warner. — Allen  goes  on  an  Expedition  on  his  own  Account. — Is  defeated  and  taken  Prisoner. — Sir  Guy  Carleton  de- 
feated.— St.  Johns  surrendered. 


With  the  successes  of  Ethan  Al- 

1 7 m 5$ 

len  and  Benedict  Arnold  at  Ticon- 
deroga  and  Crown  Point,  there  began  a 
strife  between  these  adventurous  leaders 
for  the  command  of  the  forts,  which  was, 
as  has  been  already  related,  temporarily 
decided  by  the  Connecticut  committee, 
which  had  accompanied  the  expedition, 
in  fivor  of  Allen.  He  therefore  remained 
with  his  “ Green-mountain  boys,”  as  com- 
mandant of  Ticonderoga  and  its  depen- 
dencies. Arnold  was  forced  to  yield,  but 
did  it  with  an  ill  grace,  wdiile  still  declar- 
ing that  his  rights  had  been  usurped. 

“ Colonel  Allen,”  he  wrote,  in  a statement 
of  his  grievances  sent  to  the  Massachu-  ! 
setts  committee  of  safety,  “is  a proper 
man  to  head  his  own  wild  people,  but  en- 
tirely unacquainted  with  military  affairs ; 
and,  as  I am  the  only  person  who  has 
been  legally  authorized  to  take  posses- 
sion of  this  place,  I am  determined  to  in- 
sist upon  my  right.’ 


of  course  had  their  own  views  upon  the 
subject,  and  took  care  to  make  them 
known  to  the  authorities. 

In  the  meantime,  the  restless  Arnold 
found  work  for  his  busy  activities.  Hav- 
ing armed  the  sloop,  schooner,  and  the 
batteaux  he  had  captured  at  Skenesbor- 
ough  and  St.  Johns,  he  appointed  his  cap- 
tains, and  hoisted  his  flag  as  the  self-con- 
stituted admiral  of  this  Lilliputian  squad- 
ron. Crown  Point  was  his  naval  station  ; 
and  when  he  heard  rumors  of  the  ap- 
proach of  a British  force  of  four  hundred 
from  Montreal,  he  valiantly  resolved  with 
his  armed  vessels  and  his  hundred  and 
fifty  men  to  defend  his  post,  and  remain 
master  of  the  waters  of  Lake  Champlain, 
upon  which  his  adventurous  flag  floated 
so  defiantly. 

Arnold  was  enabled  to  gather  valuable 
informa  tion  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Brit- 
ish in  Canada.  He  had,  during  former 


Allen  and  his  friends  | trading-enterprises,  made  acquaintances 
23 


194 

in  both  Montreal  and  Quebec,  with  whom 
he  now,  by  means  of  a trusty  messenger, 
held  confidential  communication.  The 
result  Arnold  reported  to  the  continental 
Cono-ress.  In  his  statement  he  said  that 

O 

there  were  certain  persons  in  Montreal 
who  bad  agreed  to  open  the  gates  to  an 
American  force;  and  that  General  Guy 
Carleton,the  Canadian  governor,had  only 
five  hundred  and  fifty  efiective  men,  scat- 
tered at  different  posts,  to  oppose  an  atr 
tack.  He,  moreover,  expressed  his  belief 
that  a successful  expedition  against  all 
Canada  could  be  undertaken  with  two 
thousand  men ; and,  offering  to  lead  it, 
pledged  himself  for  its  success. 

Arnold  was  waiting  impatiently  at 
Crown  Point  for  an  answer  to  bis  propo- 
sition laid  before  the  Congress,  when  he 
was  disagreeably  surprised  and  his  ardent 
hopes  dashed  by  the  arrival  of  a “ com- 
mittee of  three”  from  the  Massachusetts 
legislature,  empowered  to  make  certain 
inquiries  in  regard  to  his  “ spirit,  capaci- 
ty, and  conduct.”  The  impetuous  Arnold 
could  not  brook  any  interference,  and  he 
was  greatly  indignant  when  the  commitr 
tee  laid  their  instructions  before  him. 
There  were  no  charges  specified ; and, 
without  them,  he  declared,  and  with  seem- 
ing justice,  that  an  inquiry  into  his  “ con- 
duct” was  against  all  law  and  precedent. 
As  for  the  investigation  into  his  “ capa- 
city and  spirit,”  this  he  in  a great  rage 
denounced  as  an  insult.  As  for  the  ac- 
count of  expenses  which  was  required  of 
him,  all  he  had  to  say  was,  that  he  had 
already  paid  a hundred  pounds  out  of  his 
own  pocket,  and  had  incurred  debts  in 
behalf  of  his  forces  which  must  be  paid. 


'part  11. 

or  he  himself  would  be  personally  dishon- 
ored. Connecticut,  to  which  province 
Massachusetts  had  left  the  decision  of  the 
question  between  Arnold  and  Allen,  had 
settled  it  by  the  appointment  of  Colonel 
Ilinman  as  commandant  of  the  forts  on 
Lake  Champlain.  This  so  enraged  Ar- 
nold, that  he  swore  .he  never  would  sub- 
mit to  the  degradation  of  being  super- 
seded by  a junior  officer.  Full  of  wrath 
and  disappointment,  he  resolved  upon 
throwing  up  his  commission,  and  wrote 
a letter  of  resignation.  His  men  were 
discharged  by  Arnold,  and,  as  they  were 
unpaid,  they  became  as  unruly  and  resistr 
ant  as  their  di.scontented  leader.  They 
were,  however,  soon  pacified  by  the  lib 
eral  promises  of  the  committee,  and  most 
of  the  soldiers  were  induced  to  re-enlist. 
Arnold  himself  hurried  back  to  the  army 
at  Cambridge,  where  he  continued  vio- 
lent in  his  complaints  of  wrong,  and  resh 
lessly  discontented,  until  Washington  — 
conscious  of  the  daring  and  capacity  of 
the  man — found  in  the  proposed  expedi- 
tion against  Canada  a suitable  scope  for 
the  exercise  of  that  turbulent  spirit  which 
seemed  only  calm  in  difficulty  and  dan- 
ger. 

Congress  was  naturally  distrustful  of 
the  propositions  which  it  had  received 
from  such  men  as  Allen  and  Arnold. 
When  the  former  was  writing  in  such  a 
“ Bombastes”  vein  of  what  he  could  and 
would  do ; and  when  the  plans  of  the  lab 
ter,  however  rational  they  might  seem, 
came  from  one  whose  conduct  Avas  a sub- 
ject at  least  of  question,  it  was  right  that 
no  hasty  act  of  legislative  concurrence* 
should  commit  the  Congress  to  plans  com 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  EXPEDITION  TO  CANADA.  I9:> 

ingfrom  such  apparently  doubtful  sources. 

form  part  of  the  army — say  one  thousand 

Both  Arnold’s  and  Allen’s  letters  were 

men  — five  hundred  men  to  be  sent  from 

characteristic  of  the  men.  Those  of  the 

New  York,  five  hundred  of  General  Ar- 

former  were  arrogant  and  self-seeking, 

Hold’s  regiment,including  the  seamen  and 

and  those  of  the  latter  exaggerated  and 

marines  on  board  the  vessels  (no  Green- 

incoherent.  Allen  writes  to  the  provin- 

mountain  boys).” 

cial  Congress  of  New  York: — 

The  “no  Greennnonntain  bof/s^'  in  the  pa- 

“ I wish  to  God  America  would,  at  this 

renthesis,  was  a vindictive  thrust  at  Allen, 

critical  juncture,  exert  herself  agreeably 

whom  Arnold  hated  as  a rival,  and  feared. 

to  the  indignity  offered  her  by  a tyran- 

from  his  adventurous  spirit  and  his  pop- 

nical  ministry.  She  might  rise  on  eagles’ 

ularity  among  the  wild  settlers  of  the 

wings  and  mount  up  to  glory,  freedom, 

“ New-Hampshire  grants,”  as  a competi- 

and  immortal  honor,  if  she  did  but  know 

tor  in  his  own  line  of  daring  enterprise. 

and  exert  her  strength.  Fame  is  now 

The  services  of  both  Allen  and  Arnold, 

hovering  over  her  head.  A vast  conti- 

however,  were  too  valuable  to  be  disre- 

nent  must  now  sink  to  slavery,  poverty. 

garded ; and  both,  as  we  shall  see,  were 

horror,  and  bondage,  or  rise  to  unconquer- 

to  be  again  availed  of 

able  freedom,  immense  wealth,  inexpres- 

Schuyler,  of  New  York,  who  had  been 

sible  felicity,  and  immortal  fame. 

appointed  one  of  the  major-generals  ol 

“ I will  lay  my  life  on  it,  that,  with  fif- 

the  army,  was,  after  some  hesitation  and 

teen  hundred  men  and  a proper  train  of 

delay,  directed  by  the  continental  Con- 

artillery,  I will  take  Montreal.  Provided 

gress  to  attempt,  by  the  way  of 

I could  be  thus  furnished,  and  if  an  army 

the  forts  on  Lake  Champlain,  an 

could  command  the  field,  it  would  be  no 

invasion  of  Canada.  The  time  was  now 

insuperable  difficulty  to  take  Quebec.” 

supposed  to  be  favorable,  as  the  governor. 

Arnold,  after  stating  the  plan  he  pro- 

Guy  Carleton,  Avas  strengthening  the  Ca- 

posed,  which  we  have  already  mentioned. 

nadian  fortifications,  and  aAvaiting  rein- 

writes  to  the  continental  Congress  at  Phil- 

forcements,  to  retake  Ticonderoga  and 

adelphia : — 

Crown  Point.  It  Avas  believed  that  the 

I beg  leave  to  add  that,  if  no  person 

French-Canadians,  averse  to  British  do- 

appears  who  will  undertake  to  carry  the 

minion,  Avere  ready  to  Avelcome  any  pros- 

plan  into  execution,  I will  undertake,  and 

pect  of  deliverance  from  their  English 

with  the  smiles  of  Heaven  answer  for  the 

masters,  and  that  they  Avould  be  ready  to 

success,  provided  I am  supplied  with  men. 

enroll  themselA^es  under  the  banner  of 

to  carry  it  into  execution  without  loss  of 

the  first  continental  force  that  should  pro- 

time 

sent  itself  Schuyler  Avas  accordingly 

“In  order  to  give  satisfaction  to  the 

urged  to  advance  as  rapidly  as  possible 

different  colonies,  I propose  that  Colonel 

into  Canada,  that  he  might  avail  himself 

llinman’s  regiment,  now  on  their  march 

of  the  present  favorable  dispo.sition  of  the 

from  Connecticut  to  Ticonderoga,  should 

people,  and  anticipate  the  preparations 

19(;  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  ii. 

1 

for  defence  which  had  been  made  by  the 
British  authorities. 

September,  with  his  eleven  him- 
dred  men,  for  Canada.  The  expe- 

Washiiificton  saw  Arnold  often  at  head- 

dition  was  one  full  of  danger  and  diffi- 

quarters,  and  was  so  struck  with  the  un- 

culty,  and  was  thus  peculiarly  attractive 

daunted  spirit  of  the  man,  and  his  evident 

to  its  bold  and  adventurous  leader,  as  it 

familiarity  with  the  ground  and  position 

was  to  other  youthful  and  ardent  spirits, 

of  affairs  in  Canada,  that  he  did  not  hesi- 

who  fretted  impatiently  against  the  inac- 

tate  to  confide  to  him  the  command  of 

tivity  of  the  camp  at  Cambridge.  Aaron 

the  force  he  had  resolved  upon  sending, 

Burr,  then  only  twenty  years  of  age,  was 

to  co-operate  with  Schuyler.  Eleven  him- 

at  that  time  serving  in  a New-Jersey  regi- 

dred  men  were  detached  for  this  service. 

ment,  but,  when  he  heard  of  Arnold’s  ex- 

They  were  for  the  most  part  picked  New- 

pedition,  offered  himself  as  a volunteer. 

England  troops,  to  which  were  added 

and  was  accepted,  much  to  the  satisfac- 

three  companies  of  riflemen  from  Penn- 

tion  of  his  martial  longings.  The  chief 

sylvania  and  Virginia.  At  the  head  of 

officers  under  Arnold  as  the  colonel,  were 

this  rifle-corps  was  Captain  Daniel  Mor- 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Christopher  Greene, 

G/iN,  who,  on  his  arrival  in  the  camp  with 

LieutenantrE  jlonel  Roger  Enos,  and  Ma- 

his  band  of  sharpshooters  a few  weeks 

jors  Bigelow  and  Meigs. 

before,  had  greatly  excited  the  curiosity 

Tlie  route  to  be  taken  by  the  expedi- 

of  tlie  whole  army.  Morgan  himself  was 

tion  Avas  by  the  Kennebec  river,  through 

a remarkable  man  in  appearance,  with 

a wilderness,  to  Canada,  and  Avas  knoAvn 

his  great,  stalwart  frame ; and  his  follow- 

only  through  the  reports  of  some  rare 

ers  were  no  less  conspicuous  for  their 

traveller  or  the  vague  accounts  of  the 

size  and  strength.  Many  of  them  were 

Indians.  Two  explorers  Avere  sent  in 

gaunt  Irishmen,  and  their  leathern  hunts- 

advance,  to  make  their  Avay  secretly  to 

men’s  dress  added  to  their  wildness  of 

Quebec,  and  to  return  to  Arnold  on  his 

aspect.  Each  wore  upon  his  breast  the 

march  Avith  Avhat  information  they  could 

motto  “Liberty  or  death!”  — and,  what 

obtain.  Washington  had  made  every 

with  their  fierce  look  and  unrestrained 

possible  provision  for  the  success  of  the 

manners,  Daniel  Morgan  and  his  men 

enterprise.  Transports  Avere  provided  at 

were  regarded  by  the  prim  New-England- 

NeAvburyport,  and  carpenters  sent  from 

ers  very  much  as  if  they  were  so  many 

Cambridge  to  construct  tivo  hundred  bat- 

savages.  The  camp  was  not  averse  to 

teaux  on  the  banks  of  the  Kennebec  for 

their  departure,  as,  apart  from  their  some- 

the  conveyance  of  the  troops  up  that  riv- 

what  rude  bearing,  the  fact  of  so  many 

er.  Arnold  marched  to  NeAvburyport, 

of  them  being  Irishmen  was  no  recoin- 

and  thence,  after  taking  care  to  send  out 

mendation  in  those  early  days  to  popular 

several  small  boats,  to  look  if  the  coast 

favor. 

Avas  clear  of  British  cruisers,  embarked 

Arnold,  having  been  appointed  colonel 

his  force  in  the  eleven  vessels  which  had 

by  Washington,  set  out,  on  the  1 3th  of 

been  provided,  and  sailed  on  the  1 9th  of 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  RICHARD  MONTGOMERY.  107 


September  for  the  mouth  of  the  Kenne- 
bec river. 

General  Schuyler  had  in  the  mean- 
while, in  accordance  with  the  orders  of 
Congress,  left  New  York  for  the  north, 
reaching:  Ticonderoga  on  the  18th  of  Ju- 
ly,  where  he  was  long  delayed  in  fortify- 
ing that  post.  Having  placed  the  fort 
under  the  command  of  General  Richard 
Montgomery,  Schuyler  returned  to  Alba- 
ny, to  meet  with  the  chiefs  of  the  Caugh- 
nawagas  and  of  the  Six  Nations,  assem- 
bled to  confer  witli  him,  with  the  view 
of  a treaty.  While  here,  he  received  a 
despatch  from  Washington  at  Cambridge, 
informing  him  of  the  project  he  had  de- 
vised of  sending  a detachment  of  his 
troops  to  Canada.  This  intelligence  was 
joyfully  received  by  Schuyler,  as  it  fell 
in  very  opportunely  with  the  expedition 
wdiich  he  himself  had  just  resolved  — in 
consequence  of  some  information  he  had 
received  of  the  position  of  affairs  in  Can- 
ada— to  send  against  that  province.  He 
answered  Washingtoifs  despatch,  with  a 
very  hopeful  expression  of  the  probable 
success  of  the  proposed  enterprises,  and 
immediately  prepared  to  perform  his 
share  of  the  undertaking. 

From  Albany  Schuyler  pushed  on  to 
Ticonderoga,  but,  on  arriving  there,  found 
Montgomery  had  gone,  leaving  Avord  for 
his  superior  to  follow  him  at  once  in  a 
whale-boat.  Montgomery  had  heard  of 
a proposed  movement  of  Sir  Guy  Carle- 
ton,  by  which  that  British  officer  intend- 
ed, with  a fleet  of  armed  vessels,  which 
were  nearly  ready,  to  sail  from  St.  Johns 
through  the  Sorel  river  into  Lake  Chain- 
plain.  To  anticipate  this  manoeuvre,  Montr 


gomery  embarked  in  haste  witli  a thou- 
sand men  and  two  fieldpiece.s,  and  sailed 
from  Ticonderoga  to  the  Isle  aux  Noix. 
with  the  view  of  taking  possession  and 
fortifying  that  island,  at  the  entrance  of 
the  Sorel  river,  and  thus  preventing  the 
approach  of  the  enemy. 

Schuyler,  on  his  arrival  at  Ticonderu- 
ga  in  the  night,  was  so  ill  with 
fever,  that  he  was  unable  to  fol- 
low  Montgomery  until  the  next  morning, 
and  then  by  the  slow  conveyance  of  a 
batteau  instead  of  a whale-boat,  as  he  was 
too  weak  to  proceed  except  on  a bed, 
which  could  only  be  spread  in  tlie  larger 
craft.  It  was  several  days  before  he  over- 
took Montgomery ; and  then,  assuming 
the  command,  the  force  proceeded  to  the 
Isle  aux  Noix,  which  they  reached  on  the 
4th  of  September.  Trusting  to  the  re- 
port of  very  formidable  preparations  by 
the  enemy,  Schuyler,  after  sailing  down 
the  Sorel  to  within  a mile  and  a half  of 
St.  Johns,  and  receiving  a few  shots  from 
the  garrison,  determined  to  return  to  the 
Isle  aux  Noix.  Upon  reaching  this  place, 
Schuyler  yielded  up  the  command  to 
Montgomery,  and  returned  himself  to  Ti- 
conderoga, to  recruit  his  broken  health, 
and  do  what  he  could  in  furthering  the 
objects  of  the  expedition,  by  forwarding 
men  and  supplies. 

Richard  Montgomery  was  perhaps  as 
ardent  and  hasty  as  Schuyler  was  cool 
and  cautious.  Quick  blood  was  charac- 
teristic of  the  Irish  descent  of  the  former, 
and  torpid  phlegm  was  not  unnatural  in 
one  of  Dutch  origin.  Montgomery,  al- 
though born  in  Ireland,  came  early  to 
America,  as  a young  subaltern  in  a Brit 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LI'AKT  I 


lys 


ish  regiiuont,  but  won  a commission  as 
lieutenant  by  his  bravery  at  Louisbnrg. 
Sal)sequently  serving  with  Amherst,  he 
was  promoted  to  a captaincy ; and  at  the 
close  of  the  French  War,  he  retired  to 
England.  His  visit  to  America,  however, 
had  attached  him  to  the  land  and  its  peo- 
ple. He  accordingly  sold  his  commission, 
and,  purchasing  an  estate  on  the  banks 
of  the  Hudson,  retired  there  with  a wife 
whom  he  had  married  in  New  York  : here 
he  desired  to  live  a quiet  life,  in  domes- 
tic happiness  and  the  peaceful  pursuit  of 
husbandry.  His  repose,  however,  lasted 
but  three  years.  The  disturbances  with 
the  mother-country  having  broken  out, 
he  joined  the  popular  cause,  and  was, 
from  his  earnest  a'ttnchment  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  liberty,  and  his  military  experi- 
ence, elected  by  the  continental  Con- 
gress second  in  rank  of  the  brigadier- 
generals.  He  was  still  a young  man,  not 
having  reached  his  fortieth  year,  but  had 
the  reputation  of  prudence  in  counsel,  al- 
though known  to  be  impetuous  in  spirit. 
His  personal  appearance  was  all  in  his 
favor,  having  a frank,  handsome  face,  and 
a well-proportioned,  manly  figure.  He 
was  a great  favorite  with  his  men,  and  in 
action  they  did  not  hesitate  to  follow  wil- 
lingly wherever  their  gallant  commander 
led  them. 

Montgomery,  now  in  command,  was 
eager  to  be  at  work : so  he  prepared  at 
once  to  invest  St.  Johns.  He  first  sent 
forward  a force  of  five  hundred  men,  to 
Ci)mman(l  the  junction  of  the  two  roads 
which  lead  to  Chambly  and  Montreal,  and 
thus  cut  ofi’  supplies  and  reinforcements 
from  that  direction.  Montgomery  then, 


havino;  thrown  across  the  entrance  to  Sf»- 
rel  river  a quantity  of  trees  and  brush- 
wood, to  stop  the  progress  of  the  enemy’s 
vessels  irito  the  lake,  advanced  his  forciis 
and  artilleiy  to  witliin  a short  distance 
of  St.  Johns.  Here,  while  exposed  to  a 
brisk  fire,  he  commenced  his  operations 
for  a siege,  constructing  batteries  and 
other  covers  for  his  attack.  His  means, 
however,  proved  miserably  scanty.  His 
artillery  was  deficient  in  guns,  and  not 
of  sufficient  weight ; his  ammunition  was 
small  in  quantity,  and  his  men  were  not 
sufficiently  skilled  in  the  management  ot 
the  camion.  The  ground,  too,  on  which 
he  had  taken  his  position  was  swampy, 
and  so  crowded  with  trees  and  under- 
growth as  to  interfere  greatly  with  the 
works.  To  add  still  more  to  his  misfor- 
tunes, disease  broke  out  among  the  troops, 
who,  finally  losing  spirit,  began  to  grow 
disaffected.  Montgomery  now'  proposed 
to  change  his  position  to  a spot  at  the 
northw^est,  Avhere  some  heisrlits  wmuld 
give  him  more  suitable  ground,  and  a bet- 
ter chance  at  the  enemy.  This  plan,  after 
some  opposition  on  the  part  of  the  men 
and  officers,  Avas  finally  adopted  ; and  the 
troops  shifted  their  position,  and  began 
to  throAV  up  anoAV  some  Avorks  on  the 
fresh  place  selected. 

While  Montgomery  Avas  at  the  Isle  aux 

Noix,  Ethan  Allen  and  Major  Brown  had 

been  sent  Avith  a feAV  men  on  a 

• • in  T 1 Septi  5» 

secret  enterprise  into  Lanada,  to 

endeavor  to  obtain  recruits  among  the 

inhabitants  of  that  province,  Avho  Avere 

reported  to  be  favorably  disposed  toAvard 

the  patriot  cause.  Allen  had  been  obliged 

to  yield  the  command  of  his  beloved 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.J  ETHAN  ALLEN  IN  CANADA.  199 

“Green-mountain  boys”  to  Seth  Warner. 

cause,  come  cap  in  hand  to  me ; and  I 

In  his  own  account  of  his  loss  he  said : 

swear  by  the  Lord,  I can  raise  three  times 

“ Notwithstanding  my  zeal  and  success  in 

the  number  of  our  army  in  Canada  pro- 

my  country’s  cause,  the  old  farmers  on 

vided  you  continue  the  siege.  The  eyes 

the  New-Hampshire  grants,  who  do  not 

of  all  America,  nay,  of  Europe,  are  or  Avill 

incline  to  go  to  war,  have  met  in  a com- 

be  on  the  economy  of  this  army  and  the 

mittee  meeting,  and,  in  their  nomination 

consequences  attending  it.” 

of  officers  for  the  regiment  of  Green- 

Brown  and  Allen,  Avho  had  separated 

mountain  boys,  have  wholly  omitted  me. 

in  the  course  of  their  recruiting-duties 

T find  myself  in  the  favor  of  the  officers 

in  Canada,  noAV  met  betAveen  Longueuil 

of  the  army  and  the  young  Green-mount- 

and  La  Prairie.  BroAvn,  declaring  that 

ain  boys.  How  the  old  men  came  to  re- 

the  garrison  at  Montreal  Avas  composed 

ject  me  I can  not  conceive,  inasmuch  as 

only  of  some  thirty  men,  suggested  that 

I saved  them  from  the  encroachments  of 

the  occasion  Avas  favorable  for  an  attack 

New  York.” — “The  old  men,”  says  Ir- 

upon  that  city.  Allen’s  adventurous  spir- 

ving,  who  quotes  this  letter,  “ probably 

it  Avas  up  in  a moment,  and  he  eagerly 

doubted  his  discretion.” 

seized  the  opportunity  of  distinguishing 

Allen,  thus  deprived  of  his  command. 

himself  It  Avas  then  agreed  betAveen  the 

was  so  desirous  of  having  a share  in  the 

tAvo,  that  the  enterprise  should  be  under- 

expected  glories  of  the  northern  expedi- 

taken  by  them  jointly ; and  it  Avas  ar- 

tion,  that  he  solicited  employment  from 

ranged  that  Allen  should  return  Avith  his 

Schuyler,  and  was  accordingly  attached 

force  to  Longueuil,  and  cross  the  St.  Lhav- 

to  the  army.  That  so  harum-scanim  a 

rence  to  the  opposite  bank  a little  beloAv 

character  should  be  intrusted  with  the 

Montreal,  AA’hile  BroAvn  should  proceed 

delicate  service  upon  which  he  was  now 

farther  up  the  river  Avith  his  tAvo  hundred 

engaged,  seems  very  remarkable  ; but  his 

men  and  land  above  the  city.  The  tAvo 

success  was  still  more  astounding,  if  we 

forces  Avere  then  to  march  from  their  sev- 

can  take  his  own  word  : — 

eral  positions,  and  attack  Montreal  simul- 

“ I am  now,”  Allen  writes  to  Montgom- 

taneously  from  tAVO  opposite  points. 

ery,“at  the  parish  of  St.  Ours,  four  leagues 

The  tAVO  men  separated,  and  Allen  led 

from  Sorel,  to  the  south.  I have  two  him- 

his  eighty  Canadians  and  thirty  Ameri- 

dred  and  fifty  Canadians  under  arms.  As 

cans — for  this  Avas  the  whole  extent  of 

I march,  they  gather  fast.  You  may  re- 

his  force,  notwithstanding  the  grandilo- 

ly  on  it,  that  I shall  join  you  in  about 

quent  account  he  had  sent  to  Montgom- 

three  days,  Avith  five  hundred  or  more 

ery  of  the  success  of  his  recruiting-service 

(■anadian  volunteers.  I could  raise  one 

— back  to  Longueuil.  On  arriving  at  this 

or  two  thousand  in  a week’s  time  ; but  I 

place,  Avhich  is  nearly  opposite  to  ^ ^ 

will  first  visit  the  army  with  a less  num- 

Montreal,  he  Avas  disappointed  in  * 

her,  and,  if  necessary,  go  again  recruiting. 

not  finding  a sufficient  number  of  canoes 

Those  that  used  to  be  enemies  to  our 

to  take  all  his  men  over  the  river  at  once. 

t ' 

?0G  BA'rTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [patit  ii. 

He  succeeded,  however,  in  getting  them 

among  which  he  frequently  used  the  word 

all  across  in  the  course  of  the  night,  and 

‘ rebel,’  and  put  himself  in  a great  rage.” 

in  safety, notwithstanding  that  the  weath- 

The  wild  appearance  of  Allen  and  his 

er  was  boisterous,  and  the  stream  so  dis- 

men,  with  their  rough  huntsmen’s  shirts. 

turbed  by  the  blustering  wind,  that  it  was 

had  certainly  nothing  of  the  military  reg- 

with  difficulty  the  canoes  were  kept  from 

Illation”  character,  and  it  was  not  surpri- 

being  overset.  Sending  out  guards  on 

sing  that  a general  of  the  “ regular  army” 

the  road  to  Montreal,  to  prevent  a sur- 

should  look  at  his  prisoners  as  so  many 

prise,  Allen  anxiously  awaited  to  hear  of 

freebooters.  “ Their  leader,”  says  Irving, 

Brown’s  landing.  The  night  was  fast  pas- 

“ albeit  a colonel,  must  have  seemed  wor- 

sing,  and  no  ^v'ord  came  from  Brown  ; day 

thy  of  the  band ; for  Allen  was  arrayed 

dawned,  and  still  nothing  was  heard  of 

in  rough,  frontier  style  — a deerskin  jack- 

the  impatiently-waited-for  Brown. 

et,  a vest  and  breeches  of  coarse  serge, 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  enemy  had  got 

worsted  stockings,  stout  shoes,  and  a red 

the  alarm,  and  sent  out  forty  regulars  and 

woollen  cap.” 

a considerable  number  of  Canadians  and 

Ethan  was  treated  without  rearard  to 

Indians,  to  drive  away  the  invaders.  Al- 

his  rank  as  colonel,  and  he  and  his  men 

len  could  not  retreat,  as  there  were  not 

were  indiscriminately  handcuffed,  shack- 

enough  canoes  to  take  his  men  back  to 

led,  and  sent  away  to  be  thrust  into  the 

the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  he  ac- 

hold  of  the  Gaspee  schooner-of-war,  and 

cordingly  prepared  to  give  battle.  A se- 

thus  carried  to  England ; the  British  com- 

vere  strimo-le  ensued,  which  lasted  for 

mandant  of  the  fort  swearing  at  Allen  as 

nearly  two  hours;  but  most  of  Allen’s 

he  was  led  off, and  telling  him  he  deserved 

raw  Canadian  recruits  having  given  way. 

a halter. 

he  was  left  with  only  twenty-eight  Amer- 

Allen,  before  the  schooner  sailed,  took 

icans,  seven  of  whom  were  wounded. 

occasion  to. write  to  General  Prescott,  in 

There  was  no  alternative  now  for  Allen 

his  usual  rhetorical  vein,  and  then  reluc- 

but  surrender,  and  he  accordingly  yield- 

tantly  yielded  to  his  fate.  The  Gaspee 

ed  himself  up  to  the  British  major  and 

schooner  was  his  prison  for  five  weeks. 

his  force,  with  the  condition,  however,  of 

and  then  he  was  transferred  at  Quebec 

honorable  terms  for  himself  and  his  men. 

to  another  British  vessel,  which  carried 

He  was  then  led  into  the  city,  and  brought 

him  to  Falmouth,  in  England,  where  he 

before  General  Prescott,  the  command- 

was  confined  in  Pendennis  castle.  Sub- 

ant,  when  — 

sequently  he  was  sent  back  to  America, 

“He  asked  me,”  writes Allen,“m3mame, 

and,  after  an  imprisonment  of  a year  and 

which  I told  him.  He  then  asked  me 

a half  at  New  York  while  in  possession 

whether  I was  that  Colonel  Allen  who 

of  the  British  forces,  he  was  exchanged 

took  Ticonderoga.  . I told  him  I was  the 

for  an  English  officer,  when  he  retired  to 

very  man.  Then  he  shook  his  cane  over 

his  home  in  Vermont,  and  lived  there  to 

my  head,  calling  me  many  hard  names. 

a good  age,  to  bilk  and  write  copiously 

i 

REVOLCTIONARY.] 


surrp:nder  of  st.  joiins. 


201 


about  Ills  wonderful  exploits  and  adven- 
tures. 

While  poor  Ethan  Allen’s  ambitious 
flights  were  thus  suddenly  clipped  at 
Montreal,  a great  triumph  awaited  his 
old  band  of  “ Green-mountain  hoys,”  un- 
der the  command  of  Seth  Warner,  with 
the  aid  of  Brown,  who,  for  some  reason 
or  other  which  has  never  been  explained, 
instead  of  fulfilling  his  agreement  with 
Allen,  had  returned  to  the  main  body  un- 
der Montgomery,  General  Guy  Carle- 
ton,  having  finished  his  boats,  and  gath- 
ering a large  but  miscellaneous  force  of 
British,  Canadians,  and  Indians, embarked 
them  at  Montreal,  with  the  view  of  pro- 
ceeding to  the  relief  of  St.  Johns,  invest- 
ed by  Montgomery.  Carleton,  however, 
in  attempting  to  cross  the  St.  Lawrence, 
met  with  an  unexpected  opposition  from 
Seth  W arner,  who  with  his  “ Green-mount- 
ain boys”  posted  on  the  bank  of  the  river 
near  Longueuil,  opened  such  a brisk  fire 


upon  the  enemy,  that  they  were  forced 
in  great  confusion  to  fall  back  again  into 
Montreal.  This,  together  with  Brown’s 
success  at  Chambly,  and  his  defeat  of  a 
band  of  Highlanders  on  their  march  to 
co-operate  with  Carleton,  decided  the  fate 
of  St.  Johns.  Montgomery,  as  soon  as 
he  received  word  of  the  defeat  of  Carle- 
ton, summoned  the  garrison  to  surrender, 
informing  the  commandant  that  his  ex- 
pected reinforcement  had  been  cut  ofli. 
The  brave  Preston,  the  British  command- 
jmt,  doubted  the  truth  of  the  report,  and 
declared  that  he  would  still  hold  out  for 
four  days;  l)ut,  provided  the  aid  he  anti- 
cipated did  not  come  in  the  course  of  that 
time,  he  would  give  up  the  fort.  The  aid 
of  course  did  not  come.  St.  Johns  was 
then  surrendered.  Montgomery  now  ad- 
vanced upon  Montreal,  the  gates 
of  which  were  opened  without 
resistance,  and  the  Americans  entered  in 
triumph. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Arnold  sails  up  the  Kennebec. — Tiie  Difficulties  and  Dangers  of  the  Passage. — The  Falls  of  Norridgewock. — The  Portage 
and  its  Trials. — The  Great  Portage — The  Dead  Riv'er. — A Deluge. — A Camp  overflowed. — Tlie  Swollen  Stream, 
and  the  Dangers  of  its  Navigation. — Discouragement  of  the  Men. — Return  of  the  most  Discouraged. — Retreat  of  Enos, 
contrary  to  Orders. — VVasliington’s  Confidence  in  Arnold's  Success,  in  spite  of  Bad  News. — Increasing  Difficulties. — 
Snow  and  Ice. — Arnold,  with  a Small  Party,  pushes  on  in  advance. — Entrance  of  the  Chaudiere. — “A  Fall  ahead.” — 
Narrow  Escajie  from  Destruction. — Safe  Arrival  at  Sertigan. — Abundance  of  Provisions. — Relief  sent  to  those  in  the 
Rear. — Arnold  well  received  by  the  Canadians. — Pushes  on,  and  reaches  the  Bank  of  the  St.  Lawrence  opposite  to 
tjuebec. — Disappointed  in  not  finding  Boats. — Crosses  in  Canoes. — Lands  in  Wolfe’s  Cove. — Scales  the  Heights  of 
Abraham. — Summons  Quebec  to  surrender. — Answered  by  a Fire. — Retires,  and  awaits  the  Approach  of  Montgomery 


1775. 


Arnold  entered  the  Kennebec  on 
the  20th  of  September,  and  sailed 
up  to  Gardiner  without  difficulty,  save 
tlie  grounding  of  one  or  two  of  his  trans- 
26 


ports,  Mdiicli  were,  however,  finally  got 
off  At  Pittston,  opposite  to  Gardiner,  he 
found  in  readiness  the  two  hundred  bat- 
teaux  M’hich  had  been  constructed  by  the 


“I 


202 

carpenters  sent  by  Washington  from  the 
camp  at  Cambridge  ; and  lie  accordingly 
transhipped  his  men  and  provisions  into 
these  boats,  and  continued  his  route  to 
Fort  Western.  On  reaching  this  point, 
Arnold  found  an  Indian  messenger,  with 
news  from  the  two  pioneers  he  had  sent 
on  in  advance  to  obtain  information  of 
the  proposed  route  of  the  expedition. 
There  was  little,  however,  that  was  satis- 
factory in  the  communication  received, 
as  the  pioneers  had  only  penetrated  as 
far  as  the  head-waters  of  the  Dead  river, 
and  sent  back  such  discouraging  accounts 
of  the  dangers  and  difficulties  of  the  wil- 
derness, that  it  was  presumed  they  had 
given  ear  to  the  exaggerated  tales  of  the 
Indians,  who,  although  professing  to  be 
friendly  to  the  Americans,  were  suspect- 
ed to  be  in  the  interest  of  the  British  in 
Canada. 

Arnold,  however,  was  not  the  man  to 
be  swerved  from  his  purpose  by  any  re- 
ports of  danger,  nor  in  fact  by  danger  it- 
self He  accordingly  persisted  in  his  plan 
of  forcing  his  way  through  the  wilderness, 
in  spite  of  its  terrors.  The  course  he 
marked  out  for  himself  was  along  the 
western  branch  of  the  Kennebec,  called 
the  Dead  river,  and  through  Lake  Megan- 
tic  into  the  Chaudiere.  Arnold,  having 
sent  in  advance  two  parties  of  half  adozen 
men  each,  to  survey  the  route  and  obtain 
what  information  they  could,  began  to 
move  his  whole  force.  The  army  was 
divided  into  four  parts,  each  of  which  set 
out  on  separate  days,  that  there  might 
be  always  a day’s  distance  between  the 
divisions.  Morgan,  with  his  riflemen,  led 
the  van ; on  the  next  day  went  Greene 


[TAHT  11. 

and  Bigelow,  with  three  companies ; on 
the  third,  Meigs  with  four ; and  finally, 
on  the  fourth,  Enos  with  the  remainder. 

Arnold  having,  with  great  personal  ef- 
fort, succeeded  in  starting  his  forces,  now 
set  out  himself  in  a birch- canoe,  and 
pushed  his  way  so  rapidly  along  the  Ken- 
nebec, that  on  the  third  day  he  reached 
the  van  of  his  little  army  under  Morgan, 
who  had  got  as  far  as  the  Mis  of  Nor- 
ridgewock.  Here  there  was  a portage, 
and  it  became  necessary  to  land  and  car- 
ry the  boats  around  the  falls,  to  the  part 
of  the  stream  above,  where  it  was  naviga- 
ble. As  the  banks  of  the  river  were  com- 
posed chiefly  of  irregular  rocks,  the  labor 
of  the  men  was  immense ; but  Arnold, 
always  active,  and  personally  overseeing 
all  the  details  of  the  work,  succeeded  in 
getting  each  division,  as  it  came  up,  in 
safety  around  the  falls.  They  were  not 
able  to  set  out  again  on  their  route  for 
nearly  a week,  in  consequence  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  batteaux,  which,  being  new 
and  hastily  constructed,  leaked  so  badly, 
that  much  of  the  provision  was  damaged. 
They  had  their  carpenters,  however,  with 
them,  who  set  to  work  making  the  neces- 
sary repairs,  and  all  the  boats  were  again 
launched  and  pushing  Oxi  their  course. 

Arnold  remained  until  the  last  batteau 
had  shoved  off,  and  then  betook  himself 
again  to  his  birchen  canoe,  with  his  In- 
dian guide,  and  paddled  swiftly  on,  pas- 
sing all  the  boats,  until  he  reached  the 
Great  Carrying-place,”  between  the  Ken- 
nebec and  its  western  branch,  or  Dead 
river.  The  first  two  divisions  of  his  force 
had  already  arrived  at  this  place,  and  here 
awaited  them  a labor  more  toilsome  than 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  GREAT  PORTAGE.  ’ 20n 

even  what  they  had  already  undergone. 
The  men  thus  far  had  successfully  over- 
come all  the  difficulties  of  their  arduous 
voyage.  They  had  forced  their  course 
against  the  rapid  current  by  often  jump- 
ing into  the  stream  up  to  their  waists, 
and  shoving  their  boats  along  by  main 
strength.  “ You  would  have  taken  the 
men,”  wrote  Arnold  to  Washington,  ‘‘for 
amphibious  animals,  as  they  were  great 
part  of  the  time  under  water.”  They  had 
been  obliged  to  drag  or  carry  their  boats 
already  over  no  less  than  four  portages. 
The  men,  however,  had  borne  the  labor 
and  exposure  so  far  without  much  suffer- 
ing ; for,  although  the  effective  force  was 
reduced,  by  illness  and  desertion,  from 
eleven  hundred  to  nine  hundred  and  fif- 
ty, there  had  been  but  one  death.  Ar- 
nold was,  as  usual,  full  of  hope,  and  san- 
guinely  held  out  to  his  men  that  he  would 
cake  them  to  the  Chaudiere  river  in  lit- 
tle more  than  a week. 

But  the  “ Great  Portage”  was  now  be- 
fore them,  and  its  obstacles  proved  more 
formidable  than  was  anticipated  by  Ar- 
nold. The  batteaux  were  to  be  alter- 
nately carried  by  the  men,  dragged  by 
oxen,  and  floated,  through  a space  of  some 
fifteen  miles  of  rugged  territory,  with  pre- 
cipitous granite  rocks,  morasses,  ponds, 
and  other  rude  features,  of  what  was  then 
a remote  wilderness,  and  is  still  a wildly- 
picturesque  country.  Arnold,  however, 
undertook  the  work,  and  accomplished  it. 
His  men  were  able  to  obtain  a welcome 
refreshment  in  the  large  quantities  of  sal- 
mon and  trout  which  they  caught  in  the 
lakes  and  streams ; and  Arnold  judicious- 
ly built  a log-house  on  the  route,  where 

he  left  the  sick  and  disabled,  and  thus  dis- 
embarrassed himself  of  those  who  only 
encumbered  his  progress.  On  reaching 
the  Dead  river,  and  launching  their  bat- 
teaux  upon  its  waters,  the  men,  as  they 
moved  easily  on  its  smooth  surface,  with 
hardly  a resistance  from  the  gentle  cur- 
rent, were  cheered  with  the  hope  that 
their  greatest  trials  were  over.  They 
continued  their  course  in  fine  spirits,  and 
looked  with  delighted  wonder  upon  the 
solemn  beauties  of  the  scenery,  where 
great  mountains,  topped  with  snow,  rose 
high  and  clear  above  the  forest  wilder- 
ness. 

On  reaching  the  base  of  one  of  the 
highest  of  the  mountain-range,  Arnold 
hoisted  the  American  flag,  and  encamped 
his  men,  for  several  days’  repose.  There 
seems  to  have  been  still  a superfluity  of 
animal  spirits  in  the  army,  for  one  of  the 
officers  took  occasion  to  mount  to  the 
top  of  the  peak  which  is  now  called 
“ Mount  Bigelow,”  from  the  adventurous 
major  of  that  name  who  accomplished  the 
ascent. 

Arnold  now  began  to  fear  that  his  pro- 
visions would  fall  short ; so  he  sent  back 
a party  of  ninety  men  for  supplies : but, 
directing  them  to  make  the  utmost  speed, 
so  as  not  to  detain  him,  he  continued  to 
pursue  his  route.  The  riflemen  he  sent 
on  in  advance,  and  followed  himself  with 
the  second  division  a day  subsequently. 

He  had  no  sooner  started,  than  it  began 
to  rain,  and  did  not  cease  for  three  days, 
pouring  down  a perfect  deluge,  drench- 
ing the  men  to  the  skin,  and  wetting  the 
baggage  through  and  through.  The  riv- 
er now  began  to  swell  from  the  effects  of 

■ 


204  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 


the  constant  rain,  and  the  current  became 
so  rapid,  that  it  was  with  the  utmost  dif- 
tioulty  the  boats  could  stem  the  torrent. 
Worn  out  with  fatigue,  the  men  landed 
and  encamped  at  the  close  of  a day  of 
hard  work,  upon  some  low  ground  on  the 
margin  of  the  stream,  and  had  hardly 
laid  down  for  a night’s  repose,  when  the 
river,  which  had  overflowed  its  banks, 
came  rushing  in  upon  them  so  rapidly, 
that  they  barely  succeeded  in  reaching 
their  boats.  Embarked  again,  they  found 
themselves  bewildered  in  their  attempts 
to  keep  their  course,  and  were  constantly 
wandering  out  of  their  way  into  the  smal- 
ler branches  of  the  river,  which  had  been 
swollen  into  great  streams  by  the  deluge. 
The  waters,  too,  were  so  thick  with  drift- 
wood and  so  turbulent,  that  there  was 
danger  every  moment  of  the  whole  fleet 
of  boats  being  swamped ; and  finally  sev- 
en of  the  batteaux  were  upset,  and  ev- 
erything in  them  swept  away  in  the  tor- 
rent. 

The  men  now  became  so  disheartened 
by  this  accident,  which  greatly  dimin- 
ished their  supplies,  that  Arnold  thought 
it  expedient  to  land  and  consult  with  his 
officers  upon  what  should  be  done  in  the 
emergency.  By  the  advice  of  their  lead- 
er, who  was  never  despondent,  it  was  re- 
solved to  persevere,  after  the  force  should 
be  relieved  of  those  who  were  too  ill  or 
faint-hearted  to  proceed.  A number  were 
accordingly  sent  back,  and  with  them  or- 
ders to  Greene  of  the  third,  and  Colonel 
Enos  who  had  command  of  the  last  divis- 
ion, at  some  distance  still  in  the  rear,  to 
select  their  strongest  men,  and,  hurrying 
forward  with  them,  to  leave  the  rest  to 


return  along  with  Arnold’s  own  invalided 
party  to  Norridgewock.  Greene  did  as 
he  was  bid  ; but  Enos,  instead  of  obeying 
his  orders,  retreated  with  his  whole  force 
to  Cambridge,  where  he  was  tried  by  a 
court-martial,  and  acquitted  on  the  plea 
of  a want  of  provisions. 

Washington,  on  hearing  of  Enos’s  aban- 
donment of  his  leader,was  greatly  grieved, 
though  he  did  not  seem  to  doubt  but  that 
Arnold  would  ultimately  overcome  every 
obstacle.  “ Notwithstandinac  this  great 
defection,”  wrote  the  commander-in-chief, 
“ I do  not  despair  of  Colonel  Arnold’s  suc- 
cess.” Arnold  showed  himself  in  every 
respect  worthy  of  this  confidence  in  his 
resolute  energies,  and  continued,  under 
increasing  trials  to  his  patience  and  couii- 
age,  to  strive  on  as  manfully  as  ever. 

The  weather  continued  to  get  worse, 
for  the  rain  changed  to  a heavy  fall  of 
snow,  and  the  men  suffered  now  from  ex 
cessive  cold  as  well  as  from  the  dripping 
wet ; while,  to  add  to  their  discomforts, 
ice  formed  upon  the  water,  through  which 
they  had  to  break  when  wading  and  drag- 
ging their  boats  along.  Arnold,  unwil- 
ling to  force  his  army  through  difficulties 
which  seemed  too  much  for  their  powers 
of  endurance,  now  determined  to  push  on 
with  a small  party  in  advance,  with  the 
hope  of  being  soon  able  to  reach  the  liv- 
er Chaudiere,  and  to  send  back,  from  the 
settlement  on  its  banks,  provisions  of 
which  they  stood  greatly  in  need  to  re- 
invigorate those  left  behind,  and  thus  en- 
able them  to  continue  their  arduous  prog- 
ress. He  accordingly  set  out  with  sixty 
men,  along  a route  which  was  but  a repe- 
tition of  the  same  difficulties  and  obstruc- 


REVOLUTIONAHY.]  ARNOLD  ARRIVES  AT  SERTIGAN.  206 

tions  which  he  had  already  experienced. 
The  weather  continued  bad,  the  portages 
did  not  diminish  in  number,  and  the  men 
were  constantly  exposed  to  the  severe 
cold,  and  kept  hard  at  work  dragging 
their  boats  tlirough  the  river  while  up  to 
their  waists  in  the  water,  or  carrying  them 
for  miles  together  over  the  rugged  land, 
past  fall  after  fall. 

On  entering  Lake  Megan  tic,  Arnold 
overtook  the  pioneers  who  had  been  sent 
in  advance  to  cut  away  the  wood  with 
the  hatchet,  and  otherwise  clear  tlie  way, 
and  was  met  by  one  of  his  messengers, 
who  brought  back  most  favorable  accounts 
of  the  friendly  disposition  of  the  Canadi- 
ans toward  the  expedition.  This  was  en- 
couraging ; but  what  was  more  particu- 
larly required  now  by  the  half-famished 
men  was,  something  to  satisfy  their  hun- 
ger. So  scarce  had  food  become,  that 
they  were  obliged  to  kill  their  dogs  and 
eat  the  flesh ; and  when  this  supply  was 
exhausted,  they  were  reduced  to  the  ne- 
cessity of  making  a soup  out  of  their 
mooseskin  moccasins ! Arnold  now  felt 
the  urgent  necessity  of  an  immediate  ef- 
fort for  relief;  and,  accordingly,  landing 
his  main  force  on  the  bank  of  the  halve, 
with  orders  to  move  leisurely  on  by  land, 
he  hastily  equipped  half  a dozen  boats, 
and,  taking  sixteen  men  with  him,  pushed 
on  up  the  lake.  They  quickly  reached 
the  northern  extremity  of  Lake  Megan- 
tic,  and  entered  the  Chaudiere.  Without 
aides  they  began  the  dangerous  naviga- 
tion of  this  turbulent  stream,  and,  getting 
among  the  rapids,  three  of  the  boats  were 
overturned,  and  six  of  the  men  had  a hard 
struggle  for  life.  They  were,  however. 

saved  from  drowning,  and  conA’eyed  tc 
the  land,  where,  after  diying  their  clothes, 
they  took  to  their  remaining  boats,  and 
prepared  to  hurry  forward.  At  this  mo 
ment,  one  of  the  party,  having  proceeded 
for  some  distance  in  advance,  cried  out. 

‘‘  A fall  ahead  !”  And,  sure  enough,  they 
were  just  on  the  verge  of  a cataract,  and 
barely  had  time  to  save  themselves  from 
being  swept  over,  with  the  result  of  cer- 
tain death  to  every  man  of  them.  They 
Avere  now  obliged  to  carry  their  boats 
around  this  dangerous  fall ; and,  starting 
again,  they  finally  succeeded,  Avilhout  fur 
ther  accident,  in  reaching  the  French  set- 
tlement of  Sertigan,  near  the 

Chaudiere  and  Des  Loups  riv- 
ers.  Arnold  found  abundance  of  provis- 
ions here,  and  immediately  sent  back  a 
supply  to  his  famished  troops.  The  re- 
lief proved  timely,  for  they  had  been  re- 
duced almost  to  starvation.  They  Avere 
found  coming  sloAvly  and  disconsolately 
along  the  banks  of  the  river,  having  lost 
all  their  boats,  Avith  most  of  the  baggage, 
in  the  turbulent  Avaters  of  the  Chaudiere. 
Refreshed  Avith  abundance  of  food,  they 
hurried  their  march,  and  soon  began,  in 
straggling  detachments,  to  enter  Sertigan, 
Avhere  they  all  finally  arrived  in  a f(!Av 
days. 

Arnold  now,  as  he  Avas  approaching 
the  Canadian  capital,  Avas  anxious  that 
Schuyler,  Avith  Avhom  he  Avas  to  co-oper- 
ate, should  be  made  aAvare  of  his  move- 
ments. He  therefore,  Avith  an  imprudent 
confidence, intrusted  a chance  Indian  Avith 
a despatch  to  the  American  general,  Avhicb 

Avas  enclosed  in  a letter  to  one  of  Arnold’s 
friends  in  Quebec.  Arnold  Avas  encour 

>06  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  ii 


aged  by  the  reception  wliicli  he  met  with 
among  the  inhabitants  of  the  valley  of 
the  Chaudiere.  lie  had  followed  the  di- 
rections of  Washington,  who  had  urged 
upon  him  to  treat  the  Canadian  people 
wdth  great  kindness,  to  avoid  offending 
in  any  respect  tlieir  religious  prejudices, 
and  strictly  to  regard  their  rights  of  prop- 
erty. Arnold  had  been  provided  with 
printed  manife.stoes,  setting  forth  the 
cause  of  the  provincials,  and  appealing 
to  the  Canadians  for  active  sympathy. 
These  were  diligently  distributed,  and 
appeared  to  produce  everywhere  a favor- 
able effect.  After  a delay  of  a few  days 
in  the  enjoyment  of  the  abounding  hospi- 
tality of  the  generous  and  simple-minded 
French  inhabitants  of  that  sequestered 
valley,  Arnold  moved  on  wdth  all  his 

force,  and  arrived  at  Point  Levi, 

I775i  ^ ^ 

opposite  to  Quebec,  on  the  13th  of 

November. 

Arnold  was  disappointed,  on  reaching 
the  shore,  to  find  that  there  were  no  boats 
to  take  his  force  across  the  St.  Lawrence. 
The  enemy,  in  fact,  had  learned  the  par- 
ticulars of  his  march  through  the  despatch 
to  Schuyler,  which  had  been  intrusted  to 
the  Indian  messenger,and  who  had  treach- 
erously delivered  it  up  to  the  British  of- 
ficer in  command  at  Quebec.  The  boats 
were  accordingly  all  withdrawn  to  the 
Quebec  side  of  the  river,  a frigate  and  a 
sloop-of-war  stationed  in  the  St.  Lawrence 
to  intercept  the  invaders,  and  additional 
troops  from  Sorel  and  Newfoundland  hur- 
ried in  to  reinforce  the  garrison.  Ar- 
nold’s impetuosity, however,  was  not  to  be 
cliccked  ; and  getting  together,  through 
ilie  agency  of  the  Indians  and  Canadians 


who  had  joined  him,  a number  of  birchen 
canoes,  he  succeeded,  in  the  course  of  a 
night,  in  setting  all  but  a hundred  and 
fifty  of  his  men  on  the  Plains  of  Abra- 
ham, having  landed  at  “Wolfe’s  cove,” 
and  clambered  with  his  men  the  same 
rugged  path  up  which  that  brave  gener- 
al had  led  the  British  troops. 

The  American  commander,  conscious 
of  the  increased  strength  of  the  garrison, 
could  have  had  little  hope  of  a successful 
assault;  but,  as  he  had  reason  to  believe 
that  the  inhabitants  of  Quebec  were  dis- 
affected toward  their  rulers  and  favorably 
dispo.sed  toward  his  own  enterprise,  Im 
was  determined  to  try  the  temper  of  the 
people.  Arnold  accordingly  marched  his 
force  close  to  the  walls  of  the  city,  and 
ordered  them  to  send  up  three  loud  huz- 
zas, with  the  hope  that  the  troops  would 
be  provoked  to  make  a sally,  and  that 
the  gates  being  thus  opened,  the  Cana- 
dians would  take  the  occasion  of  co-oper- 
ating with  him.  He  was,  however,  disap- 
pointed in  the  effects  of  his  bravado,  for 
the  garrison  only  answered  it  by  a salute 
from  their  guns.  Arnold  next  tried  the 
lieutenant-governor,  with  a pompous  de- 
mand, in  the  name  of  the  American  Con- 
gress, to  surrender.  This,  of  course,  the 
British  officer,  confident  in  his  superior 
force,  and  the  humble  means  of  his  ene- 
my, contemptuously  disregarded. 

Arnold  was  now  fain  to  depart,  partic- 
ularly as  he  heard  from  some  of  his  old 
friends  in  Quebec  that  the  British  were 
about  coming  out  to  attack  him  with  a 
large  force,  and  knew  that  his  own  troops 
wmre  so  deficient  in  numbers  and  in  sup- 
plies of  ammunition  — for  they  Jiad  but 


r 


RF.voLUTiONARV.]  MONTGOMERY  IN  MONTREAL. 


207 


five  rounds  of  cartridge  to  a man  — that 
it  would  be  folly  to  attempt  a resistance. 
He  acordingly  marched  up  the  banks  of 


the  St.  Lawrence,  and  took  post  at  Point 
aux  Trembles,  to  await  the  approach  ol 
Montgomery. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Montgomery  enters  Montreal  without  Opposition. — Sir  Guy  Carlcton  enclosed  between  two  American  Forces. — Escapes 
in  Disguise,  but  loses  his  Flotilla. — Montgomery  worried  by  the  Disobedience  of  his  Troops. — Many  refuse  to  follow 
Him. — He  marches,  however,  with  a Few,  and  joins  Arnold. — Montgomery  assumes  the  General  Command,  and 
marches  to  the  Plains  of  Abraham. — Quebec  summoned  to  surrender. — A Siege. — Vain  Attempts  to  communicate 
with  the  Disaffected  Inhabitants  of  Quehee. — An  Ice-Battcry. — An  Assault  determined  upon. — Trouble  among  the 
American  Troops. — The  Assault  begins. — Its  Progress. — Death  of  Montgomery. — Morgan’s  Desperate  Struggle,  and 
Final  Capture. — Failure  of  the  Assault. — Arnold  succeeds  to  the  Chief  Command,  and  is  promoted  to  the  Rank  of 
Brigadier-General. — Retires  to  a Short  Distance  from  Quebec,  and  prepares  to  receive  an  Expected  Attack  from  the 
British. 


As  Montgomery  entered  Montre- 
al witliout  opposition,  on  the  12th 
of  November,  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  the  gov- 
ernor of  Canada,  passed  hurriedly  out 
with  his  officers  and  small  force,  and,  em- 
barking in  a half-dozen  river-craft,  sailed 
down  the  St.  Lawrence  with  the  view  of 
reaching  Quebec.  The  Americans,  how- 
ever, under  the  command  of  Major  Brown, 
after  their  success  at  Chambly,  and  the 
defeat  of  the  Highlanders  sent  to  rein- 
force Carleton,  had  taken  possession  of  a 
post  at  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel,  which 
they  fortified,  so  placing  their  guns  as  to 
command  the  passage  of  the  St.  Lawrence 
between  Montreal  and  Quebec.  Carle- 
ton attempted  to  pass  this  resistance,  and 
was  driven  back,  with  his  small  flotilla. 
He  now  found  himself  imprisoned  be- 
tween Montgomery  above,  at  Montreal, 
and  the  American  batteries  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Sorel  below,  with  hardly  a hope 
of  escape. 

Montgomery  was  eager  to  get  hold  of 


Carleton  — as  his  capture,  he  believed, 
might  settle  the  fate  of  Canada.  Carle- 
ton w’as  equally  anxious  to  save  himself, 
but  W’as  perplexed  to  discover  the  means, 
and  remained  fixed,  wdth  his  vessels  an- 
chored in  the  St.  Law’rence,  wdth  the  en- 
emy above  and  below.  Montgomery  now 
made  a move  wdiich  appeared  decisive. 
He  came  down  from  Montreal  with  a 
fleet  of  batteaux,  mounted  with  guns,  de- 
termined to  crowd  Carleton  down  upon 
the  American  battery  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Sorel,  and  so  close  in  upon  him  as  to 
make  sure  of  his  capture.  Carleton,  see- 
ing the  approaching  danger,  gave  up  all 
hope  of  the  safety  of  his  flotilla,  but  re- 
solved upon  making  an  effort  to  secure 
himself  from  capture.  He  accordingly 
disguised  himself  as  a Canadian  vo>jagcm\ 
and  taking  a boat,  with  six  men  to  pull 
it,  set  off  in  the  midst  of  a dark  night, 
and  silently  floated  down  the  St,  Law’- 
rence  with  muffled  oars,  passed  all  the 
dangers  of  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel,  and 


208  BATTLES  OF  AxMERlCA.  [part  n 


getting  on  board  a vessel  below,  reached 
in  safety  the  city  of  Quebec  at  the  very 
moment  Arnold  took  liis  departure.  In 
the  meanwhile,  Montgomery  had  reached 
the  British  vessels,  which  at  once  surren- 
dered, with  all  on  board,  among  whom 
was  General  Prescott,  the  former  com- 
mander at  Montreal,  of  whose  rough  treat- 
ment Ethan  Allen  had  reason  to  make  so 
much  complaint. 

Montgomery  had  met  with  great  suc- 
cess in  his  efforts  toward  conciliating  the 
people  of  Montreal.  His  courtesy,  and 
careful  regard  of  their  rights  and  privi- 
leges, proved  to  them  that  he  was  no  mil- 
itary adventurer,  and  they  became  favor- 
ably di.sposed  toward  a cause  sustained 
by  a man  so  peaceful  in  his  bearing  and 
so  just  in  his  conduct.  His  own  troops, 
however,  gave  him  great  trouble,  and  so 
worried  him  by  their  disobedience  and 
importunate  demands  to  be  sent  home, 
that  he  quite  sickened  of  his  command, 
and  wrote  to  Schuyler,  expressing  the 
Iiope  that  his  health  would  soon  allow  of 
his  resuming  a position  of  which  he  him- 
self wearied  and  disgusted.  ‘‘  I must  go 
home,”  he  added,  “ if  I walk  by  the  side 
of  the  lake.  I am  weary  of  power,  and 
totally  want  that  patience  and  temper  so 
requisite  for  such  a command.” 

Montgomery  had  received  intelligence 
of  the  arrival  of  Arnold  at  Point  aux  Trem- 
bles, and  was  anxious  to  march  with  his 
troops  and  co-operate  with  him  in  an  at- 
tack on  Quebec.  He  was  trying  to  pre- 
vail on  the  troops  to  accompany”  him, 
but  was  met  with  all  kinds  of  objections. 
Some  were  too  ill  to  go ; some  declared 
that  their  time  was  out;  others  openly 


refused  ; and  a few  only  were  disposed  to 
obey  orders,  or  rather  to  yield  to  persua- 
sion, for  in  those  days  the  militia  were 
mostly  inclined  to  enjoy  their  indepen- 
dence before  they  had  won  it.  Mont- 
gomery Avas,  however,  determined  to  go, 
notwithstanding  the  reluctance  of  most 
of  his  army,  and  accordingly  embarked 
with  some  three  hundred  men,  who  were 
all  that  were  willing  to  follow  him,  and 
sailed  down  to  Point  aux  Trembles,  where 
he  formed  a junction  with  Arnold,  and 
took  command  of  the  whole  force,  which 
amounted  to  nine  hundred  in  all.  Mont- 
gomery seems  to  have  been  struck  with 
admiration  by  the  soldierly  appearance 
of  Arnold’s  troops,  and  by  the  character 
of  their  leader.  ‘‘  There  is  a style  of  dis- 
cipline among  them,”  he  wrote  to  Schuy- 
ler, “ much  superior  to  what  I have  been 
used  to  see  in  this  campaign.  He  [Ar- 
nold] himself  is  active,  intelligent,  and 
enterprising.”  Favorably  impressed  as  he 
was  with  what  he  saw  of  Arnold’s  troops 
— who  were  well-disciplined,  had  been  re- 
freshed, and  comfortably  clad  with  a sup- 
ply of  woollens  from  Montreal — Mont- 
gomery became  sanguine  of  success  in  the 
contemplated  attack  upon  Quebec.  Ar- 
nold, however,  was  less  hopeful,  and  wrote 
to  Washington  that  it  would  require  five 
thousand  men  to  reduce  that  stronghold. 

Montgomery  calculated  upon  the  dis- 
affection of  the  inhabitants  of  Quebec ; 
the  miscellaneous  character  of  the  British 
troops,  made  up  of  sailors,  raw  recruits, 
and  a few  regulars ; and  the  great  extent 
of  the  fortifications,  which  seemed  to  re- 
quire a larger  number  for  their  defence 
than  Carleton  possessed.  The  latter,  how- 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  MONTGOMERY  BEFORE  QUEBEC.  209 

ever,  though  unpopular  from  the  reserve 

ment  of  the  American  force,  intended  for 

of  his  aristocratic  manners,  was  a man  full 

the  eye  of  Carleton.  This  was  handed 

of  vigorous  energy  in  an  emergency,  and 

him ; but  the  British  commander,  nothing 

he  accordingly  prepared  to  meet  with 

daunted,  merely  imprisoned  the  messen- 

spirit  the  expected  assault.  To  assure 

ger  in  petticoats,  withheld  all  answer  to 

loyalty,  he  turned  out  all  suspected  per- 

the  communication  of  the  American  gen- 

sons  from  official  position,  and  even  sent 

eral,  and  steadily  persevered  in  strength- 

“ trooping  out  of  the  town”  all  those  in- 

ening  his  defences. 

habitants  who  showed  any  unwillingness 

Montgomery,  disappointed  in  not  pro- 

to  put  forth  their  might  in  its  defence. 

ducing,  by  summons  and  letters,  any  im- 

He  had,  by  this  thinning  out,  so  far  di- 

pression  upon  Carleton,  or  apparently  up- 

minished  his  numbers  within  Quebec,  as 

on  the  inhabitants  of  Quebec,  now  began 

to  leave  only  fifteen  hundred  men,  near- 

a systematic  attack.  Approaching  with- 

ly  double  that  of  the  American  force  ; but 

in  four  hundred  yards  of  the  centre  of 

although  Carleton  was  not  conscious  of 

the  walls,  opposite  to  one  of  the  gates,  he 

this  disparity,  he  confidently  awaited  the 

commenced  the  construction  of  a brea.st- 

coming  of  his  enemy. 

work.  The  army  had  but  a poor  supply 

As  soon  as  the  junction  of  the  Ameri- 

of  intrenching-tools  to  work  with ; and 

can  forces  had  been  formed,  Montgomery 
Dec  1 ^^‘''^rched  to  the  Plains  of  Abra- 

ham. Immediately  on  his  arri- 

the  ground,  moreover,  was  so  hardened 
by  the  severe  frost,  that  it  was  only  with 
the  greatest  labor  that  pick  or  spade 

val,  he  attempted  to  send  a summons  to 

could  make  any  impression  upon  it.  A 

the  British  commander  to  surrender ; but 

snowstorm  had  set  in  as  soon  as  Mont- 

Carleton  would  not  allow  any  flag  to  ap- 

gomery  left  Montreal,  and  was  still  in  full 

proach  the  walls,  and  all  communication 

blast,  so  that  the  men  were  much  incom- 

was  refused.  Montgomery  then  began 

moded  by  the  weather.  The  snow,  how 

to  play  with  his  artillery  upon  the  town 

ever,  which  now  in  great  depth  covered 

and  its  suburbs,  but  with  no  effect  beyond 

the  ground,  was  turned  to  advantage,  for 

the  occasional  burning  of  a house,  and 

it  was  used  to  fill  in  the  space  behind  the 

the  killing  of  a man  or  two.  After  this 

trees  and  brushwood  which  formed  the 

ill  success,  a ruse  was  tried,  with  the  hope 

frame  of  the  breastwork.  After  being 

of  communicating  with  some  of  the  in- 

well  packed,  and  covered  with  water — 

habitants  supposed  to  be  favorably  dis- 

which  froze  immediately  in  those  cold  De- 

posed  toward  the  American  cause.  A wo- 

cember  days — the  snow  became  a mass* 

man  was  induced  to  carry  letters  into  the 

of  solid  ice.  flalf  a dozen  small  fieldpieces 

city,  addressed  to  some  of  the  merchants. 

were  here  planted,  and  kept  firing  bombs 

who  were  promised  every  possible  favor 

into  the  city,  with  the  hope  of  frighten- 

in  case  of  co-operation  with  Montgomery. 

ing  the  inhabitants,  and  inducing  them  to 

With  these  letters  there  was  a summons 

force  Carleton  into  submission.  No  such 

to  surrender,  with  an  exa^o-erated  state- 

; oo 

27 

result,  however,  ensued ; and  then  Mont- 

r 

1 

1 


210  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  lpart  il 


gomery  tried  the  expedient  of  attaching 
letters  to  arrows,  and  ordering  the  Indi- 
ans to  shoot  them  into  the  town,  that  the 
citizens  might  pick  them  up,  and,  reading 
tliem,  be  advised  to  insist  upon  a surren- 
der, which  was  the  purport  of  what  was 
written.  This  also  failed  in  its  effect. 

After  the  ice-battery”  had  been  for 
tive  days  ineffectually  trying  its  artillery 
upon  the  walls,  and  its  powers  of  persua- 
sion upon  the  people  within,  the  general 
took  occasion  one  night  to  pay  a visit  to 
the  captain  in  command — Lamb  was  his 
name.  Montgomery  had  hardly  arrived, 
when  a ball  came  plump  from  the  ene- 
my’s guns  against  the  walls  of  ice,  shat- 
tering them  like  so  much  glass,  overturn- 
ing the  light  fieldpieces,  and  wounding 
ing  several  of  the  men.  “ This  is  warm 
work,  sir,”  said  the  general  to  Lamb.  “ It 
is,  indeed,  and  certainly  no  place  for  you, 
sir.” — “Why  so,  captain?” — “Because 
there  are  enough  of  us  here  to  be  killed, 
without  the  loss  of  you,  which  would  be 
irreparable.”*  This  was  the  end  of  the 
brittle  ice-battery ; for  Montgomery,  see- 
ing its  entire  inefhciency  and  danger,  im- 
mediately ordered  Lamb  and  his  brave 
men  to  abandon  it. 

Three  weeks  had  been  spent  in  these 
vain  attempts  to  influence  the  inhabit- 
ants, when  it  was  finally  decided  to  make 
a general  assault  upon  the  city.  Mont- 
gomery was  distrustful  of  his  means  for 
a successful  attempt ; but,  as  his  troops 
were  growing  dissatisfied  with  the  long 
delay,  and  discouraged  by  labors  and  suf- 
ferings undergone  without  any  compen- 
sating advantage,  he  felt  it  necessary, 

* Life  of  John  Lamb,  p.  125,  quoted  by  Irving. 


either  to  strike  a blow,  or  retire.  He 
could  not  submit  to  the  latter  altermv 
tive,  for  he  knew  that  his  country  expect- 
ed much  of  him,  and  his  own  brave  spirit 
prompted  him  to  deeds  of  daring.  Mont- 
gomery was,  indeed,  conscious  that  his 
men  were  hardly  in  a condition  to  under- 
take so  hazardous  an  enterprise  ; for  they 
had  suffered  (ill  clothed  and  ill  provided 
as  they  were  with  food)  from  the  severity 
of  the  weather,  and  they  not  only  mur- 
mured loudly,  but  even  refused  to  obey 
orders.  The  commander,  however,  hoped 
that  their  martial  ardor,  warming  with 
the  prospect  of  action,  would  melt  away 
disaffection,  and  soon  reunite  the  hearts 
of  all  in  common  sympathy. 

The  plan  of  operations  being  settled, 
the  various  divisions  of  the  troops  were 
ordered  to  be  drawn  up,  to  prepare  for 
their  separate  duties.  At  this  moment 
word  was  brought  to  the  general  that 
three  companies  of  Arnold’s  detachment 
refused  obedience,  declaring  that  they 
would  no  longer  serve,  unless  placed  un- 
der a different  command.  Montgomery 
might  well  be  discouraged  by  such  an  oc- 
currence at  such  a moment ; but  he  mas- 
tered his  feelings,  and  promptly  present- 
ing himself  to  the  disorderly  troops,  suc- 
ceeded by  his  firmness  in  bringing  them 
back  to  their  duty. 

The  whole  force  was  now  mustered, 
and  it  was  found  that  disease — for  tho 
small-pox  had  broken  out  among  them— - 
and  desertion  had  reduced  the  troops  to 
the  small  number  of  seven  hundred  and 
fifty.  These  were  then  detailed  for  duty. 
One  division,  under  Montgomery,  wac^  to 
descend  the  cliffs,  and,  proceeding  jilong 


1 

RETOLUTIONARY.]  ASSAULT  OF  QUEBEC.  211 

the  river  around  Cape  Diamond,  attack 

to  follow,  saying : “ Men  of  New  York, 

ihe  town  in  that  quarter ; another,  under 

you  will  not  fear  to  follow  where  your 

Arnold,  was  to  advance  on  the  other  side 

general  leads  ! Push  on,  brave  boys,  and 

by  the  suburb  of  St.  Roque,  and  the  two 

Quebec  is  ours!”  Montgomery,  willi 

were  to  fight  their  way  from  these  oppo- 

sword  in  liand,  then  hurried  in  advance, 

site  directions  until  they  met.  The  third 

and  had  hardly  made  a da.sh  at  the  re- 

division,  under  Brown  and  Livingston, 

doubt,  when  a sudden  light  flashed  upon 

was  to  advance  from  the  Plains  of  Abra- 

the  darkness,  and  a volley  of  cannon-shot 

ham,  set  fire  to  St.  John’s  gate,  and  make 

swept  the  American  column,  killing  the 

a show  of  assault  against  the  walls  of  the 

general,  his  two  aids,  and  many  of  the 

fortress  on  the  heights,  in  order  to  divert 

rank  and  file,  at  the  first  discharge.  The 

the  enemy  from  the  movements  of  the 

rest  of  the  men  were  driven  back  in  con- 

main  body  below.  It  was  arranged  that 

fusion  to  Wolfe’s  cove,  Avhere  they  were 

these  various  attacks  should  be  simulta- 

rallied  by  Colonel  Campbell,  who,  how 

neou.s,  on  the  letting  off  of  some  signal- 

ever,  did  not  attempt-to  bring  them  up 

rockets. 

again  to  the  attack. 

It  was  two  o’clock  in  the  morning,  in 

The  signal-rockets  had  been  by  some 

the  midst  of  a heavy  snowstorm, 
D6C»  Sit  ^ 

when  the  movement  began.  Mont- 

accident  let  off  too  soon,  and  the  diver- 
sion which  was  to  have  been  made  by 

gomery  led  his  men  doAvn  the  rugged 

the  division  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham 

path  to  Wolfe’s  cove  below,  and  along 

had  fixiled  : so  the  enemy  within  the  city 

the  shore  of  the  river,  without  opposition. 

was  on  the  alert,  prepared  to  receive  Ar- 

until  he  reached  a narrow  point  below 

nold  and  his  detachment,  in  their  attack 

the  slate-crags  of  Cape  Diamond.  Here 

through  the  suburb  of  St.  Roque.  Arnold, 

he  found  a fence  of  pickets,  which  the 

at  the  head  of  an  advanced  guard  of  a lieu- 

carpenters  soon  cut  away  with  their  saws. 

tenant  and  thirty  men,  led  the  van  ; next 

the  general  helping  to  pull  them  down 

went  the  artillery-company,  under  Cap- 

with  his  own  hands.  Montgomery  was 

tain  Lamb,  with  a single  fieldpiece  on  a 

the  first  to  enter,  followed  by  his  aid-de- 

sledge;  Morgan  and  his  riflemen, together 

camp.  The  men  hesitated  and  lingered. 

with  a company  in  charge  of  scaling-lad- 

About  fifty  yards  before  them,  with  the 

ders,  brought  up  the  re:ir.  They  proceed 

river  on  one  side  and  a precipitous  rock  on 

along  the  bank  of  the  St.  Charles,  floun- 

the  other,  stood  a blockhouse  or  redoubt. 

dering  in  the  depths  of  the  drifted  snow, 

strongly  fortified,  mounted  with  some 

and  go  groping  in  the  dark  into  the  low- 

heavy  guns,  and  garrisoned  with  fifty  of 

er  town.  Here,  with  the  narrow,  irregu 

the  enemy.  Montgomery  fancied  his  ap- 

lar  streets,  the  crowded  houses,  the  stores, 

proach  was  unperceived,  and  confidently 

boats,  and  wharves,  all  seems  inextrica- 

advanced  along  the  narrow  and  irregular 

ble  confusion ; but  Arnold  continues  to 

path,  doubly  insecure  from  the  accumu- 

lead  on  his  advance-guard  in  single  file 

lated  ice,  urging  his  New-York  regiment 

each  man  making  his  way  as  best  he  can 

212  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Ip  art  n 


after  him.  He  now  comes  upon  a two- 
gun  battery  stretched  across  the  street, 
and  halts  momentarily  for  his  fieldpiece ; 
but,  finding  that  it  can  not  be  dragged  up 
through  the  deep  snowdrifts,  Arnold  be- 
gins the  attack:  he  is, however, so  severely 
wounded  in  the  knee  on  the  first  advance, 
that  he  has  to  be  carried  back  to  the  rear, 
and  is  obliged  to  leave  the  assault  to  Mor- 
gan, the  next  in  command,  who  hurries 
up  with  his  riflemen,  and  after  a severe 
struggle,  which  lasts  nearly  an  hour,  car- 
ries the  battery.  The  enemy,  although 
they  fired  their  muskets  briskly,  and  even 
a discharge  of  grapeshot,  did  but  little 
mischief  beyond  wounding  Arnold  and 
killing  one  man.  Morgan  was  so  rapid 
in  his  approach,  and  came  so  close  to  the 
battery,  that  his  riflemen  were  enabled  to 
shoot  tlirough  the  embrasures  and  drive 
the  men  from  their  guns ; and  thus  give 
free  scope  for  the  use  of  the  scaling-lad- 
ders, which  were  at  once  planted  against 
the  pickets.  The  Americans  now  clam- 
bered over  and  took  the  captain  and  his 
tiiirty  men  captive. 

Pushing  on  immediately  along  the 
street,  Morgan  finds  himself  obstructed 
by  another  and  more  formidable  battery. 
The  citizens,  too,  are  now  everywhere  on 
the  alert,  and  keep  firing  from  their  win- 
dows upon  the  Americans,  who,  though 
sorely  galled,  continue  to  advance.  Mor- 
gan leads  his  men  as  before  right  up  to 
the  barrier,  which,  stiongly  fortified  with 
pickets,  and  planted  with  heavy  guns, 
stretched  from  the  precipice  which  over- 
hangs the  lower  town  down  to  the  river. 
The  riflemen,  getting  close  under  the  en- 
emy’s cannon,  fire  away,  aiming  through 


the  embrasures,  and  succeed  in  making 
room  for  the  ladders.  The  men,  howev- 
er, are  driven  back  with  their  scaling- 
implements  ; they  are  planted  again  and 
again,  but  without  success.  The  Amer- 
icans, with  a fire  now  concentrated  upon 
them  from  every  point  of  the  city  forti 
fications,  are  obliged  to  withdraw,  and 
protect  themselves  in  the  narrow  alleys 
and  the  neighboring  houses,  where  they 
continue,  however,  to  keep  up  a brave 
struggle  against  the  enemy.  Rallying 
again  for  another  attack  upon  the  battery, 
they  finally  succeed  in  carrying  it,but  not 
without  a severe  loss  of  life.  Lamb,  the 
captain  of  the  artillery,  was  struck  at  the 
last  moment  by  a grapeshot,  which  tore 
away  a part  of  his  jawbone.  As  the  gun- 
ners were  about  retreating  from  the  bar- 
rier, one  of  them  determined  to  have  one 
more  shot,  when  Lamb,  observing  his 
purpose,  levelled  a musket  at  the  fellow, 
but  missed  his  fire,  and  received  in  full 
face  the  discharge  of  grape  which  so  ter- 
ribly mutilated  him. 

The  battery  taken,  Morgan  and  his  men 
prepared  for  a rush  into  the  town ; and 
they  issued  out  for  the  purpose,  but  were 
forced  by  overwhelming  numbers  to  take 
refuge  in  a stone  building,  whence  they 
kept  up  a severe  fire  upon  the  enemy 
thronging  the  street  below.  Morgan  now 
heard  of  the  death  of  Montgomery,  and 
that  a large  detachment  from  the  garri- 
son had  come  down,  and,  suddenly  burst- 
ing through  the  gates  upon  the  American 
rearguard  under  Captain  Dearborn, forced 
it  to  surrender.  He  was  thus  so  com- 
pletely hemmed  in,  and  cut  off  from  all 
reinforcement,  that  he  offered  no  furthei 


REVOLUTIONARY.] 


THE  AMERICAN  LOSS. 


resistance,  and  yielded  himself  up  with 
his  men  to  the  enemy, 

Arnold  now  resumed  the  command, 
and  determined,  in  spite  of  the  severity 
of  a Canadian  winter,  and  the  mere  hand- 
ful of  troops  left  him,  to  blockade  the  city, 
and  await  reinforcements.  He  was  en- 
couraged in  this  resolution  by  the  appa- 
rent distrust  in  which  Carleton,  the  Britr 
ish  commander,  seemed  to  hold  his  own 
strength ; for,  after  his  success  within  the 
town,  he  did  not  even  attempt  to  pursue 
the  remnant  of  Americans  beyond  the 
walls.  Arnold,  however,  anticipating  a 
pursuit,  had  withdrawn  his  men  to  a dis- 
tance of  three  miles  from  Quebec,  and 
there,  hastily  fortifying  himself,  awaited 
an  expected  attack. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  un- 
successful attack  was  heavy,  being  about 
one  hundred  and  sixty  killed  and  wound- 
ed, while  that  of  the  enemy  amounted  to 
only  twenty.  The  patriots  mourned,  in 
the  death  of  Montgomery,  one  of  the 
bravest  and  purest  of  the  defenders  of 
their  cause.  The  enemy  respected  his 
character;  and  Carleton  eulogized  his 
worth,  and  reverently  ordered  his  remains 


2ia 

to  be  buried  with  military  honors  in  a sol- 
dier’s grave.  M‘Pherson  and  Cheesman, 
his  two  aids-de-camp,  who  had  fallen  with 
their  commander,  Avere  men  of  spii-it. 
whose  loss  was  grieved,  as  is  always  that 
of  the  young  and  the  brave.  Cheesman 
is  supposed  to  have  had  a presentiment 
of  approaching  death,  and  on  the  day  of 
the  fjital  struggle  had  dressed  himself 
with  even  more  than  the  usual  care  of  the 
youthful  officer.  As  he  prepared  to  go 
out,  he  thrust  some  gold  pieces  into  his 
pocket,  saying  laughingly,  “ This  will  in 
sure  me  a decent  burial.” 

The  continental  Congress  reAvarded  Ar- 
nold for  his  persevering  courage  and  skill 
Avhile  leading  his  troops  through  the  avU- 
derness,  and  his  gallantry  at  Quebec,  by 
promoting  him  to  the  rank  of  a brigadier- 
general.  The  other  officers  proved  their 
merit  by  their  conduct  during  that  night’s 
struggle  at  Quebec ; and  there  Avas  hard- 
1}^  one  Avhose  name  Ave  shall  not  afterAvard 
find  memorable  in  the  subsequent  history 
of  the  battles  of  the  Revolution.  They 
need  no  tribute  but  the  record  of  their 
names : Morgan, Dearborn, Meigs, Greene, 
Lamb,  Oswald,  Thayer,  and  Potsfield. 


214 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


IMPART  T1, 


CHAPTER  X. 


iHiK’ivitv  of  tlie  American  Camp  at  Cambridge. — Washington’s  Anxieties. — Gage  summoned  to  England. — Siircenkr 
in  Commami  by  Howe. — Howe’s  Plans  for  Incursions  on  the  Coasts. — The  Burning  of  Falmouth. — American  Priva 
teers. — Howe  increases  his  Fortifications. — Cliurches  turned  into  Barracks  and  Stables. — Harsh  Proceedings  of  How( 
against  the  Patriots. — Retaliation. — A Committee  of  Congress  visits  the  Amcrii'an  Camp. — Benjamin  Franklin. — 
An  Attack  upon  Boston  considered  in  Council. — Franklin  takes  Occasion  to  collect  a Debt. — Treason  in  the  American 
Camp. — Washington  laughs. — Doctor  Church’s  Trial. — His  Condemnation  and  Suhsequent  F'ate. — A Small  Ameri- 
can Fleet  fitted  out. — The  Various  Fortunes  of  the  Vessels. — Sickness  in  the  American  Camp. — A Visit  from  some 
Indian  Gentlemen. — Comparison  with  some  of  the  New-England  Gently. 


AVasiiington,  in  the  movement 
against  Canada,  in  which  he  took 
a great  interest,  found  some  relief  for  his 
forced  inactivity  at  Cambridge.  Here, 
Iiowever,  in  his  camp,  although  desirous 
by  ‘‘some  decisive  stroke”  to  drive  the 
enemy  from  Boston,  he  could  do  nothing, 
as  the  condition  of  his  troops  was  such 
as  not  to  justify  any  offensive  operations. 
Still,  he  had  been  so  importuned  to  ac- 
tivity, that  he  determined  to  call  a coun- 
cil of  war,  and  consult  upon  the  expedi- 
ency of  making  an  immediate  attack  on 
Boston.  It  Avas,  however,  unanimously 
agreed  “ that  it  was  not  expedient  to 
make  the  attempt  at  present.”  The  state 
of  the  army  Avas  certainly  not  very  en- 
couniging.  The  time  of  service  of  many 
of  the  troops  Avould  soon  expire,  and  they 
already  anticipated  their  liberty  by  a free 
indulgence  in  their  OAvn  caprices,  and  a 
general  di.sobedience  of  orders.  “My  sit- 
uation,” wrote  Washington,  “ is  inexpre.s- 

„ sibly  distressing  ; to  see  the  Avin- 

Srpt.  21.  -j.  ° 

ter  last  approacliing  upon  a na- 
ked army,  the  time  of  their  sei'vice  Avithin 
a feAV  Aveeks  of  expiring,  and  no  provis- 
'on  yet  made  for  such  important  Avants. 
Added  to  these,  the  military  chest  is  to- 


tally exhausted ; the  paymaster  has  not 
a single  dollar  in  hand.  The  commissary- 
general  assures  me  he  has  strained  his 
credit  for  the  subsistence  of  the  army  to 
the  utmost.  The  quartermaster-general 
is  precisely  in  the  .same  situation ; and 
the  greater  part  of  the  troops  are  in  a 
state  not  far  from  mutiny,  upon  the  de- 
duction from  their  stated  alloAvance.” 

XorAvere  the.se  the  only  troubles  against 
Avhich  Washington  had  to  contend.  All 
New  England  Avas  disaffected  toAvard  him, 
because  he  refused  to  send  out  detach- 
ments from  his  army  to  protect  the  tOwns 
along  the  coast  from  the  marauding  par- 
ties of  the  enemy.  “ I Avould  like  to  ex- 
tend protection  to  all,”  he  said,  “ but  the 
numerous  detachments  necessary  to  rem- 
edy the  evil  Avould  amount  to  a dissolu- 
tion of  the  army,  or  make  the  most  im- 
portant operations  of  the  campaign  de- 
pend upon  the  piratical  expeditions  of 
two  or  three  men-of-Avar  and  transports.” 
The  British,  in  the  meantime,  Avith  their 
small  cruisers,  Avere  doing  a good  deal  of 
mischief  by  sailing  into  the  harbors  and 
helping  themselves  to  supplie.s,  of  Avhich 
they  stood  greatly  in  need.  The  local 
militia,  hoAvever,  soon  became  watchful 


r‘ 

i:i  S'OLUTIONAUT.J  BURNING  OF 

P'aLMOUTII.  215 

.iiid  so  well  able  to  defend  themselves, 

again  made  their  appearance,  and  prayed 

rhat  the  enemy  were  often  disappointed, 

that  their  town  might  be  spared.  Mow- 

and  seldom  succeeded  in  their  object  with- 

att  offered  to  do  so,  provided  they  would 

out  a hard  and  bloody  struggle. 

send  him  off  four  carriage-guns,  deliver 

The  British  troops  in  Boston  were  not 

up  all  their  arms  and  ammunition,  and  four 

more  actively  occupied  than  the  besieg- 

prominent  citizens  as  hostages.  These 

ers  without.  A change,  however,  in  the 

conditions  were,  however,  considered  too 

(diief  command  was  an  event  which  ex- 

dishonorable  to  comply  with.  The  com- 

cited  no  little  interest.  Governor  Gage 

mittee  then  returned  on  shore,  and  the 

was  recalled,  and  sailed  for  England  on 

lieutenant  hoisted  his  signal  for  the  at- 

the  10th  of  October,  leaving  Gen- 
1775*  ^ ^ 

eral  Howe  as  his  successor.  Howe 

tack  to  commence.  The  squadron  now 
began  to  throw  its  bombs  into  the  town, 

was  in  favor  (as  Gage  had  been)  of  an 

and  the  firing  continued  until  the  close 

evacuation  of  Boston,  and  in  his  despatch- 

of  the  day,  when  most  of  the  houses  were 

es  to  the  government  advised  large  rein- 

destroyed.  The  burning  of  Falmouth 

forcements,  and  a transfer  of  military  op- 

spread  an  alarm  all  over  the  New-Eng- 

erations  to  New  York.  In  the  meantime. 

land  coast,  but  produced  no  disposition 

he  prepared  to  ‘‘  distress  the  rebels  by  in- 

to  submit  to  British  arms.  The  indigna- 

cursions  along  the  coast.”  With  this  view, 

tion  it  excited,  in  fact,  only  served  to  give 

one  of  his  first  acts  was,  to  send  out  a 

greater  intensity  to  the  resistance  of  the 

small  armed  squadron,  under  a Lieuten- 

patriots.  ‘‘  Oh,”  wrote  General  Greene, 

ant  Mo  watt,  against  Falmouth  (now  Port- 

“ could  the  Congress  behold  the  distre.s- 

land),  the  authorities  of  which  had  given 

ses  and  wretched  condition  of  the  poor  in- 

great  offence  by  preventing  the  sailing 

habitants  driven  from  the  seaport  towns, 

of  a-  ship  loaded  with  some  tories  and 

it  would  kindle  a blaze  of  indignati(»n 

their  property.  Mowatt  appeared  before 

against  the  commissioned  pirates  and  li- 

the  town  in  the  night,  and,  sending  word 

censed  robbers People,”  he  adds,  ‘‘  be- 

to  the  inhabitants  that  he  would  allow 

gin  heartily  to  wish  a declaration  of  in- 

them  two  hours  to  remove  themselves. 

dependence.” 

determined  to  burn  it.  A committee  of 

Howe,  in  his  despatch  to  the  govern- 

citizens  was  immediately  appointed  to 

ment,  hoped  Portsmouth,  in  New  Hamp- 

confer  with  the  lieutenant,  who  told  them. 

shire,  would  feel  the  weight  of  his  majes- 

on  their  arrival  on  board  his  ship,  that 

ty’s  arms and  the  inhabitants  of  that 

his  orders  were  to  fire  every  town  on 

place,  as  well  as  of  Newport,  in  Rhode 

the  coast  between  Boston  and  Halifax, 

Island,  w’ere  in  daily  expectation  of  being 

and  that  he  had  no  alternative  but  obe- 

served  as  had  been  the  people  of  Falmouth 

dience. 

The  patriots  now  began,  under  an  act  o. 

A respite  was,  however,  at  the  earnest 

the  general  court  of  Massachusetts,  to  fit 

solicitation  of  the  citizens,  granted  until 

out  privateers  for  the  defence  of  the  sea 

the  next  morning,  when  the  committee 

coast,  and  were  soon  able  to  take  revenge 

i 

216  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

upon  the  British  cruisers  for  their  cruel 
devastations. 

Although  Howe  had  resolved  upon 
keeping  quiet  at  present  within  Boston, 
he  took  care  to  find  work  for  his  men. 
He  strengthened  his  fortifications  on  Bun- 
ker’s  and  Breed’s  hills,  where  General 
Clinton  had  now  the  command,  and  add- 
ed to  those  on  Charlestown  neck,  where 
he  set  six  hundred  men  to  labor.  Within 
the  city,  houses  were  pulled  down  to  clear 
space  for  the  exercise  of  the  troops ; re- 
doubts were  built  on  the  common;  and 
the  meetinghouse  “ where  sedition  had 
been  often  preached”  was  made  “ a riding- 
house  for  the  light  dragoons.” 

Howe  did  not  confine  himself  to  in- 
sulting those  of  the  patriots  still  left  in 
Boston,  but  persecuted  them  with  all  the 
rigor  of  martial  law.  In  his  proclama- 
tions he  spoke  of  some  who  had  escaped 
to  Cambridge  as  those  who  had  ‘‘lately 
absconded  to  join  his  majesty’s  enemies, 
assembled  in  open  rebellion,”  and  declared 
his  determination  to  punish  with  “ mili- 
tary execution”  any  who  should  attempt 
to  follow  their  example.  Those  who  suc- 
ceeded he  pronounced  traitors,  who  were 
to  be  treated  accordingly  by  a “ seizure 
of  their  goods  and  effects.”  These  harsh 
proceedings  led  to  retaliation  on  the  part 
of  the  patriots ; and,  by  a general  order 
from  Washington,  those  officers  of  gov- 
ernment known  to  be  devoted  to  the 
throne  were  seized  and  imprisoned. 

Congress  having  appointed  a commifi 
Leo  to  visit  the  camp  at  Cambridge,  and 
confer  with  Washington  and  the  various 
delegates  from  the  provinces  of  New  Eng- 
land in  regard  to  the  reorganization  of 

o o 

the  army,  the  three  gentlemen 
, , Oct.  15. 

who  composed  it  now  arrived. 

These  were,  Benjamin  Franklin,  of  Penn- 
sylvania ; Thomas  Lynch,  of  South  Caro- 
lina ; and  Colonel  Benjamin  Harrison,  of 
Virginia.  Franklin  was  regarded  by  all 
as  an  example  of  prudence  and  an  oracle 
of  wisdom.  “ I had  the  honor,”  says  Gen- 
eral Greene,  of  Rhode  Island,  “ to  be  in- 
troduced to  that  very  great  man  Doctor 
Franklin,  whom  I viewed  with  silent  ad- 
miration during  the  whole  evening,”  and 
adds,  in  his  enthusiastic  rhetoric,  “ Atten- 
tion watched  his  lips  and  conviction  closed 
his  periods.”  The  conference  committee 
immediately  began  their  sessions,  with 
Washington  as  president,  and  Joseph 
Reed  as  secretary.  The  first  question 
was,  the  new  organization  of  the  army ; 
and  the  satisfactory  result  was,  the  adop- 
tion of  a plan  for  the  enlistment,  for  one 
year,  of  twenty-six  regiments,  of  eight 
companies  each,  besides  riflemen  and  ar- 
tillery, based  upon  the  respective  capaci- 
ties of  the  colonies  as  stated  by  the  dele- 
gates. This  would  give  an  effective  force 
of  twenty-two  thousand,  two  hundred  and 
seventy-two  men  and  officers,  whom  it  was 
proposed,  as  far  as  possible,  to  recruit  from 
those  already  in  service,  that  the  army 
might  not  be  altogether  composed  of  un- 
disciplined and  inexperienced  troops. 

^ The  subject  of  the  inactivity  of  the 
present  army  now  came  up,  and  the  pro- 
priety of  an  immediate  attack  on  Boston 
was  discussed.  Washington  formally  put 
the  question  as  to  whether  he  should  at- 
tack the  British,  at  the  expense  of  the 
destruction  of  the  city.  Tlie  delegates 
preferred  that  so  important  a matter 

r 

REVOLOTIONARY.J  COUNCIL  OF  WAR.  217 


should  be  left  to  the  decision  of  Congress. 
A council  of  his  officers  had  been  previ- 
ously held,  at  which  Washington  declared 
he  had  summoned  them  in  consequence 
of  having  learned  that  Congress  desired 
an  attack  upon  Boston,  if  practicable. 
Their  opinions  are  best  given  in  their 
own  words:  — 

General  Gates. — “ That  under  present 
circumstances  it  is  improper  to  attempt 
it.” 

General  Greene. — “ That  it  is  not  prac- 
ticable, under  all  circumstances ; but,  if 
ten  thousand  men  could  be  landed  at  Bos- 
ton, thinks  it  is.” 

General  Sullivan. — “ That  at  this  time 
it  is  improper.  The  winter  gives  a more 
favorable  opportunity.” 

General  Heath.  — ‘‘  Impracticable  at 
present.” 

General  Thomas. — “ Of  the  same  opin- 
ion.” 

General  Putnam. — “Disapproves  of  it 
at  present.” 

GENERi^TL  Lee. — “ Is  not  sufficiently  ac- 
quainted with  the  men,  to  judge;  there- 
fore thinks  it  too  great  a risk.” 

General  Ward. — “Against  it.” 

Such  were  the  opinions  of  the  gener- 
als, with  whom  Washington  also  agreed  ; 
but  the  delegates,  although  hesitating  to 
decide  upon  the  question,  were  for  the 
most  part  in  favor  of  an  attack.  Doctor 
Belknap  dined  with  a party  of  general 
officers  and  gentlemen  belonging  to  the 
various  committee.s,  when  the  ab.sorbino; 
topic  naturally  became  the  subject  of 
after-dinner  conversation.  The  doctor 
tells  us  that  Lynch,  Ilarri.'^on,  and  Wales, 
wished  to  see  Boston  in  flames.  Lee  told 
28 


them  it  was  impossible  to  burn  it  unless 
they  sent  men  in  with  bundles  of  straw 
on  their  backs  to  do  it.  He  said  it  could 
not  be  done  with  carcass  and  hot  shot; 
and  instanced  the  Isle  Boyal,  in  St.  Law- 
rence river,  “which  was  fired  at  in  1760 
a long  time,  with  a fine  train  of  artillery, 
hot  shot,  and  carcasses,  without  effect.” 

The  delegates  now  returned  home. 
Their  presence  had  given  increased  en- 
couragement to  the  patriots  in  arms. 
Franklin’s  devotion  to  the  public  inter- 
ests was  especially  appreciated,  as  his 
comprehensive  policy  and  systematic  bu- 
siness-habits enabled  him  to  suggest  plans 
that  were  not  only  grand,  but  feasible. 
He  had  an  opportunity,  moreover,  of  at- 
tending to  a little  private  business,  and 
succeeded  in  obtaining  from  the  Massa- 
chusetts general  court  the  sum  of  eigh- 
teen hundred  and  fifty-four  pounds  ster- 
ling, as  payment  in  full  of  his  services 
while  acting  as  agent  in  England  for  the 
colony.  “ The  doctor  might,”  says  a con- 
temporary, “have  liked  specie, at  the  time 
such  grants  were  made,  better  than  the 
present  paper-money;  but  his  foresight 
will  undoubtedly  transform  the  latter  into 
some  solid  substance!”  Franklin,  how- 
ever, had  to  make,  from  the  handsome 
sum  which  he  was  paid,  a deduction  of 
one  hundred  pounds  in  favor  of  a com- 
mittee “ appointed  to  wait  upon  him  with- 
in a day  or  two,  being  the  amount  of  a 
sum  sent  by  several  persons  in  England, 
for  the  relief  of  those  Americans  who  were 
wounded  in  the  battle  of  Lexington,  and 
of  the  widows  and  children  of  those  who 
were  there  slain.” 

The  o-reatest  consternation  was  created 


I 


218 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PART  II. 


in  the  camp  at  Cambridge,  bj  the  sup- 
^ ^ ^ posed  discovery  of  a treasonable 
correspondence  of  a hitherto  un- 
suspected patriot  with  the  enemy.  Early 
in  July,  a woman  presented  herself  at 
Newport,  to  a Mr.  Wainwood,  with  a leh 


time  the  delinquent  was  brought  to  the 
foot  of  the  broad  staircase  in  headquar- 
ters, and  assured  her,  in  a severe  tone 
from  the  head  of  it,  that  unless  she  con- 
fessed everything  before  the  next  morn- 
ing, a halter  would  be  in  readiness  for 


ter,  Avhich  she  wished  him  to  aid  her  in 
conveying  to  Captain  Wallace,  the  British 
officer  in  command  of  the  man-of-war  off 
the  harbor.  W ainwood,  who  was  a patri- 
ot, was  suspicious  of  any  correspondence 
with  the  enemy ; but,  concealing  his 
thoughts,  he  prevailed  upon  the  woman 
to  leave  the  letter  with  him.  She  was 
induced  to  do  so,  and  Wainwood  imme- 
diately advised  with  a fi'iend,  upon  whose 
recommendation  the  letter  was  broken 
open,  and  found  to  be  written  in  charac- 
ters entirely  unintelligible.  Thus  the 
matter  remained  until  Wainwood,  having 
received  a note  from  the  woman,  inqui- 
ring about  the  disposition  of  the  letter, 
had  his  suspicions  reawakened,  and  it  was 
then  determined  to  send  it  to  Washing- 
ton. 

The  woman,  on  again  presenting  her- 
self in  the  camp,  was  arrested.  “ Tradi- 
tion,” says  Irving,  “gives  us  a graphic 
scene  connected  with  her  arrest.  Wash- 
ington was  in  his  chamber  at  headquar- 
ters, when  he  beheld  from  his  window 
General  Putnam  approaching  on  horse- 
back, with  a stout  woman  en  croupe  be- 
hind him.  He  had  pounced  upon  the 
culprit.  The  group  presented  by  the  old 
general  and  his  prize,  overpowered  even 
M'ashington’s  gravity.  It  was  the  only 
occasion  throughout  the  whole  campaign 
on  which  he  was  known  to  laugh  hearti- 
ly, He  had  recovered  his  gravity  by  the 


her.” 

The  woman  for  a long  time  resisted 
every  attempt  to  extort  the  truth  from 
her;  but  finally  she  confessed  that  the 
letter  had  been  given  to  her  by  Doctor 
Church,  of  whom,  in  fact,  she  was  said  to 
be  the  “kept  mistress.”  Church  was  a 
prominent  man  among  the  patriots,  being 
a member  of  the  Massachusetts  house  of 
representatives,  and  surgeon-general  of 
the  army-hospitals.  On  being  arrested, 
and  confronted  with  the  charge  of  trea- 
sonable correspondence  with  the  enemy, 
he  Avas  greatly  agitated,  and  showed  ev- 
ery mark  of  guilt.  The  letter  having 
been  successfully  deciphered,  and  found 
to  contain  little  beyond  an  exaggerated 
account  of  the  American  force,  the  doc- 
tor wrote  to  Washington  a vindication  of 
himself,  stating  that  his  object  was  mere- 
ly to  use  his  efforts  in  bringing  about  an 
accommodation  of  the  di.spute  with  the 
mother-country,  and  that  he  'vvas  entirely 
innocent  of  any  traitorous  design.  He 
w as  now  brought  before  a coun- 
cil  of  w\ar,  which,  unable  to  sat- 
isfy itself  of  his  innocence,  unanimously 
decided  upon  referring  the  matter  to  the 
Cong::res.s. 

The  legislature  of  Massachusetts  then 
summoned  Church  before  the  bar  of  the 
house,  and  the  doctor  made  a long  speech 
in  his  defence.  He  endeavored  to  evade 
the  censure  of  the  house,  by  insisting  that 


RI  VOLUTIONARY.J  THE  PROVINCIAL  FLEET.  219 


0 t 27  would  be  before  an- 

other court,  where  the  matter 
must  have  a final  issue,  should  the  house 
proceed  to  expel  him,  it  would  have  a 
fatal  effect  whenever  a final  judgment 
was  to  be  given  on  his  conduct.  He 
made  the  most  solemn  appeal  to  Heaven 
that  the  letter  was  written  with  the  de- 
sign of  procuring  some  important  intelli- 
gence. He  observed  that  there  Avas  not 
a single  paragraph  in  it  which  contained 
information  that  could  hurt  the  Ameri- 
cans ; and  that  the  exaggerated  accounts 
of  their  force,  strength,  and  unanimity, 
tended  to  dishearten  the  enemy  and  keep 
them  quiet,  at  a time  when  the  Ameri- 
cans, for  want  of  powder,  were  poorly 
able  to  have  withstood  a vigorous  attack. 
“ If  the  force  of  rhetoric  and  the  poAvers 
of  language,”  says  a contemporary,  ‘‘if 
the  most  pathetic  arts  of  persuasion,  en- 
forced by  all  the  ingenuity,  sense,  and 
spirit  of  the  doctor,  could  have  made  him 
innocent,  he  AAmuld  have  appeared  spot- 
less as  an  angel  of  light.”  The  house, 
hoAvever,Avas  not  convinced,  and  expelled 
him.  Congress  inflicted  the  punishment, 
resolving  “ that  he  be  close  confined  in 
some  secure  jail  in  Connecticut,  Avithout 
the  use  of  pen,  ink,  and  paper,  and  that 
no  person  be  alloAved  to  converse  with 
him,  except  in  the  presence  and  hearing 
of  a magistrate  or  the  sheriff  of  the  coun- 
ty.” The  doctor  Avas  accordingly  clapped 
into  the  jail  at  Norwich,  AA'hence  he  Avas 
subsequently  released,  on  the  plea  of  ill 
health,  and  removed  to  Boston,  Avhere  his 
personal  liberty  Avas  given  him  on  his 
parole,  backed  by  a surety  of  one  thou- 
sand pounds,  that  he  Avould  hold  no  cor- 


respondence Avith  the  enemy,  or  leaA'e 
the  colony  Avithout  permission.  He  was 
eventually  alloAA^ed  to  depart  for  the  West 
Indies,  but  the  vessel  in  Avhich  he  sailed 
was  never  heard  of  aftei’Avard. 

The  legislative  assemblies  of  the  vari- 
ous NeAA'-England  provinces  had  author- 
ized at  an  early  period  the  fitting  out  of 
small  armed  vessels;  and  several  Avere 
noAV  in  commission,  doing  effective  ser- 
vice in  protecting  the  coasts  against  the 
British  cruisers.  Washington,  having  re- 
ceived instructions  from  Congress  to  en- 
deavor to  capture  the  transports  laden 
Avith  supplies  for  tlie  army  at  Boston,  and 
especially  “ tAvo  north  country  built  ships 
Avith  military  stores,”  began  to  fit  out  a 
small  fleet,  and  succeeded  toAvard  the  end 
of  October  in  having  six  schooners  in  com- 
mission. These  Avere  the  Lynch,  Captain 
Broughton,  and  the  Franklin,  Captain 
Sellman,  Avhich  were  ordered  to  the  St. 
LaAvrence ; the  Lee,  Captain  Manly,  the 
Warren,  Captain  Adams,  the  Washington, 
Captain  Martindale,  and  the  Harrison, 
Captain  Coit,  sent  to  cruise  about  the 
coast.  W ashington  felt  a great  interest  in 
this  humble  naval  movement  as  a means 
of  obtaining  supplies,  for  he  Avrites,  “ I am 
in  very  great  Avant  of  poAvder,  lead,  mor- 
tars— indeed,  of  most  sorts  of  military 
stores.”  Efforts  had  been  made,  and  not 
without  success,  to  supply  the  army  Avith 
ammunition,  but  still  the  quantity  fell 
short  of  Avhat  would  be  needed  in  a pro- 
tracted campaign.  The  manufacture  of 
saltpetre  had  been  commenced  in  eA'ery 
colony,  and  poAvder-mills  had  been  erect- 
ed at  Philadelphia  and  NeAV  York.  A 
hundred  barrels  of  gunjAOAvder  had  also 


220  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  I part  ii 


been  received  from  Bermuda,  by  a cou- 
ple of  coastiug-scbooiiers,  the  crews  of 
which  had  succeeded  in  landing  on  that 
island  in  the  night,  and  rilling  the  maga- 
zine, at  some  distance  from  the  town,  of 
its  contents.  Some  of  the  inhabitants, 
with  a favorable  disposition  toward  the 
American  patriots,  were  supposed  to  have 
connived  at  or  aided  in  the  proceeding ; 
and  Congress  responded  to  their  friend- 
liness by  this  grateful  resolve  ; “ That  the 
inhabitants  of  Bermuda  appear  friendly 
to  the  cause  of  America,  and  ought  to  be 
supplied  with  such  a quantity  of  the  prod- 
uce of  these  colonies  as  may  be  necessa- 
ry for  their  subsistence  and  home  con- 
sumption.” 

Washington’s  little  fleet  was  not  en- 
tirely successful.  One  or  two  were  lost, 
from  the  inexperience  of  the  officers ; and 
another  was  taken  by  the  enemy,  and  the 
captain  and  crew  sent  to  England.  The 
Lee,  however,  under  Captain  Manly,  vin- 
dicated the  ‘‘pine-tree  flag” — for  this, 
which  was  composed  of  a white  ground, 
a pine-tree  in  the  middle,  and  the  motto 
“We  appeal  to  Heaven,”  was  the  stand- 
ard hoisted  upon  the  floating  batteries, 
and  adopted  by  the  colonial  fleet.  We 
shall  see,  in  the  progress  of  events,  the 
fortunate  result  of  Manly’s  cruise. 

There  was  a good  deal  of  suffering  in 
the  camp  at  Cambridge,  from  sickness, 
which  a chronicler  of  the  times  quaintly 
accounts  for : “ Many  of  the  Americans,” 
says  he,  “ have  sickened  and  died  of  the 
dysentery,  brought  upon  them,  in  a great 
measure,  through  an  inattention  to  clean- 
liness. When  at  home,  their  female  rela- 
tions put  them  upon  washing  their  hands 


and  faces,  and  keeping  themselves  neat 
and  clean ; but,  being  absent  from  such 
monitors,  through  an  indolent,  heedless 
turn  of  mind,  they  have  neglected  the 
means  of  health,  have  groAvn  filthy,  and 
poisoned  their  constitution  by  nastiness.” 
The  weather,  too,  was  becoming  very 
cold ; and  the  soldiers,  with  insufficient 
barracks,  and  a want  of  wood,  were  greah 
ly  exposed.  Several  regiments  were 
obliged  to  keep  the  field,  and  some  were 
tented  in  bleak  positions  upon  the  high 
tops  of  hills,  where  it  was  difficult  to  drag 
up  what  supplies  of  fuel  they  could  get. 

The  camp,  however,  with  all  this  suf 
fering  of  the  soldiers,  and  their  by  no 
means  presentable  condition,  if  we  are  to 
believe  the  chronicler  just  quoted,  was 
cheered  by  the  presence  of  “ gentlemen, 
ladies,  and  others,  from  neighboring  and 
distant  colonies,  attracted  by  curiosity.” 
A number  of  native  gentlemen,  too,  ar- 
rived : these  were  Indian  chiefs,  who  had 
come  to  see  and  judge  for  themselves  how 
far  the  stories  which  they  had  heard  in 
their  own  wigwams  of  the  quarrel  of  the 
Americans  with  Kinsr  Georo-e  were  true. 

O O 

Washington  received  them  at  headquar- 
ters with  great  consideration,  and  they 
were  entertained  by  him  and  his  officers 
with  a banquet  and  a ball.  Two  of  the 
Indians  had  with  them  their  squaws,  who 
were  remarkably  well -looking  women, 
making  all  allowance  for  their  very  dark 
complexions.  They  both  joined  their 
husbands  at  the  ball  at  headquarters,  and 
were  much  admired,  although  one  seemed 
rather  low-spirited,  from  having  recently 
lost  a papoose.  When  the  Indians  danced 
in  company  with  the  American  gentle- 


mCVOLUTTONARY.J 

men  and  ladies,  both  the  chiefs  and  their 
squaws  kept  time  with  the  greatest  pre- 
cision, and  showed  an  example  of  grace 
and  dignity  by  which  Washington  and 
his  Virginian  friends  thought  that  some 
of  their  New-England  associates  might 
benefit. 

At  that  time,  in  fact,  in  the  early  days 
of  anticipated  independence,  there  was 
great  room  for  improvement  in  the  man- 
ners of  even  the  oflicers.  Many  of  them, 
elected  by  their  own  troops,allowed  them- 
selves to  be  treated  too  much  as  equals 
by  the  men  ; and  the  captain  or  the  lieu- 
tenant carried  his  ideas  of  behavior  from 
the  ranks,  where  they  were  naturally  pop- 
ular, to  headquarters,  where,  under  the 
strict  regime  of  the  formal  Washington, 
they  were  not  by  any  means  so  attrac- 
tive. 


221 

Many  of  the  higher  officers  felt  as 
Montgomery  wrote,  from  Canada:  “1 
wish  some  method  could  be  fallen  upon 
for  engaging  genllcmcn  to  serve.  A point 
of  honor,  and  more  knowledge  of  the 
world,  to  be  found  in  that  class  of  men. 
would  greatly  reform  discipline,  and  ren- 
der the  troops  much  more  tractable.’ 
There  were  worse  faults,  however,  than 
bad  manners.  Gordon  says : “ It  is  a mor- 
tifying truth  that  some  of  the  Massachu- 
setts officers  disgrace  the  colony  by  prac- 
tising the  meanest  arts  of  speculation. 
Every  subtlety  that  avarice  can  invent, 
or  rascality  carry  on,  are  used  to  cheat 
the  public,  by  men  who  procured  commis- 
sions, not  to  fight  for  the  liberty  of  their 
country,  but  to  prey  upon  its  distresses. 
The  army  about  to  be  enlisted  will  un- 
doubtedly be  better  officered.” 


ARMY  MANNERS  AND  MORALS. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Want  of  Officers  and  Men. — Washington’s  Troubles. — The  Tailors  set  to  work  in  the  Army. — A Spirited  Affair. — Irie 
British  in  search  of  Beef. — The  Schooner  Lee  and  Captain  Manly. — A Capture. — Its  Welcome  in  Con<;rcss. — Anec- 
dote. — “ Old  Put”  actinfu  Godfather  to  a Big  Gun. — The  Difficulties  of  Enlistment. — The  Desertion  of  the  Coiineeiicut 
and  Mas.sachusetts  Men — Arrival  of  Mrs.  Washington. — Its  Effect  at  Headquarters. — Indian  Guests. — “Bows  and 
Scrapes.” — Ground  broken  at  Lechmere’s  Point. — A Sanguine  Colonel — The  American  Camp  unusually  prosperous. 
— Plenty  to  eat. — An  American  Fleet  organized. — 'Die  Brutal  Wallace. — His  Raids  upon  the  American  Coast. — His 
Conduct  at  Newport. — General  Lee  sent  to  Rhode  Island. — Lee’s  Conduct. — Life  and  Character  of  Lee. — His  Pro- 
fanity. 


Washington  Avas  in  hopes  that 
his  forces  might  be  “better  offi- 
cered,” and  strove  to  effect  so  desirable 
:m  object,  now  that  he  Avas  engaged  in 
reorganizing  the  army,  in  accordance 
Avith  the  decision  of  Congress.  lie  Avas, 
however,  perplexed  not  only  how  to  get 
“better,”  but  any  officers  at  all,  or  oven 


men.  As  the  number  of  regiments  Avas 
to  be  reduced  under  the  ncAv  arrange- 
ment, and  the  officers  necessarily  dimin- 
ished, Washington  Avas  desirous  of  select- 
ing those  that  were  best  qualified.  He 
found  great  difficulty  from  both  officers 
and  men.  The  first  Avere  clamorous  for 
high  rank ; and  the  latter  Avere  insisting 


222 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PAKT  II. 


upon  being  subjected  only  to  the  com- 
mand of  those  Avhom  they  themselves 
should  choose.  After  completing  his  list 
of  officers,  he  had  hoped  to  have  succeed- 
ed readily  in  recruiting  his  new  army  out 
of  his  present  forces,  but  was  greatly  dis- 
appointed in  finding  so  few  disposed  to 
re-enlist. 

Colonel  Reed  had  resigned  his  post, and 
was  now  at  Philadelphia;  but  Washing- 
ton, strongly  attached  to  him,  kept  up 
an  intimate  correspondence,  in  which  he 
opened  his  heart  to  his  former  secretary. 
“ Such  dearth  of  public  spirit,”  he  emphat- 
ically writes  to  Peed,  “and  such 
Nov.  28.  : p . , , . , 

want  ot  virtue ; such  stockjob- 
bing, and  fertility  in  all  the  low  arts  to 
obtain  advantage  of  one  kind  or  another 
in  this  great  change  of  military  arrange- 
ments, I never  saw  before,  and  I pray 
God’s  mercy  that  I may  never  be  witness 
to  again.  What  will  be  the  end  of  these 
manoeuvres  is  beyond  my  scan.  I trem- 
ble at  the  prospect.  We  have  been  till 
this  time  enlisting  about  three  thousand 
five  hundred  men.  To  engage  these,  I 
have  been  obliged  to  allow  furloughs  as 
far  as  fifty  men  to  a regiment ; and  the 
officers,  1 am  persuaded,  indulge  many 
more.  The  Connecticut  troops  will  not 
be  prevailed  upon  to  stay  longer  than 
their  term,  saving  tliose  who  have  enlist- 
ed for  the  next  campaign,  and  are  mostly 
on  furlough ; and  such  a mercenary  spirit 
pervades  the  whole,  that  I should  not  be 
surprised  at  any  disaster  that  may  hap- 
pen  Could  I have  foreseen  what  I 

have  experienced  and  am  likely  to  expe- 
rience,no  consideration  upon  earth  should 
have  induced  me  to  accept  this  command.” 


General  Greene  was  disposed  to  think 
the  commander-in-chief  somewhat  incon- 
siderate in  his  judgment  of  the  New-Eng- 
landers,  and  wrote  : “ His  excellency  ha."; 
been  taught  to  believe  the  people  here 
a superior  race  of  mortals;  and  finding 
them  of  the  same  temper  and  disposi- 
tions, passions  and  prejudices,  virtues  and 
vices  of  the  common  people  of  other  gov- 
ernments, they  sank  in  his  esteem.” 

Washington,  however,  perplexed  as  he 
was,  steadily  resolved  to  overcome  all  ob- 
stacles, and  reorganize  an  army.  He  Avas 
desirous,  too,  of  giving  his  men  more  of 
the  appearance  of  soldiers,  and  issued  an 
order  in  Avhich  he  recommended  the  non- 
commissioned officers  and  soldiers  to  lay 
out  their  money  in  shirts,  shoes,  stock- 
ings, and  a good  pair  of  leather  breeche.s, 
and  not  in  coats  and  waistcoats,  as  it  was 
intended  that  the  new  army  should  be 
clothed  in  uniform ; to  effect  which,  the 
order  declared  that  the  Congress  Avould 
lay  in  goods  upon  the  best  terms  they 
could  be  obtained  anywhere  for  ready 
money,  and  that  they  Avould  be  sold  to 
the  troops  without  any  profit,  and  thus 
enable  each  soldier  to  get  a uniform  coat 
and  waistcoat  cheaper  than  any  other 
kind.  The  written  order  then  closed  with 
the  notice  that  “ a number  of  tailors  will 
be  immediately  set  to  work  to  make  regi- 
mentals for  those  brave  men  who  are  wil- 
ling at  all  hazards  to  defend  their  inval- 
liable  rights  and  privileges.” 

Notwithstanding  Washington’s  com- 
plaints  of  the  backwardness  of  his  troops 
generally  in  re-enlisting,  he  had  occasion 
to  be  gratified  by  the  spirited  conduct  of 
some  of  them  in  a slight  affair  which  oc- 


r 

KEVOLUTIONARY.1  A SPIRITED  AFFAIR.  2J3 

curred  with  the  enemy.  Some  four  him- 

would  have  raised  a whole  army,”  came 

dred  British  soldiers,  under  Lieutenantr 

in  for  a large  share  of  the  honor  ol  the 

^ ^ Colonel  Clark, landed  on  Phipps’s 

farm,  at  Lechmere’s  point,  with 

day  by  his  active  gallantry. 

The  whole  camp  was  now  in  a high 

a view  of  making  a raid  upon  the  cattle 

tide  of  cheerful  excitement,  in  conse- 

there,  for  the  benefit  of  the  half-starved 
troops  and  people  in  Boston,  where  such 

quence  of  the  success  of  Captain 

Manly  with  his  armed  schooner 

was  the  scarcity  of  provisions,  that  beef. 

the  Lee.  Several  British  vessels  had  al- 

mutton,  and  pork,  had  risen  to  one  slid- 

ready  been  captured  and  taken  safely  in- 

ling  and  a penny  halfpenny  sterling  the 

to  harbor,  when,  as  he  was  cruising  on 

pound  j geese  ten  shillings  and  fowls  five 

the  coast.  Manly  fell  in  with  and  took 

shillings  apiece ; while  half  a guinea  ivas 

the  brig  Nancy,  an  ordnance-ship  from 

asked  for  a dozen  of  eggs.  Owino;  to  the 

Woolwich,  full  of  everything  in  the  great- 

high  tide  which  overllowed  the  causeway 

est  abundance  that  w^as  necessary  for 

that  led  from  the  camp,  and  prevented 

camps  and  artillery.  There  was  found 

the  Americans  from  crossing,  the  British 

on  board  a large  brass  mortar,  of  a new 

were  left  for  an  hour  or  more  without  in- 

construction;  two  thousand  muskets;  sev- 

terference,  when  they  employed  them- 

era!  pieces  of  fine  brass  cannon  ; one  bun- 

selves  shooting  the  eattle,  with  the  view 

dred  thousand  flints ; thirty  thousand 

of  making  off  with  the  carcasses.  Colonel 

round  shot ; thirty  tons  and  more  of  mus- 

Thompson,  with  a regiment  of  American 

ketrshot ; plenty  of  powder,  and  “all  man- 

riflemen,  was  ordered  to  displace  the  in- 

ner  of  tools,  utensils,  and  machines.” 

vaders.  The  tide  was  still  high,  but  the 

This  anecdote  illustrates  the  w'elcome 

Colonel  ordered  his  troops  to  the  attack  ; 

with  wliich  this  capture  was  received.  The 

and  the  men  for  the  most  part  (though 

naval  committee  of  the  Congress  was  in 

some  hesitated)  plunged  readily  into  the 

secret  session,  deliberating  on  the  means 

water  breast-high,  and  waded  a quarter 

of  obtaining  certain  small  articles  which 

of  a mile  in  the  face  of  a fire  from  a man- 

were  indispensable  to  the  equipment  of 

of- war  and  several  floating  batteries, which 

vessels-of-war,  but  which  were  not  to  be 

covered  the  British  marauders.  As  the 

had  in  the  country,  when  a clamor  for 

Americans  advanced,  the  enemy  hastened 

admittance  at  the  door  interrupted  the 

to  their  boats,  with  a booty  of  ten  cows. 

proceedings.  Admittance  was  denied,  but 

hut  leaving  two  of  their  men  killed  by 

the  intruder  insisted  on  entering.  The 

the  fire  of  the  riflemen,  whose  alacrity  on 

door  was  finally  opened,  when  a gentle- 

the  occasion  was  highly  extolled  by  Wash- 

man  appeared,  with  an  inventory  of  the  , 

ington,  though  he  reprimanded  the  back- 

stores  found  in  the  captured  brig  Nancy, 

wardness  of  others,  and  some  of  the  offi- 

and  among  which  were  the  very  articles 

cers  for  the  unmilitary  appearance  and 

wanted.  When  the  fact  was  ascertained, 

conduct  of  iheir  regiments.  A Major 

Mr.  Adams  arose  and  exclaimed  with  his 

Mifflin,  who  “flew  about  as  though  he 

wonted  earnestness:  “We  must  succeed 

224 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


— Providence  is  with  us — we  must  suc- 
ceed !” 

The  Nancy  w^as  carried  into  Cape  Ann, 
and  her  cargo  conveyed  thence  to  the 
camp  at  Cambridge.  Great  was  the  ex- 
ul  ta tion  on  its  arrival.  ‘‘  Such  universal 
joy,”  writes  an  officer,  “ ran  through  the 
whole  camp  as  if  each  grasped  victory  in 
Ids  hand.  To  crown  the  glorious  scene, 
there  intervened  one  truly  ludicrous — 
which  was,  Old  Put  mounted  on  the  large 
mortar,  which  was  fixed  in  its  bed  for  the 
occasion,  with  a bottle  of  rum  in  his  hand, 
standing  parson  to  christen,  while  God- 
father Miffiin  gave  it  the  name  of  ‘ Con- 
gress.’ The  huzzas  on  the  occasion,  I 
dare  say,  were  heard  through  all  the  ter- 
ritories of  our  most  gracious  sovereign  in 
this  province.” 

The  “ huzzas  on  the  occasion”  w'ere  at 
any  rate  heard  in  Boston,  where  the  offi- 
cers spitefully  remarked  that,  “should 
their  expected  reinforcements  arrive  in 
time,  the  rebels  would  pay  dear  in  the 
spring  far  all  their  petty  triumphs.”  Man- 
ly continued  his  successes  on  the  coast 
until  he  became  a terror  to  every  Brih 
ish  vessel.  A man-of-war  w'as  sent  out  in 
pursuit  of  him,  but  he  escaped  by  run- 
ning his  vessel  ashore  in  Gloucester  har- 
bor, where  the  enemy,  after  firing  broad- 
side after  broadside  at  him,  was  obliged 
by  the  spirit  of  Manly’s  crew,  aided  by 
the  inhabitants,  to  leave  him,  after  the 
British  ship  had  lost  nearly  o;.e  half  of 
its  men.  Manly  got  his  schooner  afloat 
soon  after,  and  again  sailed  on  a cruise. 

Washington  was  still  greatly  annoyed 
by  the  conduct  of  his  troops  in  regal’d 
to  re-enlistment.  The  Connecticut  re<ri- 

O 


ments  refused  to  serve  after  their  time, 
which  would  soon  expire,  unless  they  re- 
ceived a bounty.  This  was  refused,  and 
they  became  mutinous,  declaring  that 
they  would  quit  the  camp.  Washington, 
to  meet  the  emergency,  determined  to 
make  a requisition  upon  the  general  court 
of  Massachusetts  for  reinforcements.  This 
body,  in  answer  to  the  demand,  promptly 
voted  that  three  thousand  of  the  minute- 
men  of  Massachusetts  and  two  thousand 
of  New-Hampshire  should  be  called  out 
and  ordered  to  present  themselves  in  the 
camp  on  the  10th  of  December.  This 
was  the  period  at  which  the  service  of 
most  of  the  Connecticut  troops  would  ex- 
pire, and  they  were  ordered  to  remain 
until  then.  Their  officers  confidently  ex- 
pressed their  belief  that  not  a man  would 
disobey ; but  they  were  disappointed  and 
greatly  chagrined  to  find  that  the  order 
had  hardly  been  given  out,  when  the  men 
began  to  desert. 

“ Yesterday  morning,”  writes  Washing 
ton,  “ most  of  them  resolved  to 
leave  the  camp ; many  went  off, 
and  the  utmost  vigilance  and  industry 
w’ere  used  to  apprehend  them ; several 
got  away  with  their  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion.” They  had  suffered  greatly,  it  is 
true,  from  the  intensity  of  the  cold,  and 
the  want  of  necessities  with  which  they 
ought  to  have  been  better  supplied.  The 
army,  however,  and  the  country  were  not 
disposed  to  justify,  under  any  circum- 
stances, the  desertion  of  their  cause  in 
the  time  of  its  agony ; and  as  the  desert- 
ers made  their  straggling  way  to  Con 
necticut,  they  were  hooted  and  treated 
with  other  significant  marks  of  opprobri 


Dec#  2. 


r 

K.CVOLUTIONAIIY.J  ARRIVAL  OF  MRS.  WASHINGTON.  225 

uin,  in  every  town  and  village  through 

bestowed.  I mean  it  is  my  desire  that 

which  they  pas.sed.  They  were  not  se- 

it  should  be  done.  You  are  to  consider 

cure  from  reproach  even  at  their  own 

that  neither  myself  nor  wife  are  now  in 

firesides;  and  the  scolding  of  wives,  and 

the  way  to  do  these  good  offices.’” 

llie  averted  glances  of  sweethearts,  drove 

His  wife,  as  this  letter  indicates,  was 

and  shamed  many  a deserter  back  again 

now  with  Washington  at  headquarters, 

to  duty. 

where  she  had  arrived  on  the  11th  of  De- 

That  the  Connecticut  men  were  not 

cember,  with  her  son  John  Parke  ^ 

alone  in  their  reluctance  to  serve  — al- 

Custis.  The  coming  in  of  the  “gen- 

though  more  recreant  than  others,  by 

eral’s  lady”  was  quite  an  event  in  the 

their  open  desertion  — appears  fiom  the 

camp ; and  the  plain  New-England  pro- 

lecords  of  the  time.  “ The  Massachusetts 

vincials  did  not  fail  to  remark  upon  the 

people,”  says  a chronicler, “show  as  much 

grand  style  of  the  Virginian  dame,  who 

backwardness  as  the  others.  In  short. 

drove  into  Cambridge  with  a chariot-and- 

they  expect  to  be  hired,  and  that  at  a 

four,  with  negro  postillions  in  scarlet-and 

very  high  price,  to  defend  their  own  lib- 

white  liveries.  Her  presence  greatly  en- 

erties ; and  choose  to  be  slaves  unless 

livened  headquarters,  and  invitations  to 

they  can  be  bribed  to  be  freemen.  Quid 

dinner  with  the  oeneral  became  more  fre- 

O 

facit  lihertas,  ciiui  sola  pecimia  re(jnat  ? Ho  w 

quent  after  she  began  to  rule  the  house- 

must  it  afflict  General  Washington  to 

hold.  Her  example,  too,  had  a cheering 

observe  in  the  piesent  crisis  so  little  of 

influence  upon  others  of  the  “ best  socie- 

that  patriotic  spirit  which  he  was  taught 

ty”  of  the  camp ; and  party  succeeded  par- 

to  believe  was  the  characteristic  of  the 

ty,  night  after  night,  during  the  gloomy 

Ma.ssachusetts  people,  and  on  which  he 

month  of  December.  Adjutant-General 

relied  greatly  for  support ! . . . . 

Mifllin,  who,  though  bred  up  with  the  for- 

“ While  burdened  with  an  apprehen- 

malities  of  Quakerism,  had  received  a 

sion  that  he  might  possibly  be  deserted. 

dash  of  liveliness  from  a residence  in 

he  could  recollect  the  severity  of  the  sea- 

France,  was  prominent  among  the  gayest 

son,  and  the  distresses  of  his  fellow-crea- 

of  the  officers,  and  provoked  the  conviv- 

tures  at  a distance,  and  wrote  to  the  gen- 

iality  of  the  camp  by  frequent  invitations 

tleman  with  whom  he  had  intrusted  the 

to  supper  and  dinner.  “ I dined,”  says 

management  of  his  concerns  at  Mount 

John  Adams,  “ at  Colonel  Mifflin’s,  with 

Vernon;  ‘Let  the  hospitality  of  the  house 

General  Washington  and  lady,  and  a vast 

be  kept  up  with  respect  to  the  poor.  Let 

collection  of  other  company,  among  whom 

no  one  go  hungiy  away.  If  any  of  this 

were  six  or  seven  sachems  and  warriors 

kind  of  people  should  be  in  want  of  corn. 

of  the  French  Caughnawaga  Indians, 

supply  their  necessitie.s,  provided  it  does 

with  their  wives  and  children.  A savage 

net  encourage  them  in  idleness.  I have 

feast  they  made  of  it,  yet  were  very  po- 

lio  objection  to  your  giving  my  money 

lite  in  the  Indian  style.  I was  introduced 

in  charity,  when  you  think  it  will  be  well 
29 

to  them  by  the  general  as  one  of  the 

1 

' 1 

1 

?26  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [;>akt  u. 


griuid  council  at  Philadelphia,  which  made 
them  prick  up  their  ears.  They  came 
and  shook  hands  with  me,  and  made 
many  low  bows  and  sciapes.”* 

Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire  had 
come  nobly  to  the  rescue  on  the  desertion 
of  the  Connecticut  regiments,  and  the  re- 
cruits came  in  rapidly  from  these  prov- 
inces. Washington  was  quite  inspirited, 

and  wrote  : “ I have  the  satisfac- 
I'CC*  13*  . j n . jt  • 

tion  to  tell  you  tliat  things  v/ear 

a better  complexion  here  than  they  have 
done  for  some  time  past.  The  army  is 
filling  up.  The  barracks  go  on  well.  Fire- 
wood comes  in.  The  soldiers  are  made 
comfortable  and  easy.  Our  privateers 
meet  with  success  in  bringing  in  vessels 
that  were  (i;:oin<>:  to  the  relief  of  Boston.” 
Washington,  reinforced  with  new  troops, 
and  encouraged  by  the  better  spirit  of 
the  men,  was  enabled  now  to  proceed 
vigorously  with  his  defences. 

The  American  general  cariied  his  ap- 
proaches to  within  half  a mile  of  Boston, 
and  broke  ground  at  Lechmere’s  point. 
The  enemy  did  not  attempt  any  hinder- 
ance,  and  allowed  the  Americans  to  pro- 
ceed with  their  works  for  several  days 
without  firing  a shot.  This  puzzled  Wash- 
ington, who  could  not  understand  their 
object,  unle.ss  it  was  to  lull  him  into  a fatal 
security.  He  was,  however,  on  the  alert, 
for  it  only  increased  his  vigilance,  and  in- 
duced him  to  fortify  all  the  advances  to 

* Irvins,  who  quotes  tliis  extract,  remarks  upon  the 
“ hows  and  scr.ipe.-,"  with  which  Adams  states  tlie  Indians 
received  him,  tliat  it  is  a kind  of  homage  never  paid  by  an 
Indian  warrior.  If.  however,  Irving  admits  the  “shaking 
of  iiands,’’  iie  ndglit  concetie  to  the  savages  tiie  fnrtiier 
progress  in  civilized  politeness  of  “bows  and  scrapes,”  es- 
pecially on  calling  to  mind  that  the  Indians  were  French 
Caughnawagas. 


the  camp,  and  to  guard  any  approaches 
upon  the  ice.  He  was  in  hourly  expec- 
tation of  an  attack.  The  work  contin- 
ued, notwithstanding;  and  the  men  had 
succeeded  in  constructing  a causeway 
over  the  marsh,  nearly  to  Lechmere’s 
point,  when  the  enemy’s  ships  and  batte- 
ries at  last  began  to  fire.  The  Americans 
were  driven  away,  with  one  man  wound- 
ed, and  did  not  renew  their  labors  until 
the  next  morning,  when  the  British  man- 
of  war  was  forced  by  the  artillery  in  the 
cami)  to  shift  its  moorings.  The  British 
batteiies,  however,  still  played  upon  the 
spot ; but  the  men,  growing  familiar  with 
tlie  bombs  which  were  bursting  and  scat- 
tering the  dirt  over  them,  and  learning 
how  to  dodge  them  as  the  sentinels  cried 
out,  “A  shot!”  continued  their  labors: 
so  that,  in  spite  of  the  snow,  the  frozen 
ground,  and  the  dangerous  proximity  of 
the  enemy,  there  were  soon  two  redoubts 
built  on  Lechmere’s  point,  with  a cause- 
way and  a covered  approach  leading  to 
them.  “ Give  us  powder  and  authority,” 
says  an  enthusiastic  colonel,  “ I say  give 
us  these,  and  Boston  can  be  set  in  flames.” 
So  important  did  he,  as  in  fact  all  his 
comrades,  esteem  these  new  worlcs. 

Everything  seemed  now  unusually  pros- 
perous in  the  camp.  The  soldiers  were 
supplied  with  abundant  food  — getting 
corned  beef  and  pork  four  days,  fresh  beel 
two  daj^s,  and  salt  fish  one  day,  in  the 
week ; a quart  of  spruce-beer,  or  an  equiv- 
alent in  molasses  daily,  in  the  way  of  li- 
quid refreshment;  and  fair  proportions 
of  such  delicacies  as  rice,  Indian  meal, 
hog’s  lard,  and  butter,  on  stated  occasions 
A spectator  describes  the  appearance  »f 


KEVOLUTIONAUY.J 


rilOVIXCIAL  FLKE'r. 


the  American  camp  with  enthusiasm : 
“About  two  months  ago,”  he  says,  “I 
visited  the  camps  at  Roxbury  and  Cam- 
bridge. The  lines  of  both  are  impregna- 
ble; with  forts  (many  of  which  are  bomb- 
proof) and  the  redoubts,  supposing  them 
to  be  all  in  a direction,  are  about  twenty 
miles;  the  breastworks  of  a proper  height, 
and  in  many  places  seventeen  feet  in 
thickness ; the  trenches  wide  and  deep  in 
proportion,  before  which  lay  forked  im- 
pediments ; and  many  of  the  forts,  in  ev- 
ery respect,  are  perfectly  ready  for  bat- 
tle. The  whole,  in  a word,  the  admira- 
tion of  every  spectator;  for  verily  their 
fortifications  appear  to  be  the  works  of 
seven  years,  instead  of  about  as  many 
months.  At  these  camps  are  about  twen- 
ty thousand  men.  The  generals  and  other 
officers, in  all  their  military  undertakings, 
solid,  discreet,  and  courageous ; the  men 
daily  raving  for  action,  and  seemingly 
devoid  of  fear.  There  are  many  floating 
batteries,  and  batteaux  in  abundance ; 
besides  this  strength,  ten  thousand  mili- 
tia are  ordered  in  that  government  to 
appear  on  the  first  summons.  Provisions 
and  money  there  are  very  plenty,  and 
the  soldiers  faithfully  paid.  The  army 
in  great  order,  and  very  healthy,  and 
about  six  weeks  ago  lodged  in  com- 
fortable barracks.  Chaplains  constantly 
attend  the  camps  morning  and  night; 
prayers  are  often  offered  up  for  peace 
and  reconciliation,  and  the  soldiers  very 
attentive.  The  I'oads  at  the  time  I viewed 
the  camps  were  almost  lined  with  spec- 
t!itors,and  thousands  with  me  can  declare 
the  above  respecting  the  camps  to  be  a 
just  description.” 


Congress  had  detei  mined  upon  the  or- 
ganization of  a fleet,  and  had  or- 
dered  five  ships  of  thirty-two 
guns,  five  of  twenty-eight,  and  three  of 
twentj'-four,  to  be  built;  but  while  these 
were  in  process  of  construction,  the  coasts 
of  New  England  suffered  greatly  from 
the  British  cruisers.  The  American  pri- 
vateers were  on  the  alert,  but  being  of 
small  force  and  few  in  number,  were  (al- 
though some  continued  to  give  a good 
account  of  themselves)  unable  to  effect 
much  against  the  powerful  English  squad- 
ron, which  continued  its  dej^redations 
along  the  coast  from  the  St.  Lawrence  to 
the  bay  of  New  York.  Rhode  Island  had 
been  n great  sufferer,  and  now  called  up- 
on Washington  for  aid  to  protect  her  har- 
bors from  the  severe  exactions  of  a Brit- 
ish naval  captain,  Wallace. 

Wallace  was  a brutal  fellow,  who  had 
been  long  on  the  coast,  and  was  notori- 
ous in  America,  even  before  the  war,  for 
his  coarseness  and  insolence.  Being  asked 
once  by  the  mistress  of  a boarding-house 
in  Philadelphia,  where  he  happened  to  be 
a lodger,  if  he  would  be  helped  to  a dish 
before  her,  Wallace  replied,  “Damme, 
madam,  it  is  to  be  supposed  that  at  a pub- 
lic table  every  man  has  a right  to  help 
himself,  and  this  I mean  to  do !”  The 
poor  woman,  with  tears  in  her  eyes, 
begged  the  brute’s  pardon.  On  another 
occasion,  Wallace  got  as  much  as  he  gave, 
from  a cool  Quakei' with  whom  at  dinner 
he  had  made  very  free, twittinghim  about 
his  broad  brim,  and  iheeing  and  ihoiiing  him 
very  familiarly.  The  Friend  bore  it  very 
patiently  until  after  dinner,  when  he  at 
length  ventured  to  say  to  his  persecutor: 


.>2f  B.Vr  TLES  OF  AMEFICA.  [part  n. 

1 

•‘Captain,  thoe  has  made  very  free  with 

sion.  His  self-willed  temper  made  him 

me,  and  asked  me  a great  many  ques- 

prompt  in  the  execution  of  his  measures. 

tions,  wliich  I have  endeavored  to  answer 

He  entered  Newport,  and  at  once  sum- 

to  thy  satisfaction.  Wilt  thou  now  per- 

moned  before  him  all  persons  known  or 

mit  me  to  ask  tliee  one  in  my  turn  ?” — 

suspected  of  giving  countenance  to  the 

“ Oh,  by  all  means !”  exclaimed  the  cap- 

enemy.  He  then  forced  them  to  take  an 

tain, “ anything  thee  please, friend;  what 

oath  by  which  they  “ religiously  swore 

is  it?” — “Why,  then,  I wish  to  be  in- 

they  would  neither  directly  nor  indirect 

formed  what  makes  thee  drink  so  often  : 

ly  assist  the  wicked  instruments  of  min- 

art  thou  really  dry  every  time  thou  car- 

isterial  tyranny  and  villany  commonly 

riest  the  liquor  to  thy  mouth  ?”  The  cap- 

called  the  king’s  troops  and  navy,  by  fur- 

tain,  drunk  as  he  was, felt  this  home  thrust. 

nishing  them  with  provisions  and  refresh- 

frowned  savagely,  and,  swearing  a loud 

ments ;”  and  swore, moreover,  to  denounce 

curse,  asked,  “What!  do  you  think  I am 

“all  traitors  before  the  public  authority, 

like  a hog,  only  to  drink  when  I am  dry  ?” 

and  to  take  arms  in  defence  of  American 

The  fellow  was  as  cruel  iu  disposition  as 

liberty,  whenever  I’equired  by  Congress 

he  was  coarse  and  violent  in  manner. 

or  the  provincial  authority.”  We  may 

This  Wallace  had  stationed  his  vessel- 

conceive  of  the  terror  infused  into  the 

of-war  off  Newport,  where  he  would  land 

hearts  of  the  toiles  by  the  determined 

his  sailors  and  marines,  to  make  depreda- 

conduct  of  Lee,  when  he  succeeded  in 

tions  upon  the  inhabitants.  A party  of 

extortino;  such  an  oath  from  all  but  three 

these  marauders  had  lately  gone  ashore. 

of  those  who  were  brought  before  him. 

and,  not  satisfied  with  killing  and  carry- 

He  soon  returned  to  Cambridge.  As  Lee 

ing  off  the  cattle,  had  broken  into,  plun- 

will,  from  this  moment,  begin  to  appear 

dered,  and  finally  burned,  some  of  the 

more  prominently  upon  the  scene,  we 

houses.  It  was  also  feared  by  the  Rhode- 

may  here  give  a record  of  his  history. 

Islanders  that  the  British  admiral  at  Bos- 

Charles  Lee  can  almost  be  said  to  have 

ton  was  about  sending  a large  naval  force, 

been  born  a soldier.  His  father  was  a 

with  the  view  of  subjecting,  by  the  con- 

general  in  the  British  army,  and  the  son 

nivance  of  the  tory  residents,  the  whole 

received  a commission  at  the  early  age 

island  to  British  military  rule. 

of  eleven  years.  Born  in  Wales,  in  1731, 

The  governor  of  Rhode  Island,  in  soli- 

young  Lee  had  all  the  impulsive  charac- 

citing  the  aid  of  Washington,  had  sug- 

teristics  of  the  Welsh.  He  was  ardent 

crested  that  Lee  mi^ht  be  sent;  and  he 

and  brave,  irascible  and  headstrong.  In 

accordingly  was  ordered  to  Newport  with 

the  army,  where  he  began  so  early  a ca- 

several  companies  of  riflemen,  which  were 

reer,  his  energetic  courage  was  soon  no- 

joined  on  the  march  by  a considerable 

ticed,  and  led  to  his  frequent  employment 

number  of  militia.  Lee  was  the  very 

in  active  service.  In  1756,  he  first  came 

man  for  tlie  emergency  ; his  usual  faults 

to  Americii,  and  won  renown  in  the  colo 

of  character  became  merits  on  the  occa- 

nial  battles  as  an  officer  in  the  royal  army 

iMiVui.urioN^AKY.j  l.’IIAlk,LE!S  i^EE.  229 

From  his  earliest  days  his  disposition  had 

br’ated  letters  of  “Jurriits.”  Lee  now  went 

been  wayward,  and  his  conduct  socially 

abr’oad,  and  travelled  for  sever-al  years 

irregular.  He  now  gave  signal  proof  of 

on  the  continent  of  Eur  ope,  where  he  ac- 

his  eccentricity,  by  abandoning  civilized 

quired  a knowledge  of  variotts  larigitages, 

life,  and  casting  himself  adrift  among  the 

and  succeeded  in  nrakirig  the  acqiraiut- 

roaming  Indians.  He  was  welcomed  by 

ance  of  the  gr’eat,  with  whotrr  he  so  far  irt- 

the  Mohawks,  whom  he  had  joined,  and 

gr'atiated  himself,  that  he  was  comtrrerrd- 

made  by  them  a chief,  with  an  Indian 

ed  by  them  to  Stanislaus  Augustu.s,  kirtg 

name,  which  signified  “ Boiling  Water.” 

of  Poland,  who  made  him  his  aid-de-camp. 

This  title,  so  characteristic  of  the  restless 

From  Poland  he  repaired,  in  some  official 

disposition  of  the  man,  was  a remarkable 

capacity,  to  Constantinople.  After  a short 

proof  of  the  shrewd  insight  of  his  savage 

residence  in  Turkey,  Lee  thr-ew  off  his  al- 

1 

friends  who  conferred  it.  The  capr  icious- 

legiance  to  the  Polish  kirrg,  and  went  to 

ness  of  Lee,  which  had  led  him  to  leave. 

Paris.  In  1773,  he  returned  to  Atrrer  ica, 

induced  him  to  return  to  civilization.  A 

deterarriued  to  make  it  his  home  for  the 

new  whim  took  possession  of  his  mind. 

rest  of  his  life.  By  the  advice  of  his  old 

He  wished  to  take  part  in  political  strife. 

comrade  and  countr’yrrran  Gates,  he  jutr- 

He  had  rdways  been  fond  of  book.s,  and. 

chased  an  estate  in  Vir’ginia,and  was  there 

having  an  ambition  as  a writer,  often  in- 

living,  with  his  books  aird  his  dogs,  the 

dulged  in  literary  compositions,  chiefly 

easy  life  of  a southerm  phurter’,  when  the 

of  a partisan  char  acter. 

struo:o:le  with  Gr-eat  Britain  commenced. 

On  his  return  to  Etrgland, however,  Lee 

Lee,  who  was  alwrtys  a liberal,  pr’ornptly 

was  induced  to  take  up  arms  again,  and. 

declared  for  the  Americans.  His  acces- 

having  received  a colonel’s  courmission. 

sion  to  the  cause  was  gladly  welcomed, 

served  under  General  Bur-goyne  in  Por- 

and  his  experience  as  a military  leader 

tugal,  where  he  exhibited  great  daritrg, 

induced  Congr-ess  to  make  him  a briga- 

orr  one  occasion  swimming  the  Tagus  at 

dicr-general. 

the  head  of  his  ti’oops.  After  the  war, 

Lee  was  an  eccentric  person,  who,  al- 

he  lived  in  London,  where  he  made  him- 

though  possessed  of  the  breeding  of  a 

self  somewhat  famous  as  a political  wri- 

gentleman,  was  fond  of  ruffling  the  for- 

ter  and  advocate  of  liberal  pr  inciple.s.  In 

malities  of  society  by  personal  irregular- 

a short  time  he  wearaed  of  this  life,  and 

ity  of  manners.  He  was  slovenly  in  his 

sought  promotion  from  the  British  au- 

dress,  and  not  seldom  careless  in  behav- 

thorities,  who,  however’,  would  not  listen 

ior.  “Plain  in  person  even  to  ugliness, 

to  the  appeal  of  a man  who  had  been  no- 

and  careless  in  his  manners  even  to  a de- 

loriously  engaged  in  attacking  them  with 

gree  of  rudeness,  his  nose  was  so  remark- 

all  the  bitterness  of  which  he  was  capa- 

ably  aquiline  that  it  appeared  as  a real 

ble.  Indeed,  such  was  the  keenness  and 

deformity.  His  voice  was  rough,  his  gaib 

vigor  of  his  pen,  that  some  even  attr  ib- 

ordinary,  his  deportment  morose.  He 

uted  to  him  the  authorshiir  of  the  cele- 

was  ambitious  of  fame,  without  the  dig- 

230 


BATTLES  OF  AMEIIICA. 


[PAKT  II. 


nity  to  support  it.  In  private  life,  he 
sank  into  the  vulgarity  of  the  clown.” 
Such  w.'is  the  hy  no  means  flattering  ac- 
count given  of  Lee  by  on  observant  lady, 
lie  does  not  seem  to  have  been  a favor- 
ite with  the  gentle  sex,  of  whom  another 
is  reported  to  have  said  that  he  was  “ a 
crabbed  man  and  Mrs.  Adams  declares 
that  “ the  elegance  of  his  pen  far  exceeds 
that  of  his  person.”  He  is  supposed  to 
have  suffered  in  the  good  opinion  of  the 
ladies  by  his  fondness  for  dogs,  a pack  of 
which  always  followed  him  wherever  lie 
went,  to  the  manifest  disorder  of  the  good 
housekeeping  of  his  female  friends.  “I 
was  very  politely  entertained  and  noticed 
hy  the  generals,”  writes  Mrs.  Adams — 
“ more  especially  General  Lee,  who  was 
very  urgent  for  me  to  tarry  in  town  and 
dine  with  him  and  the  ladies  present  at 


‘Hobgoblin  hall;’  but  I excused  myself 
The  general  was  determined  that  I should 
notonly  be  acquainted  with  him,  but  with 
his  companions  too;  and  therefore  placed 
a chair  before  me,  into  which  he  ordered 
Mr.  Spada  (his  dog)  to  mount,  and  pre- 
sent his  paw  to  me  for  a better  acquaint- 
ance. I could  not  do  otherwise  tlian  ac- 
cept it.” 

The  New-Englauders  were  dreadfully 
shocked  by  Lee’s  impiety.  He  “swore 
like  a trooper,”  and  did  not  fear  to  scoff 
openly  at  the  ordinances  of  religion. 
When  a day  was  appointed  to  invoke 
the  aid  of  Heaven  upon  the  American 
cause,  Lee  ridiculed  it,  and  remarked, 
“Heaven  is  ever  found  favorable  to 
strong  battalions !”  Tom  Paine  said  of 
him  that  “ he  was  above  all  monarchs, 
and  below  all  scum.” 


CHAPTER  XII. 

The  Sufferings  of  the  British  in  Boston. — Briti.sh  Officers,  however,  make  an  Effort  to  console  themselves. — Turn  Play- 
wrights and  Actors. — An  Incident  at  the  Play. — A Sudden  Exit  — 'I'he  Attack  on  the  Works  at  Charlestown. — The 
First  of  January  in  the  American  Camp  — TrouWes  of  Enlistment. — Washington’s  Afflictions. — The  Patriotic  Spirit 
still  alive. — I'he  King's  Speech  — Its  Reception  in  the  American  Camp — Wasliington  eager  to  destroy  tlie  “Nest  in 
Boston.” — Arrival  of  a British  Squadron  — New  York  threatened.  — Washington  provides  for  the  Emergency. — Lee 
sent  to  New  York. — His  Journey  thitlier. — Arrival  and  Conduct  at  New  York. — An  Emphatic  Menace. — One  of  Lee’s 
’I'remendous  Oatlis. — New  York  Tories  — Sir  John  Johnson. — Ilis  Manoeuvres. — Watched  hy  Schuyler. — A Forcible 
Argument  applied  to  the  Indians.  — Schuyler  proceeds  to  Johnstown.  — Sir  John  forced  to  capitulate,  and  pledge  Him- 
self to  Inaction.  Approval  of  Schuyler’s  Conduct. 


The  British  in  Boston  had  more 
than  their  share  of  the  sufferings 
of  the  winter.  The  distress  of  the  troops 
and  inliabilants  was  spoken  of  as  “great 
bt'yond  all  possible  description.  Neither 
vegetiibles,  Hour,  uor  pulse  for  the  inliab- 
itiiiits;  and  the  king’s  stores  so  very  short, 


none  can  be  spared  from  them ; no  fuel, 
and  the  winter  set  in  remark.ably  severe. 
The  troops  and  inluibitiiuts  are  iibsolutely 
and  litei'iilly  starving  for  want  of  jirovis- 
ions  and  fire.  Even  salt  provision  is  fif 
teen  pence  sterling  per  pound.”  The 
small-pox,  too,  broke  out  in  Boston,  tei’- 


r 

KEVOLLTIONAEY.J  THE  BRITISH  FARCE  2?1 


ribly  alarming  the  people,  whom  even  the 
thought  that  the  disease  was  the  best  pro- 
tection against  the  assault  of  the  enemy 
(lid  not  reconcile  to  its  infliction.  The 
weather  was  so  severe,  with  its  freezing 
cold  and  drifting  snows,  that  it  was  found 
necessary  to  order  General  Clinton  and 
the  larger  portion  of  his  troops  to  take 
refuge  within  the  town  from  the  exposed 
heights  of  Bunker’s  hill,  where  only  a 
small  garrison  was  left  in  three  redoubts. 

Wood,  too,  was  as  scarce  in  Boston  as 
in  the  American  camp ; but  Howe  had 
less  scruples  than  Washington  in  supply- 
ing his  wants.  The  British  general  issued 
orders  for  pulling  down  the  old  North 
meetino:house,  containin<>:  a <>:reat  deal  of 
timber,  and  a hundred  wooden  dwelling- 
houses  and  other  buildings  to  be  used  for 
fuel.  The  trees  on  the  common  were 
hewed  down,  and  the  celebrated  Liberty- 
tree  furnislied  fourteen  cords  of  Avood ! 
Though  they  succeeded  in  thus  supply- 
ing one  want,  they  had  much  greater  diffi- 
culty in  satisfying  others.  An  occasional 
coaster  from  Nova  Scotia  Avould  escape 
the  American  privateers,  and  succeed  in 
landing  a cargo  of  beef,  poultry,  and  hay; 
but  such  was  the  scarcity  of  these  articles, 
that  they  were  snatched  up  at  once,  at 
the  most  exorbitant  prices,  by  the  few 
who  were  rich  enough  to  buy  them.  The 
great  mass  of  the  troops  and  people  were 
1‘orced  to  live  exclusively  upon  salt  pro. 
visions,  and  even  upon  meager  supplies 
of  ihose.  The  necessary  residt  was,  the 
prevalence  of  scurvy  and  fatal  dysen- 
teries. 

The  British  officers,  however,  made  a 
commendable  effort  to  sustain  the  spirits 


of  their  men  under  these  severe  trials. 
They  got  up  concerts,  balls,  and  plays,  in 
Faneuil  hall,  to  enliven  the  people.  In 
their  dramatic  peiforinances  they  tried 
to  serve  the  double  purpose  of  making 
the  audience,  by  provocatives  to  their 
cheerfulness,  less  discontented  with  them- 
selve.s,  and,  by  appeals  to  their  sense  of 
ridicule,  more  regardless  of  their  enemies. 
The  Americans  were  “ taken  off”  by  the 
military  playwrights,  and  “ shown  up”  to 
the  manifest  delight  of  a nightly  con- 
course of  tories  and  red-coats.  The  bills 
of  the  plays  were,  with  a refined  irony, 
frequently  sent  by  some  anonymous  to- 
ries to  Washington  and  his  generals.  The 
“ Blockade  of  Boston,”  supposed  to  have 
been  composed  by  Burgoyne  himself,  who 
was  known  even  at  that  time  to  have  a 
dramatic  turn,  having  lieen  written  with 
the  express  purpose  of  ridiculing  Wash- 
ington and  his  troops,  drew  together  on 
the  night  of  its  performance  an  unusually 
large  audience. 

“ The  Busy-body,”  the  first  piece  on  the 
bill,  being  over,  the  curtain  drew  up  for 
the  farce  of  “The  Blockade  of  Boston.’ 
Washington  was,  of  course,  a prominent 
character,  and  appeared  with  a large  vvig 
on  his  head,  a long  rusty  sword  by  his 
side,and  followed  by  his  orderly  sergeinit, 
who  had  on  his  shoulder  a rusty  gun 
seven  feet  long,  and  was  otherwise  ludi- 
crously equipped.  These  dramatic  per- 
sonages had  hardly  made  their  appear- 
ance, when  a real  character  presented 
himself  in  the  shape  of  a British  sergeant, 
who  came  running  on  the  stage,  and, 
throwing  down  his  musket,  called  out 
lustily,  “ The  Yankees  are  attacking  Bun- 


232  IjATTLES  of  AjMERICA.  [part  ii. 

ker’s  hill!”  The  audience  thought  that 
this  was  a part  of  the  play,  until  Howe, 
who  was  present,  cried  out,  ^‘■Officers,  to 
your  alarm-posts  /”  when  the  rnilitaiy  por- 
tion of  the  crowd  made  great  haste  away, 
leaving  the  ladies  shrieking  and  fainting, 
and  the  rest  of  the  audience  in  a state  of 
great  consternation. 

The  alarm  had  been  caused  by  an  at- 
tack of  two  hundred  men,  under  Captain 
Knowlton,  sent  out  by  General  Putnam, 
from  his  works  on  Cobble  hill,  to  destroy 
some  houses  in  Charlestown:  these  houses, 
about  fourteen  in  number,  were  all  that 
were  left  after  the  general  fire,  and  were 
occupied  by  the  British.  The  Americans 
started  out  at  night,  and,  crossing  the  ice 
at  the  dam,  succeeded  in  burning  eight 
or  ten  of  the  houses,  killing  one  man,  and 
taking  captive  the  guard,  with  their  arms, 
'file  Bi’itish  garrison  on  Bunker’s  hill  weie 
alarmed  by  the  flame.s,  and  commenced  a 
brisk  fire,  doing  no  damage  to  the  Amer- 
icans,  but  greatly  disturbing  the  equanim- 
ity, as  we  have  seen,  of  the  troops  and 
people  within  Boston. 

The  opening  of  the  year  in  the 
American  camp  was  a time  ot  great 
anxiety.  The  period  of  service  of  most 
of  the  regiments  had  expired ; and  the 
old  troops  were  in  such  a hurry  to  get 
away,  and  the  new  were  so  slow  in  com- 
ing in,  that  during  the  early  days  of  Jan- 
uary there  were  hardly  ten  thousand  men 
before  Boston.  Washington  wasnotonly 
full  of  care,  from  the  great  interests  at 
stake,  but  annoyed  exceedingly  by  tlie 
resistance  with  which  his  orders  were  met 
by  the  disbanding  troop.s.  Many  of  the 
fresh  men  had  come  in  unprovided  with 

arms,  and  it  became  necessary  to  insist 
that  those  who  were  leaving  the  ranks 
should  sell  their  guns,  at  a price  fixed 
by  inspectors  appointed  for  the  purpose. 

This  caused  dissati.sfaction,  and  much 
grumbling.  Washington,  observing  the 
dissatisfied  spirit  of  his  forces,  appealed 
to  their  patriotism  in  a general  order,  in 
which,  after  reminding  them  that  ‘Gan 
army  without  order,  regularity,  or  disci- 
pline, is  no  beXter  than  a commissioned 
mob,”  he  entreated  them  to  conduct  them- 
selves like  true  soldiers,  as  “everything 
dear  to  freemen  was  at  stake,”  and  could 
only  be  secured  by  the  faithful  perform- 
ance of  their  military  duties. 

The  care  which  weighed  upon  Wash- 
iimton’s  mind  at  this  time  wasknown  then 

O 

only  to  his  most  intimate  friends,  to  whom 
in  the  confidence  of  his  letters  he  unbur- 
dened his  heart.  To  his  former  secretary 
(Reed)  he  writes:  “Search  the 
volumes  ot  history  througli,  and 

I much  question  whether  a case  similar 
to  ours  is  to  be  found  : naineiv,  to  main- 
tain  a post  against  the  flower  of  the  Brit- 
ish troops  for  six  months  together,  with- 
out powder;  and  then  to  have  one  army 
disbanded,  and  another  to  be  raised,  with- 
in the  same  distance  of  a reinforced  army. 
What  may  be  the  issue  of  the  last  manoeu- 
vre, time  only  can  unfold.  I wish  this 
month  were  well  over  our  heads.” 

Again  he  writes,  a few  days  later : 

“ The  reflection  upon  my  situation,  and 
that  of  this  army,  produces  many  an  unea- 
sy hour,  when  all  around  me  are  wrapped 
in  sleep.  Few  people  know  the  predica- 
ment we  are  in,  on  a thousand  accounts; 
fewer  still  will  believe,  if  any  disaster 

r 

nKvoLUTiONARY.l  THE  KING’S  Sl’EECH.  233 


linppens  to  these  lines,  fioni  wh<at  cause 
it  flows.  I have  often  thought  how’  much 
happier  I should  have  been,  if,  instead  of 
accepting  of  a command  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, I had  taken  mj  musket  on 
my  shoulder  and  entered  the  ranks;  or, 
if  I could  have  justified  the  measure  to 
posterity  and  my  own  conscience,  had  re- 
tired to  the  back  country,  and  lived  in  a 
wigwam.  If  I shall  be  able  to  rise  siipe- 
l ior  to  these,  and  many  other  difficulties 
which  might  be  enumerated,  I shall  most 
religiously  believe  that  the  fingerof  Prov- 
idence is  in  it,  (o  blind  the  eyes  of  our 
enemies;  for  surely  if  we  get  well  through 
this  month,  it  must  be  for  the  want  of 
their  knowino;  the  disadvantages  we  labor 
under.” 

With  all  this  discouragement,  the  pa- 
triotic feeling  in  the  camp  does  not  seem 
to  have  flagged.  When  for  the  first  time, 
on  New-Year’s  day,  the  flag  with  thirteen 
stripes,  symbolical  of  the  union  of  the 
thirteen  colonies,  was  hoisted,  there  was 
apparently  great  enthusiasm,  which  found 
vent  in  loud  hurrahs.  On  the  same  day, 
the  British  commander  sent  in  with  a flag 
of  truce  a “volume”  of  the  king’s  speech 
at  the  opening  of  Parliament.  This,  how- 
ever, only  served  to  fire  the  joatriotic  ar- 
dor of  the  troops — although,  singularly 
enough,  the  hoisting  of  the  new  flag,  and 
the  loud  rejoicings  of  the  American  camp, 
were  “received  in  Boston  as  a token  of 
the  deep  impression  which  the  speech 
had  made,”  and  as  “ a signal  of  submis- 
sion.”— “By  this  time”  (January  4th), 
writes  Washington,  “ I presume  they  be- 
gin to  think  it  strange  that  we  have  not 
made  a formal  surrender  of  our  lines.” 

3C 


The  king’s  speech,  on  the  contrary,  was 
received  with  a feeling  the  very  reverse 
of  that  which  might  lead  to  the  hoisting 
of  “a  signal  of  submission.”  The  patriots 
now  talked  of  absolute  independence,  and 
looked  forward  with  hope  to  raising  in 
America  “ an  empire  of  permanent  dura- 
tion, supported  upon  the  grand  pillars  of 
truth,  freedom,  and  religion,  based  upon 
justice,  and  defended  by  her  own  patri- 
otic sons.”  The  ob^tinate  resolve  ex- 
pressed by  George  III.,  not  to  give  up 
the  colonies  at  any  expense  of  blood  and 
treasure,  and  the  proof  he  gave  of  his 
determination  (by  the  fact  of  his  recom- 
mendation that  the  navy  and  army  of 
Great  Britain  should  be  increased,  and 
the  mercenary  aid  of  the  Hessians  hired, 
for  the  purpose  of  suppressing  the  “re- 
bellious war”),  did  not  shake  the  firmness 
of  the  Americans,  but  greatly  excited 
their  patriotic  rage. 

The  Congress,  after  a long  debate,  hav- 
ing passed  a resolution  authori- 
o i.  i!ec.  22t 

zing  Washington  to  make  an  as- 
sault upon  the  enemy,  “ in  any  manner 
he  might  think  expedient,  notwithstand 
ing  the  town  and  property  in  it  might  be 
destroyed,”  he  began  seriously  to  contem- 
plate an  attack.  In  his  anxiety  to  do 
something,  he  went  so  far  as  to  declare 
to  the  council  of  war  called  to  deliberate 
upon  the  question,  that  “ it  is  indispensa- 
bly necessary  to  make  a bold  attempt  to 
conquer  the  ministerial  troops  in  Boston 
before  they  can  be  reinforced  in  the 
spring,  if  the  means,”  he  cautiously  add- 
ed, however,  “ shall  be  provided,  and  a 
lavorable  opportunity  shall  ofter.” 

How  great  his  desire  for  an  assault. 


1 


234  UATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [vart.  . 


and  how  inadequate  liis  means,  may  be 
learned  from  this  letter  to  the  Congress 

at  Philadelphia:  ‘‘No  man  upon 
.1  ui.  24.  , . , 1 n i 

earth  wislies  more  ardently  to 

destroy  the  nest  in  Boston  th.an  I do ; no 
person  would  be  willing  to  go  greater 
lengths  than  I shall  to  accomplish  it,  if  it 
shall  be  thought  advisable.  But  if  \\  e 
have  neither  powder  to  bombard  with, 
nor  ice  to  pass  on,  we  shall  be  in  no  bet- 
ter situation  than  we  have  been  in  all  the 
year ; we  shall  be  worse,  because  their 
works  are  stronger.” 

To  strengthen  his  force,  Washington 
had  proposed  to  call  out  the  New-Eng- 
land  militia ; and  accordingly  a requisi- 
tion was  made  on  Massachusetts,  New 
Hampshire,  and  Connecticut,  for  thirteen 
reu'iuients,  to  assemble  at  Cambridtje  on 
the  first  of  February.  While  this  plan 
was  in  operation,  Washington  felt  more 
keenly  than  ever  the  inadequacy  of  his 
forces,  for  he  had  heard  of  the  defeat  and 
death  of  the  gallant  Montgomery,  and 
would  have  desired  to  send  reinforce- 
ments at  once  to  the  aid  of  Arnold.  He 
could  not,  however,  spare  a man  from  his 
own  camp  ; and  his  only  alternative  was 
to  order  three  of  the  new  regiments  of 
militia,  when  filled,  to  proceed  to  Que- 
bec. 

Washington  was  thus,  as  it  w'ere,  fast- 
ened in  his  camp,  unable  to  move  in  con- 
sequence of  the  want  of  troops  and  am- 
munition, although  other  circumstances 
seemed  favorable  to  action.  How  keenly 
he  felt  his  position  is  told  in  every  letter 
he  wrote.  To  Congress  he  writes:  “To 
have  the  eyes  of  a whole  continent  fixed 
with  anxious  expectation  of  seeing  some 


great  event,  and  to  be  restrained  in  every 
military  operation  for  want  of  the  neces 
sary  means  to  carry  it  on,  is  no*:  very 
pleasing,  especially  as  the  means  used  to 
conceal  my  weakness  from  the  enemy, 
conceal  it  also  from  our  friends,  and  add 
to  their  wonder.”  Washington,  however, 
had  some  diversion  for  his  pent-up  ener- 
gies, in  the  prospect  of  activity  in  another 
quarter,  where,  if  his  personal  presence 
was  not  required,  the  exercise  of  his  judg- 
ment became  necessary. 

Information  had  been  brought  to  head- 
quarters, by  a trustworthy  person  from 
Boston,  of  great  activity  in  the  British 
fleet.  Admiral  Shuldham,  appointed  to 
supersede  Graves,  had  arrived  in  the  har- 
bor with  a squadron  and  considerable 
reinforcements.  On  his  arrival,  a busy 
movement  began:  troops  w^ere  detailed 
off  for  service,  baggage  packed,  provisions 
inspected,  biscuit  baked,  and  ammunition 
taken  out  of  store,  with  the  evident  pur- 
pose of  making  ready  for  sea,  preparatory 
to  an  attack  against  some  place  or  other. 
Finally,five  transports  loaded  with  troops 
under  the  command  ofSir  Henry  Clinton, 
with  munitions  of  war,  two  bomb-vessels, 
and  a number  of  flatrbottomed  boats,  sailed 
aw'ay  from  Boston  under  the  convoy  ol' 
the  Scarborough  and  Fowey  rnen-of-war 
It  was  supposed  that  Long  island  was  the 
destination  of  this  force,  and  Washington 
accordingly  %vas  anxious  to  provide  a 
resistance  to  meet  it.  He  had  written  to 
Con2:ress,  ur«:ing  them  to  have  some  of 
the  New-Jersey  troops  thrown  into  New 
York;  but,  not  getting  much  satisfaction 
in  that  quarter,  he  determined  to  act  for 
himself. 


irvor  liTlONARY,  J 


LEE  AT  NEW  YORK. 


v '^neral  Lee,  who  wa.s  at  that  time  in 
C 'inecticut,  had  written  a letter  to  Wash- 
lAkton,  in  which,  with  his  usual  emphatic 
earnestness,  he  said  ; “ New  York  must  be 
secured,  but  it  will  never,  I am  afraid,  be 
secured  by  direct  order  of  Congress,  for 
obvious  reason.s.  You  must  step  in  to 
their  relief  I am  sensible  no  man  can 
be  spared  from  the  lines  under  present 
circumstances;  but  I would  propose  that 
you  should  detach  me  into  Connecticut, 
and  lend  your  name  for  collecting  a body 
of  volunteers.”  Lee  was  especially  anx- 
ious to  lay  his  hands  upon  the  “ danger- 
ous banditti  of  tories”  in  New  York,  who 
were  giving  great  countenance  and  aid 
to  the  enemy.  “ Not  to  crush,”  said  he, 
these  serpents  before  their  rattles  are 
grown,  would  be  ruinous.” 

Lee’s  proposition  accorded  with  Wash- 
ington’s views,  but  he  was  anxious  not  to 
overstep  his  authority,  and  therefore  hesi- 
tated to  act  until  he  had  consulted  with 
John  Adams,  who  highly  approved  of  the 
plan,  “as  practicable,  expedient,  and  as 
properly  lying  within  his  excellency’s  au- 
thority without  further  directions  from 
Congress.”  Washington  accordingly  or- 
dered Lee  to  raise  a.  volunteer  force  in 
Connecticut,  to  march  to  New  York,  and, 
with  the  aid  of  tho  New-Jersey  troops, 
under  Lord  Sterling,  to  put  the  city  and 
its  immediate  neighborhood  in  a posture 
of  defence.  Lee  was,  moreover,  author- 
ized to  disarm  or  secure  that  “ dangerous 
banditti  of  tories”  whom  he  so  cordially 
hated. 

With  the  aid  of  Governor  Trumbull, 
Lee  soon  gathered  together  the  respect- 
able force  of  twelve  hundred  men,  and 


•.>3.') 

marched  to  Stamfoi’d.  Ther  e he  was  met 
by  a communication  from  the  New  York 
committee  of  safety,  who  expre.ssed  aveiy 
decided  aversion  to  his  entering  the  city, 
lest  it  might  pi’ovoke  hostility  on  the  part 
of  the  British  ships-of-war  in  the  harbor. 
Lee  replied  with  unusual  suavity,  which 
was  the  more  remarkable,  as  he  was  at 
the  time  sufferinijc  from  a fit  of  the  gout. 
Toward  the  end  of  his  letter’,  however, 
there  is  a ver’y  perceptible  spasm  of  dis- 
ease or  temper’.  “ If  the  ships-ol-vvar-,” 
gr’owls  he,  “are  quiet,  I shall  be  quiet; 
but  I declare  solemnly,  that  if  they  make 
a pretext  of  my  pr-esence  to  fire  on  the 
town,  the  first  house  set  on  flames  by 
their  guns  shall  be  the  funeral-pih  of 
some  of  their  best  friends !” 

Lee  got  to  New  York  as  soon  as  his 
gout  would  permit  him,  arriving  there 
just  two  hours  after  Sir  Ilenr’y 
Clinton  had  come  to  anchor  in 
the  lower  bay  wdth  the  Mercury  and  a 
tr’ansport-brig.  The  inhabitants  were  in 
a state  of  great  alarm,  in  consequence  of 
two  such  belligerent  arrivals.  Though 
it  was  Sunday,  they  began  moving  away 
their  effects,  and  continued  to  do  so  the 
whole  night.  The  town  seemed  in  a state 
of  convulsion  with  the  confusion  of  the 
hurried  exodus:  carts  were  going,  boats 
loading,  women  and  children  crying,  and 
distressed  voices  were  even  heard  along 
the  roads  in  the  dead  of  night.  Clinton, 
however,  soon  relieved  the  city’s  fear.s, 
by  giving  out  that  his  object  was  merelj^ 
a visit  to  his  friend  Governor  Tryon,  who 
at  that  time  held  state  in  the  secure  quar- 
ters of  a British  man-of-war  anchored  in 
the  North  river.  In  a few  days,  Sir  Henry 


236  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 


sailed  away  to  North  Carolina,  and  left 
Lee  to  deal  with  the  tories. 

Lee  began  his  administration  with  an 
emphatic  menace,  by  declaring,  “ If  the 
men-of-war  set  one  house  on  fire  in  con- 
sequence of  my  coming,  I will  chain  a 
hundred  of  their  friends  together  by  the 
neck,  and  make  the  house  their  funeral- 
pile !” — He  would,”  says  Gordon,  “in 
all  likelihood,  have  retaliated  in  some 
manner.” 

The  American  commander  busied  him- 
self in  removing  the  cannon  on  the  Bat- 
tery, and  those  in  the  king’s  store,  to  a 
place  of  safety,  notwithstanding  the  “per- 
dition to  the  city”  threatened  by  the  Brit- 
ish men-of-war.  They,  however,  withheld 
their  fire ; the  naval  authorities  publish- 
ing a “ pleasant  reason”  for  their  reserve, 
saying  that  as  it  was  evidently  Lee’s  pur- 
pose to  bring  destruction  on  the  town, 
they  were  determined  not  to  indulge  him. 
Lee,  laughing  at  them  and  their  reasons, 
continued  his  work,  and,  after  removing 
the  cannon,  made  good  use  of  them  by 
planting  them  in  the  redoubts  and  breast- 
works which  he  erected  in  various  places 
about  New  York.  Besides,  he  ferreted 
out  his  old  enemies  the  tories,  and  ad- 
ministered to  them  one  of  his  “ tremen- 
dous oaths,”  which  led  Congress  to  resolve 
“ That  no  oath  by  way  of  test  be  imposed 
upon,  exacted,  or  required,  of  any  of  the 
inhabitants  of  these  colonies,  by  any  mil- 
itaiy  officer.”  Lee’s  martial  law  was  not 
seldom  in  conflict  witli  legislative  enact- 
ment, and  his  measures  were  too  often 
laid  with  gunpowder  not  to  startle  the 
timid  counsels  of  the  prudent.  He  wished 
to  pursue  a very  high-handed  coui’se  with 


all  in  opposition  to  the  patriot  cause;  and, 
justly  suspecting  that  the  friends  of  the 
enemy  were  especially  strong  in  New 
York,  he  was  particularly  anxious  to 
make  them  feel  the  weight  of  his  blow. 
Governor  Tiyon,  in  consequence  of  his 
influence  upon  many  of  the  “ respectable” 
inhabitants  of  New  York,  was  extremely 
odious  to  Lee.  “ The  propensity,  or  ra- 
ther rage,  for  paying  court  to  this  great 
man,”  he  writes,  “ is  inconceivable.  They 
can  not  be  weaned  from  him.  We  must 
put  wormwood  on  his  paps,  or  they  will 
cry  to  suck,  as  they  are  in  their  second 
childhood !”  Lee’s  energetic  measures, 
however,  were  soon  checked  by  a call  to 
duty  elsewhere. 

The  tories  were  not  confined  to  the 
city  ; in  the  interior  of  the  province  they 
had  gathered  in  strong  force  at  the  call 
of  Sir  John  Johnson,  the  son  of  Sir  Wil- 
liam, renowned  in  the  French  war.  Sii 
John  had  succeeded  to  his  father’s  estate 
on  the  Mohawk, and  his  baronial  influence 
over  the  Highland  tenants  and  Indian  re- 
tainers. Fortifying  Johnson  hall,  he  was 
preparing,  it  was  believed,  to  set  out  with 
his  clansmen  and  savages  along  the  val- 
ley of  the  Mohawk,  with  the  view  of  for- 
cing submission  to  the  king’s  authority. 
General  Schuyler,  having  kept  watch  of 
his  movements,  sent  word  to  Congress, 
which,  in  answer,  committed  to  him  the 
business  of  checking  Sir  John’s  proposed 
enterprise.  There  being  no  troops  at  Al- 
bany, Schuyler  was  obliged  to  have  re- 
course to  thesub-committee  of  the  county, 
with  whose  aid  he  succeeded  in  raising 
some  seven  hundred  militia.  With  this 
force  he  commenced  his  march,  and  was 


'-fiVOLL  TIONAKY.  j SIR  JOIIX 

QUASHED.  _.37 

:Trntified  t3  find  that  such  was  the  enthu- 

Schuyler  now  sent  a letter  to  Sir  John 

«iasm  in  behalf  of  the  patriot  cause,  that 

Johnson,  requesting  a meeting  with  him 

he  had  not  gone  far  before  his  troops  were 

next  day,  and  assuring  him  that  he  and 

increased  by  volunteers  to  the  number  of 

such  persons  as  he  might  choose  to  at- 

three  thousand.  Even  Try  on  county,  sup- 

tend  him  should  pass  safe  and  unmolest- 

posed  to  be  the  stronghold  of  the  tories, 

ed  to  and  from  the  place  appointed  for 

supplied  him  nine  hundred  men. 

the  rendezvous.  Sir  John  accordingly 

As  Schuyler  proceeded  with  this  aug- 

met  the  genei’al  about  sixteen  miles  from 

mented  force  to  Johnstown,  he  was  met 

Schenectady,  when  Schuyler’s  proposal 

by  a deputation  from  the  Mohawks,  which 

having  been  submitted,  Johnson  asked 

addressed  him  in  magniloquent  Indian 

until  the  following  day  for  time  to  an- 

rhetoric,  and  haughtily  forbade  him  to 

swer.  Schuyler  consented,  and  in  the 

advance  against  their  “father,”  Sir  John. 

meantime  advanced  his  troops  on  the 

Schuyler  replied  that  he  had  full  proof 

fiozen  Mohawk  to  within  four  miles  ol 

that  many  people  in  Johnstown  and  the 

Johnstown.  Sir  John’s  response  now 

neighborhood  thereof  had  for  a consider- 

came,  but,  not  being  satisfactory,  Schuy- 

able  time  past  made  pi  eparations  to  carry 

ler  resolved  that  he  woidd  march  against 

into  execution  the  wicked  design  of  the 

the  Johnson  stronghold,  at  the  same  time 

king’s  evil  counsellors.  “We  have  no  ob- 

informing  the  baronet  that  he  would  give 

jection,”  said  Schuyler  in  conclusion,  “nay 

him  until  twelve  o’clock  at  night  to  le- 

1 

we  wish,  that  you  and  your  warriors 

consider  his  answer.  Sir  John,  true  to 

should  be  present  to  hear  what  we  shall. 

time,  sent  in  precisely  at  that  hour  a sat- 

propose  to  Sir  John  and  the  people  in 

isfactory  I’eply.  He  agi*eed  to  deliver  up 

and  about  Johnstown,  who  are  our  ene- 

all  the  arms  and  military  stores  in  his 

mies.  But  we  beg  of  you  to  tell  your 

possession,  with  the  exception  of  a few 

warriors  that,  although  we  have  no  quar- 

favorite  family  arms  Avhich  Sir  John  was 

rel  with  them,  yet  if  we  should  be  under 

allowed,  at  his  own  request,  to  retain. 

the  disagreeable  necessity  of  fighting  with 

He  pledged  himself  besides,  on  his  parole 

our  enemies,  and  your  warriors  should 

of  honor,  neither  to  take  up  arms  against 

join  them  and  fight  against  us,  that  we 

America,  nor  to  move  in  the  county  be- 

will  repel  force  by  force.” 

yond  certain  specified  limits.  His  follow- 

The  Indian  chiefs  had  occasion,  on  en- 

ers  were,  of  course,  bound  by  similar  ob- 

tering  the  American  camp,  and  casting 

ligations. 

their  wary  eyes  upon  the  large  number 
of  soldiers,  to  become  convinced  of  the 

The  next  day  Schuyler  pro- 
ceeded to  Johnstown,  and  drew 

force  of  Schuyler’s  last  argument,  and  ac- 

up  his  men  in  the  street,  when  Sir  John’s 

coi'dingly  when  they  replied,  meekly  said: 

Highlanders,  some  two  or  three  hundred 

“ Brother  Schuyler,  the  great  man. attend ! 

in  number,  marched  to  the  front  of  the 

Everything  that  has  been  said  tons,  broth- 

lines  and  grounded  their  arms.  Schuy- 

has  been  peifectly  agreeable  to  us.” 

ler  then  dismissed  them  with  an  exhorta 

i 

238 


BA'ri’LES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II 


tion  strictly  to  observe  tlie  terms  of  tlieir 
agreement,  and  to  refrain  from  all  acts  of 
hostility.  The  prsTiduct  of  the  American 


general,  throughout  this  whole  transac- 
tion, was  highly  approved  by  Congress, 
and  applauded  by  the  patriots. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Tatiick  Henry  in  the  Legislature  of  Virginia. — The  Virginian  Volunteers. — Tlie  Culpepiter  Corps. — Tlie  Rattlesnake 
Device. — Lord  Dunniore's  Proceedings. — The  Figld.  at  Great  Bridge. — Lord  Duninoro  retires  from  Norfolk. — I'lie 
City  burned. — Description  of  Norfolk. — Plantations  laid  waste. — North  Carolina. — The  Manoeuvres  of  the  Tories. — 
M Donald  atid  M-Leod. — Their  Highland  Followers —General  Mi>oie  and  the  Patriots. — M'Donald  retreats. — Moore 
pursues. — The  Battle  at  Moore' s-Creek  Bridge. — M Leod  falls. — The  Enemy  put  to  Flight. — The  Spirit  in  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia. 


“There  is  no  longer  any  room 

177'i 

for  hope.  If  we  wish  to  be  free; 
if  we  wish  to  preserve  inviolate  those  in- 
estimable privileges  for  which  we  have 
been  .so  long  contending  ; if  we  mean  not 
ba.sely  to  abtindon  the  noble  struggle  in 
which  we  have  been  .so  long  engaged,  and 
which  we  have  pledged  ourselves  never 
to  iibandon  until  the  glorious  object  of 
our  contest  shall  be  obtained,  we  must 
fight!  I repeat  it,  sir,  we  must  fight ! An 
appeal  to  arms  and  the  God  of  hosts  is 
all  that  is  left  us.”  The.se  were  the  words 
uttered  by  Patrick  Henry,  in  the  cour.se 
of  his  eloquent  speech  in  support  of  the 
resolutions  he  introduced  in  the  Virginia 
legi.slature,  recommending  a levy  of  vol- 
unteer troops:  the  resolutions  were  passed 
by  a 1 arge  majority.  The  appointment 
of  a committee  of  safety  followed,  which 
a t once  proceeded  to  raise  an  armed  force, 
of  which  Patrick  Henry  was  made  com- 
mander-in-chief Volunteers  came  in  read- 
ily, among  whom  was  a corps  of  men  from 
the  county  of  Culpep[)er,  whose  appear- 
ance gave  promise  of  doughty  service. 


Dressed  in  green  hunting-shirts,  like  so 
many  Robin-Hood  foresters,  with  bucks’ 
tails  in  their  slouched  hats,  and  with  tom- 
ahawks and  scalping-knives  bristling  from 
their  belts,  their  very  looks  frightened 
the  people.*  Their  flag,  with  the  device 
of  a coiled  rattlesnake,  and  the  motto, 
“ Don’t  tread  on  me  !”  and  the  inscription 
on  the  bosom  of  each  man’s  .shirt,  of  “Lib- 
erty or  death,”  taken  from  Henry’s  speech, 
were  no  less  alarming.  These  Culpepper 
men  proved  themselves  no  le.ss  formida- 
ble than  they  looked. 

Lord  Dunmore,  the  governor  of  Vir- 
ginia, had  been  frightened  away  from 
Williamsburg,  the  seat  of  government,  by 

* “ Companies  were  raised  in  nearlj  every  county  ; among 
the  rest,  in  Culpepper,  ailjoining  Fauquier.  'J'his  troop, 
wliicli  was  three  hundied  and  fifty  strong,  assembled  near 
an  old  oak,  which  is  still  standing  ; and  Colonel  'I  homtis 
Marshall  was  elected  major.  His  son  Jcjhn  was  made  lieu- 
tenant. The  flag  of  the  troop  presented  a coiled  rattlesnake 
— the  head  for  Virginia,  and  the  twelve  rattles  for  the  other 
states;  the  mottoes,  ‘ Do  ^’T  trkad  on  me!'  anil  ‘Liber- 
ty OR  DEATH  !’  These  latter  words  were  also  painted  upon 
the  breasts  of  the  green  hunting-shirts  of  the  company.  'J'ne 
men  were  armed  with  titles,  tomahawks,  and  knives.  Such 
was  the  wai  like  gtiise  in  which  the  afterward  famous  chief 
jiistice  appeared  at  the  beat'  of  his  ardent  troop.”— John 
Esten  Cooke. 


UKVOLUTIONART.J  BATTLE  OF  GREAT  BRIDGE.  231* 


the  energetic  conduct  of  the  patriots,  and 
taken  refuge  on  board  of  a ship-of-war. 
Arming  several  vessels,  and  collecting  to- 
gether a number  of  tories  and  negroes, 
he  determined  to  inflict  punishment  up- 
on the  “ rebels.”  He  sailed  with  this  force 
along  the  coast,  doing  all  the  damage  in 
his  power,  seizing  here  and  there  a patri- 
ot, destroying  plantations,  carrying  off 
neifroes,  and  burniny;  houses.  Haviny; 
received  a reinforcement  of  soldiers,  he 
prepared  to  make  an  attempt  on  Hamp- 
ton. His  vessels,  in  the  course  of  the 
night,  warped  in  close  to  the  town,  and 
in  the  morning  began  a furious  cannon- 
ade.  A company  of  the  Culpepper  rifle- 
men had  in  the  meantime  reached  Hamp- 
ton, and,  being  properly  dispersed  and 
hid,  commenced  firing  at  the  ships,  and 
with  such  effect,  that  the  enemy  were 
forced  to  haul  off  precipitately,  for  no 
man  who  ventured  to  show  himself  on 
deck  was  secure  from  the  deadly  aim  of 
the  Virginia  marksmen. 

Dunmore  was  terribly  vexed  at  being 
thus  repulsed  by  a few  raw  militiamen, 
and  took  his  revenge  by  proclaiming  mar- 
tial law,  requiring  all  persons  capable  of 
bearing  arms  to  resort  to  his  majesty’s 
standard,  or  to  be  looked  upon  as  trai- 
tors; and  declaring  all  indentured  ser- 
vants, negroes,  or  others  (appertaining  to 
‘‘  rebels”),  who  were  able  and  willing  to 
bear  arms,  free,  upon  serving  with  the 
royal  troops.  Dunmore  was  at  this  time 
at  Norfolk,  where  there  were  a goodly 
number  of  tories,  and  his  proclamation 
brought  some  hundreds  of  them,  both 
black  and  white,  to  his  standard.  With 
this  miscellaneoirs  rabble  added  to  his 


two  hundred  regulars,  he  prepared  to 
meet  a force  of  Virginian  patriots  who 
were  rapidly  advancing  to  drive  him  from 
Norfolk. 

His  lordship’s  first  operation  was,  to 
take  possession  and  remove  the  planks 
of  the  Great  bridge,  which  was  the  only 
approach  to  the  town  ; and  then,  with  the 
utmost  expedition,  he  began  building  a 
redoubt  on  the  Norfolk  side.  He  had 
not  made  much  progress  when  the  Vir- 
ginians arrived,  under  the  command  of 
Captain  AVoodford,  who  took  up  a posi- 
tion at  the  other  end  of  the  bridge,  at 
cannon-shot  distance  from  Dunmore,  and 
began  throwing  up  intrenchments.  The 
two  parties  thus  remained  for  several 
days,  busy  at  their  works,  without  firing 
a shof,  when  the  Virginians,  becoming 
impatient,  resolved  to  provoke  an  attack. 
For  this  purpose  they  availed  themselves 
of  a f’use.  A servant  belonging  to  one 
of  the  A^irginian  officers  was  directed  to 
join  Dunmore’s  force,  as  a pretended  de- 
serter, and  report  that  the  patriots  only 
numbered  thi’ee  hundred  “shirtmen”  (so 
the  riflemen  were  called  from  their  hunt- 
ing-dress) in  all.  The  negro  performed 
liis  part  admirably ; and  the  enemy,  swal- 
lowing the  bait,  determined  to  attack  the 
patriots  in  their  intrenchments. 

The  British  regulars,  under  Captain 
Leslie,  were  accordingly  detailed  for  the 
service,  together  with  about  three  hun- 
dred white  and  black  slaves.”  The  party 
set  out  at  three  o’clock  in  the  morning, 
in  order  to  take  the  Virginians  by  sur 
prise  before  dawn.  Leslie,  having  re- 
placed the  planks  of  the  Great  bridge, 
marched  his  men  across,  witli  Captain  For 


240 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[pa  rt  ii 


djce,  at  the  head  of  his  grenadiers,  lead- 
iiiti:  the  van.  The  reo-ulars,  with  fixed 
bayonets,  advanced  steadil}'’  along  the 
cansewity  directly  up  to  the  American 
intrenchments.  The  Virginian  riflemen, 
however,  were  on  the  alert,  and,  waiting 
until  the  enemy  were  close  to  them,  be- 
gan a murderous  fire,  by  which  Fordyce 
and  several  of  his  men  were  at  once  killed. 
The  grenadiers  held  their  ground  with  a 
coolness  and  intrepidity  that  excited  the 
admiration  of  all ; and  such  was  their  dis- 
cipline, that  they  continued  to  advance 
umil  notone  of  them  escaped  either  death 
or  capture.  Leslie,  who  was  in  the  rear 
with  the  main  body,  now  ordered  a re- 
treat, when  the  whole  of  the  British  force 
retired  to  their  fort  under  the  cover  of 
its  guns,  having  lost  sixty-two  men  killed 
and  wounded.  The  Virginians  did  not 
lose  a single  man,  and  had  only  one  slight- 
ly wounded.  Captain  Fordyce  was  buried 
with  the  honors  due  to  his  rank  and  gal- 
lantry; and  all  the  prisoners,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  American  royalists,  who 
were  rigorously  dealt  with,  were  treated 
kindly  by  their  captors.  The  British 
forces  retired  during  the  next  night  with- 
in Norfolk.  Leslie  now  refused  to  serve 
any  longer  on  shore,  until  assured  of  a 
better  support  from  the  tory  inhabitants  ; 
and  the  loyalists,  both  white  and  black, 
on  their  part  declined  to  serve,  unless 
aided  by  a stronger  reinforcement  of  reg- 
ulars. Under  these  discouraging  circum- 
stances, Lord  Dunmore  determined  to 
abandon  his  position  at  Norfolk. 

The  Viro-inians  entered  the 

Dec.  14.  ° 

city  as  the  British  withdrew,  and 

found  that  the  tory  inhabitants  had  gone 


on  board  the  English  ships,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  poor  negroes,  who  had  been 
left  to  shiftfor  themselves.  Colonel  Wood- 
ford now  resigned  the  command  of  the 
provincials  to  Colonel  Howe,  who  re- 
mained in  possession  of  Norfolk  until  the 
beginning  of  the  ensuing  year. 

Lord  Dunmore  Was  still  w ith  his 

1 • • TT  X 1 ,1  1776. 

ships  in  Hampton  roads,  unable  to 

effect  anything  until  the  arrival,  on  the 
first  of  January,  of  the  British  frigate  Liv- 
erpool. A flag  of  truce  was  then  imme- 
diately sent  into  the  town,  with  a demand 
for  supplies.  These  being  positively  re- 
fused, Dunmore  determined  to  bombard 
and  set  fire  to  Norfolk,  where  the  Vir- 
ginia riflemen,  under  cover  of  the  ware- 
houses by  Elizabeth  river, were  continuing 
greatly  to  harass  the  ships  by  their  sharp- 
shooting. Notice  having  been  given  to 
the  inhabitants,  that  they  might  have  an 
opportunity  of  removing  the  women  and 
children  from  danger,  the  British  vessels 
began  their  cannonade,  while  parties  of 
sailors  and  marines  were  sent  ashore  to 
set  fire  to  the  buildings  by  the  water’s 
edge.  The  whole  town,  which  was  built 
of  wood,  was  soon  in  flames  and  reduced 
to  ashes,  notwithstanding  every  exertion 
made  by  Howe  and  his  men  to  extinguish 
the  fire. 

Norfolk  at  that  time  was  a place  of 
great  importance,  having  a population  of 
six  thousand,  and  a thriving  commerce. 
It  was  thought  to  be  “ an  odious  business 
for  a governor  to  be  himself  a principal 
actor  in  burning  and  destroying  the  best 
town  in  his  government,”  and  great  in- 
dignation was  excited  in  con.sequence 
throughout  the  province.  The  patriots 


r 

1 

KKVOLUTIO.NAUY.I  DUxXMORE  PUT  TO  FLiOHT.  24 1 

wore  able  greatly  to  harass  his  lordship, 

sons  had  not  been  long  in  the  country. 

111  revenge  for  his  criieltj^  hy  cutting  off 

but  their  names  were  enough  to  excite 

supplies  from  the  ships.  The  plantations 

all  the  clannish  predilections  of  the  High- 

alony;  the  Norfolk  shore  were  laid  waste  ; 

landers,  who  gathered  as  if  rallying  about 

and  their  proprietors,  who  were  chiefly 

their  chieftains  among  their  native  hills. 

loyalists,  were  forced  to  retire  into  the 

and  enrolled  themselves  to  the  number  of 

interior  with  their  stock  and  stores  of 

sixteen  hundred  under  the  royal  stand- 

provisions,  so  that  they  might  not  have 

ard,  which  they  regarded  little,  except  as 

it  in  their  power  to  supply  the  necessi- 

unfurled  by  a McDonald  and  a M‘Leod. 

ties  of  the  British.  Dunmore  was  thus 

The  North  Carolina  patriots  were  on 

driven  away  from  Norfolk ; and,  after  con- 

the  alei't;  and  General  Moore,  assembling 

tinning  his  depredations  upon  the  banks 

some  eleven  hundred  militiamen,marched 

of  the  southern  rivers  and  coast  and  car- 

to  meet  the  enemy.  Coming  up  within 

•ying  off  some  thousand  negroes,  he  be- 

seven  miles  of  the  “ Kegulators,”  as  they 

took  himself  with  his  piratical  fleet  to  St. 

were  called,  and  the  Highlanders,  who 

Augustine,  in  the  then  Spanish  province 

were  encamped  in  the  neighborhood  of 

of  Florida. 

Cross  creek  (now'Fayetteville),  which  was 

In  North  Carolina,  the  patriots  were 

in  the  midst  of  those  Scotch  settlers  who 

emulating  the  spirit  of  their  Virginian 

were  favorably  disposed  toward  the  king, 

brethren.  The  British  governor,  Martin, 

Moore  halted  in  a strong  position.  The 

had  been  early  forced,  like  Lord  Dun- 

enemy  then  .advanced  within  four  miles. 

more,  to  seek  refuge  on  board  a man-of- 

and  sent  in  to  the  patriots  with  a flag  of 

war,  where  for  the  most  part  he  had  been 

truce  one  of  the  governor’s  m.anifestoes. 

obliged  to  content  himself  with  the  proc- 

and  a letter  to  their  general,  summoning 

lamation,  without  the  exercise,  of  his  an- 

him  to  join  the  royal  standard  or  be  treat- 

thority.  Learning,  however,  that  Sir 

ed  as  an  enemy.  Moore,  in  his  answer. 

Henry  Clinton  had  sailed  for  North  Car- 

declined  the  proposition  for  the  present. 

olina,  and  that  an  expedition  was  to  be 

but  promised  a more  specific  reply  on  the 

sent  out  from  Great  Britain  probably  for 

next  day.  M‘Donald,  in  command  of  the 

the  same  destination,  Martin  took  conr- 

royalist  force,  received  accordingly,  the 

age.and  began  to  intrigue  with  the  Scotch 

following  morning,  Moore’s  promised  let- 

settlers  in  the  western  districts  of  the 

ter,  in  which  the  American  general,  as  a 

province,  who  were  known  to  be  favora- 

significant  offset  to  the  Scotchman’s  sum- 

bly  disposed  to  the  crown.  Among  these 

mons,  called  upon  him  to  sign  the  patri- 

were  a large  number  of  Highlanders,  and 

otic  association  of  the  province. 

Martin  selected  two  o:entlemen  amono; 

While  Moore  was  expecting  a rejoin- 

them,  who  had  been  British  oflicers,  of 

der  to  his  communication,  he  learned  that 

the  names  of  McDonald  and  M’Leod,  and 

McDonald,  without  waiting  to  indite  a re 

gave  them  commissions,  with  authority 

ply,  h.ad  crossed  the  river  in  the  night. 

to  raise  a body  of  troops.  These  two  per- 
31 

and  pushed  on  lapidly  toward  tlie  coast. 

1 

1 

1 

BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  IL 


‘24  2 


Moore,  after  ordering  off  a detachment 
*.0  join  the  approaching  reinforcements  of 
eight  hundred  militia  which  were  coming 
from  Newbern,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Caswell,  and  another  party  to  se- 
I ure  the  ford  of  Cross  creek,  marched  him- 
self in  puisuit.  The  Newbern  militia  for- 
tunately reached  Moore’s-creek  bridge  in 
time  to  take  possession  of  it,  and  oppose 
the  retreat  of  the  royalist  force. 

The  Americans,  however,  had  held  pos- 
session only  a few  hours,  during  which 
time  they  had  destroyed  a portion  of  the 

bridi>:e,  and  raised  a small  breast- 
Fcb.  27.  ° 

work,  when  the  enemy  came  up. 
McLeod,  who  was  now  in  command,  in 
consequence  of  the  illness  of  McDonald, 
no  sooner  saw  that  his  progress  was  op- 
posed, than  he  led  his  men  at  once  against 
the  American  wmrks.  They  marched  up 
within  thirty  paces,  when  they  were  met 
by  a well-served  fire  from  the  American 
breastwork.  Captain  M‘Leod  fell  at  the 
first  volley,  pierced  with  twenty  bullets, 


and  his  troops  immediately  took  to  flight. 
Even  M‘Donald’s  inlluence  could  not  suc- 
ceed in  rallying  them  ; and  he,  complete- 
ly abandoned,  was  forced  to  surrender 
himself  a prisoner.  General  Moore,  com- 
ing up  soon  after,  confronted  the  fugi- 
tives, and  took  nearly  nine  hundred  of 
them  captive.  The  royalists  lost  about 
seventy  killed  and  wounded;  the  patri- 
ots only  two  wounded.  A good  supply 
of  arms  also  fell  into  the  possession  of 
the  conquerors. 

In  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  little 
was  done  in  the  way  of  active  hostility 
as  yet  by  the  patriots,  beyond  the  seizure 
of  an  occasional  vessel.  There  was,  how- 
ever, sufficient  evidence  of  a resolute  spir- 
it of  resistance  ; and  in  the  course  of  this 
narrative  we  shall  have  occasion  to  record 
abundant  proofs  that  the  southern  no  less 
than  the  northern  provinces  were  willing 
and  able  to  strike  a blow  for  the  liberties 
of  the  country.  We  must  now  return  to 
Washington  and  his  camp  at  Cambridge. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Everything  thaws  hut  “Old  Put,” — An  Assault  on  Boston  proposed,  hut  rejected  by  the  Council  of  War. — Arrival  w. 
Knox  from  Ticonderoga,  with  an  Abundant  Supply  of  Ammunition,  &c.— The  taking  Posse.ssioii  of  Dorchestei 
Heights  proposed.  — Morals  of  the  Camp  protected. — Bombardment  of  Boston. — Expedition  for  Dorchester  sets  out. 
— 'J'he  Enemy  oppose,  and  are  defeated.  — Great  Preparations  of  Lord  Howe. — A Storm. — 'I'he  Attack  postponed. — A 
New  Missile  invented. — Howe  at  last  acknowledges  the  Position  of  Dorchester  Heights  to  be  too  formidable  for  him. 
— He  prepares  to  evacuate  Boston. — X Flag  of  Truce. — A Communication  from  the  Selectmen  of  Boston. — Attempt 
on  Nook’s  Hill, — A Terrible  Cannonade. 


“The  bay  is  open.  Everything 
thaws  here  except  ‘ Old  Put.’  He 
IS  still  as  hard  as  ever,  crying  out  for 
‘powder,  powder!  ye  gods,  give  us  pow- 


der!”’ wrote  an  officer.  And  Washing- 
ton, too,  liiid  his  complaints  to  make  on 
the  same  score.  “The  weather,” he  writes, 
“turns  out  exceedingly  mild,  insomuch 


1 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  FORTIFYING  DORCHESTER  HEIGHTS.  24o 

as  to  promise  nothing  favorable  from  ice. 

“ How  far,”  wrote  Washingion,  who  had 

. . . And  no  appearance  of  powder.”  To- 

suggested  this  movement,  “our  expecta- 

ward  the  middle  of  February,  however, 

tions  may  be  answered,  time  only  can  de- 

some  “freezing  weather”  having  formed 

termine  ; but  I should  think,  if  anything 

“some  pretty  strong  ice,”  which  afforded 

will  induce  them  to  hazard  an  engage- 

a wider  and  consequently  less  dangerous 

ment,itwillbe  our  attempt  to  fortify  these 

approach  to  Boston,  Washington  was  in 

heights  [Dorchester];  as,  that  event’s  ta- 

favor  of  an  assault,  notwithstanding  the 

king  place,  we  shall  be  able  to  command 

militia  were  not  all  come  in,  and  there 

a great  part  of  the  town  and  almost  the 

was  little  or  no  powder  for  a regular  can- 

whole  harbor.”  Great  activity  and  ani- 

nonade  or  bombardment.  A council  of 

mation  now  pervaded  the  camp.  Carts 

1 

war  was  accordin^yly  summoned, 
but  the  enterprise  being  thought 

loaded  with  intrenching-tools,  carts  with 
fascines  and  huge  bundles  of  hay,  went 

too  dangerous,  it  was  abandoned  for  the 

by  the  hundreds  lumbering  along  the 

present. 

roads,  flanked  by  guards  and  followed  by 

] 

Afew  days  subsequently.  Colonel  Knox 

detachment  after  detachment  of  working- 

arrived  in  the  camp  with  a welcome  sup- 

parties;  the  surgeons  and  surgeons’ mates 

ply  of  cannon,  mortars,  and  howitzers. 

throughout  the  army  were  busy  in  pre- 

which  that  spirited  officer  had  succeeded. 

paring  lint  and  bandages;  of  the  latter 

in  the  depth  of  a northern  win  ter,  in  bring- 

two  thousand  had  been  ordered,  although 

ing  from  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga. 

a sanguine  member  of  the  medical  depart- 

By  means  of  sleds,  and  with  the  utmost 

ment  expresses  the  hope  that  “ not  one 

labor,  Knox  dragged  for  hundreds  of 

quarter  of  the  number  will  be  required. 

j 

miles  through  the  drifted  snows  and  over 

whatever  may  be  the  nature  of  the  occa- 

i 

the  frozen  lakes  an  armament  of  immense 

sion.”  To  add  to  the  seriousness  of  the 

! 

i 

weight,  “ a noble  train  of  artillery,”  as  he 

approaching  events,  the  soldiers  were  re- 

j 

called  it,  and  safely  deposited  it  at  Cam- 

minded  of  their  duty  by  these  severely 

( 

j 

bridge,  where  he  received,  as  he  well  mer- 

earnest  orders,  which  could  only  have 

ited,the  praises  of  the  commander-in-chief 

been  addressed  with  effect  to  men  like 

and  the  applause  of  the  whole  army.  Si- 

those  of  Washington,  fighting  for  con- 

1 

i 

multaueously  with  this  acquisition  came 

science  sake : — 

J 

( 

i 

a supply  of  shells  and  powder,  captured 

“All  officers,”  rigidly  declares  the  or- 

1 

1 

from  the  enemy.  The  militia  had  come 

der,  “ non-commissioned  officers,  and  sol- 

1 

in,  too,  in  considerable  force.  Under  these 

diers,  are  positively  forbid  playing  at 

prosperous  circumstances,  the  council  of 

cards,  and  other  games  of  chance.  At 

war  was  at  last  so  far  inspirited  as  to  de- 

this  time  of  public  distress,  men  may  find 

cide  upon  action.  It  was  resolved  that 

enough  to  do  in  the  service  of  their  God 

Dorchester  heights  should  be  taken  pos- 

and  their  country,  without  abandoning 

session  of  as  soon  as  possible,  with  the 

themselves  to  vice  and  immorality. 

view  of  drawing  the  enemy  out. 

“As  the  season  is  now  fast  approaching 

- 

2U 


T’,ATTLES  OF  AMEUTCA. 


[part  II. 


when  every  man  inu.st  expect  to  lie  drawn 
into  the  field  of  action,  it  is  highly  impor- 
tant that  he  should  prepare  his  mind,  as 
well  as  everything  necessary  for  it.  It 
is  a noble  cause  we  are  engaged  in ; it  is 
the  cause  of  virtue  and  mankind  ; every 
temporal  advantage  and  comfort  to  us 
and  our  posterity  depends  upon  the  vigor 
of  our  exertions ; in  short,  freedom  or 
slavery  must  be  the  result  of  our  conduct. 
There  can,  therefore,  be  no  greater  in- 
ducement to  men  to  behave  well.  But 
it  may  not  be  amiss  for  the  troops  to 
know  that,  if  any  man  in  action  shall  pre- 
sume to  skulk,  hide  himself,  or  retreat 
from  the  enemy  without  the  orders  of  his 
commanding  officer,  he  will  be  instantly 
shot  down  as  an  example  of  cowardice; 
cowards  having  too  frequently  disconcert- 
ed the  best-formed  troops  by  their  da.s- 
tardly  behavior.” 

A night  was  now  appointed  for  the  at- 
tempt on  Dorchester  heights.  The  time, 
at  the  suggestion  of  the  New-England 
officers,  was  the  4th  of  March  ; the  next 
day,  which  probably  would  be  the  day 
of  action,  being  the  anniversary  of  the 
“ massacre  of  Boston,”  which,  it  was  be- 
lieved, would  stimulate  by  its  memories 
the  courage  of  the  Massachusetts  troops. 

For  two  days  previously,  the  Ameri- 
cans bombarded  Boston,  but  with  no  ef- 
fect on  the  enemy,  beyond  splintering  a 
few  of  their  wooden  buildings  and  wound- 
ing a soldier  or  two.  The  Americans 
themselves,  however,  met  with  a serious 
loss  in  the  bursting  of  two  heavy  mortars, 
one  of  which  was  the  big  gun  the  “ Con- 
gress,” Old  Put’s  christling.  The  bom- 
bardment, notwithstanding,  had  the  effect 


intended,  of  concealing  from  the  enemy 
the  preparations  for  taking  possession  of 
Dorchester  heights.  General  Howe,  not 
suspicious  of  anything  more  serious,  con- 
tented himself  with  responding  to  the 
American  fire,  and  threw  a shower  of 
bombs,  but  fortunately  without  serious 
damage. 


March  4. 


All  things  being  ready,  the  expedition 
sets  out  for  Dorchester  on  the  night  ap- 
pointed. The  covering-party  of 
eight  hundred  men  lead  the  way ; 
then  go  the  carts  with  the  intrenching- 
tool.s,  followed  by  the  working-detach- 
ment of  twelve  hundred  men,  under  Gen- 
eral Thomas;  while  the  rear  of  the  pro- 
cession is  closed  by  a long  train  of  more 
than  three  hundred  carts  laden  with  fas- 
cines and  bundles  of  hay,  and  dragged 
by  oxen.  The  bundles  of  hay  are  de- 
signed for  Dorchester  neck,  which  is  very 
low,  and  exposed  to  be  raked  by  the  en- 
emy on  one  side,  wdiere  accordingly  they 
are  to  be  laid  to  cover  the  Americans  in 
passing  and  repassing.  “ Every  man,” 
says  Gordon,  who  describes  the  whole  af- 
fair quaintly  yet  graphically,  “ knows  his 
place  and  business.  The  covering-party, 
when  upon  the  ground,  divides;  half  goes 
to  the  point  nearest  to  Boston,  the  other 
to  that  next  to  the  castle.  All  po.ssible 
silence  is  observed.  But  there  is  no  oc- 
casion to  order  the  whips  to  be  taken 
from  the  wagoners,  lest  their  impatience 
and  the  difficulty  of  the  roads  should  in- 
duce them  to  make  use  of  them,  and  oc- 
casion an  alarm.  The  whips  used  by  the 
drivers  of  these  ox-carts  are  not  formed 
for  making  much  noise,  and  can  give  no 
alarm  at  a distance.  The  men  in  driving 


KEVOLUTIOXAKT.J  AN  ASSAUI T 945 

th  ir  oxen  coinnionly  make  most  noise 

and  is  heard  to  say:  ‘I  know  net  what  1 

with  their  voices;  and  now  a regaid  to 

shall  do  ; the  rebels  ha  ve  done  more  in 

their  own  safety  dictates  to  them  to  speak 

one  niglit  than  my  whole  army  ivould 

ro  their  cattle,  as  they  move  on,  in  a whis- 

have  done  in  months!”’ 

pering  note. 

Washington  felt  confident  that  this 

“ Tliere  are  no  bad  roads  to  require  an 

movement  of  his  troops  would  bring  on 

exertion ; for  the  frost  having  been  of 

an  attack  from  the  enemy;  and  he  pre- 

long  continuance,  they  are  so  hard  frozen 

pared  in  case  of  this  event — which  he 

as  to  be  quite  good.  The  wind  lies  to 

not  only  supposed  probable,  but  eagerly 

carry  what  noise  can  not  be  avoided  in 

hoped  for — to  make  an  assault,  while  the 

driving  the  stakes,  and  picking  against 

British  should  be  engaged  in  the  diiec- 

the  ground  (still  frozen  above  eighteen 

tion  of  Dorchester  heights,  on  another 

inches  deep  in  many  places),  into  the  liar- 

part  of  Boston  to  the  west.  lie  had  ac- 

bor  between  the  town  and  the  castle,  so 

cordingly  ordered  four  thou.sand  picked 

that  it  can  not  be  heard  and  regarded  by 

troops  to  be  in  readiness  to  embark  on 

any  who  do  not  suspect  what  is  going  on. 

forty-five  batteaux  which  had  been  pre- 

especially  as  there  is  a continued  cannon- 

pared  for  the  purpose,  and  were  moored 

ade  on  both  sides.  Many  of  the  carts 

at  the  mouth  of  Charles  river,  under  the 

make  three  trips,  some  four ; for  a vast 

cover  of  two  floating  batteries.  These 

quantity  of  materials  has  been  collected. 

troops  were  formed  in  two  divisions: 

especially  chandeliers  and  fascines. 

General  Sullivan  leads  the  first.  General 

“ By  ten  o’clock  at  night  the  troops 

Greene  the  second  ; and  all  are  under  the 

have  raised  two  forts,  one  upon  each  hill, 

general  command  of  Putnam. 

sufficient  to  defend  them  from  small-arms 

The  whole  plan  of  defence  and  offence 

and  grape-shot.  The  night  is  remarka- 

has  been  settled  by  Washington.  Every 

bly  mild  ; a finer  for  working  could  not 

movement  of  the  enemy  is  watched : from 

have  been  selected  out  of  the  three  him- 

the  hills,  which  command  a view  of  Bos- 

dred  and  sixty-five.  They  continue  work- 

ton,  the  officers  can  observe  wdth  their 

ing  with  the  utmost  diligence  until  re- 

glasses  everything  that  takes  place  in  the 

lieved  at  three  o’clock  next  morning.  It 

city  wdiich  lies  below  them.  Proper  sig- 

is  so  hazy  below  the  heights,  that  the  men 

nals  are  arranged,  by  which  intelligence 

can  not  be  seen,  though  it  is  a bright 

can  be  rapidly  communicated  from  height 

moonlight  night  above  on  the  hills. 

to  height — from  Dorchester  to  Roxbury, 

“ It  is  some  time  after  daybreak  before 

and  from  Roxbuiy  to  Cambridge.  The 

the  ministerialists  in  Boston  can  clearly 

boats  being  prepared,  and  the  troops  in 

discern  the  new-erected  forts.  They  loom 

readiness  to  embark,  Washington  is  on 

to  great  advantage,  and  are  thought  to 

the  alert,  when  the  enemy  attack  the 

be  much  larger  than  is  really  the  case. 

American  position  on  Dorchester  heights, 

General  Howe  is  astonished  upon  seeing 

and  are  defeated,  to  signalize  to  Putnam 

what  has  been  done ; scratches  his  head. 

to  send  his  four  thousand  men  across  from 

j 

246 


B.A'ri'LES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  17. 


Ciiinbritlge  to  iis.sauU  the  city,  while  the 
Briti.sh  are  in  a state  of  confusion  from 
tlieir  expected  repnlse. 

All  is  liiirry  and  bustle  in  Boston.  Gen- 
eral Howe  is  collecting  all  the  ladders  in 
town,  and  having  them  cut  to  the  proper 
length  for  scaling.  A large  body  of  troops 
is  drawn  np  by  the  water-side;  and  the 
transport-vessels  are  weighing  their  an- 
chors, in  readiness  to  receive  them.  The 
men  finally  embark  ; an  observer  reports 
that  most  look  pale  and  dejected,  and 
some  are  heard  to  say,  with  a sad  pre- 
sentiment, “It  will  be  another  Bnnker’s- 
hill  affair,  or  worse !”  while  others,  in  a 
spirit  of  bravado,  talk  of  how  they  intend 
“ t ) serve  the  rebels.”  The  gallant  Lord 
Percy  commands  the  force,  and  all  seems 
read}'  for  the  attack. 

The  Americans,  as  they  behold  this 
movement  of  the  British  troops,  clap 

their  hands  for  iov,  and  “ wish 
ill  arch  5.  , ,,  "xTr  , • 

them  to  come  on.  W ashnmton 

is  on  the  heights,  and  says  to  those  about 
him,  “Remember  it  is  the  5th  of  March, 
and  avenge  the  death  of  yonr  brethren  !” 
— “What  says  the  general?”  eageily  in- 
qniie  those  who  had  not  distinctly  heard 
his  words.  “Remember  it  is  the  5th  of 
March,  and  avenge  the  death  of  yonr 
brethien!”  is  repeated  in  answer,  and 
passed  rapidly  fiom  man  to  man,  until 
the  whole  body  of  troops  is  aroused  to 
maitial  excitement,  as  by  an  electric 
ilasb. 

Crowds  of  people  gather  upon  the  sur- 
rounding hills,  and  with  hushed  lips  and 
beating  hearts  fearfully  await  the  com- 
ing struggle.  They  wait  and  wait  un- 
til the  evening,  straining  their  eyes  to 


catch,  if  possible,  through  the  gathering 
darkness,  the  approach  of  the  enemy. 
Night  closes  ; the  tide  ebbs  ; the  strno-u-le 
is  put  off  until  another  day;  the  specta- 
tors go  homeward,  with  sad  expectations 
of  the  Tiiorrow.  Mr.s.  Adams  is  among 
these  anxious  beholders,  and  on  return- 
ing home,  befoi’e  retiring  for  the  night, 
writes  a hurried  note  to  her  absent  hus- 
band : “I  have  just  returned,”  she  says, 
“from  Penn’s  hill,  where  I have  been  sit- 
ting to  hear  the  amazing  roar  of  cannon, 
and  from  whence  I could  see  every  shell 
which  was  thrown.  The  sound,  I think, 
is  one  of  the  grandest  in  natiu’e,  and  is  of 
the  true  species  of  the  sublime.  ’Tis  now 
an  incessant  roar;  but  oh,  the  fatal  ideas 
which  ai-e  connected  with  the  sound  ! 
How  many  of  our  dear  countrymen  must 
fall !”  She  goes  to  bed,  but  not  to  sleep, 
for  she  writes  on  the  followins*  morninir: 
“ I went  to  bed  about  twelve,  and  rose 
again  a little  aftei-  one.  I could  no  moi’e 
sleep  than  if  I had  been  in  the  engage- 
ment; the  rattling  of  the  windows,  the 
jar  of  the  house,  the  continual  roar  of 
twenty-four  pounders,  and  the  bursting 
of  shells,  give  ns  such  ideas,  and  realize 
a scene  to  ns  of  which  we  could  scarcely 
form  an}'  conception.” 

The  troops  continue  their  work,  while 
the  whole  camp  is  on  the  alert  for  the 
call  of  duty  at  any  moment.  The  bom- 
bardment goes  on  from  both  sides  during 
the  whole  night.  The  British  transports 
and  floating  batteries  are  hauled  out  in 
the  night,  to  be  in  readiness  for  the  de- 
barkation of  the  troops  on  the  next  day; 
but,  in  attempting  to  make  their  way  to 
Castle  William,  their  rendezvous, the  wind 


I 

I 

I 


r 

tEvoLUTioNARY.]  EVACUATION  OF  BOSTON  RESOLVED  UPON.  2n 

proves  unfavorable,  and  blows  with  sueh 

lied  in  possession  of  the  heights  of  Dor* 

a ijale,  tha  t three  of  the  vessels  are  driven 

Chester,  not  one  of  his  majesty’s  ships 

ashore,  and  the  rest  are  obliged  to  return. 

could  be  kept  in  the  harbor;  and  Howe 

The  gale  increases  to  a storm  which  rages 

was  now  forced  to  admit  that  his  enemy 

all  the  night  and  next  day,  while  torrents 

was  too  formidable  to  be  dislodged.  The 

of  rain  keep  pouring  down.  The  attack 

British  army,  thus  hemmed  in,  was  use- 

is  postponed  once  more ; for,  with  the  vio- 

less  for  offence,  and  would  soon  be  inca- 

lence  of  the  wind,  and  the  heavy  surf 

pable  of  defence  ; the  fleet,  thus  exposed, 

beating  against  the  shore,  it  is  in  vain  to 

w'as  in  houily  danger,  and  could  only 

attempt  to  land  the  troops. 

save  itself  by  sailing  away. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Americans  con- 

Howe  had  long  been  in  favor  of  remo- 

tinned  to  strengthen  their  fortifications. 

ving  the  scene  of  hostilities  from  Boston 

The  quartermaster-general,  Mifflin,  who 

to  New  York,  but  had  never  expressed 

bad  the  supervision  of  the  work,  was  in- 

a doubt  of  the  safety  of  his  army  in  its 

i 

defaticjable  in  his  exertions.  Having 

present  position.  He  had,  in  fact,  in  his 

brought  upon  the  ground  the  buildings 

despatch  to  the  British  government,  de- 

already  framed,  he  had  the  men  in  three 

dared,  “We  are  not  under  the  least  ap- 

days  under  the  cover  of  fairly  comfortable 

prehension  of  an  attack  upon  this  place 

barracks.  Moreover,  he  ingeniously  de- 

from  the  rebels,  by  surprise  or  otherwise.” 

vised  a new  species  of  arms,  which  prom- 

So  fir  was  he  from  having  any  fears  on 

ised  to  prove  of  great  effect.  These  were 

that  score,  that  he  expresses  the  wish  that 

barrels  filled  with  stones,  gravel,  and  sand. 

“ they  would  attempt  so  rash  a step,  and 

and  placed  round  the  works  in  readiness 

quit  those  strong  intrenchments  to  which 

to  be  rolled  down  against  the  enemy,  in 

they  may  attribute  their  present  safety.” 

order  to  break  their  ranks  and  legs,  if 

He  had  felt  perfectly  secure,  and  had  de- 

they  should  venture  to  attempt  to  ad- 

termined  to  take  his  own  good  time,  when 

vance  up  the  hill. 

the  spring  had  fiirly  advanced,  and  rein- 

„ . Another  day  passes,  and  the 

March  6.  , r t ’ 

weather  continuing  unfavorable 

forcements  had  come  in  from  Great  Brit- 
ain, in  shifting  the  scene  of  war  from  Mas- 

the  British  still  hold  back ; and,  finally. 

sachusetts  to  a southern  province.  On 

giving  up  all  hopes  of  dislodging  the  pa- 

the  morning  when  those  works  on  Dor- 

triots  from  their  now  formidable  position 

Chester  heights — wdiich  had  been  raised 

on  Dorchester  heights,  they  determine 

in  a single  night,  “with  an  expedition,” 

to  evacuate  Boston.  Howe  had  no  other 

as  a British  officer  wrote,  “ equal  to  that 

alternative.  The  last  s^Dirited  and  effect- 

of  tlie  ^^enii  belonfflno-  to  Aladdin’s  won- 

ual  movement  of  the  Amet  icans,  favored 

derful  lamp” — struck  the  astonished  eyes 

by  the  weather,  so  propitious  to  them 

of  Howe,  he  felt  for  the  first  some  “a}> 

1 

and  so  fatal  to  their  eneniv,  had  made 

prehension”  of  the  “ rebels.”  When,  more- 

the  town  untenable.  The  admiral  had 

over.  Nature  herself  seemed  to  join  the 

told  Howe  that,  if  the  Americans  contin- 

1 Americans,  and  he  was  baffled  by  the 

J 

( 

248  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n, 

winds  and  storms  in  his  only  hope  of  tri- 

this  purpose,  Avho  at  their  request  has 

uniph,  he  wisely  submitted  to  his  misfor- 

communicated  the  siune  to  his  excellen- 

time,  and  judiciously  giving  up  all  thought 

cy  General  HoAve,  avIio  has  assured  him 

of  victory,  sought  only  a means  of  escape. 

that  he  has  no  intention  of  destroying  the 

Great  preparations  were  now  made  in 

toAvn,  unless  the  troops  under  his  com- 

Boston,  evidently  for  departure.  The 

mand  are  molested  durim^  their  embarka- 

transports  were  preparing  for  sea  with 

tion,  or  at  their  departure,  by  the  armed 

the  utmost  expedition.  There  was  the 

force  Avithout ; Avhich  declaration  he  gave 

greatest  movement  and  confusion  among 

General  Robertson  leave  to  communicate 

the  troops.  Night  and  day  they  Avere 

to  the  inhabitants.  If  such  an  opposition 

hurrying  down  their  cannon, ammunition. 

should  take  place,  Ave  have  the  greatest 

and  stores,  to  the  wharves.  Such  was  the 

reason  to  expect  the  toAvn  will  be  exposed 

haste  with  which  they  were  loading  the 

to  entire  destruction.  Our  fears  are  qui- 

vessels,  that  no  time  was  taken  to  make 

eted  Avitli  reo-ard  to  General  HoAve’s  in- 

o 

even  a memorandum  of  what  was  put  on 

tentions.  We  beg  we  may  have  some 

board.  The  carpenters  were  hard  at  Avork 

assurance  that  so  dreadful  a calamity  may 

on  the  transports,  fitting  up  bunks  for  the 

not  be  brought  on  by  any  measures  Avith- 

soldiers  and  cabins  for  the  officers,  and 

out.  As  a testimony  of  the  truth  above. 

there  Avas  everywhere  proof  of  an  early 

Ave  have  signed  our  names  to  this  paper. 

intention  on  the  part  of  the  British  to 

carried  out  by  Messrs.  Thomas  and  Jona- 

escape  from  Boston. 

than  Amory  and  Peter  Johannot,  Avho 

Intelligence  of  IIoAve’s  resolution  Avas 

have,  at  the  earnest  entreaties  of  the  in- 

now  conveyed  to  the  American  camp,  in 

habitants,  through  the  lieutenant-govern- 

a manner  Avhich,  although  not  directly 

or,  solicited  a flag  of  truce  for  the  pur- 

official,  could  leave  no  doubt  of  the  fact. 

pose.  “John  Scollay, 

A flag  of  truce  came  out  from  the  enemy. 

“ Timothy  Neavell, 

Avith  a letter,  Avhich  Avas  received  by  Colo- 

“Thomas  Marshall, 

nel  Learned,  in  command  of  the  advance 

“Samuel  Austin.” 

post  at  Roxbury.  This  communication, 

HoAve  had  succeeded  in  frightening  the 

being  taken  to  headquarters,  was  there 

inhabitants  by  his  threat  to  burn  the  toAvn 

opened  by  Washington,  for  whom  it  Avas 

in  case  of  his  being  assaulted  by  Wash- 

evidently  intended,  although  not  so  ad- 

ington’s  troops,  and  ('ffected  the  object 

dressed.  Here  is  the  letter: — 

he  is  said  to  have  intended.  His  pride 

“Boston,  8th  March,  17V6. 

is  supposed  to  have  revolted  at  making 

“As  his  excellenc}^  General  Howe  is 

terms  of  capitulation  directly  Avith  the 

determined  to  leave  the  town,  Avith  the 

“ rebel”  leader;  and  at  the  same  time, be- 

troops  under  his  command,  a number  of 

itm:  conscious  hoAV  much  he  was  at  the 

the  respectable  inhabitants  being  very 

mercy  of  his  enemy,  he  Avas  de.sirous  of 

anxious  for  its  preservation  and  safety, 

securing  conditions  of  safety  to  his  army. 

have  applied  to  General  Robertson  for 

The  citizens  of  Boston,  as  Avas  expected, 

1 

r 

KisvoT.UTtONAiiY.]  KO  ATTACK — KO  FIRE.  249 

took  the  ahinu,  aiul,  by  writing  the  letter, 

departure  were  such  as  to  indicate  no 

did  as  was  hoped  and  probably  suggested. 

such  intention.  Washington  himself  had 

Washington,  on  receiving  the  coininu- 

come  to  that  conclusion;  for  he  infers. 

idea tion,  called  together  such  of  the  gen- 

“from  the  destruction  they  are  making 

eVal  officers  as  he  could  immediately  as- 

of  sundry  pieces  of  furniture,  of  many  of 

sernble,  and  with  their  advice  determined 

their  wagons,  carts,  &c.,  which  they  can 

not  to  answer  it,  as  it  was  not  addressed 

not  take  with  them,”  that  there  is  no  de- 

to  him,  nor  signed  or  authenticated  by 

sign  to  burn  the  city,  for  in  that  case  the 

General  Howe.  It  was,  however,  thought 

whole  might  have  been  destroyed  togeth- 

proper  to  direct  Colonel  Learned,  to  whom 

er.  At  any  rate,  Washington  did  not  at- 

the  letter  had  been  first  presented,  to  an- 

tack,  and  Howe  did  not  burn. 

swer  it  thus : — 

The  Americans,  however,  went  on  with 

Roxbuky,  March  9,  1776. 

their  works,  and  now  attempted  to  take 

“ Gentlemen  : Agreeably  to  a promise 

possession  of  Nook’s  hill,  which  was  still 

made  to  you  at  the  lines  yesterday,  I 

nearer  Boston  than  Dorchester  heights, 

waited  upon  his  excellency  General  Wash- 

and  completely  commanded  the  town. 

ingtoii,  and  presented  to  him  the  paper 

Washington  sent  out  during  the 

handed  to  me  by  you,  from  the  selectmen 

. . ^ iTial CU  o« 

niglit  a strong  lorce  to  raise  a 

of  Boston.  The  answer  I received  from 

redoubt,  and  establish  a position  there. 

him  was  to  this  effect:  ‘that  as  it  was  an 

On  reaching  the  height,  however,  some 

unauthenticated  paper,  without  an  ad- 

of  the  men  imprudently  lighted  a fire, 

dress,  and  not  obligatory  upon  General 

which  alarmed  the  British,  and  drew  from 

Howe,  he  would  take  no  notice  of  it.’  I 

their  ships  a heavy  cannonade,  which,  al- 

am,  with  esteem  and  respect,  gentlemen. 

though  well  returned  by  the  American 

your  most  obedient  servant. 

batteries,  was  so  severe,  that  the  patriots 

“ Ebenezer  Learned. 

were  forced  to  retire.  The  camp  and  the 

“To  Messrs.  Amouy  axd  Joiiaxxot.” 

whole  country  round  were  kept  in  a state 

Somehow  or  other,  the  object  of  the 

of  anxious  excitement  by  the  incessant 

letter  was  obtained,  through  a tacit  mi- 

firing  throughout  the  night.  Mr.s.  Adams 

derstanding  between  the  two  generals. 

is  again  on  the  alert  with  her  ever-ready 

although  each  dodged  the  responsibility 

pen,  and  writes  to  her  husband  on  Sun- 

of  committino:  himself  to  a written  auree- 

day  evening,  March  10:  “A  most  terrible 

ment.  “General  Washington,”  writes  a 

and  incessant  cannonade  from  half-after 

cbronicler  of  the  time,  “brought  himself 

eight  till  six  this  morning.  I hear  we 

under  no  obligation  ; but  expressed  him- 

lost  four  men  killed,  and  some  wounded. 

self  in  words  which  admitted  of  a favora- 

in  attempting  to  take  the  hill  nearest  to 

ble  construction,  and  intimated  his  good 

the  town,  called  Nook’s  hill.  We  did  some 

wishes  for  the  tovvns-people.”  General 

work,  but  the  fire  from  the  ships  beat  off 

Howe  probably  never  thought  seriously 

our  men,  so  that  they  did  not  secure  it. 

of  burning  the  city.  His  pre})arations  for 
32 

but  retired  to  the  fort  on  the  other  hill.” 

r 

1 

260  BATTLES  OF  AMElilCA.  [paet  u, 


CHAPTER  XV. 

General  Howe’s  Proclamation. — Crean  Brush,  Esquire. — His  Proceedings. — Impatience  of  Howe  to  depart. — The  Licence 
of  Sailors  and  Soldiers. — Howe  threatens. — Offers  Rewards. — Washington  hastens  the  Departure  of  the  BritisVi  by 
another  and  Successful  Attempt  on  Nook’s  Hill. — The  Result. — The  British  depart. — 'I'he  Inhabitants  of  Boston. — 
Alarms  of  Fire. — The  Precipitate  Hurry  of  the  Enemy. — The  Tories  anxious  to  get  away. — Many  of  them  unable  tc 
escape. — 'J'he  Patriot  Army  enters  Boston. — Appearance  of  the  City. — Washington’s  Letters  to  his  Brother  and  John 
Hancock. — 'I'he  Small-Pox. — General  Heath  sent  with  a Detachment  to  New  York. — 'I’he  Puzzlins  Movements  of  the 


British  Fleet. — It  sails  at  last. — The  Joy  of  the  Enemy  a 
Evacuation  of  Boston. — How  received  in  England. 

The  attempt  on  Nook’s  hill,  al- 
though teinponirily  unsuccessful, 
served  to  hasten  the  preparations  for  de- 
parture of  the  British.  General  Howe 

issued  a proclamation,  which  was 
War.  10.  , , 1 , Ti  1 v'. 

addressed  to  Gretin  Brusli,  E.s- 

quire,  an  inveterate  tory  of  Nevv  York, 
who  had  become  notorious  as  an  impor- 
tunate adviser  and  an  active  and  insolent 
agent  of  British  tyranny.  The  procla- 
mation was  printed  in  the  form  of  a hand- 
bill, and  was  circulated  throughout  the 
city.  These  are  its  words: — 

“ Sir  : I am  informed  there  are  large 
quantities  of  goods  in  the  town  of  Bos- 
ton, which,  if  in  po.ssession  of  the  rebels, 
would  enable  them  to  carry  on  war.  And 
whereas  I have  given  notice  to  all  loyal 
inhabitants  to  remove  such  goods  from 
hence,  and  that  all  who  do  not  remove 
them,  or  deliver  them  to  your  care,  will 
be  considered  as  abettors  of  rebels.  You 
are  hereby  authorized  and  required  to 
take  into  your  possession  all  such  goods 
as  answer  this  description,  and  give  cer- 
tificates to  the  owners  that  you  have  re- 
ceived them  for  their  use,  and  will  deliv- 
er them  to  the  owners’  order,  unavoidable 
accidents  excepted.  And  you  are  to 


getting  away. — 'Pribute  of  Honor  to  Washington. — The 

make  inquiry  if  any  such  goods  be  se- 
creted or  left  in  stores ; and  you  are  to 
seize  all  such  and  put  them  on  board  the 
Minerva  ship  or  the  brigantine  Elizabeth. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  headquar- 
ters, Boston,  this  10th  day  of  March,  1776. 

“ W.  Howe,  Com.  Chief. 

“To  Ckean  Brush,  Esquire.” 

This  order  was  interpreted  by  Crean 
Brush,  Esquire,  with  all  the  liberality  of 
insolence  for  which  he  was  notorious.  Va- 
rious shops,  belonging  to  persons  in  the 
country  were  broken  open,  and  all  goods 
of  whatever  sort  or  kind  (although  Howe 
had  more  particularly  specified,  in  one  of 
his  ordens,  linens  and  woollens)  were  ta- 
ken out  and  put  on  board  ship,  to  be  car- 
ried away.  Brush  was  not  content  with 
despoiling  the  absent,  but,  growing  more 
audacious,  in  the  confusion  of  the  ap- 
proaching departure  of  the  troops,  he  be- 
gan to  strip  the  shops  of  all  their  goods, 
in  the  very  face  of  the  owners  who  were 
in  town ! Under  this  apparent  official 
sanction,  the  soldiers  and  sailors  went 
about  plundering  and  committing  depre- 
dations. Shops,  stores,  and  dwelling- 
houses,  were  entered  by  these  ruthless 
robbers,  who  destroyed  what  they  could 


HBTOLUTION'ARY.J 


NOOK’S  IITLL  TAKEN. 


25. 


not  carry  away.  Howe  strove  to  check 
the  villains  by  proclamations  and  or- 
ders; but,  although  he  threatened  the 
guilty  with  death,  they  continued  their 
pillage. 

The  British  commander  was  now  evi- 
dently impatient  to  depart.  The  streets 
were  barricaded  in  ditFerent  parts  of  the 
town,  and  pi  oclamation  was  made  by  the 
crier  for  every  inhabitant  to  keep 
Hlak.  15.  house  ftorn  eleven  o’clock 

in  the  morning  till  night,  that  there  might 
be  no  interfeience  with  the  troops,  who 
were  now  disposed  in  readiness  for  em- 
barkation. The  wind,  how'ever,  being 
unfavorable  for  the  ships,  the  departure 
was  postponed,  and  the  troops  sent  back 
to  their  quarters.  The  soldiers  thus  de- 
tained were  thrown  loose  from  their  or- 
dinary discipline,  and  had  ‘Hittle  else  to 
study  but  mischief,  which  they  practised 
to  a great  degree,  by  breaking  open  stores 
and  tossing  the  contents,  being  private 
property,  into  the  dock ; destroying  the 
furniture  of  every  house  they  could  get 
into,  and  otherwise  committing  every 
kind  of  wantonness  which  disappointed 
malice  could  suggest.”  The  naval  depart- 
ment acted  in  ready  concert  of  licentious- 
ness with  the  Tiiilitary,  and  sailors  landed 
in  gangs  from  the  ships  of  war  (led,  it  was 
said,  by  officers),  and  went  about  the  city, 
rilling  and  destrojing  everything  within 
their  reach.  Howe  continued  by  procla- 
mation to  threaten  the  ro»:ues  with  hano-- 
ing,  but  with  little  or  no  effect.  He 
[)roved  his  anxious  loyalty  by  securing 
safety  to  its  appurtenances,  by  the  more 
effective  system  of  pecuniary  awards:  he 
offered  fifty  pounds  sterling  for  the  con- 


Mar. 16. 


viction  of  any  one  found  cutting  or  de- 
facing the  king’s  or  queen’s  picture  hang- 
ing in  the  townhouse,  which  had  already 
been  entered  and  soitiewhat  damaged 
by  his  lawless  soldiers. 

These  delays  of  the  British  in  evacua- 
ting Boston  were  a disappointment  to 
Washington,  as  he  fully  expected  that 

he  would  have  got  rid  of  thetn 

^ Hlar.  13. 

betore.  He  was  now  well  per- 
suaded of  their  intention  of  going,  as  all 
their  movements  indicated  it;  but  he  felt 
that  it  was  necessary  to  continue  on  his 
guard,  lest  after  all  it  should  prove  a feint 
to  deeeive  him.  He  resolved,  wdth  the 
advice  of  his  council,  to  precipitate  Howe’s 
movements,  by  making  another  attempt 
on  Nook’s  hill.  A strong  force  was  ac- 
cordingly  detached  for  this  pur- 
pose; and  it  succeeded  in  taking 
possession,  erecting  a breastwork,  and 
holding  that  important  post,  in  spite  of  a 
sharp  eannonade  from  the  enemy. 

This  successful  movement  of  the  Amer- 
icans was  what  “ the  king’s  troops  had 
most  fearfully  dreaded,”  as  Nook’s  hill 
gave  Washington  the  entire  command  ot 
Boston  neck  and  the  south  end  of  the 
town.  The  British  commander  now  no 
longer  hesitated,  and  began  to  embark 
his  troops  as  early  as  two  o’clock  on  the 
next  morning  (Sunday),  and  had 
every  man  on  board  and  the  ships 
under  sail  before  ten.  The  whole  number 
of  soldiers  thus  hastily  shipped  amounted 
to  seven  thousand  five  hundred  and  sev- 
enty-five. These,  wdth  the  sailors  and 
marines,  made  up  the  entire  available 
force  of  the  British,  to  the  number  ol 
about  ten  thousand. 


Mar.  17. 


•■i52  IJAITLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pari  ii. 


So  soon  as  the  lust  red-coat  disappeared, 
the  inhabitants  hurried  out  of  their  dwel- 
lings and  began  anxiously  to  seek  for  any 
lurking  evidences  of  lire.  Combustibles, 
so  placed  as  to  indicate  a design  of  burn- 
ing the  town,  were  found  in  some  of  the 
houses.  These  preparations  had  proba- 
bly been  made  to  carry  out  the  threat  of 
Howe,  in  case  of  being  fired  upon  during 
embarkation.  The  Americans,  however, 
did  not  fire  a shot.  “Our  troops,”  wrote 
an  English  officer,  “ did  not  receive  the 
smallest  molestation,  though  the  rebels 
were  all  night  at  work  on  the  near  hill 
...and  we  kept  a constant  fire  upon  them 
fiom  a battery  of  twenty-four  pounders. 
They  did  not  return  a single  shot.  It 
was  lucky  for  the  inhabitants  now  left  in 
Boston  they  did  not ; for  I am  informed 
everything  was  prepared  to  set  the  town 
in  a blaze,  had  they  fired  one  cannon.” 

The  hurry  of  the  retreat  is  shown  by 
this  graphic  letter  of  another  British  offi- 
cer : “ Our  not  being  burdened  with  pro- 
visions, permitted  us  to  save  some  stores 
and  ammunition,  the  light  fieldpieces  and 
such  things  as  were  most  convenient  of 
carriage.  The  rest,  I am  sorry  to  say,  we 
were  obliged  to  leave  behind ; such  of 
the  guns  as,  by  dismounting,  we  could 
throw  into  the  sea,  was  so  done.  The 
carriages  were  disabled,  and  every  precau- 
tion taken  that  our  circumstances  would 
permit;  for  our  retreat  was  by  agreement. 
The  people  of  the  town  who  were  friends 
to  government,  took  care  of  nothing  but 
their  merchandise,  and  found  means  to 
employ  the  men  belonging  to  the  tran- 
sports in  embarking  their  goods,  so  that 
several  of  the  vessels  were  entirely  filled 


with  private  property,  instead  of  the 
king’s  stores.  By  some  unaccountable  ac- 
cident, the  medicines,  surgeons’  chests, 
instruments,  and  necessaries,  were  left  in 
the  hospital.  The  confusion  unavoidable 
to  such  a disaster  will  make  you  conceive 
how  much  must  be  forgot,  where  every 
man  had  a private  concern.  The  neces- 
sary care  and  distress  of  the  women,  chil- 
dren, sick,  and  wounded,  required  every 
assistance  that  could  be  given.  It  was 
not  like  breaking  up  a camp,  where  every 
man  knows  his  duty;  it  was  like  depart 
ing  your  country  with  your  wives,  your 
servants,  your  household  furniture,  and 
all  your  incumbrances.  The  officers,  who 
felt  the  disgrace  of  their  retreat,  did  their 
utmost  to  keep  up  appearances.  The 
men,  who  thought  they  were  changing 
for  the  better,  strove  to  take  advantage 
of  the  present  times,  and  were  kept  from 
plunder  and  drink  with  difficulty.”* 

The  departure  of  the  British  from  Bos- 
ton had  been  so  sudden  and  unexpected, 
that  there  had  not  been  provided  a suffi- 
cient number  of  vessels,  properly  appoint- 
ed, for  carrying  away  the  fugitives.  In 
addition  to  the  troops,  there  were  nearly 
a thousand  of  the  inhabitants  who  were 
either  so  attached  to  the  roj^al  cause  that 
they  preferred  to  go,  or  who  were  so  far 
suspected  of  tory  principles  that  they  did 
not  think  it  prudent  to  remain.  These 
greatly  encumbered  the  transports  with 
their  numbers,  and  their  plunder  and  ef- 
fects. The  ships,  too,  had  been  hurried 
away  so  quickly,  that  many  of  them  were 
quite  unfit  for  sea.  Some  had  hauled  out 
even  before  their  yards,  booms,  and  bow- 

* llfiueinbrancer,  vol.  iii.,  p.  108 ; quoted  by  Irving. 


aEVOi.rnoNAUY.] 

sprits,  had  been  bent;  and  the  fleet  was 
now  supposed  to  be  delaying,  ill  the  Nan- 
tasket  roads,  where  it  had  come  to  an- 
chor, in  consequence  of  not  being  in  a fit 
condition  to  sail,  particularly  at  a season 
when  the  equinoctial  gale  was  hourly  to 
be  expected. 

As  soon  as  the  British  troops  had  left 
Bunker’s  hill,  and  were  observed  passing 
in  crowds  to  the  ships  at  anchor  below 
the  castle,  the  continental  forces  were 
drawn  out  in  parade.  Several  regiments, 
under  the  command  of  Putnam,  then  em- 
barked immediately  in  boats,  and  went 
down  the  river;  while  two  men  were  sent 
in  advance  to  Bunker’s  hill,  to  reconnoi- 
tre that  position  and  report  upon  its  con- 
dition. As  the  latter  appioached,  they 
were  surprised  to  find  the  British  sentries 
still  at  their  posts;  but,  advancing  cau- 
tiously till  they  came  close  to  the  works, 
they  discovered  that  the  supposed  sol- 
diers on  guard  were  merely  wooden  men, 
with  muskets  on  their  shoulders,  which 
the  eneinj'  had  put  up  there,  to  conceal 
the  moment  of  their  departure,  and  thus 
guard  themselves  against  an  attack  du- 
ring their  flight.  The  two  Americans, 
finding  the  fort  entirely  deserted,  made 
a signal  to  the  camp,  and  a detachment 
of  soldiers  was  immediately  ordered  to 
take  possession. 

The  troops  which  sailed  down  the  river 
had  in  the  meantime  landed  at  Sewall’s 
paint,  where,  learning  that  all  the  British 
li  ul  left  Boston, a portion  of  them  entered 
to  take  possession,  and  the  main  body  re- 
turned to  Cambridge.  At  the  same  time. 
General  Ward  with  about  five  hundred 
troops,  under  the  immediate  command 


25o 

of  Colonel  Learned — who  unbarred  and 
opened  the  gates — -enteied  Boston  from 
the  Roxbury  quarter.  On  their  wa}^  over 
the  Neck,  the  men  picked  up  numbers  of 
crowfeet,  which  had  been  scattered  there 
by  the  enemy.  The  “crowfoot”  is  an  iron 
instrument,  consisting  of  a round  ball  with 
spikes,  so  arranged  that  it  will  wound  the 
stej)  of  horse  or  man  in  whatever  manner 
it  may  be  thrown. 

Everything  in  Boston  showed  the  pre- 
cipitation with  which  the  British  had  de- 
parted. Their  barracks  and  other  works, 
on  Bunker’s  hill,  although  of  wood,  were 
all  left  standing,  while  but  a small  part 
of  their  lines  was  destroyed.  Some  two 
hundred  and  fifty  cannon,  among  them 
a very  large  iron  piortar,  had  been  left 
behind,  and  one  piece  of  artillei-y  was 
thrown  into  the  water  from  the  end  of 
the  wharf.  Some  thirty  thousand  pounds 
of  powder,  twent3'-five  hundred  chaldrons 
of  sea-coal,  twenty-five  thousand  bushels 
of  wheat,  twenty-three  hundred  bushels 
of  barley,  six  hundred  bushels  of  oats,  a 
hundred  jars  of  oil,  and  a hundred  and 
fifty  horses,  were  among  the  stores  left 
by  the  British  in  their  haste  to  get  away. 

Washington,  in  a letter  to  his  brother, 
says:  “The  enemy  left  all  their  works 
standing  in  Boston  and  on  Bunker’s  hill; 
and  formidable  the}^  are.  The  town  has 
shared  a much  better  fate  than  was  ex- 
pected, the  damage  done  to  tlie  house." 
being  nothing  equal  to  report.  But  the 
inhabitants  have  suffered  a good  deal  in 
being  plundered  by  the  soldiery  at  their 
departure.  All  those  who  took  upon 
themselves  the  style  and  title  of  govern- 
ment-men in  Boston,  in  short  all  those 


THE  PROVINCIALS  ENTER  BOSTON. 


254 


BAT'I'LES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  n 


who  have  acted  an  unfriendly  part  in  this 
greet,  contest, liave  shipped  themselves  off 
in  the  same  hurry,  but  under  still  greater 
disadvantage  than  the  king’s  troops,  be- 
iim  oblij>:ed  to  man  their  own  vessels,  as 
seamen  enough  could  not  be  had  for  the 
king’s  transports,  and  submit  to  every 
bardsbip  that  can  be  conceived.  One  or 
two  have  done,  what  a great  number 
oimbt  to  have  done  long  atfo,  committed 
sui(dde.  By  all  accounts,  there  never  ex- 
isted a more  miserable  set  of  beings  than 
these  wretched  ci’eatures  now  are  : taught 
to  believe  that  the  power  of  Great  Brit- 
ain was  superior  to  all  opposition,  and,  if 
not,  that  foreign  aid  was  at  hand,  they 
were  even  higher  and  moi-e  insulting  in 
their  opposition  tlnui  the  regulars.  When 
the  order  i.ssued,  therefore,  for  the  em- 
bai  king  the  troops  in  Boston,  no  electric 
shock,  no  sudden  explosion  of  thunder, 
in  a word,  not  the  last  trump,  could  have 
struck  them  with  greater  consternation. 
They  were  at  their  wits’  end,  and,  con- 
scious of  their  black  ingratitude,  they 
chose  to  commit  themselves,  in  the  man- 
ner I have  above  de.scribed,  to  the  mercy 
of  the  waves  at  a tempestuous  season, 
rather  than  meet  their  offended  country- 
men.” 

Washington,  in  his  letter  to  John  Han- 
cock, the  president  of  Congress,  was  en- 
abled to  say:  “1  have  a particular  pleas- 
ure in  being  able  to  inform  you,  sir,  that 
your  house  has  received  no  damage  worth 
mentioning.  Your  furniture  is  in  toler- 
al)le  Older,  and  the  family  pictures  are 
all  lel’t  cut ii'e  and  untouched.”  This  was 
a fortunate  result,  which  Hancock  well 
merited  for  his  patriotic  readine.ss  of  selt- 


sacrifice,  when,  in  communicating  the  rfr 
solve  of  Congress  (December  22),  author- 
izing Washington  to  make  an  assault  up- 
on the  enemy,‘‘notwithstanding  the  town 
and  property  in  it  might  be  destroyed,” 
he  had  written  : “ May  God  crown  your 
attempt  with  success ! I most  heartily 
wish  it,  though  I may  be  the  greatest  suf- 
ferer.” 

The  small-pox  was  prevailing  with  se- 
verity in  several  parts  of  Boston,  and  ac- 
cordingly Washington,  to  prevent  the 
spread  of  the  infection,  forbade  any  one 
to  enter  the  town  without  a pass,  which 
was  given  but  to  few,  except  those  who 
had  had  the  disease,  or  been  protected 
by  inoculation.  A great  many,  however, 
who  were  from  inland  place.s,  and  had 
never  been  in  a seaport,  were  so  far  ex- 
cited by  the  natural  curiosity  of  rustics 
to  see  “the  great  town  of  Boston,”  that 
they  did  not  hesitate  to  resort  to  tricks 
and  fraud  in  order  to  gain  admission. 
“The  thought  of  being  liable  to  catch  the 


distemper  would  have  terrified  them  in 
the  highest  degree  a little  wdiile  back; 
but  to  gratify  a different  passion  they 
suppressed  their  fears,  which  might  oper- 
ate for  the  preventing  of  their  taking  the 
infection.  The  works  of  the  enemy  natr 
urally  engaged  their  attention.  These, 
by  judicious  persons  who  have  surveyed 
them,  are  acknowledged  to  be  excellent, 
and  everyone  is  convinced  that  it  would 
have  been  a most  hazardous  attempt  to 
have  endeavored  forciim  them.” 

O 

Washington,  believing  the  scene  of 
war  wars  to  be  shifted  to  New  Y’^ork,  sent 
five  regiments  and  some  artille-  . 

, , , IP  1^^- 

ry  there,  under  the  command  ot 


r 

KETOLUTIONART.]  BlilTISII  FLEET  SAILS.  25'> 

General  Heath,  and  moved  liis  main  body 

people,  when  their  time  is  up.  If  this 

into  Boston.  On  the  next  day  he  issued 

should  be  the  case  now,  what  more  favor- 

able  opening  can  tbe  enemy  wish  for,  to 

good  feeling  and  treatment  on 

make  a push  upon  our  lines,  nay  upon 

the  part  of  the  soldiers  and  citizens ; and 

the  back  of  our  lines  at  Roxbury,  as  they 

soon  a concourse  of  people  from  the  conn- 

can  land  two  miles  from  there,  and  pa.ss 

try  came  crowding  into  the  town,  “full 

behind  ? I am  under  more  apprehensiun 

of  friendly  solicitude.”  Then  were  wit- 

from  them  now  than  ever,  and  am  taking 

ncssed  “ the  tender  interviews  and  fond 

every  precaution  I can  to  guard  against 

embraces  of  those  wdio  had  been  long 

the  evil ; but  w'e  have  a kind  of  people 

separated  under  circumstances  so  pecu- 

to  deal  with  who  w ill  not  fear  danger  till 

liarly  distressing.” 

the  bayonet  is  at  their  breast,  and  then 

The  British  fleet,  after  having,  by  fire 

they  are  susceptible  enough  of  it.” 

and  powder,  destroyed  the  works  on  Gas- 

Washington  went  on  preparing  for  the 

tie  William,  dropped  down,  and  lingered 

w’orst,  b}^  fortifying;  and  when  he  had 

for  ten  days  in  Nantasket  roads.  In  the 

made  considerable  progress  with  his  works 

meantime,  Washington  was  kept  quite 

on  the  commanding  position  of  Fort  hill. 

anxious  by  its  movements.  “ The  ene- 

he  hud  the  satisfaction  of  finding  the  ene- 

my,”  he  says,  “ have  the  best  knack  at 

my  gone.  The  fleet  finally  sailed,  with 

jiuzzling  people  I ever  met  with  in  my 

the  exception  of  a few  cruiser.s, 

^ War  27 

life.  They  have  blown  up,  burnt,  and  de- 

which  w^ere  left  for  the  protec- 

molished  the  castle  totally,  and  are  now 

tion  of  any  British  vessels  which  might 

all  in  Nantasket  road.  They  have  been 

arrive  off  the  New-England  coast  with 

there  ever  since  Wednesday.  What  they 

supplies  for  the  British  troop.s.  The  de- 

are  doing,  the  Lord  knows.”  After  spec- 

lay  in  the  harbor  seemed  to  have  greatly 

ulating  upon  various  supposed  causes  of 

vexed  the  patience  of  some  of  the  Eng- 

the  enemy’s  delay,  Washington  adds: 

lish  officers : “We  were,”  wultes  one,  “can- 

“My  opinion  of  the  matter  is,  that  they 

nonaded  fourteen  days  by  the  provincial 

want  to  retrieve  their  disgrace  before 

army,  and,  at  last,  after  many  losses,  em- 

they  go  off,  and  I think  a favorable  op- 

barked  on  board  several  ve.ssels,  and  are 

portunity  presents  itself  to  them.  They 

got  thus  far.  We  do  not  know  where 

have  now  got  their  whole  force  into  one 

W'e  are  going,  but  are  in  great  distre.ss 

collected  body,  and  no  posts  to  guard. 

I wish  I was  with  you.” — “Our  men  have 

We  have  detached  six  regiments  to  New 

suffered,”  writes  another,  who,  better  in- 

York,  and  have  many  points  to  look  to; 

formed,  knew  where  he  was  <>:oino:.  “ We 

and,  on  Monday  next,  ten  regiments  of 

have  one  consolation  left.  Y"ou  know  the 

militia,  which  were  brought  in  to  serve 

proverbial  expression,^  Neither  Hell,  Hull. 

till  the  first  of  April,  will  be  disengaged. 

nor  Halifax,’  can  afford  worse  shelter  than 

From  former  experience,  we  have  found 

Boston.  To  fresh  provision  I have,  for 

It  as  piacticable  to  stop  a torrent  as  these 

many^ months,  been  an  utter  stranger. 

1 

1 

'256 

An  egg  was  a rarity.  Yet  I submit.  A 
soldier  may  mention  grievances,  though 
he  should  scorn  to  repine  when  he  sufFeis 
them.  The  next  letter  from  Halifax.” 
Halifax,  in  fact,  was  the  destination  of 
the  fleet,  and  not  New  York,  as  Washing- 
ton supposed. 

The  evacuation  of  Boston  by  the  Brit- 
ish was  hailed  throughout  the  colonies  as 
a great  triumph  for  the  American  cause, 
ami  Washington  received  congratulations 

O O 

fi'oin  all  quarters  on  his  success,  and  flat- 
tering testimonials  to  his  skilful  conduct 
of  the  siege.  First  came  the  selectmen 
of  Boston,  with  an  address;  then  a long 
and  flattering  testimonial  from  the  coun- 
cil and  house  of  representatives  of  Massa- 
chusetts; and  finally  from  Congress  a 
vote  of  thanks  moved  by  John  Adams, 
and  this  letter,  drawn  up  by  him,  John 
Jay,  and  Stephen  Hopkins; — 

Philadelphia,  J2^ril  2, 

‘•Sir:  It  gives  me  the  most  sensible 
pleasure  to  convey  to  yon,  by  order  of 
Congress,  the  only  tribute  which  a free 
people  will  ever  consent  to  pay — the 
tribute  of  thanks  and  gratitude  to  their 
fiiends  and  benefactors. 

“The  disinterested  and  patriotic  prin- 
ciples which  led  yon  to  the  field  have  also 
led  you  to  glory ; and  it  affords  no  little 
consolation  to  your  countrymen  to  reflect 
that,  as  a peculiar  greatness  of  mind  in- 
duced you  to  decline  any  compensation 
for  serving  them,  except  the  pleasure  of 
promoting  their  happiness,  they  may, 
without  your  permission,  bestow  upon 
you  the  largest  share  of  their  affection 
and  esteem. 

“ Those  pages  in  the  annals  of  America 


[PAIiT  II. 

will  record  your  title  to  a conspicuous 
place  in  the  tenqile  of  fame,  which  shall 
inform  posterity  that,  under  your  direc- 
tions, an  undisciplined  band  of  husband- 
men, in  the  course  of  a few  months,  be- 
came soldiers ; and  that  the  desolation 
meditated  against  the  country  by  a brave 
army  of  veterans,  commanded  by  the 
most  experienced  generals,  but  employed 
by  bad  men,  in  the  worst  of  causes,  was 
by  the  fortitude  of  your  troops,  and  the 
address  of  their  officers,  next  to  the  kind 
interposition  of  Providence,  confined  for 
near  a year  within  such  narrow  limits  as 
scarcely  to  admit  more  room  than  was 
necessary  for  the  encampments  and  for- 
tifications they  lately  abandoi^ed. 

“Accept,  therefore,  sir,  the  thanks  of 
the  united  colonies,  unanimously  declared 
by  their  delegates  to  be  due  to  you,  and 
the  brave  officers  and  troops  under  your 
command  ; and  be  pleased  to  communi- 
cate to  them  this  distinguished  mark  of 
the  approbation  of  their  country. 

“ The  Congress  have  ordered  a golden 
medal,'’=‘  adapted  to  the  occasion,  to  be 
struck,  and  when  finished  to  be  presented 
to  you. 

“ I have  the  honor  to  be,  with  every 
sentiment  of  esteem,  sir,  your  most  obe- 
dient and  very  humble  servant, 

“John  Hancock,  Presideni.” 

* “The  medal,  which  was  struck  in  Paris,  contains  on 
the  ohverse  a head  of  Washington  in  profile,  exhibiting  an 
excellent  likeness,  and  around  it  the  inscription  : Georgio 
Washington  supremo  duci  exercituum  adsertori  libertalis 
comitia  Americana.  On  the  reverse  is  the  town  of  Boston 
in  the  distance,  with  a fleet  in  view  under  sail.  Washington 
and  his  officers  are  on  horseback  in  the  foreground,  and  ha 
is  pointing  to  the  ships  as  they  depart  from  the  harbor. 
'I'he  inscription  is:  Hostibus  primo  fugatis  Bostonium  le- 
cuperatum  xvii.  Martii,  MDCCLXXVt.” 

Spaiiks. 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  AN  lilNGLISH  DUKE  APPLAUDS  THE  PATRIOTS.  257 

Private  individuals  no  less  than  public 

with  chosen  officers,  backed  by  the  power 

bodies  too^  occasion  to  congratulate  and 

of  a mighty  fleet,  sent  to  correct  revolted 

compliment  Washington  upon  bis  tri- 

subjects,  sent  to  chastise  a resisting  city. 

umpb.  “ I congratulate  you,”  wrote  John 

sent  to  assert  Britain’s  authority,  has  for 

Adams,  “ as  well  as  all  the  friends  of  man- 

many  tedious  months  been  imprisoned 

kind,  on  the  reduction  of  Boston ; an 

within  that  town  by  the  provincial  army. 

event  which  appeared  to  me  of  so  great 

who,  their  watchful  guards,  permitted 

ind  decisive  importance,  that,  the  next 

them  no  inlet  to  the  country,  who  braved 

morning  after  the  arrival  of  the  news,  I 

all  their  efforts,  and  defied  all  that  their 

did  myself  the  honor  to  move  for  the 

skill  and  abilities  in  war  could  ever  at- 

thanks  of  Congress  to  your  excellency. 

tempt.  One  way,  indeed,  of  escape  is 

and  that  a medal  of  gold  should  be  struck 

left ; the  fleet  is  still  respected ; to  the 

in  commemoration  of  it.”  Eldridge  Ger- 

fleet  the  army  has  recourse;  and  British 

ry  declared,  “ I am  at  a loss  to  know  how 

generals,  whose  names  never  met  with  a 

Great  Britain  will  reconcile  all  this  to 

blot  of  dishonor,  are  forced  to  quit  that 

her  military  glory.” 

town,  which  was  the  first  object  of  the 

The  intelligence  of  the  evacuation  of 

war,  the  immediate  cause  of  hostilities. 

Bo.ston  was  received  in  England  with  a 

the  place  of  arms,  which  has  cost  this  na- 

feeling  of  such  surprise  that  few  would 

tion  more  than  a million  to  defend.  We 

believe  it  true.  There  were  those,  how- 

are  informed  of  this  extraordinary  event 

ever,  who  were  well  aware  of  the  fact. 

by  a gazette,  published  by  authority  from 

and  the  duke  of  Manchester,  in  a remark- 

government,  in  which  it  is  related  that 

able  speech  in  the  house  of  lords,  showed 

General  Howe  had  quitted  Boston ; no 

that  he  was  not  only  fully  informed  of 

ci  ■cumstances  mentioned  to  palliate  the 

the  circumstances  of  the  flight  from  Bos- 

ev  nt,  no  veil  but  that  of  silence  to  cast 

ton,  but  conscious  how  much  they  les- 

over  the  disgrace.  But,  my  lords,  though 

sened  the  prestige  of  Great  Britain  and 

the  government  account  is  short  and  un 

brightened  the  fame  and  hopes  of  the 

circumstantial,yetprivate  intelligence  and 

colonies.  “ To  come  now,  my  lords,”  said 

public  report,  on  which,  till  it  is  with  au- 

the  duke,  “ to  that  Avhich  has  cast  the 

thcnticity  denied,  I must  rely,  informs  us 

deepest  stain  on  the  glory  of  the  Briti.sh 

that  General  Ilowe  quitted  not  Boston 

arms,  to  that  which  must  rouse  the  indig- 

of  his  own  free  will ; but  that  a superior 

nation  of  all  who  feel  for  her  disgrace ; 

enemy  by  repeated  efforts,  by  extraordi- 

the  arm}^  of  Britain,  equipped  with  every 

nary  works,  by  the  fire  of  their  batteries, 

possible  essential  of  war,  a chosen  army, 
a.s 

1 

rendered  the  place  untenable.” 

r 1 

- 

1 

•i58 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LI'ART  li 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

vVashington  still  perplexed  about  the  Enemy’s  Movements. — Another  Command  proposed  for  Lee. — Canada  first  pio- 
posed. — Finally  tlie  South. — Lee  goes  to  Virginia. — Lord  Stirling  left  in  Command  at  New  York. — His  Life  and  Char- 
acter.— Sterling  continues  tlie  Works  at  New  York  and  on  Long  Island. — Washington  resolves  upon  going  to  New 
York. — General  Thomas  appointed  to  the  Command  of  the  American  Troops  in  Canada. — Arnold  before  Quebec  — 
General  Wooster  arrives  at  last. — The  Small-Fox  among  the  Troops. — 'I'homas,  anxious  to  do  something,  sends 
down  tlie  St.  Lawrence  a Fire-Sliip. — Failure. — Retreat. — Carleton  sallies  out. — His  Success. — Death  of  Thomas. — 
The  Canadians  less  favorably  disposed  toward  the  Cause  of  the  Patriots. — Washington’s  Solicitations  about  Canada. — 
Schuyler  censured. — Ilis  Character. — Unpopular  with  the  New  Englanders. — Why  ? — Defended  by  Washington.— 
Schuyler  justifies  himself. — His  life. 


Washington  was  perplexed  about  the 
destination  of  the  British  fleet.  “Whither 
they  are  bound  and  where  they  will  next 
pitch  their  tents  I know  not,”  he  says,  hut 
believing  that  New  York  was  to  be  the 
[flace  he  ordered  the  main  body  of  his 
army  there,  and  determined  soon  to  fol- 
low himself  General  Lee,  it 
will  he  remembered,  had  with 
his  usual  energy  repressed  the  mischie- 
vous machinations  of  the  tories,  and  driven 
by  his  military  operations.  Governor  Try- 
on  and  the  enemy’s  ships  from  the  North 
river  to  the  safer  distance  of  the  bay,  where 
they  were  now  moored  off  Staten  island. 
Congress  had  other  occupation  in  view  for 
Lee,and  ordered  him  to  take  the  command 
in  Canada.  These  orders  were  hardly  giv- 
en, however,  when  they  were  changed,  iind 
it  was  re.solved  to  send  Lee  to  the  South. 
He  would  have  preferred  the  Canadian 
command,  as  he  thought  himself,  from  the 
fiict  that  he  was  the  only  general  officer 
on  the  continent  who  could  speak  or  think 
ill  French,  the  best  adapted  for  that  quar- 
ter. Washington  seemed  to  he  of  the 
same  opinion,  and  wrote  to  Lee,  saying: 
•*  I was  just  iihoLit  to  congnitulate  you  on 


your  appointment  to  the  command  in 
Canada,  when  I received  the  account  that 
your  destination  was  altered.  As  a Vir- 
ginian, I must  rejoice  at  the  change ; but 
as  an  American,  I think  you  would  have 
done  more  essential  service  to  the  com- 
mon cause  in  Canada.  For,  besides  the 
advantage  of  speaking  and  thinking  in 
French,  an  officer  who  is  acquainted  with 
their  manners  and  customs,  and  has  trav- 
elled in  their  country,  must  certainly  take 
the  strongest  hold  of  their  affection  and 
confidence.”  Washino-ton  had  a hio-h 

O O 

opinion  of  Lee’s  capacity,  hut  Avas  not 
unconscious  of  his  irritalfle  and  capricious 
temper.  To  his  brother  John  Augustine, 
Avho  remained  at  Mount  Vernon,  Wash- 
ington writes:  “General  Lee,  I suppose, 
is  Avith  you  before  this.  He  is  the  first 
oflicer,  in  military  knowledge  and  expe- 
rience, Ave  have  in  the  Avhole  army.  He 
is  zealously  attached  to  the  cause,  honest 
and  Avell-meaning,  but  rather  fickle  and 
violent,  I fear,  in  his  temper.  IIoAvever, 
as  he  possesses  an  uncommon  share  of 
good  sense  and  spirit,  I congratulate  mj’ 
countrymen  (Virginians)  upon  his  ap- 
pointment to  that  department.” 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  HIS  LORDSHIP 

OF  STIRLING.  2h\) 

Lee  according! 3^  proceeded  to  Virginia, 

bled  at  William.sburgh.  Page,  Lee,  Mer- 

^ and  Roon  after  his  arrival,  in  an- 
iprtl  0,  letter  he  had  received  . 

cer,  and  Pa3'’ne  are  indeed  exccptiom; ; 
but  from  Pendleton,  Bland,  the  treasurer, 

from  Wasliington  at  Boston,  giving  an 

and  Company,  libera  noft  do)mne” 

account  of  his  success  there,  -wrote : “ I 

When  Lee  departed  for  the  South, Loi  d 

must  sincerely  congratulate  you,  1 con- 

Stirling  Avas  left  in  command  of  the  troo])'^ 

gratulate  the  public  on  the  great  and 

at  New  York.  William  Alexander  was 

glorious  event,  your  possession  of  Boston. 

the  genuine  name  of  his  “lordship,”  but 

It  will  be  a,  most  bright  page  in  the  an- 

he  was  always  called  Lord  Stirling  b3^  the 

nals  of  America,  and  a most  abominabl}^ 

Americans,  probably  to  compensate  him 

black  one  in  those  of  the  beldam  Britain. 

for  the  obstinate  resistance  to  his  claim 

Go  on,  my  dear  general,  crown  3murself 

in  Great  Britain,  where  he  had  made  an 

with  glory,  and  establish  the  liberties  and 

unsuccessful  efibrt  for  a recognition  c)l 

lustre  of  jmur  country  on  a foundation 

his  title  as  earl.  He  was  a great  stickler 

more  permanent  than  the  capitol  rock.” 

for  l/ie  loi'ihhip.  On  one  occasion  being 

What  he  says  of  himself  in  the  same  letr 

present  at  the  execution  of  a soldier  for 

ter,  does  not  seem  so  sati.sfactory,  and  is 

desertion,  the  criminal  repeatedly'  cried 

stated  in  his  usual  half-humorous,  half- 

out,  “ the  Lord  have  mercy  on  me ;”  his 

discontented  tone  : “ My  situation  is  just 

lordship,Avith  warmth, exclaimed,  “Itvont. 

as  I expected.  I am  afraid  1 shall  make 

you  rascal,  I wont  have  mercy'  on  you.”-'’ 

a shabby  figure,  without  any  real  demerits 

His  father  Avas  a Scotchman  Avho  had  gone 

of  my  own.  I am  like  a dog  in  a dancing 

to  America  to  escape  the  consequences 

school.  I know  not  Avhere  to  turn  1113'- 

of  having  engaged  in  the  unsuccessful 

self,  where  to  fix  myself  The  circum- 

rebellion  in  behalf  of  the  Pretender  in 

stances  of  the  countr3"  intersected  by 

1715.  He  settled  in  NeAV  York  Avhei  e 

navigable  rivers,  the  uncertainty  of  the 

he  married  the  daughter  of  a fortunate 

enemy’s  designs  and  motions,  who  can  fly 

speculator  called  “Ready-money  Provost,” 

in  an  instant  to  any  spot  they  choose  with 

and  Avhere  his  son  William  Avas  born  in 

their  canvass  wings,  throw  me,  and  would 

1720.  The  youth  had  an  early  inclina- 

throw  Julius  Cesar,  into  this  inevitable 

tion  for  Avar,  and  volunteering  for  the 

dilemma.  I may  possibly  be  in  the  north. 

French  and  Indian  campaign,  seiwed  as 

when,  as  Richard  says,  I should  serve  my 

aid-de-camp  to  General  Shirley^  Subse- 

sovereign  in  the  west.  I can  only  act 

quently,Adsiting  England, he  laid  hisclaim 

from  surmise,  and  1 have  a very  good 

to  the  earldom  of  Stirling  before  the 

chance  of  surmising  wrong.  I am  soriy 

house  of  lords,  and  upon  its  not  being 

I0  grate  your  ears  with  a truth,  but  must 

alloAved,  he  returned  to  America,  Avhere 

at  all  events  assure  you,  that  the  provin- 

his  rights  to  the  “lordship”  Avere  alway.s 

( ial  Congi'css  of  New  York  are  angels  of 

aftei'Avard  recognised  by  courtesv.  He 

decision  when  compared  with  3 0ur  coun- 

noAV  mari'ied  the  daughter  of  Philip  Liv 

trymen,  the  committee  of  safety  assem- 

Tliacher 

260  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [fart  ii. 


ingstoii,  the  “ second  lord  of  the  manor,” 
and  building  “ a fine  mansion”  in  New 
Jersey,  went  to  live  there.  On  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  difficulties  with  Great  Brit- 
ain,Lord  Stirlingjoined  the  popular  cause, 
and  after  being  appointed  colonel  of  the 
first  battalion  of  New  Jersey  militia,  was 
finally  promoted  by  Congress  to  the  rank 
of  brigadier-general.  Lee  spoke  of  him 
;is  “ Alexander  pas  le  grand,  niais  le  gros!' 

Stirling:  being  now  in  command  of  some 
twenty-five  hundred  men,  and  continuing 
to  carry  into  execution  the  plans  of  defence 
for  New  York  and  Long  island  which  had 
been  formed  by  General  Lee,  awaited  the 
arrival  of  the  main  body  of  the  army. 
Washington  having  sent  most  of  his  troops 
in  two  large  detachments,  the  first  under 
the  immediate  command  of.  Brigadier- 
General  Heath,  and  the  second  under 
Brigadier-General  Sullivan,  ordered  Gen- 
eral Putnam  to  New  York,  to  assume  the 

general  command,  and  to  nro- 
Mar.  29.  ^ - _ , ’ . ^ 

ceed  “ to  execute  the  plan  pro- 
posed by  Major-General  Lee  for  fortifying 
the  city  and  securing  the  passes  of  the 
East  and  North  rivers.”  Washington 
himself  did  not  propose  yet  to  set  out 
for  a week  or  more. 

While  Washington  had  determined  to 
proceed  to  New  York,  and  Lee  had  been 
sent  to  Virginia  to  meet  the  expected 
operations  of  the  enemy  in  those  quar- 
ters, Congress  was  not  unmindful  of  the 
important  interests  at  risk  in  the  North. 
General  Thomas  was  accordingly  ap- 
pointed to  take  command  of  the  Ameri- 
can troops  in  Canada,  where  we  left  them, 
as  will  be  recollected,  after  the  repulse 
of  their  assault  upon  Quebec,  encamped 


within  three  miles  of  the  walls  of  the  city, 
apparently  for  the  winter. 

Arnold’s  small  force  having  received 
some  additions  from  a few  straggling 
soldiers  who,  in  spite  of  the  severity  of 
the  season  and  the  hardships  of  a long 
journey  through  the  snow  and  over  the 
frozen  rivers,  had  succeeded  in  making 
their  way  to  the  camp,  the  Americans 
Avere  enabled  to  hold  their  ground,  and 
do  something,  by  means  of  their  ice-bat- 
teries, in  keeping  up  the  show  of  a siege. 
Sir  Guy  Carleton  kept  Avithin  his  Avails 
and  shoAved  a degree  of  caution  that  could 
only  be  attributed  to  the  distrust  of  his 
own  people,  Avhose  loyalty  Avas  someAvhat 
dubious,  and  not  to  any  dread  of  his  ene- 
my, Avhose  aspect  was  by  no  means  for- 
midable. He  seemed  more  desirous  of 
exercising  benevolence  than  hostility 
toAvard  his  opponents.  He  treated  his 
prisoners  Avith  a kindness  and  generosity, 
so  great,  that  no  chronicler  of  the  events 
of  those  days  has  failed  to  give  his  testi- 
mony to  the  humanity  of  Governor  Carle- 
ton.  He  sent  out  to  the  American  camp 
for  the  clothes  of  those  held  captive  in 
Quebec,  and  alloAved  their  friends  to  send 
them  money  and  such  necessaries  and 
luxuries  as  they  might  require. 

General  Wooster  passed  theAvhole  Avin- 
ter  in  inactivity  at  Montreal,  Avhile  Arnold 

Avas  encamped  before  Quebec.  . . 

^ , , April  1. 

He  came  at  last  as  the  spring 

opened,  and  brought  such  an  addition  to 
the  American  force  as  raised  it  to  the  a}> 
parently  respectable  number  of  tAvo  thous- 
and eight  hundred  and  fifty-five  ; but  one 
third  at  least  of  these,  were  prostrate  with 
small-pox.  A girl,  Avho  Avas  a nurse  in 


iticvoLUTiONARY.]  A SALLY  FROM  QUEBEC. 


tlie  hospital  at  Quebec,  had  some  friends 
in  the  American  camp,  whom  she  came 
out  to  visit,  and  was  supposed  thus  to 
have  brought  the  infection  among  the 
troops.  The  disease  soon  after  broke  out 
and  began  to  spread,  when  many  of  the 
men  inoculated  themselves,  and  thus  be- 
came disabled  for  duty.  On  the  arrival, 
however,  of  Wooster,  in  spite  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  troops,  something  was  at- 
tempted in  the  way  of  action,  by  cannon- 
ading the  enemy,  and  more  vigorous 
measures,  doubtles.s,  would  have  followed, 
had  not  Arnold  been  disabled  by  an  inju- 
ry to  his  wounded  leg  from  the  fall  of  his 
horse.  This  accident,  whicli  kept  him  in 
bed  for  a fortnight,  was  a serious  matter 
for  the  Americans,  for  without  Arnold  the 
soul  of  the  enterprise  was  gone.  With 
this  misfortune,  and  with  his  spirit  chafed 
at  the  conduct  of  Wooster  who,  beiiig 
his  superior  in  command,  did  not  yield 
a.s  readily  to  Arnold’s  imperiousness  as 
be  would  have  wished,  Arnold  asked  leave 
of  absence,  which  was  granted,  and  he 
retired  to  Montreal.  Wooster  did  nothing 
until  the  arrival  of  General  Thomas  to 
whom  he  yielded  up  the  command. 

Thomas,  on  his  arrival,  was  anxious  to 
attempt  something,  and  he  therefore,  as 

prepared  a fire-ship.  At  the  same 
time  making  ready  his  .scaling-ladder.s,  he 
drew  up  his  forces  with  the  view  of  mak- 
ing an  assault.  The  fire-ship  was  sent’ 
adrift  at  night,  and  floating  with  the  flood- 
tide  toward  Quebec  was  supposed  by  the 
enemy  at  first  to  be  a friendly  vessel. 
As  she  neared,  however,  the  shipping,  her 
true  character  was  discovered,  tind  the 


‘201 

batteries  began  to  fire  upon  her.  The 
crew  on  board  finding  that  their  purpose 
was  discovered,  lighted  the  train  and 
took  to  their  boats.  The  ship  was  soon 
in  a blaze,  but  the  sails  taking  fire,  she 
lost  her  headway,  and  the  tide  beginning 
to  ebb,  she  was  carried  down  the  river 
and  the  whole  attempt  failed. 

Next  day.  General  Thomas,  di.sappolut- 
ed  by  the  failure  of  his  plan,  and  finding 
from  the  condition  of  his  troops  and  the 
scarcity  of  provisions  that  it  was  use- 
le.ss  to  make  an  assault  or  to  continue 
the  siege,  determined  to  retreat.  When 
making  preparations  to  carry  out  this 
purpose,  the  enemy  received  a reinforce- 
ment by  the  arrival  of  a squadi  on  from 
Great  Britain  withseveral  hundred  troops 
on  board.  Carleton,  with  this  addition 
to  his  troops,  sallied  out  and  made  an  at- 
tack upon  the  Americans  who,  in  the  con- 
fusion of  their  retreat  which  had  already 
begun,  and  being  pressed  by  the  enemy, 
were  forced  to  lly  precipitately  and  aban- 
don their  baggage,  artillery,  and  store.s. 
There  were  a great  number  of  sick  amon*' 
the  provincials,  .some  of  whom,  Avith  the 
.small-pox  full  upon  them,  strove,  ill  as 
they  Avere,  to  escape,  Avhile  others  gave 
themselves  up  at  once  to  the  assailants, 
and  were  treated  by  Carleton  Avith  his 
usual  considerate  kindne.ss. 

The  British  did  not  continue  the  pur- 
suit far,  or  they  might  have  totally  de- 
stroyed the  provincials.  These,  however, 
continued  their  flight,  night  and  day,  for 
a distance  of  forty-tive  mile.s.  On  reach- 
ing the  mouth  of  the  Sorel  they  halted, 
and  being  reinforced  by  the  arrival  of 
several  regiments,  encamped  there  for 


J 


262 

several  clays,  flaring  which  period  General 
Thomas,  Avho  had  sickened  with  the  small- 
pox, died.  As  he  had  forl)idden  his  troops, 
that  they  might  not  be  disabled  by  their 
temporary  illness,  to  be  inoculated,  he 
refused  himself  to  take  advantage  of  the 
only  means  then  known  of  protection 
atrainst  the  fatal  disease,  and  thus  became 
a sacrifice  to  the  severity  of  military  dis- 
cipline. General  Sullivan  now  succeeded 
to  the  command,  superseding  Wooster. 

Afiliirs  in  Canada  were  a source  of 
great  anxiety  to  all  engaged  in  the  Amer- 
ican cause.  The  friendly  disposition  at 
one  time  evinced  by  the  Canadians  seems 
greatly  to  have  changed.  When  General 
Montgomery  first  penetrated  into  the 
country,  he  readily  obtained  men,  wag- 
ons, and  provisions ; and  when  he  w'as 
before  Quebec,  oilers  of  service  were  made 
to  him  from  a number  of  parishes,  in  the 
neighboring  country.  His  death,  hoM'^- 
ever,  added  to  other  occurrences,  had 
caused  such  a change  in  the  disposition 
of  the  people,  that,  as  an  American  offi- 
cer wrote,  “we  no  longer  look  upon  them 
as  friends,  but,  on  the  contrary,  as  waiting 
an  opportunity  to  join  our  enemies.”  The 
clergy  and  landed  proprietors  had  not 
been  properly  conciliated,  and  they  be- 
came unanimously  opposed  to  the  Amer- 
ican cause,  and  even  while  Montreal  was 
held  l)y  our  troops,  many  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  consequence  were  supposed  to  be 
carrying  on  a correspondence  Avith  Carle- 
Ion  at  Quebec.  “ With  respect  to  the 
better  sort  of  people,  both  French  and 
English,”  Avrote  the  same  officer  just 
quoted,  “seven  eights  are  tories,  Avho 
would  Avish  to  see  our  throats  cut,  and 


[part  JI 

perhaps  Avould  readily  assist  in  doing  it.” 
The  Americans  Avere  to  blame  greatly  foi 
this  result,  for  they  not  only  neglected 
to  conciliate  the  better  classes,  but  hud 
ill-used  the  peasantry.  The  inhabitants 
had  been  “ dragooned  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet  to  supjdy  Avood  for  the  garrison 
at  a lower  rate  than  the  current  price. 
For  carriages  and  many  other  articles 
furnished,  certificates  had  been  given  that 
Avere  either  not  let^ible  or  Avithout  a sie;- 
nature,  and  the  consequence  Avas  that  on 
being  presented  they  Avere  rejected  Ijy 
the  quartermaster-general.”  The  people 
thus  deceived  became  importunate  in 
their  claims,  Avhich  being  oidy  met  by 
vague  promises,  tlu^y  concluded  that  their 
labor  and  property  had  been  expended 
in  A^ain,  and  had  no  longer  faith  in  the 
imited  colonies,  which  they  believed  bank- 
rupt. 

Washington  shared  in  this  so-  ^ 
licitude  about  Canada,  and  Avrote 
to  Schuyler : “ The  commotions  among 
the  Canadians  are  alarming.  I am  afraid 
proper  measures  haA^e  not  been  taken  to 
conciliate  their  affections;  but  rather  that 
they  have  been  insulted  and  injured,  than 
Avhich  nothing  could  have  a greater  ten- 
dency to  ruin  our  cause  in  that  country. 
For  human  nature  is  such,  that  it  will  ad- 
here to  the  side  from  Avhence  the  best  treab 
ment  is  received.  I therefore  conjure 
you,  sir,  to  recommend  the  officers  and 
soldiers  in  the  strongest  terms  to  treat 
all  the  inhabitants,  Canadians,  English 
and  savages,  Avith  tenderness  and  respect, 
paying  them  punctually  for  Avhat  they 
receive,  or  giving  them  such  certificates 
I as  Avill  enable  them  to  receive  their  pay.” 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


r‘ 

PfivoLUTiCNARY.]  SCHUYLER  VERSUS  THE  DEMOCRATS.  263 

Congress,  too,  was  so  far  impressed  with 

cratic,  while  theirs  were  of  the  true  demo- 

the  unfortunate  state  of  affairs  in  Canada, 

cratic  stamp.  He  was  a stickler  for  the 

and  the  necessity  of  a remedy,  that  it 

respect  due  to  rank ; they,  with  a dispo- 

appointed  Dr.  Franklin,  Samuel  Chase, 

sition  to  yield  to  popular  majorities,  made 

Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  and  the 

common  cause  with  the  ranks.  He  was  re- 

Rev.  John  Carroll,  a Roman  catholic  priest. 

served  and  formal  toward  his  inferiors; 

as  commissioners  to  proceed  to  the  North, 

they,  free  and  “hail  fellows”  with  all,  as 

with  the  view  of  investifjratinsjr  and  remov- 

O O 

they  acknowledged  no  superiority.  Schuy- 

insr  grievances,  and  conciliating  the  Cana- 

ler  had  the  incidental  circumstiinces  of 

dian  people.  Everything  seemed  to  be 

distinguished  birth,  and  of  refinement 

ill  such  an  ill  condition,  in  regard  to  the 

and  wealth,  to  give  him  personal  and  so- 

military  operations  in  Canada,  as  almost 

cial  importance;  the  New  England  officers 

to  justify  the  sweeping  remark  of  a trav- 

were,  for  the  most  part,  men  of  humble 

eller  of  those  days,  who,  after  descanting 

origin,  of  little  education,  and,  when 

freely  upon  men  and  things  in  that  quar- 

drawn  from  the  field  or  the  bench,  had 

ter, declared  over  his  bottle  to  some  Amer- 

nothing  but  their  military  pay.  He  was 

ican  officers  who  were  his  chance  com- 

a conventional  gentleman ; they  made 

panions  at  an  inn  in  Albany : “ In  short, 

no  pretensions  to  anything  beyond  the 

gentlemen,  we  have  commissioners  there 

rude  simplicity  of  honest  manners. 

without  provisions;  quartermasters  with- 

Graydon,  in  his  gossiping  memoirs 

out  stores ; generals  without  troops ; and 

gives  us,  probably,  a better  insight  than 

troops  without  discipline,  by  G — d.” 

more  dignified  historians,  into  the  true 

General  Schuyler  was  held  responsible 

cause  of  Schuyler’s  unpopularity  with  the 

by  many  of  the  New  Englanders  for  the 

New  Englanders.  Graydon,  then  a young 

disastrous  condition  of  things  at  the  North. 

officer  of  a Pennsylvania  regiment,  had 

“ In  a time  of  adversity,”  says  Irving,  who 

been  appointed  by  Congress  to  carry  a 

never  fails  to  say  a good  word  for  Schuy- 

sum  of  money  in  specie  to  Schuyler.  He 

ler,  “ it  relieves  the  public  mind  to  have 

arrives  at  Lake  George,  and  gives  this 

some  individual  upon  whom  to  charge  its 

account  of  his  visit  to  the  general : 

disasters.  General  Schuyler,  at  present. 

“ Though  General  Schuyler  has  been 

was  to  be  the  victim.”  lie  was  charged 

charged  with  such  haughtiness  of  demean- 

with  having  neglected  to  send  forward 

or,  as  to  have  induced  the  troops  of  New 

supplies  and  reinforcements  to  the  troops 

Eno:land  to  decline  serving;  under  his 

in  Canada,  and  even  treason  was  hinted 

command,  the  reception  we  met  with, 

at  by  some  of  his  enemies,  in  the  bitter- 

was  not  merely  courteous  but  kind.  His 

ness  of  their  hostility.  Schuyler  was  not 

quarters  being  contracted,  a bed  was  pre- 

a popular  man  with  the  New  England 

pared  for  us  in  his  own  apartment,  and 

officers,  many  of  whom  were  of  too  coarse 

we  experienced  civilities  that  were  flat- 

a mould  to  please  his  somewhat  fastidious 

terino;  from  an  officer  of  his  high  rank. 

ta,«-te,s.  Ilis  own  associations  were  aristo- 

Though  thoroughly  the  man  of  business, 

1 

264  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pai:t  ii. 


he  was  also  a gentleman  and  a man  of 
the  world  ; and  well  calculated  to  sustain 
the  reputation  of  our  army  in  the  eyes 
of  the  British  officers  (disposed  to  depre- 
ciate it),  as  is  evidenced  by  the  account 
given  by  General  Burgoyne  of  the  man- 
ner in  which  he  was  entertained  by  him 
at  Albany.  But  that  he  should  have  been 
displeasing  to  the  YanJcces,  I am  not  at 
all  surprised  : he  certainly  was  at  no  pains 
to  conceal  the  extreme  contempt  he  felt 
for  a set  of  officers,  who  were  both  a dis- 
grace to  their  stations  and  the  cause  in 
which  they  acted  ! Being  yet  a stranger 
to  the  character  of  these  men,  and  the 
constitution  of  that  part  of  our  military 
force  which  in  Feiinsylvania  was  consid- 
ered as  the  bulwark  of  the  nation,  I must 
confess  my  surprise  at  an  incident  which 
took  place  while  at  dinner.  Beside  the 
general,  the  members  of  his  family,  and 
ourselves,  there  were  at  table  a lady  and 
gentleman  from  Montreal.  A New  Eng- 
land captain  came  in  upon  some  business, 
with  that  abject  servility  of  manner  which 
belongs  to  persons  of  the  meanest  rank : 
he  was  neither  asked  to  sit  or  take  a glass 
of  wine,  and  after  announcing  his  message, 
was  dismissed  with  that  peevishness  of 
tone  we  apply  to  a low  and  vexatious  in- 
truder. This  man,  in  his  proper  sphere, 
mio-ht  have  been  entitled  to  better  treat- 

O 

nienf ; but  when  presuming  to  thrust  him- 
self into  a situation,  in  which  far  other 
qualifications  than  his  were  required,  and 
upon  an  occasion,  too,  which  involved 
some  of  the  most  important  of  human 
interests,  I am  scarcely  prepared  to  say 
it  was  unmerited.” 

Schuyler,  however,  found  a nobler  ad- 


vocate in  Washington,  who,  on  sending 
to  him  a letter  containing  charo-es  aj^ainst 
his  conduct,  accompanied  by  documents 
which  had  been  received  at  headquarters 
from  a committee  of  Kings  county,  wrote  : 
“From  these  you  will  readily  discover 
the  diabolical  and  insiduous  acts  and 
schemes  carrying  on  by  the  tories  and 
friends  of  government,  to  raise  distrust, 
dissensions,  and  divisions  among  us.  Rov- 
ing the  utmost  confidence  in  your  integ- 
rity, and  the  most  incontestable  proof  of 
your  great  attachment  to  our  common 
country  and  its  interests,  I could  not  but 
look  upon  the  charge  against  you  with 
an  eye  of  disbelief,  and  senliments  of  de- 
testation and  abhorrence ; nor  should  T 
have  troubled  you  with  the  matter,  had 
I not  been  informed  that  copies  were  sent 
to  different  committees  and  to  Governor 
Trumbull,  which  I conceived  would  get 
abroad,  and  that  you,  should  you  find 
that  I had  been  furnished  with  them, 
would  consider  my  suppressing  them  as 
an  evidence  of  my  belief,  or  at  best  of 
my  doubts,  of  the  charges.” 

On  receiving  this  letter,  Schuyler  wrote 
to  Washington,  insisting  upon  a court  of 
inquiry,  and  in  the  meantime  some  who 
had  been  ready  to  give  credence  to  the 
chai’ges,  fi'ankly  acknowledged  their  sus- 
picions unfounded,  although  there  Avere 
others  in  whom  the  feelino;  a<>:ainst  the 
New  York  general  continued  to  rankle. 

General  Philip  Schuyler,  of  Avhom  we 
have  said  so  much,  and  of  Avhom  Ave  shall 
have  occasion  to  say  more,  Avas  born  in 
Albany,  on  the  22d  of  November,  173o. 
His  family  Avas  of  colonial  distinction. 
His  grandfather  Avas  mayor  of  Albany, 


( 

KKVOLUTIONAKY.]  A SORRY  SP]T.  20.‘) 

and  proprietor  of  one  of  the  Dutch  man- 

Philip  Schuyler  served  during  the  French 

ors,  which  descended  by  the  law  of  prim- 

campaign,  and  won  the  friendshiji  of  the 

ogeniture  to  John  Schuyler  his  son,  and 

gallant  and  young  Lord  Howe,  who  fell 

^lie  hither  of  Philip  who,  being  the  eldest 

at  Ticonderoga.  He  was  a prominent 

son,  inherited  the  estate,  and  wdth  unex- 

man  in  the  colonial  assembly,  and  an 

ainpled  generosity  divided  it  with  his 

early  advocate  of  the  American  cause. 

brothers  and  sisters.  His  mother  was 

In  1775  he  was  a delegate  to  the  conti- 

Cornelia  Van  Cortlandt,a  woman  of  great 

nental  Congress,  and  in  the  same  year 

force  of  character,  and  remarkable  for 

was  appointed  third  major-general  of  the 

the  graceful  dignity  of  her  manners. 

American  army. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

General  Putnam  at  New  York. — His  Cousin. — The  Appearance  of  the  Troops. — Tlie  Officers. — Colonel  Putnam  coming 

Home  from  Market. — Alexander  Hamilton. — His  Life  — 

-Personal  Appearance. — His  first  Acquaintance  with  General 

Greene. — Washington  at  New  York. — The  Provincial  Navy. — Commodore  Hopkins  — His  Exploits. — The  Engage- 
ment between  the  Alfred  and  Glasson. — The  American  Squadron  puts  into  New  London. — Hopkins  censured  hy  Con- 
gress.— Washington’s  Despair  of  lleconciliati-ui  with  Great  Britain. — Perjrle.xities  of  Business. — Uncertainty  of  the 

Enemy’s  Movements. 

General  Putnam  had  arrived  at 

1776. 

to  excite  sanguine  expectations  in  the 

New  York  and  went  busily  to  work 

mind  of  a sober  observer.  Great  num- 

at  once,  carrying  out  the  plans  of  Lee  in 

bers  of  people  were  indeed  to  be  seen. 

fortifying  theexpo-sed  points  of  the  island. 

and  those  who  are  not  accustomed  to  the 

and  disciplining  the  troops.  His  cousin, 

sight  of  bodies  under  arms  are  always 

Colonel  Rufus  Putnam,  had  been,  in  want 

prone  to  exaggerate  them.  But  this  pro- 

of  a better,  appointed  to  the  head  of  the 

pensity  to  swell  the  mass  had  not  an 

engineer  department,  and  though,  Jike 

equal  tendency  to  convert  it  into  soldiery; 

the  general,  an  illiterate  man,  seemed,  as 

and  the  irregularity,  want  of  discipline. 

Vhishington  said,  “ tolerably  well  qnali- 

bad  arnus,  and  defective  equipment  in  all 

fled  for  conducting  that  business.”  Gray- 

respects,  of  this  multitudinous  assemblage. 

don  says,  “ Mr.  Putnam  might  have  been 

gave  no  favorable  impression  of  its  prow- 

a good  practical  artist,  though  misterming 

css. 

the  Gor^e  the  George^  The  same  viva- 

The  eastern  battalions,  especialljq  seem- 

cious  writer  gives  ns  an  account  of  the 

ed  to  have  offended  the  eye  of  the  young 

troops  gathered  in  New  York  at  that 

military  aspirant.  The  ranks  were  un- 

time.  “ They  were,”  he  says,  “ chiefly 

promising,  and  particularly  the  officers. 

from  the  eastern  provinces.  The  appear- 

“who  were  in  no  single  respect  distin- 

ance  of  things  was  not  much  calculated 
84 

guishable  from  their  men,  other  than  in 

1 

’ ' ' ' ' ' ■ ■ ■ ' ■ ' 1 

1 

HATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[I-AIIT  II. 


2ui) 


i 

I 

» 

I 


I 


the  colored  cockades,  ■which,  for  this  very 
purpose,  had  been  prescribed  in  general 
orders;  a different  color  being  assigned 
to  the  officers  of  each  grtide.”  So  far  from 
aiming  at  a deportment  which  might 
raise  them  above  their  privates,  and  thence 
prompt  them  to  d ne  respect  and  obedience 
to  their  commands,  the  object  was  by  hu- 
mility, to  preserve  the  existing  blessing 
of  equality:  an  ilhistrions  instance  of 
which  was  given  by  Colonel  Putnam,  the 
chief  engineer  of  the  army,  and  no  less 
a personage  than  the  cousin  of  the  ma- 
jor-general of  that  name.  “ Wliat,”  says 
a person  meeting  him  one  day  with  a 
piece  of  meat  in  his  hand,  “canning  home 
your  rations  yourself,  colonel !” — “ Yes,” 
says  he,  “ and  I do  it  to  set  the  officers  a 
good  example.” 

There  were,  however,  other  officers 
who  better  pleased  the  fastidiousness  of 
our  annalist;  those  of  New  York,  for  ex- 
ample, among  whom  was  Alexander  Ham- 
ilton. Hamilton  at  that  time  was  barely 
twenty  years  of  age,  and  had  not  only 
shown  that  ardor  of  youthful  spirit  and 
genius  which  always  excites  a sympathetic 
glow  of  appreciation  among  the  young, 
but  had  won,  by  the  prematu  e manli- 
ness of  his  character  and  judgmmt,  the 
respect  of  the  old.  Hamilton  was  born 
on  the  West  Indian  island  of  Nevis.  His 
lather  was  a Scotch  trading  captain  of 
the  name  of  Hamilton.  His  mother,  a 
creole  woman,  of  Spanish  or  French  ori- 
gin. The  child,  not  over  carefully  watched 
by  parental  solicitude,  was  left  to  wander 
very  much  at  his  will.  On  one  occasion 
he  had  stiuved  into  the  connting-honse 
of  a distinguished  merchant,  who  was  so 


much  struck  by  the  lively  and  precocious 
parts  of  the  boy,  that  he  proposed  to 
“ make  his  fortune  for  him.”  The  benev- 
olence of  the  merchant  met  with  no  re- 
sistance from  his  natural  guardians,  and 
young  Hamilton  was  accordingly  taken 
by  him  into  his  counting-house.  Child 
as  he  was,  he  made  such  rapid  progress 
in  the  knowledge  of  business,  that  in  the 
temporary  absence  of  the  “ head  of  the 
linn,”  he  was  left  sole  manager  of  its  con- 
cerns, at  the  age  of  fourteen.  From  the 
West  Indies  he  was  sent  to  assume  a more 
important  station  in  the  New  York  branch 
of  his  patron’s  establishment.  His  remark- 
able talents  and  the  great  zeal  he  had 
shown  for  study  induced  his  generous 
friends  to  give  him  the  benefit  of  a clas- 
sical education.  He  was  accordingly  put 
to  school  at  Elizabethtown,  and  thence, 
in  1773, admitted  into  King’s,  now  Colum- 
bia college,  with  the  view  of  preparing 
for  a medical  education.  Young  Ham- 
ilton had  an  early  taste  for  literature, 
and,  by  frequent  clever  articles,  some- 
times lively  and  sometimes  severe,  writ- 
ten on  the  exciting  political  topics  of  the 
day,showed  a natural  power  and  acquired 
great  fiicility  as  a writer. 

Yet  a student,  he  had  an  occasion  to 
prove  that  lie  could  speak  as  well  as  write 
A meeting  of  the  New  York  whig  citizens 
had  been  called  together  to  express  their 
indiernation  at  the  new  blow  of  British 
tyranny  which  had  fallen  upon  the  New 
Englanders  in  the  shape  of  the  Boston 
porbbill.  Naturally  self-reliant  and  with 
his  confidence  in  his  own  powers,  stiinu 
lated  by  the  warmth  of  his  interest  in  the 
popular  cause,young  Hamilton,  then  hard- 


IIKVOLUTION  AI!  V.  1 

ly  seventeen  years  of  age,  ventured  to 
address  tlie  meeting,  and  spoke  with  a 
Ibree  of  eloquence  which,  from  so  juvenile 
an  orator,  surprised  every  listener.  He 
now  took  an  active  part  in  the  political 
movements  of  the  times,  both  as  a speak- 
er and  writer.  On  the  war  breaking  out 
he  formed  a company  of  artillery  and  was 
chosen  the  captain.  He  was  thus  serving, 
when  Graydon  seems  to  have  marked 
him  out  as  an  exceptional  officer  for  his 
gentlemanlike  air  and  bearing.'^' 

Irving  gives  this  account  of  the  im- 
pression the  youthful  captain  made  upon 
another  more  acute  military  observer: 
“As  General  Greene  one  da}^  on  his  wa}^ 

* At  a later  period  in  life  lie  is  doscrilied  by  iinotlier  ob- 
server as  b.  ing  “under  middle  size,  tbin  in  person,  but  re- 
markably erect  and  dignified  in  bis  deportment.  His  bair 
was  turned  back  from  bis  forehead,  powdered,  and  collected 
in  a club  behind.  His  complexion  was  exceedingly  fair,  and 
varying  from  this  only  by  the  almost  feminine  rosiness  of 
his  cheeks.  His  might  be  considered,  as  to  figure  and  color, 
a very  handsome  face.  When  at  rest  it  bad  rather  a severe 
and  thoughtful  expression  ; but  when  engaged  in  conversa- 
tion it  easily  assumed  an  attractive  smile.  He  was  expected 
one  day  [the  writer  is  speaking  of  as  late  a period  as  179.>] 
at  dinner,  and  was  the  last  who  came.  When  he  entered  the 
room  it  was  apparent  from  the  respeciful  attention  of  the 
company  that  he  was  a distinguished  individual.  Ho  was 
dressed  in  a blue  coat  with  bright  buttons;  the  skirts  of  his 
coat  were  unusually  long.  He  wore  a white  waistcoat,  black 
silk  small  clothes,  white  silk  stockings.  The  gentleman  who 
received  him  as  a guest,  introduced  him  to  such  of  the  com- 
pany as  were  strangers  to  him  ; to  each  he  made  a formal  bow, 
bending  very  low,  the  ceremony  of  shaking  bamls  not  being 
observed,  d he  fame  of  Hamilton  hail  reached  everv  one  who 
knew  anything  of  public  men.  His  appearance  and  deport- 
ment accorded  with  the  dignified  distinction  to  which  he  had 
attained  in  public  opinion.  At  dinner,  whenever  he  engagi  d 
in  the  conversation,  every  one  listened  attentively.  His 
mode  of  speaking  was  deliberate  and  serious;  and  his  voice 
engagingly  pleasant.  In  the  evening  of  the  same,  he  was  in 
a mixed  assembly  of  both  sexes;  and  the  tranquil  reserve, 
noticed  at  the  dinner  table,  had  given  place  to  a social  and 
playtnl  manner,  as  though  in  this  alone  he  was  ambitions  to 
excel.”  — Familiar  Letters  on  Public  Characters  and  Public 
Etents,  from  the  Peace  of  1783  to  the  Peace  of  1815.  Bos- 
ton, lS3l 


2i': 

to  Wa.'^lilngtoii’s  lieadquiirter.s  wils  pas- 
sing through  a field  — then  on  the  out- 
skirts of  the  city,  now  in  the  heart  of  it,< 
busiest  quarter,  and  known  as  “ the  parlx” 
— he  paused  to  notice  a provincitil  coin 
pany  of  artillery,  and  was  struck  with 
its  able  pcrfornuinees,  and  with  the  tact 
and  tiilent  of  its  coininander.  He  was  a 
mere  j'outh,  apparently  about  twenty 
years  of  age;  siiiall  in  jierson  and  stature, 
but  remarkable  for  his  alert  and  manly 
bearing.  It  was  Alexander  Hamilton. 

“Greene  was  an  able  tactician  and 
quick  to  appreciate  any  display  of  mili- 
tary science;  a little  conversation  sufficed 
to  convince  him  that  the  3'outh  before 
him  had  a mind  of  no  ordinaiy  grasp  and 
quickness.  He  invited  him  to  his  quar- 
ters, and  from  that  time  cultivated  hi> 
friendship.” 

Washington  followed  the  army  to  New 
York,  where  he  arrived  on  Saturday,  the 
thirteenth  of  April,  having  passed  through 
Providence,  Norwich,  and  New  London. 
While  at  the  latter  place.  Commodore 
Hopkins  put  into  the  harbor  after  a cruise 
which  was  not  supposed,  to  redound  much 
to  the  fame  of  the  embryo  provincial 
navy.  It  will  be  recollected  that  Con- 
gress had  in  Decemlier  establi.shed  the 
basis,  however  humble,  of  a naval  force. 
The  following  were  the  resolutions  passed 
at  that  time  (December  22d,  1775.) 

“Piesolved  that  the  following  naval  offi 
cersbe appointed:  Ezek  Hopkins, Esquire, 
commander-in-chief;  Dudley  Salterstall, 
captain  of  the  Alfred  ; Abraham  Whip- 
ple, captain  of  the  Columbus;  Nicholas 
Biddle,  captain  of  the  Andrea  Dora;  John 
B.  Hopkins,  captain  of  the  Cabot.  First 


A I.  E X A N D E R 1 1 A IM 1 1/f  0 X. 


268  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

Lieutenants,  John  Paul  Jones,  Rhodes 

south Avard,  in  order  to  try  to  fall  in  with 

Arnold, Stanshuiy,  Heysted  Hacker, 

Lord  Dunmore’s  fleet,  and  stop  its  ravages 

and  Jonathan  Pitcher.  Second  lieuten- 

on  the  co.ast,  sailed  in  that  direction  on 

ants,  Benjamin  Se.abury,  Joseph  Olney, 

the  seventeenth  of  Febru.ary.  He  Avas 

Llisha  Warner,  Thomas  Weaver,  and 

on  the  third  night  out,  going  before  the 

McDoufral.  Third  lieutenants,  John 

Avind  Avith  a stiff  breeze,  Avhen  the  Horne 

Fanning,  Ezekiel  Burroughs,  and  Daniel 

and  Fly  parted  comp.any  and  Avere  not 

Vaughan. 

again  seen  during  the  cruise. 

Most  of  the  vessels  were  purchased, 

Ab.aco,  in  the  Bah.amas,  Avas  the  place 

and  ill  .adapted  for  the  purpose  intended. 

of  rendezvous  appointed,  AAdiich  Avas 

There  w.as  not  a toler.able  sailer  in  the 

reached  in  fifteen  d.ays,  Avithout  .any  oc- 

whole  fleet.  The  Alfred  Avas  the  largest 

currence  of  moment.  The  island  of  New 

of  them  all,  and  she  had  only  a main-deck 

Providence  being  but  a short  distance  .and 

batter}^  of  twenty,  and  quarter-deck  and 

knoAvn  to  contain  a supply  of  military 

forecastle  guns,  varying  from  tAvo  to  ten. 

stores,  Hopkins  determined  to  m.ake  a 

It  Avas  on  board  this  vessel  that  the  first 

descent  upon  it.  Accordingly,  setting 

Americ.an  man-of-war  ensign  Avas  ever 

sail  one  night,  he  landed  on  the  island  ear- 

hoisted,  and  it  Avas  done  by  John  Paul 

ly  the  next  morning  some  three  hundred 

Jones,  then  a lieutenant,  of  some  of  Avhose 

marines,  aaJio  met  Avith  no  resistance 

future  more  important  deeds  Ave  shall 

until  a fort  Av.as  re.ached  .at  some  distance 

liaA^e  occasion  to  spe.ak.  The  device  of 

from  the  place  Avhere  they  had  debarked. 

that  flag  is  supposed  to  have  been  the 

Here,  .as  they  .appro.ached,  the  garrison 

Massachusetts  one  of  a pine  tree,  Avith 

fired  a volley  at  them,  and  then  spiking 

the  .addition  borroAved  from  Virginia  of 

the  guns  retired.  The  Americans  t.akim: 

a coiled  r.attlesnake  about  to  strike,  and 

posse.ssion  of  the  fort  tarried  there  until 

the  motto,  “Don’t  tread  on  me.”  The 

next  day,  AA'hen  they  marched  into  the 

squadron, consisting  of  the  Alfred  tAventy- 

toAvn  AAothout  interruption.  The  of- 

four  guns,  Columbus  twenty,  Dora  four- 

fleer  in  comm.and  Avent  straightAvay  to 

teen,  and  C.abot  fourteen,  h.aving  been 

the  governor  .and  dem.andlng  the  keys, 

got  ready  for  sea,  rendezvoused  under 

AAdiich  Avere  given  up  at  once,  entered  the 

C.ape  Henlopen  early  in  February.  Soon 

fort  AAMthin  the  toAvn,  AAdiere  Av.as  found  a 

after  they  Avere  joined  by  the  Hornet  ten, 

good  supply  of  cannon  and  mortars. 

Wasp  eight,  and  Fly,  three  small  vessels 

There  Av.as,  liOAveA’er,  no  poAvder,  for  the 

Avhich  had  been  equipped  at  Baltimore. 

gOA^ernor,  haAung  taken  the  alarm,  had 

Hopkins, Avho  h.ad  received  from  Congress 

sent  it  .all  off  the  iiio-ht  before.  After 

tlie  title  of  commander-in-chief,  Avas  gen- 

having  shipped  their  plunder,  and  taken 

ei’ally  spoken  of  by  the  sailors  as  commo- 

on  board  the  governor,  his  lieutenant, 

dore,  although  not  seldom  styled  admiral. 

and  a counsellor,  the  squadron  put  to  sea 

The  commodore,  .as  Ave  sh.all  call  him, 

aai-ain  on  a cruise. 

having  received  orders  to  cruise  to  the 

Hopkins’  course  Avas  iioav  to  the  north 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  AN  ESCAPP]  ^ ‘ifiO 


and  on  reaching  the  east  end  of  Long 
^ ^ island  he  captured  a British 

''^*'**  * schooner,  and  on  the  day  after  a 
bomb  brig  of  eii>ht  guns  in  command  of 
a son  of  the  Wallace  who  had  rendered 
himself  so  notorious  on  the  New  England 
coast  by  his  brutal  violence.  As  the 
American  squadron,  somewhat  scattered, 
was  moving  on  during  the  night-watch, 
with  a light  breeze  and  smooth  sea,  an 
enemy’s  ship  was  observed  bearing  down 
apparently  for  the  Alfred.  Shortly,  how- 
ever, she  went  on  another  track,  which 
brought  her  in  the  direction  of  the  Cabot, 
when  the  younger  Hopkins,  who  com- 
manded the  latter,  closed  in  with  his  lit- 
tle vessel  and  fired  a broadside  thoimh 

O 

with  not  much  effect,  as  his  metal  was 
too  light  to  do  much  damage  to  his  for- 
midable opponent.  The  enemy  returned 
the  fire  with  much  greater  force,  and  can- 
nonaded the  Cabot  so  heavily  that  she 
was  obliged  to  haul  off,  with  her  captain 
severely  wounded,  her  master  and  several 
of  the  crew  killed,  and  her  hull  and  rig- 
ging badly  damaged.  The  Alfred  now 
bore  up  and  ranged  alongside  of  the  Brit- 
ish ship,  which  proved  to  be  the  Glasgow 
of  twenty  guns.  Captain  Tyringham 
Howe.  The  two  were  at  once  eno-ai^ed 
as  hot  as  possible,  broadside  to  broadside, 
and  both  were  delivering  their  fires  with 
great  spirit  Avhen  the  Providence  came 
up  under  the  stern  of  the  enemy,  and  the 
Dora  approached  near  enough  to  give 
some  effect  to  her  guns.  For  nearly  an 
hour  the^^  were  thus  briskly  keeping  up 
the  fight,  when  a shot  from  the  Glasgow 
unfortunately  carried  away  the  block  and 
wheel  rope  of  the  Alfred,  which  made 


her  unmanageable,  and  she  broached  to. 
This  gave  the  British  ship  an  opportuni- 
ty to  rake  her  effectually.  The  day  was 
now  beg^innino:  to  dawn,  and  Howe  could 
see,  as  the  several  vessels  of  the  Ameri- 
can squadron  bore  up,  the  strength  of 
his  antagonist.  He  accordingly  found  it 
prudent  to  give  up  the  battle,  and  making 
all  sail  he  could  crowd  upon  his  ship  stood 
ill  for  Newport. 

The  squadron  did  its  best  to  overtake 
him,  and  kept  up  a running  fire  in  pur- 
suit, but  the  Glasgow  proved  the  better 
sailer  and  distanced  the  American  vessels 
which  were  so  deep  with  the  stores  with 
which  they  had  been  laden  at  New  Prov- 
idence, and  not  very  fast  goers  at  their 
best,  that  they  could  not  keep  up.  Hop- 
kins, as  they  approached  Newport,  fear- 
ing that  the  British  fleet  oft’  that  harbor 
might  come  out,  gave  up  the  chase,  and, 
contenting  himself  with  the  capture  of 
the  Glasgow’s  tender,  took  his  vessels  into 
New  London. 

The  enemy  was  a ship  of  twenty  guns, 
with  a crew  of  a hundred  and  tw'eiity 
souls,  and  was  well  appointed  in  every 
respect,  as  she  was  well  handled  by  her 
commander.  Her  loss  was  sliiz-ht,  how- 
ever,  having  had  only  one  man  killed  and 
three  wounded.  The  Alfred  had  six  men 
killed  and  six  wounded.  The  Cabot  had 
four  killed  and  seven  wounded,  and  one 
man  on  board  the  Columbus  lost  his  arm 
fi'om  a shot  from  the  enemy  during  the 
chase.  The  hull  and  rigging  on  both 
sides  wmre  well  cut  up,  and  showed  the 
severity  of  the  encounter. 

Hopkins’  conduct  Avas  so  much  disap- 
proved that  he  was  summoned  to  answer 


J 


270 

Cor  it  before  Con(>:ress.  He  was  charged 
with  disobedience  of  orders  for  having 
returned  northward  after  Ids  descent  up- 
on New  Providence,  as  that  action  was 
deemed  a poor  compensation  for  the  ex- 
pense of  fitting  out  a fleet,  and  liy  no 
means  an  heroic  beginning  to  the  history 
ot‘  the  American  navy.  Hopkins, 
May  I reaching  Philadelphia,  did  not 
succeed  in  satisfying  Congress  as  to  the 
propriety  of  his  conduct,  and  he  conse- 
quently received  the  censure  of  the  house. 

Washington  preceded  the  arrival  of 
some  of  his  troops,  which  had  set  out  on 
the  same  day  with  him  from  Cambridge. 
Although  on  his  journey  he  had  done 
everything  in  his  power  to  expedite  the 
march,  he  found,  from  the  badness  of  the 
roadsand  the  difficulty  of  procuring  teams 
for  bringing  the  stores  and  baggage,  that 
his  army  would  be  still  delayed  for  a 
week  or  more  in  reaching  New  York. 

Washington,  being  now,  after  the  tri- 
umph of  Boston,  relieved  from  the  duties 
of  conducting  aspecial  military  operation, 
began  to  be  more  conscious  of  the  scope 
of  the  cause  of  which  he  had  been  chosen 
leader.  He  had  given  up  all  hopes  of 
reconciliation  with  the  mother-country, 
and  confessed  freely  his  conviction  that 
he  was  engaged  in  a struggle  not  only 
for  freedom  but  independence.  He  gave 
but  little  heed  to  what  he  heard  of  the 
plans  of  the  British  for  negotiation  with 
(he  view  to  bring  back  the  colonies  to 
(heir  lo^adty.  He  Avas  told  that  the  Eng- 
lish government  was  about  to  send  over 
a large  number  of  commissioners  to  Amer- 
ica, and  that  they  were  to  make  advances 
to  the  colonies  separately.  Mark  how 


[rAKT  II. 

he  scouts  the  idea!  “The  account  given 
of  the  business  of  the  commissioners  from 
England  seems  to  be  of  a piece  Avitb 
Lord  North’s  conciliatory  motion  last 
year,  built  upon  the  same  foundation,  and. 
if  true,  that  they  are  to  be  divided  among 
the  colonies  to  offer  terms  of  pardon,  it 
is  as  insulting  as  that  nation ; and  only 
designed,  after  stopping  all  intercourse 
with  us,  to  set  us  up  to  vieAV  in  Great 
Britain  as  a people  that  will  not  hearken 
to  any  propositions  of  peace.  Was  there 
ever  anything  more  absurd  than  to  repeal 
the  very  acts  which  have  introduced  all 
this  confusion  and  bloodshed,  and  at  the 
same  enact  a law  to  restrain  all  intercourse 
with  the  colonies  for  opposing  them  ? 
The  drift  and  designs  are  obvious;  but 
is  it  possible  that  any  sensible  nation  upon 
earth  can  be  imposed  upon  by  such  a cob 
web  scheme  or  gauze  covering?  But 
enough.” 

This  was  written  while  he  was  at  Cam- 
bridge, and  although  emphatic  in  denun- 
ciation of  British  policy,  it  still  shows 
from  the  very  fact  of  arguing  the  ques- 
tion, that  there  Avas  in  Washington’s  heart 
alurkinghope  of  accommodation.  Again, 
still  in  Cambridge,  he  Avrites:  “If  the 
commissioners  do  not  come  over  Avith 
full  and  ample  powers  to  treat  Avith  Con- 
gress, I sincerely  wish  they  may  neA'er 
put  their  feet  on  American  ground,  as  it 
must  be  self-evident,  in  the  other  case, 
that  they  Avill  come  over  Avith  insiduous 
intentions,  to  distract,  divide,  and  create 
as  much  confusion  as  ^Aossible.  Hoaa',  then, 
can  any  man,  let  his  passion  for  reconcil- 
iation be  ever  so  strong,  be  so  blinded 
and  misled  as  to  embrace  a measure  evi 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


r 

RICVOLUTIONAKV.]  A\’ASI1  INGTON 

IN  NEW  YORK.  271 

dently  designed  for  his  destruction  ? No 

by  their  relations  with  Governor  Tryon 

man  does,  no  man  can  wish  the  restora- 

and  the  enemy’s  ships  in  the  harbor,  and 

tion  of  peace  more  fervently  than  I do ; 

news  had  arrived  of  the  great  prepara- 

but  I hope,  whenever  made,  it  will  be  on 

tions  made  by  the  British  ministers  to 

1 

such  terms  as  will  reflect  honor  upon  the 

crush,  as  they  believed,  the  “ rebels.” 

councils  and  wisdom  of  America.”  This, 

With  these  cares  and  labors  we  can 

too,  is  emphatic  language,  but  it  does  not 

well  understand  how  Washington  should 

express  such  a decided  hopelessness  of 

be  so  devoted  to  business  as  to  declare, 

England  as  that  which,  onl}^  a fortnight 

“ I give  in  to  no  kind  of  amusement  my- 

later,  he  uses  in  writin”:  to  John  Adams. 

self;  and  consequently  those  about  me 

It  is  true  Washino-ton  beatins,  “I 

can  have  none,  but  are  confined  from 

have  ever  thought,”  but  he  has 

morning  till  evening,  hearing  and  answer- 

not  before  given  such  a definite  form  to 

ing  the  applications  and  letters  of  one 

his  views.  “I  have  ever  thought,”  he 

and  another.”  To  his  brother  Augustine, 

says,  “and  am  still  of  opinion,  that  no 

too,  he  gives  “ the  hurry  and  multiplicity 

terms  of  accommodation  will  be  offered 

of  business  in  which  I am  constantly  en- 

by  the  British  ministry,  but  such  as  can 

gaged  from  the  time  I rise  out  of  my  bed 

not  be  accepted  by  America.  We  have 

until  I go  into  it  again”  as  the  true  cause 

nothing,  my  dear  sir,  to  depend  upon  but 

for  not  writing  oftener. 

the  protection  of  a kind  Providence,  and 

Washington,  however, struggled  brave- 

unanimity  among  ourselves.” 

ly  with  all  these  cares  and  embarrassments. 

While  Washington  became  thus  con- 

He  sent  as  many  troops  as  he  could  spare 

vinced  of  the  greatness  and  probable 

to  Canada.  He  checked  the  lories  by 

length  of  the  struggle  in  Avhich  he  was 

putting  a stop  to  their  correspondence 

engaged,  he  found  himself  plunged  deeper 

with  the  enemy, by  his  own  decided  meas- 

and  deeper,  from  day  to  day,  in  the  per- 

ures,  and  a firm  and  dignified  appeal  to 

plexities,  troubles,  dissensions,  and  com- 

the  New  York  committee  of  safety.  He 

plications  of  business,  his  military  leader- 

only  succeeded  after  much  difficulty  in 

ship  of  the  patriot  cause  necessarily  in- 

gathering  together  an  army  of  ten  thou- 

volved  him.  The  recruiting  went  on 

sand  men, and  while  disciplining  them  and 

slowly,  and  when  troops  were  got  it  was 

keeping  them  busy  at  the  works  of  de- 

hard  to  find  equipments  for  them.  There 

fence,  strove,  by  every  effort,  to  prepare 

was  equal  difficulty  in  obtaining  arms 

himself  for  the  enemy. 

and  men.  Provision  was  not  only  to  be 

Washington  was  perplexed  about  the 

made  for  the  defence  of  New  York  and 

intentions  of  Howe,  who,  with  his  army 

Long  island,  but  reinforcements  were  to 

strongly  reinforced  by  troops  from  Great 

be  sent  to  Canada.  Officers  were  com- 

Britain,  might  be  daily  expected  to  arrive 

plaining  for  want  of  pay,  and  militia-men 

and  begin  the  • campaign.  The  whole 

were  insisting  upon  returning  home.  The 

American  army  was  so  small  as  yet  that 

lories  of  New  York  were  exciting  anxiety 

to  make  it  effective  it  was  necessary  to 

272 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PAKT  II. 


concentrate  the  forces.  When  Congress, 
therefore,  requested  the  opinion  of  Wash- 
ington as  to  whether  it  was  necessary  to 
send  more  troops  to  Canada,  he  answer- 
ed them  in  these  dubious  words:  “With 

respect  to  sending  more  troops 
April  26*  , , , T 11  1 

to  ttiat  country,  i am  really  at 

a loss  Avhat  to  advise,  as  it  is  impossible 
at  present  to  know  the  designs  of  the 
enemy.  Should  they  send  the  whole  force 
under  General  Howe  up  the  river  St. 


Lawrence  to  relieve  Quebec  and  recover 
Canada,  the  troops  gone  and  now  going 
wall  be  insufficient  to  stop  their  progress ; 
and  should  they  think  proper  to  send 
that  or  an  equal  force  this  way  from  Great 
Britain,  for  the  purpose  of  possessing  this 
city  and  securing  the  navigation  of  Hud- 
son’s river,  the  troops  left  here  will  not 
be  sufficient  to  oppose  them  ; and  yet  for 
anything  we  know,  I think  it  not  improb- 
able they  may  attempt  both.” 


CHAPTER  XVI  IT. 


Arnold  at  Montreal. — Tlie  Disaster  at  the  “ Cedars.” — Arnold  sends  forward  a Deputation  of  Caglinawaga  Indians. — Ar- 
nold arrives  at  St.  Annes. — Perplexed. — Takes  a View  of  the  Kneiny. — Uetircs. — Comes  to  Terms  with  the  Enemy 
though  unwillingly. — General  Sullivan. — Ills  Life. — Affairs  in  Canada. — Sullivan  sanguine. — Washington  gives  him 
some  Discreet  Advice — Washington’s  Opinion  of  Sullivan. — 'I'hompson  sent  hy'  Sullivan  to  attack  the  Enemy  at  Three 
Rivers. — The  unfortunate  Uesult. — Sanguine  Sullivan  triumphing  in  an  imaginary  Victory. — His  bright  Anticipations 
clouded. — His  Retreat. — The  Enemy  strengthened  hv  fresh  Troops. — Rurgoyne  leading  the  Advance.  — Sullivan  pur- 
sued.— Arnold  abandons  Montreal,  and  retreats  with  the  Enemy  close  at  his  Heels. — Junction  with  Sullivan  at  St. 
Johns. — Arnold’s  Energy  and  Courage. — The  last  Man  to  leave  the  Enemy’s  Shores. — Sullivan  reaches  Crown  Point. 
— The  end  of  the  Northern  Campaign. — Adams’s  Survey  of  its  Misfortunes. 


ApTJiR  Arnold  bad, in  consequence 
177G  ^ ^ 

of  his  accident  and  his  dissatisfaction 

with  the  bearing  of  General  Wooster,  his 
superior  in  command,  retired  to  Montreal, 
he  remained  there  for  several  weeks  with 
little  inclination,  in  consequence  of  illness, 
for  service,  and  without  any  especial  work 
to  do.  He  was  now,  however,  aroused 
to  activity  by  the  disaster  at  the  “ Cedars,” 
which  he  determined  to  make  an  effort 
to  repair.  Before  tracing  Arnold’s  move- 
ments, however,  let  us  describe  the  affair 
which  prompted  them. 

Early  in  May  three  hundred  and  ninety 
Americans  were  posted,  under  Colonel 
Beadle,  in  a small  fort  at  a place  called 


the  Cedars,  situated  on  the  St.  Lawrenc*' 
about  forty  miles  above  Montreal.  Cap- 
tain Forster,  a British  olKcer  with  forty 
regulars,  a hundred  Canadians,  and  five 
hundred  Indians,  descended  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Oswegatchie,  and  approach- 
ed the  fort.  The  American  colonel  in 
command,  as  soon  as  he  became  aware 
of  this  approach,  cowardly  hurried  off  to 
Montreal,  under  the  plea  of  seeking  re- 
inforcements, and  left  the  command  of 
the  garrison  to  Major  Butterfield,  who, 
emulating  the  faintheartedness  of  his  su- 
perior, surrendered  the  fort  to  Forster 
without  a blow. 

Major  Henry  Sherbourne  was  immedi 


i “ ^ ~~ 

KKVOLiniONARY.]  AFFAIR  AT  THE  CEDARS.  273 

1 

ately,  on  the  arrival  of  Beadle  at  Montre- 
al, althongli  that  discreet  colonel  refused 
liiinself  to  return,  despatched  with  one 
liundred  and  forty  men  to  reinforce  the 
p-arrison  at  the  Cedars.  Sherbourne,  liow- 
ever,  was  too  late,  for  the  garrison  had 
surrendered  the  day  before  he  had  got 
across  Lake  St.  Louis.  He,  however,  was 
not  aware  of  the  fact,  and  leaving  forty 
of  his  men  as  a rear  guard,  pushed  on 
with  the  hundred  others,  and  had  reached 
within  five  miles  of  the  fort,  when  he 
was  set  upon  by  five  hundred  Canadians 
and  Indians  from  under  the  cover  of  a 
thick  wood.  The  Americans  defended 
themselves  as  best  they  could  for  more 
than  an  hour  and  a half  against  the  fire 
of  the  enemy,  but  were  finally  completely 
overwhelmed  by  the  Indians,  who  rushed 
upon  and  disarmed  tlieni.  They  had  al- 
ready lost  in  action  twenty-eight  killed 
and  wounded,  when  many  more  were 
massacred  in  cold  blood  by  the  savages, 
and  the  rest,  being  stripped  almost  naked, 
were  driven  to  the  fort  and  delivered  up 
to  Captain  Forster,  from  whom  the  Amer- 
icans now  learned,  for  the  first  time,  that 
Butterfield  Inad  surrendered  himself  and 
garrison.  The  enemy  had  but  some 
twenty-two  killed,  among  whom  was  a 
chief  of  the  Senecas,  whose  death  greatly 
excited  the  ferocity  of  the  savages. 

This  was  the  affair  at  the  Cedars  which 
had  stirred  Arnold  to  reveime,  and  he 
hastened  with  about  eiti-ht  hundred  men 
to  inflict  it.  On  setting  out,  he  sent  for- 
ward some  Cap-linawap-a  Indians  in  his 

O O 

interest,  to  demand  of  the  hostile  savages 
to  deliver  up  the  American  prisoners  at 
once,  or  in  case  they  refused,  to  declare 

to  them  that  he  would  sacrifice  every  In- 
dian who  should  fall  into  his  hands,  and 
burn  their  villages. 

On  reaching  St.  Annes,  at  the 
. . ^ .1  • , n May  26. 

western  extremity  of  the  island 

upon  which  Montreal  is  built,  Arnold  and 
his  men  could  see  the  American  prisoners, 
as  they  Avere  being  taken  off  b}^  the  ene- 
my in  their  batteaux  from  an  island  about 
a league  distant,  and  conveyed  to  the  op- 
posite shore  of  the  St.  LaAvrence.  Arnold 

AA'as  noAv  impatient  for  the  arrival  of  his 
batteaux  Avhich  Avere  coming  doAvn  the  riv- 
er, but  which  he  and  most  of  his  men,  haA'- 
ing  reached  by  land,  had  preceded.  The 
batteaux  Avere  delayed  until  sunset,  and 
in  the  meantime  Arnold’s  CaghneAvagas 
came  back  Avith  an  ansAver  to  his  demand 
and  a threat  from  the  hostile  Indians, avIio 
sent  AAmrd  that  they  had  five  hundred 
Amen  prisoners  in  their  poAver,  whom 

they  Avoiild  put  to  deatn  if  any  attempi 

Avas  made  to  rescue  them,  and  give  no 
quarter  to  any  others  they  might  capture. 

Arnold  Avas  perplexed.  “Torn,”  he 
says,  “ by  the  conflicting  passions  of  re- 
venge and  humanity ; a sufficient  force 
to  take  ample  revenge,  raging  for  action, 
urged  me  on  one  hand : and  humanity 
for  five  hundred  unhappy  Avretches,  Avho 
Avere  on  the  point  of  being  sacrificed  if 
our  vengeance  Avas  not  delayed,  pleaded 
equally  strong  on  the  other.”  He,  Iioaa'- 
ever,  decided  not  to  turn  back,  and  crowd- 
ing his  men  into  the  batteaux,  roAved 
to  the  island  Avhence  he  had  seen  the 
prisoners  taken  off  He  found  there  fiA  e 
Americans  still  left,  Avho  Avere  almost 
bare  of  clothes  and  nearly  finnished 
From  these  he  learned  that  all  the  others 

_ 

1 


BA'rTLP:S  OF  AMERICA. 


>7  A 

hail  been  carried  off  to  Qiiinze  Cliiens, 
with  the  exception  of  two  who,  being 
too  ill  to  move,  had  been  killed.  Arnold 
now  crossed  with  his  boats  toward  Qninze 
Cliiens,  which  was  about  four  miles  below 
on  the  opposite  shore.  When  within  less 
than  a mile  of  the  shore,  the  enemy  be- 
gan firing  at  him  Avith  their  field-pieces 
and  musketry.  As  the  day  was  closing, 
and  Arnold,  not  knoAvdng  the  ground, 
feared  to  expose  his  men  to  the  ri.sks  of 
a night  attack,  he  returned. 

On  reaching  St.  Amies  in  the  eA^ening, 
a council-of-Avar  AA'as  immediatel}^  called, 
when  it  Avais  determined  by  all  the  offi- 
cers that  an  attack  should  be  made  on 
the  next  morning.  The  AAdiole  force  AAaas 
astir  Avith  busy  preparations  until  past 
midnight,  Avhen  a flag  of  truce  Avas  ob- 
served eoming  from  the  enemy.  It  AAaas 
borne  by  Lieutenant  Park,  AAdio  came  to 
'^ubmit  to  Arnold  a copy  of  the  articles 
which  had  been  agreed  to  betAA'een  Major 
Sherbourne  and  Captain  Forster  for  the 
excha.nge  of  prisoners — Sherbourne  hav- 
ing been  informed  by  Forster  that  the 
jirisoners  Avho  Avere  croAvded  together  in 
the  church  at  Quinze  Cliiens  Avould  cer- 
tainly fall  a prey  to  the  savages,  Avhose 
ferocity  that  British  officer  professed  to 
be  unable  to  control,  unless  the  Ameri- 
caiis  submitted  to  the  terms  proposed. 
Siierbourne,  under  these  circumstances, 
Avas  forced  to  sign  them,  and  Arnold  AA'as 
noAV  expected  to  confirm  the  act  of  his 
subordinate  in  command.  Arnold  AA'as 
greatly  vexed  that  he  should  be  thus 
balked  of  his  purpose  by  this  ungenerous 
advantage  talcen  by  the  enemy,  and, 
< Hough  he  longed  to  have  his  revenge 


upon  “these  sa  Adages  and  still  more  savage 
British  troops,”  could  not  but  give  heed 
to  the  proposition,  as  Captain  Forster  de- 
clared positively,  that  the  fate  of  the 
American  prisoners  depended  upon  his 
confirmation  of  Sherbourne’s  capitulation. 

There  Avas  one  condition  AAdiich  Arnold 
rejected  at  once  Avithout  hesitation.  By 
this  it  AA'as  insisted  that  the  American 
prisoners  should  not  again  take  up  arms, 
and  that  they  should  pledge  themselves 
not  to  give  any  information,  by  Avord  of 
mouth,  or  AAU’iting,  or  by  signs,  Avhich 
might  be  prejudicial  to  his  majjesty’s  ser- 
vice. The  other  terms,  having  been  mod- 
ified by  Arnold  and  consented  to  by  For- 
ster, Avere  finally  agreed  to.  By  these  it 
AA'as  arranged  that  the  Americans  should 
be  released  on  parole,  in  exchange  for 
British  prisoners  of  equal  rank,  and  repn 
ration  made  for  all  property  AAdiich  had 
been  destroyed  by  the  continental  troops. 
It  AA'as  moreoA'er  added,  that  four  Ameri- 
can captains  should  be  sent  to  Quebec, 
and  remain  as  hostages  until  the  exchange 
should  be  effected,  Avhile  six  days  AA'ere 
alloAA'ed  to  the  British  for  the  delivery  of 
the  prisoners  at  St.  Johns.  Congress  re- 
fused to  ratify  these  terms,  although 
Washington  expressed  strongly  the  opin- 
ion that  it  Avas  a military  convention, 
AA'hich,  although  extorted  by  a barbarous 
threat,  Avas  sufficiently  regular  to  be  bind- 
ing. Arnold  returned  to  Montreal,  foil 
of  fierce  rage  at  being  tliAA'arted  in  his 
revenge,  and  burned  for  a more  fiivorable 
occasion  to  give  it  vent. 

General  John  Sullivan,  it  Avill  be  recol 
lected,  had  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  tlie 
Sorel  Avith  reinforcements,  and  a.ssumed 


1 

REVOLUTIONARY. J ClIAR.VOTKIl  OF  SULLIVAN.  9.l~^ 

! 

1 

1 

the  command  of  the  troops,  immediately 

hitherto  been  picked  up  in  diflerent  parts 

! 

after  the  death  of  Thomas.  Sullivan  was 

of  the  country.”  Sullivan’s  presence,  ac- 

a New-Eng'land  man,  having  been  born 

cording  to  his  own  letters,  which  gener 

at  Berwick,  Maine,  in  1740.  He  was  now 

ally  gave  a more  rose-colored  view  (d 

in  the  vigor  of  life,  and  although  origin- 

things  than  was  justified  by  reality,  pro- 

ally  a farmer,  and  subsequently  a lawyer. 

duced  a most  encouraging  effect  upon  the 

he  had  already,  in  addition  to  the  usual 

hi  thertosuflering  and  disheartened  troops. 

military  training  of  his  fellow-])rovincial.s. 

“It  was,”  he  writes,  “I'eally  affecting 

acquired  some  military  experience.  After 

to  see  the  banks  of  the  Sorel  lined  with 

retiring  fiom  the  continental  Congres.'^, 

men,  women,  and  children,  leaping  and 

of  which  he  had  been  a member,  he  made 

clapping  their  hands  for  joy,  to  see  me 

his  first  essay  in  warfare  as  a joint  leader. 

arrive;  it  gave  no  le.ss  joy  to  Geneiiil 

with  Langdon,  the  speaker  of  the  New 

Thompson,  who  seemed  to  be  wholl}^  for- 

Hampshire  Congress,  of  a small  party  of 

saken,  and  left  to  fight  against  an  ime- 

continentals  in  an  attack  on  Fort  William 

qual  force  or  retieat  before  them.”  He 

and  Mary  at  Portsmouth,  and  succeeded 

i continued  to  write  in  the  same  strain,  and 

in  carrying  off  all  the  cannon.  On  the 

while  every  one  else  was  down  with  de- 

organization  of  the  American  army,  in 

spair,  he  was  exalted  with  confident  hope. 

1775,  Sullivan  was  appointed  one  of  the 

“I  venture  to  a.ssure  you,”  he  writes  lo 

eight  brigadier-generals,  and  in  ’76,  a 

Wa.shington,  “ and  the  Congres.s,  that  1 

major-general.  Having  served  under 

can,  in  a few  days,  reduce  the  army  to 

VYashington  at  the  siege  of  Boston,  he 

order,  and  with  the  assistance  of  a kind 

now,  so  rapid  was  the  experience  of  those 

Providence,  put  a new  face  to  our  affairs 

days,  presented  himself  with  almost  the 

here,  which,  a few  days  since,  seemed  al- 

claims  of  a military  veteran. 

most  impossible.”  It  was  no  wonder, 

Affairs  in  Canada  seemed  to  have  been 

then,  that  with  such  an  expression  of  san- 

in  the  worst  possible  condition  just  pre- 

guine  self-confidence  from  Sullivan,  that 

vious  to  the  arrival  of  Sullivan,  foi-  the 

Washington  himself,  in  .spite  of  the  cool 

comniLSsioners  sent  there  by  Congress 

calculations  of  the  Congressional  com- 

give thisdoleful account:  “Youwill  have,” 

missioners,  and  the  melancholy  forebo- 

llaj  27  from  Montreal, 

dings  of  the  saturnine  Schuyler,  should 

“a  faint  idea  of  our  situation,  if 

grow  more  hopeful. 

you  figure  to  yourself  an  army,  broken 

“Before  it  [the  letter  from  Sullivan  just 

and  disheartened,  half  of  it  under  inocu- 

quoted]  came  to  hand,”  writes  Washing- 

lation  and  other  diseases,  soldiers  without 

ton,  “1  almost  dreaded  to  hear  from  Can- 

pay,  without  discipline,  and  altogether 

ada,  as  my  advices  seemed  to  promi.-e 

reduced  to  live  from  hand  to  mouth,  de- 

nothing  favorable,  but  rather  further  mis- 

])euding  on  the  scanty  and  precarious 

fortunes.  But  1 now  hope  that  our  af- 

.‘supplies  of  a few  half-starved  cattle,  and 

fairs,  from  the  confused,  distracted,  and 

ti'itling  quantities  of  flour,  which  have 

almost  forlorn  state,  in  which  you  fount’ 

27r,  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  fart  n. 

them,  will  emerge  and  assume  an  aspect  of 
order  and  success.”  In  a postscript,  how- 
ever, Washington  apparently  becomes 
somewhat  dubious  of  Sullivan’s  glowing 
account  of  affairs,  and  puts  him  on  his 
guard  against  the  dangers  of  deception. 
“Knowing  your  great  zeal,”  says  Wash- 
ington, “for  the  cause  of  your  country, 
and  your  desire  to  render  her  every  pos- 
sible service,  I must  caution  you  not  to 
put  too  much  to  the  hazard  in  your  ex- 
ertions to  establish  her  rights,  and  to 
receive  with  a proper  degree  of  caution 
the  professions  which  the  Canadians  may 
make.  They  have  the  character  of  an 
ingenious,  artful  people,  and  very  capable 
of  finesse  and  cunning.  Therefore,  my 
advice  i.s,  that  you  put  not  too  much  in 
their  power;  hut  seem  to  trust  them, 
rather  than  actually  do  it  too  far.  I 
would  also  have  you  keep  all  your  posts 
as  you  go,  well  secured,  to  guard  against 
an}'  treacherous  conduct.” 

Washington  knew  Sullivan  very  well, 
and  the  next  day  after  writing  the  post- 
script just  quoted,  he  had  occasion  to  give 
an  opinion  of  him,  apropos  to  a private  let- 
ter which  he  had  received,  and  from  which 
he  inferred  that  Sullivan  was  aiming  at 
the  command  in  Canada.  “Whether  he 
wants  it  or  not,”  Washington  writes,  “is 
a matter  to  be  considered ; and  that  it 
may  be  considered  with  propriety,!  think 
it  my  duty  to  observe,  as  of  my  own 
knowledge,  that  he  is  active,  .spirited,  and 
zealously  attached  to  the  cause.  That  he 
does  not  want  abilitie.s,  many  members 
of  Congress  can  testify  ; but  he  has  his 
wants,  and  he  has  his  fo.ible.s.  The  latter 
are  manifested  in  his  little  tincture  of 

vanity,  and  in  an  over  desire  of  being 
popular,  which  now  and  then  lead  him 
into  embarrassments.” 

Sullivan  was  eager  to  realize  his  san 
guine  expectations,  and  accordingly  he 
sent  out  a force  of  eighteen  hundred  men 
under  General  Thompson,  to  attack  the 
British  at  Three  Rivers,  while  he  ^ ^ 

himself  remained  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Sorel,  engaged  in  constructing  works 
for  the  defence  of  that  post.  Thompson 
in  the  meantime  having  embarked  his 
men  in  fifty  boats,  coasted  along  the  .south 
side  of  that  wide  part  of  the  St.  Lawrence 
called  Lake  St.  Peter,  until  he  reached 
Nicolet,  whence,  waiting  until  night,  he 
floated  down  the  river  and  passed  to  the 
left  bank,  within  a few  miles  of  Three 
Rivers.  It  was  intended  to  have  reached 
this  place  at  night,  in  order  to  take  the 
enemy  by  surprise.  There  had  been, 
however,  an  unexpected  delay,  so  that 
it  was  near  daylight  when  the  troops 
landed. 

In  order  to  make  up  for  the  loss  of 
time,  a forced  march  had  to  be  made,  and 
the  men  were  hurried  on  to  a run ; and 
when  they  had  thus  gone  for  several 
niile.s,  and  were  greatly  fatigued,  it  was 
discovered  that  the  wrong  road  had  been 
taken  through  the  ignorance  or  the  de- 
ception  of  the  Canadian  guide.  They 
were  obliged  to  turn  back,  and  as  they 
hurriedly  retraced  their  steps  the  day 
began  to  break,  and  all  hope  of  a night 
attack  was  gone.  They,  however,  suc- 
ceeded in  finding  the  proper  route,  and 
continued  to  move  on  briskly,  until,  by 
a turn  in  the  road,  they  came  in  sight 
of  the  enemy’s  shipping  lying  off  Three 

KKVOILTIONAUY.]  DEFEAT  AT  THREE  RIVERS.  277 

Rivers.  Thompson  knew  that  it  was  use- 

entirely  bewildered  how  to  act.  At 

/ess  to  attempt  to  conceal  his  approach, 

this  moment.  Colonel  Maxwell,  taking 

and  therefore  ordering  his  drums  to  beat 

advantage  of  the  pause  in  the  flight, 

and  fifes  to  phiy,  marched  on  until  he 

called  together  the  officers  about  him. 

came  within  range  of  the  men-of-war’s 

and  .asked,  “ Wh.at  shall  we  do  ? Shall  we 

guns,  when  he  turned  off  from  the  road 

fight  those  in  the  front  or  in  the  rear  ? 

by  the  river,  to  another  at  a right  angle 

or  sh.all  we  tamely  submit  ? or  shall  we 

with  it,  and  thus  avoided  exposure  to 

turn  oft' into  the  woods,  and  let  e.ach  man 

the  fire  of  the  enem}^  The  Americans 

shift  for  himself?” 

had,  however,  got  so  close  to  th6  ships, 

The  last  question  w^as  the  only  one 

that  the  orders  to  land,  resounding 

they  were  prepared  to  ansAver,  and  with 

through  the  speaking-trumpets  of  the 

an  affirmative  reply  to  it,  the  fugitives. 

deck-officers,  were  distinctly  heard. 

without  more  ado,  scattered  off  down  the 

Thompson  having  been  obliged  to 

hill,  and  through  the  Avoods  to  the  river. 

leave  the  route  by  the  river,  prepared  to 

As  they  fled,  the  enemy  in  their  rear  fired 

enter  the  town  by  the  rear.  When  within 

at  them,  but  fortunately  Avithout  much 

about  two  miles,  there  was  found  a great 

effect.  The  boats  had  been  removed  out 

morass,  through  which  the  men  had  to 

of  harm’s  Av.ay,  by  those  left  in  the  care 

llounder  up  to  their  waists.  They,  how- 

of  them,  .and  thus  a great  number  of  the 

ever,  succeeded  in  struggling  through, 

Americans  succeeded  in  escaping,  by 

and  reached  some  solid  ground,  where 

str.aggling  parties,  .after  Av.andering  dur- 

Thompson  was  enabled  to  form  his  men. 

ing  the  night  in  the  coA^ert  of  the  forest. 

The  enemy  were  ready,  with  a large  force 

Gener.al  Thompson  and  Colonel  Irvine, 

under  General  Fraser,  to  receive  them. 

the  second  in  command,  seAmr.al  other 

and  as  soon  as  the  Americans  betj-an  to 

o 

officers,  and  some  tAvo  hundi’ed  of  the 

advance,  they  were  met  by  so  severe  a 

men,  Avere  left  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

fire  that  they  were  staggered  at  once  and 

Avhile  nearly  th.irty  Avere  killed.  The 

thrown  into  confusion.  Thompson  tried 

king’s  troops  lost  hardly  a man.  While 

to  rally  his  men,  but  in  vain ; on  they 

this  complete  rout  of  Thompson’s  force 

fled,  each  man  looking  out  for  himself. 

AV.as  taking  place  under  the  hot  cannon- 

straggling  back  again  through  the  mo- 

ade  of  the  British,  Sullivan,  at  the  mouth 

rass,  and  making  his  way  as  rapidly  as 

of  the  Sorel  Avas  triumphing  over  an 

possible  along  the  road  by  which  he 

im.aginary  victory,  and  AVi  iting  a despatch 

had  come.  Hearing  from  the  Canadians 

full  of  sanguine  anticipations  of  Thomp- 

they  met  that  the  enemy  had  sent  a de- 

son’s  success.  “ He  h.as  proceeded,”  Avrites 

achment  with  artillery  to  seize  their 

the  confident  Sullivan,  “in  the  manner 

Doats  and  cut  off  their  retreat,  and 

proposed,  and  lu.ade  his  attack  at  d.ay- 

knowing  that  there  was  a large  body 

light,  for  at  that  time  a \'ery  heaA^y  can- 

ill  hot  pursuit  of  them,  the  strao:g;:lin<>: 

uouading  began,  Avhich  continued  Avith 

liigitives  were  brought  to  a halt,  but 

some  intervals  to  twelve  o’clock.  It  is 

J 

' 

27«  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  n 

now  near  one  p.  M.,  the  firing  has  ceased, 

and  by  a liod}-  of  mercenary  troops  from 

except  some  irregidar  firing  with  cannon, 

Brunswick  under  Baron  Beidesel,  hac 

at  a considerable  distance  of  time  one 

now  at  his  command  nearly,  thirteen 

from  the  otlier.  At  eight  o’clock  a very 

thousand  men.  When  Wooster  wa.i 

heavy  firing  of  small  arms  was  heard  even 

driven  from  before  Quebec,  Carleton 

here,  at  the  distance  of  forty-five  miles. 

moved  on  a large  force  by  land  under 

I am  almost  certain  that  victory  has  de- 

General  Fraser,  and  another  b}’’  water 

dared  in  our  favor,  as  the  irregular  firing 

under  General  Nesbitt,  to  Three  Rivers. 

of  the  cannon  for  such  a length  of  time 

These  two  had  just  made  a junction 

after  the  small  arms  ceased,  shows  that 

when  the  Americans  began  their  attack. 

our  men  are  in  possession  of  the  ground.” 

unconscious  of  the  overwhelming  num- 

Sullivan’s  bright  anticipations  were 

hers  prepared  to  receive  it.  The  result 

destined  to  be  soon  dispersed,  by  the  ar- 

was  necessarily  fatal.  Carleton  now  de- 

rival  of  the  shattei'ed  remains  of  his  force. 

termined  to  pursue  the  advantage  the 

with  a sad  account  of  their  misfortunes. 

large  numbers  of  his  troops  gave  him ; 

which  supplied  the  general  with  a less 

and  accordingly,  moving  on  his  reinforce- 

jubilant  subject  for  his  next  despatch. 

ments  as  they  arrived  at  Quebec,  he  sent 

lie  triumphed  no  longer  in  imaginary 

Burgoyne  with  a strong  advance-col mnn 

victories.  He  liad  the  sad  fact  to  com- 

to  drive  the  Americans  out  of  Canada. 

municate  of  the  total  defeat  and  discour- 

Sullivan,  now  per-suaded  of  the  neces- 

agement  of  his  officers  and  men.  He 
spoke,  however,  of  his  own  manfnl  spirit. 

sity  of  retreat,  abandoned  his 

, June  !4. 

post,  but  not  until  tlie  enemy 

and  declared  his  determination  to  hold 

were  at  his  heels  ; for  the  fleet  of  trans- 

liis  ground  as  long  as  any  person  would 

ports  arrived,  and  Burgoyne  took  pos- 

‘^stick  by”  him.  He  seemed,  in  fact,  re- 

session  of  the  works  at  the  mouth  of  the 

solved  to  keep  the  post  at  the  mouth  of 

Sorel,  only  a few  hours  after  the  rear  of 

the  Sorel,  and  went  on  strengthening  its 

the  Americans  had  left.  Sir  Guy  Carle- 

fortifications.  This,  however,  was  but  the 

ton  had  over-cautiously  ordered  Bur- 

desperation  of  an  unfortunate  general. 

goyne  not  to  pursue  his  enemy  farther 

strim^lino;  asrainst  inevitable  fate.  It  was 

up  the  river  than  St.  Johns.  This  saved 

clear  to  all  that  there  was  no  alternative 

the  Americans,  who  had  got  but  little 

but  retreat,  and  retreat  was  determined 

start  of  their  pursuers.  Sullivan  having 

u;ion.  The  Americans  had  less  than  three 

embarked  his  men,  sailed  off  with  them 

thousand  men,  discouraged  by  defeat,  sur- 

up  the  river  in  advance,  leaving  Major 

rounded  by  a hostile  people,  and  threah 

Fuller  to  follow  with  the  baggage.  The 

ened  by  an  overwhelming  British  force. 

wind  proved  favorable  and  good  progress 

Flight  afforded  the  only  hope  of  escape 

Avas  made  for  several  hours,  Avhen  the 

from  total  destruction. 

breeze  lulled,  and  the  vessels  were  be- 

Carleton,  strengthened  by  several  regi- 

calmed'  In  the  meantime  the  British 

ments  from  Flngland  under  Burgoyne, 

Avere  gaining  upon  them,  and  liad  ad- 

r‘ 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  RETREAT  OF  SULLIVAN.  279 

vanced  so  near  to  Fuller  that  he  sent  to 

der  General  Burgoyne.  They  gazed  at 

Sullivan  in  advance,  asking  for  orders 

it,  or,  in  military  phrase,  reconnoitred  it, 

what  to  do,  in  the  probable  emergency  of 

for  a short  time,  and  then  hastened  back 

being  overtaken.  The  general  promptly 

to  St.  Johns.  A boat  being  in  readiness 

sent  a hundred  batteaux  to  bring  off'  the 

to  receive  them,  the  horses  were  stripped 

men  and  baggage,  and  orders  to  burn  the 

and  shot,  the  men  Avere  ordered  on  board, 

1 

large  vessels.  The  major  had  hardly  time 

and  Arnold, refusing  all  assistance, pushed 

to  accomplish  this  duty,  before  the  enemy 

off  the  boat  Avith  his  OAvn  hand  ; thus. 

could  reach  him.  Jle  succeeded,  how- 

says  Wilkinson,  “ indulging  the  vanity  of 

ever. 

being  the  last  man  avIio  embarked  from 

Arnold  was  determined  to  hold  Mont- 

the  shores  of  the  enemy.”  The  sun  Avas 

real  until  the  last  moment ; but  hearing 

now  down  and  darkness  folloAved,  but  the 

of  the  disaster  at  Three  Rivers,  and  aware 

boat  overtook  the  army  in  the  night  at 

of  the  approach  of  the  large  force  of  the 

“ Isle  aux  Noix.” 

enemy,  he  found  that  nothing  was  left 

The  retreat  Avas  full  of  hardship  and 

him  but  to  retreat,  and  form  a junction 

danger,  but  yet  it  Avas  considered  credit- 

with  Sullivan.  He  accordingly  crossed 

able  to  Sullivan.  Though  Avorked  to  the 

from  Montreal  to  Longueil  on  the  main- 

utmost  extent  of  endurance  by  the  sever- 

land,  and  pushed  forward  to  St.  Johns, 

ity  of  their  labors,  in  the  course  of  Avhich 

“ making  a very  prudent  and  judicious 

they  had  to  drag  the^  batteaux,  lieaAuly 

retreat,  with  an  enemy  close  at  his  heels,” 

laden  Avith  cannon  and  baggage,  up  the 

for  Carleton,  with  a large  detachment,  Avas 

rapids,  and  though  threatened  constantly 

striving  to  intercept  him.  While  Arnold 

by  the  approach  of  an  overwhelming  force 

was  marching  to  St.  Johns,  the  fleet  with 

in  their  rear,  they  succeeded  in  bringing 

Burgoyne’s  troops  were  sailing  up  the 

off  all  their  boats  and  baggage,  destroying 

river  to  the  same  place,  and  would  have 

everything  that  might  be  of  aid  to  the 

arrived  at  the  same  moment,  probably. 

enemy,  and  escaping  Avitli  the  loss  on!}’ 

bad  not  the  wind  failed.  Joining  Sulli- 

of  a single  man.  After  a short  delay  at 

van  at  St.Johns,  prei)iU-ations  were  made 

the  Isle  aux  Noix,  Sullivan  continued  his 

at  once  for  embarking  the  troops.  “To 

course  along  Lake  Champlain,  until  he 

this  work,”  says  Sparhs,  “Arnold  applied 

reached  Crown  Point.  Thus  closed  the 

himself  with  his  usual  ability  and  vigil- 

campaign  of  the  northern  army,  Avhich 

ance,  remaining  behind  till  he  had  seen 

left  Canada,  as  John  Adams  expressed  it, 

every  boat  leave  the  shore  but  his  own. 

“ disgraced,  defeated,  discontented,  dis- 

lie  then  mounted  his  horse,  attended  by 

pirited,  diseased,  and  undiscijilined  ; eat 

Wilkinson,  his  aid-de-camp,  and  rode  back 

en  up  AA'ith  vermin,  no  clothes,  beds,  blan- 

two  miles,  when  he  discovered  the  ene- 

kets,  or  medicines,  and  no  victuals  but 

my’s  advanced  division  in  full  march  un- 

salt  pork  and  flour.” 

1 

'SO 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


rT04ieral  Ward  at  Boston. — A Naval  Success. — ‘‘One  Mugford.” — Capture  of  the  Hope. — Mu<;ford  "ives  the  Enemy  a 
Broadside  of  Oatlis  and  forces  liini  to  strike. — Exultation  on  a Boston  Fast-Day. — Mugford  has  another  Struggle  with 
the  Enemy. — Falls. — Victory. — General  Lincoln’s  Flan  for  driving  the  British  Cruisers  away. — Its  Success. — Arrival 
of  English  Vessels  in  the  Harbor  of  Boston. — Obstinate  Resistance. — Capture. — Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell  taken 
Prisoner. — Generals  Ward  and  Frye  Resign. — Gates  promoted  to  a Major-Generalship. — His  Life,  Character,  and  Per- 
sonal Appearance. — His  Letter  to  Lee. — The  “Traveller’s  Rest.’’ — Gates  appointed  to  the  Command  of  the  Northern 
Army. — Counter-claims  of  Schuyler. — The  Question  between  them  settled  in  Favor  of  Schuyler. — Gates  and  .Schuyler 
in  Harmony. — Resolution  to  abandon  Crown  Point. — Opposed  by  the  Subordinate  Officers. — Extraordinary  Proceedings. 
— Washington  rebukes  the  Conduct  of  the  Officers  but  favors  their  Views. — The  Enemy  greatly  reinforced. — Washing- 
ton called  to  Philadelphia  by  Congress. — General  Putnam  in  Command  at  New  York. — Fortifications  in  New  York. — 
General  Greene  on  Long  Island. — Tryon’s  Plan  for  seizing  Washington. — A Traitor  discovered  among  Washington’s 
Guard. — The  Traitor  hung. — Concourse  of  Spectators. 


When  Washino:ton  set  out  for 

I 7 71*  ® 

New  York,  he  left  five  reghnent.s 
uiifler  General  Ward  to  complete  the 
works  at  Boston,  and  provide,  by  new 
^ ^ fortifications,  against  the  return 

' of  Howe,  which  seemed  greatly 
to  liave  been  feared  by  the  New-Eng- 
landers.  A few  British  vessel.s-of-war  still 
lingered  in  Nantasket  roads,  much  to  the 
annoyance  of  the  Bostonian.s,  who  were 
bent  upon  driving  them  away  at  the  ear- 
liest moment.  Nothing,  however,  was 
done  for  two  months.  In  the  meantime, 
there  was  a naval  success  in  the  very 
sight  of  the  English  ships  which  served 
to  encourage  the  patriots  of  Boston  to 
further  effort. 

One  Mugford,  as  Gordon  calls  him,  who 
wiis  a trading  skipper,  applied  for  the 
command  of  the  Franklin,  a continental 
crui.ser  then  unemployed.  His  request 
being  granted,  Mugford  made  all  haste, 
got  possession  of  the  ve.ssel,  put  on  board 
a supply  of  powder  and  ball,  shipped  a 
crew  of  twenty  men,  and  hauled  off  into 


the  bay.  Ward,  in  the  meantime,  had 
been  beset  by  some  of  his  religious  New 
England  friemls,  who  gave  him  such  a 
bad  account  of  the  morals  of  Mugford, 
that  he  sent  off  an  express  to  withdraw 
his  order.s.  It  wa.s,  however,  too  late,  the 
enterprising  skipper  had  sailed,  and  al- 
ready, before  he  had  got  well  out  of  the 
harbor,  pounced  upon  a prize.  This  was 
the  ship  Hope,  last  from  Cork,  a ve.ssel 
of  two  hundred  and  seventy  tons,  four 
guns  and  seventeen  men,  and  laden  with 
fifteen  hundred  barrels  of  gunpowder, 
and  a large  supply  of  arm.s,  implement.s, 
and  other  necessaries,  intended  for  Howe’s 
army  supposed  to  be  still  at  Boston.  As 
soon  as  Mugford  got  a sight  of  her,  he 
ran  his  little  schooner  alongside  and  or- 
dered her  to  strike,  'which  she  did  at  once 
without  resistance,  although  her  captain, 
seeing  that  the  British  men-of-war  were 
so  near  that  they  Avould  he  able  to  conic 
shortly  to  his  aid,  ordered  his  men  to  cut 
the  top-sail,  halliards,  and  ties.  Mugford 
heard  the  order,  and  knew  that  if  it  was 


r 

i:i. fOLUTioNARY.]  “ONE  MUGFOED.”  2H 

executed  he  would  certainly  lose  his  prize, 

The  Bostonians,  exceedinglv  anxious 

lor  it  would  give  time  to  the  British  men- 

as  they  wune  to  get  rid  of  the  British 

of-war  to  send  their  boats  to  the  relief  of 

war-vessels,  which,  numbering  some  ten 

the  Hope,  before  she  could  be  managea- 

sail  in  all,  presented  a threatening  aspect. 

ble.  Mugford’s  impiety,  which  had  near- 

readily  concurred  in  General  Lincoln’s 

ly  lost  him  his  command,  now  appeared 

plans  for  driving  them  aw<ay.  Every- 

ro  serve  him  a good  purpose,  for  he 

thing  being  in  readiness,  the  cit-  . 

° o ’ June  13. 

opened,  says  Gordon,  upon  the  Hope’s 

izens  of  Boston  were  made  aware 

1 

captain  with  vollies  of  oaths  and  execra- 

by  beat  of  drum  that  the  expedition  was 

tions;  and  in  the  most  horrid  manner 

to  set  out.  One  detachment  of  soldiers. 

tlireatened  him  and  every  one  on  board 

amounting  to  nearly  six  hundred  men. 

witli  immediate  death,  if  the  order  w'as 

Avas  accordingly  embarked  and  sent  to 

executed,  upon  which  the  captain  was  so 

Fetlock’s  island  and  hill,  another  detach- 

terrified  as  to  desist. 

ment  took  post  on  Morn  island.  Hoik’s 

It  was  fasbday  in  Boston,  and  its  good 

neck,  and  Point  Olderton,  while  a third 

people  were  just  returning  from  church, 

with  artillery  sailed  for  Long  island. 

but,  notwithstanding  the  seriousne.ss  be- 

The  troops  did  not  arrive  at  their  several 

coming  such  a religious  occasion,  they 

places  of  destination  until  near  morning. 

could  not  contain  their  manifestations  of 

but  were  active  and  alert  for  action.  The 

delight  as  Mugford  came  into  the  harbor 

cannon  were  soon  planted,  and  a single 

with  his  prize.  Our  skipper,  encouraged 

shot  fired  as  an  announcement  to  the 

by  the  success  of  his  first  attempt,  soon 

enemy  of  their  intention.  The  commo- 

started  out  for  another  cruise  with  the 

dore  immediately  hoisted  a signal  for  the 

Franklin  and  the  Lady  Wash- 
May  19.  . . . / , 

ington,  but  m going  down  tlie 

fleet  to  get  under  way,  but  in  the  mean- 
time returned  the  Americans’  fire,  and 

bay  the  former  got  aground,  and  the 

did  not  succeed  in  getting  under  sail  un- 

two  dropped  their  anchors.  While  thus 

til  a shot  from  Long  Island  had  damaged. 

anchored,  they  were  observed  by  the 

somewhat.  Ins  upper  rigging.  Thus,  on 

British  admiral  who  sent  olf  at  midnight 

the  very  anniversary  of  the  day  on  which. 

thirteen  boats  to  attack  them.  The  men 

two  years  before,  the  British  government 

on  both  sides  struggled  manfully,  and 

had  prohibited  the  sailing  of  any  vessel 

Mugford  succeeded  in  sinking  two  of  the 

from  Boston,  was  its  harbor  made  free. 

boats.  While  foremost  in  the  fight,  how- 

No  sooner  had  the  Briti.sh  admiral  gone 

ever,  he  was  mortallj^  wounded,  but  con- 

than  several  English  vessels  arrived  ofl 

tinned  to  cheer  on  his  men,  shouting 

the  harbor  of  Boston,  and  as  they  sup- 

out  with  his  last  breath,  as  he  fell,  “Do 

posed  Howe  still  in  possession,  they  came 

not  give  up  the  ship — you  will  beat 

in  without  suspicion,  and  were  thus  cap- 

them  off.”  And  the  men,  without  the 

tured.  Among  these  were  the  George 

loss  of  a single  life  but  that  of  their  gal- 

and  Anabella,  transports,  which  arrived 

hint  commander,  did  beat  the  enemy  off. 
36 

after  a passage  of  seven  weeks  from  ScoG 

1 

- 

282 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPART  If. 


land,  in  the  course  of  which  they  Iiad 
no  opportunity  of  speaking  a single  ves- 
sel which  could  inform  them  of  the  evac- 
uation of  Boston.  When  olf  the  coast, 
they  were  attacked  by  four  privateens, 
Avith  whom  they  fought  until  evening, 
when  the  latter  bore  away  and  the  trans- 
ports sought  protection,  as  they  supposed, 
by  sailing  for  the  harbor  of  Boston.  They 
stood  in  and  were  passing  up  Nantasket 
roads,  when  an  American  battery  opened 
upon  them,  and  gave  them  the  first  proof 
tliat  they  had  got  among  enemies  instead 
of  friends,  as  they  had  anticipated.  The 
wind  had  died  away,  and  the  tide  being 
still  on  the  flood,  there  was  no  chance 
for  them  to  get  out  again.  The  priva- 
teers, which  had  had  a brush  with  them 
outside,  now  came  up  and  prepared  to 
renew  the  fight,  the  transports  being 
hailed  to  strike  the  British  flag.  The 
sailors  were  ready  to  yield  at  once,  but 
the  lieutenautrcolonel  in  command  of  the 
troops  on  board  persisted  in  resistance, 
and  was  readily  obeyed  by  his  soldiers. 
The  fight  now  began,  and  was  continued 
for  an  hour  and  a half,  when  all  their 
ammunition  being  expended,  the  British 
vessels  surrendered,  after  losing  one  offi- 
cer, and  some  tweiit^^-five  others  killed 
or  wounded.  The  troops  which  were 
captured  amounted  to  over  three  hundred 
men,  and  with  them  was  taken  also  as  a 
prisoner  LieutenanhColonel  Campbell,  a 
man  of  rank  and  an  officer  of  distinction. 

Major-General  Ward  and  Brigadier- 
General  Frye  had  sent  in  their  resigna- 
tions, which  were  accepted  by  Congre.ss 
on  the  twenty-third  of  April,  but  they 
continued  to  serve  until  the  operations 


at  Boston  we  have  just  narrated  were 
brought  to  a close,  when  they  were  re- 
lieved by  new  appointments.  Through 
the  New  England  influence,  which  watch- 
ed with  great  jealousy  the  advancement 
of  the  military  leaders  who  belonged  to 
the  middle  and  southern  province.s.  Con- 
gress now  made  another  promotion  which 
caused  no  little  trouble  in  New  York 
Gates,  having  been  sent  by  Washington 
to  Philadelphia  to  confer  with  Congress 
in  regard  to  the  disastrous  state  of  affairs 


in  Canada,  succeeded  in  obtaining  pro- 
motion to  a major-generalship  and  the 
command  of  the  northern  army^  ^ 
principally  through  the  influence 
of  the  New-Englanders,  with  whom  he 
had  greatly  ingratiated  himself,  during 
his  service  before  Boston. 

Horatio  Gates  was  born  in  England 

O 


He  was,”  says  Horace  Walpole,  “tlic 
son  of  a housekeeper  of  the  second  duke 
of  Leeds,  who  marrying  a young  husband 
had  this  son  by  him.  That  duke  of  Leeds 
had  been  saved  of  a Jacobite  plot  by  my 
fiither.  Sir  Robert  Walpole,  and  the  duke 
was  very  grateful  and  took  notice  of  me 
when  quite  a boy.  My  mother’s  woman 
was  intimate  with  that  housekeeper,  and 
thence  I was  God-father  to  her  son,  though 
I believe  not  then  ten  years  old  myself. 
This  God-son,  Horatio  Gates,  was  pro- 
tected by  General  Cornwallis  when  gov- 
ernor of  Halifax,  but  being  afterward 
disappointed  of  preferment  in  the  army, 
he  joined  the  Americans.”  He  first  came 
to  America  as  an  officer  in  an  expedition 
against  the  French  in  Nova  Scotia.  On 
his  return  to  London,  he  was  consulted 
by  the  British  ministry  in  regard  to  the 


HORATIO  GATES. 


XI  ,^•OT,UTIONARY.J 

proposed  campaign  under  Braddock,  but 
modestly  ple.ading  liis  youth,  declined  to 
cjive  any  advice.  He,  however,  served 
in  that  famous  expedition  which  resulted 
so  fatally,  and  showed  himself  a brave 
and  efficient  officer.  It  was  then  that  he 
became  acquainted  with  Washington, 
and  formed  a warm  friendship  for  him. 
Through  this  alliance  he  imcame  familiar 
with  colonial  life  in  Virginia,  and  so 
strongly  attached  to  the  country,  that 
he  determined  to  settle  there.  This  res- 
olution was  strengthened  by  his  mar- 
riage to  an  American  woman.  Accord- 
ingly, selling  out  his  commission  in  the 
British  army,  he  bouglit  a plantation  in 
Virginia.  Here  he  retired  within  his 
“Traveller’s  Rest,”  as  he  fondly  called 
his  estate,  apparently  resolving  no  longer 
to  mingle  in  the  busy  world  without. 

To  General  Charles  Lee,  who  was  an 
old  comrade,  and  whom  he  desired  to 
become  his  neighbor  and  participator 
with  him  in  the  delights  of  his  rural  re- 
treat, he  writes: — 

“I  know  not  how  you  find  it;  but  the 
older  1 grow,  I become  less  and  less  in- 
clined to  new  acquaintance.  Selfishness 
and  sycophancy  possess  so  generally  the 
minds  of  men,  that  I think  the  many  are 
best  avoided,  and  the  few  only,  who  are 
liberal  and  sincere,  to  be  sought  for  and 
caressed.  I therefore  stick  steadily  to 
the  cultivation  of  my  farm,  am  intimate 
with  feAV,  read  when  1 have  time,  and 
content  myself  with  such  domestic  com- 
forts as  my  circumstances  and  fortune 
< I fiord  me.  I wish,  therefore,  most  anx- 
iously, you  would  come  to  my  retreat, 
and  there  let  us  philosophize  on  the 


28;i 

vices  and  virtues  of  this  busy  world,  the 
follies  and  the  vanities  of  the  great  vul 
gar  and  the  small. 

“ ‘Laiigli  when  we  please,  he  candid  when  we  can 
And  jn.stif}’  the  ways  of  God  to  man.’ 

“Mrs.  Gates  is  earnest  in  desiring  to 
see  yon  under  her  roof,  where  a good  bed 
is  provided  for  you,  two  or  three  slaves  to 
supply  all  your  wants,  and  space  enough 
ahout  ns  for  you  to  exercise  away  all 
your  spleen  and  gloomy  moods,  when- 
soever they  distress  you.  In  my  neigb- 
borhood  there  is  this  moment  as  fine  a 
farm-mill  and  tract  of  land  to  l)e  sold  as 
any  in  Amei'ica,  and  provided  it  is  con- 
venient to  3’ou  to  pay  down  half  the 
price,  I am  convinced  you  ma}^  have  it 
a very  great  bargain.  It  is  altogether 
two  thousand  four  hundred  acres,  at 
tliirt}’  shillings  sterling  an  acre.  1 am 
satisfied  you  might  have  it  so.  B^^  pay- 
ing down  about  one  thousand  eight  him- 
dred  pounds  sterling,  you  may  be  put  in 
possession  of  an  estate  that  ten  years 
hence  Avill  be  Avortli  seven  thousand 
pounds  sterling  ; and  I take  it  for  grant- 
ed that  ma}'  have  the  pajmient  of 
the  rest  of  the  purchase-money  at  easi' 
installments,  and  that,  too,  without  in- 
terest ; so,  by  laying  out  a thousand 
pounds  sterling  more  in  stocking  and 
improvements,  your  produce  will  3’ield 
3mu  a fine  living,  and  Avherewithal  to  pay 
^mur  annual  installment  bargained  for  in 
the  purchase.” 

Lee  Avas  tempted  by  the  supposed  at 
tractions  of  rural  life,  and,  in  common 
Avitli  Gates  and  Washington,  retired  to 
cultivate  his  own  acres,  but  Avas  soon 


•iS4  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  l^art  u 

Ciilled  to  exclinnge  the  ploughshare  for 

larity.  He  was  personally  alw.ays  a favor 

the  sword  ; and  not  reluctantly,  we  would 

ite  from  his  courteous  nianners  and  kindli- 

believe,  apart  from  his  devotion  to  a 

ness  of  heart;  but  he  was  misled  by  vanity 

cause  which  would  have  prompted  him 

to  an  undue  appreciation  of  his  capacity. 

to  make  every  sacrifice  of  personal  ease 

He  was  not  a man  of  brilliant  qualities ; 

and  comfort.  All  three  were  soldiers  by 

and  though  his  ambition  prompted  him 

nature,  and  would  not  have  been  long 

to  aspire  to  the  loftiest  military  position, 

content  with  harvests  of  corn  and  tobacco. 

he  was  not  possessed  of  the  genius  of  a 

while  there  were  laurels  to  reap  on  the 

great  commander. 

field  of  battle.  When  the  troubles  with 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary 

the  mother-country  began  to  agitate  the 

war.  Gates  was  between  fifty  and  sixty 

provinces,  Lee,  Gates,  and  Washington 

years  old  ; with  his  scant  gray  hair  and 

were  often  together,  and  warming  with 

spectacles  on  nose,”  he  looked  fully  his 

indignation,  as  they  talked  over  the  op- 

age.  He  had  a brisk,  good-natured  manner, 

pressive  acts  of  English  tyranny,  began 

and  was  of  a cheerful  and  social  humor. 

already  to  think  of  taking  down  their 

Being  appointed  to  the  command  in 

haimino:  swords,  and  girding::  them  on 

Canada,  Gates  proceeded  to  the  North 

for  the  coming  campaign.  “ I am  ready 

but  found  on  his  arrival  in  Albany  thai 

to  resign  my  life  to  preserve  the  liberty 

there  was  no  longer,  in  consequence  of 

of  the  western  world,”  says  Gates  at  the 

the  retreat  to  Crown  Point  Ave  have  al- 

close  of  the  very  letter  just  quoted,  in 

ready  described,  any  force  in  Canada  to 

which  he  philosophizes  on  the  charms  of 

command.  Gates  would  seem,  therefore, 

the  retirement  of  his  “ Traveller’s  Rest.” 

to  haA'e  been  A^ery  much  in  the  position 

^ Together  with  Lee,  he  accompanied 

of  Sancho  Panza,  in  his  imaginary  Bara- 

Washington  to  Cambridge,  to  whose  in- 

traria,  a governor  AAuthout  a govermnenl. 

fluence  he  was  chiefly  indebted  for  his 

He,  hoAvever,  Avas  not  disposed  to  rest  con- 

appointment  as  adjutanhgeneral.  Wash- 

tented  Avith  this  impersonal  condition. 

ington  was  so  conscious  of  the  military 

and  laid  claim  to  the  command  of  the 

deficiencies  of  the  militia  leaders,  that  he 

northern  army  AAdiereA'er  it  might  be.  In 

was  greatly  anxious  to  secure  the  soldier- 

this  he  seems  to  haA'e  been  instigated 

ly  attainments  of  his  friends  Lee  and 

not  only  by  his  own  ambitious  longings. 

Gates,  whom  he  knew  to  be  accomplished 

but  by  the  officious  provocatives  of  hi'^ 

officers.  In  the  beginning  of  the  struggle 

zealous  New  England  friends.  “ I find,” 

they  were  almost  indispensable.  Time 

writes  Joseph  Trumbull  to  Gates,  “ you 

revealed,  and  experience  perfected  the 

are  in  a cursed  situation,  your  authority 

military  talents  of  some  American  of- 

at  an  end,  and  commanded  by  a person 

licers  upon  whose  skill  Washington  could 

Avho  AA’ill  be  Avilling  to  have  you  knocked 

equally  trust,  and  in  whose  disinterested 

in  the  head,  as  General  Montgomery  Avas, 

patriotism  he  had  more  faith. 

if  he  can  have  the  money-chest  in  his 

Gates  was  now  at  the  height  of  popu- 

poAver.” 

■ 

fM-.vot.uTioNAUY.]  DISCORD  AND  DISORDER. 

Pchuyler  resisted  Gates’s  claims;  and 

is  sufficiently  bad  ; but  Avlu-n  discoi-d  and 

as  tliey  could  not  agree  upon  the  matter 

disorder  are  added,  greater  misfortune, a 

between  themselves,  they  referred  it  to 

can  not  befall  it,  except  that  of  a defeat. 

Congress,  while  in  the  meantime  they 

I must  entreat  your  attention  to  these 

resolved  to  act  as  harmonionsly  as  pos- 

matters,  and  your  exertions  to  introduce 

sible  Avith  each  other,  until  an  anthorita- 

more  discipline,  and  to  do  aAvay  the  un- 

tive  decision  shonld  he  received.  Gen- 

happy  and  pernicious  distinctions  and 

era!  Sullivan, too,  thought  himself  entitled 

jealousies  betAveen  the  troops  of  different 

to  grumble  at  the  appointment  of  Gates, 

goA^ernments.” 

Avho  certainly  .superseded  him  in  rank, 

Sufficient  harmony  seems  finally  to 

hoAvever  Schuyler’s  position  might  be 

have  been  established  betAveen  Schul  ler 

affected.  Sullivan  accordingly  obtained 

and  Gates  for  co-operation,  after  receiv- 

leave  of  absence  from  Washington,  and 

ing  the  decision  of  Cons-ress ; and  the 

O O' 

made  his  Avay  to  Pliiladelphia,  where  he 

tAvo  proceeded  together  to  the  American 

laid  his  (jnevances  and  his  resio-nation 
before  Congress,  but  being  soothed  by 

army  at  CroAAn  Point,  accom-  ^ ^ 
panied  by  Arnold,  avIio  had  gone 

compliments  upon  the  judiciousness  of 

to  Albany  to  report  the  state  of  the 

his  late  retreat  from  Canada,  was  induced 

troops  after  the  retreat,  and  tlie  threatr 

to  recall  his  resio-nation  and  return  to  his 

O 

ening  progress  of  the  enemy.  Upon 

duty. 

reaching  CroAA-n  Point,  a council  of  Avar 

The  question  between  Gates  and  Schuy- 

Avas  held,  and  it  Avas  re.solA’ed  unanim- 

ler  Avas  soon  settled  by  the  decision  of 

ously  that  that  post  .shoidd  be  abandoned 

Congress  in  favor  of  the  pretensions  of 

and  the  army  removed  to  Tic-onderoga. 

the  latter.  Washino-ton  had  been  much 

O 

This  Avas  opposed  by  many  of  the  subor- 

liarassed  by  these  bickerings  among  his 

dinate  officers,  Avho  resorted  to  the  un- 

officei’s,  Avhose  example  had  been  A'ery 

military  proceeding  of  preparing  and 

extensively  folloAved  even  by  the  soldiers. 

signing  a remonstrance  against  the  deci- 

Avho  Avere  in  a constant  state  of  irritabil- 

sion  of  their  superiors.  Wa.shington  him- 

ity  from  sectional  feeling.  He  incloses  a 

self,  on  receiving  this  extraordinary  paper, 

copy  of  the  Congressional  decision  to 

although  he  condemned  the  signers  of  it, 

Schuyler,  and  takes  occasion  to  say,  in 

seems  to  have  been  impressed  Avith  the 

regard  to  his  dispute  Avith  Gates  : “I  hope 

vieAvs  they  held  in  regard  to  the  abandon- 

that  harmony  and  a good  agreement  Avill 

ment  of  CroAvn  Point.  “I  doubt  not,” 

subsist  betAveen  you,  as  the  most  likely 

he  Avrite.s,  “ that  the  measure  Avas  duly 

means  of  advancing  the  interests  of  the 

Aveighed  by  the  general  officers  in  conn- 

cause  Avhich  you  both  Avish  to  promote.” 

cil,  and  seemed  to  them  best  calculated  to 

.\  few  days  subseqAiently,  in  another  let- 

secure  the  colonies,  and  prev’ent  the  ene- 

ter,  he  Avrites  : “ I am  extremely  sorry  to 

my  from  penetrating  into  them.  Hoav- 

have  such  unfaA'orable  accounts  of  the 

ever,  I can  not  but  obseiwe  — though  I do 

"ondition  of  the  army.  Sickness  of  itself 

not  mean  to  encourage  in  the  smallest 

■ 

28G 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPART 


degree,  or  to  give  the  least  sanction  to 
interior  officers  to  set  np  their  opinions 
against  the  proceedings  and  councils  of 
their  superiors,  knowing  the  dangerous 
tendency  of  such  a practice — that  the 
reasons  assigned  by  the  officers  in  their 
remonstrance  appear  to  me  forcible  and 
of  great  weight.”  The  sul)ject  was  sub- 
sequently greatly  discussed,  and  finally 
the  opinion  of  all  military  men  concurred 
in  justifying  the  expediency  of  the  re- 
moval of  the  army  to  Ticonderoga. 

AYashington,  troubled  by  the  unfor- 
tunate result  in  Canada,  could  get  but 
little  consolation  from  the  state  of  things 
in  New  York.  Howe  was  hourly  ex- 
pected, with  his  army  greatly  increased 
liy  large  reinforcements  of  British  regu- 
lars, and  mercenary  troops  composed  of 
llessian.s,  Brunswickers,  and  other  Ger- 
mans; and  Washington  knew  that  his 
own  force  was  neither  in  such  numbers 
nor  condition  as  to  resist  successfully  a 
vigorous  attack.  Called  to  Philadelphia 
by  Congress,  to  aid  them  Avith  his  coun- 
sels in  this  emergency,  he  succeeded  in 
prevailing  upon  them  to  vote  a reinforce- 
ment to  the  army  of  thirteen  thousand 
eight  hundred  militia,  the  formation  of  a 
flying  camp  to  consist  of  ten  thousand 
men,  and  the  construction  of  as  many 
fire  rafts,  gondolas  and  floating  batteries 
as  might  be  deemed  necessary  by  Wash- 
ington for  the  defence  of  the  hay  and 
rivers  surrounding  New  Y"ork.  During 
his  absence.  General  Putnam  succeeded 
to  the  temporary  command,  and  contin- 
ued to  push  vigorously  the  various  works 
it  New  York,  while  Greene  was  no  le.ss 
active  on  Long  Island. 


II. 

AYashington,  on  his  return,  as  he 
thought  that  the  enemy  would  probably 
soon  after  their  arrival,  attempt  to  force 
their  way  up  the  North  river,  determined 
to  erect  new,  and  strengthen  the  old  for- 
tifications on  its  banks,  Avith  the  view  of 
preventing  the  passage  of  the  British  ves- 
sels. He  accordingl}^  ordered  Colonel 
James  Clinton,  a Noav  Y^ork  officer,  to 
take  the  command,  and  complete  the  con- 
struction of  Fort  Montgomery,  near  the 
Highlands,  and  Fort  Constitution  on  an 
island  opposite  to  AYest  Point.  Other 
Avorks  Avere  also  begun  under  the  super- 
vision of  the  chief  engineer.  Colonel  Ru- 
fus Putnam,  at  King’s  Bridge  and  on 
the  neighboring  heights.  There  Avere  a 
breastAVork  to  defend  the  bridge,  a redoubt 
on  a hill  overlooking  the  Hudson  river, 
Avhere,  by  means  of  the  Spuyten  Duyvil 
creek,  it  joins  the  Harlem  river,  and  forms 
the  northern  Avater-boundai  y of  the  island 
of  NeAV  York,  and  a strong  fortification 
called  Fort  AYashington,  also  on  the  Hud- 
son, but  several  miles  nearer  New  York. 
This  last  Avork  Avas  directly  opposite  to 
Fort  Lee,  Avhich  Avas  on  the  Avest  side,  and 
it  Avas  supposed  that  the  tAAm  together 
could  command  the  passage. 

AALashington,  Avhile  thus  providing  de- 
fences against  the  open  enemies  of  the 
country,  Avas  beset  by  the  machinations 
of  some  secret  plotters  against  him  and 
his  army.-  By  the  disclosure  of  one  of 
AYashington’s  OAvn  guard,  Avho  had  been 
tampered  Avith,  a conspiracy  was  discoA'- 
ered,  Avhich  Avas  supposed  to  have  for  its 
object  the  capture  of  AYashington,  a gen- 
eral massacre  of  his  principal  officers,  the 
spiking  of  the  guns,  the  bloAving  up  of 


KKVOLUTIONARY.J 


TR YON’S  PLOT. 


287 


the  forts  and  magazines,  and  the  securing 
of  the  passes  of  the  city,  in  order  that 
New  York  and  the  patriot  army  might 
be  at  the  mercy  of  Howe  on  the  day  of 
his  arrival. 

An  investigation  having  taken  place, 
tlie  plot  was  traced  through  the  dirty 
sources  of  various  pot-houses,  tavern- 
keepers,  gunsmiths,  negro  servants, drum- 
mers, fifers,  and  the  mayor,  Matthews,  to 
the  arch-conspirator  Tryon  himself  This 
tory  governor,  it  seems,  had,  from  his  safe 
refuge  on  board  a man-of-war  off  Sandy 
Hook,  where  the  British  ships  were  at 
anchor,  devised  the  scheme,  and  tempted 
the  worthless  to  co-operate  with  him  by 
the  offer  of  five  pounds  and  two  hundred 
acres  of  land  to  each  man  who  should 
enter  the  king’s  service,  one  hundred 
acres  to  his  wife,  and  fifty  to  each  child, 
with  the  understanding  that  he  should 


remain  in  New  York  and  lend  his  aid  se- 
cretly to  the  royal  cause.  The  mayor, 
in  conjunction  with  many  of  his  fellow 
tory  citizen.s,  readily  concurred  in  and 
gave  their  aid  to  Try  on’s  plot.  A large 
number  of  worthless  fellows,  who  were 
in  the  habit  of  resorting  to  the  low  pot- 
houses of  the  town,  were  easily  won  over 
by  the  governor’s  bribe,  and  among  these 
Avere  some  of  the  most  dissolute  of  the  sol- 
diers. Washington’s  own  guard 
even  supplied  two  of  the  villains.  *^'**^^ 
One  of  the  name  of  Thoma.s  Hickey,  an 


Irish  deserter  from  the  British  army,  a 
stout,  dark-faced  fellow,  was  tried  by 
court-martial,  and,  being  found  guilty  of 
mutiny  and  treason,  was  led  out  by  a 
strong  military  guard,  and  hung  in  a 
field,  now  forming  a part  of  the  Bowery, 
before  a crowd  of  twenty  thousand  spec- 
tators. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  on  tlie  Move. — Tlie  South  his  Object. — The  Provincitils  timely  informed. — Arrival  of  British  Fleet  am. 
Troops  off  the  Coast  of  South  Carolina. — Clinton’s  Life  and  Character. — Charleston  on  the  Alert. — Preparations  to 
receive  tlie  Enemy. — General  Lee  on  the  Ground. — Assumes  the  Command — Lee  su;;<;ests  to  swear  the  Militia  in. — 
Governor  Uiitlcdge  opposes. — Lee’s  emphatic  Appeal. — The  Provincial  Deficiencies. — Lee’s  Anxiety. — The  English 
Fleet  taking  Position. — Lee  lectures  his  Men. — The  Attack  on  Fort  Sullivan  begins. — The  Response  from  the  Amtri- 
can  Batteries. — The  un.'uccessful  Attempt  of  the  British  to  land. — Lee  encouraged  by  the  Good  Conduct  of  the  Militia. 
— The  British  beaten  off’ — The  Havoc. — Sir  Peter’s  “ Honor  gone.” — Wounded  in  the  Breech. — The  heroic  Sergeant 
Jasper. — MacDointld — The  Act  ten  in  Flames. — Moultrie’s  Gallantry. — Fort  Sullivan  receives  the  Name  of  Moultrie. 
— The  beaten  British  sail  for  New  York. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  a.s  has  been  already 
recorded,  left  Boston  with  a small  fleet 
in  the  month  of  January.  New  York 
was  at  that  time  supposed  to  be  the  ob- 
ject of  the  expedition,  and  in  fact  Clin- 


ton called  in  there  with  a single  vessel, 
where  Lee,  having  been  sent  by  Wash- 
ington to  oppose  his  landing,  happened 
to  arrive  on  the  same  day,  and  wrote 
thus  of  the  occurrence : He  [Clinton] 
brought  no  troops  with  him,  and  pledges 


' 

288  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [PAur  i. 

his  honor  none  are  coining.  He  says  it 
is  merely  a visit  to  his  friend  Try  on.  If 
it  is  really  so,  it  is  the  most  whimsical 
piece  of  civility  I ever  heard  of”  What- 
ever might  be  Clinton’s  purpose  in  his 
visit  to  New  York,  an  attack  on  that  city 
was  certainly  not  the  object  of  his  expe- 
dition. 

Howe  had  received  a despatch  from 
the  British  government,  in  which  it  was 
stated  that  assurances  had  been  received 
that  the  inhabitants  of  the  southern  colo- 
nies were  so  loyally  disposed  that  they 
were  ready  to  join  the  king’s  army  on 
the  least  show  of  force  there.  Clinton 
was  accordingly  to  be  sent  with  a respecd- 
able  display  of  British  power,  in  order 
to  encourage  the  manifestations  of  the 
cautious  loyalty  of  the  South.  If,  how- 
ever, these  expectations  of  tory  concur- 
rence should  prove  unfounded,  he  was  to 
gain  possession  “of  some  respectable  post 
to  the  southward,  from  which  the  rebels 
might  be  annoyed  by  sudden  and  unex- 
pected attacks  on  their  towns  upon  the 
sea-coast  during  open  winter,”  and  Clin- 
ton was  positively  ordered  to  destroy 
any  towns  which  w'ould  not  submit  to 
the  king’s  authority. 

Clinton  had  sailed  from  Boston  with 
orders  from  Howe,  based  on  this  despatch. 
Tlie  Americans  became  aware  of  the  ob- 
ject of  his  expedition,  by  the  fortunate 
capture  of  a British  vessel,  on  board  of 
which  was  found  this  letter  addressed  by 
the  British  government  to  Governor  Eden 
of  Maryland:  — 

“ WiiiTiCHALL,  December  23,  1775. 

“ Sir : An  armament  of  seven  regi- 
ments, with  a Heet  of  frigates  and  small 

shi^js,  is  now  in  readiness  to  proceed  tc 
the  southern  colonies,  in  order  to  attempt 
the  restoration  of  legal  government  in 
that  part  of  America.  It  will  proceed 
in  the  first  place  to  North  Carolina,  and 
from  thence  either  to  South  Carolina  or 
Virginia,  as  circumstances  shall  point 
out.” 

This  fleet  of  men-of-war  and  transports 
was  under  the  command  of  Admiral  Sir 
Peter  Parker,  and  reached  the  rendezvous 
at  Cape  Fear  in  May,  wdiere  they  joined 
the  small  squadron  which  had  brought 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  his  troops  from 
Boston.  Nothing  could  be  done  in  Vir- 
ginia,  as  Lord  Dunmore’s  ill  success 
proved ; and  nothing  in  North  Carolina, 
as  was  equally  clear  from  the  mishap  of 
Governor  Martin,  with  his  Highlanders 
and  Regulators  in  that  colony.  It  was 
therefore  determined  to  try  South  Caro- 
lina, and  begin  by  making  an  attempt  on 
Charleston.  Confident  in  their  large 
naval  armament  under  Parker,  and  their 
numerous  troops  which  amounted  in  all 
to  three  thousand  men  under  Cornwallis 
and  Clinton,  who  now  assumed  the  com- 
mand of  all  the  land  forces,  they  sailed 
down  the  coast,  in  full  anticipation  of  an 
easy  victory.  The  admiral’s  well-known 
dash  and  courage  gave  spirit  to  his  men, 
and  the  soldiersobeyed  with  alacrity  their 
general,  who,  although  still  young,  had 
served  with  honor  in  the  wars  of  Eurojie. 

Henry  Clinton  was  of  distinguished 
family.  His  grandfather  was  the  earl  of 
Lincoln,  and  his  father  was  appointed, 
through  the  influence  of  his  aristocratic 
connections,  governor  of  New  York  in 
1743.  The  son  entered  the  army  at  an 

r 

KEVOLUTIONART.]  DEFENCES  OF  CtlARLESTON.  280 


early  age,  and  had  served  in  a European 
campaign,  when  he  was  raised  to  the  rank 
of  major-general,  and  ordered  to  Boston 
with  General  Howe  in  1775.  He  showed 
his  martial  spirit  and  courage  while  there 
by  dashing  across  the  river  to  the  aid  of 
Howe  during  his  struggle  Avith  the  patri- 
ots on  Bunker’s  hill,  although  without  a 
command  on  that  day.  He  had  now  been 
chosen  for  a service  of  moment,  not  only 
onaccountof  his  prominent  military  rank, 
but  also  for  his  well-known  skill  and  dar- 
ing. Clintori  was  not  popular  with  the 
multitude,  but  his  friendship  was  cher- 
ished by  the  few.  He  looked  the  Eng- 
lishman with  his  “ short  and  fat”  body, 
“ his  full  face  and  prominent  nose and 
had  that  cold  reserve  of  manner,  with 
casual  acquaintances,  which  is  supposed 
to  characterize  his  countrymen. 

South  Carolina  was  not  unprepared  for 
the  formidable  force  now  sailing  down  its 
coast,  and  threatening  destruction  to  its 
chief  city.  Throughout  the  province  the 
patriots  had  been  diligent,  and  particu- 
larly at  Charleston,  which,  from  its  impor- 
tance as  a commercial  town,  the  excel- 
lence of  its  harbor,  and  the  command  it 
gave  of  the  interior  country  and  the 
southern  coast,  presented  a desirable  cap- 
ture to  the  enemy.  To  secure  the  town 
against  such  a misfortune,  the  patriots 
busied  themselves  in  fortifying  it,  and 
principally  the  islands  which  command 
the  approach  to  the  harbor.  The  chief 
works  were  erected  on  the  southwestern 
extremity  of  Sullivan’s  and  on  James’s 
islands,  in  order  to  defend  the  passage 
between  the  two,  Avhich  leads  from  the 
sea  to  the  harbor.  On  the  former  was 
37 


built  a strong  fort  of  palmetto,  which  is 
peculiarly  serviceable  for  the  purpose  of 
defence,  since,  from  its  spongy  texture,  a 
ball  on  striking  it  sinks  into  it,  withou 
splitting  the  wood  or  shattering  the  struc- 
ture. Colonel  Moultrie  had  constructed 
this  fort,  and,  mounting  it  with  twenty- 
six  heavy  cannon,  now  garrisoned  it  with 
three  hundred  and  seventy-five  South- 
Carolina  regulars  and  some  few  militia- 
men. The  work  on  James’s  island,  which 
was  called  Fort  Johnson,  was  in  charge 
of  Colonel  Gadsden,  commanding  a sin- 
gle regiment.  Cannon,  with  breastworks, 
Avere  also  placed  on  the  northeastern  end 
of  Sullivan’s  island ; at  Waddell’s  point, 
on  the  mainland  to  the  north  ; and  along 
the  AAdiarves  in  front  of  the  toAvn. 

When  the  intelligence  reached  Charles- 
ton that  the  British  fleet  had  an-  ^ ^ 

chored  off  the  coast  about  eigh- 
teen  miles  from  Sullivan’s  island,  the 
Avhole  country  around  Avas  aroused  into 
activity  by  the  filing  of  the  alarm-guns 
from  the  forts.  The  militia  Avere  every- 
Avhere  called  out,  and  hurried  to  the  de- 
fence of  the  capital.  Some,  on  their  ar- 
rival, Avere  distributed  among  the  several 
garrisons ; Avhile  others  joined  the  inhab- 
itants, in  strengthening  the  immediate  de- 
fences of  the  city.  Stores  on  the  Avharves 
Avere  pulled  down  to  make  Avay  for  breastr 
Avorks ; barricades  Avere  throAvn  across, 
and  cannon  planted  in,  the  streets.  Some 
seven  hundred  negroes  Avere  ordered 
down  from  the  country,  to  assist  in  the 
labor ; and  so  universal  Avas  the  interest, 
“ that  hoes  and  spades  Avere  in  the  hands 
of  CA^ery  citizen”  day  and  night,  and  men 
AA’illingly  exchanged  their  beds  and  home 


290 

ooniforts  for  the  ground  and  open  air, 
with  nothing  but  “blankets  and  knap- 
sacks.” 

General  Lee  had  arrived,  to  assume  the 
chief  command  ; and  “ the  great  opinion 
which  was  everywhere  entertained  of  his 
ability  and  experience,  added  to  the  spir- 
its of  the  troops  and  inhabitants.”  With 
his  usual  fondness  for  swearing,  Lee  in- 
augurated his  command  by  a proposition 
to  bind  the  militia  by  an  oath.  Governor 
Rutledge  had  scruples  about  the  legality 
of  the  measure  ; but  the  men  themselves 
were  so  ardent  at  that  time,  that  they  all 
came  forward,  with  the  exception  of  two, 
and  volunteered  to  swear  in  accordance 
with  Lee’s  desire. 

The  orders  of  the  general  are  charac- 
teristic. Each  word  in  the  following 
snaps  like  a firelock  : — 

“ As  it  now  appears  almost  a certainty 
( from  the  intelligence  of  some  deserters) 
that  the  enemy’s  intention  is  to  make  an 
attack  on  the  city;  and  as  the  general  is 
confident  that  the  numbers  and  spirit  of 
the  garrison  will  prevent  their  landing, 
it  only  remains  to  guard  ngainst  the  in- 
jury which  the  city  may  receive  from 
their  cannon. 

“The  continental  troops,  provincials, 
and  militia,  are  therefore  most  earnestly 
conjured  to  work  with  no  less  alacrity, 
than  fight  with  courage.  Courage  alone 
will  not  sufiice  in  war ; true  soldiers  and 
maraanimous  citizens  must  brandish  the 

O 

pickaxe  and  spade,  as  well  as  the  sword, 
in  defence  of  their  country : one  or  two 
days’  labor,  at  this  critical  juncture,  may 
not  only  save  man}*  worthy  fiunilies  from 
ruin,  but  many  worthy  individuals  from 


. 

Ll'AUT  IJ 

loss  of  limbs  and  life.  On  this  principle 
the  general  does  not,  simply  in  his  capa- 
city of  commanding  officer,  order,  but  en- 
treat the  whole  garrison  (those  on  the 
necessary  duties  excepted)  to  exert  them- 
selves in  forwarding  the  requisite  works 
of  protection. 

“ The  colonels,  or  commanding  officers 
of  the  corps,  are  to  review  their  men’s 
arms  this  evening  at  roll-calling ; to  take 
care  they  are  in  as  good  order  as  po.s- 
sible,  and  that  they  are  furnished  with 
good  flints.  The  officers  commanding 
the  different  guards  are  to  do  the  same 
with  their  respective  guards. 

“For  the  future  it  must  he  observed, 
as  an  established  rule,  that  no  artillery- 
officer  fires  a single  cannon  Avithout  pre- 
viously acquainting  the  general.” 

All  seemed  to  he  actuated  by  a very 
determined  spirit  of  resistance  at  Charles- 
ton, and  the  preparations  to  meet  the 
enemy  were  made  Avith  great  energy, 
and  Avith  as  much  skill  as  could  be  com- 
manded. The  resources  of  the  patriots, 
however,  Avere  in  some  respects  very  de- 
ficient. PoAvder  Avas  so  scarce,  that  each 
soldier  in  the  forts  was  allowed  only  a 
limited  number  of  rounds ; and  lead  so 
scanty,  that  it  became  necessary  to  strip 
the  AvindoAVS  of  the  dAvelling-houses  in  the 
toAvn  of  their  Aveights,  to  melt  and  run 
into  bullets. 

Lee  Avas  very  anxious  about  the  result, 
for  he  had  little  faith  in  the  steadiness 
and  discipline  of  the  American  troops, 
most  of  Avhom  Avere  either  raAv  recruits 
or  militiamen.  He  Avas  particularly  de- 
sirous to  strengthen  the  Avorks  on  Fort 
I Sullivan,  Avhich  to  his  experienced  eye 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


REVOLUTIONAUy.J 


LANDING  OF  THE  ENEMY. 


appeared  by  no  means  to  satisfy  the  de- 
mands of  military  art.  He  accordingly, 
after  making  a thorough  personal  inspec- 
tion, points  out  the  deficiencies,  and  or- 
ders that  “ the  screen  behind  the  aperture 
of  the  traverse  be  immediately  begun  and 
finished  with  all  possible  expedition;  that 
a breastwork  of  timber,  six  feet  high,  be 
raised  on  the  rampart ; and  that  a ban- 
quet be  raised  behind  the  traverse,  so  as 
to  enable  the  musquetry  to  fire  over ; 
the  parapet  to  be  made  higher,  the  ditch 
deeper  and  wider,  a screen  to  be  thrown 
up  behind  the  entrance,  and  a fagade  of 
fascines  or  old  timber  to  be  constructed, 
as  necessary  to  keep  up  the  light  sand 
of  which  the  breastwork  of  the  rear-guard 
is  composed.”  Lee  was  all  astir,  going 
from  fort  to  fort,  and  issuing  these  em- 
phatic orders. 

Thirty-six  of  the  English  transports 
finally  came  up,  and  all  crossed  the  bar  in 
June  7 s^fsty^with  the  exception  of  two, 
one  of  which  was  got  off,  but  the 
other  went  to  pieces.  . The  vessels  then 
anchored  off  Long  island,  which  is  situ- 
ated to  the  northeast  of  Sullivan’s,  from 
which  it  is  only  separated  by  a narrow 
channel  or  creek.  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
here  landed  two  thousand  of  his  troops 
and  about  five  hundred  sailors,  with  the 
intention  of  passing  over  to  Sullivan’s 
island,  but  Avas  prevented  by  the  depth 
of  the  creek,  which  Avas  no  longer  forda- 
ble, in  consequence  of  the  large  quantity 
of  Avatcr  driven  into  it  by  the  strong  and 
long-continued  easterly  Avinds.  Clinton 
was  accordingly  forced  to  raise  tAvo  bat- 
teries to  secure  his  position  iqAon  Long 
island,  and  to  cover  a proposed  landing 


with  his  boats  (to  which  he  Avould  now 
be  obliged  to  resort)  upon  the  eastern 
end  of  Sullivan’s,  Avhere  the  Americans— 
principally  riflemen,  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  Thompson  — had  posted  them- 
selves behind  a breastwork. 

General  Lee  Avas  especially  anxious 
about  this  position,  and  says  to  Thomp- 
son, in  a characteristic  order  for  the  day 
“ It  is  a certain  truth  that  the  enemy 
entertain  a most  fortunate  apprehension 
of  American  riflemen.  It  is  equally  cer- 
tain that  nothing  can  diminish  this  a]v 
prehension  so  infallibly  as  a frequent  in- 
otfectual  fire.  It  is  Avith  some  concern, 
therefore,  that  I am  informed  that  your 
men  have  been  suflered  to  fire  at  a most 
preposterous  distance.  Upon  this  prin- 
ciple I must  entreat  and  insist  that  jmu 
consider  it  as  a standing  order,  that  not 
a man  under  j’our  command  is  to  fire  at 
a greater  distance  than  one  hundred  and 
fifty  yards,  at  the  utmost ; in  short,  that 
they  ncA’er  fire  Avithout  almost  a moral 
certainty  of  hitting  their  object.  Distant 
firing  has  a doubly  bad  effect : it  encour- 
ages the  enemy,  and  adds  to  the  perni- 
cious persuasion  of  the  American  soldiers, 
viz.,  //;«/  //icy  arc  no  match  for  their  antago- 
nists at  close  fighting.  To  speak  plainly,  it 
is  almost  a sure  method  of  making  them 
coAvards.  Once  rnoie.  I must  request  that 
a stop  be  put  to  this  childish,  Aucious,  aird 
scandalous  practice.  I extend  the  rule 
to  those  Avho  have  the  cai’e  of  the  field- 
pieces;  four  hundred  yards  is  the  great 
est  distance  they  should  be  allow'ed  to 
fire  at.  A ti'ansgr’ession  of  this  rule  Avill 
be  considered  as  the  effect  of  flurry  and 
want  of  courage.” 


292  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  • , i>art  ii. 


Some  of  Thompson’s  men.  from  fool- 
nardiness  or  curiosity,  had  crossed  the 
creek  to  Long  island ; whereat  Lee  is 
greatly  inflamed,  and  asks,  in  a postscript 
to  his  order : Is  this  wise  ? Is  it  soldier- 
like ? Is  it  to  show  the  enemy  where  our 
weakness  is  ?” 

Sir  Henry,  while  busy  with  his  works 
on  Long  island,  took  occasion  in  the  mean- 
time to  issue  a proclamation,  appealing 
to  the  loyalty  of  the  people  of  Charles- 
ton ; but  it  only  served  to  inllame  them 
to  greater  patriotism  and  to  more  active 
efforts  for  defence.  The  British  com- 
mander seemed  in  no  haste  to  attempt 
to  cross  over  to  Sullivan’s  island  ; and  in 
the  meantime  his  troops  suffered  greatly, 
while  laboring  at  the  works,  from  the 
sweltering  summer  heat,from  which  there 
was  no  relief  of  shade  on  the  sandy,  des- 
ert island  upon  which  they  had  landed. 
Some  of  them  became  sun-struck,  many 
ill  with  dysentery,  and  all  more  or  less 
affected  by  the  severe  heat  and  the  brack- 
ish water  with  which  they  were  forced 
to  satisfy  tlieir  burning  thirst. 

The  admiral  was  less  patient  than  Clin- 
ton, and  hastened  to  take  his  position  off 
Sullivan’s  island,  which  he  proposed  to 
make  the  object  of  his  attack.  He  had, 
soon  after  his  arrival,  moved  the  Bristol, 

his  own  ship,  a fifty-gun  vessel, 

iJlIHC  10*  . lip  1 

opposite  to  tlie  large  tort  on  tlie 
western  extremity  of  the  island.  He  ex- 
perienced some  difficulty  in  crossing  the 
bar,  but,  by  lighting  the  ship  of  some  of 
her  cannon,  finally  succeeded  in  anchor- 
ing her  in  position.  It  was  not  until  the 
28lh  of  June  (wlien  he  was  joined  by  a 
largo  man-of-war  of  lifty  guns,  the  arrival 


of  which  he  had  been  awaiting)  that  he 
determined  to  make  his  attack.  On  that 
day  accordingly,  at  eleven  o’clock  in  the 
morning,  he  began  to  move  his  ships. 
He  brought  the  Experiment  of  fifty,  the 
Active  of  twenty-eight,  and  the  Solebay 
of  the  same  number  of  guns,  in  line  with 
his  own  ship  the  Bristol,  and  moved  them 
all  in  close  to  the  front  of  the  fort ; and 
ordered  the  Actmon,  Siren,  and  Sphinx, 
each  twenty-eights,  to  try  to  get  inside, 
within  the  western  extremity  of  the  isl- 
and, where  the  fort  was  known  to  be  in- 
complete. These  vessels,  however,  in  at- 
tempting to  get  into  position,  got  aground 
upon  a shoal  called  the  Middle  Ground. 
The  Actaeon  stuck  fast,  and  all  efforts  to 
move  her  proved  ineffectual.  The  other 
two  got  afoul  of  each  other,  and  the 
Sphinx  lost  her  bowsprit  in  consequence  ; 
but  they  finally  succeeded,  in  the  course 
of  several  hours,  in  getting  off,  althougli 
in  the  meantime  tliey  Avere  exposed  to  a 
severe  fire  from  the  fort. 

As  the  vessels  Avere  getting  into  posi- 
tion, the  Thunder  (bomb)  Avas  throAving 
her  shells  upon  the  island,  but  not  Avith 
much  effect,  for  most  of  them  fell  into  a 
morass,  AAdiere  the  fuses  Avere  soon  extin 
guished.  The  Active  Avas  the  first  to 
haul  in  and  anchor  in  front  of  the  fort. 
As  she  approached,  the  Americans  fired 
a shot  or  tAvo  at  her,  to  try,  as  it  Avere, 
the  range  of  their  guns.  She  Avas  soon 
folloAved  by  the  other  ships;  and  Avhen 
they  had  fairly  let  go  their  anchors,  they 
began  to  pour  in  their  broadsides,  Avhica 
Avere  returned  by  a deadly  fire  from  the 
forts.  The  vessels  kept  up  an  incessant 
and  Avell-directed  cannonade ; but  their 


'a 

itKVOLUTioNAUY.]  SUCCESSFUL  DEFENCE  OF  CHARLESTON.  293 

balls,  although  well  aimed,  did  but  little 

per  of  the  garrison.  Lee  Avas  for  awhile 

mischief,  as  they  sauk  into  the  spongy 

doubtful  of  the  prudence  of  continuing 

palmetto-wood  without  causing  injury  to 

the  conflict;  but,  on  hearing  of  the  spirit 

tlie  works.  The  American  riflemen,  in 

of  those  in  the  fort,  “I  determined,”  he 

consequence  of  their  small  allowance  of 

says,  ‘‘  to  support  it  at  all  hazards.  On 

powder,  did  not  fire  rapidly,  but  always 

this  principle  I thought  it  my  duty  to 

with  effect.  Thus  the  struggle  was  kept 

cross  over  to  the  island,  to  encourage  the 

up,  from  noon  till  niglit.  There  was  a 

garrison  by  my  presence ; but  I might 

pause  for  a long  time  in  the  fire  of  the 

have  saved  myself  that  trouble ; for  I 

fort,  from  a want  of  ammunition,  and  the 

found,  on  my  arrival,  they  had  no  occa- 

enemy  began  to  tliink  they  had  Avon  the 

sion  for  any  sort  of  encouragement : I 

day;  but  Lee,  avIio  Avas  stationed  at  Had- 

found  them  determined  and  cool  to  the 

drell’s  point,  on  the  mainland,  took  care 

last  degree  : their  behavior  Avould,  in  fact, 

to  send  a supply,  and  soon  the  riflemen 

have  done  honor  to  the  oldest  troops.” 

were  enabled  to  renew  their  deadly  shots. 

Anothei'  Avitness  tells  us  that  so  little  con- 

Clinton  in  the  meantime  made  an  at- 

fusion  and  disorder  existed  in  the  fort 

tempt  to  land  from  Long  island  Avith  a 

Avhen  General  Lee  visited  it,  in  the  height 

flotilla  of  small  boats ; but  Thompson  and 

of  the  action,  that  the  “ officers  laid  aside 

his  men,  bearing  in  mind  Lee’s  orders. 

their  pipes  in  order  to  receive  him  Avith 

took  care  to  Avait  till  they  reached  Avith- 

proper  respect.” 

in  musket-shot,  and  then  poured  upon 

The  fight  Avas  continued  from  noon  un 

them  such  a volley,  that  Clinton  Avas 

til  eleven  o’clock  at  night,  Avhen  Sir  Peter 

forced  to  retire.  The  struggle  still  cou- 

Parker  Avas  forced  to  slip  his  cables  and 

tinned  between  the  ships  and  Fort  Sul- 

draw  off  his  ships.  The  havoc  upon  his 

livan. 

decks  had  been  terrible.  The  fight  has 

Lee  Avas  full  of  anxiety  during  this 

been  eloquently  described  by  no  less  a 

prolonged  contest.  He  kneAV  that  the 

person  than  Edmund  Burke,  Avho  at  that 

garrison  Avas  composed  entirely  of  raAV 

time  edited  the  “Annual  Register,”  of 

troops ; he  kneAV  that  their  ammunition 

Dublin:  “Whilst  the  continued  thunder 

Avas  short;  and  as  the  bridge  of  boats. 

from  the  ships  seemed  sufficient  to  shake 

Avhich  he  had  begun  to  construct  betAveen 

the  firmness  of  the  bravest  enemy,  and 

the  island  and  the  mainland,  Avas  not  yet 

daunt  the  courage  of  the  most  veteran 

completed,  by  Avhich  he  might  send  rein- 

soldier,  the  return  made  by  the  fort  could 

forcements,  he  Avas  fearful  that  all  Avould 

not  fail  of  calling  for  the  respect,  as  Avell 

be  lost.  He  attempted  to  reach  the  isl- 

as  of  highly  incommoding,  the  brave  sea- 

and;  but  his  boat,  carried  adrift  by  the 

men  of  Britain.  In  the  midst  of  that 

wind  and  the  tide,  could  not  make  the 

dreadful  roar  of  artillery,  they  stuck  Avith 

place.  His  aid-de-camp  Avas  more  fortu- 

the  greatest  constancy  and  firmness  to 

nate,  ;md  came  back  from  his  visit  Avitli 

their  guns ; fired  deliberately  and  sloAvly, 

the  most  inspiriting  accounts  of  the  tern- 

and  took  a cool  and  effective  aim.  The 

J 

294  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpakt  h. 

ships  sufiered  accordingly;  they  were  torn 

although  bleeding  from  a wound,  to  give 

to  pieces,  and  the  slaughter  was  dread- 

his  orders  calmly  and  discreetly.  The 

ful.  Never  did  British  valor  shine  more 

wags  of  Carolina  amused  themselves  sid)- 

conspicuous,  nor  never  did  our  marine. 

sequently  with  writing  verses  on  Sir  Pe- 

in  an  eno:ao:ement  of  the  same  nature 

ter’s  mishap,  for  the  shot  Avhich  struck 

with  any  foreign  enemy,  experience  as 

him  had  taken  a direction  which  natural- 

rude  an  encounter.  The  springs  of  the 

ly  provoked  the  humorous  if  it  did  not 

Bristol’s  cable  being  cut  by  the  shot,  she 

inspire  the  poetical.  Thus  trolled  one 

lay  for  some  time  exposed  in  such  a man- 

of  the  newspaper  versifiers  of  the  day : 

ner  to  the  enemy’s  fn'e,  as  to  be  most 

“ If  honor  in  the  breech  is  lodged, 

dreadfully  raked.  The  brave  Captain  Mor- 

As  Iludibras  halli  sliown, 

ris,  after  receiving  a number  of  wounds. 

It  may  from  hence  be  fairly  judged 

which  would  have  sufficient!}^  justified  a 

Sir  Peter’s  honor ’s  gone  !” 

gallant  man  in  retiring  from  his  station. 

The  loss  of  the  British  was  very  heavy, 

still  with  a noble  obstinacy  disdained  to 

being  nearly  two  hundred  men  in  all. 

quit  his  duty,  until,  his  arm  being  at  length 

killed  and  wounded.  The  vessels  were 

shot  off,  he  was  carried  away  in  a condi- 

greatly  damaged,  particidarly  the  two 

lion  which  did  not  afford  a possibility  of 

fifty-gun  ships,  the  Bristol  and  the  Ex- 

recovery. 

periment,  at  which  the  fire  of  the  garri- 

“ It  is  said  that  the  quarter-deck  of  the 

son  was  chiefly  aimed.  On  the  former,  in 

Bi  istol  was  at  one  time  cleared  of  every 

addition  to  the  commodore.  Lord  Camp- 

person  but  the  commodore,  who  stood 

bell,  and  Captain  Morris,  the  two  latter 

alone,  a spectacle  of  intrepidity  and  firm- 

mortally,  sixty-nine  men  were  wounded 

ness  which  has  seldom  been  equalled. 

and  forty  killed.  On  the  Experiment, 

never  exceeded.  The  others  on  that 

her  commander  and  seventy-nine  of  her 

deck  were  either  killed  or  carried  down 

officers  and  men  were  among  the  killed 

to  have  their  wounds  dressed.  Nor  did 

and  wounded.  This  terrible  havoc  proves 

Captain  Scott,  of  the  Experiment;,  miss 

how  greatly  these  two  vessels  were  ex- 

his  share  of  the  danger  or  glory,  who,  be- 

posed.  Their  masts  and  rigging  were 

sides  the  loss  of  an  arm,  received  so  many 

cut  up  and  riddled  with  shot,  the  Bristol 

other  wounds,  that  his  life  was  at  first 

having  had  over  seventy  balls  put  into 

dc^spaired  of” 

her;  their  hulls  were  so  battered  and 

Lord  William  Campliell,  a brother  of 

broken,  that  several  of  the  ports  were 

the  duke  of  Argyle,  and  the  royal  gov- 

knocked  into  one.  Moultrie,  in  the  be- 

crnor  of  tlie  province  of  South  Carolina, 

ginning  of  tlie  engagement,  had  shouted 

served  as  a volunteer,  and  was  mortally 

to  his  men,  “Mind  the  commodore  and 

Wounded  while  directiiifii:  a (run  on  the 

the  fifty-gun  ships  !”  We  have  seen  how 

lower  deck  of  the  Bristol.  Sir  Peter  Par- 

well  they  obeyed  the  word. 

ker  exposed  himself  during  the  whole 

The  Americans  lost  only  thirty-five  in 

fight  with  great  courage,  and  continued. 

killed  and  wounded  ; but  the  soft  palinet- 

i 

f ! 

REVOLUTiONARY.J  HONORS  OF  VICTORY.  295 


to-wood  of  the  fort  was  studded  with  balls 
as  full  as  a birthday-pudding  with  plums. 
Almost  every  tree  and  hut  on  the  island 
was  levelled  to  the  ground  ; and  no  less 
than  twelve  hundred  balls  of  different 
weights,  with  a large  number  of  shells, 
were  picked  up  ne.xt  day  in  and  about  the 
fort.  All  the  Americans  behaved  them- 
selves with  admirable  steadiness  through- 
out, and  some  of  them  showed  great  dar- 
ino;.  In  the  begrinnino;  of  the  action,  the 
flagstaff  was  shot  away ; when  Sergeant 
Jasper,  of  the  grenadiers,  immediately 
leaped  over  the  parapet,  and,  picking  up 
the  flag,  which  had  fallen  on  the  outside 
upon  the  beach,  fastened  it  to  a sponge 
staff.  He  then  mounted  the  merlon,  and, 
while  the  balls  from  the  ships  were  fall- 
ing fast  about  him,  coolly  fixed  the  staff’ 
in  its  place.  Sergeant  M‘Donald  was  mor- 
tally wounded,  but,  as  he  fell,  exhorted 
with  his  last  words  his  comrades  to  con- 
tinue steady  in  the  cause  of  liberty  and 
their  country. 

Next  morning,  all  the  men-of-war  had 
hauled  off  and  anchored  about  two  miles 
from  the  island,  with  the  exception  of 
the  Actmon,  which  remained  where  she 
first  struck.  The  garrison  began  to  fire 
at  her,  and  she  returned  several  shots ; 
but  finally  her  crew  set  fire  to  her,  and 
took  to  their  boats,  leaving  her  colors 
flying,  guns  loaded,  and  all  the  ammuni- 
tion and  stores  aboard.  A party  of  Amer- 
icans then  put  off  from  the  shore,  and 
boarded  her  These  darinu;  fellows,  hav- 
ing  hauled  down  the  flag,  taken  posses- 
sion of  the  ship’s  bell,  and  filled  their  boats 
with  as  many  sails  and  stores  as  they 
could  hold,  prepared  to  return.  They, 


however,  though  the  flames  were  already 
bursting  through  the  deck  and  sides  of 
the  burning  ship,  stopped  to  have  a shot 
at  the  commodore  : so  they  pointed  three 
of  her  guns  at  the  Bristol,  and  fired  them, 
before  they  took  to  their  boats.  They 
had  not  been  half  an  hour  away,  when 
the  fire  reaching  her  magazine,  the  Ac- 
tion was  blown  up,  and  nothing  left  of 
her  but  a shattered  remnant  of  her  hull. 

The  British  admiral  made  no  further 
attempt  upon  the  island.  Clinton,  how- 
ever, strove  again,  early  in  the  morning, 
to  land,  but  was  repulsed. 

Colonel  Moultrie  came  in  for  the  chief 
share  of  the  honors  of  the  victory.  Lee, 
in  his  despatch,  awards  great  credit  to 
him,  and  all  the  officers  and  men.  “1 
beg  leave,”  he  says,  “ to  recommend  in 
the  strongest  term.s,  to  the  Congress,  the 
command  ing  officer,Colonel  Moultrie,  and 
his  whole  garrison,  as  brave  soldiers  and 
excellent  citizens ; nor  must  I omit  at  the 
same  time  mentioning  Colonel  Thompson, 
who,  with  the  South-Carolina  rangers  and 
a detachment  of  the  North-Carolina  regu- 
lars, repulsed  the  enemy  in  two  several 
attempts  to  make  a lodgment  at  the  othei 
extremity  of  the  i.sland. 

“ Our  I0.S.S,  considering  the  heat  and  du 
ration  of  the  fire,  was  inconsiderable ; we 
had  only  ten  men  killed  on  the  spot  and 
twenty-two  wounded ; seven  of  whom 
lost  their  limbs,  but  with  their  limbs  thej’ 
did  not  lose  their  spirits,  for  they  enthu- 
siastically encouraged  their  comrades  nev- 
er to  abandon  the  standard  of  liberty  and 
their  country.” 

Lee  had  never,  from  his  distrust  of  the 
raw  American  troops,  been  very  sanguine 


I 


296  r.ATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [paut  ii 


of  .success.  He  wrote  that  Charleston 
was  “ utterly  defenceless,”  and  he  had 
been  very  anxious  to  secure  a retreat 
from  Sullivan’s  island,  by  means  of  a 
bridge  of  boats  connecting  it  with  the 
mainland  at  Haddrell’s  point.  During 
the  whole  action  he  kept  his  men  busy 
at  this  work  ; but  he  could  not  get  boats 
enough,  and  was  forced  to  resort  to  the 
expedient  of  fastening  planks  upon  emp- 
ty hogsheads.  This,  however,  proved 
ineffectual,  and  the  bridge  was  never 
made  practicable  for  the  purpose  intend- 
ed. Colonel  Moultrie  had  more  confi- 
dence in  his  men,  and  he  knew  them  beC 
ter  than  Lee.  “ For  my  part,”  says  Moul- 
trie, “ 1 never  was  unea.sy  in  not  having 
a retreat,  because  1 never  imagined  that 
the  enemy  could  force  me  to  that  neces- 
sity.” 

Moultrie  did  not  over-estimate  the 
steady  courage  and  endurance  of  his 
men ; but  all  their  good  conduct  would 
probably  have  proved  vain,  if  the  three 
ve.ssels-of-war  which  Parker  had  ordered 
around  the  western  extremity  of  the  isl- 
and had  succeeded  in  getting  into  posi- 
tion, for  they  would  have  poured  their 
broadsides  upon  a part  of  the  fort  which, 


being  unfinished,  could  not  have  with- 
stood the  first  cannonade. 

The  American  colonel  was  fitly  lion 
ored  by  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  Caro- 
lina, changing  the  name  of  Fort  Sullivan 
to  that  of  Fort  Moultrie.  Contrress,  too. 
voted  him,  as  well  as  Lee  and  Thomp- 
son, the  thanks  of  the  country.  The 
brave  Sergeant  Jasper  was  rewarded  on 
the  day  after  the  victory,  by  Governor 
Rutledge,  who  presented  him  with  the 
sword  fi'om  his  own  side.  He  offered 
him,  moreovei’,a  lieutenant’s  commission : 
but  the  humble  Jasper,  who  could  neithei 
read  nor  write,  refused,  saying : “ I am 
not  fit  to  keep  officers’  company;  I am 
but  a sergeant.”=^= 

The  British  vessels  anchored  off  Lono 

O 

i.sland  to  refit;  and  such  was  the  dam- 
aged condition  of  the  larger  ships,  that 
they  were  detained  a long  time  in  getting 
ready  again  for  sea.  General  Clinton  and 
Lord  Cornwallis,  in  the  mean- 
while, sailed  with  the  troops,  in 
a fleet  of  transports,  under  the  escort  of 
the  Solebay  frigate,  bearing  the  flag  of 
Commodore  Parker,  and  bound  for  New 
York. 

* Lossing. 


REVOLUTIONARY.] 


THOMAS  MIFFLIN. 


2% 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Washington’s  Troops  busy  with  the  Pickaxe  and  Spade  on  Long  Island. — The  Bustling  Mifflin. — His  Character. — A 
Military  Dandy’s  Sneer  at  the  Provincials. — Takes  the  “Measure”  of  the  Outward  Man. — Provincial  Jealousies  and 
Quarrels. — Washington  rebukes  the  Quarrelsome. — Is  anxious  about  the  Approach  of  the  Enemy. — The  British  ar 
rive  at  Sandy  Hook. — Washington  on  the  Lookout. — Strengthens  the  Posts  on  the  Hudson. — Sir  William  Howe 
awaits  his  Brother’s  Arrival. — Washington  expects  a Struggle,  and  appeals  to  the  Patriotism  of  his  Army. 


1776. 


‘‘  True  soldiers  and  magnanimous 
citizens  must  brandish  the  pickaxe 
and  spade  as  well  as  the  sword,”  said  Lee  ; 
and  the  army  under  Washington  at  New 
York  was  now  in  full  appreciation  of  this 
military  truth.  The  men  were  kept  bu- 
sily at  work  digging,  ditching,  and  in- 
trenching, on  Long  island,  under  Greene, 
and  at  King.sbridge,  under  the  ever-active 
Mifflin.  The  latter  was  a “ bustler”  who, 
as  one  of  the  sufferers  reports,  “ harassed 
us  unnecessarily,  and,  considering  the  un- 
avoidable severity  of  our  duty,  to  the  real 
injuiy  of  the  health  of  the  troops.”  The 
manners  of  Mifflin  “ were  better  adapted 
to  attract  popularity  than  to  preserve  it. 
Highly  animated  in  his  appearance,  and 
possessing  in  an  eminent  degree  the  tal- 
ent of  haranguing  a multitude,  his  ser- 
vices  in  giving  motion  to  the  militia” 
were  acknowledged.  “ He  assumed  a lit- 
tle of  the  veteran  from  having  lain  be- 
fore Boston,”  and  was  very  fond  of  telling 
his  men  that  he  would  bring  them  into 
“ a scrape.”  He  was  a man  of  educa- 
Uon,  ready  apprehension,  and  brilliancy  ; 
had  spent  some  time  in  Europe,  particu- 
larly in  France,  and  was  very  easy  of  ac- 
cess, with  the  manners  of  genteel  life, 
38 


though  occasionally  evolving  those  of 
the  Quaker.” 

General  Thomas  Mifflin,  with  all  his 
eccentricities,  was  undoubtedly  one  of  the 
most  useful  men  of  the  Revolution.  Af 
ter  serving,  as  we  have  seen  him,  at  the 
siege  of  Boston,  as  quartermaster-general, 
with  unsparing  energy  and  inexhaustible 
ingenuity  of  resource,  he  was  appointed 
by  Congress  a brigadier-general,  and  now, 
at  the  early  age  of  thirty-two,  has  com- 
mand of  the  forces  engaged  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  works  at  Fort  Washing- 
ton and  Kingsbridge. 

The  gentlemanly  qualification.s,  and 
his  ease  ‘‘  of  access,  with  the  manners  of 
genteel  life,”  if  not  the  higher  virtues  of 
Mifflin,  were  appreciated  by  the  military 
coxcombs  of  the  day,  one  of  whom*  has 
been  very  free  in  his  revelations  of  the 
graces  and  Avant  of  graces  of  his  comrades 
while  with  them  engaged  in  brandishing 
“ the  pickaxe  and  spade”  about  Fort  W ash- 
ington,  a duty  certainly  not  very  favor- 
able to  over-nice  appearances ; for,  as  oui 
authority  acknowledge.s,  it  gave  them  all 
the  look  of  “ scavengers.”  He  tells  us  hoAv 
Colonel  Putnam  carried  home  from  mar 

* (ira\  don. 


1 

! 

298  BATTLES  OF  AMPBIICA.  Li’Anx  ii 

kethis  own  meat,  l.)y  tlie  way  of  showing 
a good  example  to  his  officers,  and  re- 
marks ; “ But  if  any  aristocratic  tenden- 
cies had  been  really  discovered  by  the 
colonel  among  his  countrymen,  requiring 
this  wholesome  example,  tliey  must  have 
been  of  recent  origin,  and  the  effect  of 
southern  contamination.”  This  fastidious 
gentleman  is  especially  shocked  by  the 
want  of  nice  social  discrimination  on  the 
part  of  the  New-England  officers,  and,  al- 
though rather  unnecessarily  delicate  in 
bis  genteel  sensibility,  he  seems  justified 
ill  his  sneers  when  colonels  Avere  known 
to  make  drummers  and  filers  of  their 
sons,  in  order  to  put  their  pittance  of 
pay  into  the  family  purse,  and  when  oth- 
er New-England  officers  turned  their  chil- 
dren into  Avaiters.* 

The  ridicule  of  our  fine  gentleman  was 
greatl}'^  moved  by  the  arrival  in  camp  of  a 
body  of  Connecticut  light-horse  : “ These 
consisted  of  a consideraiile  number  of  old- 
fashioned  men  — probably  farmers  and 
heads  of  families,  as  they  Avere  generally 
middle-aged,  and  many  of  them  appa- 
rently beyond  the  meridian  of  life.  They 
were  truly  irregulars  ; and  whether  their 
clothing,  their  equipments,  or  caparisons, 
Avere  regarded,  it  Avould  have  been  diffi- 
cult to  luwe  discovered  any  circumstance 
of  uniformity  ; though  in  the  features  de- 
rived from  ‘ local  habitation’  they  Avere 
one  and  the  same. 

“ Instead  of  carbines  and  sabres,  they 
generally  carried  foAvling-pieces ; some 
of  them  very  long,  and  such  as  in  Penn- 
sylvania are  used  for  shooting  ducks, 
'lere  and  there  one,  Miis  youthful  gar- 

* Tliiu  her. 

ments  Avell  saA'ed,’  appeai'ed  in  a dingy 
regimental  of  scarlet,  Avith  a triangular, 
tarnished,  laced  hat.  In  short,  so  little 
Avere  they  like  modern  soldiers,  in  air  or 
costume,  that,  dropping  the  necessary 
number  of  years,  they  might  have  been 
supposed  the  identical  men  Avho  had  in 
part  composed  Pepperell’s  army  at  the 
takino;  of  Louisburg;.” 

These  men  Avere  volunteers,  and  might 
have  proved  fair  soldiers,  notwithstand- 
ing their  dingy  regimentals”  and  “ sorry 
jades,”  had  they  been  a little  more  trac- 
table. Washington  discharged  them  — 
not,  hoAvever,  because  they  did  not  look 
like  regular  soldiers,  uut  because  they 
Avere  not  very  ready  to  submit  to  become 
such.  ‘‘The  Connecticut  light-horse,” 
says  Washington,  in  his  despatch  to  Con- 
gress, “ mentioned  in  my  letter  of  , 
o ^ j (Inly  17 

the  11  th,  notwithstanding  their 

then  promise  to  continue  here  for  the  de- 
fence of  this  place,  are  noAV  discharged, 
and  about  to  return  home,  having  per- 
emptorily refused  all  kind  of  fatigue-du- 
ty, or  even  to  mount  guard,  claiming  an 
exemption  as  troopers.  Though  their 
assistance  is  much  needed,  and  might  be 
of  essential  service  in  case  of  an  attack, 
yet  I judged  it  advisable,  on  their  appli- 
cation and  claim  of  such  ’’ndulgences,  to 
discharge  them ; as  grantmg  them  Avould 
set  an  example  to  others,  and  might  pro- 
duce many  ill  consequences.” 

A more  sober  authority  is  no  less  fi’ee 
in  his  revelations  of  the  manners  and  con- 
duct of  the  New-England  officers  than  the 
fme  gentleman  Ave  have  already  quoted. 

“ It  Avas  the  case,”  says  Gordon,  “ in  di- 
vers instances,  that,  Avhen  a company  Ava.s 

KEroLUTiONAK'.J  MILITARY  DRESS  AND  MANNERS.  2;)G 


forming,  the  men  would  choose  those  for 
officers  wlio  consented  to  throw  their  pay 
into  a joint  stock  with  the  privates,  from 
which  captains,  lieutenants,  ensigns,  ser- 
geants, corporals,  with  drummers  and  pri- 
vates, drew  equal  shares.  Can  it  then  be 
wondered  at,  however  mortifying  it  may 
prove,  that  a captain  shoidd  be  tried  and 
broken  for  stealing  his  soldiers’  blankets, 
or  that  another  officer  should  be  found 
shaving  his  men  in  the  face  of  distin- 
guished characters  ?” 

There  is  a single  exception  “ to  these 
miserably-constituted  bands  from  New 
England”  made  in  favor  of  the  regiment 
of  Glover,  from  Marblehead  “ There 
was,”  says  our  fastidious  military  critic, 
“an  appearance  of  discipline  in  this  corps; 
the  officers  seemed  to  have  mixed  with 
the  world,  and  to  understand  what  be- 
longed to  their  stations.  Though  defi- 
cient,  perhaps,  in  polish,  it  possessed  an 
apparent  aptitude  for  the  purpose  of  its 
institution,  and  gave  a confidence  that 
myriads  of  its  meek  and  lowly  brethren 
were  incompetent  to  inspire.”  But  even 
Glover’s  seems,  in  the  nice  eyes  of  Gray- 
lion,  to  have  a blot;  for  in  his  regiment 
“ there  were  a number  of  negroes,  which, 
to  persons  unaccustomed  to  such  associa- 
tions, had  a disagreeable,  degrading  ef- 
fect.” 

Even  aristocratic  Virginia  failed  to  come 
up  to  the  high  standard  of  our  genteel 
annalist.’^  “ Neither,”  he  says,  “ did  the 
fighting  department  appear  to  be  fash- 
ionable among  the  gentry  of  Virginia. 
It  must  be  admitted  that  she  furnished 
some  gentlemen  aids-de-camp  and  volun- 

Graydon. 


teers,  and  afterward  corps  of  cavalry,  re- 
spectably officered  ; but  theserious,drudg- 
ing  business  of  war  devolves  on  the  in- 
fantry; and,  in  this  description  of  force, 
she  evinced  but  little  brilliancy.”  He 
then  tells  us  of  a Virginian  commander 
whom  he  knew,  who  had  “ the  appearance 
of  a reputable  planter,”  and  concedes 
that  “he  might  have  been  both  patii- 
otic  and  brave,”  but  adds,  “neither  him- 
self nor  his  officers  were  of  the  kind  that 
bespoke  the  di/e  of  their  country.” 

The  general  officers  even  did  not  es- 
cape the  tailor-like  scrutiny  of  Graydon, 
who  says,  “ The  celebrated  General  Put- 
nam, riding  with  a hanger  belted  across 
his  brawny  shoulders,  over  a waistcoat 
without  sleeves  (his  summer  costume), 
was  deemed  much  fitter  to  head  a band  of 
sicklernen  or  ditchers  than  musketeers.” 
General  Greene,  too,  did  not  “shine  with 
all  the  eclai'’  that  might  have  been  de- 
sired by  the  army  coxcombs.  lie  also 
doubtless  stripped  his  “ brawny  &lioul- 
ders”  to  the  work  along  with  “ Old  Put.” 

The  “ city-bred  Marylander,”  however, 
seems  to  have  been  faultless,  for  “ he  was 
distinguished  by  the  most  fashionabl\'- 
cut  coat,  the  most  macaroni  cocked  hat. 
and  hottest  blood  in  the  Union.”  One 
battalion,  that  of  Smallwood,  appears  to 
have  been  particularly  worthy  of  admi- 
ration, for  “its  officers  exhibited  a mar- 
tial appearance,  by  a uniform  of  scarlet 
and  buff.” 

There  was  something,  however,  more 
serious  than  these  small  distinctions  of 
dress  and  manners  between  the  various 
officers  and  men.  Provincial  jealousies 
often  arose,  and,  although  starting  from 


300  battlp:s  of  America.  lpakt  u 


the  most  trilling  causes,  led  to  the  most 
serious  results.  ‘‘A  singular  kind  of  riot,” 
says  Thacher,  “took  place  in  our  bar- 
racks last  evening,  attended  by  some  un- 
pleasant consequences.  Colonel  A 

W , of  Massachusetts,  made  choice  of 

his  two  sons,  who  were  soldiers  in  his 
regiment,  to  discharge  the  menial  duties 
of  waiters ; and  one  of  them,  having  been 
brought  up  a shoemaker,  the  colonel  was 
so  inconsiderate  as  to  allow  to  work  on 
his  bench  in  the  same  room  with  himself 
The  ridiculous  conduct  has  for  some  time 
drawn  on  the  good  old  man  the  contempt- 
uous sneers  of  the  gentlemen-officers,  es- 
pecially those  from  Pennsylvania.  Lieu- 
tenantrColonel  C , of  Wayne’s  regi- 

ment, being  warmed  with  wine,  took  on 
himself  the  task  of  reprehending  the 
• Yankee’  colonel  for  thus  degrading  his 
rank.  With  this  view,  he  rushed  into  the 
room  in  the  evening,  and  soon  despatched 
the  shoemaker’s  bench;  after  which  he 
made  an  assault  on  the  colonel’s  person, 
and  bruised  him  severely.  The  noise  and 
confusion  soon  collected  a number  of  offi- 
cers and  soldiers,  and  it  was  a consider- 
able time  before  the  rioters  could  be 
quelled.  Some  of  the  soldiers  actually 
took  to  their  arms  and  dared  the  Yankees, 
and  then  proceeded  to  the  extremity  of 
firing  their  guns.  About  thirty  or  forty 
rounds  were  aimed  at  the  soldiers  of  our 
regiment,  who  were  driven  fi'om  their 
huts  and  barracks,  and  several  of  them 
were  seriously  wounded.”  A reconcilia- 
tion ensued,  but  it  only  added  to  the  dis- 
reputableness of  the  affiiir. 

“ It  was  in  the  power  of  Colonel  W ,” 

adds  Thacher,  “ and  in  fact  it  was  his  du- 


ty, to  bring  the  audacious  offenders  to 
exemplary  punishment ; but,  as  if  to  com- 
plete the  disgrace  of  the  transaction.  Colo- 
nel C sent  some  soldiers  into  the 

woods  to  shoot  a fat  bear,  with  which  he 
made  an  entertainment,  and  invited  Colo- 
nel W and  his  officers  to  partake  of 

it ; this  effected  a reconciliation, and  Colo- 
nel W was  induced  to  overlook  the 

high-handed  assault  on  his  own  person 
and  on  the  lives  of  his  soldiers.”  At  the 
close,  Thacher  puts  in  a good  word  for 
his  commander  and  fellow-provincial,  say- 
ing, “ Our  colonel  is  a serious,  good  man. 
but  is  more  conversant  with  the  econo- 
my of  domestic  life  than  the  etiquette 
practised  in  camp.”  This  occurred  in 
Gates’s  army,  at  the  North. 

In  New  Y^ork,  the  troops  seem  to  have 

been  no  less  jealous  of,  and  quarrelsome 

with,  each  other;  for  Washington  finds 

it  necessary  to  issue  this  order : 

Ui,  a ^ ^ August  i. 

“ It  IS  with  great  concern  that 

the  general  understands  that  jealousies 

have  arisen  among  the  troops  from  the 

different  provinces,  and  reflections  are 

frequently  thrown  out,  which  can  only 

tend  to  irritate  each  other,  and  injure  the 

noble  cause  in  which  we  are  engaged,  and 

which  we  ought  to  support  with  one  hand 

and  one  heart. 

“ The  general  most  earnestly  entreats 
the  officers  and  soldiers  to  consider  the 
consequences ; that  they  can  no  way  as- 
sist our  enemies  more  effectually,  than 
liy  making  divisions  among  ourselves; 
that  the  honor  and  success  of  the  army 
and  the  safety  of  our  bleeding  country 
depend  upon  harmony  and  good  agree- 
ment with  each  other ; that  the  provinces 


J 


RKVOI.UTIONART.J 


GENERAL  HOWE  AT  NEW  YORK. 


301 


are  all  united  to  oppose  the  common 
enemy,  and  all  distinctions  sunk  in  the 
name  of  an  ‘American.’  To  make  this 
name  honorable,  and  to  preserve  the  lib- 
erty of  our  country,  ought  to  be  our  only 
emulation ; and  he  will  be  the  best  sol- 
dier and  the  best  patriot  avIio  contributes 
most  to  this  glorious  work,  whatever  his 
station  or  from  whatever  part  of  the  con- 
tinent he  may  come. 

“Let  all  distinctions  of  nations,  coun- 
tries, and  provinces,  therefore  be  lost  in 
the  generous  contest  who  shall  behave 
with  the  most  courage  against  the  ene- 
my, and  the  most  kindness  and  good  hu- 
mor to  each  other. 

“ If  there  be  any  officers  or  soldiers  so 
lost  to  virtue  and  love  of  their  country 
as  to  continue  in  such  practices  after  this 
order,  the  general  assures  them,  and  is 
authorized  by  Congress  to  declare  to  the 
whole  army,  that  such  persons  shall  be 
severely  punished  and  dismissed  from  the 
service  with  di.sgrace.” 

Washington  wasnaturally  anxious,with 
his  army  as  yet  only  reinforced  by  a small 
portion  of  the  militia  levied  by  Congress, 
and  with  considerable  distrust  of  the  good 
conduct  of  some  of  his  troops,  whose  oc- 
casional disorderly  behavior  may  he  in- 
ferred from  the  facts  which  we  have  al- 
ready stated.  Although  we  have  some- 
what anticipated  events  for  the  sake  of 
illustration,  whatever  we  have  said,  in  re- 
gard to  the  conduct  of  both  officers  and 
men,  will  apply  to  the  earlier  as  well  as 
the  later  period. 

When, therefore,  Washington  learns, on 
the  28th  of  June,  that  General  Howe  had, 
on  the  9th,  left  Halifax  with  a fleet  of 


one  hundred  and  thii-ty  sail,  bound  to 
Sandy  Hook,  it  is  not  surprising  that  he 
should  write:  “I  could  wish  General 
Howe  and  his  armament  not  to  arrive 
yet,  as  no  more  than  a thousand  militia 
have  come  in,  and  our  whole  force,  inclu- 
ding the  troops  at  all  the  detaclied  posts, 
and  on  board  the  armed  vessels,  which 
are  comprehended  in  our  returns,  is  but 
small  and  inconsiderable,  when  com])ared 
with  the  extensive  lines  they  are  to  de- 
fend, and  most  probably  the  army  that 


he  l)riiigs.” 

Washington,  seldom  perturbed,  and 
never  more  calm  than  in  danger,  Avas 
still  fully  conscious  of  the  difficulties  of 
his  position.  “ We  expect  a bloody  sum- 
mer in  New  York,”  he  wrote  to  his  broth- 
er, “ and  I am  sorry  to  say  that  Ave  are 
not,  either  in  men  or  arms,  prepared  for 
it.  IIoAveA^er,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that,  if 
our  cause  is  just,  as  I most  religiousl}' 
believe  it,  the  same  ProA'idence  Avhich  has 
in  many  instances  appeared  for  us,  Avill 
still  go  on  to  afford  its  aid.”  Again  Wash- 


ington writes  to  Schuyler : “ Our 
most  vigorous  exertions  Avill  be 


June  28i 


required  in  eA’ery  instance.  I am  con- 
vinced our  enemies  Avill  strain  eA-ery 
nerve  against  us  this  campaign,  and  try 
to  injure  us  Avherever  Ave  may  be  unpro- 
vided.” 

On  that  day  (28th  of  June)  four  Brit- 
ish ships — on  one  of  Avhich,  the  Grey- 
hound, Avas  General  IIoAve  — came  to  an- 
chor in  the  bay  of  Noav  York.  On  the 
29th,  the  officer  appointed  to  keep  a look- 
out on  Staten  island  sent  an  express  to 
Washington,  Avith  the  Avord  that  forty- 
five  more  vessels  had  arrived  off  Sandy 


j02 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


I TAUT  II 


Hook.  “ I am  hopeful,”  writes  Washing- 
ton on  the  occasion,  “ before  they  are 
prepared  to  attack,  that  I shall  get  some 

reinforcements Be  that  as  it  may,”  he 

resolutely  adds,  “ I shall  attempt  to  make 
the  best  disposition  I can  of  our  troops, 
in  order  to  give  tbem  a proper  reception, 
and  prevent  the  ruin  and  destruction 
they  are  meditating  against  us.” 

It  Avas  supposed  that  Howe  Avould  im- 
mediately begin  an  attack.  Washington 
accordingly  Avas  active  in  preparation, 
and  strenuously  urged  on  the  arrival  of 
the  expected  militia  from  the  neighbor- 
ing provinces.  His  old  Virginia  friend, 
Doctor  (noAV  General)  Mercer,  Avas  ap- 
pointed to  the  command  of  the  “flying 
camp,”  and  kept  busy  at  Amboy,  in  con- 
junction Avith  General  Livingston,  of  New 
Jersey,  in  recruiting  and  keeping  a Avatch 
upon  the  enemy.  As  it  Avas  thought 
probable  that  the  British  Avould  force 
their  Avay  up  the  Hudson,  with  the  vicAv 
of  opening  a communication  Avith  Carle- 
ton’s  victorious  forces  at  the  North,  Wash- 
ington directed  his  attention  especially 
to  the  strengthening  of  his  posts  along 
the  banks  of  that  river. 

Great  vigilance  Avas  urged  upon  the 
commanders  of  all  the  forts,  and  Mifflin 
“ the  bustler”  Avas  especially  on  the  alert 
at  Kingsbridge  and  Fort  Washington. 
His  lines  Avere  manned  every  morning 
before  daylight,  and  his  ranks  formed  for 
aiJion.  The  men  Avere  led  to  believe,  by 
the  confident  assertions  of  their  com- 
mander, that  the  enemy  had  already 
landed  in  the  neighborhood.  One  of  the 
oflicers,  harassed  by  these  early  risings 
and  frequent  calls  to  duty,  finally  came 


to  the  conclusion  that  the  general  Avas 
merely  crying  “Wolf!”  and  that  it  aauis 
a contrivance  of  that  “bustler”  Mifllin 
to  inure  his  troops  to  alarms  and  render 
them  alert. 

Although  at  the  head  of  ten  thousand 
men.  General  HoAve  Avas  not  j^et  prepared 
to  make  a demonstration.  He  Avas  await- 
ing the  arrival  of  his  brother.  Admiral 
Lord  IIoAve,  Avith  a formidable  fleet,  hav- 
ing on  board  a large  reinforcement  of 
those  hated  Hessians.  Washington  be- 
came aAvare  of  Howe’s  purpose,  and,  as 
the  admiral  was  hourly  expected,  strove 
to  prepare  his  army  for  the  formidable  en- 
counter Avhich  aAvaited  them.  He  issued 
the  folloAving  order,  Avhich  in  earnestness 
of  patriotic  feeling  and  force  of  expres- 
sion has  never  been  surpassed  by  the 
most  ardent  appeals  to  men  to  fight  for 
their  freedom : — 

“ The  time  is  noAV  near  at  hand,  Avhich 
must  probably  determine  Avhether  Amer- 
icans are  to  be  freemen  or  slaves ; Avheth- 
er they  are  to  have  any  prop- 
erty they  can  call  their  OAvn  5 
Avhether  their  houses  and  farms  are  to 
be  pillaged  and  destroyed,  and  they  con- 
signed to  a state  of  Avretchedness,  from 
Avhich  no  human  efforts  Avill  probably  de- 
liver them. 

“ The  fate  of  unborn  millions  Avill  noAV 
depend,  under  God,  on  the  courage  and 
conduct  of  this  army.  Our  cruel  and  un- 
relenting enemy  leaves  us  no  choice  but 
a brave  resistance  or  the  most  abject  sub- 
mission. This  is  all  that  Ave  can  expect. 
We  have,  therefore,  to  resolve  to  conquer 
or  die.  Our  OAvn  country’s  honor  calls 
upon  us  for  a vigorous  and  manly  exer- 


Jnly  2. 


r 

- 

HKVoi.uTioNARr.J  THE  GREATEST  QUESTION.  3u3 

tion ; and  if  we  now  shamefully  fail,  we 

“ The  general  recommends  to  the  offi- 

shall  become  infamous  to  the  whole  world. 

cers  great  coolness  in  time  of  action,  and 

“ Let  us  rely  upon  the  goodness  of  the 

to  the  soldiers  a strict  attention  and  obe- 

cause,  and  the  aid  of  the  Supreme  Being, 

dience,  with  a becoming  firmness  and 

in  whose  hands  victory  is,  to  animate  and 

spirit.  Any  officer  or  soldier,  or  any  par- 

encourage  us  to  great  and  noble  actions. 

ticular  corps,  distinguishing  itself  by  any 

The  eyes  of  all  our  countrymen  are  now 

acts  of  bravery  and  courage,  will  assu- 

upon  us,  and  we  shall  have  their  blessings 

redly  meet  Avith  notice  and  reAvards;  and 

and  praises,  if  happily  we  are  the  instru- 

on  the  other  hand,  those  Avho  behave  ill 

ments  of  saving  them  from  the  tyranny 

• Avill  as  certainly  be  exposed  and  punished ; 

meditated  against  them.  Let  us  animate 

the  general  being  resolved,  as  Avell  for 

and  encourage  each  other,  and  show  the 

the  honor  and  safety  of  the  country  as 

whole  world  that  a freeman  contending 

of  the  army,  to  shoAV  no  favor  to  such  as 

for  liberty  on  his  own  ground  is  superior 

refuse  or  neglect  to  do  their  duty  at  so 

to  any  slavish  mercenary  on  earth. 

important  a crisis.” 

CHAPTER  XXIT. 

Declaration  of  Independence. — The  Sentiment  of  the  Country. — “ Common  Sense.” — Tliomas  Paine. — His  Life,  (Jharae 

ter,  and  Services. — The  Reception  of  the  “ Declaration”  at  Pliihidelphia. — In  the  Army. — By  the  Citizens  of  New 

York. — Destruction  of  the  Statue  of  George  III. — Washington  rebukes  the  Riotous  Inhabitants  of  New  York. — Gen- 

eral  Howe  in  High  Spirits. — The  Rose  and  Phoenix  again  up  the  Hudson. — Arrival  of  Lord  Howe. — His  Life  and 

Character. — Commissioners  to  treat. — Proclamation. — Franklin  and  Lord  Howe. — Proof  against  Seduction. — A Flag. 

— “ George  Washington,  Esquire,  &c.,  &c.,  &c.” — The  Superscription  not  acknowledged. — The  British  General,  taught 

better,  writes  “ General  Washington.” 

“The  greatest  question  ever  de- 

This  is  an  historical  fact  Avhich  requires 

bated  in  America,  and  as  great  as 

no  book  for  its  record ; it  is  so  early 

ever  was  or  ever  will  be  debated  among 

learned  by  every  child  of  America,  that 

men,”  as  John  Adams  called  it,  was  de- 

his  knoAvledge  of  it  seems  an  instinct  of 

cided  by  this  resolution  of  Congress  on 

his  nature. 

the  2d  day  of  July,  1776:  “That  these 

When  this  momentous  act  Avas  passed. 

United  Colonies  are,  and  of  right  ought 

the  people  Avere  not  unprepared  for  it. 

ro  BE,  free  and  independent  States.” 

Many  of  the  provinces  had  already,  by 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  was 

vote  in  their  assemblies,  resolved  upon 

not,  however,  adopted  until  the  4th  of 

independence  from  Great  Britain;  and 

July,  an  event  which  is  now  so  wrought 

North  Carolina,  Ave  belieA^e,  claims  not 

into  the  heart  of  every  American,  that  it 

only  to  have  anticipated  the  act,  but  even 

IS  supertluous  for  the  historian  to  record 

the  Avords  of  the  declaration. 

the  day  or  the  year  of  its  occurrence. 

By  the  thoughtful  men  of  the  country 

1 

304  r,ATTLP:S  OF  AIMERTCA.  [part  ii 

the  possibility  and  even  the  necessity  and 

the  Potomac,  and  by  the  New-England 

desirableness  of  separation  from  Great 

farmer  at  his  fireside  during  the  long 

Britain,  had  long  been  considered.  As 

nights  of  AAunter.  The  soldier  fired  aneAv 

early  as  November,  1774,  Josiah  Qnincy 

AA'ith  martial  spirit  as,  amid  the  stir  and 

wrote  : “ Doctor  Franklin  is  an  American 

noise  of  Avar,  he  glanced  at  its  pages  of 

in  heart  and  soul.  His  ideas  are  not  con- 

stirring  eloquence ; and  the  statesman 

tracted  within  the  narrow  limits  of  ex- 

learned  Avisdom  from  its  clear  exposition 

emption  from  taxes,  but  are  extended  on 

of  political  rights  and  principle.s. 

the  broad  scale  of  total  emancipation. 

Thomas  Paine  was  born  at  Thetford,  in 

lie  is  explicit  and  bold  on  the  subject.” 

the  county  of  Norfolk,  England,  in  the 

Others  capable  of  comprehensive  views 

year  1737.  Plis  parents,  who  were  Qua- 

of  national  policy  had  nndonbtedly  seen 

kers,  Avere  reputable  toAvnspeople,  and 

at  an  early  period,  in  common  with  Ben- 

brought  up  their  son  in  accordance  Avith 

jamin  Franklin,  the  ultimate  result  of  the 

their  OAvn  position.  He  Avas  apprenticed 

difficulties  between  the  colonies  and  the 

to  a st!i3  maker  in  his  OAvn  tOAvn,  but,  Avith 

mother-country. 

a fondness  for  books,  and  some  early  sue- 

It  was  long,  however,  before  the  sen- 

cess  as  a Avriter,  he  tired  of  his  trade,  and 

timent  of  the  country  was  fully  moulded 

became  subsequently  a schoolmaster.  By 

to  the  definite  idea  of  independence. 

means  of  some  small  patronage,  Paine 

Tliis  was  a result  which  might  b:ive 

succeeded  in  getting  the  appointment  of 

crowned  with  honor  the  noble  endeavors 

an  exciseman,  and  Avhile  thus  occupied 

of  the  highest : it  was,  however,  reserved 

Avrote  a pamphlet  upon  a subject  con- 

as  a triumph  for  the  humble  staymaker 

nected  Avith  his  business.  It  Avas  tins 

of  Thetford.  All  agree  in  attributing  to 

early  effort  Avhich  is  said  to  have  first  at- 

Thomas  Paine  the  preparation  of  the  pop- 

tracted  the  notice  of  Franklin,  then  in 

ular  mind  for  independent  government. 

London,  to  the  author.  Paine  Avas  poor. 

“ Common  Sense,”  as  its  title  promised. 

and  desirous  of  bettering  his  condition ; 

was  a direct  appeal  to  the  general  intelli- 

and  was  thus  induced  by  Franklin  to  try 

gence  of  the  people.  Clear,  forcible,  and 

his  fortune  in  America.  He  settled,  on 

familiar  in  style,  straightforward  in  ar- 

his  arrival,  in  Philadelphia,  Avhere  he  be- 

ginnent,  and  free  from  all  theoretical 

came  the  editor  of  a journal,  and  soon 

abstractions  and  subtleties,  this  fiirnons 

attracted  notice  by  the  vigor  of  his  politi- 

Avc  rk  Avas  read  and  understood  by  all. 

cal  articles.  In  January,  1776,  he  pub 

“That  celebrated  pamphlet,” Burke  called 

lished  his  “ Common  Sense and  its  in- 

it,  “ which  prepared  the  minds  of  the  peo- 

fluence  Avas  so  great,  that  it  almost  justi- 

pie  for  independence.” 

fied  the  remark  that  “Paine  did  as  much 

“Common  Sense”  circulated  every- 

for  the  American  cause  by  his  pen  as 

where  throughout  the  provinces.  It  Avas 

Washington  by  his  sAvord.” 

read  by  the  Virginian  planter  Avhile  loun- 

The  announcement  of  the  Declaration 

ging  beneath  his  portico  on  the  banks  of 

OF  Independence  Avas  received  every  Avh ere 

n 


RKVOl.UTIONARY.] 


DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE. 


306 


by  the  patriots  with  exulting  joy.  In 
Philadelphia,  thousands  of  the  citizens, 
expectant  of  the  event,  gathered  in  the 
streets,  and  thronged  about  the  entrance 
of  the  Hall  of  Independence.  The  bell- 
man was  posted  in  the  tower  above,  and 
a messenger  at  the  doors  of  the  hall  with- 
in which  the  repre.sentatives  of  America 
were  assembled.  The  vote  passed ; the 
result  was  declared  ; a shout  of  enthusi- 
asm followed  ; tlie  bell  rang  vigorously ; 
and  the  crowds  without  caught  up  the 
joyful  sounds,  and  re-echoed  them  with 
loud  hurrahs.  That  bell,  which  first  pro- 
claimed the  news  to  the  people  of  Phila- 
delphia, had  been  wrought  in  London 
twenty-three  years  before,  and  upon  it 
prophetically  inscribed  these  words  from 
the  Bible  : ‘‘  Proclaim  liberty  throughout 
all  the  land,  unto  all  the  inhabitants  there- 
of” 

Washington,  on  receiving  from  Con- 
gress the  “ Declaration,”  ordered  it  to  be 
proclaimed  before  all  the  army, 
accompanying  his  order  with  the 
expression  of  the  hope  “ that  this  impor- 
tant event  will  serve  as  a fresh  incentive 
to  every  olticer  and  soldier  to  act  with 
fidelity  and  courage,  as  knowing  that  now 
the  peace  and  safety  of  his  country  de- 
pend, under  God,  solely  on  the  success 
of  our  arms ; and  that  he  is  now  in  the 
service  of  a state  possessed  of  sufficient 
})Ower  to  reward  his  merit  and  advance 
him  to  the  highest  honors  of  a free  coun- 
try.” 

Washington,  accompanied  by  his  staff, 
was  present  himself  at  the  reading  of  the 
declaration  to  the  brigade  encamped  on 
the  common,  or  the  park,  as  it  is  now 
39 


July  9. 


called,  in  New  York.  The  ranks  were 
formed  into  a hollow  square,  and  Wash- 
ington placed  himself  in  the  centre  on 
horseback,  while  one  of  his  aids  read  out 
witli  a full  voice  each  word  of  the  famous 
document.  The  soldiers,  and  people  gath- 
ered about,  shouted  at  the  conclusion 
with  great  spirit. 

Graydon,  who  added  to  his  other  arti- 
ficial accomplishments  that  of  showing  a 
genteel  contempt  for  a sensation,  acknowl- 
edges that,  “ If  it  [the  declaration]  was 
not  embraced  with  all  the  enthusiasm 
that  has  been  ascribed  to  the  event,  it 
was  at  least  hailed  with  acclamations,  as 
no  doubt  any  other  act  of  Congress,  not 
flagrantly  improper,  would  at  that  time 
have  been The  propriety  of  the  meas- 

ure,” he  adds,  “ had  been  little  canvassed 
among  us ; and  perhaps  it  was  to  our  hon- 
or that  we  were  so  little  of  politicians. 
A predilection  for  republicani.sm,  it  is 
true,  had  not  reached  the  army,  at  least 
the  Penn.sylvania  line  [to  which  Graydon 
himself  belonged]  ; but  as  an  attempt  to 
negotiate,  in  our  unorganized  situation, 
would  251’obably  have  divided  and  ruined 
us,  the  step  was  considered  wise,  although 
a passage  of  the  Rubicon,  and  calculated 
to  close  the  door  to  accommodation.  Be- 
ing looked  upon  as  unavoidable,  if  resist- 
ance was  to  be  persisted  in,  it  was  ap- 
proved ; and  produced  no  resignation 
among  the  officers  that  I am  aware  of, 
except  that  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wil- 
liam Allen.  He  called  at  our  camp,  on 
his  way  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  ap- 
peared somewhat  surprised  and  mortilied 
that  his  example  had  no  followers.” 

The  citizen-patriots  of  New  York  did 


' I 


1 

30fi  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Tart  ii, 

not  receive  the  “Declaration”  as  coolly 

there  is  great  reason  to  expect  ^ ^ ^ 

as  Graydon’s  comrades.  The  crowd,  af- 

a numerous  body  of  the  inhab- 

i 

1 

ter  hearing  the  document  read  on  the 

itants  to  join  the  army  from  the  prov- 

! 

common,  rushed  tumultuously  to  the 

inces  of  New  York,  the  Jerseys,  and  Con- 

1 

“ Bowling-Green,”  and  pulled  down  the 

necticut,  who  in  this  time  of  universal 

1 

equestrian  statue  of  King  George  III., 

apprehension  only  wait  for  opportunities 

I 

which  stood  there.  The  royal  efiigy  was 

to  give  proofs  of  their  loyalty  and  zeal 

j 

of  lead,  but  had  a coating  of  gilt.  When 

for  government.  Sixty  men  came  over 

j 

it  was  torn  down,  it  was  broken  into 

a few  days  ago  with  a few  arms  from  the 

I 

1 

pieces;  and  a faithl'id  annalist  records 

neighborhood  of  Shrewsbury,  in  Jersey, 

1 

i 

that  most  of  them  were  sent  to  Weath- 

who  are  all  desirous  to  serve ; and  I un- 

1 

1 

ersfield,  in  Connecticut,  where  Governor 

derstand  there  are  five  hundred  more  in 

Wolcott’s  familv  of  two  daimhters  and  a 

V O 

that  quarter  ready  to  follow  their  exam- 

i 

\ 

son  patriotically  melted  them  into  “ forty- 

pie.  This  disposition  among  the  people 

two  thousand  Ijullets.”-^ 

makes  me  impatient  for  the  arrival  of 

Washiimton,  findimji;  that  some  of  his 

Lord  Howe,  concluding  the  powers  with 

! 

1 

soldiers  had  taken  part  in  this  act,  which 

which  he  is  furnished  will  have  the  best 

! 

partook  too  much  of  a riotous  character 

effect  at  this  critical  time  ; but  I am  still 

1 

to  accord  with  his  views  of  discipline,  cen- 

of  the  opinion  that  peace  will  not  be  re- 

Hured  his  men  in  the  order  of  the  day. 

stored  in  America  until  the  rebel  army 

and,  while  commending  the  newly-ajD- 

is  defeated.” 

pointed  chaplain  to  their  reverential  re- 

The  provincial  Congress  of  New  York, 

gard,  concluded  with  this  general  advice 

having:  changed  its  name,  in  accordance 

to  the  army  in  regard  to  their  conduct: 

with  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  to 

1 

[ 

“ The  blessing  and  protection  of  Heaven 

that  of  the  “ Convention  of  the  Represen- 

i 

are  at  all  times  necessary,  but  especially 

tatives  of  the  State  of  New  York,”  had 

so  in  times  of  public  distress  and  danger. 

appointed  a secret  committee  to  sit  in 

The  general  hopes  and  trusts  that  every 

the  city  and  counteract  the  machinations 

officer  and  man  will  endeavor  so  to  live 

of  the  royalists,  upon  which  Howe  was  so 

and  act  as  becomes  a Christian  soldier, 

confidently  relying.  Persons  of  known 

defending  the  dearest  rights  and  liberties 

disaffection  and  enmity  to  the  cause  of 

of  his  country.” 

America  were  thus  ferreted  out  and  sent 

General  Howe  seems  to  have  been 

away  to  the  jail  at  Litchfield,  Connecticut 

much  encouraged  on  his  arrival  at  Staten 

and  elsewhere.  These  measures  forced 

island,  by  the  cheering  aspect  and  liberal 

such  men  as  the  Robertsons  and  Delan- 

promises  of  his  tory  friends.  “ 1 have  the 

ceys  to  join  the  enemy  openly,  and  com- 

satisfaction,”  he  writes  to  Lord  George 

polled  some  more  timid  partisans  either 

Germain,  “ to  inform  your  lordship  that 

to  forego  all  active  hostility  or  to  give  in 

their  adhesion  to  the  American  cause. 

was  failed  in  New  York,  says  Walpole,  “ the  late  king.” 

The  enemy’s  force  continued  to  gather 

1 

— 

REVOLUTIO>A’{Y.j 


COMMOTION  Ur 


daily.  On  the  lltli  of  July,  Washington 
writes : “ General  Howe’s  fleet  from  Hali- 
fax has  arrived,  in  number  about  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  sail.  His  arm}'  is  between 
nine  and  ten  thousand,  being  joined  by 
some  of  the  regiments  from  the  West  In- 
dies, and  having  fallen  in  with  part  of  the 
Higblaiid  troops  in  Ids  passage.  He  has 
landed  his  men  on  Staten  island,  which 
they  mean  to  secure,  ami  is  in  daily  ex- 
pectation of  tlie  arrival  of  Lord  Howe, 
with  one  hundred  and  fifty  ships,  and  a 
large  and  powerful  reinforcement.  This 
we  have  from  four  prisoners  who  fell  into 
our  hands,  and  some  deserters.  They 
add  that  nothing  will  be  attempted  until 
his  arrival.” 

July  12  Next  day,however, the  enemy 
did  something,  which,  although 
infling  in  itself,  produced  a great  com- 
motion. Early  in  the  afternoon,  two  of 
the  British  ships-of-war,  the  Eose  and  the 
Phoenix  (one  of  forty  and  the  other  of 
twenty  guns),  with  three  tenders,  w'eighed 
anchor,  and  wdth  a brisk  and  favorable 
breeze  sailed  up  the  North  river  with  the 
flood-tide.  The  American  batteries  along; 
the  city  and  the  Jersey  shore,  and  the 
forts  on  the  Ijanks  of  the  Hudson,  kept  up 
a heavy  and  incessant  cannonade,  which 
was  returned  by  the  ships  as  they  passed 
by,  but  without  much  eflect  on  either 
side.  Even  Fort  Washington,  with  all 
its  formidable  preparation,  proved  of  no 
avail.  It  seems  to  have  been  so  placed, 
that  it  could  neither  do  nor  receive  an 
injury.  “We  were  too  high  for  their 
guns,”  says  an  officer  who  was  present, 
“ to  be  brought  to  bear  upon  us  with  any 
certainty,  though  one  ball  was  thrown 


into  the  fort.  Our  elevated  situation  was 
nearly  as  unfavorable  for  the  success  of 
our  fire  upon  them.” 

The  mcn-of-war,  it  is  true,  had  been 
guarded  by  sand-bags  spread  over  the 
decks  and  raised  along  the  Indwarks,  so 
as  to  protect  them  against  the  American 
riflemen;  while  they  glided  by  so  rapid- 
ly, wilh  the  wind  and  tide  in  their  favor, 
that  it  was  diflicult  to  point  a cannon  at 
them  with  precision.  Tlieir  rigging,  how- 
ever, was  somewhat  damaged,  and  several 
shots  touched  their  hulls.  Having  run 
the  gauntlet  of  all  the  batteries  and  forts, 
the  ships  finally  came  to  anchor  about 
forty  miles  up  the  river,  in  the  middle  of 
that  broad  part  of  the  Hudson  called  Ha- 
verstraw  bay,  where  they  were  out  of 
reach  of  any  shot  from  either  l)ank. 

Washington  expected  that  this  move 
ment  of  the  two  ships  woidd  be  immedi- 
ately followed  by  other.s,  with  the  view 
of  landing  and  seizing  the  passes  in  the 
Highlands.  He  accordingly  sent  an  ex- 
press at  once  to  Brigadier-General  George 
Clinton,  Avho  commanded  the  New'-Yoi  k 
militia  on  Hudson  river,  Avith  orders  to 
him  to  call  out  instantly  as  many  men 
a.s  he  could,  and  post  them  in  such  a Avay 
as  to  pi-eA'ent,  if  po.ssible,  the  supposed 
object  of  the  enemy. 

Clinton, hoAvever,bad anticipated  these 
orders,  having  been  notified  of  the  ap- 
proach of  danger  by  a signal-gun  from 
his  brother,  AAdio,  as  colonel,  Avas  in  com 
mand  of  Fort  Constitution  beloAv,  and  In 
the  exaggerated  reports  of  the  captains 
of  some  sloops  who  came  uj)  the  river 
Avith  the  story  that  NeAV  York  Avas  at- 
tacked. They  had  seen  and  heard  the 


3U»  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 


firina*  in  the  distance  between  the  forts 

O 

and  the  Rose  and  Phoenix,  and,  putting 
on  all  sail,  had  hastened  away  with  the 
alarmina:  intellia.’ence  of  a general  attack. 
Clinton  accordingly  had  ordered  out  three 
regiments  of  militia,  one  of  which  he  sta- 
tioned at  Fort  Constitution,  opposite  W est 
Point;  another  at  Fort  Montgomery  be- 
low, under  his  own  immediate  command  ; 
and  the  third  at  Newburg,  beyond  these 
points.  He  also  had  sent  word  to  the 
masters  of  all  the  river-craft  which  could 
be  reached,  to  brinu:  their  vessels  and  an- 
chor  them  ofi'Fort  Montgomery,  that  they 
might  be  ready  to  stretch  across  the  nar- 
rowest part  of  the  Hudson  there,  as  a bar- 
rier, and  to  be  set  fire  to  in  case  the  en- 
emy’s ships  attempted  to  break  through 
them. 

The  Rose  and  Phoenix  were  not  imme- 
diately followed  by  any  other  ships,  and, 
having  anchored,  remained  quietly,  while 
their  boats  were  sent  out  daily  to  take 
soundings.  The  people,  however,  on  the 
Hudson,  fretted  greatly  at  their  presence, 
and  watched  every  opportunity  to  harass 
and  to  drive  them  from  the  river. 

, ^ Toward  evening,  on  the  same 

July  12.  T IT-., 

day  that  the  Rose  and  Phoenix 

sailed  up,  several  ships  arrived  from  sea 

and  entered  the  narrows.  One  of  these 

had  a St.  George’s  llag  fiyiug  from  her 

foretopmast-head,  and  was  saluted  as  she 

came  in  with  full  volleys  from  the  vessels 

and  the  batteries  at  Staten  island.  This 

was  the  Eagle,  which  bore  the  admiral. 

Lord  Howe. 

Riciiauu  (Earl)  Howe  was  born  in  1725, 
and  entered  the  navy  as  a midshipman 
at  the  age  of  fourteen.  By  merit,  aided 


by  a powerful  patronage,  he  passed  rap- 
idly through  the  grades  of  lieutenant, 
captain,  and  rear-admiral;  and  now,  on 
being  sent  to  America,  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  vice-admiral  of  the  blue.  On 
the  death  of  his  brother,Lord  Howe  (who 
fell  at  Ticonderoga  in  1758),he  succeeded 
to  the  peerage.  The  admiral,  like  the 
general,  had  a tall  and  well-proportioned 
figure,  but  his  face  was  dark  and  stern 
in  expression.  His  manners,  too,  were 
reserved,  and  he  was  thought  to  be  some- 
what haughty  in  disposition.  He  was  a 
brave  and  skilful  officer,  and,  unlike  the 
general,  active  and  indefatigable  in  busi- 
ness. 

The  two  brothers  had  been  appointed 
by  Parliament  commissioners  for  resto- 
ring peace  ; and  accordingly,  as  soon  as 
Lord  Howe  arrived,  he  drew  up,  jointly 
with  the  general,  a proclamation.  This 
document  promised  pardon  to  those  who, 
having  forsaken  their  allegiance  to  the 
crown  in  the  time  of  excitement  and  trou- 
ble, would  return  to  their  duty.  It  also 
offered  rewards  to  those  who  should  aid 
in  the  restoration  of  public  tianquillity. 
The  paper  was  then  sent  to  Franklin,  the 
colonial  governor  of  New  Jersey,  with  the 
request  to  circulate  it  as  freely  as  possi- 
ble among  the  people.  A copy  Avas  ob- 
tained by  General  Mercer,  in  command 
of  the  dying  camp  at  Amboy,  and  for- 
Avarded  by  him  to  Washington,  aa'Iio  thus 
spoke  of  it  in  his  despatch  to  the  presi- 
dent of  Congress: — 

“ When  the  letter  and  declaration,  from 

Lord  Howe  to  Mr.  Franklin  and  . , 

JiiiV  22i 

the  other  late  governors,  come 

to  be  published,  I should  suppose  the 


KKVOLUTIONAUY.]  MR.  WASHINGTON.  3C9 

waiinest  advocate  for  dependence  on  the 

boats  on  guard  a few  miles  from  the  city 

British  crown  must  be  silent,  and  he  con- 

Washington  immediately  convened  such 

vinced,  beyond  all  possibility  of  doubt, 

of  the  general  officers  as  Avere  not  upon 

that  all  that  has  been  said  about  the  com- 

other  duty,  and  asked  their  opinion  as  to 

missioners  was  illusory, and  calculated  ex- 

Avhether  he  ought  to  receive  any  letter 

pressly  to  deceive  and  put  off  their  guard 

directed  to  him  as  a private  gentleman. 

not  only  the  good  people  of  our  own  coun- 

Finding  that  they  agreed  with  his  own 

try,  but  those  of  the  English  nation  that 

view,  that  he  should  not,  he  sent  Colonel 

were  averse  to  the  2)roceedings  of  the 

Keed  (his  former  secretary,  now  adjutant- 

king  and  ministry.” 

general)  down  to  meet  the  flag,  and  to 

Lord  Howe  is  supposed  to  have  sin- 

act  accordingly.  Reed  went  down  as  or- 

cerely  desired  peace,  and  greatly  to  have 

dered  ; and,  after  passing  the  usual  civili- 

regretted  that  his  arrival  had  been  de- 

ties,  the  British  officer  informed  him  that 

layed  until  after  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 

he  had  a letter  from  Lord  Howe  to  Mr. 

pendence.  He  is  known  to  have  been 

Washington,  Avhich  he  showed,  with  the 

early  interested  in  the  difficidtiesbeUveen 

address,  “ To  George  Washington,  Esquire.” 

the  home  government  and  the  colonies ; 

Colonel  Reed  replied  that  there  Avas  no 

and  it  is  related  that,  when  Franklin  was 

such  person  in  the  army,  and  that  a let- 

in  London,  he  was  invited  by  his  lord- 

ter  intended  for  the  general  could  not  be 

ship  to  dinner,  with  the  view  of  extort- 

received  under  such  a direction. 

ing  from  him  some  information  in  refer- 

The  officer  expressed  great  conceiai, 

ence  to  the  probable  measures  of  the 

and,  stating  that  it  Avas  a letter  rather  of 

American  leaders.  Lord  Howe  was  ably 

a civil  than  a military  nature,  declared 

seconded  on  this  occasion  by  the  diplom- 

that  Lord  Howe  regretted  that  he  had 

acy  of  his  sister.  While  the  former  freely 

not  arrived  sooner,  since  he  had  great 

circulated  the  Madeira,  the  latter  brought 

poAvers.  The  anxiety  on  the  part  of  the 

to  play  upon  the  philosopher  all  the  en- 

officer  to  have  the  letter  received  Avas 

ticements  of  her  seductive  graces.  But 

very  apparent,  although  he  disclaimed 

Franklin’s  sober  reason  was  proof  against 

all  knowledge  of  its  contents.  Colonel 

the  intoxication  of  either  the  one  or  the 

Reed,  hoAvever,  had  received  positive  or- 

other;  and  the  domestic  conspiracy  of 

ders,  and  accordingly  took  his  leave.  At- 

Lord  and  Miss  Howe  was  defeated  by 

ter  the  tAvo  had  separated  and  got  some 

the  streiigth  of  head  and  steadiness  of 

distance  aAvay  from  each  other,  the  officer 

principle  of  the  American  patriot. 

Avith  the  flag  put  about  again  Avith  his 

„ . . . On  the  second  day  of  Lord 

July  14.  . , . , 

Howe’s  arrival  in  the  bay,  about 

boat,  and  asked  how  General — but,  catch- 
ing himself,  3Ir.  Washington,  Avould  Avish 

ihree  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  word  was 

to  be  addressed.’'"'  Colonel  Reed  ansAvertul 

brought  to  Washington  that  a flag  had 

that  the  general’s  station  AvasAvell  knoAvn, 

come  up  from  his  lordship,  and  was  now 

and  they  could  not  be  at  a loss  hoAv  to 

detained  by  two  of  the  American  whale- 

* Irving. 

- 

310 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


direct  to  him.  He  added,  moi-eover,  that 
a proper  add  res, s would  obviate  all  diffi- 
culty of  communication,  as  Lord  Howe 
himself  must  be  aware,  since  this  matter 
liad  already  been  discassed  in  the  course 
of  the  previous  year. 

“ I would  not,”  says  Wa.shlngton,  com- 
menting upon  this  affair,  “ upon  any  oc- 
casion sacrifice  essentials  to  punctilio; 
but  in  this  instance,  the  opinion  of  otli- 
ers  concurring  with  my  own,  I deemed 
it  a duty  to  my  country  and  my  appoint- 
ment to  insist  upon  that  respect  which, 
in  any  other  than  a public  view,  I would 
willingly  have  waved.”  Congre.ss  showed 
its  approval  of  his  conduct  in  this  matter 
by  the  resolution  “ That  General  W ashing- 
ton,  in  refusing  to  receive  a letter  said  to 
be  sent  from  Lord  Howe,  and  addressed 
to  ‘ George  Washington,  Esquire^  acted  with 
a dignity  becoming  his  station.” 

Notwithstanding  Lord  Howe’s  want  of 
success,  his  brother  the  general  attempt- 
ed the  same  manoeuvre,  and  sent  a flag 
addressed  to  “ George  Washington,  Esquire^' 
with  the  addition  of  “ d'c.,  d'c.,  d'c!'  It 
was,  of  course,  not  received.  A few  days 
subsequently,  Howe  accordingly  hit  upon 
another  expedient.  He  sent  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Patterson,  the  British  adjutant- 
general,  with  a flag. 

, This  dignified  messenger  was 

20.  . ° . 

met  with  the  usual  lormalitie.s, 

and,  as  he  was  sent  officially  by  General 
Howe  to  the  American  coinrnander-in- 
chief,  was  by  the  order  of  Washington 
conducted  ashore  and  admitted  into  his 
presence.  The  usual  preliminary  compli- 
ments having  passed,  during  which  the 
British  colonel  addressed  Washington  by 


the  title  of  excellency,  as  he  did  through- 
out the  interview,  business  began. 

Colonel  Patterson  commenced  by  say- 
ing that  General  Howe  much  regretted 
the  difficulties  which  had  arisen  in  le 
spect  to  the  letter.  He  then  justified  the 
propriety  of  the  address,  on  the  ground 
that  it  was  usual  Avith  embas.sadors  and 
plenipotentiarie.s,  when  disputes  or  diffi- 
culties of  rank  arose.  The  colonel  then 
reminded  Washington  that  he  had,  du- 
ring the  previous  summer,  sent  a letter 
to  General  Howe  Avith  the  address,  “7b 
the  Ilonorahle  William  Howe,  Esquire”  Lord 
IIoAve  and  General  HoAve,  he  continued, 
did  not  mean  to  derogate  from  the  re- 
spect or  rank  of  General  Washington, 
Avhose  person  and  character  they  held  in 
the  highest  esteem ; and,  as  for  the  ad- 
dress upon  the  letter,  the  “ &c.,  &c.,  &c.,” 
implied  eAmrything  Avhich  ought  to  fol- 
loAV.  The  colonel  here  produced  a letter. 
AV'hich,  hoAvever,  he  did  not  directly  offer 
to  General  Washington,  but,  remarking 
that  it  Avas  the  same  as  had  been  already 
presented,  laid  it  upon  the  table,  Avhere 
the  address,  “ To  George  Washington,  Es- 
quire, &c.,  &c.,  &c.,”  could  be  readily  seen. 

Washington  declined  to  receive  it,  and 
remarked  that  a communication  directed 
to  a person  in  his  public  character  should 
have  some  indication  of  his  station,  other- 
Avise  it  Avould  appear  a mere  private  leL 
ter.  As  for  the  “ &c.,  &c.,  &c.,”  Washing- 
ton said  it  Avas  true  they  implied  every- 
thing, but  they  also  implied  anything. 
In  regard  to  the  letter  Avhich  had  been 
addressed  to  General  IIoAve  Avithout  men- 
tion of  his  rank,  that  had  been  sent,  Wash- 
ington exulained,  in  answer  to  one  sinn- 


r~' 


REVOLUTioNAKY.]  THE  MATTER  OF  TITLES. 


larly  addre-ssed  to  himself,  and  which  had 
only  been  received  because  the  officer  on 
duty  had  not  refused  it  when  first  pre- 
sented. Washington  now  having  firmly 
declared  that  he  should  decline  to  receive 
any  letter  directed  to  him  as  a private 
person,  when  it  related  to  his  pul)lic  sta- 
tion, Colonel  Patterson  said  that  General 
Howe  would  not  urge  his  delicacy  fur- 
ther, and  repeated  his  assertion  that  no 
failure  of  respect  was  intended. 

Patterson  then,  saying  that  he  w'ould 
endeavor  as  well  as  he  could  to  recollect 
General  Howe’s  views,  briefly  gave  them, 
and  on  finishing  took  a paper  out  of  his 
pocket,  and,  having  glanced  over  it  for  a 
moment,  remarked  that  he  had  expressed 
nearly  the  words.  A conversation  now 
ensued  in  regard  to  the  treatment  of  pris- 
oners; and  finally  Colonel  Patterson  al- 
luded to  the  object  of  the  mission  of  Lord 
and  General  Howe,  stating  that  the  good- 
ness and  benevolence  of  the  king  had  in- 
duced him  to  appoint  these  two  gentle- 
men his  commissioners  to  accommodate 
the  unhappy  dispute  with  the  colonies; 
that  they  had  great  powers,  and  would 
derive  the  greatest  pleasure  from  effecG 
ing  an  accommodation;  and  that  he  (Colo- 
nel Patterson)  wished  to  have  his  visit 
considered  as  makino;  the  first  advance 
toward  this  object. 

Washington  replied  that  he  was  not 
vested  with  any  powers  on  this  subject 
by  those  from  whom  he  derived  his  au- 
thority ; but,  from  what  had  appeared, 
Lord  and  General  Howe  were  only  to 
grant  pardoirs,  and  that  those  who  had 
committed  no  fault  wanted  no  pardon. 
“We  are  only  defending,”  added  Wash- 


Si  1 

ington,  “ what  we  deem  our  indisputable 
rights.”  To  Avhich  Colonel  Patterson  an- 
swered, “ That  would  open  a very  wide 
field  for  argument.” 

The  greate.st  courtesy  prevailed  during 
the  conference,  and  at  its  close  Colomd 
Patterson  strongly  expressed  hisacknowl- 
edgments  that  the  usual  practice  of  blind- 
folding had  been  di.spensed  with  in  his 
case.  Washington  pressed  him  to  par- 
take of  a collation  which  had  been  pro- 
vided, but  “ he  politely  declined,  alleging 
his  late  breakfast.”  After  staying  a feAV 
moments  to  be  introduced  to  the  general 
officers,  he  took  leave.  Colonel  Peed 
and  one  of  Washington’s  aids-de-camp  ac- 
companied him  in  the  president’s  barge 
to  his  own  boat,  which  awaited  him  some 
four  miles  below  the  city,  where  they 
separated  in  the  best  good  nature,  after  a 
lively  chat  during  their  short  fellowship. 

“ This  interview,”  wrote  General  Howe 
to  Lord  George  Germain,  “ was  more  po- 
lite than  interesting.  How'ever,  it  in- 
duced me  to  change  my  superscription 
for  the  attainment  of  an  end  so  desirable  ; 
and  in  this  view  I flatter  mj^self  it  will 
not  be  disapproved.”  Washington  was 
subsequently  alwaj^s  addressed  by  tlu> 
title  of  “ general.”  Lord  Howe,  however, 
though  evidently  desirous  from  the  be- 
ginning of  being  courteous  in  this  par- 
ticular, hesitated  for  fear  of  di.sapprov.al 
on  the  part  of  the  British  ministry,  whose 
insolent  tyranny  hesitated  at  no  insult, 
however  gross.  An  interview  with  Lord 
Ilowe,  ten  days  after  the  visit  of  Colonel 
Patterson,  showed  that  his  lordship  was 
still  haggling  about  this  matter  of  titles. 

Colonel  Palfrey,  paymaster-general  of 


3]2 

the  army,  was  sent,  together  with  anoth- 
er officer,  on  board  the  Eagle, 
Julj  30.  Howe’s  ship,  to  negotiate 

an  exchange  of  prisoners.  The  colonel 
gave  this  account  of  his  visit,  in  a letter 
to  Congress ; “ We  were  treated  with  the 
utmost  politeness  and ’civility  by  Lord 
Howe.  He  spoke  with  the  highest  re- 
spect of  General  Washington,  and  lament- 
ed the  nice  distinctions  which,  he  said, 
prevented  his  addressing  him  by  letter; 
and  said  he  wished  to  convey  his  senti- 
ments to  him  in  any  mode  of  addre.ss 
that  might  prevent  liis  being  blamed  by 
the  king  his  master. 

“ In  all  his  discourse  he  called  him  Gen- 
eral Washington,  and  frequently  said  the 
states  of  America.  He  said  the  Congress 
had  gi-eatly  hurt  his  feelings  by  I’emind- 
ing  him,  in  one  of  their  publications,  of 
the  esteem  and  respect  they  had  for  the 
memory  of  his  brother,  and  drawing  by 
manifest  inference  a contrast  between 
the  survivors  and  the  deceased ; that  no 


[PAKT  II. 

man  could  feel  more  sensibly  the  respect 
shown  to  their  family  than  his  lordship 
and  the  general ; that  they  should  always 
esteem  America  for  it,  and  particulaily 
Massachusetts  Bay ; and  added,  ‘ I hope 
America  will  one  day  or  other  be  con- 
vinced that,  in  our  affection  for  that  coun- 
try, we  also  are  Howes.’  His  lordship, 
when  speaking  of  his  brother,  was  great- 
ly affected,  and  I could  perceive  a tear 
standing  in  his  eye. 

‘‘  He  hinted  an  inclination  that  I should 
take  the  letter  to  General  Washington, 
with  the  addition  of  ‘ &c.,  &c.,  &c.,’  which 
he  said  wouhl  imply  everything  that  Ave 
could  desire,  and  at  the  same  time  save 
him  from  censure.  I gave  him  to  under- 
stand that,  as  it  had  been  before  refused 
under  the  same  circumstances,!  could  not 
with  propriety  receive  it,  especially  as  it 
was  against  the  express  direction  of  Con- 
gress. When  we  parted,  he  desired  his 
compliments  to  General  Washington.”* 
This  closed  the  chapter  of  “ &c.,  &c.,  &c.” 


liATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


The  Phoeni:?  .and  Rose  up  the  Hudson. — The  Inefficacy  of  the  Forts. — A Chain  put  across  the  River. — Anderson  s fno- 
Ships. — Old  Put’s  Pet  Project. — Clicvaux-de-Fri.se,  Chains,  Booms,  &c. — The  “American  Turtle.” — Wasliinglon 
rejoices  over  the  Victory  at  Charleston. — The  Ten  'I'housand  British  on  Staten  Island. — AVashington  determines  to 
remain  on  the  Defensive. — The  British  Thirty  Thousand  strong. — The  Americans  about  half  the  Number. — The  Fire 
Galleys  put  in  Operation  on  the  Hudson. — The  Rose  and  Phoenix  forced  to  shift  their  Quarters. — The  Fate  of  Andei 
son,  the  American  Turtle,  &c. 


The  Americans  Avere  greatlv  dis- 

1 1 7 0 1 

turbed  by  those  tAvo  British  ships, 
the  Phoenix  and  Rose,  quietly  lying  at 
their  anchors  up  the  Hud.son.  There  they 
Avere,  only  forty  miles  above  NeAV  York, 


cutting  off  all  communication  by  wiiter 
betAveen  the  city  and  Albany,  and  he- 
tAveen  Washington’s  army  and  that  of 
Schuyler  upon  the  lakes.  It  Avas  true 

* Sparks’s  Life  of  Washington. 


KKVOLUTiONAUi.^  ANDERSON’S  PROJECT.  313 

they  were  watched  so  closely  by  Clinton 
and  his  militiamen  stationed  on  the  banks 
of  the  river,  that  they  were  prevented 
from  making  a landing,  or  from  having 
communication  with  the  tories  who,  with 
“ the  most  diabolical  dispositions  and  in- 
tentions,” abounded  in  those  quarters. 

Washington  was  aw.are  of  the  inellica- 
cy  of  the  American  forts ; and  when  tlie 
two  ships  ran  by  them,  it  exhibited  a 
proof,  he  says,  “ of  what  I had  long  most 
religiously  believed,  and  that  is,  that  a 
vessel  with  a brisk  wind  and  strong  tide 
can  not,  unless  by  a chance  shot,  be 
stopped  by  a battery,  unless  j’ou  can 
place  some  obstruction  in  the  water  to 
impede  her  motion  within  reach  of  your 
guns.” 

The  ingenuity  of  all  was  now  being 
exercised  to  destroy  or  drive  away  these 
impudent  intruders.  Clinton  was  busy 
above,  and  particularly  active  when  he 
discovered  that  the  ships  had  one  night 
moved  still  farther  up  the  river,  and  an- 
chored within  six  miles  of  Fort  Montgom- 
ery, where  he  himself  was  stationed.  He 
was  anxious  lest  they  might  “ take  advan- 
tnge  of  a dark  night  and  slip  by  him  in 
the  deep  shadows  of  the  mountains.”  He 
accordingly  determined  to  be  on  the  alert. 
Guards  were  sent  below, and  preparations 
Tiiade  with  combustibles  to  light  alarm- 
fires,  so  soon  as  tiie  ships  should  move. 
Fire-rafts  were  constructed  at  Poughkeep- 
sie, and  sloops  filled  with  inflammable  ma- 
terials of  all  kinds,  and  kept  ready  to  be 
lashed  together  and  sent  down  against 
the  Rose  and  Phoenix;  while  an  iron 
chain  was  forged,  to  stretch  across  from 
Fort  Montgomery  to  Anthony’s  Nose,  in 
40 

order  to  put  a stop  to  their  progress 
should  tliey  attempt  to  sail  up. 

Washington,  too,  Avas  vexing  himself 
with  all  sorts  of  contrivances  to  do  some- 
th ino;  effective  from  below  against  the 
audacious  tars.  Governor  Trumbull,  of 
Connecticut,  had  sent  him  two  row-gal- 
leys, fitted  out  by  the  whalemen  of  New 
London,  and  promised  him  a third  ; while 
Cooke,  the  governor  of  Rhode  Island,  had 
been  urged  to  do  something  with  the  nan 
tical  resources  of  his  province  in  the  emer- 
gency. One  “ Mr.  Anderson”  had  been 
received  into  the  confidence  of  tlie  com- 
mander-in-chief, to  whom  he  had  l)een  es- 
pecially commended  by  the  president  of 
Congress.  He  had  laid  before  that  body 
a plan  for  the  destruction  of  the  British 
fleet  in  the  harbor  of  New  York,  which 
had  been  received  Avith  such  favor,  that 
he  Avas  sent  to  Washington,  Avith  the  re- 
quest that  he  Avould  facilitate  his  pro- 
posed operations.  Anderson  himself  Avas 
so  saimuine,  that  he  declared  he  Avas  Avil- 
ling  to  risk  his  life  in  the  experiment, 
lie  was  confirmed  in  his  self-confidence 
by  a previous  trial  of  his  plan  against  the 
British  vessels  off  Quebec,  Avhich  Avonld 
have  succeeded,  as  he  believed,  ‘‘  had  it 
not  been  defeated  by  the  accident  of  his 
being  burnt  himself”  instead  of  the  ships, 

“ and  by  the  enemy’s  getting  intelligence 
of  his  plan  and  taking  measures  to  coun- 
teract it.”  lie  Avas  uoav  at  Avork 
under  the  eye  of  Washington, 

Avho  Avrites  that  the  fire-ships  are  going 
on  under  Mr.  Anderson’s  direction,  but 
rather  sloAA'ly.” 

Anderson  himself,  Avitli  the  usual  en- 
thusiasm of  projectors,  gives  a more  en- 

r 

— 

— — 

314  BATTLES  OF  AMP^RICA.  [i’akt  it 

couraging  account  of  his  progress.  “ I 
have  been,”  he  writes  to  the  president  of 

Congress,  ‘‘for  some  time  past 
July  31.  ° . ,,  ^ 

very  assiduous  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  fire-ships.  Two  are  already  com- 
plete, and  hauled  off  into  the  stream ; two 
more  will  be  oft'  to-morrow,  and  the  resi- 
due in  a very  short  time.  In  my  next, 

I hope  to  give  you  a particular  account 
of  a general  conflagration,  as  everything 
in  my  power  shall  he  exerted  for  the  de- 
molition of  the  enemy’s  fleet.  I expect 
to  take  an  active  part,  and  be  an  instru- 
ment for  that  purpose.  I am  determined 
(God  willing)  to  make  a conspicuous  fig- 
ure among  them,  by  being  ‘ a burning 
and  a shining  light,’  and  thereby  serve 
my  country,  and  have  the  honor  of  meet- 
ing the  approbation  of  Congress.” 

“I  am  preparing,”  writes  Washington, 
“some  obstructions  for  the  channel  near- 
ly opposite  the  works  at  the  upper  end 
of  the  island.”  And  a few  days  later  he 
says:  “The  hulks  and  three  chevaiix-de- 
frise,  that  had  been  preparing  to  obstruct 
the  channel,  have  got  up  to  the  place 
they  are  intended  for,  and  will  be  sunk 
as  soon  as  possible.”  This  contrivance 
was  due  to  the  Yankee  ingenuity  of  “Old 
Put,”  who  was  as  full  of  enthusiasm  for 
his  pet  project  as  Anderson,  whose  darling 
invention,  it  woidd  seem  from  the  follow- 
ing letter,  that  Putnam  had  adopted  with 
all  the  affection  as  if  it  had  been  his  own 
offspring : — 

July  26  enemy’s  fleet,”  he  writes 

to  General  Gates,  “now  lies  in 
the  bay  very  safe,  close  under  Staten  isl- 
and. Their  ti  oops  possess  no  land  here 
but  the  island.  Is  it  not  very  strange 

that  these  invincible  troops,  who  were  to 
destroy  and  lay  waste  all  this  country 
with  their  fleets  and  army,  are  so  fond 
of  islands  and  peninsulas,  and  dare  not 
put  their  feet  on  the  main  ? But  I hope, 
by  the  blessing  of  God  and  good  friends, 
we  shall  pay  them  a visit  on  their  island. 

For  that  end  we  are  preparing  fourteen 
fire-ships  to  go  into  their  fleet,  some  of 
which  are  ready  charged  and  fitted  to 
sail,  and  I hope  soon  to  have  them  all 
fixed. 

“We  are  preparing  chevmix-de-frise,  at 
which  we  make  great  despatch  by  the 
help  of  ships,  which  are  to  be  sunk ; a 
scheme  of  mine,  which  you  may  be  as- 
sured is  very  simple,  a plan  of  which  1 
send  you.  The  two  ships’  sterns  lie  tow- 
ard each  other,  about  seventy  feet  apart. 
Three  large  logs,  which  reach  from  shijj 
to  ship,  are  fastened  to  them.  The  two 
ships  and  logs  stop  the  river  two  hundred 
and  eighty  feet.  The  ships  are  to  be 
sunk,  and,  when  hauled  down  on  one 
side,  the  picks  will  be  raised  to  a proper 
height,  and  they  must  inevitably  stop  the 
river  if  the  enemy  will  let  us  sink  them.” 

Nor  was  this  the  last  of  the  projects. 

A mechanician  of  Connecticut,  of  the 
name  of  Bushnell,  had  invented  a boat, 
so  contrived  as  to.  be  rowed  and  steered, 
and  raised  and  sunk  under  water,  at  the 
will  of  the  operator  within.  To  a part 
of  this  sidjinarine  craft  was  attached  a 
moveable  magazine  of  powder,  which  was 
to  be  exploded  by  means  of  a clocklike 
piece  of  mechanism.  It  was  proposed  to 
get  a bold  navigator  to  start  with  this 
machine,  dive  down  into  the  bay,  and 
bring  up  under  an  enemy’s  vessel ; and 

r 


RF.VOLUTlONARY.j 

then,  detaching  the  magazine,  and  boring 
through  the  ship’s  copper,  to  fasten  it 
like  a barnacle  to  the  bottom.  This  be- 
ing done,  the  magazine  was  to  be  wound 
up,  and  its  going  off  so  timed,  that  the 
adventurous  submarine  navigator  might 
have  an  opportunity  of  making  good  prog- 
ress homeward  bound  when  the  “Ameri- 
(!an  Turtle,”  as  the  machine  was  called, 
should  begin  its  infernal  operations. 

“ Old  Put”  likewise  took  kindly  to  the 
“ American  Turtle.”  “ Major-General  Pub 
nam,”  says  Thacher,  “ was  decidedly  of 
opinion  that  its  operations  might  be  at- 
tended with  the  desired  success ; accord- 
ingly, he  encouraged  the  inventor,  and 
I'esolved  to  be  himself  a spectator  of  the 
experiment  on  the  British  shipping  in 
New-York  harbor.”  While  these  schemes 
of  destruction  were  plotting,  an  attempt 
was  made  against  the  enemy,  according 
to  the  principles  of  more  regular  warfare. 

Ship  after  ship  continued  to  add  its 
strength  to  the  formidable  fleet  in  the 
bay.  Crowded  transports  had  come  and 
landed  their  thousands ; and  now  came 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Earl  Corn- 
iigiisl  1 after  their  defeat  before 

Charleston.  Washington,  cheered  by  the 
intelligence  which  he  had  received  some 
few  dnys  before  the  arrival  of  the  British 
from  the  South,  of  the  American  success, 
concludes  his  letter  full  of  anxious  busi- 
ness, addressed  to  Schuyler,  with  the  un- 
usually lively  remark  for  the  sedate  com- 
mander-in-chief : “ Sir  Peter  Parker  and 
his  fleet  got  a severe  drubbing  in  an  at- 
tack made  upon  our  works  on  Sullivan’s 
island.” 

To  h is  army  Washington  announces 


315 

the  southern  victory  with  a decorous 
gravity,  and  makes  it  an  occasion  for  the 
encouragement  of  the  martial  s])irit  nnd 
patriotic  emulation  of  his  soldiers  : “ The 
general  has  great  pleasure,”  are  the  words 
of  the  order  of  the  day,  “ in  communica- 
tino;  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  this 
army  the  signal  success  of  the  American 
arms,  under  Genei'al  Lee,  in  South  Caio- 
lina.  This  glorious  example  of  our  troo])s, 
under  the  like  circumstances  with  us,  the 
general  hopes,  will  animate  every  officer 
and  soldier  to  imitate  and  even  outdo 
them,  when  the  enemy  shall  make  the 
same  attempt  on  iis.  With  such  a bright 
example  before  us  of  what  can  be  done 
by  brave  and  spirited  men  fighting  in  de- 
fence of  their  country,  we  shall  be  loaded 
with  a double  share  of  shame  and  infamy 
if  we  do  not  acquit  ourselves  with  coin- 
age, or  a determined  resolution  to  con- 
quer or  die.” 

Washington  had  but  little  hope  of  act- 
ing offensively  with  advantage  against  the 
enemy.  The  British  had  a much  supe- 
rior army  in  numbers,  discipline,  and  con- 
dition. General  Howe  had  already  land- 
ed ten  thousand  troops  on  Staten  island  ; 
and  his  army,  with  those  afloat  in  the 
transports  in  the  bay,  and  those  hourly 
expected,  would  amount  soon,  it  was  sup- 
posed, to  twenty-five  thousand  men  all 
told.  The  Americans  could  only  count 
on  about  ten  thousand  men  fit  for  duty  : 
while  the  Avhole  of  Washington’s  arm}', 
including  the  sick  and  others,  did  not 
number  much  more  than  seventeen  thou- 
sand. Our  situation  at  present,”  says 
Washington,  “ both  in  regard  to  men  and 
other  matters,  is  such  as  not  to  make  it 


THJ:  “AMERICAN  TURTLE.” 


316  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  n 

1 

advisable  to  attempt  any  tiling  against 

state  of  agitation,  that  it  was  thought  ad- 

them,  surrounded  as  they  are  by  water, 

Ausable  to  postpone  the  enterprise.  On 

and  covered  with  ships,  lest  a miscarriage 

a subsequent  occasion  it  was  proposed  to 

should  be  productive  of  unhappy  and  fa- 

make  another  attempt,  and  a formidable 

tal  consequences.  It  is  provoking,  nev- 

force  of  nearly  four  thousand  men  was 

ertheless,  to  have  them  so  near,  Avithout 

ordered  out  for  the  purpose ; but  it  Avas 

being  able  to  give  them  any  disturbance.” 

found  to  be  impossible  to  procure  boats 

There  was  little  to  be  done  but  to  re- 

enough  to  carry  more  than  half  of  the 

main  on  the  defensive,  and  await  the  op- 

troops  across  to  the  island.  All  such  ah 

erations  of  the  enemy.  Washington,  how- 

tempts  Avere  therefore  abandoned,  and 

ever,  was  not  much  more  sanguine  of  his 

the  attention  of  the  Avhole  army  Avas  noAV 

means  of  defence  than  of  his  powers  of 

being  concentrated  upon  the  probable 

offence.  ‘‘What  kind  of  opposition  we 

movement  of  the  enemy. 

shall  be  able  to  make,”  he  says,  “ time 

Tavo  deserters  having  come  in,  are  ta 

only  can  show.  I can  only  say  that  the 
men  appear  to  be  in  good  spirits,  and,  if 

ken  to  headquarters,  and  from 
them  Washington  learns  “ that  ^ 

they  will  stand  by  me,  the  place  shall  not 

General  Clinton  and  Lord  CornAvalli: 

be  carried  Avithout  some  loss,  notAvith- 

Avith  the  Avhole  southern  army,  have  at 

standing  Ave  are  not  yet  in  such  a pos- 

rived  on  Staten  island  from  South  Caro 

ture  of  defence  as  I could  Avish.” 

lina,  in  number  about  three  or  four  thou- 

Washington,  ncA^ertheless,  determined 

sand ; that  the  fleet  Avhich  came  in  a few 

to  make  “ some  efforts  to  annoy  the  en- 

days  since,  are  the  Hessians  and  Scotcli 

emy,”  but  not  to  put  “ too  much  to  haz- 

IIighlanders,part  of  tAvelve  thousand  Avho 

ard,  or  in  any  manner  to  risk.”  It  was 

Avere  left  off  NeAvfoundland,  in  the  Avhole 

accordingly  proposed  to  begin-  at  Staten 

making  about  thirty  thousand  men  ; and 

island.  It  Avas  found  “ impracticable  to 

that  it  is  said  by  the  officers  of  the  army 

do  anything  upon  a large  scale,”  and  it 

and  navy,  they  are  to  attack  New  York 

Avas  therefore  resolved  merely  to  make 

and  Long  island  in  the  course  of  a Aveek.” 

an  humble  attempt  fi’om  the  Jersey  shore. 

“ \Vhen,”  says  Washington  to  Governor 

Major  KnoAvlton,  Avho  Avas  stationed  at 

Trund)ull,  of  Connecticut,  “ I consider  the 

Bergen,  New  Jersey,  and  General  Mercer, 

Aveakness  of  our  army  by  sickness,  the 

in  command  of  the  Hying  camp  at  Amboy, 

great  extent  of  ground  Ave  have  to  de- 

were  directed  to  concoct  a plan  and  carry 

fend, and  the  amazing  slowness  AvitliAvhich 

it  into  execution.  These  two  according- 

the  levies  come  forward,  I think  it  is  ah- 

ly  got  ready  a small  force  and  some  boats. 

solutely  necessary  that  the  neighboring 

and,  marching  down  to  tlie  shore  in  the 

militia  should  be  immediately  sent  to  our 

evening,  prepared  to  embaik  Avhen  it 

assistance.” 

sho'uld  become  sulhcieutly  daik.  The 

Washington’s  anxiety  may  be  inferred 

night,  however,  [u-oved  so  stormy,  and 

from  what  he  adds  in  the  same  lettei': 

the  waters  of  the  “Kill”  were  in  such  a 

“The  disgrace  of  the  British  arms  to  I be 

, 

I!  K VOLUTION  A IIY.]  ATTACK  ON  THE  ROSE  AND  PIICENIX. 


southward,  and  the  season  being  far  ad's 
vanccd,  will  make  thetn  exert  every  nerve 
against  ns  in  this  quarter.  To  trust  alto- 
gether in  the  justice  of  our  cause,  without 
our  own  utmostexertions,  would  be  tempt- 
ing Providence  ; and,  that  yon  may  judge 
of  our  situation,  I give  you  tlie  present 
state  of  our  army.  (Present  fit  for  duty, 
10,514  ; sick  present,  3,039  ; sick  absent, 
629 ; on  command,  2,940  ; on  furlough, 
97:  total,  17,225.)  By  this  you  will  see 
we  are  to  oppose  an  army  of  thirty  thou- 
sand experienced  veterans  with  about  one 
third  the  number  of  ra  w troops,  and  these 
scattered  some  fifteen  miles  apart.” 

There  was  now  an  opportunity  of  test- 
ing the  various  means  of  mischief  so  in- 
geniously  devised  against  the  Rose  and 
Phoenix.  Six  of  the  row-galleys  were 
soon  got  ready,  and,  being  sent  up  the 
liver,  were  manned  by  crews  of  doughty 
fresli-water  men,  principally  belonging  to 
Tarrytown,  and  commanded  by  Colonel 
Tapper.  This  little  fleet  boldly  pushed 
out  into  the  “ Tappan  sea,”  and  began  an 
attack  upon  the  two  British  cruisers.  The 
figlit  was  gallantly  maintained  for  nearly 
two  hours,  in  the  course  of  which  the  big 
ships  were  repeatedly  hulled ; but  the 
little  fleet,  being  badly  damaged  in  re- 
turn, was  finally  obliged  to  “haul  off.” 
“ Never,”  says  a writer  quoted  by  Irving, 
“ did  men  behave  with  more  firm,  deter- 
mined spirit,  than  our  little  crews.  One 
of  our  tars,  being  mortally  wounded,  cried 
to  his  companions : ‘ I am  a dying  man  ; 
revenge  my  blood,  my  boys,  and  carry 
me  alongside  my  gun,  that  I may  die 
there.’  We  were  so  preserved  by  a gra- 
cious Providence,  that  in  all  our  galleys 


ol7 

we  had  but  two  men  killed  and  fourteen 
wounded,  two  of  which  are  thought  dan- 
gerous. We  hope  to  have  another  brush 
with  these  pirates  before  they  leave  our 
river;  whicli  God  prosper.” 

The  fire-ships,  too,  were  brought  into 
play,  and  not  without  effect.  Two  of 

them  were  sent  up  the  river,  in 

1 - ^ , Aiig.  Ifi. 

order  to  set  lire  to  the  British 

vessels.  One  got  alongside  of  the  Phoe- 
nex  and  grappled  with  her  for  some  min- 
utes, but  she  succeeded  in  clearing  her- 
self The  other  made  an  attempt  iqion 
the  Rose,  but,  failing  to  reach  her,  fell 
afoul  of  one  of  the  tenders,  and  soon  had 
her  in  a blaze.  The  crews  behaved  Avith 
great  resolution  and  intrepidity  ; and  one 
of  the  captains  stuck  so  long  to  his  fire- 
ship, that  he  was  finally  obliged  to  make 
his  escape  by  plunging  into  the  Avater 
and  SAvimniing  for  his  life. 

Next  morning  the  Rose  and  Phoenix, 
evidently  very  much  discomposed  by  the 
dangerous  encounter  of  the  day  before, 
made  ready  to  shift  their  quarter.s.  While 
the  ships  Avere  Aveighing  anchor,  a bold 
militia  lieutenant  and  tAvo  men  pushed 
off  in  a boat  from  the  shore,  and  toAved 
in  the  hulk  of  the  burnt  tender,  in  spite 
of  the  enemy’s  guns,  Avhich  kept  up  a 
brisk  fire.  The  Phoenix  and  Rose,  noAV 
taking  advantage  of  a fresh  and  fair  Avind 
and  an  ebbing  tide,  hoisted  all  sail  and 
hurried  aAvay,after  a sojourn  of  five  AA’eeks. 
The  American  riflemen  along  the  banks 
of  the  river  Avere  on  the  alert,  and  did  not 
fail  to  shoot  Avith  their  usual  skill  at  the 
flying  vessels ; but  most  of  the  men  Averc 
kept  so  close  beloAV,  and  those  on  duty 
upon  deck  Avere  so  Avell  guarded  b}'  tht 


318 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPAKT  11. 


thick  ranipai'ts  of  sandbags,  that  the  rities 
failed  to  do  much  execution.  The  forts, 
too,  were  busy,  and  their  cannon  were  so 
well  pointed,  that  the  Phoenix  was  three 
times  liidled  and  a tender  once  by  the 
shots  from  Fort  Washington ; Avhile  the 
Pose  did  not  escape  without  a hall  from 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  They 
finally  succeeded  in  passing  without  much 
damage,  and  were  not  stopped  even  by 
the  chevaux-de-frise  upon  which  “ Old  Put” 
had  expended  so  much  ingenuity  and  la- 
bor, and  sc  greatly  calculated.  By  some 
oversight  or  other,  his  fanious  obstruc- 
tion had  not  been  completed,  and  the 
vessels  passed  through  the  opening  left 
unclosed. 

Of  Anderson’s  project  and  extensive 
preparations  nothing  more  was  heard ; 
and  he  failed  to  prove  ‘‘a  burning  and  a 
shining  light”  of  as  mighty  an  illumina- 
tion and  conflagration  as  he  had  prom- 
ised. Ills  fellow-projector  Bushnell,  the 
Connecticut  mechanician,  also  disappoint 
ed  the  expectations  of  his  enthusiastic 
(fiends.  Though  it  is  somewhat  in  anti- 
cipation of  events,  it  may  be  as  well  to 
finish  here  the  history  of  these  famous 
projects,  by  recording  the  end  of  the 
“ American  Turtle.”  It  was  determined 
to  make  the  first  experiment  upon  Lord 
Howe’s  own  ship,  the  Eagle,  of  sixty-four 
guns.  Accordingly,  the  machine  was  got 
ready,  and  a night  appointed.  A number 
of  ollicers  collected  together  on  the  wharf 
at  Whitehall,  among  whom  General  Put- 
nam, as  the  chief  patron  of  the  scheme, 
was  in  a high  state  of  active  enthusiasm 
on  the  occasion.  At  the  very  beginning, 
however,  there  was  a serious  disappoint- 


ment. Bushnell’s  brother,  'having  been 
w'ell  drilled  for  the  purpose,  Avas  to  navi- 
gate the  machine;  but  unfortunately,  just 
as  he  was  about  to  make  his  adventurous 
voyage,  he  Avas  suddenly  taken  ill. 

Old  Put,”  hoAvever,  Avas  not  to  be  thus 
put  olf;  so  he  selected  a sergeant  out  of 
his  own  Connecticut  regiment,  in  Avhose 
native  ingenuity  he  had  naturally  great 
faith,  and  appointed  him  to  the  command 
of  the  “ American  Turtle.”  The  sergeant 
readily  consented  to  take  charge,  and,  be- 
ing installed,  stroArn  at  once  to  make  him- 
self acquainted  Avith  the  mysteries  of  the 
machine.  All  being  ready,  the  “Ameri- 
can Turtle”  Avas  started  on  its  adventu- 
rous Amyage.  “Old  Put”  and  his  felloAV- 
olficers,  liaAung  bid  a God-speed  to  the 
bold  sergeant,  remained  upon  the  Avhai'f, 
anxiously  aAvaiting  the  result.  The  night 
passed  sloAvly,  the  day  began  to  break, 
and  still  the  great  ship  of  the  admiinl 
reposed  quietly  in  her  smooth  bei  th  oft' 
Governor’s  island.  The  Eagle  Avas  evi- 
dently there  ; but  the  “American  Turtle” 
— where  Avas  it?  The  Avaters  of  the  bay 
Avere  undisturbed;  the  bell-Avatches  of 
the  ship  Avere  striking  Avith  their  usual 
regularity ; the  island  had  still  the  appa- 
rent solidity  of  lora  finna  ; and  the  sun 
appeared  to  be  rising  as  orderly  and  in 
as  good  time  as  ever ! 

At  last,  the  officers  from  the  Avharf  at 
Whitehall  see  a movement  on  GoA^ernor’s 
island.  A bare;e  filled  Avith  men  shoves 
off  and  rapidly  approaches  the  admiral’*^ 
ship.  It  is  seen  suddenly  to  stop,  and 
then  to  return  in  great  haste,  as  if  fright- 
ened by  a dark  object  Avhicli  can  uoav  be 
discerned  floating  quietly  upon  the  sur- 


kevolutionauy.]  failure  OF  THE  “TURTLE."  31<- 


face  of  the  bay.  In  a moment  after,  a 
loud  noise  is  heard,  “like  thunder,”  and 
a great  column  of  water  rushes  up  with 
the  force  of  a waterspout  just  alongside 
the  Eagle.  Instantly  her  cables  are  cut, 
and  she  drifts  down  the  bay  with  the  eb- 
bing tide. 

The  adventurous  Connecticut  sergeant 
in  the  meantime  pops  up  from  below,  in 
his  submarine  boat;  but,  finding  that  he 
is  within  raime  of  the  sentries  on  Gov- 

O • 

ernor’s  island,  he  dives  down  again,  and 
does  not  make  his  appearance  upon  the 
surface  of  the  water  until  within  hailing 
distance  of  his  patron,  “ Old  Put,”  on  the 
Whitehall  whaif.  He  is  now  towed  in 
by  a small  boat,  and  on  his  arrival  gives 


an  account  of  his  voyage.  It  seems  he 
had  reached  in  safety  the  place  whither 
he  was  bound,  under  the  bottom  of  the 
Eagle;  but,  finding  that  lier  copper  was 
too  thick  to  penetrate,  for  the  purpose 
of  attaching  his  magazine  of  powder,  he 
had  visited  some  of  the  other  vessels; 
meeting,  however,  the  same  difficulty  un- 
der them,  he  finally  let  off  his  infernal 
machine,  which  produced,  as  Ave  have 
seen,  the  commotion  in  the  Avater  and  the 
agitation  in  the  fleet.  The  officers  on  the 
Eagle  reported  aftei’Avard  that  they  had 
been  aAvare  of  something  under  the  hot- 
tom  of  their  ship,  but,  supposing  it  Avas 
nothing  but  a floating  log,  they  took  no 
further  thought  of  the  matter. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


tteneral  Greene  on  the  Alert  at  Long  Islanil. — The  British  Plan  of  Attack — The  Tories  on  Long  Island  ferreted  out,  and 
dealt  with  vigorously. — AVashington  touched  with  the  Siitt'erings  and  Dangers  of  the  People  of  New  York. — Rumors 
of  Peace. — Greene  falls  ill. — Putnam  succeeds  to  the  Command  on  Long  Island. — The  Enemy  cross,  land,  and  beat 
hack  the  Provincial  Outposts. — Tlie  Excitement  in  New  York. — AA'^ashington’s  Preparations  for  the  AA’^orst. — The  Pro- 
vincial Defences. — The  Struggle. 


General  Greene,  in  command  of 
the  American  troops  and  Avorks  on 
Long  island,  Avas  on  the  alert,  Avatching 
every  movement  of  the  enemy. 
AUoUT9.  sends  Avord  to  Washing- 

ton, at  New  York,  that  his  lookouts  had 
reported  that  on  the  previous  evening  a 
hundred  boats  Avere  seen  bringing  troops 
from  Staten  island  to  the  transports,  and 
that  three  of  the  men-of-Avar  had  moved 
(loAvn  toAvard  the  narroAvs.  A general 
embarkation,  it  Avas  supposed,  had  begun. 


and  an  attack  might  be  hourly  expected. 
Deserters  came  in,  and  confirmed  these 
reports.  The  plans  of  the  IIoAves  Avere 
even  openly  discussed.  Ships  Avere  to 
sail  up  the  North  and  East  rivers,  and 
kind  the  British  troops  on  both  sides  of 
the  island  of  Noav  York,  and,  forming  a 
junction,  to  hem  in  the  Americans  and 
hold  them  at  their  mercy. 

Washington  Avas  active,  and  hurried 
to  bring  all  his  resources  to  bear  on  the 
emergency.  He  Avrites  to  General  Mer 


20 

rer,  in  New  Jersey,  to  send  him  two  thou- 
sand men  from  his  dying  camp,  hut  con- 
fesses that  lie  knows  not  where  they  are 
to  come  from,  for,  according  to  the  “ gen- 
eral’s last  i-eturn,  not  more  than  three  or 
four  hundred  of  the  new  levies  had  come 
in.”  Smallwood’s  battalion  of  Maryland- 
ers had;  however,  already  been  sent.  The 
convention  of  New  York  was  emphatical- 
ly urged  to  do  its  best,  and  responded  by 
a call  upon  the  militia  of  the  state,  to 
join  the  encampment  above  Kingsbridge. 
The  summons  was  urgent,  and  all  were 
to  come,  however  accoutred,  it  being  or- 
dered “ that  each  man  who  shall  not  have 
arms  shall  bring  with  him  a shovel,  spade, 
pickaxe,  or  a scythe  straightened  and 
fixed  on  a pole.”  Even  all  the  disarmed 
and  disaffected,  from  sixteen  to  fifty  years 
of  age,  were  to  be  brought  forcibly  along, 
(liat  they  might  serve  as  fatigue-men  to 
the  respective  regiments. 

The  recreant  were  to  be  severely  dealt 
with;  and  when,  for  example,  it  was  dis- 
covered that  the  inhabitants  of  Kings 
county,  on  Long  island,  did  not  intend 
to  oppose  the  enemy,  a committee  was 
appointed  to  visit  them,  and,  if  they  found 
them  still  in  that  temper,  was  authorized 
to  disarm  and  secure  the  disaffected  per- 
sons, remove  or  destroy  the  stock  of  grain, 
and  if  they  should  judge  it  nece.ssary,  to 
lay  the  whole  county  waste.  Some  of 
these  Long-islanders  did  not  appear  very 
formidable,  as  may  be  judged  from  the 
account  of  a party  of  tories  by  General 
Greene,  who  was  actively  engaged  in  fer- 
reting them  out:  — 

“ I have  examined  the  prisoners,”  says 
(irreene,  “ and  find  them  to  be  a poor  par- 


[rAirr  ii. 

cel  of  ignorant,  cowardly  fellows.  Two 
are  tailors  and  the  other  two  common  la- 
borers. They  candidly  confess  that  they 
set  off  with  an  intention  of  going  to  Stat- 
en island  ; not  with  any  intention  of  join 
ing  the  enemy,  but  only  to  get  out  of  the 
Avay  of  fighting  here.  There  has  been  a 
draft  amongst  the  militia  to  fill  the  new 
levies,  and  it  was  rumored  that  these  per- 
sons were  drawn.  It  was  also  reported 
that  they  were  to  go  to  the  northern  ar- 
my, and  that  almost  all  that  went  there 
either  died  or  were  killed.  The  prospect 
was  so  shocking  to  them,  and  to  their 
grandmothers  and  aunts,  that  I believe 
they  Avere  persuaded  to  run  away.  Never 
did  I see  fellows  more  frightened.  They 
Avept  like  children,  and  Avere  exceedingly 
sorrowful.  1 beg  your  excellency’s  direc- 
tion hoAV  to  dispose  of  them.  They  do 
not  appear  to  be  acquainted  Avith  one 
pidjlic  matter.  They  have  been  torijkh ; 
I fancy  not  from  principle,  but  from  its 
being  the  preA'ailing  sentiment  in  the 
country.” 

The  tories,  hoAvever,  Avere  not  by  any 
means  all  of  this  character.  NeAV  York 
Avas  frdl  of  men  of  Avealth  and  position 
Avho  Avere  lending  their  aid  and  encour- 
agement to  the  enemy.  Washington  Avas 
very  solicitous  to  have  them  removed  ; 
and  su.spected  persons  Avere  being  daily 
arrested  and  sent  off  to  Connecticut,  Avhere 
they  Avere  confided  to  the  safe  keeping  of 
the  patriotic  Governor  Trumbull.  “Thei'e 
are  but  feAV  of  them,”  says  Washington, 
“ who  will  not  defray  their  own  expenses,” 
and  they  were  promised  every  indulgence 
consistent  Avith  the  public  safety.  They 
expressed  “ a very  earnest  desire  to  be 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


( 

KKvoLUTioNARY.]  ILLNESS  OE  GREENE.  321 

permitted  to  choose  their  own  lodgings 

he  can  procure,  the  army  may  expect  an 

luul  accommodations,”  to  which  Washing- 

attack  as  soon  as  the  wind  and  tide  shall 

ton,  with  his  usual  gentlemanly  consider- 

prove  fiivorable.  He  hopes,  therefore, 

ation,  says,  “I  see  no  objection.” 

that  every  man’s  mind  and  arms  will  be 

Washington’s  good  heart  was  touched 

prepared  for  action,  and,  when  called  to 

and  his  gentle  humanity  called  into  ex- 

it,  show  our  enemies  and  the  whole  world 

ercise  by  the  condition  of  the  helpless  in 

that  freemen  contending  on  their  own 

1 

New  York.  He  writes  to  the  New-York 

land  are  superior  to  any  mercenaries.” 

1 

convention : “ When  I consider  that  the 

While  artful  gossips  were  distracting 

city  of  New  York  will  in  all  human  prob- 

the  minds  of  his  soldiers  with  rumors  of 

ability  very  soon  be  the  scene  of  a bloody 

peace,  the  American  chief  was  awaiting 

conflict,  I can  not  but  view  the  great  num- 

the  “ bloody  conflict”  which  he  knew  was 

hers  of  women,  children,  and  infirm  per- 

inevitable.  He  expected  the  enemy  each 

sons  lemaining  in  it,  with  the  most  mel- 

moment.  The  signals  and  alarms  were 

ancholy  concern.  When  the  men-of-war 

ready:  two  cannon  were  to  be  discharged 

passed  up  the  river,  the  shrieks  and  cries 

from  Fort  George,  at  the  lowest  part  of 

of  these  poor  creatures,  running  every 

the  city;  a flag  in  the  daytime,  or  a light 

way  with  their  children,  were  truly  dis- 

at  night,  was  to  be  raised  on  Bayard’s 

tiessing;  and  I fear  they  will  have  an 

hill,  and  three  guns  of  its  battery  fired 

unhappy  effect  on  the  ears  and  minds  of 

quickly  but  distinctly,  to  signify  to  the 

our  young  and  inexperienced  soldiery. 

troops  to  proceed  to  their  alarm-posts 

Can  no  method  be  devised  for  their  re- 

and  prepare  for  action ; while  the  drums 

inoval  ?” 

were  to  beat  to  arms  at  the  first  sound 

General  Howe  still  lingered  in  his  pur- 

of  the  alarm-cannon. 

pose,  and  had  so  long  delayed  his  attack. 

The  position  of  the  Americans  was  not 

that  the  American  soldiers,  at  the  surges- 

very  encouraging,  and,  to  add  to  their 

tion  of  artful  emissaries  from  the  enemy, 

disadvantages.  General  Greene  unfortu- 

began  to  discuss  the  probability  of  peace. 

nately  fell  ill.  “I  am  very  sorry,”  he 

This  became  so  general,  that  Washington 

writes  to  Wa.shington,  “to  be  un- 

. . \ng.  15. 

thought  it  necessary  to  allude  to  it  in  the 

der  the  necessity  of  acquainting 

. ^ order  of  the  day  : “ The  general 

ill"'  20  JO 

you  that  I am  confined  to  my  bed  with 

being  informed,  to  his  great  sur- 

a raging  fevei’.  The  critical  situation  of 

prise,  that  a report  prevaiks,  and  is  indus- 

affairs  makes  me  the  more  anxious;  but 

triously  spread  far  and  wide,  that  Lord 

I hope,  through  the  assistance  of  Provi- 

Howe  has  made  propositions  of  peace. 

dence,  to  be  able  to  ride,  before  the  pres- 

calculated  by  designing  persons  probably 

ence  of  the  enemy  may  make  it  absolute- 

to  lull  us  into  a flital  security;  his  duty 

ly  necessary.”  This  was  a serious  mis- 

obliges  him  to  declare  that  no  such  offer 

fortune,  as  Greene  had  the  command  on 

has  been  made  by  Lord  Howe,  but,  on 

Long  island, and, having  directed  the  con- 

the  contrary,  from  the  best  intelligence 
41 

struction  of  the  works  there,  and  thor- 

i 

' ' 1 

1 

J^22 

oiighly  studied  the  topography,  he  alone 
probably  was  capable  of  a judicious  de- 
fence. 

Washington,  aware  of  Greene’s  effi- 
ciency, anxiously  awaited  his  return  to 
duty,  and  hesitated  to  appoint  a succes- 
s(jr.  The  threatening  aspect  of  the  ene- 
my, however,  forbade  any  further  delay, 
and  tlie  cliief  finally  ordered  Putna,m  to 
the  general  command  on  Long  island, and 
General  Sullivan  to  the  special  charge  of 
the  troojjs  without  the  lines.  The  loss 
of  Greene  at  this  moment  was  especially 
felt,  as  it  appeared  probable  that  the  ene- 
my would  first  move  against  Long  island. 
Washington,  it  is  true,  knew  that  it  was 
impossible  to  prevent  Ilowe  from  land- 
ing on  the  island,  as  its  great  extent  af- 
forded “a,  variety  of  places  favorable  for 
that  purpose,”  and  the  whole  of  the  Amer- 
ican works  were  “at  the  end  opposite  to 
the  city.”  With  Greene  in  command,  he 
had  hopes,  no  doubt,  of  holding  the  posi- 

. tion  at  Bi’ooklyn.  Now,  howev- 

Aug.  20.  1 1 

er,  he  seems  less  sanguine,  and 

says,  “We  shall  attempt  to  harass  them 

as  much  as  possible,  which  will  be  all  that 

we  can  do.” 

The  long-expected  movement  of  the 
enemy  at  last  began.  The  men-of-war 
had  been  anchored  at  the  narrows,  to  cov- 
er the  landing;  and,  as  soon  as  the  day 

. dawned,  the  tents  on  Staten  isl- 

Aiiff.  22.  ^ , 

and  were  struck,  and  tlie  troops 

embarked.  Soldiers,  too,  principally  Hes- 
sians, crowded  the  decks  of  the  fleet  of 
transports,  and  thronged  over  the  ships’ 
sides  into  the  boats.  Boat  followed  boat 
in  quick  succession,  and,  passing  rapidly 
to  the  shore,  and  making  for  Gravesend 


n 

bay,  landed  the  men  near  Gravesend  and 
New  Utrecht,  on  Long  island.  As  the 
troops  debarked,  and  crowded  up  in  thou- 
sands toward  the  high  ground.  Colonel 
Hand  retired  with  his  riflemen  from  his 
post  on  the  hill,  burning  the  wheat  and 
destroying  whatever  else  might  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  British. 

“Nine  thousand  men  have  landed  and 
approached  within  three  miles  of  theAmer- 
ican  lines,”  is  tlie  intelligence  brought  by 
a hurried  messenger  to  Washington.  He 
immediately  sends  six  battalions  to  rein- 
force the  troops  at  Brooklyn,  and  is  ready 
to  detach  five  more  in  case  that  this  move- 
ment of  the  enemy  does  not  prove  a feint, 
and  that  the  fleet  should  not  move  up 
with  the  remainder  of  the  army  and  make 
an  attack  upon  New  York.  While  in 
this  state  of  uncertainty  about  the  pre- 
cise manoeuvres  of  Howe,  Washington  is 
well  persuaded  that,  whatever  they  may 
be,  “a  little  time  will  produce  some  im- 
portant events I hope,”  he  says,  “ they 

will  be  happy.”  He  is  encouraged  some- 
what by  the  temper  of  his  men.  The 
reinforcement  sent  off  had  gone  in  “high 
spirits,”  and  “ the  whole  of  the  army,  that 
are  effective  and  capable  of  duty,  discov- 
er the  same  and  great  cheerfulness.” 

Still  further  to  encourage  the  good 
spirit  of  his  soldiers,  and  to  remind  them 
of  their  high  duties,  Washington  addres- 
ses them  in  these  ardent  words : . 

rr..  1 ITT  Aug.  23. 

“ ihe  enemy  have  now  landed 

on  Long  island,  and  the  hour  is  first  ap- 
proaching on  which  the  honor  and  suc- 
cess of  this  army,  and  the  safety  of  our 
bleeding  country,  will  depend.  Remem- 
ber, officers  and  soldiers,  that  you  are 


BATTLES  OF  AMEUICA. 


REVOLUTIONARY.] 


rriEPAPJXG  P^OR  THE  WORST. 


323 


freemen,  fighting  for  the  blessings  of  lib- 
erty ; that  slavery  will  be  your  portion, 
and  that  of  your  posterity,  if  you  do  not 
acquit  yourselves  like  men.  Remember 
how  your  courage  and  spirit  have  been 
despised  and  traduced  by  your  cruel  in- 
vaders; though  they  have  found  by  dear 
experience  at  Boston,  Charleston,  and 
other  places,  w’hat  a few  biave  men,  con- 
tending in  their  own  land,  and  in  the  best 
of  causes,  can  do  against  hirelings  and 
mercenaries. 

“Be  cool,  but  determined;  do  not  fire 
at  a distance,  but  wait  for  orders  from 
your  officers.  It  is  the  general’s  express 
orders  that  if  any  man  attempt  to  skulk, 
lie  down,  or  retreat  without  orders,  he 
be  install tlj'^  shot  down  as  an  example, 
lie  hopes  no  such  will  be  found  in  this 
army;  but  on  the  contrary,  that  every 
one  for  himself  resolving  to  conquer  or 
die,  and  trusting  in  the  smiles  of  Heaven 
upon  so  just  a cause,  will  behave  with 
bravery  and  resolution.  Those  who  are 
distinguished  for  their  gallantry  and  good 
conduct,  may  depend  upon  being  honor- 
ably noticed,  and  suitably  rewarded  ; and 
if  this  army  will  but  emulate  and  imitate 
their  brave  countrymen  in  other  parts  of 
America,  he  has  no  doubt  they  will,  by 
a glorious  victory,  save  their  country,  and 
acquire  to  themselves  immortal  honor.” 

The  inhabitants  of  New  York  were  in 
the  meantime  in  a state  of  great  excite- 
ment. The  struggle  was  now  almost  at 
their  doors,  and  they  hourly,  as  they  lis- 
tened with  trembling  to  the  sound  of  the 
cannon’s  roar,  expected  that  the  enemy 
would  be  in  their  midst.  To  the  certain 
horrors  of  the  sword  were  added  the  ter- 


rors of  fire,  which  they  feared  was  about 
to  desolate  their  homes.  It  wuis  rumored 
throughout  the  town  that,  in  case  the 
American  army  should  be  obliged  to  le- 
treat,  the  city  would  be  burned.  The 
New-York  convention  wrote  with  anx- 
ious alarm  to  \Yashington,  who  replied  ; 
“I  can  assure  you,  gentlemen,  that  this 
report  is  not  founded  upon  the  least  au- 
thority from  me ; on  the  contrary,  I am 
so  sensible  of  the  value  of  such  a citj’, 
and  the  consequences  of  its  destruction 
to  many  worthy  citizens  and  their  fiimi- 
lies,  that  nothing  but  the  last  necessity, 
and  that  such  as  should  justify  me  to  the 
whole  world,  would  induce  me  to  give 
orders  for  that  purpose.” 

Washington,  with  his  usual  caution  and 
systematic  regard  to  business,  had  placed 
all  the  papers  he  held  “ respecting  the  af 
fairs  of  the  state”  in  a large  box,  nailed 
them  up,  and  committed  them  to  the  cai'e 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Reed,  brother  ol 
his  old  secretary  (now  adjutant-general), 
to  be  delivered  to  Congi'ess.  “ I hope,” 
he  says,“  the  event  will  show  the  caution 
unnecessary;  but  yet  prudence  required 
that  it  should  be  done,  lest  by  any  acci- 
dent tliev  might  fall  into  their  hands.” 
Mrs.  Washington  had  left  New  York  some 
time  previously,  and  was  now  on  her  way 
to  Mount  Vernon;  while  the  rest  of  the 
wives  and  families  of  the  general  officers 
had  also  gone  for  security  to  their  homes, 
or  into  the  interior  of  the  country.  All 
were  evidently  preparing  for  the  Avorst. 

The  British  continued  to  land  on  Long 
island  Avithout  opposition.  On 

. ^ Aiig'i  22« 

the  first  day  eight  thousand 
came,  and  in  two  days  more  the  Avhole 


1 

324  BiVr'l'LES  OF  AMEIkICA.  [part  ii. 

invading  force,  amounting  to  ten  thou- 
sand men  and  forty  cannon,  reached  the 
ground.  Forming  as  they  arrived,  they 
marched  inland  for  several  miles  and  then 
encamped. 

General  Putnam  wns  now  in  command 
of  the  American  ti’oops  within  the  lines. 
The  works,  consisting  of  redoubts  and  in- 
trenchments,  stretched  from  Wallabout 
bay  on  the  north  to  Gowanus  on  the  south 
— across  the  neck  of  that  peninsula  over 
which  a city  now  expands,  but  within 
which  at  that  time  there  were  only  a few 
scattered  houses,  forming  the  village  of 
Brooklyn.  Opposite,  to  the  northwest, 
stands  New  York,  separated  from  Brook- 
lyn by  the  East  river,  nearly  a mile  broad 
at  that  point.  To  the  west  lies  Govern- 
or’s island, where  the  Americanshad  erect- 
ed a fort;  and  at  Rt  d Hook,  on  the  south- 
west corner  of  the  peninsula,  was  a strong 
battery. 

Beginning  about  two  and  a half  miles 
to  the  east  of  the  American  lines,  there 
was  a ridge  of  hills,  which,  covered  with 
thick  wood,  extended  for  three  miles  tow- 
ard Jamaica  on  the  northeast,  and  to  the 
narrows  for  the  same  distance  on  the 
southwest.  Through  this  natural  barrier 
across  the  island,  there  were  three  nar- 
I'ow  roads,  bounded  on  each  side  by  ac- 
clivities. One  passed  along  the  shore, 
fi’om  Gowanus  to  the  narrows;  a second 
led  directly  east  to  Jamaica,  through  Bed- 
ford ; and  the  third,  which  was  between 
the  two,  passed  through  the  hills  to  Flat- 
bush  on  the  south.  There  were,  however, 
bj'-paths  and  a narrow  causeway,  which, 
clearing  the  ridge,  passed  well  to  the  east, 
and  by  which  the  passes  thi-ough  the  hills 

near  their  termination  on  the  Jamaica 
road  could  be  reached.  Two  of  these 
passes  through  the  hills  were  guarded  by 
outposts  of  eight  hundred  men  each,  and 
hastily-constructed  breastworks  of  trunks 
of  trees  and  brushwood  ; the  third,  lead- 
ing through  Bedford,  seems  to  have  been 
overlooked.  Colonel  Miles  was,  however, 
posted  beyond  the  hills,  to  the  south  of 
Bedford,  to  watch  the  advance  of  the  en- 
emy in  that  quarter,  and  to  reconnoitre 
the  approaches  toward  the  Jamaica  road. 

The  chief  command  of  all  the  forces  out- 
side the  lines  was  intrusted  to  General 
Sullivan,  who  had  arrived  on  the  ground 
but  a few  days  before  the  engagement, 
and  was  now  posted  in  person  with  a con- 
siderable force,  defended  by  a redoubt, 
within  the  mountain-pass  on  the  road  to 

FI  at  bush. 

General  Howe,  well  informed  by  his 
tory  confederates  on  Long  island,  had  ar- 
ranged his  plan  of  attack  with  skilful 
adaptation  to  the  nature  of  the  country. 

Ilis  army  was  separated  into  three  divis- 
ions : the  centre,  composed  chiefl}^  of  the 
Hessians,  under  De  Heister;  the  left  wing, 
of  a small  force  of  British,  under  General 
Grant;  and  the  right,  which  constituteil 
the  chief  body  of  troops,  under  General 
Clinton,  aided  by  Earls  Cornwallis  and 

Percy,  and  accompanied  by  Howe  him- 
self 

Soon  after  landing,  the  army  began  its 
march.  Grant  led  his  force  with  slow 
deliberation  along  the  road  overlooking 
the  river,  and  leading  toward  the  right 
of  the  Americans.  De  Heister  marched 
his  centre  from  New  Utrecht  direct  to 
Flatbush ; while  Howe  and  Clinton  hur- 

I 

1 

1 

kevolutionary.J  battle  OF  LONG  ISLAND.  325 


ried  with  their  right,  composed  of  the 
main  force,  to  Flatlands,  and  thence  tow- 
ard the  Jamaica  road. 

Howe’s  plan  was,  by  means  of  this  cir- 
cuitous route,  to  turn  the  left  of  the  Amer- 
icans, and  thus  taking  them  by  surprise, 
to  hem  them  in  between  his  right  com- 
ing from  behind,  and  the  left  and  centre 
advancing  in  front.  Grant  and  De  Keis- 
ter were  accordingly  ordered  to  move  de- 
liberately, and  not  to  precipitate  an  at- 
tack until  signal-guns  IVoin  Clinton,  who 
had  the  chief  active  command,  should  an- 
nounce to  them  the  success  of  his  ma- 
noeuvre. 

De  Heister,  finding  the  central  pass 
occupied  by  Colonel  Hand  and  his  rifle- 
men, who  had  retired  there  upon  the 
landing  of  the  British  at  New  Utrecht, 
did  not  give  immediate  battle,  but  re- 
tired, in  accordance  with  his  orders,  to 
Flatbush,  where  he  posted  his  men  for 
the  night. 

Grant  in  the  meantime  advanced  along 
the  road  by  the  shore,  driving  before  him 
the  Americans,  who  fled  without  firing  a 
gun.  He  continues  his  march  unopposed 
during  the  night,  and  at  break  of  day  has 
got  through  the  pass  in  the  hills,  and  is 
marching  toward  the  American  lines  be- 
yond. General  Parsons,  in  command  of 
the  outpost,  now  succeeds  in  rallying 
some  of  the  fugitives,  and,  posting  them 
advantageously  on  a hill,  checks  the  Brit- 
ish advance  within  about  two  miles  of  the 
American  camp,  until  the  airival  of  Lord 
JStirling,  who  is  sent  by  Putnam  to  his  aid 
with  fifteen  hundred  men. 

Washington  meanwhile  crosses  over  to 
Brooklyn,  and  anxiously  strives  to  dis- 


cover the  manoeuvres  of  the  enemy.  He 

remains  the  whole  day  with  Put- 

...  \ , Alls.  26. 

nam  m his  camp,  and  counsels 

him  in  the  emergency.  He  observes  “ a 
scattering,  unmeaning,  and  wasteful  fire” 
from  his  undisciplined  soldiery,  and  he 
therefore  desires  Putnam  “ to  call  the 
colonels  and  commanding  officers  with- 
out loss  of  time”  before  him,  and  to  ‘Get 
them  afterward  do  the  same  by  their  re- 
spective officers,  and  charge  them  in  ex- 
press and  positive  terms  to  stop  these  ir- 
regularities, as  they  value  the  good  of 
the  service,  their  own  honor,  and  the 
safety  of  the  army,  which,  under  God,  de- 
pends wholly  upon  the  good  order  and 
government  that  is  observed  in  it.”  Prop- 
er lines  of  defence  were  ordered  to  be 
formed  around  the  encampment,  and 
works  raised  on  the  most  advantageous 
ground.  The  guards  were  to  be  strictly 
instructed  in  their  duties,  and  a brigadier 
of  the  day  was  to  remain  constantly  up- 
on the  lines,  that  he  might  be  on  the  spot 
to  command  and  see  that  orders  were  ex- 
ecuted. Field-officers  were  also  to  be  ap- 
pointed, to  go  the  rounds  and  report  the 
situation  of  the  guards ; and  no  person 
was  to  be  allowed  to  pass  beyond  with- 
out special  order  in  writing.  The  \voods 
were  to  be  secured  by  abattis;  the  wood 
next  to  Bed  Hook  was  to  be  well  attend- 
ed to,  and  some  of  “ the  most  disorderly 
riflemen”  posted  in  it;  while  the  militia 
who  “ have  seen  least  service”  were  to  be 
kept  within  the  interior  works,  and  the 
“best  men”  were  to  do  their  utmost  to 
prevent  the  approach  of  the  enemy. 

Foreseeing  a general  attack,  Washing- 
ton returns  to  the  city  at  night,  full  of 


I 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PA.KT  U. 


3‘2G 

anxious  expectation  of  what  the  morrow 
may  bring  foi  th. 

^ ^ Lord  Stirling  arrived  early  in 

' the  morning  with  his  fifteen  hun- 
dred men,  composed  of  the  reinforcements 
sent  by  Washington,  which  were  the  choi- 
cest of  his  troops.  These  were  Atlee’s, 
Haslet’s,  and  Smallwood’s  regiments,  of 
Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  and  Maryland. 
Stirling  posted  most  of  his  force  on  the 
acclivity  of  what  is  now  called  “ Battle 
hill,”  in  Greenwood;  and  the  rest,  under 
At  lee,  in  a neighboring  wood,  some  little 
distance  in  advance.  Grant  continued  to 
appioach  until  he  reached  an  orchard, 
within  a hundred  yards  or  so  of  Stirling, 
when  the  latter  briskly  attacked  him. 

'The  right  wing  of  the  British,  having 
reached  Flatbush,  began  theirsilent  march 
at  nine  o’clock  in  the  evenim;.  General 
Clinton  led  the  van  ; then  came  Earl  Per- 
cy, with  the  artillery  and  dragoons  ; while 
Earl  Cornwallis,  accompanied  by  Howe, 
the  commander-in-chief,  followed  in  the 
rear  with  the  reserve.  Guided  by  a tory 
Long-islander  through  by-paths  and  over 
R causeway  raised  above  a swamp,  the 


van  continues  to  march  without  disturb- 
ance. On  arriving  within  a half-mile  ol 
the  Jamaica  road,  Clinton  brings  his  men 
to  a halt,  and  sends  out  a reconnoitring- 
party.  They  soon  return,  bringing  back 
a mounted  patrol  of  American  officers 
whom  they  have  captured,  and  the  word 
that  the  road  is  unoccupied.  Clinton  im- 
mediately sends  forward  a body  of  light- 
infantry  to  secure  it,  and  following  at  the 
break  of  day  with  the  rest  of  his  force, 
takes  possession  of  the  hill  through  which 
the  road  passes. 

The  defence  of  this  pass  had  been  over- 
looked ; and,  moreover,  the  outposts  had 
been  apparently  neglectful  in  watching 
and  reporting  in  time  the  progress  of 
Clinton’s  force.  Colonel  Miles,  whose  du- 
ty it  was  to  guard  this  quarter,  was  not 
aware,  until  too  late,  of  the  enemy’s  ap- 
proach ; and  General  Sullivan  himself 
seems  to  have  been  remiss  in  not  sending 
out  fresh  patrols  when  he  found  those 
previously  sent  were  so  long  in  return- 
ing, as  they  well  might  be,  since  they 
had,  as  we  have  related,  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy. 


REVOLTJTIONARY.J 


r 


LORD  STIRLING  SURROUNDED. 


327 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Tiio  Stinwle  coiitiruicd. — Success  of  General  Howe’s  Plan. — Assisted  by  his  Brother,  Lord  Howe. — The  Firmness  ol 
the  Delawares  and  Marylanders. — Lord  Stirlinf;  heniined  in. — Tries  to  escape. — Is  foiced  to  surrender. — De  Heister 
and  the  Hessians — Sullivan  retreats. — The  Hessians  sliow  no  Mercy.— Sullivan  taken  Prisoner. — The  Loss  on  Both 
Slilcs — 'I'lie  Americans  withdraw  within  their  Line  of  Defence. — Sullivan  excuses  Himself. — The  Americans  rein- 
forced— The  Movement  of  the  British. — Washington  resolves  to  retreat. 


Clinton,  possessed  of  the  Jamaica 

1 776  ^ ^ 

road,  passed  rapidly  on  with  his  van 
through  the  pass  in  the  Bedford  hills. 
His  light-infantry  then  pushed  on  in  the 
direction  of  the  American  lines ; and  find- 
ing no  opposition  but  here  and  there  a 
small  post,  which  was  attacked  and  speed- 
ily forced,  they  continued  their  nuuch. 
The  artillery  coming  up,  Clinton  ordered 
two  signal-guns  to  be  fired,  to  signify  to 
Grant  and  De  Heister  that  his  manoeuvre 
had  succeeded,  and  that  they  were  now 
to  begin  a vigorous  attack.  The  design 
of  Howe  had  been  successful.  The  atten- 
tion of  the  Americans  had  been  diverted 
from  Clinton’s  fatal  movement  on  their 
left  by  Grant’s  leisurely  advance  on  the 
I'ight.  Lord  Howe,  too,  had  aided  in  fur- 
thering the  deceit  by  bringing  up  some 
of  his  ships  from  the  narrows,  and  open- 
ing a noisy  cannonade  upon  Governor’s 
island  and  the  battery  at  Red  Hook.  Put- 
nam and  Sullivan  were  induced  to  believe 
rhat  the  chief  dang'er  was  on  the  right 
of  their  lines,  and  they  had  accordingly 
concentrated  all  their  force  in  that  direc- 
tion. 

Grant  had  coquetted  for  several  hours 
With  Lord  Stirling  and  his  force;  now 
advancing  his  light  troops  within  a hun- 
dred yards  or  so,  and  exchanging  fires 


with  the  American  riflemen,  then  order- 
ing them  back  to  his  main  body  ; and, 
again,  commencing  a desultory  cannon- 
ade w’itti  his  tw’o  fieldpieces,  and  iluis  ap- 
pearing to  fear  a general  engagement. 
Colonel  Haslet,  in  command  of  the  south- 
ern troops,  who  w'as  unconscious  of  the 
enemy’s  purpose,  says : “ The  Delawares 
and  Marylanders  stood  firm  to  the  last; 
and,  after  a variety  of  skirmishing,  the 
Delaw'ares  drew’  up  on  the  side  of  a hill, 
and  stood  iqnvard  of  four  hours,  wdth  a 
firm,  determined  countenance,  in  close  ai 
ray,  their  colors  flying,  the  enemy’s  artil- 
lery ]>laying  on  them  all  the  while,  not 
dwing  io  advance  and  aiiaclc  them,  iliovgh  six 
times  their  number,  and  nearlg  surrounding 
themi’  The  Delaw'ares  and  Marylanders 
were  undoubtedly  as  brave  men  as  ever 
fought ; but  Grant,  in  holding  oflt^  was 
merely  obeying  orders. 

The  firing  of  Clinton’s  troops  in  Ins 
rear  now  first  aw’akens  Stirling  to  the 
consciousness  that  he  is  hemmed  in  be- 
tw'een  them  and  Grant  in  front.  The 
earl’s  only  thought  at  this  moment  is  of 
escape ; Avhile  Grant,  catching  the  sound 
of  the  guns,  knows  that  it  is  a signal  for 
action,  and  pushes  on  his  advance.  The 
Americans  nearest  at  hand  are  dispersed, 
and  Atlee  their  colonel  taken  prisoner. 


d28 

Lord  Stirling  strives  to  make  his  way 
back  to  the  American  lines  by  a circuit- 
ous route  toward  the  shore,  in  course  of 
which  he  would  be  obliged  to  ford  a creek 
at  Yellow  Mills.  lie  reaches  this  place, 
and  finds  himself  opposed  by  Lord  Corn- 
wallis, who  has  Ijeen  detached  from  the 
British  right  with  a strong  force,  and, 
having  taken  a position  at  the  creek,  de- 
fends its  passage.  Stirling  had  with  him 
but  a small  remnant  of  his  troops,  princi- 
pally composed  of  the  brave  “ Delawares 
and  Marylanders.” 

Washington  and  a group  of  officers 
were  on  the  heiu'hts,  watchiny;  with  anxi- 
ety  the  movements  of  Stirling,  who  was 
only  separated  from  the  American  lines 
by  the  creek  which  emptied  into  Gowa- 
nus  cove,  the  southern  boundary  of  the 
Brooklj’n  peninsula.  “ The  earl  will  sure- 
ly surrender,”  thought  Washington  and 
each  of  his  officers,  as  they  observed  his 
desperate  position.  Stirling,however,was 
evidently  bent  on  an  attempt  to  reach 
the  lines.  He  prepares  to  attack  Lord 
Cornwallis,  strongly  posted  as  he  is  with- 
out and  within  the  mill,  which  commands 
the  passage  of  the  creek.  Sending  most 
of  his  men  to  make  the  best  of  their  way 
through  the  water,  he  leads  about  half 
of  Smallwood’s  brave  reoament  atjainst 
the  enemy.  Washington,  surprised  at 
this  daring  movement,  exclaims  to  the 
jflicers  at  his  side,  “Good  God!  what 
lirave  fellows  I must  lose  this  day  !”* 

The  attack  began  : Stirling  was  driven 
back,  but,  rallying  on  his  men,  the  assault 
is  renewed.  He  is  again  and  again,  for 
five  or  six  times,  repulsed  ; but,  bringing 

* Irving. 


[part  II. 

up  his  handful  of  brave  troops  once  more 
to  the  charge,  he  is  “ on  the  point  of  dri- 
ving Lord  Cornwallis  from  his  station; 
but,  large  reinforcements  arriving,  ren-- 
dered  it  impossible  to  do  more  than  pro- 
vide for  safety.”  The  slaughter  was  ter- 
rific. Colonel  Smallwood’s  regiment  of 
Marylanders  suffered  extremely,  and  wms 
almost  cut  fo  pieces.  It  lost  two  hundred 
and  fifty-nine.  “This  loss  was  much  re- 
gretted, on  account  of  their  being  young 
men  of  the  best  families  in  the  countiy.” 

While  the  struggle  was  going  on,  some 
succeeded  in  crossing  the  creek;  one  man, 
however,  was  drowned.  The  rest  came 
into  the  American  lines  drenched,  be- 
mired,  and  covered  with  blood,  but  bring- 
ing in  with  them  twenty-three  prisoners. 
“ Twenty-seven  of  the  Delawares,”  writes 
Colonel  Haslet,  “ next  morning  were  mis- 
sino;.  In  that  number  were  Lieutenants 
Stewart  and  Harney,  the  latter  a prison- 
er, the  other  not  yet  heard  of  Major 
M‘Donough  was  wounded  in  the  knee ; 
a ball  passed  through  the  sleeve  of  bis 
coat,  without  wounding  the  arm  or  his 
body.  Lieutenant  Anderson  had  a ball 
lodged  in  his  throat;  Lieutenant  Corn  a 
ball  still  in  his  back.  The  standard  was 
torn  with  grapeshot  in  Ensign  Stephen’s 
hand,  who  is  now  in  his  element,  and  a 
most  excellent  officer.  Such  is  our  fate. 
The  Delaware  battalion,  officers  and  men, 
are  respected  throughout  this  army.”=‘= 

Lord  Stirling  tried  still  to  reach  the 
lines  ; but,  in  attempting  to  escape,  he 
found  that  in  front  he  was  met  by  a con- 
siderable body  of  troops,  and  was  pursueo 
by  others  on  his  right  and  left,  and  all 

* Sparks. 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


r 

REVOUJTIONAEY.]  STIliLIXG  AND  SULLIVAN  SUKKEXDER.  329 

pouring  ii  hot  fire  upon  him  and  his  few 

Americans  will  give  the  foreigners  no 

remaining  brave  Marylanders.  His  lord- 

quarter;”  and  that  De  Heister  had  an- 

.ship  now  gave  up  all  hopes  of  escape, 

swered,  “Well,  as  I know  it,  I am  ready 

and,  falling  back  behind  a hill  in  his  rear. 

to  fight  on  these  ternrs.”  The  soldiers’ 

determined  to  seek  out  General  De  Heis- 

ear.s,  too,  were  said  to  have  been  indus- 

ter,  and  surrender  himself 

triously  filled  with  the  most  terrific  ac- 

De  Ileister,  too,  had  strictly  obeyed  or- 

counts  of  the  cruelty  of  the  Americans, 

ders,  and  awaited  the  signal  of  Clinton 

who  were  represented  as  more  than  half 

before  he  made  a serious  attempt.  His 

savages,  and  would,  if  they  caught  a Hes- 

troops,  after  sleeping  on  their  arms  at 

sian  alive,  stick  his  body  “full  with  pieces 

Flatbush  during  the  night,  were  early 

of  pine-wood,”  and  burn  him  to  death ! 

aroused,  and  marched  along  the  road. 

The  Hessians,  it  must  be  confessed,  if 

As  soon  as  the  signal-guns  of  Clinton 

such  was  their  belief,  proved  themselves 

were  heard,  De  Heister  sent  forward 

on  that  day  fit  to  cope  with  the  most 

Count  Donop  with  his  regiment  to  storm 

barbarous  enemie.s. 

the  redoubt  which  protected  Sullivan  and 

A few  of  the  Americans  succeeded,  un- 

defended  the  pass  through  the  hills,  while 

der  the  cover  of  the  woods,  in  making 

he  himself  led  forward  the  rest  of  his 

their  escape  to  Brooklyn,  but  most  were 

Hessians  to  the  attack.  A bloody  strug- 

either  killed  or  taken  prisoners.  Sulli- 

gle  was  the  consequence.  The  Ameri- 

van  surrendered  himself,  together  with  a 

1 

cans,  however,  did  not  long  continue  their 

number  of  his  officers. 

resistance ; as  Sullivan,  becoming  con- 

General  Howe  now  closed  in  with  his 

scions  of  Clinton’s  manoeuvre,  ordered  a 

separate  division.s,  and  pursued  the  .scat- 

retreat,  with  the  view  of  preventing  him- 

tered  remnants  of  Stirling’s  and  Sullivan’s 

self  from  being  shut  out  from  the  Ameri- 

forces  to  within  a few  hundred  yards  of 

can  lines.  He  was,  however,  too  late ; 

the  American  lines.  The  British  soldiers, 

for  Clinton  was  ready  to  intercept  him. 

exulting  in  their  success,  would  have 

and,  meeting  the  American  troops  on  the 

rushed  at  once  against  the  works,  but 

1 

road,  drove  them  bacK  upon  the  Hessian.s. 

Howe  cautioasly  withdrew  them  out  of 

De  Heister  and  his  soldiers  showed  no 

the  reach  of  the  American  guns,  to  the 

mercy,  and  pitiles.sly  bayoneted  every 

cover  of  a wood,  and,  encamping  his  ar- 

man  within  their  reach.  Driven  thus 

my,  prepared  to  make  an  assault  upon 

backward  and  forward  between  Clinton 

the  fortifications  of  Brooklyn  by  deliber- 

111  front  and  De  Heister  in  the  rear,  the 

ate  approaches.  The  eneni}^  had  suffered 

Americans,  with  hardly  a chance  of  es- 

little  comparatively,  their  loss  being  only 

ca[)e,  suffered  terribly.  The  ferocity  of 

three  hundred  and  eighty  in  all;  while 

the  Hes.sian  soldiers  was  such  as  to  give 

that  of  the  Americans  was  over  two  thou- 

countenance  to  the  rumor,  which  was  gen- 

sand  in  killed,  wounded,  and  ciq^tured. 

erally  circulated,  that  General  Howe  had 

amono;;  whom  were  the  two  ^'enerals,  Sul- 

said  to  De  Heister  on  his  anival,  “The 
42 

livan  and  Lord  Stirling,  and  a large  num- 

r 

~ 

330  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  j^part  ii. 

her  of  other  officers.  Sullivan  was  anx- 

in  view,  they  would  first  try  for  Long 

lous  to  exonerate  himself  from  all  respon- 

island, which  commanded  the  other;  and 

sibility  for  the  loss  of  the  day,  and  wrote 

then  New  York,  which  was  completely 

to  the  president  of  Congress  a letter  which 

commanded  by  it,  would  fall  of  course 

shows  a care  to  redeem  his  own  charac- 

But  in  this  I was  unhappy  enough  to  ilif 

ter,  at  all  hazards  to  the  finne  of  others. 

fer  from  almost  every  officer  in  the  army 

He  says : — 

till  the  event  proved  my  conjectures  were 

1 know  it  has  been  generally  reported 

just.” 

that  I commanded  on  Lone;  island  when 

The  niy-ht  after  the  engagement  on 

O O o 

the  action  happened  there.  This  is  by 
no  means  true.  General  Putnam  had 

Long  island  was  one  of  gloomy 

® o j All"*#  28« 

anxiety  to  the  Americans.  Pros- 

taken  the  command  from  me  four  days 

trated  by  defeat,"  and  doubtful  of  the  se- 

before  the  action.  Lord  Stirling  com- 

curity  of  their  position,  they  passed  a 

manded  the  main  body  without  the  lines. 

sleepless  night,  full  of  ill  forebodings  of 

I was  uneasy  about  a road,  through  which 

the  future.  The  morning  came,  but  with 

I had  often  foretold  that  the  enemy  would 

it  no  bright  summer  sun,  and  no  hope  to 

come,  but  could  not  persuade  others  to 

cheer  the  spirits  of  the  troops.  A dull 

be  of  ray  opinion.  I went  to  the  hill  near 

mist  overhung  land  and  water,  and  so 

Flatbush  to  reconnoitre,  and  with  a pick- 

darkened  the  day,  that  every  visible  ob- 

et  of  four  hundred  men  was  surrounded 

ject  had  lost  its  summer  glow,  and  seemed 

by  the  enemy,  who  had  advanced  by  the 

dimmed,  like  the  hearts  of  the  patriots, 

very  road  I had  foretold,  and  which  I had 

with  a breath  of  sadness.  The  enemy, 

paid  horsemen  fifty  dollars  for  patrolling 

with  an  overwhelming  force,  were  within 

by  night,  while  I had  the  command,  as  1 

a few  hundred  yards ; and  the  guards 

had  no  foot  for  the  purpose. 

could  see  their  working-parties  turning 

“ What  resistance  I made  with  these 

out,  with  the  spade  and  the  pick,  to  be- 

four  hundred  men  against  the  British 

gin  their  approaches. 

army,  I leave  to  the  officers  who  were 

The  Americans  were,  however, raornen- 

with  me  to  declare.  Let  it  suffice  for 

tarily  cheered  by  the  arrival  in  the  early 

me  to  say,  that  the  opposition  of  the 

forenoon  of  the  orderly  battalions  of  Shee, 

small  party  lasted  from  half-past  nine  to 

Magaw,  and  Glover.  “ The  faces  that  nad 

twelve  o’clock. 

been  saddened  by  the  disasters  of  yestei- 

“ The  reason  of  so  few  troops  being  on 

day,  assumed  a gleam  of  animation”  as 

Long  island  was  because  it  was  generally 

they  approached ; while  “ a murmur  of 

supposed  that  the  enemy’s  landing  there 

approbation”  was  heard  among  “the  spec- 

was  a feint  to  draw  our  troops  thither. 

tators,  occasionally  greeting  each  other 

that  they  might  the  more  easily  possess 

with  the  remark,  ‘ These  were  the  lads 

i.hemselves  of  New  York.  1 often  urged. 

that  might  do  something !’  ” Compara- 

lioth  by  word  and  writing,  that,  as  the 

tively  well  dressed,  well  armed,  and  well 

enemy  had  doubtless  both  these  objects 

disciplined  — soldiers,  in  fact,  of  whom 

.J 

1 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.J  ANXIOUS  SUSPENSE.  33 1 

i 

♦ 

1 

i 

1 

Washington  himself  had  said,  “ They  had 

hard  experience  that  “ the  article  wms  es- 

1 

i 

1 

been  trained  with  more  than  common  at- 

culent  without  culinary  preparation.”  It 

I 

i 

cention,”  their  appearance  in  that  moment 

is  comforting  to  know,  hotvever,  that 

! 

i 

of  danger,  naturally  won  the  admiration 

there  was  occasionally  a more  savoiy 

I 

and  aroused  the  hopes  of  their  less-hap- 

morsel  for  a lucky  mouth  than  the  “ :s- 

1 

i 

pily-conditioned  comrades.  The  misfor- 

culent  without  culinary  preparation  •” 

1 

tunes  of  the  previous  day  had  taiight 

for,  says  the  same  military  annalist  we 

1 

even  the  most  selfconfideut  of  the  mili- 

have  quoted,  “ I remember,  however,  on 

i 

tia  of  the  disadvantages  of  a want  of  or- 

one  of  the  days  we  tvere  in  this  joyless 

1 

der  and  martial  training.  They  now  ex- 

place,  getting  a slice  of  a barbecued  pig, 

i 

1 

hibited  no  rude  contempt  for  “ fine  feath- 

which  some  of  our  soldiers  had  dressed 

1 

1 

ers  and  fine  airs,”  but  heartily  welcomed 

at  a deserted  house  which  bounded  our 

1 

1 

the  ver}'  looks  of  a soldier. 

lines.” 

1 

1 

General  Mifflin  had  been  ordered,  on 

During  the  day  tlie  enemy  were  driv 

1 

the  previous  afternoon,  to  bring  down 

en  from  their  works  by  the  drenching 

1 

from  Kingsbridge  the  battalions  of  Shee, 

rain  to  their  tents.  There  was,  however. 

1 

Magaw,  and  Glover,  forming  in  all  some 

a constant  skirmishing  between  their  ouU 

fifteen  hundred  men,  and  the  next  morn- 

posts  and  the  Americans.  Those  within 

\ 

ing  they  were  sent  from  the  city,  where 

the  lines  continued  to  suffer  greatly  from 

1 

the}’’  liad  passed  the  night,  to  take  post 

exposure  to  the  weather.  “Yesterday,” 

in  Brooklyn  near  Wallabout  bay.  The 

says  Washington,  writing  on  the  29th  of 

men  cheerfully  took  their  position  on  the 

August,  “ it  rained  severely  the  whole 

i 

1 

ground.  It  was  low  and  unfavoraljle  for 

afternoon,  which  distressed  our  people 

defence,  and,  with  nothing  but  a fraiscd 

much,  not  having  a sufficiency  of  tents 

ditch  in  front,  gave  little  promise  of  se- 

to  cover  them,  and  what  we  have  not  be- 

curity ; while  the  enemy,  within  a few 

ing  got  over  yet.  I am  in  hopes  they' 

hundred  pace.s,  were  rapidly  constructing 

will  be  all  got  to-day,  and  that  they  will 

batteries  upon  the  heights  which  com- 

be  more  completely  provided  for,  though 

inanded  Mifflin’s  position.  The  drizzling 

the  great  scarcity  of  these  articles  di.s- 

i 

mist  of  the  morning  had  closed  in  a heavy 

tresses  us  beyond  measure,  not  having 

rain,  and  the  men,  unprovided  with  tents. 

anything  like  a sufficient  number  to  pro- 

were  drenched  to  the  skin.  Each  soldier 

tect  our  people  from  the  inclemency  of 

had  drawn  his  rations,  but  without  the  or- 

the  weather ; which  has  occasioned  much 

dinaiy  camp  conveniences  he  was  forced 

sickness,  and  the  men  to  be  almost  bro- 

■ to  eat  “ his  pickled  ])ork"  without  the  pro- 

ken  down.” 

liminary  boiling  which,  although  gener- 

In  the  evening  the  rain  ceased  to  fall. 

ally  considered  “ desirable,”  was  found 

and  the  British  resumed  their  advances 

“not  absolutely  necessary”  by  these  self- 

toward  the  American  lines.  Washington 

denying  patriots,  who,  as  one  of  them 

was  with  the  army  at  Brooklyn,  and  re- 

tells  us,  discovered  in  the  course  of  their 

mained  in  anxious  suspense,  undetei- 

1 

332  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pakt  u. 

mined  about  the  future,  'wliicli,  from  the 

church,  standing  near  the  centre  of  the 

ill  condition  and  discouragement  ol  the 

village.  There  Avas  no  difference  of  opin- 

troops,  was  not  very  cheering.  The  night 

ion.  It  Avas  noAV  apparent  to  all  that  a 

was  passing,  and  still  he  and  his  aids  were 

retreat  Avas  necessary.  Some  had  from 

on  horselaick,  riding  from  post  to  post. 

the  earliest  moment  thought  it  advisable. 

throughout  the  whole  extent  of  the  lines. 

As  soon  as  Mifflin  arrived  from  New  York, 

examining  the  defences,  consulting  with 

and  had  examined  the  relative  condition 

the  officers,  and  encouraging  the  men. 

and  position  of  the  tAvo  opposing  forces. 

With  the  morning  came  a 

he  said  to^Yashington  : “ You  must  either 

4!ig.  29.  , . , , , 

heavy  log,  which  so  covered  the 

fight  or  retreat  immediately.  What  is 

lano  and  water,  that  nothing  could  he 

your  strength?” — “Nine  thousand,”  Avas 

seen  of  the  enemy’s  troops  or  fleet.  Gen- 

the  answer.  “It  is  not  sufficient — Ave 

eral  Mifflin,  however, accompanied  by  x\d- 

must  therefore  retreat,”  rejoined  Mifflin. 

jutant-General  Reed  and  Colonel  Gray- 

When  the  council  Avas  consulting,  Mif- 

son,  one  of  Washington’s  aids,  rode  to  Red 

flin  undertook  to  propose  the  retreat  ; 

[Took,  at  the  farthest  end  of  the  Ameri- 

but  lest,  in  making  such  a proposition. 

can  lines  toward  the  bay, to  strive  to  catch 

he  might  incur  the  suspicion  of  a Avant 

a glimpse  of.the  British  fleet,  and  discov- 

of  spirit,  he  stipulated  that,  in  case  it  Avas 

er  its  movements.  While  straining  their 

determined  upon,he  should  command  the 

eyes  in  vain  to  see  through  the  shroud 

rear,  lint,  if  action  Avas  the  resolve,  the 

of  uv'st,  a light  breeze  suddenly  sprang 

van.‘=' 

. up,  and  so  dispersed  the  fog,  that  the 

Immediate  retreat  Avas,  hoAvever,  unan- 

«hips  at  the  narrows  could  be  distinctly 

imously  determined  upon  by  the  officers 

seen.  Lord  Howe  was  evidently  making 

of  the  council,  for  these  cogent  reasons: 

ready  for  a movement.  Ail  were  astir. 

the  great  loss  sustained,  by  death  and 

The  yards  were  manned,  anchors  were 

capture,  in  the  late  action;  the  injury 

being  weighed,  and  boats  were  passing 

Avhich  the  arms  and  ammunition  had  re- 

from  ship  to  ship.  Reed  galloped  back 

ceived  from  the  heavy  rains;  the  prolia- 

to  Mka'^hiiigton,  to  report  what  had  been 

bility  that  the  enemy  would  succeed  in 

seen.  Mifflin  and  Grayson  followed.  So 

getting  their  ships  up  the  East  river,  and 

impressed  were  they  all  with  the  idea 

thus  cut  ofl’the  communication  betAveeu 

that  Lord  Howe  was  preparing  to  ad- 

Long  island  and  New  York  ; the  divided 

vaiice  with  his  ships  up  the  East  river. 

cmidition  of  the  troops,  having  so  many 

with  the  view  of  hemming  in  the  Ameri- 

points  to  defend  ; and  the  expectation 

cans  ai.  Brooklyn,  and  so  persuaded  Avere 

that  the  enemy’s  ships,  now  in  Flushing 

they  of  the  necessity  of  an  immediate 

bay,  Avould  transport  across  the  sound  a 

retreat,  that  Reed  Avas  authorized  by  his 

part  of  the  British  army,  Avho  Avould  form 

companions  to  suggest  it  to  Washington. 

an  encampment  above  Kingsbridge,  and 

The  commander-in-chief  immediately 

thus  command  New-York  islaiuk 

called  a council  of  Avar  in  an  old  stone 

' * Gordon. 

l;^;voI.UTIO^AKv,]  TIIK  IIKTKEAT.  <.38 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

('i  eparations  for  the  Retreat. — The  Retreat  begins. — The  Night. — Crossing  the  East  River, — Glover  and  liis  Marblehead 
Jlen. — A Change  of  Wind. — A Dreadful  Mistake. — The  Providential  Fog. — The  Quick  Steps  of  the  Rear. — 'I’he 
Last  Boat. — The  Next  Morning. — General  Howe’s  Matutinal  Surprise. — The  Unbelief  of  the  British. — A Harmless 
Cannonade  — General  Sullivan  a Messenger  from  Lord  Howe  to  Congress. — Washington  does  not  approve. — Lord 
Howe  moves  his  Fleet  nearer  New  York. — Washington  doubtful  of  his  Power  to  hold  the  City. — The  ‘'Weakness 
within”  more  feared  than  the  “ Strength  without.” 


“ This  day  passed  off  like  the  last, 
in  watching,  skirmishing,  and  rain. 
After  dark,  orders  were  received  and  com- 
municated to  us,”  s<ays  the  lively  annal- 
ist whom  we  have  so  often  quoted, ‘‘to 
hold  ourselves  in  readiness  for  an  attack 
upon  the  enemy — to  take  place  in  the 

course  of  the  ni^ht.  This  excited 
\ii"'.  29.  . 

mucli  speculation  among  the  offi- 
cers, by  whom  it  w.as  considered  a truly 
daring  undertaking,  rendered  doubly  so 
from  the  bad  condition  of  our  arms,  so 
long  exposed  to  the  rain ; and,  although 
we  had  b.ayonets,  this  w.as  not  the  case 
with  the  whole  of  our  force,  upon  whom 
we  must  depend  for  support.  It  was  not 
for  us,  however,  to  object  to  the  measure  : 
we  were  soldiers,  and  bound  to  obey. 
Sever.al  nuncupative  wills  were  made  up- 
on the  occ.asion,  uncertain  as  it  was  wheth- 
er the  persons  to  whom  they  were  com- 
municated would  survive,  either  to  prove 
or  to  execute  them.”  Graydon,  who  thus 
reports  the  rumors  of  the  camp,  was  soon 
relieved  from  his  anxieties  about  the  at- 
tack. “There  w.as  a deep  murmur,”  he 
sa3a‘i,  “ which  indicated  some  movement, 
and  the  direction  of  the  dec.aying  sounds 
was  evidently  toward  the  river.  About 
tvvo  o’clock,  a c.annon  went  off  with  a tre- 


mendous roar.  If  the  explosion  w.as  with- 
in our  lines,  the  gun  was  probably  dis- 
charged in  the  act  of  spiking  it.”  The 
retreat  had  begun;  and  the  Penn.sylvania 
battalion,  in  which  Gr.aydon  was  an  offi- 
cer h.ad  been  apjiointed  to  cover  the 
movement. 

Eight  o’clock  in  the  evening  was  the 
hour  when  the  troops  were  ordered  to  be 
dr.awn  out,  in  readiness  to  be  moved  tovr- 
ard  the  river.  The  soldiers  were  kept  in 
ignor.ance  of  Washington’s  purpose,  and 
they  were  not  conscious  of  it  until  they 
began  to  embark.  The  preparations  had 
been  made  with  the  utmost  secrecy  and 
despatch.  Early  in  the  d.ay,  cr.aft  of  all 
kinds — sloops  and  flat-bottomed 

scows  and  row-boats — had  been  collected 
from  the  wharves,  the  stream,  up  and 
down  the  rivers,  and  gathered  at  Brook- 
lyn. Colonel  Glover,  with  his  men  of 
M.ai’blehead  (each  one  skilled,  from  his 
experience  in  the  fisheries,  in  the  man- 
.agement  of  the  sail  and  the  oar),  had 
charge  of  the  boats.  The  colonel  was 
active  from  an  early  hour,  passing  fre- 
quently from  Brooklyn  to  New  York  and 
back  again,  in  collecting  and  fitting  out 
his  flotilla  for  the  perilous  passage  of  the 
night. 


' 

1 

3;:!  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [paut  ii 

A delay  occviri’ed  in  moving  the  troops, 

The  delay  had  been  long,  and  morning 

and  it  was  nine  o’clock  before  the  militia 

was  approaching,  when  the  enemy  would 

h.ad  reached  the  river,  ready  for  embar- 

he  on  the  alert  to  dash  the  hopes  of  all 

kation.  The  boats  were  hauled  close  in 

by  an  attack,  the  result  of  'which  was  too 

shore  ; Glover  and  his  men  were  on  duty, 

terrible  to  contemplate.  “ Providence  in- 

showing,  in  their  skilful  handling  of  the 

terposed  in  favor  of  the  retreating  army, 

craft,  their  Marblehead  experience.  The 

by  sending  a thick  fog  about  two  o’clock, 

tide  was  at  the  flood,  and  swept  along  the 

which  huug  over  Long  island,  while  on 

shore  in  a rapid  current;  the  wind,  too. 

the  New-York  side  it  was  clear.”  This 

began  to  Ijlow  freshly  from  the  northeast. 

fog  proved  no  less  a mei'ciful  interposi- 

The  old  sailors”  shook  their  heads,  and 

tion  for  those  still  in  the  American  camp. 

declared  that,  with  wind  and  water  against 

Washington  had  despatched  an  aid-de- 

them,  it  would  not  do  to  attempt  the  pas- 

camp.  Colonel  Scammel,  to  General  Mif- 

sage  under  sail.  The  small  boats,  how- 

flin,  with  orders  to  hasten  down  all  the 

ever,  were  filled  with  troops,  and  began 

troops  on  their  march.  Scammel  hur- 

to  cross.  Still,  with  the  row-boats  only. 

ried  away,  but  soon  returned,  followed 

it  seemed  impracticable  to  convey  nine 

by  Mifflin  and  all  the  covering-party ! 

Thousand  men  across  a river  three  quar- 

“ Good  God  ! General  Mifllin,”  exclaimed 

ters  of  a mile  in  breadth ; and  General 

Wasliington,  as  soon  as  he  saw  him,  “ 1 

INhDougall,  who  was  stationed  on  the 

am  afraid  you  have  ruined  us,  by  so  un 

Brooklyn  shore  to  superintend  the  em- 

seasonably  withdrawing  the  troops  from 

barkation,  was  so  discouraged,  that  he 

the  lines.”  — “I  did  so  h}^  your  order,” 

sent  word  by  Colonel  Grayson  to  Wash- 

qv  ’ckly  answered  Mifflin.  “It  can  not  be,” 

ington,  that  he  thought  it  impracticable 

emphatically  replied  Washington.  “By 

to  accomplish  the  retreat  that  night. 

G-d  I did  !”  as  resolutely  rejoined  the  oth- 

Grayson  went  and  returned  without  find- 

er,  and  asked,  “Did  Scammel  c.ct  as  aid- 

ing  the  commander-in-chief,  and  the  slow 

de-camp  for  the  day,  or  did  he  not?”  — 

operation  of  the  crossing  and  recrossing 

“He  did,” answered  Washington.  “Then,” 

of  the  small  boats  was  continued. 

replied  Mifflin,  “I  had  orders  through 

Now,  however,  a fortunate  change  oc- 

him.”  Washington  then  calmly  said  : “ It 

curred  : the  wind  sprang  up  from  the  op- 

is  a dreadful  mistake ; and,  unless  thu 

posite  quarter,  and,  blowing  freshly  from 

troops  can  regain  the  lines  before  their 

the  southwest,  would  carry  the  sailing- 

absence  is  discovered  by  the  enemy,  the 

craft  straight  to  New  York.  The  nautical 

most  disastrous  consequences  are  to  be 

skill  of  the  Marblehead  men  was  at  once 

apprehended.”* 

put  into  requisition ; and,  with  sails  all 

The  fog  was  here  again  their  salvaciou. 

set,  they  were  soon,  with  their  fleet  of 

Mifflin  succeeded  in  leading  his  troo]).s 

sloops, and  sail-boats  (although 

back  without  the  British  having  disco\- 

loaded  with  men  deep  down  to  the  gun- 

ered  that  they  had  been  absent.  “This 

wales),  dashiii'*'  across  to  the  city. 

* Irving. 

i 

r‘ 

:«EVOLUTiONARY.]  TORPIDITY  Ol<  THE  HOWES.  S3t 

was  a trying  business  for  young  soldiers,” 

ever,  left  behind,  which  it  was  found  i)n- 

reports  one  of  them,  and  particularly  so 

po.ssible  to  drag  aAvay,  in  con.ser|uence  of 

in  this  case ; for,  on  their  march  to  the 

the  wheels  of  the  carriages  sinking  up  to 

ferry,  there  had  already  been  a cry  that 

the  hubs  in  the  earth  which  had  been  sar- 

the  British  light-horse  were  at  their  heels. 

mated  with  the  severe  and  long-contin- 

and  the  battalion  had  halted  and  formed. 

ued  rains.  A few  heads  of  cattle,  also. 

while  the  front  rank,  kneeling,  had  pre- 

■which  had  been  driven  Avithin  the  lines, 

seated  pikes  “ to  receive  the  charge  of 

were  abandoned,  after  various  attempts 

the  supposed  assailan's.”  When  ordered 

to  force  them  across  the  Avater.  Wash- 

to  return  to  the  lines,  the  men  willingly 

ington  himself  and  his  staff,  though  ofren 

obeyed.  “Whoever,”  says  another  mill- 

entreated,  Avoidd  not  leaA'e  the  shore  ol 

tary  annalist,  “ has  seen  troops  in  a simi- 

Brooklyn  until  the  last  body  of  troop.-, 

lar  situation,  or  duly  contemplates  the 

had  embarked.  At  about  eight  o’clock. 

human  heart  in  such  tidal, s,  well  knows 

the  fog  cleai’ed  aAvay.  Four  boats  Avere 

how  to  appreciate  the  conduct  of  these 

still  on  the  river : three  half  Avay  over, 

brave  men  on  this  occasion.” 

filled  Avith  troops;  the  fourfh, containing 

It  is  not  surprising,  when  a genuine 

thi-ee  fellows  Avho  had  tarried  behind  to 

order  did  come,  that  they  “did  not  lin- 

plunder,  Avas  .so  near  the  shore,  that  the 

ger;”  and, though  they  naturally  “moved 

enemy, Avho  at  this  moment  thronged  into 

with  celerity,”  it  is  no  more  than  we  ex- 

the  lines  deserted  by  the  American.s,  com 

pectof  such  true  soldiers  that  they  “ guard- 

manded  it  Avith  their  guns  and  forced  it 

ed  against  confusion.”  They  were  the 

to  return. 

last  of  the  troops  to  leave  the  lines  ; and. 

IIoAve  had  only  been  aroused  to  me 

succeeding  in  reaching  the  place  of  em- 

fact  of  the  retreat  at  early  daAvn  of  day. 

barkation  without  annovance  from  the 
enemy,  took  to  the  boats  in  I’eadine.ss  for 

“The  high-feeding  English  gen- 

. ° fi-  Aiig.  30. 

eral.  says  a compatriot  of  Ins 

them,  and  crossed  to  New  York  in  safety. 

own,  “s’ept  on;  and  his  brother  the  ad- 

“ 1 found,”  says  Gray  don,  “ a boat,  pre- 

miral,  not  so  apt  to  doi.e,  did  not  move  a 

pared  for  my  company,  which  immediate- 

single  ship  or  boat,  and  Avas  to  all  appear- 

ly  embarked,  and,  taking  the  helm  my- 

ance  unconscious  of  Avbat  Avas  going  on.” 

self,  I so  luckily  directed  the  prow,  no 

The  first  intelligence  brought  to  General 

object  being  discernible  in  the  fog,  that 

Ilowe  Avas  by  a negro-servant  of  a Mrs. 

we  touched  near  the  centre  of  the  city.” 

Eapelye,  of  Brooklyn.  This  lady’s  hus- 

The  whole  manoeuvre  was  a great  sue- 

band,  suspected  of  tory  proclivities,  had 

cess,  and,  although  much  aided  by  the 

fallen  under  General  Greene’s  scrutiny, 

“providential”  fog,  reflected  no  little  cred- 

in  the  course  of  his  raid  against  the  di.s- 

it  upon  Wa.shington’s  military  .skill.  The 

affected,  and  been  duly  secured.  Ilis 

cannon  and  stores  were,  for  the  most  part. 

Avife,  hoAvever,  had  tory  inclinations  of 

brought  off  without  loss  or  damage.  A 

her  OAvn,  Avbich  Avere  noAv  sharpened  by 

few  heavy  pieces  of  artillery  v/ere,  how- 

revenge  from  the  forced  absence  of  her 

336  liATTLES  OF  A^IEKICxV.  [part  ii 


husband.  Remaining  in  Brooklyn,  she 
became  aware,  in  the  evening,  of  the  re- 
treat of  the  Americans,  and  sent  her  ne- 
gro, with  information  of  the  fact,  to  the 
British  camp.  The  first  man  into  wliose 
hands  he  fell  chanced  to  be  a Hessian, 
who  could  not  understand  a word  of  the 
poor  African’s  English  splutter ; so  he  was 
clapped  into  the  guardhouse  for  the  night, 
and  only  brought  before  the  British  gen- 
eral next  morning,  by  whom  his  message 
was  understood,  when  it  was  too  late  to 
l)e  of  service. 

Even  now  the  story  was  hardly  be- 
lieved ; and  it  was  only  when  Captain 
Montressor,  fortified  by  the  presence  of 
an  ai'tned  party,  had  cautiously  approach- 
ed the  lines,  and,  climbing  up  the  em- 
bankment, had  peeped  over  and  found 
the  place  abandoned,  that  Howe  was  ful- 
ly pei'suaded  of  the  mortifying  fixct  that 
the  American  army  had  escaped  from  his 
clutches.  The  drums  now  beat  the  morn- 
ing rh'eille ; and,  while  the  British  troops 
were  striking  their  tents  and  preparing 
to  move,  small  bodies  of  liy-ht-horse  gal- 
loped  to  various  points  toward  the  shore 
to  reconnoitre ; and  some  fieldpieces  were 
hurried  into  Brooklyn,  and  began  to  pour 
a harndess  cannonade  at  the  retreating 
boats. 

On  the  succeeding  night,  the  Ameri- 

. ^ cans  also  brought  away  their  ar- 

Aujf.  30.  ...  1 ^ 

tillery,  stores,  and  tents,  irom 

Governor’s  island.  One  man,  however, 
lost  his  arm  by  a shot  from  a British  man- 
ot-war,  while  engaged  in  this  dangerous 
enterprise.  During  the  whole  of  this  per- 
ilous time,  Washington  was  personally  so 
active,  that  for  forty-eight  hours  previous 


to  the  completion  of  the  retreat  from 
Long  island,  he  had  hardly  been  off  his 
horse,  or  closed  his  eyes ; so  that  I was 
quite  unfit,”  he  says  on  the  next  day,  “ to 
write  or  dictate  till  this  morning.” 

General  Sullivan,  when  taken  prisoner 
during  the  battle  of  Long  island,  was  im- 
mediately sent  on  board  the  admiral’s 
ship.  Here  Lord  Howe  had  frequent  in- 
terviews with  Sullivan,  and  took  occasion 
to  tell  him  how  desirous  he  was  of  accom- 
modation with  the  colonies,  and  of  fulfil- 
ling the  purpose  of  his  appointment  by 
the  British  government  as  a commission- 
er to  treat  with  the  Americans.  With 
this  object  in  view,  his  lordship  expressed 
the  wish  of  seeing  some  of  the  members 
of  Congress.  The  American  general  was 
so  far  impre.ssed  by  the  admiral’s  earnest 
desire,  that  he  consented  to  go  (on  his 
parole)  to  Philadelphia  with  a verbal  mes- 
sage, the  purport  of  which  was,  that,  al- 
though Lord  Howe  could  not  treat  with 
Congress  as  such,  he  was  desirous  of  con- 
ferring with  some  of  its  members  as  pri- 
vate gentlemen  only,  whom  he  wovdd  meet 
at  any  place  they  would  appoint;  that  in 
conj  unction  with  General  Howe,  his  broth- 
er, he  had  full  powers  to  compromise  the 
dispute  with  America,  on  terms  advanta- 
geous and  honorable  to  both  the  colonies 
and  the  mother-country ; that  he  wished 
a compact  might  be  settled  at  this  time, 
when  no  decisive  blow  was  struck,  and 
neither  party  could  allege  being  com- 
pelled to  enter  into  such  agreement;  and 
that  in  case  Congress  were  disposed  (o 
treat  in  the  manner  suggested,  many 
things  not  yet  asked  might  be  granted 
them ; and  if,  upon  the  conference  being 


I 

i:i;soi.unuNAi;v.]  BRITISH  IN  POSSESSION  OF  BROOKLYN.  337 

held,  there  should  mdse  good  ground  for 


the  aceoiuiuodation,  this  might  lead  to  an 
acknowledgment  of  its  authority,  as  oth- 
erwise the  compact  could  not  be  com- 
pleted. 

Sullivan  was  put  ashore  at  New  York 
on  the  day  after  the  retreat  from  Long 
island,  and  immediately  presented  himself 
to  Washington,  with  a statement  of  his 
desire  to  lay  before  Congress  the  message 
which  he  had  received  from  Lord  Howe. 
Washington  urges  no  objection.  "'■I  have 
consented,”  he  says,  “ to  his  going  to  Phil- 
adelphia, as  I do  not  mean,  or  conceive 
it  right,  to  withhold  or  prevent  him  from 
giving  such  information  as  he  possesses 
in  this  instance.”  Washington  evidently 
did  not  sympathize  very  warmly  with 
this  diplomatic  movement,  the  issue  of 
which  we  shall  have  occasion  to  record 
in  the  course  of  our  narrative. 

General  Howe  now  took  possession  of 
the  American  works  at  Brooklyn,  and,  gar- 
risoning them  with  a force  principally  of 
Hessians,  distributed  the  rest  of  his  troops 
along  the  shores  of  Long  island  which 
overlooked  the  East  river;  posting  them 
at  Bushwick.Hellgate, Flushing,  and  New- 
town. The  admiral,  too,  now  began  to 
close  with  his  fleet  toward  the  city,  and, 
anchoring  most  of  his  ships  ofl’ Governor’s 
island,  sent  on  the  night  after  the  battle 
a forty-gun  frigate  up  the  East  river.  She 
succeeded  in  passing  up  between  Gov- 
ernor’s and  Long  islands,  and,  although 
fired  upon  by  the  American  batteries,  was 
enabled  to  reach  an  anchorau-e  in  Turtle 

O 

bay  without  damage.  The  next  inurning, 
however,  Washington  despatched  Major 
Crane,  of  the  artillery,  with  two  twelve- 
• 43 


pounders  and  a howitzer,  which,  hulling 
her  several  times,  forced  her  to  take  shel- 
ter behind  Blackwell’s  island,  where  she 
remained.  Several  other  British  ships- 
of-war,  with  a whole  fleet  of  store  and 
transport  vessels,  which  had  come  round 
Long  island,  were  also  stationed  in  the 
sound  above. 

As  the  enemy  were  thus  closing  about 
him,  Washington  began  to  be  doubtful  of 
the  possibility  of  continuing  to  hold  the 
city  of  New  York.  He  felt  the  need  of 
disciplined  troops,  and  ordered  General 
Mercer  to  send  the  thousand  men  intend- 
ed for  the  flying  camp  to  the  city;  while 
a corresiDonding  number  of  the  militia 
were  to  be  detached  to  take  their  place 
in  New  Jersej’,  and  try  to  make  a diver- 
sion, if  practicable,  upon  Staten  island. 
“ Till  of  late,”  says  Washington,  in  unusu- 
ally despairing  words  for  him,  “I  had  no 
doubt  in  my  own  mind  of  defending  this 
place;  nor  should  I have  yet,  if  the  men 
would  do  their  duty;  but  this  I despair 
of”  He  was  already  contemplating  an 
evacuation,  and  writes  to  the  president 
of  Congress,  asking — “ If  we  should  be 
obliged  to  abandon  the  town,  ought  it  to 
stand  as  winter-quarters  for  the  enemy  ? 

They  would,”  he  continues,  “derive 

great  conveniences  from  it,  on  the  one 
hand ; and  much  property  would  be  de- 
stroyed on  the  other.  It  is  an  important 
question,  but  will  admit  of  but  little  time 
for  deliberation.  At  present,  I dare  say 
the  enemy  mean  to  preserve  it,  if  they 
can.  If  Congress,  therefore,  should  re- 
solve upon  the  destruction  of  it,  the  reso- 
lution should  be  a profound  secret,  as  the 
knowledge  of  it  will  make  a capital  change 


j;attles  of  America. 


[lAIiT  11. 


3;i8 


in  their  phin.s.”  Washington’s  great  diffi- 
enltj  was, however,  with  liis  troops,  which, 
since  the  defeat  on  Long  island,  were  so 
disheartened  and  disorganized,  that  no  re- 
liance could  be  placed  upon  them  as  an 


army,  either  for  offence  or  defence.  The 
American  cominander-in-chief  was  thus 
placed  almost  hors  de  combat,  not  so  much 
by  the  strength  without  as  by  the  weak- 
ness within. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Discouragement  of  the  American  Tioops. — Desertion. — Villany  and  Rascality. — Washington  calls  loudly  for  Reform.— ■ 
Low  Fellows  in  High  Places. — Fort  Constitution  garrisoned  and  strengthened. — Removal  of  Stores  from  the  City  of 
New  York. — 'l  ire  Enemy  threaten  to  cross  the  East  River  and  cut  off  the  Communication  with  the  Country. — New 
York  to  be  htirned,  or  not? — Opinions  on  the  Subject. — The  New  Disposition  of  the  American  Army. — The  Howea 
pause  for  a Reply  fiom  Congress. 


1776  Washington  would  be  particular- 
ly happy,  he  writes  to  Congress,  if 
he  could  transmit  to  them  information 
that  would  be  agreeable  to  their  wishes; 
but  “ unfortunately  for  me,  unfortunately 
for  them,”  it  is  not  in  his  power.  “ Our 
^ ^ situation,”  he  declares,  “is  truly 
distressing.  The  check  our  de- 
tachment sustained  on  the  27th  ultimo 
has  dispirited  too  great  a proportion  of 
our  troops,  and  filled  their  minds  with 
apprehension  and  despair.  The  militia, 
instead  of  calling  forth  their  utmost  ef- 
forts to  a brave  and  manly  opposition,  in 
order  to  repair  our  losses,  are  dismayed,  in- 
tractable, and  impatient  to  return.  Great 
numbers  of  them  have  gone  off;  in  some 
instances,  almost  by  whole  regiments,  by 
half  ones,  and  by  companies,  at  a time. 
This  circumstance,  of  itself,  independent 
of  others,  when  fronted  by  a well-appoint- 
ed enemy  superior  in  number  toourwhole 
collected  force,  would  be  sufficiently  dis- 
agreeable ; but,  when  their  example  has 


infected  another  part  of  the  army,  when 
their  want  of  discipline  and  refusal  of  al- 
most every  kind  of  restraint  and  govern- 
ment have  produced  a like  conduct  but 
too  common  to  the  whole,  and  an  entire 
disregard  of  that  order  and  subordination 
necessary  to  the  well-doing  of  an  army, 
and  which  had  been  inculcated  before,  as 
well  as  the  nature  of  our  military  estab- 
lishment would  admit  of — our  condition 
becomes  still  more  alarming;  and  with 
the  deepest  concern  I am  obliged  to  con- 
fess my  ivant  of  confidence  in  the  generality 
of  the  troopsl' 

These  were  strong  words,  which,  how- 
ever, seemed  unfortunately  too  well  justi- 
fied by  the  conduct  of  the  army,  and  es- 
pecially of  the  militia.  “ Almost  every 
villany  and  rascality  are  daily  practised; 
so  many  of  our  officers  want  honor,  and 
so  many  of  our  soldiers  want  virtue,  civ- 
il, social,  and  military,  that  nothing  but 
the  severest  punishments  can  keep  them 
from  ruining  the  American  cause” — was 


EEVOLUTIONART.] 


CIIAKACTKR  OF  MILITIA. 


339 


the  testimony  of  others  besides  Washing- 
ton. A contemporary  declares;  “I  have 
heard  some  tales  of  wo,  occasioned  by  the 
robberies  of  our  army,  which  would  ex- 
tort siu'hs  from  the  hearts  of  tigers.”  An- 
other  emphatically  asserts:  “ Unless  some 
speedy  and  effectual  measures  are  adopt- 
ed by  Congress,  our  cause  will  be  lost. 
The  few  who  act  upon  principles  of  dis- 
interestedness are,  comparatively  speak- 
ing, no  more  than  a drop  in  the  ocean. 
As  the  war  must  be  carried  on  systemat- 
ically, you  must  establish  your  army  up- 
on a permanent  footing,  and  give  your 
officers  good  pay,  that  they  may  be  and 
support  the  character  of  gentlemen,  and 
not  be  driven,  by  a scanty  allowance,  to 
the  low  and  dirty  arts  which  many  of 
them  practise,  to  filch  the  public  of  more 
than  the  difference  of  pay  would  amount 
ti^.  The  men  must  be  engaged  by  a good 
bounty,  for  the  continuance  of  the  war. 
To  depend  upon  militia  is  assuredly  rest- 
ing on  a broken  staff  They  can  not  brook 
subordination.  It  would  be  cheaper  to 
keep  fifty  or  a hundred  thousand  in  con- 
stant pay,  than  depend  upon  half  the 
number,  and  supply  the  other  half  occa- 
sionally by  militia.  If  I was  to  declare, 
upon  oath,  whether  the  militia  have  been 
most  serviceable  or  hurtful,  upon  the 
whole,  I should  subscribe  to  the  latter. 
No  man  who  regards  order,  regularity,  or 
economy,  or  who  has  any  regard  for  his 
own  honor,  character,  or  peace  of  mind, 
will  risk  them  upon  militia.” 

The  system  of  choosing  their  own  offi- 
cers, in  the  militia-companies,  seemed  de- 
structive of  all  order  and  discipline.  The 
men  would  select  those  only  who  consent- 


ed to  throw  their  pay  into  a joint  stock, 
from  which  captains,  lieutenants,  ensigns, 
sergeants,  corporals,  drummers,  and  pri- 
vates, drew  equal  shares.  With  this  .sys- 
tem, low  fellows  naturally  were  found  in 
high  places;  and  accordingly  it  was  not 
surprising  that  a captain  should  be  proved 
guilty  of  stealing  his  soldiers’  blankets ; 
that  another  officer  should  be  found  sha- 
ving his  men  “in  the  face  of  distinguished 
characters and  that  many  of  the  regi- 
mental surgeons  made  a practice  of  sel- 
ling recommendations  to  furloughs  and 
discharges  at  a less  sum  than  a shilling 
a man.* 

Washington  finds  that  affairs  were  not 
changing  for  the  better,  and  the  militia 
were  daily  so  diminishing,  that  “in  a lit- 
tle time  I am  persuaded,”  he  writes,  “ their 
number  will  be  very  inconsidei  able.”  He 
found  it  impossible  to  check  the  desire  of 
these  men  to  return  to  their  homes.  Al- 
though he  refused  to  give  them  their  dis- 
charge, they  insisted  upon  going, and  did 
go,  so  hist,  that  in  a few  days  the  Con- 
necticut militia  were  reduced  from  six  to 
le.ss  than  two  thousand ! Washington  was 
forced  to  acquiesce  in  these  shameful  de- 
sertions, which,  however, greatly  harassed 
him. 

In  the  meantime,  little  could  be  done, 
either  for  offence  or  defence.  General 
Mercer  was,  however,  ordered  to  detach 
a force  from  Amboy,  where  he  was  sta- 
tioned, to  take  possession  of  and  strength- 
en the  works  on  the  Jersey  bank  of  the 
Hudson, called  Foi  t Constitution, and  sub- 
sequently Fort  Lee,  opposite  Fort  Wash- 
iimton  on  the  New-York  side.  Wash- 

O 

* Gordon. 


o40 

ingtoi),  moreover,  as  he  thought  it“^ex- 
[jedient  to  giuird  against  every  contin- 
gency,” and  that  he  might  have  resources 
left  if  obliged  to  abandon  New  York,  be- 
gan to  remove  all  the  stores,  not  imme- 
diately wanted,  above  Kingsbridge.  The 
evacuation  of  the  city  was  now,  in  fact, 
a subject  of  constant  talk  and  considera- 
tion. The  probability  of  such  an  event, 
and  the  possibility  of  the  destruction  of 
New  York,  had  been  discussed  in  Con- 
gress, which  hurried  to  pass  and  send  to 
the  commander-in-chief  this  resolution : 
“ Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be 
acquainted  that  Congress  would  have  spe- 
cial care  taken,  in  case  he  should  find  it 
necessary  to  quit  New  York,  that  no  dam- 
age be  done  to  the  said  city  by  his  troops 
on  their  leaviim  it:  the  Cony-ress  having 
no  doubt  of  their  being  able  to  recover 
the  same,  though  the  enemy  should  for 
a time  obtain  possession  of  it.” 

As  the  British  were  closing  in  with 
their  ships,  and  extending  their  encamp- 
ments along  the  Long-island  shore  of  the 
East  river,  there  was  reason  to  suppose 
that  they  intended  to  make  a landing 
above  or  below  Kingsbridge,  in  order  to 
hem  in  the  American  army,  and  cut  off  its 
communication  with  the  country.  This 
called  for  prompt  action;  and  Washing- 
ton immediately  summoned  a council  of 
Will’,  to  fix  upon  some  system  of  conduct 
to  be  pursued,  in  order  to  baffle  the  ef- 
forts and  counteract  the  schemes  of  Gen- 
c.-iil  Howe,  and  also  to  determine  as  to 
the  expediency  of  evacuating  or  attempt- 
ing to  maintain  the  city  and  the  several 
posts  on  the  island  of  New  York. 

The  council  of  general  officers  met,  ac- 


[PART  11. 

cording  to  the  summons.'^  There 
was  a division  of  opinion.  But  ^ 

all  agreed  that  New-York  city  would  not 
be  tenable  if  the  enemy  resolved  to  bom- 
bard and  cannonade  it.  Some,  howev- 
er (not  a little  influenced  in  their  opin- 
ion by  the  supposition  that  Congress  de- 
sired it  to  be  maintained  at  every  haz- 
ard), were  opposed  to  the  evacuation. 
Others  strongly  advocated  the  immedi- 
ate and  total  abandonment  of  the  town. 
This  was  the  opinion  of  General  Greene, 
who  strenuously  presented  it  in  a letter 
to  the  commander-in-chief  two  days  be- 
fore the  assembling  of  the  council.  The 
object  under  consideration  is,”  he  writes, 
“ whether  a general  and  speedy  retreat 
from  the  island  is  necessary  or  not.  To 
me  it  appears  the  only  eligible  plan  to 
oppose  the  enemy  successfully  and  secure 
ourselves  from  disgrace.  I think  we  have 
no  object  on  this  side  of  Kingsbridge. 
Our  troops  are  now  so  scattered,  that  one 
part  may  be  cut  off  before  the  others  can 
come  to  their  support.  In  this  situation 
suppose  the  enemy  should  send  up  the 
North  river  several  ships  of  force,  and  a 
number  of  transports  at  the  same  time, 
and  effect  a landing  between  the  town 
and  the  middle  division  of  the  army ; 
that  another  party  from  Long  i.sland 
should  land  dii'ectly  opposite ; and  that 
these  two  parties  should  form  a line 
across  the  island  and  intrench  themselve.s. 
The  two  flanks  of  this  line  could  be  easi- 
ly supported  by  the  shipping.  The  cen- 
tre, fortified  with  the  redoubts,  would  ren- 

* Among  them  were  some  of  those  lately  promoted  : for 
Congress  had  appointed  Heath,  Spencer,  Greene,  and  Sul- 
livan, major-generals;  and  James  Heed,  Nixon,  St.  Clair, 
M'Dougall,  Parsons,  and  James  Clinton,  brigadier-generals. 


ILVriLES  OF  AMEinCA. 


REVOLUTIONARY.] 


A COMPROMISE. 


der  it  very  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to 
cut  our  way  through.  At  the  time  the 
enemy  are  executing  this  movement,  they 
will  be  able  to  make  sufficient  diversions, 
if  not  real  lodgments,  to  render  it  impos- 
sible for  the  centre  and  upper  divisions 
of  the  army  to  afford  any  assistance  here. 
Should  this  event  take  place  — and,  by- 
the-b}',  1 do  not  think  it  very  improbable 
— your  excellency  will  be  reduced  to  that 
situation,  which  every  prudent  general 
would  wish  to  avoid  ; that  is,  of  being 
obliged  to  fight  the  enemy  at  a disadvan- 
tage, or  submit.”  Greene  went  even  fur- 
ther, and  advised  the  destruction  of  New 
York.  “I  would  burn  the  city  and  its 
suburbs,”  he  says,  and  thinks  that  they 
should  net  be  put  into  competition  with 
the  general  interests  of  America,  for  “ two 
thirds  of  (he  property  of  the  city  and  the 
suburbs  belono-  to  the  tories.” 

O 

Putnam,  too, agreed  with  Greene,  while 
Mercer,  Spencer, Heath, and  Clinton,  were 
of  the  opposite  opinion.  Washington  him- 
self was  evidently  in  favor  of  evacuation. 
“It  is  now  exlremely  obvious,”  he  say.s, 
“from  all  intelligence,  from  their  move- 
ments, and  every  other  circumstance,  that 
having  landed  their  whole  army  on  Long 
island,  except  about  four  thousand ‘on 
Staten  island,  the}^  mean  to  enclose  us  on 
the  island  of  New  York,  by  taking  post 
in  our  rear,  while  the  shipping  effectual- 
ly secures  the  front;  and  thus,  either  by 
cutting  off  our  communication  with  the 
country,  oblige  us  to  fight  them  on  their 
own  terms,  or  surrender  at  discretion  ; or 
by  a brilliant  stroke  endeavor  to  cut  this 
army  in  pieces,  and  secure  the  collection 
if  arms  and  stores  which  they  wxdl  know 


.a-ii 

we  shall  not  be  able  soon  to  replace.” 
With  this  view  of  the  enemy’s  tactics, 
Washinu’ton,  while  considering:  the  best 
means  of  opposing  them,  says  it  is  “ im- 
possible to  forget  that  history,ourown  ex- 
perience, the  advice  of  our  ablest  fi  iends 
in  Europe,  the  fears  of  the  enemy,  and 
even  the  declarations  of  Congress,demon- 
strate  that  on  our  side  the  war  shoidd  be 
defensive  (it  has  even  been  called  a.  war 
of  posts) ; that  we  should  on  all  occasions 
avoid  a general  action  ; not  put  anything 
to  risk,  unless  compelled  by  a necessity 
into  which  we  ought  never  to  be  drawn. 

With  these  views,”  he  continues,  “ and 

being  fully  persuaded  that  itwmuld  be  pre- 
sumption to  draw  out  our  young  troops 
into  open  ground  against  their  superiors 
both  in  number  and  discipline,  1 have 
never  spared  the  spade  and  pickaxe.” 

A compromise  was  finally  agreed  upon 
betw'een  these  extreme  opinions,  and  it 
was  determined  by  the  council  to  arrange 
the  army  under  three  divisions:  five  thou- 
sand to  remain  for  the  defence  of  the  city; 
nine  thousand  to  be  stationed  at  Kings- 
bridge  and  its  neighborhood,  in  order  not 
only  to  secure  the  posts  there,  but  to  be 
ready  to  attack  the  enemy,  who  were 
moving  eastward  on  Long  island,  if  they 
should  attempt  to  land ; and  the  rest  of 
the  army  to  occupy  the  intermediate 
space,  in  readiness  to  support  either  di- 
vision above  or  below. 

Washington  immediately  proceeded  to 
put  into  execution  these  plans.  He  made 
preparation  to  shift  his  own  headquarters 
to  Kingsbridge.  Eough  wooden  struc- 
tures were  ordered  to  be  built  there  for 
the  troops,  and  the  sick  removed  from 


34‘2 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


New  Yui  k to  Oi  iuigotown,  in  New  Jersey. 
The  eneiu}’,  nlthough  hourly  and  anx- 
iously expected  to  begin  their  manoeu- 
vres, seemed  to  hesitate,  probably  await- 


ing the  issue  of  the  interview  just  about 
to  take  place  between  Lord  Howe  and 
the  committee  appointed  by  Congress  to 
meet  him  on  Staten  island. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


'I'hc  Result  of  Sullivan’s  Mission. — Franklin,  Adams,  and  Uiuledge,  sent  to  meet  Lord  ilowc  and  hie  Brother. — Lora 
Howe’s  Honeyed  Words  to  Franklin — Franklin’s  Stinging  Answer. — The  Journey  of  the  American  Commissioners. 
— The  Scenes  on  the  R'lad. — The  Incidents  of  a Night. — Adams  and  Franklin  Bedfellows. — Franklin’s  Theory  of 
Colds. — Arrival  at  Amhoy  — The  Hostage. — Interview  with  Lord  Howe. — The  House,  as  it  now  appears. — His  Lord- 
shill’s  Hospitality. — The  Business  of  the  Conference. — The  Discussion. — The  Result. — Sullivan’s  Mission  a “Fool’s 


Farand.’’ — Washington’s  Opinion. 

General  Sullivan  had  arrived  at 

B T 7G 

Philadelphia,  in  his  capacity  of  em- 
bassador from  Lord  Ho4ve,  and,  having 
hiid  before  Congress  the  verbal  message 
of  his  lordship,  was  requested  to  reduce 
it  to  writing.  This  having  been  done. 
Congress,  after  a long  discussion,  resolved 
that  they  could  not  send  any  of  their 
members  in  a private  capacity  ; but  were 
willing,  as  they  were  desirous  of  an  hon- 
oralile  peace,  to  appoint  a committee  to 
wait  upon  his  lordship,  who  might  receive 
them  in  whatever  character  he  pleased. 
Benjamin  Franklin  of  Pennsylvania,  John 
Adams  of  Massachusetts,  and  John  Rut- 
ledge of  South  Carolina,  were  accordingly 
chosen  in  fulfilment  of  these  resolutions. 
They  immediately  set  out  to  meet  Lord 
Howe  on  Staten  i.sland. 

A private  letter  had  already  been  wrib 
ten  to  Franklin  by  his  lordship,  Avho  had 
stated  the  oljject  of  his  mission,  and  ex- 
pressed to  his  “ old  acquaintance  and  wor- 
thy friend,”  whom  he  had  know’n  in  Lon- 


don, his  earnest  desire  to  hav<  it  success- 
fully accomplished.  Franklin’s  answer 
was  somew’hat  pungent,  but  seemed  justi- 
fied by  the  apparent  desire  of  Lord  Howe 
to  obtain  his  concurrence  in  a movement 
w'hich  no  American  patriot  conld  beliew 
w’as  favorable  to  the  interests  of  his  conn- 
try;  — 

“Directing  pardons,”  writes  Franklin. 
“ to  be  offered  to  the  colonies,  wdio  are 
the  very  parties  injured,  expresses  indeed 
that  opinion  of  our  ignorance,  baseness, 
and  insensibility,  which  your  uninformed 
and  proud  nation  has  long  been  pleased 
to  entertain  of  us ; but  it  can  have  no 
other  effect  than  that  of  increasing  our 
resentments.  It  is  impossible  we  should 
think  of  submission  to  a government  that 
has,  with  the  most  wanton  barbarity  and 
cruelty,  burnt  our  defenceless  towns  in 
the  midst  of  winter;  excited  the  savages 
to  massacre  our  peaceful  farmers,  and  our 
slaves  to  murder  their  masters ; and  > 
even  now  bringing  foreign  mercenaries 


r 


UEVOLUTIONARY.] 


A rUNGENT  LETTER  OF  FRANKLIN. 


343 


to  deluge  our  settlements  with  blood. 
These  atrocious  injuries  have  extinguish- 
ed every  spark  of  affection  for  that  p:i- 
rent-country  we  once  held  so  dear.  But 
were  it  possible  for  us  to  forget  and  for- 
give them,  it  is  not  possible  for  you  (I 
mean  the  British  nation)  to  forgive  the 
people  you  have  so  heavily  injured — 

“Your  lordship  mny  possibly  remem- 
ber the  tears  of  joy  that  wet  my  cheek, 
when,  at  your  good  sister’s  in  London, 
you  once  gave  expectations  that  a recon- 
ciliation might  soon  take  place.  I had 
the  misfortune  to  find  these  expectations 
disappointed,  and  to  be  treated  as  the 
cause  of  the  mischief  I was  laboring  to 
prevent.  My  consolation  under  that 
groundless  and  malevolent  treatment 
was,  that  1 retained  the  friendship  of 
many  wise  and  good  men  in  that  coun- 
try; and,  among  the  rest,  some  share  in 
the  regard  of  Lord  Howe. 

“The  well-founded  esteem,  and  permit 
me  to  say  affection,  which  I shall  always 
have  for  your  lordship,  make  it  painful 
to  nie  to  see  you  enua^ed  in  conducting: 
a war,  the  great  ground  of  which,  as  de- 
scribed in  your  letter,  is  ‘ the  necessity  of 
preventing  American  trade  from  passing 
into  foreitirn  channels.’  To  me  it  seems 

o 

neither  the  obtaining  nor  retaining  any 
trade,  how  valuable  soever,  is  an  object 
for  which  men  may  justly  spill  each  oth- 
er’s blood  ; that  the  true  and  sure  means 
ol’  extending  and  securing  commerce  are 
the  goodness  and  cheapness  of  commodi- 
ties ; and  that  the  profits  of  no  trade  can 
be  ever  equal  to  the  expense  of  compel- 
iitig  and  holding  it  by  fleets  and  armies. 
I consider  this  war  against  us,  therefore. 


as  ])otli  unjust  and  unwise , and  1 am  per 
suaded  that  cool  and  dispassionate  pos- 
terity will  condemn  to  infamy  those  who 
advised  ir ; and  that  even  success  will  not 
save  from  some  degree  of  dishonor  those 
who  have  voluntarily  engaged  to  conduct 
it. 

“ I know  your  great  motive  in  coming 
hither,  was  the  hope  of  being  instrumen- 
tal in  a reconciliation;  and  1 believe, 
when  you  find  that  to  be  impossible,  on 
any  terms  given  you  to  propose,  you  will 
then  relinquish  so  odious  a commana,  and 
return  to  a more  honorable  private  sta- 
tion.” 

With  such  preliminaries,  his  lordship 
could  uot  have  much  hope  of  a success- 
ful negotiation  with  Franklin.  We  shall 
find  that  his  associates,  Adams  and  Rut- 
ledge, were  no  less  intlexible  in  their  spir- 
it of  patriotic  independence. 

The  committee  finally  set  out  on  their 
journey,  Franklin  and  Rutledge 
driving  in  a “ chair,”  and  Adams 
ridiiui;  on  horseback.  On  the  first  night 
they  reached  Brunswick,  in  New  Jersey, 
where  they  lodged  at  an  inn.  They  had 
now  an  opportunity  of  seeing  something 
of  the  soldiery,  about  whom  they  had 
latel}^  received  so  many  complaints  while 
in  Congress.  There  were  numbers,  both 
of  officers  and  men,  straggling  about  the 
roads  and  loitering  in  the  public  houses, 
whose  conduct  and  condition  were  such 
as  not  to  inspire  very  sanguine  hopes  of 
the  country’s  cause  intrusted  to  such  de- 
fenders. The  three  patriotic  legislators, 
however,  consoled  themselves  with  the 
expectation  that  the  disorderly  military 
characters  which  thev  had  thus  encoun 


9. 


344 

tvM'od  would  be  chastised  into  order  in 
time.” 

The  taverns  at  Brunswick  were  so  foil 
(d‘  rollicking  troopers,  that  it  was  diilicult 
to  t'tid  entertainment.  Finally,  a smgle 
bed  was  obtaiiK'd  for  the  joint  occupancy 
of  Franklin  and  Adams,  in  a chandDcr  lit- 
tle larger  than  the  bed,  without  a chim- 
ney, and  with  only  one  small  window. 
Here  they  turned  in  for  the  night.  The 
window  was  open;  and  Adams,  Avho  was 
an  invalid,  and  afraid  of  the  night  air, 
shut  it  close. 

“ Oh  !”  cried  out  Franklin,  “ do  n’t  shut 
the  window:  we  shall  be  suffocated!” 

I am  afraid  of  the  night  air,”  replied 
Adams.' 

Doctor  Franklin  rejoined:  “The  air 
within  this  chamber  will  soon  be,  and 
indeed  is  now,  worse  than  that  without 
doors.  Come ! open  the  window,  and 
come  to  bed,  and  I will  convince  you.  I 
believe  you  are  not  acquainted  with  my 
theoi’y  of  colds.” 

Whereupon,  Adams  opened  the  win- 
dow, and,  leaping  into  Ijed,  began  a dis- 
cussion with  his  philosophical  bedfellow 
upon  his  theory  of  colds.  He  had  read, 
Adams  said,  Franklin’s  letters  to  Doctor 
Cooper,  in  which  he  had  advanced  the 
opinion  that  nobody  ever  got  cold  by 
going  into  a cold  church  or  any  other 
cold  air;  but  he  declared  it  w^as  so  in- 
consistent with  his  experience,  that  he 
thought  it  a paradox.  Notwithstanding, 
Ada.ms  added  that  he  was  so  curious  to 
have  Fraidclin’s  views,  that  he  would  be 
glad  to  hear  them,  even  at  the  risk  of  a 
cold. 

The  doctor  then  began  a harangue  up- 


[PART  11. 

on  air  and  cold,  and  respiration  and  per- 
spiration, and  with  so  much  profundity 
of  science,  that  he  soon  put  his  bedfellow 
asleep.  “ I soon,”  says  Adams,  “ left  him 
and  his  philosophy  together,  but  I believe 
they  were  equally  sound  and  insensible 
within  a few  minutes  after  me,  for  the 
last  words  I heard  were  pronounced  as 
if  he  was  more  that  half  asleep.” 

The  next  morning,  Rutledge,  who  prob- 
ably had  slept  alone,  or  at  any 
rate  had  not  enjoyed  the  honor 
or  suffered  from  the  theory  of  a “philu 
sophical  bedfellow,”  joined  Franklin  and 
Adams,  and  the  three  continued  their 
journey  to  Amboy.  On  reaching  this 
place.  Lord  Howe’s  barge  was  in  waiting 
to  take  them  over  to  the  opposite  shore 
of  Staten  island.  A British  officer  had 
also  arrived,  who  was  to  give  himself  up 
to  the  Americans  as  a hostage  for  the  se- 
curity of  the  committee.  Adams,  how- 
ever, as  soon  as  he  saw  him,  told  his  col- 
leagues that  he  thought  it  would  be  child- 
ish  to  depend  upon  such  a pledge ; and, 
the}'  agreeing,  the  three  accordingly  in- 
sisted upon  taking  the  hostage  back  again 
to  the  island.  The  officer,  declaring  that 
he  w'as  at  their  disposition,  could  not,  of 
course,  refuse  to  comply,  and  crossed  with 
the  committee. 

As  they  approached  the  shore,  Lord 
Howe  (having  been  on  the  lookout  from 
his  house,  which  stood  not  far  from  the 
water)  observed  the  bai-ge,  and  immedi- 
ately went  down  to  the  water’s  edge  to 
I'eceive  his  congressional  visiters.  On 
their  landing,  his  lordship,  looking  at  the 
returned  hostage,  remarked,  “ Gentlemen, 
you  make  me  a very  high  com])liment 


BATTLES  OF  AIMERTCA. 


I 

uiivoMJTioNARY.]  HOUSE  ON  WAliU’S  POINT.  345 


and  jon  may  depend  upon  it  I will  con- 
sider it  as  the  most  sacred  of  things.” 

They  then  walked  up  together  to  the 
house  “ between  lines  of  guards  of  gren- 
adiers, looking  fierce  as  ten  furies,  and 
making  grimaces  and  gestures,  and  mo- 
tions of  their  muskets,”  which  were  sup- 
])Osed  to  be  in  accordance  with  military 
etiquette,  “ but  which  we  neither  under- 
stood nor  regarded,”  says  the  inflexible 
republican  Adams  ; who,  however,  must 
have  been  struck  with  the  difference  be- 
tween the  “grimaces”  of  the  British  gren- 
adiers and  the  “stray-y-limi'  and  loiteriim” 
of  his  own  undisciplined  countrymen  on 
the  roads  and  about  the  doors  of  the  pub- 
lic house.s. 

The  house  occupied  by  Lord  Howe 
still  stands,  a solid  stone  structure,  upon 
Ward’s  point.  It  is  a simple  farmhouse. 
Cattle  feed  peacefully  upon  the  meadow, 
which  stretches  from  the  door  to  the  wa- 
ter’s edge.  Well-cultivated  fields  extend 
l)ack  to  the  road;  on  the  right  there  is  a 
gi’ove,  where  school-children  in  the  sum- 
mer time  come  from  the  stifling  streets 
of  the  great  city,  to  enjoy  within  the 
shade  of  the  cedars  the  innocent  gayeties 
of  the  pic-nic,  and  to  breathe  the  pure 
air  which  blows  fresh  from  sea  and  land; 
be3’ond,  on  the  opposite  shore,  crowded 
town  succeeds  town ; on  the  water  in 
front,  sail-boats  and  steamers  pass  and  re- 
pa.ss  ill  busy  but  peaceful  activity;  while 
everywhere  upon  the  island  is  a calm 
landscape,  varied  with  hill  and  wooded 
vale,  and  dotted  with  low  cottage-roofs 
of  plain  farmers  and  imposing  villas  be- 
longing to  the  opulent  merchants  of  New 
York. 

44 


The  house  on  Ward’s  point  was  then, 
when  visited  by  the  congressional  com- 
mittee, the  headquarters  of  Lord  Howe. 
It  had  been  the  habitation  of  military 
guards,  and  was  as  dirty  as  a stable.  His 
lordship,  however,  had  prepared  to  do 
honor  to  his  distiny-uished  (ijuests,  and 
had  accordingly  got  ready  a large,  hand- 
some room,  bj^  spreading  a carpet  of  moss 
and  green  sprig.s,  from  bushes  and  shrubs 
in  the  neighborhood,  till  he  made  it  not 
only  wholesome,  but  romantically  elegant, 
and  entertained  his  visiters  with  “ good 
claret,  good  bread,  cold  ham,  tongues,  and 
mutton.” 

While  thus  sharing  Lord  Howe’s  ho.s- 
pitaliLv,  a lively  conversation  took  place, 
in  the  course  of  which  his  lordship,  look- 
ing toward  Mr.  Adams,  expressed  in  warm 
terms  his  gratitude  to  the  state  of  Massa- 
chusetts for  erecting  a marble  monument 
in  Westminster  abbey  to  his  elder  broth- 
er, Lord  Edward  Howe,  who  fell  at  Ti- 
conderoga  during  the  French  War.  “ He 
esteemed,  said  he,  that  honor  to  his  fam- 
ily above  all  things  in  this  ivorld ; and  that 
such  was  his  gratitude  and  affection  to 
this  country,  on  that  account,  that  he  felt 
for  America  as  for  a brother;  and  if  Amer- 
ica should  fall,  he  should  feel  and  lament 
it  like  the  loss  of  a brother.”  Doctor 
Franklin,  “with  an  easy  air  and  a collect- 
ed countenance,  a bow,  a smile,  and  all 
that  naivete  which  sometimes  appeared  in 
his  conversation,”  replied,  “ M^^  lord,  we 
will  do  our  utmost  endeavors  to  save 
ymur  lordship  that  mortification.”  The 
earl’s  sensibility  was  not  a little  wound- 
ed by  this  unexpected  and  rather  rude 
shock;  but  he  merely  remarked,  with  his 


■ 

34t)  • UATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  LPAin  ii 

usual  courtesy,  “I  suppose  you  will  en- 
deavor to  give  us  employment  in  Eu- 
1 ope.” 

Lord  Howe  now  turned  the  conversa- 
tion towaid  business,  and  began  by  say- 
iim  that  be  could  confer  with  bis  visiters 
not  as  members  of  Congres.s,  but  only  as 
private  gentlemen  and  British  subjects. 
Hereupon  Mr.  Adams  quickly  rejoined  : 

“ Your  lordship  may  consider  me  in  what 
light  you  please;  and  indeed  I should  be 
willing  to  consider  myself,  for  a few  mo- 
ments, in  any  character  which  would  be 
agreeable  to  your  lordship,  except  that  of 
a British  subject  1"  At  these  words.  Lord 
Howe  turned  to  Doctor  Franklin  and  Mr. 
Rutledge,  and  said,  with  a grave  and  sol- 
emn air,  “Mr.  Adams  is  a decided  char- 
acter.” 

It  must  be  conceded  that  his  lordship 
was  in  a fair  way  of  being  roughly  han- 
dled by  these  knotty  republicans.  He, 
however,  now  took  care  to  confine  him- 
self to  business,  and  not  expose  his  soft 
compliments  to  any  further  chance  of 
hard  usage.  The  earl  then  repeated,  in 
a more  serious  tone,  that  he  could  not 
r(3ceive  the  committee  as  delegates  fiom 
Congress;  but  that,  as  his  powers  enabled 
liim  to  confer  and  consult  with  any  pri- 
vate gentlemen  of  influence  in  the  colo- 
nies, on  the  means  of  restoring  peace  be- 
tween the  two  countries,  he  was  glad  of 
the  opportunity  of  conferring  with  those 
present  on  that  subject,  if  they  thought 
themselves  at  liberty  to  enter  into  a con- 
ference with  him. 

The  committee  replied  that  their  busi- 
ness was  to  hear,  and  that  his  lordship 
might  consider  them  in  what  light  he 

pleased,  and  communicate  such  proposi- 
tions as  he  was  authorized  to  make;  but 
that  they  could  consider  themselves  in 
no  other  character  than  that  in  which 
they  were  placed  by  order  of  Congress. 

His  lordship  then  spoke  at  considera- 
ble length,  but  in  all  he  said  there  was 
nothing  but  this  which  could  be  regard- 
ed as  an  explicit  proposition  of  peace, 
namely,  that  the  colonies  should  return 
to  their  allegiance  and  obedience  to  the 
government  of  Great  Britain.  The  rest 
of  the  eaiTs  remarks  were  simply  assu- 
rances that  there  was  an  exceedingly 
good  disposition  on  the  part  of  the  king 
and  his  ministers  to  make  the  government 
easy  to  its  American  subjects;  and  that, 
in  case  of  iheir  submission,  the  offensive 
acts  of  Parliament  should  be  revised,  and 
the  instructions  to  the  governors  of  the 
several  provinces  be  reconsidered,  in  or- 
der that,  if  any  just  causes  of  complaint 
should  be  found,  they  might  be  removed. 

To  this  the  committee  replied  that  in 
their  opinion  a return  to  the  domination 
of  Great  Britain  was  not  now  to  be  ex- 
pected, as  the  colonies  had  declared  them- 
selves independent  states,  and  it  was  not 
in  the  power  of  Congress  to  agree  for 
them  to  return  to  their  former  condition 
of  dependence.  There  was  no  doubt,  how- 
ever, they  said,  an  inclination  to  peace, 
and  a willingness  to  enter  into  a treaty 
with  Great  Britain,  which  might  be  ad- 
vantageous to  both  countries.  As  his 
lordship  had  at  present  no  power  to  treat 
with  them  as  independent  states,he  might 
(if  there  was  the  same  good  disposition 
on  the  part  of  the  British  government) 
much  soojier  obtain  fresh  powers  for  such 

■l 


r 


IIEVOLUTIONARY.J  EVACUATION.  01-'  NEW  YORK.  347 

a purpose,  than  could  be  obtained  by  Con- 

prisoner,  was  a temptation,  and  may  be 

i 

gress  from  the  several  states,  to  consent 

considered  some  apology — appeared  to 

to  a submission. 

me  to  betray  such  a want  of  penetration 

Lord  Howe,  then  remarking  that  he 

and  fortitude,  and  there  was  so  little  pre- 

was  Sony  to  find  no  accommodation  was 

cision  in  the  information  he  communi- 

likely  to  take  place,  put  an  end  to  the 

cated,  that  I felt  much  resentment,  and 

conference.  The  committee,  therefore, 

more  contempt,  on  the  occasion,  than  was 

j 

took  leave  of  his  lordship,  and,  having 

perhaps  just  The  time  was  extremely 

1 

nassed  over  by  barge  to  Amboy,  returned 

critical.  The  attention  of  Congress,  the 

hrough  New  Jersey,  to  their  duties  in 

army,  the  states,  and  the  people,  ought 

Congress. 

to  have  been  wholly  directed  to  the  de- 

Sullivan’s  mission  was  generally  con- 

fence  of  the  country.  To  have  it  divert- 

sidered  a “fool’s  errand.”  Adams  expres- 

ed  and  relaxed,  by  such  a poor  artifice 

ses  himself  emphatically  upon  this  point. 

and  confused  tale,  appeared  very  repre- 

He  says:  “The  conduct  of  General  Sulli- 

hensible.” 

van,  in  consenting  to  come  to  Philadel- 

Washington  says  briefly  of  the  whole 

phia,  upon  so  confused  an  errand  from 

affair,  “ The  mode  of  negotiation  pursued 

Lord  Howe  — though  his  situation,  as  a 

by  Lord  Howe  I did  not  approve  of.” 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Evacuation  of  New  York  resolved  upon. — Hale,  the  American  Spy. — His  Life,  Character,  and  Fate. — The  Movemenioi 

the  Britisli  Ships  up  tlie  East  River. — The  Americans  on 

the  March  out  of  New  York. — Washington’s  Headquarters. 

i 

— The  Morris  Home. — 'I’he  Landing  of  the  Enemy. — The  Flight  of  the  Provincials. — Washington's  Indignation. — 

i 

Putnam  and  the  Rear-Gnard  in  Danger. — Aaron  Burr  comes  to  the  Rescue. — The  Enemy  too  late. — Escape  of  Put- 

nam  and  his  Force. — Tlie  British  arrive  in  Full  Strength 

— An  Agreeable  but  Expensive  Visit. — ‘‘  Mrs.  Murray  saves 

the  American  Army.” — The  British  take  Pos.session  of  New  York. — The  Action  on  the  Plains  of  Harlem. — Death  of 

Knowlton  and  Leitch. 

General  Washington,  having  re- 
1 7Tfi  ' ^ 

opinion,  as  we  have  seen,  was  evidently 

ceived  a despatch  on  the  12th  of 

in  favor  of  evacuating  the  town;  and  he 

September  from  President  Hancock,  sta- 

was  now  confirmed  in  his  views  by  a pe- 

ting  thiit  it  was  by  no  means  the  sense 

tition,  signed  by  seven  of  his  general  ofli- 

of  Congress  that  the  army  or  any  part  of 

cers,  headed  by  General  Greene,  who 

it  should  remain  in  the  city  of  New  York 

urged  the  calling  of  a council  of  war,  to 

a moment  longer  than  he  should  think  it 

decide  upon  such  action  as  the  circum- 

proper  for  the  public  service,  was  left  to 

stances  seemed  to  require.  A council 

act  according  to  his  own  judgment.  His 

was  accordingly  summoned ; and  it  was 

- 

348 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


determined,  by  a majority  of  ten 
Sept.  12.  r J J 

out  of  the  thirteen  present,  that 

the  removal  of  the  army  was  not  onl}^ 
prudent,  but  absolutely  necessarj^  as  they 
were  entirely  convinced,  from  a full  and 
minute  inquiry  into  their  situation,  that 
it  was  extremely  perilous:  for  it  appeared 
from  every  movement  of  the  enemy,  and 
the  intelligence  received,  that  their  plan 
of  operations  w'as  to  get  in  the  rear  of 
the  Americans,  and,  by  cutting  off  the 
communication  with  the  mainland,  oblige 
them  to  force  a passage  through  the  Brit- 
ish lines,  or  to  become  prisoners  in  some 
short  time,  for  want  of  necessary  supplies 
of  provisions. 

Anxious  to  have  more  explicit  infor- 
mation of  the  condition  and  the  intended 
movements  of  the  enemy,  it  was  deter- 
mined to  send  a spy  into  the  British  camp 
on  Long  island.  Colonel  Knowlton  wvas 
requested  by  Washington  to  obtain  some 
one  from  his  retjiment,  which  had  a hiijh 
character  for  its  daring,  to  undertake  this 
perilous  duty.  Captain  Nathan  Hale,  a 
young  Connecticut  officer,  immediately 
volunteered  his  services,  and,  being  pro- 
vided by  Washington  with  an  order  to 
the  commanders  of  all  American  vessels 
to  convey  him  wherever  he  desired  to  go, 
set  out.  Crossing  the  sound.  Hale  reached 
Huntington,  on  Long  island,  and  thence 
proceeded  to  the  British  camp,  where,  by 
skilfully  avoiding  suspicion,  he  gathered 
such  information  as  he  had  sought.  He 
now  returned  to  Huntington,  and  was 
about  recrossing  to  New  York,  when  he 
was  arrested  by  a British  guard,  and,  be- 
ing taken  before  General  Howe  and  ex- 
amined, condemned  to  die.  When  Howe 


removed  his  headquarters  to  New  York, 
Hale  was  brought  over  from  Long  island 
and  confined  in  the  greenhouse  attached 
to  the  Beekman  mansion,  on  the  East 
river,  of  which  the  British  commander- 
in-chief  had  taken  possession  in  the  ab- 
sence of  its  patriotic  owner.  Hale  was 
treated  with  great  severity.  Pronounced 
guilty  without  the  form  of  a trial,  he  w'as 
not  even  allowed  the  usual  privileges  of 
a condemned  criminal.  His  bible  was 
taken  from  him,  the  presence  of  a cler- 
gyman denied  him,  and  his  last  written 
words  to  his  mother  and  sisters  were  de- 
stroyed. He  was  led  out  to  be  hanged, 
and,  as  he  stood  beneath  the  fatal  tree,'=' 
he  said,  “I  only  lament  that  I have  but 
one  life  to  lo.se  for  my  country.”  Hale 
w.as  young,  and  full  of  patriotic  enthusi- 
asm. He  had  left  Yale  college  but  three 
years  before,  and  had,  by  his  zeal  for 
study,  given  great  promise  of  distinction 
in  tiie  higher  walks  of  civil  life.  His  ar- 
dent temperament  was,  however,  greatly 
inflamed  by  the  wrongs  of  his  country ; 
and  when  the  Bevolutionary  struggle  be- 
gan, he  threw  aside  his  book.s,  and  took 
up  the  sword  with  the  patriotic  resolute- 
ness of  a young  Brutus. 

Four  ships-of-war,  two  of  forty  and  two 

of  twenty-eight  guns,  had  moved  up  the 

East  river,  .and  anchored  .about 

.,  , , . „ Sept.  13. 

a mile  above  the  city,  ihe  tort 

at  Governor’s  island,  now  in  possession 

of  the  British,  kept  up  a brisk  cannon.ade, 

and  the  ships  were  pouring  broadside 

after  broadside  upon  the  works  at  New 

* ■*  He  was  hanged  upon  an  apple-tree  in  Rutgers’  or- 
chard, near  the  present  intersection  of  East  Broadway  and 
Market  street.” — Lossisa. 


REvol.uTioNAUY.]  REMOVING  STORES.  3JP 

York,  as  they  sailed  with  a gentle  breeze 

Marblehead  fi.shermen  were  especially 

slowly  up  the  river.  The  Americans  re- 

employed  for  that  service.  The  woik 

t in  ned  the  fire,  and  Washington  was  ri- 

was  begun  late  at  night.  An  attack  from 

ding  on  horseback  from  point  to  point, 

the  enemy  was  expected  every  moment. 

encouraging  the  cannonade.  As  he  was 

Some  five  hundred  sick  weie,  however. 

entering  one  of  the  forts,  a ball  lell  within 

safely  carried  over  the  river  to  New  Jer- 

six  feet  of  his  horse ; and  another  struck 

sey,  without  interruption,  before  sunrise 

down  and  killed  with  one  blow  three  citi- 

next  morning.  On  the  following  day, 

1 

zens  who  were  looking  with  idle  curiosi- 

Glover  with  his  active  brigade  was  back 

ty  upon  the  scene.  General  Howe  had 

again  to  the  city,  at  work  from  morning 

also  landed  a considerable  body  of  his 

until  late  at  night,  in  striking  the  tents 

troops  upon  Buchanan’s  and  Montressor’s 

and  carrying  the  heavy  stores  and  ord- 

(now  Ward’s  and  Randall’s)  islands,  in  the 

nance  to  the  water’s  side,  ready  to  be 

1 

i 

East  river,  off  the  mouth  of  the  Harlem 

trans[)orted  by  boats  up  the  North  river  ; 

1 

river. 

while  wagons  were  loaded  with  the  light 

Six  more  of  the  enemy’s  ships,  trans- 

baggage,  prepared  to  start  by  land.  The 

ports,  and  men-of-war,  now  joined  the 

commander-in-chief  was  anxiously  await- 

other  British  vessels  in  the  East  river. 

ing  the  result  of  Glover’s  labors.  “ I fully 

Soon  an  express  came  hurriedly  to  Wash- 

expected,”  he  writes  on  the  14th  of  Sep- 

iugton  at  his  headquarters,  with  word 

tember,  “ that  an  attack  somewhere  would 

from  Colonel  Sargent  at  Horen’s  Hook, 

be  made  last  night.  In  that  I was  disap- 

that  the  enemy  had  crossed  with  large 

pointed  ; and  happy  shall  I be,  if  my  ap- 

1 

reinforcements  to  the  encampment  on 

prehensions  of  one  to-night,  or  in  a day 

Montressor’s  island;  and  again,  immedi- 

or  two,  are  not  confirmed  by  the  event. 

ately  after,  another  messenger  rode  in. 

If  it  is  deferred  .a  little  while  longer,  I 

with  a despatch  from  General  Mifflin,  sta- 

flatter  myself  all  will  be  got  away,  and 

ting  that  he  di.scovered  “uncommon  and 

our  force  be  more  concentrated,  and  of 

formidable  movements”  among  the  Brit- 

course  more  likely  to  resist  them  with 

ish  troops.  Washington  at  once  galloped 

success.” 

to  Harlem  and  Morrisania,  where  he  sup- 
posed the  principal  attempt  to  land  would 
be  made.  Nothing,  however,  was  done 

Washington  had  already  moved  the 
main  body  of  his  army,  which  ^ ^ 
had  been  principally  stationed 

until  next  day. 

along  Turtle  and  Kip’s  bays  (leaving, how- 

In  the  meantime,  the  measures  deter- 

ever,  a force  of  militia  to  guard  the  works 

mined  upon  by  the  council  of  war  were 

at  those  points),  to  the  upper  part  of  the 

being  carried  out  with  all  possible  de- 

island.  General  Putnam  had  been  left 

spatch.  The  first  movement  was,  to  get 

with  four  thousand  men  within  the  city. 

the  sick,  the  ordnance,  the  stores,  and  the 

as  a rear-guard  to  protect  the  removal  of 

provisions,  safely  away  from  the  city. 

the  stores,  and  with  orders  to  close  up 

Colonel  Glover  and  his  ready-handed 

with  the  rest  of  the  army  whenever  he 

J 

350 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PART  TI. 


should  lind  it  necessary,  from  any  move- 
ment of  the  Ih'itish. 

The  chiefhimself  took  possession  of  the 
mansion  of  Colonel  Roger  Morris,  his  old 
companion-in-arms  under  Braddock,  and 
his  successful  rival  for  the  hand  of  the  rich 
Mary  Philipse.  Morris  had,  since  his  mar- 
riage, made  America  his  home,  and  had 
retired  to  his  beautiful  country-seat,  in 
the  enjoyment,  as  he  hoped,  of  a secure 
retreat  for  life.  On  the  possession  of  the 
island  of  New  York  by  the  American  ar- 
my, however,  he  was  obliged  to  abandon 
his  home,  and  seek  safety  at  the  house  of 
his  brother-in-law,  Beverly  Robinson,  in 
the  Highlands. 

The  Morris  mansion  still  stands,  upon 
the  high  ground  which  rises  from  the 
marshy  margin  of  Harlem  river  ; and,not- 
Avithstanding  the  ambitious  city  already 
claims  it  as  its  own,  and  fixes  it  with  nu- 
merical precision  in  “one  hundred  and 
sixty-ninth  street,”  it  yet  retains  in  its 
situation  much  of  its  former  picturesque 
beauty.  Standing  upon  the  heights  of 
Harlem,  it  commands  an  extensive  view 
of  land  and  Avater.  At  the  base  of  the 
hill  upon  Avhich  the  house  is  built,  Aoaa^s 
the  Harlem  river,  Avhere  it  is  spanned  by 
the  High-bridge  aqueduct,  through  Avhich 
runs  a stream  (drunk  up  by  the  daily 
thirst  of  the  gieat  city)  more  copious 
than  the  Avhole  river  beloAV ! ToAvard 
New  York  are  the  plains  of  Harlem,  up- 
on which  houses  uoav  are  croAvded,  but 
AA'liich  then  Avere  green  meadoAvs  and  not 
seldom  bloody  battle-fields.  Beyond,  to 
the  east,  is  the  sound,  uoav  Quliveried  by 
steamboats  and  the  peaceful  sails  of  com- 
merce, but  then  gloomy  Avith  threatening  j 


inen-ofAvar.  The  Morris  mansion  Avas 
then  all  astir  Avith  the  busy  activity  of  a 
commander-in-chief’s  headquarters  : it  is 
UOAV  the  solitary  dwelling  of  an  eccentric 
Frenclnvoman,*  the  AvidoAv  of  Aaron  Burr. 

The  American  chief’s  apprehensions  of 
an  attack  Avere  proA^ed  to  be  Avell  found- 
ed. Early  in  the  morning  AA’hicli  succeed- 
ed the  night  Avhen  he  had  been  hastily 
summoned  to  Harlem,  the  enemy  began 
their  operations.  Threeships-of- Avar  sailed 
up  the  North  riA'er  as  high  as  Blooming- 
dale,  and  thus  put  a total  stop  to  the  re- 
moval (avIu'cIi  Colonel  Glover  from  an  ear- 
ly hour  had  begun)  of  the  heavy  baggage 
by  Avater.  As  the  day  adv'anced,  the  fleet 
in  the  East  river  began  also  Avith  a most 
se\mre  and  heavy  cannonade  to  “scour 
the  country,”  and  thus  cover  the  landing 
of  a large  body  of  British  troops. 

As  soon  as  he  caught  the  sound  of  the 
firing,  Washington  hurried  to  the  breash 
Avorks  betAveen  Turtle  bay  and  Kip’s  bay. 
Avbere  some  militia,  bad  been  left  to  guard 
them,  and  Avhere  the  enemy  Avere  noAv 
landing.  He  found  to  his  “ great  surprise 
and  mortification”  the  troops  Avhich  had 
been  posted  in  the  lines  retreating  Avith 
the  utmost  precipitation  ; and  Parsons’ 
and  FelloAvs’  Connecticut  brigades.  Avhich 
had  been  ordered  to  support  them.  Hying 
in  every  direction  and  in  the  greatest  con- 
fusion, notAvithstanding  the  exertions  ol 
their  generals  to  form  them.  Washington 
rode  up,  and,  finding  his  OAvn  attempts  to 
stop  the  fugitives  fruitless,  Avas  so  indig- 
nant at  their  coAvardice,  that  he  dreAv  his 
SAvord,  threatened  to  run  them  through, 
and  cocked  and  snapped  his  pistols  at 


* Mmlame  Jtiiticl. 


r 

KEVOLUTioNAiiY.]  WASHINGTON  IN  A RAGE.  351 

tlie  ‘‘scoundieW  He  used  every  means 

zeal,  and  ordered  them  to  give  battle  to 

tn  liis  power  to  rally  them,  but  his  efforts 

the  enemy;  but,  after  a moment’s  reflec- 

proved  ineffectual;  and  when  a small  par- 

tion  upon  their  late  conduct,  he  natural- 

ly  of  the  enemy,  not  more  than  sixty  or 

ly  distrusted  their  courage,  and  counter- 

seventy,  made  their  appearance,  the  dis- 

manded  the  order. 

Older  of  the  cravens  increased,  and  they 

The  chief’s  great  anxiety  was  now  for 

continued  to  run  away,  without  firing  a 

Putnam  and  his  rear-guard,  who  were  still 

t 

siimle  shot,  leaviim  Washitmton  himself 

within  New  York,  and  in  imminent  dan- 

in  so  hazardous  a situation,  that  his  at- 

ger  of  being  hemmed  in  by  the  enemy, 

tendants,  to  extricate  him,  caught  the 

as  they  thionged  upon  the  shore,  and 

j 

bridle  of  his  horse  and  gave  him  a differ- 

prepared  to  stretch  their  lines  across  the 

ent  direction.  There  he  was,  within  eigh- 

island.  Washington  immediately  sent  an 

ty  yards  of  the  enemy,  ‘hso  vexed,”  wrote 

express  to  Putnam,  ordering  him  to  hast- 

General  Greene,  “ at  the  infamous  con- 

en  away  from  his  perilous  position;  and, 

duct  of  his  troops,  that  he  sought  death 

fearful  lest  the  British  might  pass  over 

rather  than  life.”  Washington  dashed 

from  the  East  river  to  Harlem  plains,  and 

his  hat  upon  the  ground,  and  cried  out. 

cut  oft'  the  retreat  of  that  part  of  the  ar- 

almost  in  despair,  as  he  beheld  the  flight 

my  still  in  the  city,  he  ordered  the  heights 

of  his  soldiers,  “Are  these  the  men  with 

of  Harlem  to  be  secured  in  the  best  man- 

whom  I am  to  defend  America!” 

ner  by  the  troops  which  were  stationed 

The  cowardly  militia  continued  their 

on  or  near  them. 

headlong  scamper  across  the  island  until 

Putnam,  finding  that  the  enemy  had 

they  were  met  by  Colonel  Glover  with 

landed  and  taken  possession  of  the  main 

his  spirited  Marblehead  men  and  other 

roads  which  led  fiom  the  city  to  the  up- 

troops,  who  had  been  suddenly  called 

per  part  of  the  island  where  Washington 

away  from  their  works,  to  come  to  the 

had  extended  his  lines,  was  greatly  per- 

defence  of  the  posts  on  the  eastern  part 

plexed  to  discover  a means  of  escape. 

of  the  city.  The  fugitives,  encouraged  or 

His  aid-de-camp.  Major  Aaron  Burr,  ob- 

shamed  by  the  presence  of  these  steady 

serving  the  perplexity  of  Putnam  and 

brigades  of  Glover,  now  halted,  and,  be- 

his  general  officers,  and  being  well  ac- 

ing  formed  in  rank,  marched  on  along  the 

quainted  with  the  gi'ound,  suggested  a 

Bloomingdale  road,  and  took  post  on  the 

load  which  led  along  the  North  river 

heights  of  Harlem. 

from  Greenwich  to  Bloomingdale.  Put- 

Cheered  by  the  presence  of  the  more 

nam  now  hurriedly  abandoned  the  city, 

regular  troops,  the  militia  seemed  eager 

leaving  in  his  necessary  haste  most  of  the 

to  redeem  their  tarnished  valor,  and  would 

heavy  cannon  and  a part  of  the  stores 

Itave  bleed  about  at  once  to  attack  the 

and  provisions  which  had  been  got  ready 

approaching  British,  who  now  appeared. 

for  removal.  Taking  the  road  suggested 

coming  up  in  large  force.  Washington 

by  Burr,  the  troops  were  urged  on  to  a 

at  first  encouraged  this  newly-awakened 

rapid  march.  Putnam  would  allow  of  no 

352 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PAltT  II. 


Hagging;  and  he  himself  was  flj’ing  about 
on  liis  horse,  covered  with  foam,  and  stir- 
ring np  the  energies  of  the  whole  column. 
The  day  was  stitiing  hot;  the  road  was 
in  a continued  cloud  of  dust;  a large  num- 
ber of  women  and  children,  who  had  fol- 
lowed the  troops  out  of  the  city,  embar- 
i-assed  the  march,  and  the  men  suffered 
greatly;  but  ‘‘Old  Put,”  by  his  own  per- 
sonal exertioirs,  infused  such  a spirit  of 
activity  into  his  men,  that  they  moved 
on  rapidly  in  spite  of  every  obstacle. 

They  were  just  turning  into  a cross- 
path which  led  from  Bloomingdale  to 
Harlem,  when  an  aid-de-camp  rode  up  to 
Putnam  in  full  speed,  to  inform  him  that 
a column  of  British  infantr}'  was  coming 
up  against  his  right  Hank.  The  order  for 
ihe  troops  to  file  to  the  right  with  all 
j^peed  was  hardly  given,  when  the  enemy 
came  within  liriim  distance  ol'  Putnam’s 
rear  and  opened  a volley.  One  of  the 
culonels  fell  at  the  first  shot.  Some  sev- 
enteen men  were  killed  and  three  hun- 
di  ed  taken  prisoners.  With  no  other  loss, 
the  troops  succeeded  just  at  nightfall  in 
reaching  the  American  lines  at  Harlem 
heights. 

O 

Putnam’s  escape  was,  however,  due  to 
a fortunate  incident,  which  shows  how 
great  events  may  often  be  traced  to  the 
most  trilling  causes.  The  British  troops 
had  landed  in  large  force,  and  to  the  num- 
ber of  some  eight  thousand  were  stretch- 
ing across  the  i.'land.  Having  put  to  flight 
the  militia  who  had  so  ignominiously  de- 
serted their  posts  atTurtle  and  Kip’s  bays, 
the  enemy  halted  temporarily  before  ex- 
tending their  lines  as  thej^  designed,  and 
by  which  they  would  have  cei  tainly  cut 


off  Putnam’s  retreat.  The  day,  as  before 
observed,  was  hot,  and  the  British  gener- 
als werevthirsty ; so  Governor  Tryon,  well 
acquainted  with  the  ground,  volunteered 
to  guide  them  to  a place  where  good  re- 
freshments might  be  secured.  He  accord- 
ingly took  them  to  the  country-house  of 
a Mr.  Robert  Murray,  a patriotic  Quaker, 
who  lived  on  Murray  hill,  near  by.  On 
entering,  they  were  met,  in  the  absence 
of  her  husband,  by  the  wife,  who  cour- 
teously received  her  visiters,  and  offered 
them  the  best  cheer  she  had.  Wine  and 
cake  were  served  up  in  abundance ; and 
the  thirsty  and  gallant  British  officers, 
gratified  with  tlie  good  Madeira,  and 
charmed  with  the  courtesies  of  their  host- 
e.ss,  were  disposed  to  linger.  Tryon  was 
in  the  most  jovial  humor,  as  the  morn- 
ing’s work  so  far  had  been  a great  suc- 
cess; and  he  was  particularly  pleasant 
when  bantering  Mrs.  Murray,  who  was  a 
devoted  patriot,  upon  the  conduct  of  her 
American  friends. 

Hour  after  hour  was  passed  delight- 
fully. While  Mrs.  Murray  was  thus  suc- 
ces-sfid  in  entertaininn-  her  British  quests, 
she  was  saving  her  American  friends;  for 
while  Tryon  was  joking  the  hostess,  and 
Clinton  and  his  officers  were  drinking  her 
wine,  their  troops  were  resting  on  their 
arms,  and  giving  Putnam  and  his  men — 
who  were  only  a mile  from  them — an 
opportunity  of  escape.  It  was  ever  after 
the  remark  in  the  patriot  camp  that  “Mrs. 
Murray  saved  the  American  army.” 

The  British  now  took  po.ssession  of  the 
city  with  a large  detachment  of  troops 
under  General  Robertson ; while  the  main 
body  of  the  army,  under  General  Howe. 


1 

RKVOLUTiONARY.]  BATTLP]  OF  IIARLI^M.  353 

encamped  on  the  outskirts  of  the  town. 

between  their  front  and  that  of  the  Brit- 

The  line  which  hounded  the  British  camp 

ish — one  at  M'Gowan’s  pass,  and  the  oth- 

at  the  north  extended  from  Horen’s  Hook 

er  at  Harlem.  The  former  was  command- 

on  the  East  river,  across  the  island  to 

ed  by  Putnam  and  the  latter  by  Spencer. 

Bloomingdale  on  the  Hudson,  and  was  at 

The  enemy  were  not  long  in  making  a 

once  protected  by  breastworks  and  bat- 

demonstration.  Washington  was  expect- 

tcries.  Behind  were  posted  a strong  body 
of  Hessians,  under  De  Heister,  and  anoth- 

ing  an  attack,  and  wrote  these 
words : “ We  are  now  encamped 

er  of  British,  under  Earl  Percy;  while 

with  the  main  body  of  the  army  on  the 

each  flank,  on  the  right  and  the  left  of 

heights  of  Harlem,  where  I should  hope 

tills  large  body  of  troops,  was  protected  by 

the  enemy  would  meet  with  a defeat  in 

the  English  men-of-war,  at  anchor  in  both 

case  of  an  attack,  if  the  generality  of  our 

rivers  which  bound  the  island.  Harlem 

troops  could  behave  with  tolerable  brave- 

plains  spread  for  more  than  a mile  in 

ry.  But  experience,  to  my  extreme  af- 

width  between  the  British  and  the  en- 

diction,  has  convinced  me  that  this  is 

campment  of  Washington’s  army.  The 

rather  to  be  wished  for  than  expected. 

former  numbered  nearly  twenty-five  thou- 

However,  I trust  that  there  are  many 

sand,  while  the  latter  had  not  more  than 

who  will  act  like  men,  and  show  them 

fourteen  thousand  fit  for  duty,  so  reduced 

selves  worthy  of  the  blessings  of  free 

were  the  American  troops  by  sickness 

dom.”  The  letter  which  contained  this 

and  desertion. 

sentence  had  just  been  despatched  by  the 

The  front  line  of  the  Americans  em- 

post,  when  word  was  brought  that  the 

braced  the  heights  of  Harlem,  which  ex- 

enemy  had  a})peared  in  several  large  bod- 

tend  from  the  river  of  that  name  to  the 

ies  upon  the  plains  of  Harlem.  Washing- 

Hudson.  About  a quarter  of  a mile  be- 

ton  immediately  galloped  from  his  head- 

3'ond,  to  the  north,  was  another  line  ; and 

quarters  to  the  advanced  posts,  a distance 

about  the  same  distance  still  beyond  was 

of  about  two  and  a half  miles,  and  dis- 

Washington’s  headquarters  at  the  Morris 

covered  that  a small  company  of  Con- 

mansion.  Again,  at  the  distance  of  a 

necticut  rangers,  under  the  brave  Colonel 

mile  farther  to  the  north,  stood  Fort 

Knowlton,  were  already  engaged  with  an 

Wasbington,  on  tbe  North  river,  held  by 

advanced  party  of  the  enemy,  who  were 

a strong  garrison  of  Americans.  King’s 

reported  to  be  only  three  hundred  strong. 

bridge,  which  crossed  the  Harlem  river 

Washington  now  ordered  Major  Leitch, 

at  the  most  northern  part  of  the  island. 

with  three  companies  of  Weedon’s  Vir- 

some  eight  miles  from  the  city,  and  was 

ginia  regiment,  to  advance  to  the  aid  of 

tbe  only  communication  with  the  main- 

Knowlton  ; and  directed  that  they  should 

land,  was  also  defended  by  a detachment 

try  to  get  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  while 

of  Washington’s  troops. 

they  made  a feint  of  attacking  them  in 

The  Americans,  however,  had  posted 

front.  The  last  part  of  the  order  was 

two  advanced  guardsofconsiderableforce 
45 

faithfully  obeyed  ; and  the  British,  seeing 

1 

■ 

354  BATTLES  OF  AMEKICA.  [paet  ii. 

the  Americans  in  considerable  force  com- 
ing directly  upon  them  as  they  supposed, 
ran  down  the  hill  and  took  possession  of 
some  fences  and  bushes,  under  the  cover 
of  which  they  stood  and  began  a smart 
fire,  but  with  little  execution, as  they  were 
at  such  a distance.  The  Americans  now 
made  a circuit  as  they  advanced,  but  com- 
menced their  attack  too  soon,  and  thus 
made  it  rather  in  flank,  than  in  rear.  A 
severe  engagememt  ensued,  and  Major 
Leitch  fell  almost  immediately,  severely 
wounded  with  three  balls  in  his  side,  and 
was  carried  off  the  field.  He  was  soon 
followed  by  Colonel  Knowlton,  who  had 
been  shot  throus^h  the  head. 

O 

The  men,however,persevered,and  con- 
tinued the  engagement  with  the  greatest 
resolution.  W ashington,finding  that  they 
wanted  a support,  advanced  some  of  the 
Maryland  and  New-England  troops  at 
hand  to  their  aid.  These  chary-ed  the 
enemy  with  great  intrepidity,  and  drove 
them  from  the  wood  where  they  had 
sought  a cover,  into  the  plain ; and  had 
succeeded  in  nearly  silencing  their  fire, 
when  Washington,  expecting  that  large 
reinforcements  would  be  sent  to  the  aid 
of  the  British,  withdrew  his  troops. 

Colonel  Knowlton  died  of  his  wounds 
soon  after  the  engagement ; and,  “ when 
gasping  in  the  agonies  of  death,  all  his 

inquiry  was  whether  we  had  driven  in 
the  enemy.”  He  was  “ a brave  and  a 
good  officer,”  said  Washington  in  one  of 
his  letters ; and  in  the  order  of  the  day 
he  did  not  forget  to  do  public  honor  to. 
his  gallantry,  as  well  as  to  that  of  Major 
Leitch  and  all  their  brave  soldiers : “The 
general  most  heartily  thanks  the  ^ 

troops  commanded  yesterday  by 

Major  Leitch  who  first  advanced  upon 
the  enemy,  and  the  others  who  so  reso- 
lutely supported  them.  The  behavior  of 
yesterday  was  such  a contrast  to  that  of 
some  troops  the  day  before,  as  must  show 
what  may  be  done  where  officers  and  sol- 
diers exert  themselves.  Once  more,  there- 
fore, the  general  calls  upon  officers  and 
men  to  act  up  to  the  noble  cause  in  which 
they  are  engaged,  and  to  support  the  hon- 
or and  liberties  of  their  country.  The 
gallant  and  brave  Colonel  Knowlton,  who 
would  have  been  an  honor  to  any  coun- 
try, having  fallen  yesterday  while  glori- 
ously fighting.  Captain  Brown  is  to  take 
the  command  of  the  party  lately  led  by 
Colonel  Knowlton.” 

The  name  of  Leitch  was  given  as  the 
parole  for  the  next  day  but  the  hero 
who  bore  it  only  lived  for  a short  time 
to  enjoy  the  good  fame  he  had  acquired 
by  his  gallant  conduct. 

* Irving. 

— 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  NEAV  YORK  ON  FIRE.  355 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

New  York  on  Fire. — Who  were  the  Tneendiaries  ? — The  British  Accounts. — The  Ravage  — “ Our  General.” — Ilis  own 

Account  of  the  Knterpriso  against  Montressor’s  Islanil. — 

A Failure. — Heorgiinization  of  the  American  Army. — Wash- 

iny:ton  ui'f;es  the  Enactment  of  more  Ri;;orous  Laws. — C 

uigress  slowly  consents. — Inactivitv  of  General  Howe. — Tlie 

Aboundinp:  Tories. — Oliver  Dchmccy. — His  Life  and  Character, — His  Influence. — Plans  to  counteract  it. — Major 
Rogers  and  his  Rangers. — His  Career. — His  Cunning. — Tlie  Americans  eager  to  catch  Him. 

In  the  middle  of  the  nmht  of  the 

1 776  ^ 

20th  of  September,  the  guards  on 

brisk  gale  of  wdnd,  these  desperadoes  be 
gan  their  work  about  midnight,  when 

the  advanced  pickets  of  the  American 

most  of  the  citizens  and  troops  were  bu- 

line  beheld  a great  light  in  the  direction 

ried  in  sleep.  But  when  the  spreading 

of  the  city,  apparently  rising  at  a distance 

flames  gave  the  alarm,  the  soldiers  were 

of  nine  miles.  Soon  it  became  so  intense 

beat  to  quarters,  detachments  of  sailors 

and  wide  spread,  that  “ for  a considerable 

from  the  fleet  Avere  landed,  and,  after  a 

extent  tlie  heavens  appeared  in  flames.”* 

hard  struggle,  the  fire  Avas  stayed,  though 

It  was  thoimlit  that  New  York  was  on 

O 

not  before  it  had  reduced  nearly  a third 

fire.  This  supposition  was  confirmed  on 

part  of  the  fair  city  to  ruin.s.  It  Avas 

the  arrival  in  camp  next  day  of  one  of 

then  that  some  of  the  incendiaries  Avere 

the  aid-de-camps  of  General  Howe,  with 

“ caught  in  the  act,”  and  Avere  either  de- 

a flag,  and  a letter  to  Washington  in  re- 

spatched  by  the  SAVord  or  bayonet,  oi 

gard  to  the  exchange  which  was  about 

throAvn  into  the  flames  Avhich  “ they  had 

being  arranged  for  General  Sullivan,  Lord 

kindled”  by  the  “ infuriated  soldiery.”  In- 

Stirling,  and  Daniel  Morgan,  then  held 

fnriated  soldiers  are  not  apt  to  be  A’ery 

as  prisoners  by  the  British.  The  aid-de- 

calm  investigators  of  a charge  of  crime. 

camp  spoke  of  the  great  extent  of  the 

when  the  suspected  persons  chance  to  be 

conflagration  in  the  city,  and  stated  that 

long  to  the  enemy.  Fortunately,  there 

several  Americans  had  been  punished 

Avere  other  less  partial  observers,  Avhose 

with  death  as  incendiaries,  some  by  hang- 

testimony  is  much  more  satisfactory  and 

ing,  and  others  by  burning  on  tlie  spot. 

convincing.  They  all  agree  in  attribu- 

who  were  caught  in  the  act. 

ting  the  conflagration  to  accident. 

A number  of  incendiaries,  according  to 

The  fire  Avas discovered  about  midnight, 

the  British  accounts,  had  stayed  behind. 

first  breaking  out  at  the  loAver  end  of  the 

on  the  evacuation  of  New  York  by  Wash- 

city,  near  the  Avharf  of  Whitehall,  in  a 

ington,  and  concealed  themselves  in  the 

small  AAmoden  building,  a miserable  pot- 

houses.  Combustibles  had  been  careful- 

house  and  brothel,  resorted  to  by  .sailor.s. 

ly  prepared ; and,  taking  advantage  of  a 

Most  of  the  houses  Avere  either  of  Avood 

* Grujdon. 

or  of  brick  covered  Avith  shingles ; the 

i 

35G  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


weather  had  been  dry  for  a long  time, 
and  on  the  nio:ht  of  the  fire  a brisk  south 
wind  was  blowing.  Few  citizens  had  been 
left  in  town  ; and  the  fire-engines,  pumps, 
and  leathern  buckets,  Avere  either  out  of 
order  from  neglect,  or  not  readily  to  be 
STot  at  or  worked  from  the  absence  of  those 
who  knew  where  to  find  or  how  to  use 
them.  The  flames  spread  rapidly,  licking 
up  house  after  house  along  the  narrow 
streets,  and,  stirred  by  the  blast  of  the 
strong  southerly  wind,  went  on  raA^aging 
in  every  direction.  Whitehall  and  Broad 
streets  Avere  soon  in  ruins,  and  then  Bea- 
ver; finally  Broadway  Avas  swept  from 
left  to  right;  the  old  church  of  Trinity 
erected  at  the  beginning  of  the  century, 
caught,  and  was  left  in  a short  time  a gut- 
ted ruin  from  the  pinnacle  of  its  tall  spire 
to  the  loAA^est  step  of  its  porch ; the  fire 
raged  on,  and  the  “ neAv”  church  of  St. 
Paul  Avas  in  peril.  Now,  however,  the 
sailors  from  Lord  Howe’s  fleet  and  the 
soldiers  from  the  camp,  turning  out  at 
beat  of  drum  from  their  night-quarters, 
came  to  the  rescue.  The  fire  at  length 
Avas  stayed,  but  not  before  nearly  five 
hundred  houses  Avere  laid  in  ashes.  Wash- 
ington, in  speaking  of  the  fire,  says,  “ By 
AAdiat  means  it  happened  Ave  do  not  knoAv.” 
Even  if  it  Avere  the  act  of  American  in- 
cendiaries, it  is  clear  that  it  Avas  Avithout 
authority,  for  it  had  been  resolved  by  the 
council  of  Avar  to  leave  the  city  unin- 
jured. 

The  American  army  had  been  much 

* “Among  the  buildings  consumed,”  says  an  English  au- 
thority, “was  the  old  English  church.  AVhen  the  Ameri- 
cans stationed  at  Paulus’  Hook  [now  Jersey  City]  saw  the 
Jteeplc  fall,  they  gave  three  cheers,  probably  rejoicing  in  a 
double  sense,  and  more  as  Presbyterians  than  as  patriots.” 


encouraged  by  the  spirited  conduct  and 
partial  success  of  their  comrades  under 
the  gallant  leadership  of  KnoAvlton  and 
Leitch.  The  soldiers  found  it  required 
only  “ resolution  and,  good  officers  to 
make  an  enemy  they  stood  too  much  in 
dread  of"  give  Avay. 

Thus  inspirited,  the  Amencans  began 
to  be  eager  for  an  opportunity  to  distin- 
guish themselves.  General  Heath,  Avho 
boasted  himself  qifite  a tactician,  found 
an  occasion  for  the  vent  of  some  of  the 
abounding  martial  spirit  of  his  troops. 
We  shall  let  “our  general,”  as  he  calls 
himself,  describe  the  occurrence:  “Two 
seamen,  belonging  to  the  La  Brune,  a 
British  ship-of-Avar,  Avhich  lay  near  Mon- 
tressor’s  [Randall’s]  island,  deserted  and 
came  to  our  general’s  [Heath’s]  ^ 
quarters,  and  informed  him  up- 
on examination  that  the  British  had  then 
but  a few  men  on  the  island,  stating  the 
number  ; that  the  piece  of  cannon,  Avhich 
had  been  put  on  the  island,  was  taken 
back  again  on  board  the  La  Brune ; that 
there  were  a number  of  officers  at  tlic 
house,  in  Avhich  there  Avas  a considerable 
quantity  of  baggage  deposited,  &c. 

“ Our  general  [Heath]  supposed  that 
these  troops  might  be  easily  taken ; and 
having  called  the  general  officers  of  his 
division  together,  took  their  opinion,  Avbo 
all  coincided  with  him  in  sentiment.  He 
then  communicated  his  intention  to  the 
commander-in-chief,  who  gave  it  his  ap- 
probation. Tavo  hundred  and  forty  men 
Avere  destined  for  this  enterprise.  Tbe 
command  Avas  giA'en  to  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Michael  Jackson,  of  the  Massachu- 
setts line,  Avith  Majors  Logan  and 


RKVOLUTIONARY.]  “OUR  GPvNI^RAL.”  357 


(whose  n.auie  can  not  be  recollected),* 
of  the  New-York  troops.  They  were 
to  embark  on  board  three  flat-boats,  cov- 
ered by  a fourth  with  a detachment  of 
artillery,  with  a light  three-pounder,  in 
case  it  should  be  found  necessary  in  re- 
treating from  the  island.  The  mode  of 
attack  was  settled,  and  every  circum- 
stance seemed  to  promise  success.  They 
were  to  fall  down  Harlem  creek  with  the 
ebb.  The  time  was  so  calculated,  that  the 
young  flood  was  to  be  so  much  made  at 
the  break  of  day  as  to  cover  the  flats  at 
the  island  sufficiently  for  the  boats  tofloat. 

“Matters  being  thus  settled,  our  gen- 
eral ordered  the  two  sailors  to  be  brought 
in.  He  then  told  them  that,  in  conse- 
quence of  their  information,  an  enterprise 
against  the  British  troops  on  Montressor’s 
island  was  to  take  place  that  night ; that 
he  had  ordered  them  to  be  kept  in  safe 
custody  until  the  next  morning,  when,  if 
tlieir  declarations  respecting  the  state  of 
the  British  on  the  island  proved  to  be 
true,  he  would  give  them  a passport  to 
the  back  country,  whither  they  wished 
to  go  ; but,  in  case  their  information  was 
false,  he  would  order  them  hanged  imme- 
diately as  spies ; that  he  gave  them  the 
opportunity,  if  they  had  made  a wrong 
statement  to  him,  then  to  correct  it. 
They  both  answered,  Avith  perfect  com- 
posure, that  they  would  cheerfully  sub- 
mit to  the  condition. 

“Major  Thomas  Henley  was  now  one 
of  our  general’s  aids-de-camp.  He  impor- 
tuned that  he  mio-ht  go  with  the  detach- 
ment.  He  Avas  refused,  and  told  that  he 
had  no  business  there ; that  he  could  ex- 

* Such  is  fame  I 


ercise  no  command.  He  greAV  quite  im 
patient,  retiumed  again  to  the  general’s 
room,  and  addressed  him  : ‘ Pi’ay,  sir,  con- 
sent to  my  going  Avith  the  party ; let  me 
have  the  pleasure  of  introducing  the  pris- 
oners to  you  to-morroAA'.’  All  his  friends 
present  advised  him  not  to  go.  The  gen- 
eral finally  consented. 

“ The  troops,  at  the  hour  assigned,  em- 
barked. Our  general  informed  them  that 
he,  Avith  others,  Avould  be  spectators  of 
the  scene,  from  a certain  point  near  Har- 
lem creek.  Notice  had  been  given  to  the 
guards  and  pickets  on  tlie  York-island  side, 
not  to  hail  the  party  as  they  Avent  doAvn. 
Unfortunately,  the  loAver  sentinel  had  not 
been  so  instructed.*  He  Avas  nearly  oppo- 
site to  the  point  Avhere  our  general  Avas 
to  be ; and  just  at  the  instant  AA’hen  he 
arrived,  had  challenged  the  boats,  and  or- 
dered them  to  come  to  the  shore.  From 
the  boats  they  answered,  ‘ Lo ! Ave  are 
friends.’  The  challenge  Avas  repeated 
The  answer  Avas,  ‘We  tell  you  Ave  are 
friends  — hold  your  tongue!’  A bounce 
into  the  Avater  Avas  heard ; and  instantly 
Major  Henley  came  Avading  to  the  shore, 
stepped  up  to  our  general,  catched  him 
by  the  hand,  and  said,  ‘ Sir,  Avill  it  do  ?’ 
Our  general,  holding  him  by  the  hand, 
replied,  ‘ I see  nothing  to  the  contrary ;’ 
to  Avhich  Henley  concluded  by  sayings 
‘ Then  it  shall  do!  He  Avaded  back  to  his 
boat,  and  got  in.  The  sentinel  called 
again:  ‘If  you  don’t  come  to  the  shore, 
I tell  you  I’ll  fire !’  A voice  from  some 
one  in  the  boats  Avas,  ^ Pull  away  T 

* It  is  well  for  history,  that  an  occasional  simple-minded 
and  truthful  chronicler  like  Heath  presents  himself,  who  not 
only  tells  us  what  he  did,  but  what  he  ought  to  have  done. 


558 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


I 


“The  boats  went  on,  and  the  sentinel 
fired  his  piece.  Tlie  boats  reached  the 
island  almost  at  the  moment  intended, 
just  as  the  glimmer  of  the  dawn  was  dis- 
coverable. The  three  field-officers  were 
in  the  first  boat.  Their  intention,  on  the 
moment  of  landing,  was,  for  the  two  sec- 
onds in  command  to  spring,  the  one  to 
the  right  and  the  other  to  the  left,  and 
lead  on  the  troops  from  the  other  tv.'O 
boats,  which  were  to  land  on  each  side 
of  the  first  boat.  The  field-officers  land- 
ed, and  the  men  from  the  boat.  The  en- 
emy’s guard  charged  tliem,  but  were  in- 
stantly driven  back.  The  men  in  the 
other  two  boats,  instead  of  landing,  lay 
upon  their  oars ! The  British,  seeing  this, 
returned  warmly  to  the  charge.  The 
Americans,  finding  themselves  thus  de- 
serted,  returned  to  their  boat ; but  not  un- 
til LieutenantrColonel  Jackson  received 
a musketrball  in  his  leg,  and  Major  Hen- 
ley, as  he  was  getting  into  the  boat,  one 
through  his  heart,  which  put  an  instant 
end  to  his  life.  The  boat  joined  the  oth- 
ers, and  they  all  returned,  having  in  the 
whole  about  fourteen  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing ; Major  Henley  deeply  re- 
gretted.”=^ 

Washington  was  fully  convinced,  not- 
withstanding an  occasional  spirt  of  spirit, 
that  an  entire  reorganization  of  the  army 
was  necessary,  in  order  to  give  it  that  effi- 
ciency reipiired  to  sustain  a struggle  with 
disciplined  troops.  The  term  of  service 
of  almost  every  man  was  to  close  in  about 
three  months,  and  Washington  believed 
tiiat  it  would  be  impossible  to  induce  them 
to  re-enlist  without  higher  pay.  “We 

* Ilealh’s  Men:oirs,  pp.  63-66. 


are  now,”  he  writes  to  Congress, 


Scptt  24. 


“ as  it  were  upon  the  eve  of  an- 
other dissolution  of  our  army.  The  re- 
membrance of  the  difficulties  which  hap- 
pened upon  the  occasion  last  year,  and 
the  consequences  which  might  have  fol- 
lowed the  change  if  proper  advantages 
had  been  taken  by  the  enemy,  added  to 
a knowledge  of  the  present  temper  and 
situation  of  the  troops,  afford  but  a very 
gloomy  prospect  in  the  appearance  of 
things  now,  and  satisfy  me,  beyond  the 
possibility  of  doubt,  that  unless  some 
speedy  and  effectual  measures  are  adopt- 
ed by  Congress,  our  cause  will  be  lost.” 

It  was  useless,  thought  Washington,  to 
relj^  upon  patriotism  for  the  recruiting  of 
an  army.  When  men  are  irritated,  and 
their  passions  are  inllamed,  they  hastil3" 
and  cheerfully  fly  to  arms ; but  when  the 
first  ebullition  of  feeling  has  subsided,  to 
“ expect  among  such  people  as  compose 
the  bulk  of  an  army,  that  they  are  influ- 
enced by  any  other  principles  than  those 
of  interest,  is  to  look  for  what  never  did 
and  I fear  never  will  happen.” 

The  army  should  be  established  upon 
a permanent  footing,  and  the  officers  be 
well  in  order  to  induce  gentlemen 

and  men  of  character  to  engage  in  the 


service.  “ They  ought  to  have  such  al- 
lowances,” continues  Washington,  “as  will 
enable  them  to  live  like  and  support  the 
character  of  «:entlemen,and  not  be  driven 
by  a scanty  pittance  to  the  low  and  dirh' 
arts  which  many  of  them  practise.”  He 
also  contends  that  nothing  but  a good 
bounty  (as,  for  example,  a hundred  acres 
of  land,  with  a suit  of  clothes,  &c.,  to  each 
man)  can  secure  permanent  soldiers. 


I 


J 


r 


KEVOLUTIONARY.]  LAWLESS  SOLDIERS. 


The  officers,  too,  should  stand  by  char- 
acter and  social  position  in  such  a rela- 
tion toward  the  privates  as  to  secure  their 
respect  and  obedience.  “ But  while,”  em- 
phatically writes  Washington,  “ the  only 
merit  an  officer  po.ssesses  is  his  ability  to 
raise  men  — while  those  men  consider  and 
treat  him  as  an  equal,  and,  in  the  charac- 
ter of  an  officer,  regard  him  no  more  than 
a broomstick,  being  mixed  together  as 
one  common  herd  — no  order  nor  disci- 
pline can  prevail.” 

As  for  placing  any  dependence  upon 
militia,  it  is  ‘‘assuredly  resting  upon  a 
broken  staff  Men  just  dragged  from  the 
tender  scenes  of  domestic  life,  unaccus- 
tomed to  the  din  of  arms,  totally  unac- 
quainted with  every  kind  of  militaiy 
skill,  are  timid,  and  ready  to  tly  from 
their  own  shadows.” 

Some  more  severe  laws  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  army  are  necessary,  or  else 
“ but  for  the  name,”  says  Washington,  “ it 
might  as  well  be  abandoned — The  infa- 
mous practice  of  plundering”  began  to  pre- 
vail to  the  most  alarming  extent.  “ Un- 
der the  idea  of  tory  property,  or  property 
that  may  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  ene- 
my, no  man  is  secure  in  his  effects,  and 
scarcely  in  his  person.”  The  lawless  sol- 
diers Avould  frighten  quiet  citizens  out  of 
their  houses,  under  pretence  that  it  had 
been  ordered  to  burn  them,  and  then  en- 
ter and  seize  the  goods!  Washington 
strove  to  stop  these  horrid  practices,  but 
with  “ the  lust  after  plunder,  and  the  want 
of  laws  to  punish  offenders,”  he  might,  he 
declares,  “ almost  as  well  attempt  to  move 
Mount  Atlas.”  To  illustrate  the  difficulty 
of  checking  these  crimes,  he  sends  to  Con- 


059 

gre.ss  the  proceedings  of  a courLmartia) 
which  had  acquitted  an  officer  who  with 
a party  of  men  had  robbed  a house,  a lit- 
tle beyond  the  American  lines,  of  a quan 
tity  of  valuable  property.  This  consist- 
ed, among  other  things,  of  four  large  pier 
looking-glasse.s,  some  women’s  clothe.s, 
and  a variety  of  articles  which  could  be 
of  no  possilde  use  to  officer  or  soldier, 
certainly,  in  their  military  capacity.  A 
major  of  brigade,  meeting  the  rogue.s, 
loaded  down  with  their  booty,  ordered 
the  officer  at  the  head  of  the  party  to  re- 
turn the  property ; whereupon  that  mili- 
tary vagabond  drew  up  his  men  for  a 
fight,  and  swore  that  he  would  defend  his 
po.ssession  of  pier-glasses,  wmmen’s  petti- 
coats, and  all,  at  the  hazard  of  his  life ! 
Though  this  fellow  escaped  on  his  first 
trial,  Washington,  by  ordering  a recon- 
sideration of  the  matter,  and  obtaining 
fresh  evidence,  made  a shift  finally  to 
cashier  him. 

These  views  of  the  commander-in-chief, 
when  laid  before  Congress,  made  a strong 
impression.  So  great,  however,  was  the 
dread  of  a standing  army,  that  it  was  only 
after  a long  delmte,  during  more  than  a 
fortnight,  that  the  resolution  was  passed 
to  reform  the  army  into  eiglity-eight  bah 
talions,  “ to  be  enlisted  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble, and  to  serve  during  the  war.”  Wash- 
ington’s suggestions,  too,  in  regard  to  the 
appointment  of  o fficers,  their  pay,  and  that 
of  the  soldiers,  were,  for  the  most  part, 
adopted.’-' 

* To  encourage  enlistments,  a bounty  of  twenty  dollars 
and  of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  was  offered  to  each  non- 
commissioned officer  and  soldier.  The  commissioned  offi- 
cers were  also  to  receive  bounties  of  land  in  the  following 
proportions:  a colonel,  live  hundred  acres  ; licutenant-coio 


— 

360  BATTLES  OF  AMEIRICA.  [part  ii. 

Washington,  thoroughly  conscious  of 
his  weakness  from  the  disorganized  con- 
dition of  his  army,  which  must  be  known 
to  the  enemy,  was  surprised  at  the  inac- 
tivity of  Ilowe.  That  general,  however, 
remained  within  his  lines,  without  making 
a movement  for  nearly  tliree  weeks.  The 
American  commander,  in  the  meantime, 
was  strengthening  his  position  by  means 
of  redoubts,  breastworks,  and  abattis,  and 
presented  a front  which  the  British  evi- 
dently deemed  formidable ; for  General 
Howe  (now  Sir  William,  as  he  had  been 
created  a knight  for  his  Long-island  vic- 
tory) wrote  to  the  ministry  in  England  : 

“ The  enemy  is  too  strongly  posted  to  be 
attacked  in  front,  and  immeasurable  dilh- 
culties  are  in  our  way  of  turning  him  on 
either  side,  though  his  army  is  much  dis- 
pirited from  the  late  success  of  his  majes- 
ty’s arms;  yet  have  I not  the  smallest 
prospect  of  finishing  the  combat  this  cam- 
paign, nor  until  the  rebels  see  prepara- 
tions in  the  spring  that  may  preclude  all 
thoughts  of  further  resistance.  To  this 
end  1 would  propose  eight  or  ten  line-of- 
battle  ships  to  be  with  us  in  February, 
with  a number  of  supernumerary  seamen 
for  manning  boats,  having  fully  experi- 
enced the  want  of  them  in  every  move- 
ment we  have  made.  We  must  also  have 

nel,  four  hundred  and  fifty  ; major,  four  liundred  ; captain, 
three  liundred  ; lieutenant,  two  liundred;  ensign,  one  huu- 
3red  and  fifty.  A certain  number  of  the  eighty-eight  battal- 
ions voted  by  Congress  was  assigned  to  each  state,  as  its 
quota.  The  states  were  to  appoint  all  officers  as  high  as 
colonels,  and  to  fill  up  v.acancies  ; and  also  to  provide  arms 
and  clothing  for  their  respective  quotas  — the  expen-^e  of 
clothing  to  be  deducted,  as  usual,  from  the  soldiers’  pay. 
All  officers  were  to  be  commissioned  by  Congress.  Articles 
of  war  were  also  passed,  better  suited  to  the  requirements  of 
the  army,  and  more  calculated  to  secure  discipline. 

Spauks. 

recruits  from  Europe,  not  finding  the 
Americans  disposed  to  serve  with  arms, 
notwithstanding  the  hopes  held  out  to 
me  upon  my  arrivid  in  this  port.” 

Tories  by  profession  abounded  since 
the  British  success  on  Longr  island.  Statr 
en  island,  New  York,  and  Long  island, 
were  now  filled  with  those  who  were  pro- 
fuse in  their  expressions  of  loyal  attach- 
ment, but  by  no  means  as  free  in  giving 
their  services  as  they  were  bountiful  in 
professions  of  good  will.  There  was  one, 
however,  who,  now  that  he  was  embarked 
in  the  cause,  was  evidently  doing  his  best 
to  aid  Howe.  This  was  Oliver  Delancey, 
the  son  of  a Huguenot  colonist,  who  had 
early  come  to  America,  and,  having  re- 
ceived an  extensive  grant  of  land  in  West- 
chester county,  became  wealth}^,  and  the 
founder  of  an  influential  family.  Oliver, 
like  his  brother  James,  the  lieutenant 
governor  of  New  York,  reached  a posi 
tion  of  high  influence  in  the  province. 
When  the  French  War  begiin,  and  he  was 
solicited  to  accept  the  command  of  the 
New-York  regiment,  he  said  that,  if  he 
did,  he  could  in  ten  days  raise  the  whole 
quota  of  troops  required  of  that  colony. 

Nor  was  this  the  mere  boast  of  a brao:(>:a- 
docio.  He  was  strongly  attached  to  his 
country,  and  boldly  advocated  its  rights ; 
but  when  the  question  came  of  separa- 
tion, he  opposed  it,  and,  so  soon  as  the 
Revolutionary  struggle  began,  he  staked 
his  all  on  the  side  of  the  British  throne. 

On  Howe’s  arrival  at  Staten  island,  De- 
lancey was  the  first  American  loyalist  to 
be  made  a brigadier-general  in  the  royal 
army. 

Great  hopes  were  entertained  of  his 

r 

REVOLUTIONARY.  OLIVER  DELANCEY.  3C1 

inlluence  in  obtaining  recruits  in  New 

of  joining  the  enemy’s  forces  on  Long 

York  and  its  neighborhood.  He,  bowev- 

island.  AVashington  was  determined  to 

er,  although  only  required  to  obtain  fif- 

use  every  precaution  in  his  power  to 

teen  hundred  men  in  all,  was  more  than 

prevent  these  parricides  from  accomplish 

a year  in  getting  six  hundred  to  join  his 

ing  their  designs.” 

standard,  and  during  the  whole  war  they 

On  Long  island  there  was  another  man. 

never  amounted  to  eight  hundred.  He 

of  a different  stamp  from  Delancey,  one 

was  now  at  work  on  Long  island,  tempt- 

Major  Rogers,  who  was  all  the  more  for- 

ing  the  Americans  by  ofTers  of  the  same 

midable  as  he  was  entirely  unscrupidous. 

pay  and  treatment  as  English  soldiers. 

Robert  Rogers  was  born  in  New  Hamp- 

and  Washington  supposed  with  such  sue- 

shire,  where  his  father  emigrated  from 

cess,  that  he  thought  it  necessary,  if  pos- 

Scotland.  During  the  French  AA^ar,  he  en- 

sihle,  to  counteract  his  manoeuvres.  Gen- 

tered  the  British  service,  and  command- 

era!  George  Clinton  was  accordingly  sent 

ed  a corps  of  New-England  riflemen,  who 

from  his  station  on  the  Hudson,  beyond 

became  renowned  for  their  exploits,  un- 

Kin(>:sbrid<>:e,  to  meet  General  Lincoln, 

der  the  name  of  Rogers’  Rangers.  AA^heii 

just  appointed  to  the  command  of  the 

peace  with  France  was  declared,  Rogers 

new  levies  of  troops  from  Massachusetts. 

retired,  on  hnlfpay,  to  his  native  town. 

Clinton  was  to  proceed  to  Fairfield,  in 

He  did  not,  however,  long  remain  at  rest. 

Connecticut,  and  there  concoct  with  Lin- 

but  soon  took  up  arms  in  tlie  campaign 

coin  a plan  to  make  a descent  upon  Long 

against  the  Cherokee  Indians.  He  was 

island,  and  try  to  check  Delancey’s  “ per- 

rewarded  for  his  services  by  being  ap- 

nicious  practices.”  The  expedition  was. 

pointed  governor  of  Michillimackinac  in 

however,  finally  abandoned,  for  want  of 

1766  ; but  his  artfulness  of  character,  and 

the  necessary  boats. 

want  of  directness  of  conduct,  exposed 

The  tories,  too,  seemed  to  he  very  ac- 

him  to  the  suspicion  of  laying  a plot  to 

tive  at  this  moment  in  Westchester  and 

plunder  his  own  fort  and  join  the  French. 

Dutchess  counties.  Washington  had  been 

He  was  accordingly  put  in  irons,  and  sent 

informed  that  there  were  several  compa- 

to  Montreal  for  trial.  He  escaped  con- 

nies  of  men  preparing  to  go  off  and  join 

demnation,  however,  and  went  to  Eng- 

the  king’s  army.  Accordingly,  he  ordered 

land,  where  he  contrived  to  establish  him- 

the  guard-boats  and  the  sentries  at  the 

self  on  such  a respectable  footing,  that 

works  on  Mount  AYashington  to  keep  a 

he  was  presented  to  the  king.  But  his 

strict  looKOut,  in  case  these  American  re- 

good  fortune  soon  failed  him,  and  he  was 

emits  for  the  British  army  should  attempt 

clapped  into  prison  for  debt. 

to  come  down  the  North  river.  General 

AYhen  the  difficulties  between  Great 

fleath  also,  then  in  command  at  Kings- 

Britain  and  her  colonies  were  fast  ap- 

bridge,  was  urged  to  do  his  utmost,  by 

proaching  the  crisis  of  war,  Rogers  again 

means  of  his  troops,  to  intercept  any  com- 

made  his  appearance  in  America.  So  lit- 

ing  down  the  East  river,  with  the  purpose 
4G 

tie  scrupulous  was  he  supposed  to  be, 

I 

, 

SG2  liATTLliS  OP'  AMERICA.  Li-a«t 

that  it  was  tlio  opiiiiun  of  all  who  knew 
him,  that  he  was  ready  to  join  either  the 
British  or  the  Americans,  as  his  personal 
interest  might  prompt,  or  chance  direct. 
When  the  Revolutionary  W ar  began,Eog- 
rrs  kept  wandering  about  the  country, 
and  haunting  the  quarters  of  Americans 
in  authority,  civil  or  military,  with  the 
view  of  either  selling  his  services,  or  ful- 
filling his  duties  as  a spy,  in  which  char- 
acter he  was  suspected  to  have  been  al- 
ready employed  by  the  British. 

In  the  course  of  his  wanderings,  he  fell 
in  with  Doctor  Wheelock,  of  Dartmouth 
college,  who  wrote  : “ The  famous  Major 
Rogers  came  to  my  house,  from  a tavern 
in  the  neighborhood,  where  he  called  for 
refreshment.  1 had  never  before  seen 
him.  He  was  in  but  an  ordinary  habit 
for  one  of  hi&  character.”  He  treated  the 
doctor  with  great  respect,  and  gave  him 
an  account  of  his  travels.  He  spoke  of 
his  visit  to  London,  where  the  doctor’s 
college,  he  said,  was  in  great  repute,  .and 
that  Lord  Dartmouth  and  many  other 
noblemen  had  spoken  of  it  in  his  he.aring 
with  "expressions  of  the  highest  esteem 
and  respect.”  He  told  of  his  deeds  in  for- 
eiiz^n  lands,  and  how  he  had  foimht  two 
battles  in  Algiers,  under  the  dey ; and, 
with  the  apparent  desire  to  live  thereaf- 
ter in  peace  and  innocence,  he  declared 
that  he  had  now  returned  to  his  native 
country  “ to  take  care  of  some  large  grants 
of  lands  made  to  him,”  and  to  visit  his 
sister  and  his  wife,  whom  he  had  not  seen 
since  his  return  from  England.  He  had 
been,  however,  according  to  his  own  ac- 
count, very  deliberate  in  performing  his 
conjugal  duties  ; for  he  had  .already  spent 

twenty  days  with  the  Congress  at  Phila 
delphia,  and  as  many  more  in  New  York 

He  had  been  offered  and  urged,  he  said, 
to  take  a commission  in  favor  of  the  colo- 
nies ; but,  with  a scrupulous  delicacy,  as 
he  w.as  on  half-pay  from  the  crown,  he 
thought  it  proper  not  to  accept  it.  The 
major  wound  up  his  interview  with  tlie 
doctor  by  declaring  that  he  was  a great 
friend  to  his  college,  and  volunteered  to 
.assist  in  obtaining  a large  grant  of  land 
for  it 

Rogers,  as  we  have  seen,  h.ad  been  in 
Philadelphi.a,  where  he  h.ad  been  arrest- 
ed ; but  having  “ solemnly  promised  .and 
engaged,  on  the  honor  of  a gentleman 
.and  soldier,  that  he  would  not  be.ar  .arms 
against  the  American  united  colonies,  in 
any  manner  whatsoever,  d uring  the  Amer- 
ican contest  with  Great  Britain,”  he  w.as 
set  free,  and  provided  with  a p.assport  by 
the  Pennsylv.ania  committee  of  safety. 
Thus  fortified,  Rogers  proceeded  (about 
a month  .after  his  visit  to  Doctor  Whee- 
lock) to  the  Americ.an  c.amp  before  Bos- 
ton, and  wrote  W.ashington  a letter,  re- 
questing his  signature  to  his  Philadelphia 
certificate,  and  making  this  emphatic  pro- 
fession of  patriotism  : " I love  America ; 
it  is  my  native  country,  and  that  of  my 
family,  and  I intend  to  spend  the  even- 
ing of  my  days  in  it.” 

About  the  s.anie  time  that  Washington 
received  this  letter.  Doctor  Wheelock  also 
wrote  him  that  " two  soldiers,  returning 
from  Montre.al, informed  him  that  our  offi- 
cers were  .assured  by  a Frenchman  (a  cap- 
tain of  the  artillery,  whom  they  had  taken 
captive)  that  M.ajor  Rogers  w.as  second  in 
commrnd  under  General  Carleton ; .and 

itKVOT-UTIONARY.J 


MAJOR  ROGERS. 


303 


that  he  had  been,  in  an  Indian  habit, 
through  our  encampment  at  St.  Johns.” 
Washington  sent  General  Sullivan  to 
have  an  interview  with  Rogers,  who  was 
then  within  a few  miles  of  Cambridge. 
Sullivan  confronted  the  major  with  this 
statement  of  Doctor  Wlieelock  about  his 
seriice  in  Canada.  Rogers  denied  his 
liaving  been  there,  but  confessed  that  he 
had  gone  to  the  westward  of  Albany.  As 
Washim^ton  did  not  care  to  see  the  ma- 
jor,  and  could  not  know  of  any  reason 
why  he  should  be  haunting  the  American 
camp,  Sullivan  was  directed  to  tell  him 
that  he  could  neither  be  received  at  head- 
quarters nor  get  his  passport  signed  ; but 
that  he  might  depart,  and  enjoy  such  se- 
curity as  the  papers  with  which  he  was 
already  provided  might  give  him. 

The  next  event  in  the  history  of  the 
major  was  his  arrest,  by  the  order  of 
Washington,  at  South  Amboy,  where  he 
was  prowling  about  the  American  camp, 
and  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  British 
on  Staten  island,  under  suspicious  circum- 
stances. Washington  sent  him  to  Phila- 
delphia, under  the  care  of  an  officer,  as 
Rollers  had  declared  that  he  was  on  his 
way  to  make  a secret  offer  to  serve  Con- 
gress— a body  which,  however,  the  com- 
mander-in-chief took  care  to  put  on  its 
iruard,  by  suggesting  to  President  Han- 
cock “whether  it  would  not  be  dainrer- 
ous  to  accept  the  offer  of  his  services.” 
Congress  would  have  nothing  to  do  with 


the  major,  but  handed  him  over  to  the 
provincial  legislative  assembly  of  New 
Hampshire. 

Rogers  now  appeared  in  his  true  char 
acter,  as  a colonel  in  the  British  arm}', 
engaged  in  recruiting  his  famous  corp.s, 
called  the  Queen’s  Rangers.  By  an  oiler 
to  recruits  “of  their  proportion  of  all  rebel 
lands,”  he  was  fdling  his  ranks  with  a set 
of  desperate  ad  venturers,  who  made  them- 
selves notorious,  throughout  the  war,  as 
among  the  most  audacious  and  unscrupu- 
lous of  the  enemy. 

He  Avas  now  on  Long  island,  getting 
men,  out  of  the  abounding  tories  there. 
He  had  made  his  headquarters  at  Hun- 
tington ; and  Connecticut  seemed  greatly 
alarmed  lest  he  should  carryout  his  ihreat 
of  landing  at  Norwalk,  taking  the  conti- 
nental stores,  and  laying  waste  the  town. 
Governor  Trumbull  says : “ I hope  we 
shall  be  able  to  frustrate  his  desio-us.  1 

O 

have  no  need  to  apprize  you  [he  is  wri- 
ting to  Livingston]  of  the  art  of  this  Rog- 
ers. He  has  been  a famous  scouter,  or 
Avoods-hunter,  skilled  in  Avaylaying,  am- 
buscade, and  sudden  attack.”*  Rogers 
was  a dangerous  felloAv,  as  cunning  as  an 
Indian,  and  as  unscrupulous  as  a higliAva}  - 
man.  His  tricks  Avere  a constant  topic 
of  conversation  in  the  American  camp, 
and  all  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  spirit 
Avere  anxious,  if  possible,  to  catch  the 
AA’ily  colonel. 


* Sparks’s  Life  of  Washington. 


361  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  d 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Tlie  Americiins  at  Ticomlproga. — The  III  Condition  of  the  Troops. — Their  Sufferings. — Reinforcements. — Boat-Uuildinq 
at  Skeneshorough. — Arnold  and  liis  Fleet. — Arnold  again  in  Trouble. — Condemned  by  the  Court. — Gates  comes  to 
his  Rescue,  and  dissolves  the  Court. — Activity  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton. — Arnold  sets  sail. — Prepares  to  fight  the  Enemy 
— The  Action. — Victorious  Result. — Arnold’s  K.scapc. — Humanity  of  Carleton. — Carleton  takes  Crown  Point. — Re- 
connoitres Ticonderoga. — Gates  make?  a Great  Show  of  Defence. — Carleton  frightened  away. — Retii-es  into  Canada. 

Soon  after  tlie  arrival  at  Crown 
Point  of  Generals  Schuyler,  Gates, 

andT  can  truly  say  that  I did  not  look 
into  tent  or  hut  in  which  I did  not  find 

and  Arnold,  who  had  met  at  Albany  and 

either  a dead  or  dying  man.  I found  the 

set  out  together  to  join  the  northern  ar- 

whole  number  of  officers  and  men  to  be 

my,  the  troops,  it  will  be  recollected,  were 

five  thousand  two  hundred,  and  the  side 

withdrawn  to  Ticonderoga.  General  Sir 

who  required  the  attentions  of  a hospital 

Guy  Carleton,  the  governor  of  Canadtv, 

were  two  thousand  eight  hundred  ; so 

was  at  St.Johns  (on  the  Sorel  river,  near 

that  when  they  were  sent  off,  with  the 

the  northern  extremity  of  Lake  Cham- 

number  of  men  necessary  to  row  them  to 

plain),  and  might  be  expected,  so  soon  as 

the  hospital,  which  had  been  established 

he  could  construct  proper  vessels  for  the 

at  the  south  end  of  Lake  George,  a dis- 

purpose,  to  sail  up  the  lake  and  attack 

tance  of  fifty  miles,  there  would  remain 

the  Americans.  The  latter  began  to  pre- 

but  the  shadow  of  the  army.” 

pare,  in  all  haste,  to  defend  themselves. 

With  this  “shadow  of  the  army,”  how- 

The  old  French  fort  was  strengthened  by 

ever,  the  Americans  began  their  opera- 

new  defences,  and  the  nei2:hborin!ji:  hills 

tions  at  Ticonderoga,  and  with  their  new 

and  grounds  cleared  of  their  forest-wood. 

duties  their  old  suffering’s  did  not  end. 

ard  fortified  with  redoubts  and  batteries. 

As  the  forest  was  cleared  for  the  encamp- 

The  American  troops,  when  they  had 

ment,  the  exhalations  from  the  earth,  thus 

reached  Crown  Point,  after  their  retreat 

exposed  for  the  first  time  to  the  rays  of 

under  General  Sullivan,  were  in  a state 

a midsummer  sun,  together  with  the  mi- 

of  extreme  misery.  “ I found  them,”  said 

asm  from  the  lake,  soon  produced  a fever, 

Adjutant-General  Trumbull,  ‘‘dispersed. 

which  not  seldom  carried  off  the  strong;- 

some  few  in  tents,  some  in  sheds,  and 

est  men  in  two  or  three  days  after  an  ab 

more  under  the  shelter  of  miserable  bush 

tack. 

huts,  so  totally  disorganized  by  the  death 

Reinforcements,  however,  soon  arrived 

or  sickness  of  officers,  that  the  distinction 

from  New  England  and  Penn.sylvania,  so 

of  regiments  and  corps  was  in  a great  de- 

that  the  post  at  Ticonderoga  began  to  as- 

gree  lost ; so  that  I was  driven  to  the  ne- 

sume  the  aspect  of  military  strength  and 

cessity  of  great  personal  examination : 

activity.  Ship-carpenters  had  also  arrived 

REVOLUTIONART.J  FLOTILLA  AT 

CROWN  POINT.  3G 

from  Boston  and  New  London,  and  were 

court,  on  the  ground  that,  as  he  had 

at  once  set  to  work  at  Skenesborongh, 

seized  the  goods,  though  under  the  or- 

building  tlie  hulls  of  boats  and  galleys. 

ders  of  Arnold,  he  was  a party  concerned. 

These  as  soon  as  launched  were  towed 

Arnold  became  so  enraged  at  this,  tha 

down  the  lake  to Ticonderoga,  where  they 

he  completely  lost  all  self-control,  and 

were  equipped  and  armed.  General  Gates 

addressed  an  insulting  communication  to 

had  appointed  Arnold, from  his  well-known 

the  court.  They  insisted  upon  an  apol- 

activity  and  his  experience  as  a sailor,  to 

ogy,  in  vindication  of  their  wounded  dig- 

superintend  the  fitting  out  of  this  little 

nity.  This  only  made  Arnold  still  more 

fleet,  and  promised  him  the  command. 

intemperate  in  his  rage  ; and,  insultingly 

The  difficulty  of  obtaining  proper  mate- 

refusing  to  apologize,  he  hinted  so  broad- 

rials  for  ship-building,  and  the  distance  to 

ly  that  he  was  ready  to  give  each  mem- 

which  they  had  to  send  for  skilful  work- 

her  personal  satisfaction,  that  the  whole 

men,  interfered  greatly  with  the  work ; 

courtconsidered  them.selves  as  beiimchal- 

O 

but  Arnold’s  energy  so  overcame  every 

lenged  ! This  was,  of  course,  too  outi'a- 

obstacle,  that  by  the  middle  of  August 

geous  a contempt  of  their  dignity  to  l)e 

he  had  a squadron  of  one  sloop  and  one 

passed  over  without  rebuke  and  punish- 

scliooner  of  twelve  guns,  two  schooners 

ment;  and  General  Gates  was  according- 

of  eight,  and  five  gondolas  with  each 

ly  appealed  to,  to  interpose  the  severity 

three. 

of  his  executive  power.  Gates,  however, 

Arnold,  however,  with  his  usual  facility 

was  not  disposed  to  spare  his  admiral  of 

of  quarrel,  had  just  now  a difficulty  on 

the  lake-fleet,  and  therefore  acted  “ dicta,- 

hand,  which  nearly  led  to  the  loss  of  his 

torially,”  as  he  himself  calls  it.  and  dis- 

command.  When  about  leaving  Quebec, 

solved  the  court-martial.  To  Congress, 

iie  lawlessly  ordered  some  goods  to  be 

Gates  justified  his  conduct,  saying,  “The 

seized  belonging  to  merchants  in  Mon- 

United  States  must  not  be  deprived  of 

treal,  but  gave  receipts  to  the  owners. 

that  excellent  officer’s  [Arnold’s]  services 

who  were  promised  payment  on  present- 

at  this  important  moment.”* 

ing  them  to  Congress.  They  had  made 

The  vessels  being  equipped,  and  Ar- 

their  claims,  and  Arnold  was  now  called 

nold  in  command,  the  flotilla  rendez- 

iqion  to  account  for  his  disposition  of  the 

voused  at  Crown  Point.  Here  floated 

goods.  All  he  had  to  say  was,  that  they 

the  Boyal  Savage,  the  Enterprise,  the 

had  been  damaged  and  plundered,  and 

Revenge,  and  the  Liberty,  the  four  larger 

that  Colonel  Ilazen  was  responsible,  for 

craft,  together  with  the  half-dozen  gon- 

he  had  disobeyed  orders  in  not  taking 

dolas  and  several  new  galleys.  Sir  Guy 

])roper  charge  of  them.  Hazen  accord- 

Carleton  was  not  less  busy  and  active 

ingly  was  arrested,  and  tried  by  court- 

than  Arnold.  Bringing  a large  force  of 

martial.  Arnold  brought  forward,  as  his 

shipwrights,  riggers, and  sailors, from  Que- 

[)rincipal  witness,  a Major  Scott.  Ilis  tes- 

bee,  together  with  frames  of  vessels,  siq> 

timony,  however,  was  rejected  by  the 

1 * Sparks’s  Life  of  Arnold 

BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


3(i6 

plies  of  timber,  cordage,  guns,  and  every- 
thing that  was  necessary  for  constructing 
and  fitting  out  ships-of-war,  the  Canadian 
o-overnor  was  soon  enabled  to  launch  at 

D 

St.  Johns  a formidable  fleet. 

Toward  the  end  of  September,  Arnold 
was  prepared  for  a cruise,  and  set  sail 
down  the  lake.  General  Gates  had  or- 
dered him  not  to  advance  beyond  the 
Isle-aux-Tetes  (near  what  is  now  called 
Rouse’s  point),  at  the  northern  part  of 
Lake  Champlain,  where  its  waters  are 
narrowed  toward  the  outlet  of  the  Sorel 
river.  When  Arnold  had  reached  Wind- 
mill point,  within  four  miles  of  the  Isle- 
aux-Tetes,  observing  that  that  island  and 
the  neighboring  shores  were  in  posses- 
sion of  the  British,  he  came  to  anchor, 
moving  his  flotilla  across  the  lake.  Hav- 
ing occasion  to  land  his  men,  in  order  to 
cut  some  timber  and  brushwood  for  the 
purpose  of  raising  the  bulwarks  of  his 
little  vessels,  and  thus  prevent  them  from 
being  so  accessible  to  boarders,  he  found 
that  his  position  was  not  yet  secure  from 
annoyance  by  the  enemy.  A party  that 
ho  had  sent  ashore  had,  in  fact,  been  set 
upon  by  an  ambuscade  of  Indians,  and 
driven  to  their  boats,  with  the  loss  of  sev- 
eral killed  and  wounded.  Arnold  now 
weighed  anchor,  and  sailed  back  some 
eight  or  ten  miles,  until  he  reached  Isle- 
la-Motte. 

From  this  point  scouts  were  sent  along 
the  banks  of  the  lake,  and  guard-boats 
stationed  in  advance  along  its  waters,  in 
order  to  watch  the  approach  of  the  ene- 
my, and  obtain  information  of  their  move- 
ments. From  what  was  thus  learned,  Ar- 
nold thought  it  advisable  to  move  still 


farther  down,  and  accordingly  sailed  back 
and  took  a position  with  his  flotilla  in  th(! 
narrowest  part  of  the  channel  between 
Valcour  island  and  the  western  bank  of 
the  lake.  Here  he  stretched  his  little 
vessels  in  line  across  and  toward  the  up- 
per part  of  the  strait.  While  thus  moored, 
awaiting  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  he 
was  reinforced,  from  Cro\vn  Point,  by  the 
cutter  Lee,  of  four  guns;  the  three  gal- 
leys Congress,  Washington, and  Trumbull, 
each  of  ten  guns;  and  several  additional 
gondolas.  His  whole  force  in  guns  now 
amounted  to  ninety;  in  metal,  six  hun- 
dred and  forty-seven  pounds  ; and  in  men, 
most  of  whom  were  soldiers,  to  six  hun- 
dred. 

The  ad  vance  guard-boats  were  constant- 
ly on  the  lookout,  as  the  approach  of  the 
British  was  hourly  expected.  At  break 
of  day,  accordingly,  Carleton's 
fleet  hove  in  sight  off  Cumber- 
land  head  to  the  north,  and  its  approach 
was  duly  reported.  As  vessel  after  vessel 
bore  down,  the  appearance  of  the  enemy 
was  truly  formidable.  There  was  the  ship 
Inflexible,  of  sixteen  guns;  the  schooner 
Maria,  of  fourteen ; the  schooner  Carle- 
ton,  of  twelve ; the  razee  Thunderer,  of 
fourteen ; the  gondola  Royal  Consort,  of 
six ; together  with  a score  of  gun-boats, 
four  long-boats,  each  armed  with  a gun. 
jind  four-and-twenty  other  small  craft. 

Carleton  had  almost  proved  himself  a 
match  in  activity  for  even  the  energetic 
Arnold.  The  ship  Inflexible  had  been 
got  ready  to  sail  within  twenty-eight  days 
after  her  keel  had  been  laid  ; and  between 
July  and  October,  so  great  had  been  the 
despatch  of  the  enemy,  that  no  less  than 


r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  FIGHT  ON  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN.  367 


“thirty  fighting-vessels  of  diffei’ent  sorts 
and  sizes,  and  all  carrying  cannon,”  had 
been  equipped.  Carleton,  however,  had 
all  the  resources  of  the  Britisli  tlee!,  then 
at  Quebec,  at  his  couiinand.  British  nien- 
of-war  supplied  abundant  materials,  edu- 
cated naval  officers  to  superintend  the 
work,  skilful  artificers  to  execute  it,  and 
all  the  possible  requirements  for  building 
and  equipping  vessels-of-war.  The  prejJ- 
arations  bad  all  been  conducted  by  Cap- 
tain Douglas,  of  the  Isis ; and,  when  the 
fleet  was  ready  to  sail,  seamen  to  the  num- 
ber of  more  than  seven  hundred  were 
drafted  from  the  naval  ships  at  Quebec, 
to  man  the  squadron  of  the  lake ; while 
e.ach  vessel  was  officered  by  lieutenants 
and  midshipmen,  and  the  whole  were 
commanded  by  the  British  naval  captain 
Pringle,  of  the  Lord  Howe.  Carleton 
himself,  though  yielding  the  direction  of 
the  fleet  to  the  nautical  experience  of 
Pringle,  could  not  restrain  his  ardor  to  be 
a witness  of  the  struggle,  and  accordingly 
Avent  on  board  the  flag-ship,  the  Inflexible, 
determined  to  share  the  common  danger. 
The  young  officers,  some  of  them  now  for 
the  first  time  in  separate  command,  were 
full  of  eimer  desire  to  distiimuish  them- 

O O 

selves.  Among  the  midshipmen  was  the 
youthful  Pellew  (already  noticed  for  his 
gallantry),  afterward  famous  as  Lord  Ex- 
mouth. 

The  British  fleet  bore  for  the  southern 
point  of  Valcour  island,  with  the  view  of 
rounding  it,  and  bringing  the  whole  force 
against  Arnold’s  line  stretched  across  the 
strait  to  the  north.  The  wind,  however, 
was  unfavorable  for  this  manoeuvre,  and 
only  the  smaller  craft  were  able  to  enter 


the  channel,  as  the  larger  vessels  had  not 
room  to  beat  up,  and  could  not  sail  siiffi- 
ciently  close  hauled. 

Arnold,  observing  the  difficulty,  and 
seeing  the  British  force  thus  divided,  or- 
dered three  of  his  galleys  and  his  schoon- 
er the  Boyal  Savage  to  get  under  way. 
He  himself  took  the  lead,  on  board  the 
Congress  galley,  and  sailed,  followed  by 
the  rest,  to  attack  those  of  the  enemy  in 
advance,  which  consisted  of  all  their  small 
craft  and  the  schooner  Carleton  of  twelve 
guns,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Dacres. 

The  engagement  soon  began,  hot  and 
heavy,  and  continued  from  eleven  o’clock 
in  the  morning  till  five  in  the  afternoon. 
The  American  boats  suffered  greatly,  and 
none  more  than  the  Congress,  which  Ar- 
nold took  care  to  keep  in  the  hottest  of 
the  struggle.  He  was  constantly  on  deck, 
pointing  the  guns  with  his  own  hands ; 
and,  when  the  enemy  retired  from  the 
fight,  Arnold’s  galley  was  almost  a wreck, 
with  her  hull  riddled  with  shot,  her  mast 
barely  standing,  her  rigging  torn  into 
shreds,  and  a large  proportion  of  her  men 
killed  or  wounded.  The  Washiiif^ton  o-al- 
ley,  commanded  by  Waterbury,  had  hard- 
ly suffered  less,  her  captain  being  wound- 
ed, her  lieutenant  with  many  of  her  men 
killed,  and  the  vessel  itself  well  shattered. 
One  gondola  lost  every  officer  but  her 
captain,  and  another  sank  immediately 
after  the  engagement.  No  less  than  six- 
ty in  all  were  either  killed  or  wounded. 

The  Royal  Savage,  in  attempting  to 
reach  the  line,  got  aground,  Avhen  she  was 
set  on  fire  by  her  crew,  and  abandoned. 
The  larger  British  vessels,  which  were  un- 
able to  take  part  in  the  action,  strove,  by 


368  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


landing  their  men  and  some  Indians  on 
Valcour  island,  to  harass  the  Americans 
with  musketry ; but,  although  they  Icept 
up  a constant  fire,  the^^  only  added  to  the 
confusion  and  excitement  of  the  scene, 
and  failed  to  do  much  damage. 

Arnold,  upon  retiring  to  his  former  an- 
chorage, called  a council  of  his  officers, 
when  it  was  unanimously  resolved  that, 
with  the  superiority  in  ships,  men,  and 
armament,  of  the  British,  it  was  impossi- 
ble to  cope  with  them,  and  that  the  only 
resource  left  was  to  attempt  to  escape 
back  to  Crown  Point.  How  to  accom- 
plish this  was,  however,  the  great  diffi- 
culty, as  the  enemy  had  stretched  their 
vessels  across  the  strait,  within  only  a few 
hundred  yards  of  the  American  line.  As 
the  night  was  dark,  and  the  wind  blew 
favorably  from  the  north,  Arnold  deter- 
mined upon  the  bold  expedient  of  pas- 
sing through  the  British  fleet.  The  at- 
tempt  was  made,  and  with  perfect  suc- 
cess. The  Trumbull  galley,  commanded 
by  Colonel  Wigglesworth,  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts militia,  led  the  retreat,  with  bare- 
ly enough  sail  set  to  give  her  steerage- 
way, and  a lantern  under  her  stern,  so 
masked  as  not  to  be  seen  except  by  those 
directly  in  her  w’ake.  The  rest  of  the 
squadron  (each  with  a lantern  hung  at 
her  stern  in  the  same  manner)  followed 
in  succession,  at  intervals  of  two  or  three 
hundred  yards.  The  night  was  profound- 
ly dark,  and  a heavy  fog  hung  over  the 
lake.  Strict  silence  was  enjoined,  and 
thus  each  vessel  sailed,  in  the  dead  of 
night,  through  the  enemy’s  line,  Arnold 
bringing  up  the  rear  with  his  usual  dis- 
regard or  rather  love  of  danger.  The 

British  were  so  completely  kept  in  the 
dark,  that  they  were  unconscious  of  bis 
escape  until  next  morning,  when  he  had 
reached  Schuyler’s  island,  some  ten  miles 
up  the  lake. 

Arnold  was  now  brought  to  a stop  by 
the  ill  condition  of  his  vessels,  which  had 
been  so  damaged  in  the  fight,  that  all  of 
them  were  either  leaking  or  required  to 
have  new  sails  bent.  Two  of  the  gondo- 
las were  such  complete  wrecks,  that  they 
were  abandoned  and  sunk.  The  neces- 
sary repairs  detained  him  for  half  a day 
at  Schuyler’s  island,  and  Arnold  was  not 
enabled  to  get  under  way  again  until  the 
evening. 

The  wind  proving  favorable,  Arnold 
made  good  progress  during  the  night. 

In  the  morning,  however,  a fresh 
breeze  sprang  up  from  the  south, 
dead  ahead ; and,  although  it  was  unfiv 
vorable  for  both  the  pursued  and  the  pur- 
suing, the  enemy  succeeded  in  gaining 
iqDon  the  rear  of  the  American  flotilla. 

The  two  galleys,  the  Washington  and  Con- 
gress, and  four  of  the  gondolas — all  of 
which  were  in  bad  sailing-condition,  from 
the  damages  they  had  suffered  — were 
soon  overtaken  by  the  leading  British 
vessels,  which  crowded  all  sail  in  chase. 

The  Washington  was  the  first  to  suffer, 
and,  having  received  a broadside  or  two, 
was  forced  to  strike.  The  enemy  now 
bore  up  against  Arnold’s  galley,  the  Con- 
gress. Arnold  did  not  refuse  the  fight, 
notwithstandino’  the  odds  aitainst  him  of 
a ship  and  two  schooners.  Unequal  as 
was  the  struggle,  he  resolutely  engaged 
in  it,  and  with  such  a brave  and  skilful 
resistance,  that  it  was  prolonged  for  f )ur 

r 

I 

RIC\0LUTI0NAKY.]  ARNOLD’S  DARING  AND  SKILL.  369 

hours;  and  Arnold  did  not  withdraw  his 

drink  of  grog,”  and  then  praised  their 

galley  until  she  was  nearly  a wreck,  and 

courage;  and,  after  expressing  a regret 

the  enemy  had  been  reinforced  by  four 

that  it  had  not  been  displayed  in  the  ser- 

additional  vessels,  and  thus  with  seven  of 

vice  of  their  lawful  sovereign,  offered  to 

their  larger  craft  were  preparing  to  sur- 

send  them  home  to  their  friends,  on  their 

round  him  on  all  sides. 

giving  their  parole  that  they  would  not 

Arnold,  finding  himself  in  this  extremi- 

again  bear  arms  against  Great  Britain  un- 

ty,  ran  the  Congress  and  the  four  gondo- 

til  they  should  be  exchanged. 

las  ashore.  He  then  ordered  all  the  boats. 

General  Wa terbury,who  had  command- 

with  their  flags  flying,  to  be  set  on  fire. 

ed  the  Washington,  was  invited  by  Carle- 

and  his  men  to  spring  overboard  with 

ton  into  his  cabin  below,  and  asked  for 

their  muskets  in  hand,  and,  having  w'aded 

his  commission.  When  it  was  shown,  and 

to  the  land,  to  draw  up  and  keep  ofi'  the 

observed  to  be  signed  by  Governor  Trum- 

enemy’s  small  boats  should  they  attempt 

bull,  of  Connecticut,  the  courteous  Sir 

an  attack.  Arnold  himself  was  the  last 

Guy  gave  his  prisoner  his  hand,  saying : 

man  to  leave  the  galley;  and,  on  reach- 

“ General  Waterbury,  I am  happy  to  take 

ing  the  shore,  he  stood  his  guard  until 

you  by  the  hand,  now  that  I see  that  you 

1 

the  flames  had  so  enveloped  the  whole 

are  not  serving  under  a commission  and 

flotilla,  that  hardly  a plank  was  left  to 

orders  of  the  rebel  Congress,  but  of  Gov- 

fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

ernor  Trumbull.  You  are  acting  under 

Arnold  then  pushed  on  by  land  through 

a legitimate  and  acknowledged  authority. 

the  forest  to  Ticonderoga,  where  on  his 

He  is  responsible  for  the  abuse  he  has 

arrival  he  found  the  remnant  of  his  flo- 

made  of  that  authority.  That  which  is 

tilla — the  two  schooners,  two  galle3^s,one 

a high  crime  in  him,  is  but  an  error  in 

sloop,  and  the  gondola — which,  by  being 

you  : it  was  your  duty  to  obey  him,  your 

in  advance,  and  in  fair  sailing-condition. 

legitimate  authority.”-^ 

had  succeeded  in  escaping  Carleton’s  fleet. 

In  a few  days  after  Arnold’s  defeat,  a 

Every  one  awarded  to  Arnold  great  cred- 

number  of  row-boats  pulled  up  the  lake. 

it  for  his  daring  and  the  skill  with  which 

aud  lay  upon  their  oars  off  the  advanced 

he  managed  his  little  flotilla  in  so  unequal 

posts  of  the  American.s.  The  boats  bore 

a struggle,  although  some  have  doubted 

a flag  of  truce,  and  contained  General 

his  prudence  in  engaging  with  the  ene- 

Waterbury  and  one  hundred  and  ten  pris- 

my  under  such  disadvantages. 

oners,  who  Avere  now  returned  on  parole 

Sir  Guy  Carleton  treated  the  prisoners 

by  Sir  Guy  Carleton.  This  noble-hearted 

with  his  usual  humanity  and  chivalrous 

Englishman  had  treated  those  who  had 

courtesy.  He  ordered  his  army-surgeons 

fallen  into  his  hands  by  the  chances  of 

to  take  the  same  care  of  the  American 

war  with  so  much  humanity  and  even 

wounded  as  they  did  of  his  owm  men. 

gentle  courtesy,  and  each  man  who  re- 

The  otl  Brs  he  sent  for  on  board  his  own 

turned  was  so  full  of  gratitude  and  ex- 

ship,  where  “ he  first  treated  them  to  a 
47 

* Autobiography,  &c.,  by  John  Trumbull. 

. _ 1 

' ’ 1 

_ . 1 

370  BATTLPLS  OF  AMERICA.  i i’aut  rt. 


pressions  of  good  feeling  toward  Sir  Guy, 


thill  he  was  thought  to  “have  made  a 
very  dangerous  impression.”  The  boats, 
therefore,  which  contained  the  prisoners 
were  placed  under  the  guns  of  a battery, 
and  orders  given  that  not  a man  should 
be  allowed  to  land,  lest  by  intercourse 
with  the  American  troops  he  might  affect 
them  with  a dano-erous  good  will  toward 
the  enemy.  The  prisoners  were  accord- 
ingly, immediately  after  their  arrival  was 
reported  to  General  Gates,ordered  to  pro- 
ceed to  Skenesborough,  on  their  way  to 
their  homes ; and  they  went  forwiird  the 
same  night,  without  being  permitted  to 
land.  We  know  of  no  such  illustration 
as  this  fact  exhibits,  of  the  humanity  of  a 
chivalrous  enemy,  as  well  as  of  the  policy 
of  such  conduct  Many  such  British  offi- 
cers might  have  proved  fatal  to  the  Amer- 
ican cause. 

Sir  Guy  meanwhile  did  not  neglect  the 
more  positive  duties  of  his  command.  He 
advanced  with  his  whole  force,  and  took 
possession  of  Crown  Point;  and  thence 
sent  out  a reconnoitring-party  to  observe 
the  condition  of  the  Americans  at  Ticon- 
deroga.  Gates  was  prepared  to  make  an 
effective  display  of  his  powers  of  resist- 
ance. He  had  been  largely  reinforced, 
and  now  mustered  nearly  thirteen  thou- 
sand men,  who  by  proper  care  and  time- 
ly supplies  of  food  and  clothing,  were  in 
a tolerably  effective  condition.  So  soon 
as  Carleton’s  boats  appeared  off  a point 
within  three  miles  of  Ticonderoga,  Gates 
ordered  his  whole  force  under  arms,  and 
each  man  to  his  post.  The  American 


lines  must  have  made  an  imposing  show 
to  those  on  the  lake.  The  summits  of 
the  rising  ground  on  both  sides  of  the 
water  were  crowned  with  redoubts  and 
batteries,  bristling  with  cannon,  and  full 
manned  Avith  soldiers,  while  above  all 
floated  the  new  flag  of  the  United  States. 

The  enemy’s  boats  retired,  but  Gates 
did  not  neglect  to  continue  to  prepare 
for  an  attack.  The  Avorks  Avere  manned 
at  daylight  each  morning,  and  the  troops 
kept  busy  the  Avhole  day  in  strengthen- 
ing the  defences.  Poles  of  tAvelve  feet 
in  length  Avere  cut  in  the  neighboring 
forests,  armed  Avith  sharp  iron  points,  and 
kept  in  readiness  Avithin  the  breastAvorks 
to  thrust  back  the  assailants  in  case  of  an 
assault  Carleton,  hoAvever,  did  not  ad- 
vance, Avhether  OAving  to  the  formidable 
appearance  of  his  antagonists  at  Ticon 
deroga,  or  to  the  strong  southerly  Avind 
Avhich  had  continued  to  bloAV  in  his  teeth 
ever  since  his  arrival  at  CroAvn  Point,  and 
prevented  the  advance  of  his  vessels.  Fi- 
nally, Gate.s,  groAving  impatient,  ordered 
a detachment  of  troops  to  march  toAvard 
CroAvn  Point,  to  reconnoitre.  They  soon 

returned,  Avith  the  information 

’ Nov  1 

that  Sir  Guy  Avith  his  Avhole  fleet 

and  army  had  abandoned  that  post,  and 
AvithdraAvn  into  Canada.  The  enemy  gone, 
there  Avas  less  occasion  for  the  American 
army  to  'remain.  A small  force,  under 
General  St.  Clair,  having  been  left  to  gar- 
rison the  post  at  Ticonderoga,  the  remain- 
der of  the  troops  Avere  ordered  to  other 
service.  Gates  proceeded  to  Albany,  and 
Arnold  to  join  Washington’s  army. 


KEV01.UTI0NARY.J  BRITISH  SHIPS  SAIL  UP  THE  HUDSON. 


3^1 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Sir  William  Howe  disposed  to  move. — En<;lisli  Vessels-of- War  sail  up  the  Hudson. — Incfficaey  of  Chevnux-de-Frise,  &e. 
— The  Last  of  the  American  Turtle. — General  James  Clinton  astir. — Agitation  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New 
York. — The  Enemy  at  Throp:<;’s  Point. — Uclurn  of  General  Lee. — Elation  of  the  Army  in  consequence. — Lee’s  Views 
of  the  British  Plans. — Council  of  War. — Lee  opposed  to  holding  Fort  Washinj;ton. — Greene  in  favor. — Movement  of 
the  Enemy. — General  Heath. — His  Life  and  Character. — An  Attempt  to  catch  Rogers — Its  Failure. — The  Enemy 
outflankc<i  hy  Washington. — Retires  to  White  Plains. — Lee’s  Headquarters. — Oddities. — Approach  of  the  Enemy. 


Sir  William  IIowe,  after  liis  long 
inactivity,  began  at  last  to  show 
some  di.sposition  to  move.  Early  one 
morning  the  British  men-of-war,  the  Roe- 
buclc,  Phoenix,  a frigate  of  twenty  gnns, 
and  several  tenders,  which  had  been  sta- 
tioned off  Bloomingdale,  taking  advan- 
tage of  a fair  southerly  breeze,  got  under 

way  and  sailed  up  the  Hudson. 

Oci,  9,  ^ 

The  batteries  and  forts  on  both 

sides  of  the  river  kept  up  a heavy  fire, 
but  the  ships  sailed  by  them  without  much 
damage.  The  famous  chevaiix-de-f rise,  that 
had  been  stretched  across  the  stream  un- 
der the  auspices  of  “ Old  Put,”  proved 
still  less  an  obstruction,  notwithstanding 
the  old  gap  in  it  had  been  filled  in.  The 
ships,  borne  by  a strong  flood-tide  and  a 
fair  wind,  came  with  head  on,  and  broke 
through  the  barrier  w’ith  hardly  a check 
to  their  way,  chasing  before  them  the 
two  vessels  laden  down  w’ith  stones,  ready 
to  be  sunk,  to  add  to  the  strength  of  the 
ehevaiix-dc-f rise,  the  four  armed  galleys  sta- 
tioned to  protect  it,  an  American  vessel 
from  the  West  Indies,  with  a cargo  of 
rum  and  molasses,  anchored  for  safety 
under  the  cover  of  the  guns  of  the  fort, 
and  a small  schooner  containing  Bush- 
uell’s  “American  Turtle.”  The  tw’O  ships 


were  driven  ashore  by  their  pursuers; 
two  of  the  galleys  secured  a retreat;  two 
w’ere  run  aground  and  fell  into  the  ene- 
my’s hands,  although  their  crew’S  saved 
themselves  by  sw'imming;  the  West-lndia 
skipper  was  forced  to  strike  his  flag;  and 
a well-aimed  shot  sent  the  small  schoon- 
er, with  Bushnell’s  submarine  exploder, 
to  the  bottom  — meeting  a fate,  as  Goi- 
eral  Heath  remarks,  “ finely  in  contrast 
W’ith  its  design;”  for  the  purpose  of  the 
“ American  Turtle”  w’as  to  destroy,  and 
not  to  be  destroyed. 

Washino-ton  saw  in  this  movement  of 

O 

the  enemy’s  ships  an  intention  to  sto]i 
the  navigation  of  the  Hudson,  and  thus 
cut  off  his  communication  and  supplies 
by  that  river.  He  immediately  sent  an 
express  to  General  James  Clinton,  who 
commanded  at  the  Highlands,  to  put  him 
on  his  guard,  in  case  there  should  be  any 
attempt  upon  the  posts  and  forts  above. 
He  also  ordered  a detachment  of  troops 
from  his  camp  to  hurry  along  the  eastern 
bank  of  the  river,  to  oppose  the  enemy 
in  case  they  should  land.  As  Putnam 
was  still  sanguine  of  the  efficacy  of  his 
favorite  cJievaux-de-frise,  Washington  w’as 
induced  to  send  a party  to  try  and  get 
off'  the  tw’O  stone-laden  ships  wTiicli  had 


1 

372  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

got  aground,  and  in  the  ineantune  to  or- 

pressing  danger  near  at  hand.  The  en- 

der  some  old  hulks  to  be  filled  up  and 

emy  had  landed  on  “ Trog’s” 

towed  down  to  close  the  break  in  the  ob- 

point  (Throgg’s  it  is  now  always 

struction  across  the  river,  and  thus  pre- 

called,  though  Washington  writes  Trog’s) 

vent,  if  possible,  the  return  of  the  ships 

in  large  force.  Nine  ships  and  a great 

to  their  anchorage  in  the  b<ay. 

number  of  transports  and  store-vessels. 

The  convention  of  the  state  of  New 

“ full  of  men,”  had  been  observed  to  pass 

York  were  greatly  ngitatcd  by  the  ad- 

up  the  sound  the  night  before,  and  it  was 

vance  of  the  enemy’s  ships  up  their  main 

believed  that  the  greatest  part  of  Howe’s 

river.  They  had  great  distrust  of  many 

army  had  moved  upward  with  the  view 

of  the  population,  and  believed  that  this 

of  getting  in  the  rear  of  Washington’s 

movement  was  in  co-operation  with  the 

lines  and  cutting  off  his  communication 

disalfected,  with  the  view  of  seizing  such 

with  the  country.  “ Our  situation  here,” 

passes  as  would  cut  off  the  communica- 

writes  Washington,  “is  not  exactly  the 

tion  between  the  interior  and  Washing- 

same  as  it  was  at  New  York.  It  is  rather 

ton’s  army,  and  thus  prevent  supplies. 

better.”  He  had  some  hope,  by  extend- 

They  therefore  strenuously  urged  upon 

ing  his  force,  now  consisting  of  some  nine- 

the  commander-in-chief  the  pi’opriety  of 

teen  thousand,  toward  East  and  West 

sending  a body  of  men  to  the  Highlands 

Chester,  to  oppose  the  enemy,  and  pre- 

or  to  Peekskill,  to  “ secure  the  passes,  pre- 

vent  the  accomplishment  of  their  plans.  • 

vent  insurrection,  and  overawe  the  dis- 

General  Howe,  after  landing,  did  not 

affected.” 

seem  to  be  very  impatient  to  begin  o])- 

Washington  was  induced  by  these  ap- 

eratious.  He  was  waiting  (he  afterward 

prehensions  which  the  convention  were 

said,  in  explanation)  for  the  arrival  of  re- 

under,  on  account  of  the  disaffected  whom 

inforcements  and  stores,  while  the  Amei  i- 

they  had  reason  to  suppose  were  plotting 

cans  believed  that  he  was  forced  to  hold 

so  much  mischief,  to  order  up  a part  of 

back  in  consequence  of  the  state  of  the 

the  militia  which  had  lately  come  in  from 

causeway,  which  had  been  broken  up,  and 

Massachusetts,  under  the  new  general, 

which  was  necessary  for  the  conveyance 

Lincoln,  to  prevent  if  possible  the  conse- 

of  his  troops  and  artillery  from  Throgg’s 

quences  which  might  happen,  and  which 

point  to  the  mainland.  His  landing,  more- 

it  was  believed  the  conspirators  had  in 

over,  was  opposed  by  some  vigorous  man- 

contemplation.  “ I am  persuaded,”  says 

ifestations  on  the  part  of  the  American 

Washington,  “ that  they  are  upon  the  eve 

forces.  Howe  linally  re-embarked,  and 

of  breaking  out,  and  that  they  will  leave 

landed  at  Pell’s  point,  whence  he  began 

nothing  unessayed  that  will  distress  us 

to  move  his  troops  toward  New  llochelle. 

and  favor  the  designs  of  the  enemy,  as 

The  arrival  of  General  Lee  at 

soon  as  their  schemes  are  rife  for  it.” 

this  anxious  time,  on  his  return 

The  attention  of  the  commander-in- 

from  the  South,  was  welcomed  by  the 

chief  was,  however,  soon  called  to  a more 

whole  American  army.  “ The  troops,” 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  LEE’S  URGENT  LETTER  TO  CONGRESS.  373 

pays  a contemporary,  “ were  mightily  ela- 

Thereupon  he  writes  to  Congress,  and  in 

ted  with  his  presence,  and  felt  themselves 

his  usual  emphatic  style  says : 

stronger  by  one  thousand  men  upon  the 

“ I am  confident  they  will  not 

occasion ; for  they  had  great  confidence 

attack  General  Washington’s  lines;  such 

in  his  abilities,  and  expected  much  from 

a measure  is  too  absurd  for  a man  of  Mr. 

him,  because  of  the  success  which  had  at- 

Howe’s  genius;  and  unless  they  have  re- 

tended  him  at  Charleston.”  Washington 

ceived  ilattering  accounts  from  Burgoyne 

at  once  gave  him  the  command  of  the  di- 

that  he  will  be  able  to  effectuate  a June- 

vision  stationed  above  Kiimsbrido:e.  The 

tion  (which  I conceive  they  have  not). 

other  three  divisions  were  under  Generals 

they  will  no  longer  remain  kicking  their 

Heath,  Sullivan,  and  Lincoln.  Greene 

heels  at  New  York.  They  will  put  the 

had  command  of  the  post  on  the  Jersey 

place  in  a respectable  state  of  defence, 

shore,  opposite  to  Fort  Washington,  pre- 

which,  with  their  command  of  the  waters, 

viously  called  “Fort  Constitution,”  now 

may  be  easily  done,  leave  four  or  five 

changed  to  “ Fort  Lee,”  in  honor  of  the 

thousand  men,  and  direct  their  operations 

general  whose  arrival  seemed  so  greatly 

to  a more  decisive  object. 

to  be  welcomed  by  all. 

“ They  will  infallibly  proceed  either 

Lee’s  success  in  the  South  had  greatly 

immediately  up  the  river  Delaware  with 

added  to  his  reputation ; and  when  Wash- 

their  whole  troops ; or,  what  is  more  prob- 

ington’s  army'  was  apparently  in  such  a 

able,  land  somewhere  about  South  Am- 

strait  at  New  York,  Congress  despatched 

boy  or  Shrewsbury,  and  march  straight 

an  express  to  Georgia,  ordering  him  to 

to  Trenton  or  Burlington.  On  the  sup- 

repair  immediately  to  Philadelphia.  He 

position  that  this  will  be  the  case,  what 

at  once  obeyed  the  summons ; and,  hav- 

are  we  to  do  ? What  force  have  we  ? 

iim  waited  on  Coimress,  and  consulted 

What  means  have  we  to  prevent  their 

with  that  body,  it  was  resolved  that  he 

possessing  themselves  of  Philadelphia ‘i 

should  proceed  to  Washington’s  camp 

General  Washington’s  army  can  not  pos- 

without  delay,  although  leave  was  grant- 

sibly  kcQ^i  pace  with  them.  The  length 

ed  to  him  to  visit  the  American  posts  in 

of  his  route  is  not  only  infinitely  greater. 

New  Jersey.  Lee  accordingly,  before  pre- 

but  his  obstructions  almost  insuperable. 

sen  ting  himself  at  Washington’s  headquar- 

In  short,  before  he  could  cross  Hudson 

ters,  visited  the  camp  at  Amboy,  just  pre- 

river,  they  might  be  lodged  and  strongly 

vious  to  crossing  to  New  Y^ork.  While 

fortified  on  both  banks  of  the  Delawaie. 

there,  he  took  occasion  to  make  a survey 

...  For  Heaven’s  sake,  arouse  yourselves ! 

of  the  enemy’s  position  and  movements 

For  Heaven’s  sake,  let  ten  thousand  men 

on  Staten  island.  Here,  on  the  day  of 

be  immediately  assembled  and  stationed 

his  arrival,  Lee  beheld  a great  encamp- 

somewhere  about  Trenton  ! In  my  opin- 

ment  of  Hessians,  and  on  the  next  morn- 

ion,  your  whole  cause  depends  upon  it.  I 

ing  discovered  that  every  tent  was  struck. 

set  out  immediately  for  head([uarters, 

and  the  whole  force  had  disappeared. 

where  I shall  communicate  my  apprehen- 

374  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


sion  that  such  will  be  the  next  operation 
of  the  enemy,  and  urge  the  expediency 
of  sparing  a part  of  his  army  (if  he  has 
any  to  spare)  for  this  object.”* 

A few  days  after  writing  this  letter, 
General  Lee  had  an  opportunity  of  ina- 
kino;  known  his  views  and  sustaining  his 
opinions  before  a council  of  war  called 

by  Washington.  A warm  dis- 
Oct.  16.  ^ f ^ 

cussion  took  place,  and  Lee  was 

among  the  foremost  in  the  debate,  stren- 
uously  urging  the  necessity  of  extending 
the  American  lines  toward  East  and  West 
Chester,  in  order  to  outflank  the  enemj^, 
whose  purpose  evidently  was  to  hem  in 
Washington  by  drawing  aline  in  his  rear. 
There  was  considerable  opposition  to  his 
views,  it  being  contended  that  the  island 
of  New  York,  as  it  was  well  defended  by 
strong  posts,  and  difficult  of  access,  might 
be  held,  and  that  it  was  there  that  the 
army  should  remain  and  await  the  attack 
of  the  enemy.  Lee  asked  what  they 
meant  by  thinking  of  holding  their  posi- 
tion, while  Howe  had  the  command  of 
the  water  on  each  side  of  them,  and  was 
so  strong  both  in  front  and  rear,  and  there 
was  but  a single  communication  Avith  the 
mainland  held  by  themselves,  and  that 
only  a bridge  (King’s  bridge),  over  which 
they  must  pass  to  escape  being  enclosed. 
He  declared  that  it  was  fallacious  to  sup- 
pose a position  was  good  merely  because 
its  approaches  Avere  difficult,  and  stoutly 
argued  against  the  policy  of  having  any- 
thing to  do  Avith  the  islands,  adding  that 
for  his  part  he  “ would  give  Mr.  IIoAve  a 
fee  simple  in  them.” 

These  opinions,  emphatically  express- 
ed, evidently  had  their  effect  j so  that 

Avhen  the  question  Avas  put — “ Whether, 
it  haA'ing  appeared  that  the  obstructions 
in  the  North  river  have  proved  insuffi- 
cient, and  that  the  enemy’s  Avhole  force 
is  in  our  rear  at  Throgg’s  point,  it  is  noAv 
deemed  possible  in  our  present  situation 
to  prevent  the  enemy  from  cutting  off 
the  communication  AA'ith  the  country,  and 
compelling  us  to  fight  them  at  all  disad- 
Aaintages  or  surrender  prisoners  at  discre- 
tion ?” — it  Avas  agreed,  AAuth  the  single 
dissenting  voice  of  General  Clinton,  that 
it  AA'as  not  possible  to  prevent  the  com- 
munication from  being  cut  off,  and  that 
one  of  the  consequences  mentioned  must 
certainly  folloAA". 

Lee  Avas  equally  emphatic  in  denoun- 
cing the  attempt  to  hold  Fort  Washing- 
ton, but  not  equally  successful  in  impres- 
sing the  council  Avith  his  aucavs.  The  gen- 
erals Avere  probably  influenced  by  a late 
resolution  of  Congress,  desiring  Washing- 
ton,  ‘‘  by  every  art  and  at  AA'hatever  ex- 
pense, to  obstruct  effectually  the  naviga- 
tion of  the  river  betAveen  Fort  Washing- 
ton and  Mount  Constitution,  as  AA^ell  to 
prevent  the  regress  of  the  enemy’s  frig- 
ates lately  gone  up,  as  to  hinder  them 
from  receiving  succor.”  Apart  from  this, 
there  were  some  Avho  believed  that  the 
fort  should  be  held  at  all  risks.  Among 
them  AAuas  General  Greene,  Avho  Avas  sta- 
tioned at  Fort  Lee.  He  contended  that 
the  possession  of  Fort  Washington  Avould 
divert  a large  body  of  the  enemy,  and 
thus  divide  the  force  of  IIoAve;  and  that 

* Amenc'.in  Aicliives,  fifth  series,  11,  1008,  quoted  hy 
Irviii};;. 

it,  in  conjunction  Avith  Fort  Lee  opposite. 
Avould  serve  to  cover  the  transportation 

r 


UKVOLUTIONART.]  WILLIAM  HEATH.  375 


of  provisions  and  other  articles  up  the 
North  river  for  the  service  of  the  Ameri- 
can troops.  He  moreover  held  that,  at 
the  worst,  the  garrison  would  be  safe,  as 
the}^  could  be  conveyed  away  at  any  mo- 
ment by  boats  from  the  Jersey  side  of 
the  river.  It  was  finally  agreed  by  the 
council  of  war  that  Fort  Washington  be 
retained  as  long  as  possible.  More  than 
two  thousand  men  were  accordingly  as- 
signed for  that  purpose  ; and  Colonel  Ma- 
gaw,  to  whom  the  command  was  given, 
was  urged  to  defend  the  position  to  the 
last. 

Sir  William  Howe,  reinforced  by  a large 
body  of  Hessians  under  General  Knyp- 

Oct  22  ‘^^’^’ived  from  Germa- 

ny, continued  to  gather  his  forces 
on  the  New-York  border  of  the  sound, 
ind  to  extend  them  northward. 

Washington,  in  the  meantime,  having 
stationed  Lee  on  Valentine’s  hill,  beyond 
Kingsbridge,  with  one  of  the  four  divis- 
ions  of  the  army,  the  rest  followed  and 
formed  a line  of  detached  camps  along 
the  Avestern  side  of  the  river  Bronx,  ex- 
tending from  Lee’s  position  to  White 
Plains,  a distance  of  thirteen  miles.  The 
chief  himself  abandoned  the  Morris  man- 
sion, on  Harlem  heights,  and,  after  re- 
maining a few  days  Avith  Lee  at  Valen- 
tine’s hill,  established  his  headquarters 
near  White  Plains.  General  Heath,  Avho 
had  the  command  of  the  division  of  the 
army  toward  Long-island  soiwid,  Avas  di- 
re<;ted  to  Avatch  and  harass  the  enemy  as 
much  as  possible  in  that  quarter,  Avhile 
landing  and  marching  into  the  interior. 

WiLLiAAi  Heath,  a native  of  Eoxbury, 
m Massachusetts,  like  many  of  the  New- 


England  officers,  Avas  a farmer,  and  had 
left  the  plough  to  gird  on  the  SAVord.  He 
had,  hoAvever,  according  to  his  OAvn  ac- 
count, a very  early  proclivity  toAvard 
martial  life,  and  read  every  book  Avhicli 
fell  in  his  Avay  on  military  tactics,  until 
he  became,  as  he  tells  us,  quite  a profi- 
cient in  the  theory  of  Avar.  He  Avas  com- 
missioned by  the  Congress  of  his  OAvn 
province,  in  1775.  During  the  siege  of 
Boston,  he  Avas  present  as  a general  offi- 
cer, but  Avhen  offered  the  command  of 
a division,  “he  declined  the  hazardous 
service.”-^  Having  been  appointed  a feAV 
months  before  by  Congress  a major-gen- 
eral in  the  continental  army,  he  Avas  noAV 
in  command  of  one  of  its  divisions.  Heath 
Avas  in  person  corpulent  and  bald-headed, 
and  seemed  flattered  by  being  reminded 
that  he  resembled  the  marquis  of  Gran- 
by. He  had  little  opportunity  of  playing 
the  hero,  but  proved  himself  an  officer 
Avho  Avas  ahvays  faithful  to  duty;  and. 
though  of  an  easy  temper,  he  Avas  not 
Avithout  spirit  Avhen  called  upon  to  sus- 
tain his  OAvn  dignity  or  the  honor  of  his 
country. 

IIoAve  did  not  succeed  in  marching  in- 
to position  Avithout  some  stout  resistance. 
Glover’s  brigade  Avas  on  the  alert,  and  dis- 
puted the  ground  Avith  the  advancing  par- 
ties ; and  battalions  of  American  riflemen, 
stationed  behind  the  stone-fences,  suc- 
ceeded in  greatly  annoying  them.  Twice 
the  British  Avere  repulsed,  and  it  Avas  not 
until  they  came  up  for  the  third  time, 
and  in  solid  columns,  that  they  Avere  able 
to  force  their  Avay.  The  right  and  cen- 
tre of  HoAve’s  army  noAV  moved  two  miles 

* Thacher. 


376  J5ATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


to  the  northward  of  New  Rochelle,  on  the 
road  to  White  Plains. 

The  two  armies,  in  the  course  of  this 
simultaneous  movement,  were  for  some 
distance  in  a line  with  each  other  from 
north  to  south,  and  several  skirmishes 
ensued  between  the  outposts.  The  great 
desire  of  the  Americans  to  get  hold  of 
that  slippery  rogue.  Colonel  Rogers,  was 
very  nearly  l)eiug  gratified.  Howe,  when 
encamped  beyond  New  Rochelle,  ordered 
Rogers  Avith  his  Queen’s  Rangers  to  take 
possession  of  Mamaroneck,  and  there  es- 
tablish an  outpost.  Lord  Stirling,  who 
had  now  rejoined  the  army  (having  been 
lately  exchanged),  heard  of  the  where- 
abouts of  Rogers,  and  determined,  if  pos- 
sible, to  entrap  him.  A detachment  of 
Colonel  Haslet’s  “Delawares  and  Mary- 
landers” were  selected  for  the  purpose, 

and  the  nisfht  was  chosen,  in  or- 
Oct#  21#  ^ ^ 

der  that  darkness  might  increase 

the  chances  of  a successful  surprise.  Ev- 
erything Avas  conducted  Avitli  great  cau- 
tion, and  the  Americans  succeeded  in 
coming  upon  the  “ Rangers”  and  taking 
them  unaAvares.  The  guard  and  an  offi- 
cer were  put  to  the  SAVord,  thirty-six  were 
taken  prisoners,  and  a pair  of  colors,  sixty 
stand  of  arms,  and  a supply  of  clothing 
and  provisions,  captured.  Rogers,  Iioaa'- 
ever,  succeeded  in  making  his  escape, 
havino;  skulked  off  in  the  dark. 

These  skirmishes  became  quite  fre- 
quent, and  the  spirit  Avith  Avhich  the 
Americans  conducted  them  forced  Howe 
to  extreme  vigilance,  and  checked  the 
confidence  and  rapidity  of  his  move- 
ments. Washington  thus,  together  Avitli 
lIoAV'e’s  delay  in  landing,  Avas  enabled  to 


outflank  him.  The  Avhole  movement  of 
the  Americans  AA^as  Avell  conducted.  By 
keeping  the  Bronx  river  on  his  right,  and 
presenting  a constant  front  of  Avell-pro- 
tected  posts  to  the  enemy,  Washington 
Avas  enabled  to  remove  his  stores  and  bag-- 
gage,  and  rapidly  to  extend  his  line  so 
far  into  the  country,  as  to  defeat  the  en- 
emy’s intention  of  getting  in  his  rear  and 
hemming  him  in. 

At  White  Plains,  Avhere  Washington 
had  proceeded  Avith  the  advanced  divis- 
ion, he  chose  and  fortified  his  position  in 
such  a manner  as  to  afford  a cover  for 
his  AA'hole  army.  He  defended  the  front 
of  his  camp,  AAdiich  Avas  situated  on  high 
ground,  by  a double  line  of  intrench- 
ments.  The  right  AAung,  as  Avell  as  part 
of  the  rear,  Avas  protected  by  a bend  of 
the  river  Bronx,  AAdiile  the  left  AA^as  se- 
cured by  a deep  lake.  As  the  British 
continued  to  advance,  and  after  Wash- 
ington had  succeeded  in  bringing  up  all 
his  baggage  and  stores,  he  ordered  the 
detached  posts  to  be  abandoned, and  Avith- 
drew  all  his  army,  Avith  the  exception  of 
the  garrison  at  Fort  Washington,  Avithin 
his  fortified  camp  at  White  Plains. 

Lee,  of  course,  came  in  Avitli  his  divis- 
ion, and  none  AA^as  more  conspicuous  than 
he,  looked  up  to  as  he  Avas  by  all  for  his 
supposed  military  skill,  and  made  not  the 
less  remarkable  by  his  Avhims  and  oddi- 
ties. He  lodged  in  a small  house  near 
the  road  by  Avhich  General  Washington 
and  his  officers  frequently  passed  AA'hen 
out  reconnoitring.  On  returning,  they 
Avould  occasionally  stop  and  take  a din- 
ner AA'ith  Lee  — not,  perhaps,  so  much  on 
account  of  the  good  fare  of  the  house,  as 


1 

IIICVOLUTIONARY.]  WASHINGTON  AND  LEE  AT  WHITE  PLAINS.  377 

for  the  amusing  characteristics  of  the  host. 

tary  talents,  and  ahvays  listened  to  his 

Lee,  however,  affected  to  be  annoyed  by 

suo:«:estions  Avdth  marked  attention.  On 

these  frequent  visits,  and  said  one  day  to 

one  occasion,  the  tAvo  rode  out  together, 

liis  aids:  ‘‘You  must  look  me  out  anoth- 

in  company  Avith  some  oflhcer.s,  Avhen  Lee 

er  place,  for  I shall  have  Washington  and 

objeeted  to  the  ground  occupied  by  the 

all  his  puppies  continually  calling  upon 

army,  and,  pointing  to  some  heights  in 

me,  and  they  will  eat  me  up  !”  The  next 

the  distance,  said,  “ Yonder  is  the  ground 

morning,  seeing  Washington,  surrounded 

Ave  ought  to  occupy.” — “Let  us,  then. 

by  a suite  of  officers,  coming  up  the  road. 

go  and  vieAv  it,”  answered  Washington. 

the  eccentric  Lee,  expecting  another  vis- 

He  had,  hoAvever,  hardly  turned  his  steed 

it,  ordered  his  servant  to  chalk  upon  the 

in  that  direction,  AA’hen  a light-horseman 

door  of  his  house,  “ No  victuals  dressed 

rode  up  in  haste,  and  quickly  exclaimed. 

here  to-day.”  When  the  cavalcade  of 

“The  British  are  in  the  camp,  sir!”  — 

the  chief  passed  by  and  read  the  obvious 

“ Then,  gentlemen,  Ave  liaA’e  now  other 

hint,  they  spurred  on  their  horses,  and 

busine.ss  than  reconnoitring,”  said  Wash- 

laughingly  returned  to  dine  that  day  at 

ington ; and  he  galloped  Avith  all  speed 

their  own  quarters. 

back  to  the  camp,  followed  by  his  com- 

Lee,  notwithstanding,  Avas  one  of  the 

panions.  On  reaching  his  headquarters. 

most  frequent  companions  of  Washington 

he  Avas  informed  that  the  adA’ance-guards 

on  these  reconnoitring  expeditions,  and. 

had  been  driA’en  in,  and  that  the  enemy 

Avith  no  modest  reserve,  Avas  ahvays  of 

Avere  advancing.  Washington  then  di.s- 

his  opinions  very  free  in  criticising  the  dis- 

missed  his  officers,  saying,  “ Gentlemen, 

position  of  the  army.  Washington  had 

you  Avill  repair  to  your  respective  jiosts. 

1 deservedly  great  opinion  of  Lee’s  niili- 

and  do  the  best  you  can.”* 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Washington  takes  a Final  Survey. — The  Battle  of  AVhite 

Plains. — “A  Brilliant  but  Formidable  Sight.” — A Sudden 

Change  in  Howe’s  Tactics. — The  Struggle. — The  British  twice  driven  hack. — Young  Alexander  Hamilton  secures  his 
Fieldpieces. — The  End. — The  Loss. — The  “ Terrible  Horse.” — The  Sufferings  .and  Hardships  of  the  American  Troops. 

— Contempt  of  tlie  British. — Hard  Work  with  Spade  and  Pick. — A Night  of  Expectations. — An  Incident. — AVashington 
retires  rvith  his  AA’holc  Armv. — Howe  outmanoeuvred. — Evacuation  of  AA'^hitc  Plains. — Burning  of  the  Church. — The 

Denunciation  of  the  Act  by  AVashington. 

Though  the  intelligence  of  the 
advance  of  the  enemy  came  some- 

been  posted  in  order  of  battle,  and  Avas 
not  unprepared  to  meet  the  threatened 

what  suddenly  to  Washington  and  his  re- 

attack.  Washington, hoAVCA’cr, rode  along 

connoitring-party,  the  army  had  already 
48 

* Heath’s  Memoirs,  p.  77. 

r 

. 

1 

1 

■ 

378  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  ^^vARr  u, 

tlie  lines  to  tiike  a final  survey,  to  en- 
courage his  men,  and  make  such  changes 
in  the  disposition  of  his  troops  as  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  moment  might  suggest. 
On  the  right,  within  a short  distance  of 
the  camp,  there  was  a height  called  Chat- 
terton’s  hill.  This  was  an  advantageous 
position,  as  it  commanded  the  right  wing, 
which,  however,  Avas  someAvhat  protected 
by  the  river  Bronx,  Avhich  enclosed  by  its 
Avindings  that  part  of  the  camp  Avithin  an 
elboAV.  Some  militia  had  already  been 
posted  upon  the  hill ; but  Washington 
noAV  sent  Colonel  Haslet,  Avith  his  spirit- 
ed DehiAvares  and  Marylanders,  and  tAAm 
pieces  of  artillery  under  Captain  Alexan- 
der Hamilton,  to  reinforce  the  position, 
AAdiile  General  M‘Dongall  Avas  ordered  to 
take  the  command  of  the  Avhole. 

^ The  enemy  noAV  shoAved  them- 

selves,  advancing  m great  lorce 
along  the  acclivities  of  the  heights  upon 
which  they  had  been  encamped.  They 
came  on  in  two  columns,  their  right  un- 
der the  command  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
and  their  left  under  the  Hessian  De  Heis- 
ter.  It  Avas  a fine  October  noon,  and  the 
arms  and  gay  accoutrements  of  the  AA^ell- 
appointed  army  glistening  in  the  mid-day 
sun,  appeared  to  the  eyes  of  the  Ameri- 
cans “a  brilliant  but  a formidable  sight.” 

The  solid  British  columns  moved  stead- 
ily on,  bearing  directly  for  Washington’s 
front,  apparently  with  the  vieAv  of  driving 
everything  before  them  by  main  strength. 
As  they  approach  the  village  of  White 
Plains,  and  toward  the  American  breast- 
Avorks,  there  is  a sudden  pause  in  the 
march,  as  if  momentarily  hesitating  in 
their  purpose.  The  general  officers  ride 

up  and  gather  together  in  the  middle  of 
a Avheatfield,  and  hold  council.  Soon  the 
result  is  apparent:  IIoAve  changes  his  pur- 
pose. His  right  and  centre  are  still  mo- 
tionless, but  there  is  a great  stir  on  his 
left.  The  artillery  is  rapidly  draAvn  into 
position  and  pointed  toAvard  Chatterton 
hill,  on  Washington’s  right ; and  Avorking- 
parties  hurry  foiuvard  to  the  Bronx  riA^er, 
folloAA'ed  by  a large  detachment  of  Brit- 
ish and  Hessian  troops,  commanded  by 
General  Leslie.  At  the  same  moment,  a 
Hessian  brigade,  under  Colonel  Eahl,  falls 
back  to  some  distance  from  the  left  Aving, 
and  covers  the  Bronx  beloAV. 

General  Leslie,  under  the  cover  of  the 
artillery,  AAdiich  keeps  up  a constant  and 
heavy  fire,  passes  over  Avith  his  whole  de 
tachment, and,  leaving  his  cavalry  to  skirt 
the  base,  pushes  directly  iip  the  hill  Avith 
his  body  of  grenadiers  and  light-infantry. 

His  troops  are  thinned  by  the  tAvo  field 
pieces  under  the  skilful  handling  of  the 
young  Hamiltori,  and  severely  galled  by 
the  musketry  of  the  Marylanders.  Bald 
has  in  the  meantime  crossed  the  river  be- 
loAA",  and  is  ascending  the  hill  toward  the 
right  flank  of  the  Americans.  The  two 
detachments  noAv  form  a junction  and 
throng  up  the  heights  together,  filling 
every  ravine  and  covering  every  acclivi- 
ty Avith  their  numbers. 

The  American  militia  soon  disposed  of 
themselves.  A shot  from  the  enemy’s 
artillery  at  the  beginning  of  the  engage- 
ment had  carried  aAvay  one  man’s  thigh, 
and  so  frightened  the  others,  that  Gener- 
al M‘Dougall  had  great  difficulty  in  keep- 
ing them  from  running  aAvay.  He  finally 
posted  them,hoAvever,  behind  some  stone- 

— 

r 


{KVOLUTIONAKY.]  BATTLE  OF  WHITE  PLAINS.  379 

walls,  and  had  got  them  in  a fair  way  of 


doing  some  service,  when  the  sight  of 
about  two  hundred  and  fifty  British  light- 
horse,  dashing  about  the  base  of  the  hill, 
so  alarmed  them,  that  they  at  once  took 
to  their  heels ! 

The  combined  force  of  Leslie  and  Raid 
did  not  gain  the  summit  of  the  hill  with- 
out a hard  fight.  M‘Doiigall,  by  the  cow- 
ardice of  the  militia,  had  been  left  with 
only  six  hundred  men,  but  these  were 
the  brave  troops  of  Haslet,  Smallwood, 
andRitzema,and  they  clung  to  the  ground 
with  such  resolution,  and  resisted  the  en- 
emy so  spiritedly,  that  the  British  were 
twice  driven  back,  and  did  not  finally  win 
the  position  until  after  a hard  struggle, 
which  lasted  for  nearly  an  hour.  Gen- 
eral M‘Dousall  broimht  off  the  remnant 
of  his  men  in  good  order,  who  disputed 
every  inch  of  ground  with  the  enemy,  as 
th6  latter  pursued  them  down  the  hill, 
until  they  were  met  by  General  Putnam 
and  a detachment  of  troops  to  cover  their 
retreat  to  the  camp.  Young  Hamilton 
succeeded  in  securing  his  two  effective 
fieldpieces,  and  nothing  was  left  behind 
but  the  bare  breastworks  upon  the  hill. 
Even  the  wounded  were  carefully  carried 
off  the  field.  The  loss  on  both  sides  was 
about  equal,  amounting  to  some  three 
hundred  each  in  killed,  wounded,  and  ta- 
ken prisoners. 

The  British,  in  possession  of  Chatter- 
ton  hill,  busied  themselves  in  strengthen- 
ing the  position  by  additional  intrench- 
ments  and  breastworks.  General  Howe 
contented  himself  for  the  rest  of  the  day 
with  the  success  of  the  morning,  and  toAv- 
ard  evening  merely  moved  his  right  wing 


closer  to  the  American  camp,  so  that  his 
whole  front  presented  a semicircle.  The 
British  troops,  resting  on  their  arms  du- 
rino;  the  nio-ht,  waited  for  further  actio 
until  the  coming  of  the  next  dav. 

The  American  militiamen,  Avho  had 
been  so  frightened  by  the  sight  of  the 
English  cavalry,  gradually  in  scattered 
groups  found  their  way  back  to  the  lines 
from  the  neighboring  hills  to  Avhich  thev 
had  fled.  The  undisciplined  provincial 
troops  seem  to  have  had  as  great  a dread 
of  a horse  Avith  a trooper  on  his  back  as 
the  ancient  IMexicans  Avhen  they  beheld 
the  mounted  Avarriors  of  Cortez.  Wash- 
ington, perceiving  that  this  absurd  fear 
of  cavalry  Avas  creating  a great  deal  of 
mischief,  found  it  necessary  to  issue  an 
order,  in  Avhich  he  says  : “ Observing  that 
the  army  seems  unacquainted  Avith  the 
enemy’s  horse,  and  that  Avhen  any  par- 
ties meet  AAuth  them  they  do  not  oppose 
them  Avith  the  same  alacrity  Avhich  they 
shoAV  in  other  cases,  thinks  it  necessary 
to  inform  the  officers  and  soldiers  that, 
in  such  a broken  country,  full  of  stone- 
Avalls,  no  enemy  is  more  to  be  despised, 
as  they  can  not  leave  the  road.”  Wash- 
ington then  tells  his  militiamen  that  thev 
can  at  any  time  attack  a body  of  horse 
to  advantage  by  taking  post  in  the  Avoods 
by  the  roads,  or  along  the  stone-Avalls, 
Avhere  mounted  troops  Avill  not  A^enture 
to  folloAV  them.  MoreoA^er,  “as  an  en- 
couragement to  any  brave  parties  Avho 
Avill  endeavor  to  surprise  some  of  them,” 
the  general  “ offers  one  hundred  dollars 
for  every  trooper,  Avith  his  horse  and  ac- 
eoutrements,  Avho  shall  be  brought  in, 
and  so  in  proportion  for  any  part,  to  be 


380  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n 


divided  accordina;  to  the  rank  and  the 
pay  of  the  party.” 

(Jeneral  Howe  was  no  less  disposed  to 
take  advantage  of  this  terror  of  cavalry 
than  Wa-shina-ton  was  to  remove  it.  Ilav- 
ing  early  observed  how  apt  the  militia 
were  to  be  scared  away  by  a show  of 
mounted  troops  brandishing  their  swords, 
Ilowe  took  care  to  collect  throughout  the 
country  all  the  horses  he  could,  in  order 
to  keep  up  his  cavalry  regiments,  which 
had  been  greatly  thinned  by  the  losses 
at  sea  in  the  course  of  the  long  voyages 
of  the  transports.  He  also  wrote  to  the 
British  government  for  an  additional  sup- 
ply ; and,  whenever  occasion  offered,  he 
was  sure  to  send  out  his  mounted  troop- 
ei’s,  to  make  as  clattering  and  brilliant  a 
dash  as  possible,  in  order  to  frighten  the 
weak  nerves  of  the  uninitiated. 

Washington  was  expecting  an  attack 
at  any  moment  His  lines  were  accord- 
ingly manned  during  the  whole  night, 
and  the  men  kept  at  work  at  the  redoubts 
and  breastworks,  with  but  rare  intervals 
of  repose,  when  they  were  forced  to  lie 
down  in  the  cold  trenches.”  So  much 
exposed,  so  hard-worked,  and  in  such  a 
wretched  condition  (from  want  of  proper 
food  and  clothing),  were  the  American 
troops,  that  some  of  the  officers  began  to 
believe  that  if  the  enemy  did  not  destroy 
the  American  army,  it  would  perish  of 
itself  without  fighting.  The  British  offi- 
cers  looked  on  all  this  misery  with  undis- 
guised contempt,  and  spoke  mockingly 
of  “the  tatterdemalions  who  have  but  a 
few  coats  among  them  but  what  are  out 
of  elbows,”  and  of  “ whole  regiments  in 
which  there  is  scarce  a pair  of  breech- 


es.”* We  shall  find,  however,  that  these 
“ tatterdemalion,”  ragged  and  shirtless  as 
they  were,  succeeded  under  Washington 
in  checking  and  outmanoeuvring  all  the 
brilliant  and  haughty  battalions  mar- 
shalled by  Sir  William  Howe  and  his 
proud  staff  of  officers. 

Mea  ger  as  W ashington’s  resources  were, 
he  made  the  most  of  them  ; and  in  justice 
to  his  troops  it  may.be  stated  that  how- 
ever poor  a military  show  they  might 
make  in  battle  array,  they  were  indefati- 
gable in  their  labors  with  the  pick  and 
the  spade.  They  worked  well  and  long 
during  that  night  of  anxious  expectation, 
and,  before  morning,  had  doubled  the  in- 
trenchments  and  raised  three  re- 

Oct#  20. 

doubts.  The  breastworks  were 
rudely  made  of  the  best  material  at  hand. 
Cornstalks  were  plucked  from  the  neigh- 
boring fields,  and  served,  with  the  earth 
clinging  to  their  roots,  the  purpose  of 
sods  and  fiiscines. 

General  Howe,  when  he  observed  the 
result  of  one  night’s  work  upon  Washing- 
ton’s line,  seemed  in  no  disposition  to  be- 
gin a general  attack ; and,  waiting  for 
reinforcements,  he  limited  himself  to  an 
occasional  skirmish  with  the  more  ad- 
vanced American  posts.  Early  in  the 
morning,  however,  he  moved  his  right 
wing  still  closer  to  the  left  of  the  Ameri- 
cans. Washington  supposed  that  Howe’s 
design  was  to  get  to  his  rear,  according 
to  his  original  plan.  Every  measure  was 
taken,  therefore,  to  prevent  this  move- 
ment. The  stores  and  baggage  were  hur- 
ried toward  the  rear  as  fast  as  possible, 
and  the  left  of  the  army  fell  some  dis- 

* Quoted  by  Irving. 


uKVOLunoNART.]  A SKIRMISH— THE 

WIDOW  S GARDEN.  381 

tance  back,  to  prevent  being  outflanked 

brisk  cannonade,  but  persevere  in  trying 

by  Howe’s  advancing  right  wing.  When 

to  mount  the  high  ground  ivith  their 

this  manoeuvre  of  the  enemy  began,  Wash- 

light-horse  and  artillery.  After  firing  a 

ington’s  secretary  was  writing  to  Congress 

few  rounds,  however,  they  are  obliged  to 

thus : “ Our  post,  from  its  situation,  is  not 

retire,  and  content  themselves  with  a po- 

so  advantageous  as  could  be  wished,  and 

sition  farther  back,  and  out  of  reach  of 

was  only  intended  as  temporary  and  oc- 

Glover’s  cannon. 

casional,  till  the  stores  belonging  to  the 

Howe  evidently  was  not  disposed  to 

army,  which  had  been  deposited  here, 

risk  a general  engagement ; and,  having 

could  be  removed.  The  enemy  coming 

encamped  his  army  within  “ long  cannon- 

on  so  suddenly  has  distressed  us  much. 
They  are  now  close  at  hand,  and  most 

shot”  of  the  American  lines,  he 

^ Oct#  29# 

awaited  the  arrival  of  reinforce- 

probably  will  in  a little  time  commence 

ments  under  Earl  Percy,  who  had  been 

their  second  attack ; we  expect  it  every 

ordered  up  from  Harlem,  where  he  was 

hour;  perhaps  it  is  beginning.  I have 

stationed. 

just  heard  the  report  of  some  cannon.” 

While  the  two  armies  lay  opposite  to 

The  firing  which  was  heard  by  the  sec- 

each  other,  an  incident  occurred  which  a 

retary  came  from  a hot  skirmish  between 

dilia::ent  annalist  has  not  thought  too  friv- 

a detachment  of  Hessians  and  Colonel 

olous  to  record,  in  the  absence,  during 

Glover’s  brigade.  The  colonel  held  pos- 

that  night  of  expectation,  of  more  impor- 

session  of  a height  in  advance  of  the 

taut  events.  It  happened  that  a garden 

American  camp,  where  he  had  posted  his 

of  a widow  woman,  which  lay  between 

troops  behind  a breastwork  mounted  with 

the  two  hostile  camps,  had  been  repeat- 

one  brass  twenty-four,  a six  and  a three 

edly  robbed.  Her  son,  a mere  boy,  and 

pounder,  and  three  iron  twelve-pounders. 

“ little  of  his  age,”  asked  permission  to 

As  the  British  closed  in  with  their  col- 

try  to  find  out  and  secure  the  thief,  in 

umns,  in  order  to  approach  nearer  to  the 

case  he  should  return.  His  mother  hav- 

American  camp,  Glover  determined  to 

ing  consented,  the  lad,  armed  with  a gun. 

harass  them.  Their  line  extends  from 

concealed  himself  at  nio-lit  amon.q;  the 

right  to  left,  with  the  cavalry  and  artil- 

overgrown  weeds  of  the  garden.  Soon 

lery  in  front,  as  far  as  can  be  seen,  and 

a great  strapping  Highlander  came  gro- 

no  less  a number  than  twelve  thousand 

ping  his  way  among  the  cabbages,  and. 

men  appear  to  be  under  arms.  They  ap- 

having  filled  a large  bag  he  carried,  pre- 

proach  Glover’s  position, but  he  withholds 

pared  to  decamp.  The  lad  stole  softly 

his  fire  until  some  of  the  troops  have  en- 

after  him,  and,  coming  close  to  the  fellow. 

tered  a valley  and  are  about  to  ascend 

cocked  his  gun  and  called  out : “ You  are 

the  heights  which  bound  it.  He  then 

my  prisoner.  If  you  attempt  to  throw 

begins  with  his  three-pounder,  next  with 

your  bag  down.  I’ll  shoot  you  dead  ! Go 

his  six,  and  finally  with  his  twenty-four. 

forward  in  that  road.”  The  man  did  not 

The  British  are  much  confused  by  this 

venture  to  turn  around,  but  went  on  a? 

BATTLES  OF  AMERICA, 


[PAKT  II. 


3S2 

he  was  bid,  with  the  boy  and  his  gun 
close  after  him,  and  was  thus  driven  into 
the  American  camp,  where  he  was  se- 
cured. Tlie  strapping  grenadier  was  now 
permitted  to  come  to  a halt,  whereupon 
he  threw  down  his  bag,  and  turned  to 
look  at  his  captor.  When  he  discovered 
that  he  was  a mere  boy,  and  “ little  of 
his  age,”  he  gave  vent  to  his  indignant 
vexation,  exclaiming,  “ A British  grena- 
dier made  prisoner  by  such  a d d brat 

— by  such  a d d brat!”* 

^ Another  day  passed  without 
Octi  30i  ^ 

any  show  of  active  hostility.  The 

British  general,  however,  kept  his  troops 
at  work  in  entrenching  his  camp.  In  the 
evening  Earl  Percy  arrived,  and  the  next 
morning  was  appointed  for  the  attack 
upon  the  American  lines.  But  at  mid- 
night, a heavy  storm  with  wind  and  rain 
he(>:an,  and  continued  durino;  the  whole 
of  the  following  day,  so  that  the  British 
commander  was  again  forced  to  remain 
inactive. 

Washington,  havino;  learned  from  a de- 
sorter,  of  the  arrival  of  Earl  Percy,  and 
of  Howe’s  intended  movements,  deter- 
mined to  shift  his  position.  According- 

„ ly,  in  the  course  of  the  night,  he 
Oct. 31.  ^ ® 

withdrew  Ins  army  trom  Wliite 

Plain.s,  for  a distance  of  five  miles,  to  the 

Iiigher  ground  toward  Newcastle  and  the 

Croton  river,  leaving  a strong  rear-guard 

rm  the  heights  and  in  the  woods  of  White 

* Gordon. 


Plains.  Wasliington’s  ground  was  admi- 
rably  chosen  ; and  with  the  breastworks 
which  he  threw  up,  extending  from  hill 
to  hill,  he  could  bid  defiance  to  the  ene- 
my. Howe,  becoming  aware  in  the  ear- 
ly morning  of  this  movement,  discovered 
that,  with  all  his  brilliant  advantages,  he 
had  been  outmanoeuvred,  and  that  it  was 
hopeless  to  attempt  by  an  assault  to  dis- 
lodge the  Americans  from  their  new  po- 
sition. He  therefore  contented  himself 
with  making  a demonstration  against 
Washington’s  rear-guard  on  the  heights 
of  White  Plains;  but,  before  his  troops 
could  advance  to  the  attack,  they  were 
driven  back  again  into  camp,  to  take  shel- 
ter from  the  heavy  rain. 

During  the  night  while  the  Americans 
were  evacuating  White  Plains,  the  village 
church,  the  courthouse,  and  other  build 
ings,  were  set  on  fire  and  burnt  by  the 
order  of  a major  in  the  command  of  the 
guards  and  sentries,  while  “ heated  with 
liquor.”  Washington  was  indignant  at 
this  act,  and  warmly  expre.ssed  himself 
upon  the  subject,  saying  in  the  general 
order  of  the  next  day : “ It  is  Avith  the 
utmost  astonishment  and  abhorrence  that 
the  general  is  informed  that  some  base 
and  coAvardly  wretches  last  night  set  fire 
to  the  courthouse  and  other  building.s, 
Avhich  the  enemy  had  left.  The  army 
may  rely  on  it  that  they  shall  be  brought 
to  justice,  and  meet  with  the  punishment 
they  deserve.” 


r 


liEVOLDTioNARY.]  THE  BRITISH  RETREAT— AMERICANS  REVOLT.  383 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Tlie  Enemy  decamp  — I’liz^din"  Cnndnct. — Wasliin^ton  still  worried  about  the  Army. — Kcbellion  among-  the  Troops  — 
The  Americans  abandon  Fort  Independence,  &c.,  on  the  Approach  of  the  Enemy. — Fort  Washington  strengthened  — 
Doubts  about  holding  it. — Washington  opposed,  Greene  in  favor,  and  carries  the  Day. — Washington  at  Peekskill.— 
The  Great  Pr<‘parations  of  the  Enemy  again, st  Fort  Washington. — Description  of  the  Fort. — The  Fort  invested. — Sum- 
mons to  surrender. — Magaw’s  Spirited  Response. — The  Defences. — Operations  of  the  Assailants. 


The  British,  after  remaining  sev- 
1770  ^ ^ 

eral  days  in  front  of  the  American 

lines  without  atteinptinj^  anything,  final- 
ly broke  up  their  encampments  on  the 
4th  of  November,  and  marched  toward 
the  North  river  and  Kingsbridge.  Their 
purpose  was  a matter  of  anxious  speciu 
lation  in  Washington’s  camp.  Some  sup- 
posed that  they  were  going  into  winter- 
quarters,  and  would  sit  down  in  New  York, 
content  with  doing  nothing  more  than  in- 
vesting Fort  Washington.  The  general 
himself  wrote  : “ I can  not  subscribe  whol- 
ly to  this  opinion  myself.  That  they  will 
invest  Fort  Washington  is  a matter  of 
which  there  can  be  no  doubt ; and  I think 
there  is  a strong  probability  that  General 
Howe  wall  detach  a part  of  his  force  to 
make  an  incursion  into  the  Jerseys,  pro- 
vided he  is  o:oing  to  New  York.  He  must 
attempt  something  on  account  of  his  rep- 
utation ; for  what  has  he  done  as  yet  with 
his  great  army  ?”  Governor  Livingston, 
of  New  Jersey,  to  whom  this  letter  Avas 
written,  w'as  then  urged  by  Washington 
to  place  the  militia  of  his  state  on  the 
best  possible  footing,  and  recommended 
to  see  that  the  inhabitants  contiguous  to 
the  water  should  be  prepared  to  remove 
their  stock,  grains,  effects,  and  carriages, 


upon  the  earliest  notice.  Washington 
believed  that  New  Jersey  was  to  be  the 
scene  of  the  coming  campaign,  and  de- 
clared that,  as  soon  as  he  was  satisfied 
that  the  movement  just  made  by  the  en- 
emy wms  a real  retreat,  and  not  a feint, 
he  would,  with  the  utmost  expedition, 
throw  over  into  Jersey  a body  of  troops, 
to  assist  in  checking  Howe’s  progress. 

Washington  was  still  anxious  lest  he 
should  be  left  almost  without  troops.  The 
dissolution  of  the  army  was  fast  approach- 
ing, and  there  seemed  but  little  prospect 
of  levying  a new  one.  “ The  situation  of 
our  affairs,”  he  says,  “ is  critical  and  alarm- 
ing.” He  Avrote  to  the  assembly  of  Mas- 
sachusetts to  raise  at  once  four  thousand 
men  properly  accoutred  and  equipped,  to 
supply  the  place  of  those  under  General 
Lincoln,  Avho  it  Avas  feared  Avould  not  be 
prevailed  upon  to  stay  a moment  longer 
than  the  time  they  first  engaged  for. 

The  NeAAWork  militia  Avere  in  a state 
of  mutinjq  and,  refusing  to  do  duty,  de- 
clared that  General  HoAve  had  promised 
them  peace,  liberty,  and  safety,  and  that  Avas 
all  they  Avanted.  “ What  is  to  be  done 
with  them  ?”  Avrites  General  Greene,  Avho 
had  come  over  from  Fort  Lee,  and  found 
the  NeAV-Yorkers  stationed  a t Kingsbridge 


384  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


in  this  condition  of  almost  open  revolt. 
‘‘This  spirit”  he  declares,  “should  be 

checked  in  its  inflrncy I propose,”  he 

adds,  “ to  send  to  the  colonel  about  fifty 
men,  and  I have  directed  him  to  acquaint 
the  militia  that  if  they  refuse  to  do  duty, 
agreeably  to  the  orders  of  the  state,  I 
will  send  np  a regiment  and  order  them 
to  Fort  Lee,  to  do  duty  there.” 

Knyphausen  had  been  despatclied  by 
General  Howe,  previous  to  his  own  move- 
ment in  that  direction,  with  six  battalions 
of  Hessians  and  Waldeckers,  to  take  pos- 
session of  Kingsbridge.  He  started  from 
New  Rochelle,  and  marched  across  the 
country  to  the  west,  and,  after  crossing 
the  Harlem  river  at  Dykeman’s  bridge, 
took  up  his  post  on  a plain  near  King’s 
b'ridge.  The  Americans,  deserting  Fort 
Independence  and  all  the  works  in  that 
neighborhood  on  his  approach,  retired  to 
Fort  Washington. 

General  Howe  had  now  reached  the 
North  river  with  his  main  body,  and  was 

encamped  at  Dobb.s’s  ferry.  A 

^ov.  6.  „ . ^ ^ 

Irigate  and  two  transports  were 

immediately  despatched  by  his  brother, 
Lord  Howe,  from  the  fleet  in  New-York 
harbor,  to  carry  supplies  to  the  general. 
They  succeeded  without  difflculty  in  pas- 
sing through  the  clievaux-dc-frise  and  the 
forts  again,  and  anchored  safely  in  the 
river.  As  the  main  purpose  of  holding 
Fort  Washington  seemed  to  be  thus  en- 
tirely  frustrated,  the  commander-in-chief 
had  doubts  about  the  expediency  of  de- 

fending  that  post.  He  accord- 
iNov.  8.  . ° ^ 

ingly  writes  to  General  Greene  : 

“ The  late  passage  of  three  vessels  up  the 
Norfh  river,  of  which  we  have  just  re- 


ceived advice,  is  so  plain  a proof  of  the 
inefficacy  of  all  the  obstructions  we  have 
thrown  into  it,  that  I can  not  but  think 
it  will  justify  a change  in  the  disposition 
which  has  been  made.  If  we  can  not  pre- 
vent ve.ssels  from  passing  up,  and  the  en- 
emy are  possessed  of  the  surrounding 
country,  what  valuable  purpose  can  it  an- 
swer to  attempt  to  hold  a post  from  which 
the  expected  benefit  can  not  be  had  ? 1 
am  therefore  inclined  to  think  that  it  will 
not  be  prudent  to  hazard  the  men  and 
stores  at  Mount  Washington ; but  as  you 
are  on  the  spot,  I leave  it  to  you  to  give 
such  orders  as  to  evacuating  Mount  Wash- 
ington as  you  mayjudge  best,aud  so  far  re- 
voking the  order  given  to  Colonel  Magaw 
to  defend  it  to  the  last.”  The  opinion  of 
Washington  is  here  very  explicitly  de- 
clared against  holding  the  post,  but  he 
modestly  waived  his  own  views,  and,  as 
he  had  great  confidence  in  Greene’s  judg- 
ment, he  left  more  to  his  discretion  than 
he  otherwise  probably  would  have  done. 

The  defence  of  Fort  Washington  was 
a pet  measure  with  Greene  ; and,  in  spite 
of  the  opposition  of  the  commander-in- 
chief, of  General  Lee,  Colonel  Reed,  and 
the  most  skilful  of  the  officers,  he  advo- 
cated it  with  resolute  pertinacity.  Gen- 
eral Greene  answers  Washington’s  letter, 
saying : “ The  passing  of  the  ships  up  the 
river  i.s,  to  be  sure,  a full  proof  of  the  in- 
sufficiency of  the  obstructions  to  stop  the 
ships  from  going  up ; but  that  garri.son 
employs  double  the  number  of  men  to  in- 
vest it  that  we  have  to  occupy  it.  They 
must  keep  troops  to  Kingsbridge,  to  pre- 
vent a communication  with  the  country ; 
and  they  dare  not  leave  a very  small 


REVOi,CTioNARy.J  AVASIIINGTON’S  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  LEE.  385 

number,  for  fear  our  people  should  attack 
them.  Upon  the  whole,  I can  not  help 
thinking  that  the  garrison  is  of  advan- 
tage; and  I can  not  conceive  it  to  he  in 
any  great  danger.” 

Greene  was  confirmed  in  his  view  of 
the  strength  of  the  position  hy  the  con- 
fident declaration  of  Colonel  Magaw,  in 
command  of  the  garrison,  that  it  would 
take  the  enemy,  to  get  it,  at  least  until 
the  end  of  December.  Moreover,  Greene 
held  that  if  matters  should  grow  desper- 
ate, the  men  could  he  brought  off  at  any 
time  ; and  eve^i  the  stores,  though  not  so 
easily  removed,  might  he  got  away.  Fi- 
nally, he  concludes,  “ if  the  enemy  do  not 
find  the  fort  an  object  of  importance,  they 
will  not  trouble  themselves  about  it;  if 
they  do,  it  is  a full  proof  that  they  feel 
an  injury  from  our  possessing  it.  Our 
giving  it  up  will  open  a free  communi- 
cation with  the  country  hy  the  way  of 
Kingsbridge.  That  must  he  a great  ad- 
vantage to  them,  and  injury  to  us.” 

The  enemy  now  prepared  to  invest 
Fort  Washington;  and  the  garrison,  in 
command  of  the  brave  Colonel  Magaw, 
to  defend  it. 

Washington,  believing  that  Howe  was 
preparing  for  an  expedition  to  Ne\v  Jer- 
sey, disposed  his  troops  accordingly.  The 
Maryland  and  Virginia  regiments,  under 
Lord  Stirling,  were  the  first  sent  across, 
and  the  commander-in-chief  himself  pre- 
pared soon  to  follow  them.  The  posts  in 
the  Highlands,  including  the  passes  on 
both  sides  of  the  Hudson,  and  the  upper 
forts.  Constitution,  Montgomery,  and  In- 
dependence, were  placed  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  faithful  Heath,  with  his  Con- 
49 

necticut  and  Massachusetts  troops,  and  a 
brigade  of  New-York  militia  under  Gen 
eral  George  Clinton.  AVashington  fol- 
lowed this  division  to  Peekskill, 
in  order  to  examine  the  passes 
in  the  HighlaiuLs,  and  direct  the  construc- 
tion of  such  works  as  might  be  neces- 
sary. 

General  Lee  was  left  in  command  of 
the  troops  remaining  at  the  old  encamp- 
ment at  Newcastle.  The  confidence  of 
the  commander-in-chief  in  Lee’s  capacity, 
as  well  as  Washington’s  own  modest  ap- 
preciation of  himself  in  comparison  with 
his  high  esteem  of  his  subordinate,  may 
be  inferred  from  the  nature  of  his  “ in- 
structions.” 

“ The  late  movement  of  the  enemy,” 
says  AVashington,  “ and  the  probability  of 
their  having  designs  upon  the  Jerseys, 
confirmed  by  sundry  accounts  from  de- 
serters and  prisoners,  rendering  it  neces- 
sary to  throw  a body  of  troops  over  the 
North  river,  I shall  immediately  follow, 
and  the  command  of  the  armj'^  which 
remains,  after  General  Heath’s  division 
marches  to  Peekskill,  will  devolve  upon 
you. 

“ A little  time  now  must  manifest  the 
enemy’s  designs,  and  point  out  to  you 
the  measures  proper  to  be  pursued  by 
that  part  of  the  army  under  your  com- 
mand. I shall  give  no  directions,  there- 
fore, on  this  head,  having  the  most  entire 
confidence  in  your  judgment  and  milita- 
ry exertions.  One  thing,  however,  I will 
suggest,  namely,  that  the  appearance  of 
embarking  troops  for  the  Jerseys  may  be 
intended  as  a feint  to  weaken  us,  and  ren- 
der the  strong  post  we  now  hold  more 

1 

586  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  ii. 


vulnerable  ; or  the  enemy  may  find  that 
troops  are  assembled  with  more  expedi- 
tion and  in  greater  numbers  than  they 
expected,  on  the  J ersey  shore,  to  oppose 
them ; and  as  it  is  possible,  from  oire  or 
the  other  of  these  motives,  that  they  may 
3'et  pay  the  army  under  your  command 
a visit,  it  will  be  unnecessary,  I am  per- 
suaded, to  recommend  to  you  the  pro- 
priety of  putting  this  post,  if  you  stay  at 
it,  into  a proper  posture  of  defence,  and 
of  guarding  against  surpluses.  But  I 
would  recommend  it  to  your  considera- 
tion, whether,  should  the  above  conjec- 
tures be  realized,  your  retiring  to  Croton 
bridge,  and  some  strong  post  still  more 
easterly,covering  the  other  passes  through 
the  Highlands,  may  not  be  more  advisa- 
ble than  to  run  the  hazard  of  an  attack 
with  unequal  numbers.” 

The  troops  under  Lee  now  numbered' 
about  eight  thousand  men.  Among  these 
there  were,  however,  over  four  thousand 
militia  from  Massachusetts  and  Connecti- 
cut, whose  term  of  service  was  about  ex- 
piring. General  Lee  strove  to  induce 
them  to  remain,  and  made  one  of  his  usu- 
al stirring  appeals  to  their  patriotism,  re- 
minding them  of  the  sacred  cause  in  which 
they  were  engaged.  Ilis  eloquence,  how- 
ever, proved  of  no  avail,  and  the  home- 
sick militiamen  could  not  be  persuaded 
to  remain  even  a single  day  beyond  their 
term.  The  governors  of  Connecticut  and 
Massachusetts  were,  nevertheless,  doing 
their  best  to  fill  their  places  by  new  lev- 
ies of  militia. 

Washington,  after  his  arrival  at  Peeks- 
kill.  passed  a day  in  inspecting  the  posts 
and  forts  in  the  Highlands.  He  then,  by 


a circuitous  march  of  about  sixty  miles 
(which  he  was  obliged  to  take  in  conse- 
quence of  the  British  ships  which  opposetl 
the  passage  at  the  lower  ferries  of  the 
Hudson), repaired  with  five  thousand  men 
to  Hackensack,  in  New  Jersey,  where  he 
formed  an  encampment.  Fort 
Jjee,  on  the  river,  where  Greene 
commanded,  was  in  front  of  him,  and  this 
was  his  daily  post  of  observation.  The 
movements  and  intentions  of  the  enemy 
were  still  perplexing.  Sir  William  Howe 
had  moved  his  main  force  from  Dobbs’s 
ferry  in  the  direction  of  Kingsbridge; 
“ and  it  seems,”  says  Washington,  ‘‘  to  be 
generally  believed  on  all  hands  that  the 
investing  of  Fort  \Vashington  is  one  ob- 
ject they  have  in  view  ; but  that  can  em- 
ploy but  a small  part  of  their  force.”  He 
thought  that  a southern  expedition  was 
intended,  w'hich  opinion  seemed  to  be  con- 
firmed by  the  fact  that  many  transports 
were  “ wooding  and  watering.” 

Fort  Washington  was,  however,  at  this 
moment,  the  great  object  of  all  the  ene- 
my’s preparations.  On  the  night  of  the 
14th  of  November,  thirty  flat-boats  had 
been  sent  up  from  the  British  fleet  in  the 
bay  of  New  York,  and,  having  passed  up 
the  Hudson  between  the  forts  unobserved 
— in  spite  of  all  the  watchfulness  of  the 
American  guards — got  safely  into  Spuy- 
ten-Devil  creek,  and  thence  into  the  Har- 
lem river.  At  this  point  the  boats  were 
kept  in  readiness  for  the  use  of  General 
Howe’s  army,  now  brought  down  and  en- 
camped on  Fordham  heights,  preparatory 
to  the  investment  of  Fort  Wa.shington. 
By  means  of  this  water-conveyance,  the 
British  commander  was  enabled  to  throw 


i 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  INVESTMENT  OF  FORT  WASHINGTON.  S87 

across  the  Harlem  river  at  any  point  on 

It  Avas  garrisoned  at  first  by  only  about 

New-York  island,  above  or  below,  those 

tAvo  thousand  men,  to  Avhich  were  added. 

troops  which  might  be  required  to  aid 

hoAvever,  some  troops  from  the  flying 

his  operations. 

camp,  sent  over  by  General  Greene  from 

Mount  Washington,  which  was  destined 

Fort  Lee,  making  the  Avhole  number  near- 

to  be  the  scene  of  the  coming  conflict. 

ly  three  thousand,  under  the  several  com- 

presents  a good  site  for  a defensive  Avork. 

mands  of  Colonels  MagaAA',  Cadwallader, 

The  hill,  with  a height  of  some  six  bun- 

Baxter,  and  RaAvlings.  Magaw,  as  the 

dred  feet  above  the  Hudson,  is  protected 

senior  of  these  officers,  Avas  commander- 

on  all  sides,  except  toAvard  the  south,  by 

in-chief  of  the  post.  He  Avas  a spirited 

steep  acclivities.  Upon  the  summit  is  a 

felloAV,  and  spoke  confidently  of  his  abil- 

stretch  of  table-land,  of  several  acres  in 

ity  to  hold  the  place.  The  original  pur- 

extent,  Avhich  ahvays  aflbrds  some  point 

pose  of  the  fort  (avIucIi  Avas,  to  command 

for  the  command  of  each  approach.  Here 

the  entrance  of  the  Hudson)  had  been  so 

was  built  the  fort,  which  had  been  hastily 

often  defeated  by  the  enemy’s  ships  and 

throAvn  up  by  Colonel  Rufus  Putnam  soon 

boats  defiantly  passing  it,  that  its  defence 

after  the  march  of  Washington’s  army 

Avas  bj^  many  considered  unnecessary  ind 

from  Boston  to  New  York.  The  design 

impolitic.  The  matter,  liOAveA^er,  had  been 

Avas,  to  give  a pentagonal  form  to  the  cit- 

left  to  the  discretion  of  General  Greene, 

adel,  and  surround  it  Avith  five  bastions. 

and  he  encouraged  MagaAv  in  bravely  re 

Howe\'er,  from  want  of  engineering  skill. 

•sisting  to  the  last. 

of  time,  or  of  care,  the  Avorks  remained 

The  enemy  noAV  made  such  a disposi- 

incomplete,  as  may  be  gathered  from  this 

tion  of  their  troop.s,  that  thej^  Avere  ena- 

description  by  one  Avho  Avas  doing  duty 

bled  to  environ  the  Avhole  fortress.  Gen- 

in  its  defence  : “ There  Avere  no  barracks, 

eral  Knyphausen  Avas  near  Kingsbiidge, 

or  casemates,  or  fuel,  or  Avater,  Avithin  the 

at  the  north,  Avith  five  hundred  Hessians 

body  of  the  place.  It  Avas  an  open,  earth- 

and  Waldeckers,in  tAVO  divisions,  the  right 

en  construction,  Avith  ground  at  a short 

one  of  Avhich  Avas  commanded  by  Colonel 

distance  on  the  back  of  it  equally  high. 

Rahl.  To  the  east  Avas  General  MatheAA^, 

if  not  higher ; Avithout  a ditch  of  any  con- 

at  th^  head  of  the  first  and  second  battal- 

sequence,  if  there  Avas  a ditch  at  all ; no 

ions  of  guards,  supported  by  Lord  Corn- 

outAVorks(an  incipient  one  on  the  north. 

Avallis  Avith  the  thirty-third  regiment  and 

not  deserving  the  appellation),  or  any  of 

a body  of  British  grenadiers.  These  Avere 

those  exterior,  multiplied  obstacles  and 

on  the  east  side  of  the  Harlem  river,  Avhich 

defences,  that  could  entitle  it  to  the  name 

they  Avere  ready  to  cross,  under  the  cover 

of  a fortress,  in  any  degree  capable  of 

of  tAVO  redoubts  raised  there  for  that  pur 

sustaining  a siege.  It  required  no  paral- 

pose.  Lord  Percy  had  been  ordered  doAvn 

lels  to  approach  it:  the  citadel  Avas  at  once 

to  the  neighborhood  of  Harlem  plains. 

within  reach  of  the  assailants.’”'- 

whence  he  Avas  prepared  Avith  a large 

* Graydon. 

force  of  English  and  Hessian  troops  to 

588  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 

1 

attack  the  American  position  from  the 
south.  A third  division,  composed  prin- 
cipally of  the  forty-second  regiment,  was 
under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stirling,  who 
was  directed  to  be  in  readiness  to  embark 
on  board  the  fiabboats,  and  drop  down 
the  Harlem,  with  the  view  of  making  a 
feint  of  landing,  or  such  an  attack  as  cir- 
^ cumstances  Avould  justify.  Gen- 

eral Howe,  being  thus  prepared, 
summoned  MagaAV  to  surrender,  threat- 
eninii  extremities  in  case  of  refusal.  To 
this  summons  Magaw  unhesitatingly  an- 
SAvered : — 

“Sir:  If  I rightly  understand  the  pur- 
port of  your  message  from  General  HoAve, 
communicated  to  Colonel  SAvoope,  this 
post  is  to  be  immediately  surrendered,  or 
put  to  the  SAVord.  I think  it  rather  a 
mistake  than  a settled  purpose  of  General^ 
lIoAve,  to  act  a part  so  uiiAvorthy  of  him- 
self and  the  British  nation.  But  give  me 
leave  to  assure  his  excellency  that,  actu- 
ated by  the  most  glorious  cause  that  man- 
kind ever  fought  in,  I am  determined  to 
defend  this  post  to  the  very  last  extrem- 
ity. 

“Robert  Magaav.” 

A copy  of  this  spirited  ansAver  of  Ma- 
gaAV  Avas  handed  to  General  Greene,  Avho 
was  then  at  Fort  Washington,  and  by  him 
despatched  immediately  to  the  command- 
er-in-chief at  Hackensack.  Washington 
at  once  hurried  to  Fort  Lee,  and,  taking 
a boat,  began  to  push  across  the  river. 
He  had  got  partly  over,  Avhen  he  Avas  met 
by  Generals  Putnam  and  Greene,  on  their 
return  from  Fort  Washington.  They  in- 
formed him  that  the  troops  Avere  in  high 

spirits,  and  Avould  make  a good  defence. 
Washington,  after  this  satisfactory  intel- 
ligence, and  it  being  late  at  night,  Avas 
induced  to  return. 

MagaAv  noAv  prepared  to  defend  his  po- 
sition. Early  next  morning,  he  ^ 
posted  his  troops,  partly  in  the 
lines  Avhich  had  been  throAvn  up  by  the 
army  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mount  Wash- 
ington on  evacuating  Ncav  York, and  part- 
ly on  a commanding  hill  lying  toAvard  the 
north.  MagaAv  seemed  conscious  of  the 
inadequacy  of  the  defences  of  the  fort, 
and  therefore  preferred,  instead  of  coop- 
ing up  his  troops  Avhere  they  Avould  be 
ill  able  to  resist  an  assault,  to  extend  them 
in  such  a Avay  as  to  command,  if  possible, 
the  approaches  to  Mount  Washington, 
upon  the  summit  of  AA'hich  stood  the  ill- 
conditioned  fortress.  The  lines  thus  oc- 
cupied by  the  American  troops  embraced 
a circuit  of  some  four  or  five  miles ; and 
Avhen  Ave  recollect  that  the  Avhole  num- 
ber amounted  to  only  about  three  thou 
sand  men,  it  may  be  easily  conceived  that 
there  could  be  at  no  single  point  any 
great  concentration  of  strength.  An  at- 
tacking force  of  nearly  eight  thousand 
men  at  its  command  could  therefore  out- 
number greatly  its  opponents  in  every 
direction. 

On  a hill  to  the  nortliAvard  of  the  fort 
there  Avas  a redoubt,  called  Fort  George. 
Here  Colonel  RaAvlings  Avas  2iosted,  Avith 
most  of  his  troops,  principally  Maryland 
riflemen.  He  held,  hoAvever,  Avith  a few 
men,  an  outpost  called  Cock-hill  fort,  sit- 
uated beyond,  just  at  the  entrance  of 
Spuy ten-Devil  creek ; and  another,  called 
Fort  Tryon,  in  the  same  direction,  but 

■S 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  PREPARATIONS 

FOR  DEFENCE.  389 

nearer  Mount  W ashington.  Colonel  Eaw- 

slight  intrenchment,  with  a few  weak  has- 

lings  presented  a front  to  oppose  Knyp- 

tions,  without  platforms  for  cannon,  and 

hausen  and  his  Hessians,  stationed  before 

furnished  Avith  no  other  ordnance  than  a 

him  on  the  plain  reaching  to  Kingsbridge. 

fcAV  old  iron  pieces  of  small  calibre,  scarce- 

On  the  wooded  and  hilly  banks  of  the 

ly  fit  for  use,  and  an  iron  six-pounder 

Harlem  river,  eastward  of  the  fort,  was 

mounted  on  trucks.  The  second  and  in- 

Colonel  Baxter,  with  a body,  chietly  of 

ner  line  was  stronger,  both  from  the  na-- 

militia,  detached  from  the  Hying  camp. 

ture  of  the  ground,  which  afforded  small 

and  sent  by  Greene  at  the  last  moment. 

eminences  for  bastions  closed  in  the  rear. 

from  New  J ersey.  These  troops  were  not 

and  from  having  the  intervals  between 

very  efficient,  and  so  few  in  numbers  in 

the  bastions  strongly  picketed.  The  first 

proportion  to  the  long  extent  of  ground 

line  seemed  calculated  rather  for  retard- 

to  be  guarded,  that  for  a distance  of  a 

ing  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  than  as 

mile  or  more  the  heights  on  the  east. 

a seriously  defensive  work  ; it  being  noth- 

along  the  Harlem  river,  were  in  reality 

ing  more  (with  the  exception  of  the  has- 

without  defence.  Baxter  was  to  watch 

tions)  than  a shallow  ditch,  with  the  earth 

the  movements  of  the  enemy  on  the  op- 

thrown  outAvard.  The  second  line  Avas 

posite  side  of  the  river,  where  General 

formed  at  a proper  distance  from  the  first. 

Mathew  was  posted,  in  readiness  to  cross 

so  as  to  protect  the  latter  by  musketry 

and  attempt  to  make  a landing  in  front 

as  Avell  as  cannon,  and  to  drive  out  the 

of  the  fort,  under  cover  of  the  redoubts 

enemy,  should  he  get  possession  of  it: 

which  had  been  raised  by  the  British  for 

but  this  second  line,  on  the  day  of  the 

that  purpose. 

attack  of  Fort  Washington,  Avas  from  ne- 

Colonel  Lambert  Cadwallader,  of  Phil- 

cessity  Avholly  Avithout  defence,  either  of 

adelphia,  with  about  eight  hundred  men. 

troops  or  artillery  of  any  description.”* 

chiefly  the  Pennsylvania  regiment  of  Ma- 

Earl  Percy,  Avith  his  fifteen  hundred  Brit- 

gaw,  was  posted  about  two  and  a half 

ish  and  Hessians,  threatened  the  fort  on 

miles  to  the  southward  of  the  fort,  to  de- 

the  south.  Colonel  CadAvallader  and  his 

fend  the  American  works  in  that  quarter. 

eight  hundred  men  Avere  posted  to  defend 

These  were  composed  of  two  lines,  each 

the  outer  lines,  and  if  possible  to  prevent 

about  a mile  in  length,  nearly  parallel. 

his  lordship’s  approach  in  that  direction. 

which  extended  from  near  the  Harlem 

Colonel  MagaAV  himself  remained  Avithin 

river,  across  the  island,  to  the  Hudson. 

the  fcrt. 

The  first  line,  toward  New  York,  was  ‘‘  a 

* Graydon. 

_ 

3'jO  battles  of  AMERICA.  L^art  ii. 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Port  Washington. — The  Attack  of  the  Enemy. — The  Separate  Divisions. — Kahl  witii  the  Right  of  the  Hessians. — Knyp- 

hausen  with  the  Left. — Their  Reception  by  the  Provincials. — Matliew  and  tlie  British  Guards. — Their  Success. — Death 
of  Baxter. — Flight  of  his  Men. — Earl  Percy  and  his  Force. — Spirited  llesistance  of  Cadvvallader. — Dropping  dowm  the 
Harlem  River. — The  Enemy  secure  a Landing. — The  Marylanders  forced  to  retire. — The  Hard  Struggle. — Capture  of 

I'orts  George,  Cock-Hill,  and  Tiyon. — Concentration  of  the  Hessians. — Successful  Retreat  of  Cadwallader. — Wash- 
ington watcliing  the  Movement. — His  Company. — His  Tenderness. — The  Americans  driven  within  the  Fort,  and  sum- 
moned to  surrender. — Washington  sends  a Messenger,  to  advise  holding  out. — Too  late. — Surrender  of  Fort  Washing- 
ton.— Lee’s  Emotions. — “A  Cursed  Affair.” — Washington’s  Grief. — Greene  consoles  Himself. — The  Policy  of  holding 

Fort  Washington  considered. — The  Loss. — Fort  Lee  abandoned  to  the  Enemj’. — The  Retreat  of  Washington  in  New 

Jersey. — Critical  State  of  Affairs. — A Strong  Call  for  Re 

inforcements. — General  Discouragement. 

At  noon,  on  the  16th  of  Novem- 
ber, the  enemy,  under  the  cover  of 

heights  he  was  attempting  to  ascend,  and 
was  thus  exposed  to  a murderous  fire 

a powerful  artillery,  began  their  attack 

from  Colonel  Rawlings’s  riflemen,  as  well 

npon  Fort  Washington  simultaneously 

as  from  the  guns  of  the  redoubt  above. 

from  all  points.  From  the  north,  Knyp- 

Mathew,  with  his  British  guards,  under 

hausen  and  Ralil  approached. with  their 

the  cover  of  a fire  from  the  redoubts,  soon 

separate  divisions  of  Hessians.  On  the 

crossed  the  river,  in  front  and  to  the  east 

east,  the  British  redoubts  from  the  oppo- 

of  the  fort.  Colonel  Baxter,  posted  with 

site  side  of  the  Harlem  river  began  a 

his  militiamen  on  the  heights,  rvas  only 

heavy  cannonade,  under  cover  of  which 

able  to  offer  a short  and  ineffectual  re- 

General  Mathew  embarked  his  ‘‘British 

sistance  to  the  landing  of  the  enemy. 

Guards,”  and  pushed  acro.ss  the  stream. 

Baxter,  while  cheering  on  his  men,  was 

On  the  south,  Earl  Percy  marched  with 

killed  by  a British  officer;  and  the  Amer- 

his  force  from  the  plains  of  Harlem,  and 

lean  troops,  overpowered  by  numbers. 

approached  the  American  lines ; while 

fled  to  the  fort:  while  the  British,  taking 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Stirling  began  to  float 

a redoubt  and  two  hundred  prisoners  on 

down  the  Harlem  river  with  another  di- 

their  u’ay,  inclined  toward  the  left,  and 

vision  of  British  troops. 

began  to  skirt  the  southern  border  of 

Colonel  Raid,  who  commanded  the  right 

Mount  Washington,  apparently  with  the 

of  the  Hessians,  pushed  on  for  the  Cock- 

view  of  cutting  off  Colonel  Cadwallader’s 

hill  fort,  and  began  to  clamber  up  the 

force  stationed  within  the  outer  line  be- 

woody  height,  in  the  face  of  a sharp  fire 

low. 

from  the  small  party  which  defended  that 

In  the  meantime,  Earl  Percy,  having 

post.  General  Knyphausen  at  the  same 

marched  across  the  plains  of  Harlem,  ap- 

moment  moved  with  his  left  against  Fort 

preached  the  American  lines  from  the 

George.  He  soon  got  entangled  in  a 

south,  under  the  cover  of  a wood,  where 

woody  defile,  which  led  to  the  rugged 

he  began  to  form  his  troops  for  an  assault, 

, 

r 

REVOLUTIONARY.!  FORTS  GEORGE,  COCK-HILL,  AND  TRYON,  TAKEN.  391 

and  at  the  same  time  to  fire  with  his  ar- 

longer  service,  and  only  gave  way  when 

tillerj  upon  the  American  breastworks. 

overpowered  by  the  numbers  of  the  ene- 

Cadwallader’s  Pennsylvanians  kept  firm- 

my.  Knyphausen  having  carried  Fort 

ly  to  their  ground,  and  spiritedly  resisted 

George,  and  Bahl  the  outposts  of  Cock- 

tlie  enemy  as  tliey  approached.  Cadwal- 

hill  and  Fort  Tryon,  the  two  combined 

lader,  now  learning  that  the  British  were 

their  forces  and  marched  up  Mount  Wash- 

dropping  down  the  Harlem  river  in  large 

ington  to  within  a short  distance  of  the 

force,  apparently  with  the  view  of  getting 

fortress,  and  took  post  behind  a large 

between  him  and  the  fort,  detached  a liun- 

stone-house. 

dred  and  fifty  men,  with  an  eighteen- 

Cadwallader,  finding  himself  about  to 

pounder,  to  dispute  their  landing.  The 

lie  caught  between  two  fires,  called  ofi’ 

detachment  arrived  in  time  to  open  a fire 

his  troops  from  the  right  and  left  of  the 

upon  the  assailants  before  they  reached 

line,  and  ordered  a retreat.  He  supposed 

tlie  shore,  and  it  was  well  directed  and 

that  Mathew  and  Stirling  would  take  pos- 

deadly.  Nevertheless,  the  superiority  of 

ses.sion  of  the  second  and  inner  line ; but. 

the  enemy’s  strength  in  men  and  artillery 

as  they  suspected  that  the  enclosed  ba.s- 

enabled  them  to  force  a landing,  and,  by 

tions  concealed  a number  of  men,  they 

extending  themselves,  to  gain  the  heights 

seemed  to  hesitate.  Cadwallader  took 

upon  the  bank  of  the  river.  Here  there 

advantage  of  this  pause,  and  pushed  raj> 

was  a sharp  contest ; but,  with  the  odds 

idly  for  the  fort,  in  a direction  toward  the 

of  eight  hundred  British  against  one  him- 

North  river.  He  made  good  his  retreat, 

dred  and  fifty  Americans,  the  latter  were 

and,  though  attacked  upon  his  flank  by 

so  outnumbered,  that  they  were  obliged 

Stirling,  and  pursued  in  the  rear  by  Lord 

to  retreat  toward  the  fort.  The  Briti.sh 

Percy,  succeeded  in  gaining  the  fort  with 

troops  which  had  thus  made  good  their 

but  a small  loss. 

landing  were  those  under  Lieutenant- 

Washington,  with  Greene,  Putnam, and 

Colonel  Stirling,  and  they  now  marched 

Thomas  Paine,  watched  from  Fort  Lee 

unopposed  toward  the  southern  acclivity 

every  movement  during  this  engagement 

of  Mount  Washington,  and,  together  with 

with  anxious  interest;  and  when  he  saw 

Mathew’s  division,  were  endeavoring  to 

the  Hessians  in  pursuit  of  the  brave  troops 

interpose  themselves  between  Cadwalla- 

of  Eawlings,  bayoneting  them  even  when 

der  and  the  fort. 

asking  for  quarter,  “he  cried  with  the 

The  Marylanders,  under  Eawlings,  at 

tenderness  of  a child,  and  exclaimed  at 

the  north,  had  made  a brave  defence,  but 

the  barbai'ity  that  was  practised.” 

they  were  finally  obliged  to  retire  to  the 

When  the  American  troops  had  been 

fort.  Knyphausen,  however,  did  not  win 

driven  into  the  fort,  and  the  enemy  had 

the  position  until  after  a long  and  hard 

thronged  up  the  hill  from  all  sides  within 

struggle.  The  American  ritlemen  con  tin- 

a few  hundred  yards  of  the  fortress,  Colo- 

lied  their  fire  until  their  arms  became  so 

nel  Eahl,  who  was  first  on  the  ground 

(billed  from  repeated  use  as  to  be  of  no 

with  his  column,  sent  in  a summons  to 

' 

392 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[1>AUT  11 


Magaw  to  surrender.  Washington,  see- 
ing from  Fort  Lee  a flag  of  truce  going 
into  the  fortress,  understood  the  object, 
and  immediately  Avrote  a note  to  Colonel 
Magaw,  directing  him  to  hold  out,  and  he 
would  endeavor  in  the  evening  to  bring 
off  the  garrison.  A Captain  Gooch  brave- 
ly volimteei-ed  to  be  the  bearer  of  the 
message,  and,  hurrying  down  to  the  river, 
jumped  into  a small  boat,  pushed  across, 
landed  on  the  shore,  I’an  up  to  the  fort, 
delivered  Washington’s  letter,  and  hur- 
ried back,  dodging  the  Hessian  guards  by 
the  way,  who  attempted  to  bayonet  him 
as  he  passed.  lie  reached  the  shore,  and, 
leaping  into  his  boat,  returned  in  safety 
to  Fort  Lee. 

The  letter  was,  however,  too  late  : Ma- 
gaw had  already  entered  too  far  into  a 
tieaty  to  retract,  and  now  delivered  up 
the  fort,  and  surrendered  the  garrison  as 
prisoners-of-war,  as  he  could  “ obtain  no 
other  terms but  the  men  were  allowed 
to  keep  possession  of  their  baggage,  and 
the  otficers  of  their  swords.  The  arms, 
ammunition,  and  store.s,  however, were  all 
given  up. 

“ When  General  Lee,”  says  Gordon, 
read  the  letter,  sent  by  express,  giving 
an  account  of  P’ort  Washing-ton  being  ta- 
ken,  resentment  and  vexation  led  him, 
unfeeling  as  he  Avas  in  common,  to  Aveep 
plentifully.”  He  av rote  to  Washington  : 
‘‘  Oh,  general,  Avhy  Avould  you  be  over- 
persuaded by  men  of  inferior  judgment 
to  your  OAvn  ? It  Avas  a cursed  afl’air !” 

Washington  himself  grieved  at  it  no 
less  than  Lee.  He  writes  to  his  brother 
Augustine  : “ This  is  a most  unfortunate 
afiliir,  and  has  giA'en  me  great  mortilica- 


tion ; as  Ave  have  lost  not  only  tAvo  thou- 
sand men  that  Avere  there,  but  a good 
deal  of  artillery,  and  some  of  the  best 
arms  Ave  had.  And  what  adds  to  my  mor- 
tification is,  that  tliis  post,  after  the  last 
ships  Avent  past  it,  Avas  held  contrary  to 
my  Avishes  and  opinions,  as  I conceived 
it  to  be  a hazardous  one ; but  it  having 
been  determined  on  by  a full  council  of 
general  officers,  and  a resolution  of  Con- 
gre.ss  having  been  received  strongly  ex- 
pressive of  their  desire  that  the  channel 
of  the  river,  Avhich  Ave  had  been  laboring 
to  stop  for  a long  time  at  that  place, 
might  be  oijstructed  if  possible,  and  knoAV- 
ing  that  this  could  not  be  done  unless 
there  Avere  batteries  to  protect  the  ob- 
struction, I did  not  care  to  give  an  abso- 
lute order  for  AvithdraAving  the  garrison, 
till  I could  get  round  and  see  the  situa- 
tion of  things,  and  then  it  became  too 
late,  as  the  fort  Avas  invested.  Upon  the 
passing  of  the  last  ships,  I had  given  it 
as  my  opinion  to  General  Greene,  under 
AA’hose  care  it  Avas,  that  it  Avould  be  best 
to  evacuate  the  place ; but  as  the  order 
Avas  discretionary,and  his  opinion  differed 
from  mine,  it  unhappily  Avas  delayed  too 
long,  to  my  great  grief;  as  I think  Gener- 
al HoAve,  considering  his  army  and  ours, 
Avould  have  have  had  a poor  tale  to  tell 
AvitliOLit  it,  and  Avould  have  found  it  diffi- 
cult, unless  some  southern  expedition  may 
proA^e  successful,  to  reconcile  the  people 
of  England  to  the  conquest  of  a feAV  piti- 
ful islands,  none  of  Avhich  Avere  defensible, 
considering  the  great  number  of  their 
ships,  and  the  power  they  have  by  sea  to 
surround  and  rendoa-  them  unapproach- 
able.” 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  FALL  OF  FORT  WASHINGTON.  393 


The  whole  letter  is  pervaded  by  a tone 
of  melancholy.  Washington,  after  mourn- 
ing over  the  difficulties  in  levying  proper 
troops,  says  that  he  is  almost  compelled 
‘‘to  bid  adieu  to  every  hope  of  getting 
an  army  from  which  any  services  are  to 
be  expected  ; the  different  states,  without 
regard  to.  the  qualifications  of  an  officer, 
quarrelling  about  the  appointments,  and 
nominating  such  as  are  not  fit  to  be  shoe- 
blacks, from  the  local  attachments  of  this 
or  that  member  of  assembly.  I am  wea- 
ried almost  to  death  with  the  retrograde 
motion  of  things,  and  I solemnly  protest,” 
he  declares,  “ that  a pecuniary  reward  of 
twenty  thousand  pounds  a 3^ear  Avould 
not  induce  me  to  undei’go  what  I do; 
and  after  all,  perhaps,  to  lose  my  charac- 
ter, as  it  is  impossible,  under  such  a va- 
riety of  distressing  circumstances,  to  con- 
duct matters  agreeably  to  public  expec- 
tation or  even  to  the  expectation  of  those 
who  employ  me,  as  they  Avill  not  make 
proper  allowance  for  the  difficulties  their 
OAvn  errors  have  occasioned.” 

General  Greene  consoled  himself,  for 
the  loss  of  his  pet  fortress,  by  the  reflec- 
tion that  the  enemy  had  “ suffered  great- 
ly on  the  north  side  of  Fort  Washington,” 
where  Colonel  Rawlings’s  regiment  Avas 
posted,  and  had  “ behaved  Avith  great  spir- 
it.” He  moreover  persisted  that  the  fort 
Avould  not  have  been  given  up  could  Colo- 
nel Magaw  have  got  the  men  to  man  the 
lines.  He  continued  to  declare  that  Fort 
Washington  Avas  tenable,  and,  Avhen  re- 
proached for  having  attempted  to  hold 
it,  exclaimed,  “ I Avould  to  God  Ave  had 
had  ten  thousand  men  there  !”*  The 

* Memoirs  of  our  Own  Times,  by  Genenil  J.  AA'ilkinson. 

OU 


holding  of  Fort  Washington,  hoAvever, 
Avas  almost  universally  considered  an  er- 
ror on  the  part  of  Greene;  but  we  shall 
find  that  he  amply  redeemed  it  by  his 
glorious  successes  in  the  future. 

When  the  British  hoisted  their  flag  at 
the  fort,  its  name  Avas  changed  to  Knyp- 
hausen,  and  that  general  Avas  left  in  com- 
mand of  it,  Avith  a garrison  of  his  Hessians. 
By  the  surrender,  two  thousand  eight 
hundred  Americans,  according  to  Sir  Wil- 
liam Howe’s  return,  became  his  prisoners; 
and  these  Aveie  marched,  the  very  mid- 
night after  their  capture,  to  the  city  of 
NeAv  York.  It  has  been  estimated  that 
the  enemy  lost,  in  English  and  Hessian.s, 
OA'er  a thousand  men.  This  is  probably 
an  exaggeration.*  The  British  acknoAvl- 
edged  a loss  of  only  eight  hundred 

The  next  object  of  the  enemy,  after 
the  capture  of  Fort  Washington,  Avas  Fort 
Lee,  on  the  Jersey  shore  opposite.  Corn- 
Avallis,  Avith  six  thousand  troops, 

1 , , tt  1 c ^ 20. 

crossed  tfie  Hudson  trom  the  en- 
campment near  Yonkers,  and  landed  on 
the  Jersey  shore  at  a place  called  Closter, 
about  a mile  and  a half  from  the  English 
Neighborhood.  The  flat-boats  which  had 
been  brought  up  from  the  bay  of  New 
York,  and  stationed  in  Spuyten-Devil 
creek,  afforded  him  the  means  of  trans- 
port, and  he  Avas  thus  enabled  to  carry 
his  men  rapidly  across  the  river,  Avhile 
the  ships-of-war  protected  their  passage. 
Corn  Avail  is,  on  debarking,  immediately 
formed  his  men,  and  marched  along  the 
Jersey  shore  toward  the  object  of  attack. 

* Gordon  says,  “ It  is  imagined  on  good  grounds  that  the 
royal  army  lost  in  tlie  attack  full  twelve  hundred  men,  in 
killed  and  wounded.” 


I 


iJ94  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  ^part  n. 

As  Fort  Lee  was  not  tenable,  and  of 


no  possible  advantage  after  tlie  loss  of 
Fort  Washing-ton,  it  had  been  determined 
to  evacuate  it.  The  ammunition  and  some 
of  the  stores  had  already  been  removed, 
when  intelligence  was  brought  early  in 
the  morning,  while  General  Greene  was 
in  bed,  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  He 
immediately  ordered  the  garrison  out  and 
marched  them  to  join  the  commander-in- 
chief at  Hackensack.  The  British  were 
on  the  banks  of  the  North  river,  only  six 
miles  above  the  fort;  and  their  evident 
intention  was,  to  draw  a line  from  that 
point  to  the  bridge  acro.ss  the  Hacken- 
sack, and  thus  hem  in  Washington’s  force 
between  the  two  rivers.  The  American 
commander,  however,  Avas  too  quick  for 
his  lordship,  and  gained  the  bridge  be- 
fore him : he  thus  secured  a retreat  for 
all  his  men,  but  was  forced  to  leave  be- 
hind him  some  hundred  barrels  of  Hour, 
most  of  the  cannon,  and  “ a considerable 
parcel  of  tents  and  bag-gage.”  Finding 

1 OD  O O 

himself  still  enclosed  between  two  rivers, 
the  Hackensack  and  the  Passaic,  and  in 
the  same  danger  of  being  pent  up  as  be- 
fore, should  the  enemy  continue  to  ad- 
vance, Washington  was  obliged  to  cross 
the  Passaic  and  retreat  to  Newark.  Even 
here  he  did  not  propose  to  make  a stand. 
The  level  and  open  nature  of  the  coun- 
ti'y  forbade  it;  and  his  force,  Avhich  was 
now  only  about  thirty-five  hundred  men, 
didnotadmitof  the  possibility  of  a pitched 
battle  with  the  army  of  Cornwallis.  He 
encamped  at  Newark,  as  the  British  did 
not  seem  in  a hurry  to  molest  him.  Wash- 
ington, however,  wars  prepared  at  a mo- 
ment’s notice  to  retreat  to  Brunswick,  in 


order  to  form  a junction  Avith  the  troops 
at  that  place  under  the  command  of  Lord 
Stirling. 

Washington  Avas  fully  conscious  of  his 
danger.  Flying,  Avith  a dispirited  rem- 
nant of  troops  (amounting  in  all  to  little 
more  than  three  thousand  men),  before 
the  triumphant  army  of  the  enemy,  he 
might  Avell  say,  “ The  situation  of  our  af 
fairs  is  truly  critical,  and  such  as  requires 
uncommon  exertions  on  our  part.”  In 
order  that  Congress  might  be  fully  ap- 
prized of  the  Aveakness  of  his  position, 
and  of  the  necessity  of  obtaining  earl}' 
succor,  it  Avas  determined  by  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, AA'ith  the  advice  of  all  his 
general  officers,  to  send  General  Mifflin 
to  Philadelphia,  to  the  end  that  he  might 
make  knoAvn  personally  the  severe  straits 
in  Avhich  the  Amei-ican  army  Avas  placed. 
Washington  used  every  exertion  to  ob- 
tain reinforcements.  He  Avrote  to  Liv- 
ingston, governor  of  New  Jersey,  to  give 
all  the  aid  in  his  poAver,  and  try  to  induce 
that  state  to  do  more  than  it  had  done ; 
for  Washington  found  that,  instead  of 
meeting  Avith  “ many  of  the  militia,”  as 
he  had  expected  on  his  arrival,  there  Avere 
not  more  than  from  four  to  five  hundred 
at  the  different  posts.  General  Schuyler 
Avas  also  Avritten  to,  and  dii'ected  to  send 
down  from  the  army  in  the  northern  de- 
partment the  New-Jersey  and  Pennsylva- 
nia troops.  General  Lee  had  been  re- 
peatedly urged  to  come  over  from  his 
encampment  at  Newcastle,  Avith  the  regi- 
ments under  his  command.  The  flying- 
camp,  Avhich  was  on  the  point  of  dissoh-- 
iug,  Washington  Avas  anxious  to  retain 
in  service;  and  in  his  letter  to  Cov.gress 


c 

REVOLGTIONARY.J  LEE  URGED  TO  CROSS  THE  HUDSON.  395 

he  suggests  that  an  “early  and  immediate 

vania,  will  the  Penn.sylvanians  support 

supply  of  money”  should  be  sent  to  pay 

us?” — “If  the  lower  counties  are  sub- 

them,  as  it  “ might  have  a happy  effect.” 

dued  and  give  up,  the  back  counties  will 

I 

With  the  smallness  and  wretched  con- 

do  the  same,”  was  the  discouraging  an- 

dition  of  his  force,  and  the  difficulty  with 

swer.  Washington  then  passed  his  hand 

which  his  efforts  to  increase  the  one  and 

acro.ss  his  throat,  and  said  with  a manner 

improve  the  other  were  opposed,  it  was 

half  serious  and  half  playful : “ My  neck 

not  surprising  that  Washington  should 

does  not  feel  as  though  it  was  made  for 

have  almost  despaired  of  bringing  an  ar- 

a halter.  We  must  retire  to  Augusta 

my  into  the  field  capable  of  meeting  the 

county,  in  Virginia.  Numbers  will  be 

enemy.  It  was  under  such  a feeling  of 

obliged  to  repair  to  us  for  safety ; and  wo 

discouragement  in  his  emergency  at  New- 

must  try  what  we  can  do  in  carrying  on 

ark  that  he  asked  Colonel  Reed,  “ Should 

a predatory  war ; and,  if  overpowered,  we 

we  retreat  to  the  back  parts  of  Pennsyl- 

must  cross  the  Alleghany  mountains.” 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

General  Lee  urged  by  Washington  to  join  him  in  New  Jersey. — Lee’s  Answer. — His  Proposition  to  General  Heath. — he- 

fusal  of  Heath  to  accede. — Lee’s  Procrastination  in  obeying  Washington’s  Orders. — His  Excuses. — The  Correspond- 

ence. — The  Motive  of  Lee’s  Conduct. — His  Vanity. — His  Partisans. — Joseph  Reed. — His  Life  and  Character. — His 

Intimacy  with  Washington. — His  Infidelity  to  his  Friend 

— Proof  of  the  Fact. — Letter  from  Reed  to  Lee. — Lee’s  Con- 

duct  accounted  for. — Washington  by  an  Accident  discovei 

s the  Infidelity  of  Reed. — Lee’s  Letter  to  Reed. — A Rebuke. 

— Severefy  polite. — “ Dear  Sir.” — Lee  still  recreant. — Complains  of  Heath. — The  Latter  justifies  Himself. — “ Our 

General’s”  Account  of  his  Interview  with  Lee. — Lee  crosses  the  Hudson. — Still  disobedient  of  Orders. — More  tender 

of  Horse  than  of  Man. 

Washington,  as  we  have  said,  had 

1776« 

their  short  stay,  at  the  expiration  of  which 

repeatedly  urged  General  Lee  to 

I suppose  they  will  set  out  for  home. 

break  up'  his  encampment  at  Newcastle, 

“ My  reasons  for  this  measure,  which  I 

and  come  with  his  troops  to  his  aid  in 

think  must  have  weight  Avith  you,  are, 

New  Jersey.  After  Lord  Cornwallis  had 

that  the  enemy  is  evidently  changing  the 

crossed  the  Hudson,  Washington  wrote  to 

seat  of  war  to  this  side  of  the  North  riv- 

Lee  from  Hackensack  : “ I am  of  opinion. 

er.  Unless  some  new  event  should  occur. 

„ ^ , and  the  gentlemen  about  me  con- 

therefore,  or  some  more  cogent  reason 

l\Of  % ..  , , IT* 

cur  in  itj  that  tlie  public  interest 

present  itself  to  the  contrary,  I would 

requires  your  coming  over  to  this  side  of 

have  you  move  over  by  the  easiest  and 

the  Hudson,  with  the  continental  troops. 

best  passage.” 

leaving  Fellows’s  and  Wadsworth’s  bri- 

Tliis  was  explicit  as  regards  Washing- 

gades  to  take  care  of  the  stores  during 

ton’s  opinion,  but  it  is  expressed  rather 

_ 

J'JG  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

1 

as  a su^crestion  than  as  an  order — a not 

plicit,  as  to  the  necessity  of  your  march- 

unusual  thing  at  that  time  with  the  com- 

ing  as  early  as  possible,  that  it  is  unne- 

mander-in-chief  when  addressing  Lee,  to 

cessary  to  add  more  on  that  head.  I con- 

whose  military  experience  he  was  disposed 

fess  I expected  you  would  have  been 

to  defer. 

sooner  in  motion.” 

General  Lee,  in  answer, wrote  to  Wash- 

“You  complain,”  Avrites  Lee  in  reply 

ington,  saying  that  he  had  received  his 

to  Washington,  “ of  my  not  being  in  mo- 

. orders,  and  would  “ endeavor  to 

tion  sooner.  I do  assure  you 

Sfov.  24.  , ’ . . , , , 

put  them  into  execution;  but  al- 

tliat  1 haA^e  done  all  in  my  poAV- 

leged  that  he  would  not  be  able  to  take 

er,  and  shall  explain  my  difficulties  Avhen 

with  him  any  considerable  number  of 

Ave  both  have  leisure.  I did  not  succeed 

troop.s,  “ not  so  much  from  a want  of  zeal 

Avith  Roger.«,  and  merely  OAving  to  the 

in  the  men,  as  from  their  wretched  con- 

timidity  or  caution  of  the  enemy,  avIio 

dition  with  respect  to  shoes,  stockings. 

contracted  themselves  into  a compact 

and  blankets, which  the  presentbad  weath- 

body  very  suddenly.  I am  in  hopes  I 

er  renders  more  intolerable.”  In  the  mean- 

shall  be  able  to  render  you  more  service 

time  he  had  sent  orders  to  General  Heath, 

than  if  I had  moved  sooner.  I think  I 

who  Was  stationed  at  Peekskill,  to  tran.s- 

shall  enter  the  province  of  Jersey  Avith 

port  two  thousand  men  across  the  river. 

four  thoirsand  firm  and  Avilling  troops. 

Heath  refused.  “ That  great  man,”  as  Lee 

Avho  Avill  make  a very  important  diver- 

sarcastically  writes  in  his  letter  to  Wash- 

sion  ; had  I started  sooner,  I should  have 

ington,  “(as  I might  have  expected.)  in- 

only  had  an  inferior  number  of  unvvil- 

trenched  himself  within  the  letter  of  las 

ling.” 

instruction,  and  refused  to  part  with  a 

Washington  himself  Avas  so  sincere  in 

single  file,  though  I undertook  to  replace 

his  friendship  and  so  loyal  to  duty,  that 

them  with  a part  of  my  own.”  At  the 

he  did  not  suspect  those  about  him  to  be 

conclusion  of  his  letter,  Lee  declares ; “ I 

capable  of  infidelity  to  either.  He  Avas, 

should  march  this  day  with  Glover’s  bri- 

therefore,  though  puzzled  by  the  conduct 

gade,  but  have  just  received  intelligence 

of  Lee,  not  disposed  to  attribute  it  to  that 

that  Eogers’s  corps,  a part  of  the  lighL 

love  of  self-aggrandizement  Avhich  facts. 

horse,  and  another  brigade,  lie  in  so  ex- 

then  unknoAvn  to  Washington,  noAV  prove 

posed  a situation  as  to  present  us  the 

to  have  been  the  motive.  Iiee  had  been 

fairest  opportunity  of  carrying  them  off 

spoiled,  by  the  Avelcome  he  had  received 

If  we  succeed,  it  will  have  a great  effect. 

on  his  arrival  at  New  York  after  his  sue- 

and  ampl}’  compensate  for  two  days’  de- 

cess  at  Chai'leston.  He  Avas  regarded  by 

lay.” 

the  army  as  a military  oracle.  Washing- 

Washington  Avas  surprised,  on  receiv- 

ton  himself  always  listened  to  his  opin- 

ing  this  letter,  that  Lee  had  not  yet  set 

ions  Avith  deference  ; and  the  officers,  par- 

\ov  27  wrote  at  once:  “ My  for- 

ticularly  the  younger  ones,  Avhile  observ- 

mer  letters  were  so  full  and  ex- 

ing  this  marked  respect  on  the  part  of 

. 

RKVOLUTIONAIIY.J  JOSEPH  REED.  397 

their  commander-in-chief,  warmed  natii- 

adjutant-general  of  the  Ameiican  army, 

rally  into  admiration  of  the  military  qnal- 

and  was  now  serving  in  that  capacity  with 

ities  of  Lee.  They  were  disposed  to  at- 

the  forces  in  New  Jersey.  Washington 

tribute  every  successful  manoeuvre  since 

had  a high  regard  for  Reed’s  abilities,  and 

his  arrival  in  the  camp  to  action  suggest- 

frequently  took  counsel  with  him  in  re- 

ed  by  his  advice.  His  well-known  oppo- 

spect  to  the  conduct  of  affairs.  A still 

sition  to  General  Greene’s  pertinacious 

stronger  attachment  than  that  which  was 

resolve  to  hold  Fort  Washington,  now 

to  be  traced  to  their  mutual  relations  as 

served  to  increase  his  reputation  as  a gen- 

honest  co-workers  in  behalf  of  the  public 

eral.  From  the  apparently  desperate  con- 

cause,  sprang  up  between  them.  They 

dition  in  which  the  disastrous  loss  of  that 

became  friends;  and  Washington,  as  his 

fort  had  left  the  American  army,  there 

letters  show,  unburdened  himself  to  Reed 

were  doubtless  many  who  believed  that 

with  a freedom  of  revelation  that  can  not 

in  Lee’s  military  capacity  was  the  only 

be  found  even  in  his  communications  to 

hope  of  extrication. 

his  own  family. 

4 » 

Among  those  who  were  the  especial 

The  adjutant-general  may  possibly  nev- 

admirers  of  Lee  at  this  time,  and  believed 

er  have  swerved  in  his  affection  for  Wash- 

that  he  was  the  only  military  saviour  of 

ington  as  his  private  friend  ; but  he  un- 

the  country  in  its  sad  trial,  was  General 

doubtedly  wavered  in  his  opinion  cf  him 

Heed.  Joseph  Reed  was  now  thirty  years 

as  a public  leader.  The  following  letter. 

of  age.  Born  in  New  Jersey,  and  edu- 

which  Reed  wrote,  proves  that  at  that 

cated  at  Princeton  college,  he  had  com- 

time  he  thought  Lee,  and  not  Washing- 

menced  the  study  of  law,  and  for  awhile 

ton,  was  the  man  for  the  occasion:  — 

was  entered  at  the  Temple  in  London. 

“ Hackensack,  November  21,  177G. 

On  his  return  to  his  native  land,  he  early 

‘•Dear  Gbneral:  The  letter  you  will 

sided  with  the  patriots  in  their  struggle 

receive  with  this  contains  my  sentiments 

for  liberty,  and  was  chosen  president  of 

with  respect  to  your  present  station  ; but 

the  first  popular  convention  in  Philadel- 

besides  this,  I have  some  additional  rea- 

phia.  When  Washington  was  in  that  city 

sons  for  most  earnestly  wishing  to  have 

and  received  his  appointment  as  com- 

you  where  the  principal  scene  of  action 

mander-in-chief,  fte  formed  an  acquaint 

is  laid.  I do  not  mean  to  flatter  nor 

ance  with  Reed,  which  soon  warmed  into 

praise  you  at  the  expense  of  any  other. 

a sincere  friendship,  and  ripened  into  the 

but  1 confess  I do  think  that  it  is  entire- 

most  intimate  confidence.  Washino-ton 

O 

ly  owing  to  you  that  this  army  and  the 

appointed  him  his  private  secretary,  and 

liberties  of  America,  so  far  as  they  are 

took  him  with  him  to  Cambridge,  where 

dependent  on  it,  are  not  totally  cut  off 

he  remained  until  nearly  the  close  of  the 

You  have  decision,  a quality  often  want- 

siege  of  Boston,  when  he  was  called  home 

ing  in  minds  otherwise  valuable;  and  I 

to  Philadelphia,  to  attend  to  some  private 

ascribe  to  this  our  escape  from  York  isl- 

affairs.  He  was  subsequently  appointed 

and,  from  Kingsbridge,  and  the  Plains; 

* 398  . BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 

and  I have  no  doubt,  had  yon  been  here, 

in  a very  awful,  alarming  state  ; one  that 

the  garrison  of  Mount  Washington  would 

requires  the  utmost  wisdom  and  firmness 

now  have  composed  a part  of  this  army  : 

of  mind. 

and,  from  all  these  circumstances,  I con- 

“As  soon  as  the  season  will  admit,  1 

fess  I ardently  wish  to  see  you  removed 

thiidv  yourself  and  some  others  should 

from  a place  where  I think  there  will  be 

go  to  Congress,  and  form  the  plan  of  the 

little  call  for  yonr  judgment  and  experi- 

new  army,  point  out  their  defects  to  them, 

ence,  to  the  place  where  they  are  likely 

and,  if  possible,  prevail  on  them  to  bend 

to  be  so  necessary.  Nor  am  I singular 

their  whole  attention  to  this  great  object, 

in  my  opinion.  Every  gentleman  of  the 

even  to  the  exclusion  of  every  other.  If 

family,  the  officers  and  soldiers,  generally 

they  will  not  or  can  not  do  thi.s,  I fear  all 

have  a confidence  : the  enemy  constantly 

our  exertions  will  be  vain  in  this  part  of 

inquire  where  you  are,  and  seem  to  me 

the  world.  Foreign  assistance  is  solicit- 

to  be  less  confident  when  you  are  pres- 

ing,  but  we  can  not  expect  they  will  fight 

ent. 

the  whole  battle. 

“Colonel  Cadwallader,  through  a spe- 

“ I intended  to  have  said  more,  but  the 

cial  indulgence,  on  account  of  some  civili- 

express  is  waiting;  and  I must  conclude. 

ties  shown  by  his  family  to  General  Pres- 

with  my  clear  and  explicit  opinion  that 

cott,  has  been  liberated  from  New  York 

your  presence  is  of  the  last  importance. 

without  any  parole.  He  informs,  that 

“ I am,  with  much  affection  and  regard. 

the  enemy  have  a southern  expedition  in 

your  very  affectionate,  humble  servant, 

view ; that  they  hold  us  very  cheap  in 

“Joseph  Reed,  Adjutant-General. 

consequence  of  the  late  affair  at  Mount 

“ Major-Gknekal  Lf.e, 

Washington,  where  both  the  plan  of  de- 

“ At  the  White  Plains.” 

fence  and  execution  were  contemptible. 

Such  a letter,  from  such  a source  — the 

If  the  real  defence  of  the  lines  was  in- 

most  intimate  friend  of  Washino-ton — 

tended,  the  number  was  too  few ; if  the 

was  surely  calculated  to  increase  the  van- 

fort  only,  the  garrison  was  too  numerous 

ity  and  stir  the  ambitious  longings  of  a 

by  half  General  Washington’s  own  j udg- 

man  like  Lee,  among  whose  virtues  no 

ment,  seconded  by  representations  from 

one  has  ever  ranked  modesty  and  con- 

us,  would,  I believe,  have  saved  the  men 

tentment.  There  wer6  others  like  Reed, 

and  their  arms ; but,  unluckily,  General 

not  only  officers,  hut  men  high  in  civil 

Greene’s  judgment  was  contrary.  This 

autliority,  who  were  writing  to  Lee  in 

kept  the  general’s  mind  in  a state  of  sus- 

the  same  strain  of  praise  of  his  own  mill- 

pense  till  the  stroke  was  struck.  0 gen- 

tary  capacity,  and  in  depreciation  of  that 

eral ! an  indecisive  mind  is  one  of  the 

of  the  commander-in-chief  Lee  yielded 

greatest  misfortunes  that  can  befall  an 

to  this  influence,  and  doubtless  thought 

army  : how  often  have  1 lamented  it  this 

that  the  star  of  Washington  was  setting, 

campaign ! 

and  that  his  was  the  bright  luminary 

“ All  circumstances  considered,  we  are 

Avhich  was  on  its  rise  and  mio;ht  shine  in 

O 

f 

r 

RKVOI-DTIONART.J  LEE’S  CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  REED.  399 

Its  place.  These  aspirations  will  account 

to  answer  any  valuable  service.”  When 

for  Lee’s  conduct  in  not  obeying  Wash- 

Washington  wrote  this,  which  has  a more 

ington’s  orders.  He  was  only  too  willing, 

peremptory  character  than  his  previous 

by  withholding  his  aid,  to  allow  the  coni- 

communications,  he  had  accidentally  dis- 

inander-in-chief  to  be  sacrificed,  while  he 

covered  a correspondence  which  must 

hiniself,  by  acting  independently,  might 

have  greatly  weakened  his  confidence  in 

have  a chance  of  striking  a blow  against 

Lee,  as  it  certainly  did  in  one  in  whom 

the  enemy,  which  would  establish  his  su- 

his  orginal  faith  was  much  stronger. 

periority  and  secure  him  the  chief  com- 

We  have  read  Reed’s  letter  to  General 

maud. 

Lee.  Washington  never  did,  but  he  saw 

Lee,  therefore,  while  excusing  hiniself 

Lee’s  answer,  and  in  this  Avay  : Reed  was 

on  various  pretences  for  not  joining  his 

absent,  and  in  the  meantime  a letter  came 

chief  in  New  Jersey,  was  purposely  de- 

to  his  address  in  the  camp,  which  Wash- 

laying,  and  trying  to  increase  his  force 

ington  opened  and  read.  Here  it  is:  — 

by  obtaining  a reinforcement  from  Gen- 

“ Camr,  24  November,  177G. 

eral  Heath,  that  he  might  have  an  oppor- 

“ Mv  Dear  Reed  : I received  your  most 

tunity  of  attacking  the  enemy  in  the  rear 

obliging,  llattering  letter.  I lament,  with 

or  the  flank,  while  in  pursuit  of  Washing- 

you,  that  fatal  indecision  of  mind,  which. 

ton’s  meager  remnant  of  troops,  and  thus 

in  war,  is  a mnch  greater  disqualification 

gaining  a triumph  which  would  give  such 

than  stupidity  or  even  Avanb-of  personal 

an  edit  to  his  military  fixme  as  could  not 

courage.  Accident  may  put*  a decisive 

fall  to  make  him  as  prominent  as  his  vault- 

blunderer  in  the  right,  but  eternal  defeat 

ing  ambition  aspired  to  be. 

and  miscarriage  must  attend  the  man  of 

Washington  hitherto  had  been  appa- 

the  best  parts,  if  cursed  with  indecision. 

rently  unsuspicions  of  Lee’s  true  motives 

“ The  general  commands  in  so  pressing 

in  continuing  to  delay,  although  repeat- 

a manner  as  almost  to  amount  to  an  or- 

edly  urged  to  hasten  to  form  a junction 

der,  to  bring  over  the  continental  troops 

with  him  in  New  Jersey.  The  enemy 

under  my  command ; which  recommenda- 

continued  to  advance  and  Washington  to 

tion,  or  order,  throws  me  into  the  great- 

retreat.  The  American  force  was  infi- 

est  dilemma,  from  several  considerations. 

nitely  inferior  in  numbers,  and  such  as 

Part  of  the  troops  are  so  ill  furnished  with 

could  not  ‘^give  or  promise  the  least  sue- 

shoes  and  stockings,  blankets,  &c.,  that 

cessful  opposition.”  It  was  greatly  re- 

they  must  inevitably  perish  in  this  wretch- 

duced  by  the  departure  of  the  Maryland 

ed  weather.  Part  of  them  are  to  be  dis- 

flying  camp,  and  by  sundry  other  causes. 

missed  on  Saturday  next,  and  this  part  is 

j Washington  had  now  retreated 

the  best  accoutred  for  service. 

as  far  as  Brunswick,  from  which 

What  shelter  we  are  to  find  on  the 

place  he  writes  to  Lee,  “I  must  entreat 

other  side  of  the  river  is  a serious  consid- 

you  to  hasten  your  march  as  much  as 

eration ; but  these  considerations  should 

possible,  or  your  arrival  may  be  too  late 

not  sway  me.  My  reason  for  not  having 

, 

400  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [i'art  ii. 

marched  already  is,  that  we  have  just  re- 
ceived intelligence  that  Rogers’s  corps, 
the  light-horse,  part  of  the  Highlanders, 
and  another  brigade,  lie  in  so  exposed  a 
situation  as  to  give  the  fairest  opportuni- 
ty of  being  carried  off  I should  have  at- 
tempted it  last  night,  but  the  rain  was 
too  violent ; and  when  our  pieces  are  wet, 
you  know  our  troops  are  hors  da  combat. 
This  night  I hope  will  be  better.  If  we 
succeed,  we  shall  be  well  compensated 
for  the  delay.  We  shall  likewise  be  able 
in  our  return  to  clear  the  country  of  all 
the  articles  wanted  by  the  enemy.  In  ev- 
ery view,  therefore,  the  expedition  must 
answer. 

“ I have  just  received  a most  flattering 
letter  from  the  governor  of  New  Orleans. 
He  gives  me  the  title  of  ‘ General  de  los 
Eslados  Unidos  Americanos',  which  is  a tol- 
eriible  step  .to  ward  declaring  himself  our 
nlly  in  positive  terms.  The  substance  is, 
that  he  is  sensible  of  the  vast  advantao:es 
which  must  result  from  the  separation  to 
his  master  and  nation ; that  he  can  not 
positively  enter  into  a regular  system  of 
commerce  without  consulting  his  master ; 
but,  in  the  meantime,  he  will  render  us 
all  the  service  iu  his  power.  I only  wait 
myself  for  this  business  I mention  of  Rog- 
ers and  Company  being  over.  I shall  then 
fly  to  you ; for,  to  confess  a truth,  I really 
think  our  chief  will  do  better  with  me 
than  without  me.  I am,  &c., 

“ Charles  Lee.” 

Washington  could  not  feel  flattered  by 
this  epistle,  and  must  have  been  greatly 
grieved  to  find  that  his  friend,  whom  he 
had  trusted  above  all,  was  carrying  on  a 
correspondence,  the  whole  purport  of 

which  was  his  own  depreciation  and  the 
elevation  of  Lee.  Washington,  having 
opened  the  letter  unsuspiciously,  imme- 
diately enclosed  it  to  Reed,  with  the  fol- 
lowing explanation:  — 

“Brunswick,  30  November.  1776. 

“ Dear  Sir  : The  enclosed  was  put  in- 
to my  hands  by  an  express  from  White 
Plains.  Having  no  idea  of  its  being  a 
private  letter,  much  less  suspecting  the 
tendency  of  the  correspondence,  I opened 
it,  as  I had  done  all  other  letters  to  you, 
from  the  same  place  and  Peekskill,  upon 
the  business  of  your  office,  as  I conceived 
and  found  them  to  be.  This,  as  it  is  the 
truth,  must  be  my  excuse  for  seeing  the 
contents  of  a letter  which  neither  incli- 
nation nor  intention  would  have  prompt- 
ed me  to. 

I thank  you  for  the  trouble  and  fiir 
tigue  you  have  undergone  in  your  jour- 
ney to  Burlington,  and  sincerely  wish 
that  your  labors  may  be  crowned  with 
the  desired  success.  With  best  respects 
to  Mrs.  Reed,  I am,  dear  sir,  &c., 

“ George  Washington.” 

The  formal  politeness  of  this  letter — 
where  the  “Dear  sir”  stands  in  place  of 
the  former  “Dear  Reed”  — shows  that 
the  heart  of  Washington’s  friendship  for 
Reed  was  paralyzed  by  this  secret  and 
unsuspected  blow.  From  that  moment 
there  was  no  longer  the  same  cordiality 
between  the  two,  though  there  were  the 
most  courteous  relations,  and  finally,  in 
subsequent  year.s,  some  return  to  former 
intimacy. 

While  Washington  believed  that,  in  ac- 
cordance with  his  order.s,  Lee  was  on  his 

r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  LEE’S  INTERVIEW  WITH  HEATH.  401 


route  to  join  him,  he  received  from  that 
recreant  general  a letter  dated  “ Peeks- 
kill,  30th  November,”  in  which  he  says: 
“The  day  after  to-morrow  we  shall  pass 
the  river,  when  I should  be  glad  to  re- 
ceive your  instructions  ; but  I could  wish 
you  would  bind  me  as  little  as  possible ; 
not  from  any  opinion,  I do  assure  yon,  of 
my  own  parts,  but  from  a persuasion  that 
detached  generals  can  not  have  too  great 
latitude,  unless  they  are  very  incompe- 
tent indeed.” 

Lee  also  complained  of  General  Heath’s 
resolute  adherence  to  his  instructions. 
This  fixithful  officer  had  refused  Lee’s  re- 
peated solicitations  to  send  two  thousand 
men  across  the  Hudson.  Lest,  however, 
he  might  thus  be  depriving  the  command- 
er-in-chief  of  aid  that  was  necessary,  he 
wrote  to  him,  asking  him  whether  his  con- 
duct was  approved.  Washington,  in  Ids 
answer,  justified  Heath  in  his  refusal,  and 
ordered  him  to  persist  in  it.  Thus  forti- 
fied, Heath  adhered  with  continued  per- 
tinacity to  his  orders.  Lee,  notwitlistand- 
ing,  was  still  urgent,  and  went  so  far  as 
to  assume  the  responsibility  of  ordering 
out  two  of  Heath’s  regiments.  We  shall, 
however,  let  General  Heath  narrate  this 
occurrence  in  his  own  word.s,  which  he 
uses  freely,  speaking  of  himself  always  in 
the  third  person,  as  “our  general.” 

“Just  before  dinner,  General 
Nov.  30.  . 

oiuhvan  arrived  at  our  generals 

[Heath’s]  quarters ; and,iu  the  afternoon. 
General  Lee  arrived.  He  called  at  the 
door;  when  our  general,  waiting  upon 
him,  requested  him  to  alight,  he  asked  if 
he  could  have  a cup  of  tea,  and  was  an- 
swered that  he  should  have  a good  one. 

O 

51 


Upon  coming  into  the  house,  before  he 
sat  down  he  wished  to  speak  in  private, 
which  being  instantly  granted,  he  told 
our  general  that,  in  a military  view  — or, 
to  use  his  own  wmrds  exactly — ^\\\  point 
of  km,  you  are  right ; but,  in  point  of  pol- 
icy, I think  you  are  wrong.  I am  going 
into  the  Jerseys  for  the  salvation  of  Amer- 
ica ; I wish  to  take  with  me  a larger  force 
than  I now  have,  and  request  you  to  or- 
der two  thousand  of  your  men  to  march 
with  me.’  Our  general  answered  that  he 
could  not  spare  that  number.  He  was 
then  asked  to  order  one  thousand ; to 
which  he  replied  that  the  business  might 
as  well  be  bi'ought  to  a point  at  once  — 
that  not  a single  man  should  march  from 
the  post  by  Iub  order. 

“General  Lee  replied  that  he  would 
then  order  them  himself  He  was  an- 
swered that  there  was  a wide  difference 
between  the  two ; that  General  Lee  was 
acknowledged  by  our  general  to  be  his 
senior;  but,  as  he  had  received  positive 
written  instructions  from  him  who  was 
superior  to  both,  he  would  not  himself 
break  those  orders.  If  General  Lee  was 
disposed  to  counteract  them,  its  being 
done  by  him  could  not  be  imputed  to  any 
other  person  ; and  that  he  knew  the  com- 
mander-in-chief did  not  intend  any  of  the 
troops  should  be  removed  from  that  post 
— having  expressed  it  no^,  'Jidy  in  his 
instructions,  but  also  in  a letter  just  re- 
ceived from  him. 

“ On  the  letter  being  shown  to  General 
Lee,  he  observed,  ‘The  commander-in- 
chief is  now  at  a distance,  and  does  not 
know  what  is  necessary  here  as  well  as 
I do’  — asked  if  he  might  be  favored  with 


f ■ 

m BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  * [part  n. 

the  return-book  of  the  division.  Major 

commanding  officer,  at  this  present  wri- 

Huntington,  the  deputy  adjutant-general, 

ting,  in  this  post ; and  that  I have,  in  that 

was  directed  to  hand  it.  General  Lee  ran 

capacity,  ordered  Prescott’s  and  Wyllis’s 

his  ej'e  over  it,  and  said,  ‘ 1 will  take  Pres- 

regiments  to  march. 

cott’s  and  Wyllis’s  regiments  •'  and,  turn- 

“ ‘ (Signed), 

ing  to  Major  Huntington,  said,  ‘ You  will 

“‘Charles  Lee,  Maj.  Gen. 

order  those  two  regiments  to  march  ear- 

“ General  Lee,  stepping  out  on  the 

ly  to-morrow  morning  to  join  me.’  Our 

piazza,  observed  to  an  officer,  ‘ General 

general,  turning  to  the  major,  said,  ‘ Issue 

Heath  is  right.’  Early  the  next  morn 

such  orders  at  j'our  peril!’  — and  then. 

ing,  the  regiments  moved  from  their  can- 

turning  to  General  Lee,  addressed  him : 

tonment  toward  Peekskill ; but,  before 

‘ Sir,  if  you  come  to  this  post,  and  mean 

they  had  reached  it.  General  Lee,  now 

to  issue  orders  hei'e  which  will  break  those 

ready  to  pass  into  the  Jerseys,  rode  up 

positive  ones  which  1 have  received,  I 

to  our  general’s  door,  and,  calling  him, 

pray  you  to  do  it  completely  yourself. 

observed  : ‘ Upon  further  consideration,] 

and  through  your  own  deputy  adjutant- 

have  concluded  not  to  take  the  two  rogi 

general,  who  is  present,  and  not  draw  me. 

ments  with  me.  You  may  order  them  to 

or  any  of  my  family,  in  as  partners  in  the 

return  to  their  former  post.’  This  con- 

guilt.  General  Lee  replied : Mt  is  right. 

duct  of  General  Lee’s  appeared  not  a lit- 

Colonel  Scammel,  do  you  issue  the  order ;’ 

tie  extraordinary,  and  one  is  almost  at  a 

which  he  did,  and  Huntington  communi- 

loss  to  account  for  it.”* 

cated  it  to  the  regiments,  who  were  now 

Lee  finally  crossed  the  Hudson  with 

posted  at  the  gorge  of  the  mountains. 

his  troops,  and,  having  taken  two  days 

near  Robinson’s  bridge,  afterward  called 

(the  2d  and  3d  of  December)  for  the  pas- 

the  Continental  village. 

saii’e,  be<)ran  a slow,  lino:ering!:  march.  The 

“Matters  carried  thus  far,  our  general 

commander-in-chief  still  continued  to  re- 

turned  to  General  Lee  again  : ‘ Sir,  1 have 

treat  before  the  enemy,  and,  having  ar- 

one  more  request  to  make,  and  that  is. 

rived  at  Trenton,  writes  again  to 

that  you  will  be  pleased  to  give  me  a cer- 

T • rpi  uec«  Ot 

Lee,  saying,  “ ine  sooner  you 

tificate  that  you  exercise  command  at  this 

can  join  me  with  your  division,  the  sooner 

post,  and  do  order  from  it  Prescott’s  and 

the  service  will  be  benefited.”  In  regard 

Wyllis’s  regiments.’  Lee  replied,  M do 

to  Lee’s  complaints  of  Heath’s  tenacity 

not  know  that  I will  comply  with  your 

of  his  instructions,  and  of  his  refusal  to 

request.’  General  Clinton,  who  was  pres- 

allow  any  of  his  troops  to  cross  the  river, 

ent,  observed,  ‘ General  Lee,  you  can  not 

Washington  says,  very  peremptorily,  “As 

refuse  a request  so  reasonable.’  Upon 

to  bringing  any  of  the  troops  under  Gen- 

which  General  Lee  wrote  as  follows:  — 

eral  Heath,  I can  not  consent  to  it.” 

“ ‘ Pkekskii.!.,  December  1,  177C. 

Lee,  in  his  next  letter  to  his  superior, 

“ ‘For  the  satisfaction  of  General  Heath, 

fairly  discloses  his  purpose  of  acting  in- 

and  at  his  request,  I do  certify  that  I am 

* Heiith’s  Memoirs,  pp.  94-96. 

3EVOLDTIONAUY.] 


LEE’S  ARROGANT  ASSUMPTIONS. 


403 


dependently,  although  he  strives  to  con- 
ceal it  beneath  the  shallow  pretence  that, 
since  Washington  had  quitted  Brunswick, 
it  was  impossible  for  him  to  know  where 
to  join  him  ! “ But  although,”  continues 

Lee,  “I  should  not  he  able  to  join  yon  at  all, 
the  service  which  I can  render  you  will, 
I hope,  be  full  as  efficacious.”  The  north- 
ern army,  it  will  be  recollected,  had  been 
ordered  by  Washington  to  join  him.  Lee, 
it  appears  from  his  letter,  had  resolved 
that  the  junction  should  be  with  his  own 
ti’oops,  and  not  with  those  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief. “The  northern  army  has 
already  advanced  nearer  (o  Morristown 
than  I am,  and,”  grandly  adds  tlie  ambi- 
tious Lee,  “I  shall  put  myself  at  their 
head  to-morrow.”  He  not  oidy  thus  ac- 
knowledges that  he  is  about  to  assume  a 
command  to  which  he  is  not  entitled,  but 
even  alludes  to  the  tactics  which  he  pro- 
poses to  pursue.  “We  shall,”  he  says, 
“ upon  the  whole,  compose  an  army  of 
five  thousand  good  troops,  in  spirits.  I 
should  imagine,  dear  general,  that  it  may 


be  of  service  to  communicate  this  to  the 
troops  immediately  under  your  command. 
It  may  encourage  them,  and  startle  the 
enemy.  In  fact,  their  confidence  must 
be  risen  to  a prodigious  height,  if  they 
pursue  you,  with  so  formidable  a body  navy- 
ing  on  their  flank  and  rcarl' 

Here  we  leave  General  Lee,  lagging 
on  his  march  from  Ilaverstraw  to  Morris- 
town, where  he  hoped  to  receive  the  re- 
inforcements from  the  North,  and  Avatch 
his  opportunity  of  marching  and  indict- 
ing that  triumphant  blow  upon  the  flank 
or  rear  of  the  enemy.  Lee’s  only  anxi- 
ety about  AYashington’s  hazardous  posi- 
tion seems  to  be  lest  it  should  endanger 
the  safety  of  his  horse,  for  he  writes,  “I 
entreat  you  [General  Washington]  to  or- 
der some  of  your  suite  to  take  out  of  the 
way  of  danger  my  favorite  mare,  which 
is  at  that  Wilson’s,  three  miles  beyond 
Princeton.”  He  truly  remarks,  however, 
previously,  that  “ it  is  paltry  to  think  of 
our  personal  affairs,  when  the  whole  is  at 
stake,” 


404  . BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  lPart  ii 

CHAPTER 

XXXVII. 

Washington  quits  Newark. — Cornwallis  enters. — Washington  at  Brunswick. — He  strives  to  obtain  Reinforcements. — Brit- 

ish  Interests  in  the  Ascendant  in  New  Jersey. — The  Persuasiveness  of  the  Howes’  Proclamation. — Mercy  promised.— 

“ Lord,  deliver  us  from  his  Meicy!” — The  Tory  Disposition  of  the  Magnates. — Washington  hopeless  of  making  a 

Stand  in  New  Jersey. — He  continues  his  Retreat. — Ale.xander  Hamilton  keeps  the  Enemy  in  Clieek. — Destruction  of 

the  Bridge  at  Brunswick. — Tlie  March  to  Princeton. — Washington  crosses  the  Delaware. — Retreat  of  Lord  Stirling 

from  Princeton. — Putnam  ordered  to  Philadelphia,  to  fortify. — Lee  still  recreant. — His  Cool  Impudence. — Washingtot. 

entreats. — Letter  upon  Letter.— rLee  intercepts  the  Forces 

from  the  North. — Gates  ordered  to  the  Rescue. — Capture  of 

Lee. — Wilkinson’s  Account  of  it. — The  Secret  of  the  Capture  disclosed. 

1776  Washington  was  not  enabled  to 

he  could  do  little  at  that  time  toward 

lingcer  on  his  march.  After  a week 

getting  recruits  for  service  in  the  good 

at  Newark,  it  became  necessary  to  move 

cause.  The  British  interests  were  in  the 

on  again.  It  was  the  wish  of  all,”  says 

ascendant.  A miserable  remnant  of  troops 

Washington,  “to  have  remained  there 

in  retreat  represented  the  one ; a trium- 

longer, and  to  have  halted  before  we  came 

pliant  army  supported  the  other.  Un- 

thus  far;  bnt,  upon  due  consideration  of 

der  these  circumstances,  the  proclamation 

our  strength,  the  circumstances  attending 

of  the  two  Howes  proved  wondrously 

the  enlistment  of  a great  part  of  our  lit- 

persuasive.  On  the  30th  of  November 

tie  force,  and  the  frequent  advices  that 

the  two  brothers,  his  lordship  and  Sir  Wil- 

the  enemy  were  embarking  or  about  to 

liam,  industriously  circulated  throughout 

embark  another  detachment  from  Staten 

the  Jerseys  a document,  by  which  pardon 

island,  with  a view  of  landing  at  Arnboy,” 

was  oflbred  to  all  such  as  had  opposed 

it  w’as  judged  necessary  to  proceed.  The 

the  king’s  authority;  and  who  shoidd. 

advance-guards  of  Cornwallis  entered  the 

within  sixty  days,  subscribe  a declaration 

town  as  the  American  rear  left.  Bruns- 

that  they  would  remain  in  peaceable  obe- 

wick  was  the  next  point  wdiicli 

dience  to  his  majesty,  neither  taking  up 

Washington  reached.  Here  the 

arms  themselves  nor  encouraging  others 

flying  camp  continued  to  dissolve.  Not 

to  take  up  arms  against  him.  Washing- 

only  did  those  whose  services  had  ex- 

ton  reports  that  a clergyman,  “ who  was 

pired  go  away,  but  even  those  who  were 

a staunch  friend  to  the  cause,”  in  allusion 

engaged  for  a month  longer  departed  al- 

to  the  latitude  of  pardon  extended  by 

so,  so  that  the  army  was  “ reduced  to  a 

Lord  Howe,  said,  “No  one  man  in  the 

mere  handful.” 

continent  is  to  be  denied  his  mercy,”  but 

Washington  made  an  urgent  appeal  to 

added,  “The  Lord  deliver  us  from  his 

the  governor  of  New  Jersey  to  “flill  up- 

mercy !”  Numbers,  who  had  been  pro- 

on  the  proper  means  to  draw  forth  the 

vincial  congressmen,  committee-men,  jus- 

strength”  of  his  province  to  his  support. 

tices,  and  the  like,  though  out  of  the  way 

Livingston  was  earnestly  patriotic,  but 

_ 

of  immediate  danger,  ran  to  take  advan- 

1 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  WASHINGTON  CROSSES  THE  DELAWARE.  405 


tage  of  the  proclamation.  Many  of  the 
whigs  shifted  about.  Only  a few  of  for- 
tune stood  firm  to  the  cause.  It  was  the 
middle  I'ank  of  people  in  general  that  re- 
mained steadfast  in  this  day  of  trial.  The 
success  of  the  royal  army  extended  its  in- 
fluence also  to  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Gallo- 
Avay,  the  fiimily  of  the  Allen.s,  with  some 
others,  repaired  to  the  commissioners,  to 
claim  the  benefits  of  the  general  pardon.* 

Washington  had  little  hope  of  being 
able  to  make  a stand  in  New  Jersey  in  re- 
sistance to  his  pursuers  and  their  accumu- 
lating allies.  He  therefore  began  to  for- 
ward a part  of  his  stores  to  Philadelphia, 
even  while  at  Brunswick.  The  enemy 
Avere  close  behind  him,  and,  now  showing 
themselves  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the 

Raritan,  the  Ameilcan  general 
Dec.  2.  ’ ^ 

quitted  Brunswick,  taking  care 

to  destroy  the  bridge  which  crossed  the 
riA’er  at  that  town.  Captain  Alexander 
Hamilton  keeping  the  British  in  check 
with  his  artillery.  Princeton  Avas  the  next 
point  at  Avhich  the  retreating  army  halt- 
ed, Avhere,  in  order  that  the  country  might 
in  some  measure  be  covered,  Washington 
left  tAA'O  brigades  (consisting  of  the  five 
Virginia  regiments  and  that  of  DelaAvare, 
containingin  the  Avhole  about  twelve  hun- 
dred men  fit  for  duty),  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lord  Stirlino;  and  his  old  Virc»:in- 

O O 

ia  comrade  in  the  French  War,  Stephen, 
who  had  been  lately  appointed  a brigadier- 
general.  This  detachment  was  set  about 
transporting  the  baggage  and  stores  over, 
the  DelaAvare,  Avhile  Washington  moved 
on  Avith  the  rest  of  his  troops  to  Trenton. 

He  noAV  proposed  to  reinforce  Lord 
* Gordon. 


Stirling,  Avhom  he  had  left  at  Princeton, 
Avith  tAvelve  hundred  men  ; but  Avhile  pre- 
paring to  march  in  that  direction,  he  re- 
ceived an  express  from  his  loi'dship,  Avh 
informed  him  that  he  Avas  retreating  to 
Trenton.  The  earl  gave  as  his  reasons 
for  this  movement,  the  advance  of  the 
enemy  by  different  routes  — by  one  of 
Avhich  they  Avere  attempting  to  get  in 
his  rear;  and  the  indefensibility  of  Prince- 
ton, from  the  nature  of  the  place,  and  the 
small  number  of  Americans  to  hold  it. 

The  British  Avere  again  close  at  hand  ; 
and  one  of  tlie  tAvo  divisions  of  CoriiAval- 
lis  reached  the  DelaAvare  at  mid-  ^ 

night,  just  as  the  rear-guard  of 
Washington’s  army  gained  the  opposite 
bank.  The  American  troops  had  dAvin- 
dled  aAvay  to  the  scant  number  of  about 
three  thousand.  All  the  boats  along  the 
river  Avere  secured;  and  Washington,  al- 
tliough  trying  his  utmost  to  check  the 
progress  of  the  enemy,  thought  it  impos- 
sible Avith  his  small  force  to  give  them 
any  considerable  opposition  in  the  pas- 
sage of  the  DelaAvare,  should  they  at- 
tempt it. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  securi- 
ty of  Philadelphia  Avas  Washington’s  next 
object.  He  thought  that  a communica- 
tion of  lines  and  redoubts  might  soon  be 
formed  from  the  DelaAvare  to  the  Schuyl- 
kill, on  the  northern  entrance  of  the  city ; 
the  lines  to  begin  on  the  Schuylkill  side 
about  the  heights  of  Springatebay,  and 
run  eastward  to  the  DelaAvare,  upon  the 
hisrhest  and  most  adA'antai^eous  grounds. 
If  something  of  the  kind  should  not  be 
done,  he  believed  that  the  British  might 
march  directly  in  and  take  possession. 


iOS  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  ^vaht  u. 

“ We  have  ever  found,”  says  Washington, 

army,  Ave  can  not  say ; but  if  he  confined 

“that  lines,  however  slight,  are  very  for- 

himself  strictly  to  the  truth,  the  folloAV- 

midable  to  them.  They  Avould  at  least 

ing  seems  a marvel  of  cool  impudence  on 

give  a check  till  the  people  could  recover 

the  part  of  Lee,  Avhen  he  writes  to  the 

from  the  fright  and  consternation  that 
naturally  attend  the  first  appearance  of 

commander-in-chief;  “If  I Avas 
not  taught  to  think  that  your  ar- 

an  enemy.” 

my  Avas  considerably  reinforced,  I should 

Washington  acted  promptly,  in  accord- 

immediately  join  you ; but,  as  I am  as- 

ance  Avith  these  vieAVS.  General  Mifflin 

sured  you  are  very  strong,  I should  im- 

had  just  arrived  and  informed  him  that 

agine  Ave  can  make  a better  impression 

all  the  military  stores  yet  remained  in 

by  hanging  on  tlieir  rear,  for  AAdiich  pur- 

Philadelphia.  He  therefore  thought  there 

pose  a good  post  at  Chatham  seems  the 

Avas  no  time  to  be  lost  in  fortifying  that 

best  calculated.  It  is  at  a happy  distance 

city ; and  he  accordingly  despatched  Ma- 

from  NeAvark,Elizabeth to Avn,  Wood  bridge, 

jor-General  Putnam  to  superintend  the 

and  Boundbrook ; it  Avill  annoy,  distract, 

works  and  give  the  necessary  directions. 

and  consequently  weaken  them.” 

and  ordered  Mifflin  back  again  to  take 

Lee  seems  to  haA^e  met  Avith  more  sue- 

charge  of  the  stores. 

cess  in  recruiting  than  Washington,  and 

In  the  meantime,  General  Lee  Avas  so 

estimates  that,  Avith  the  militia,  added  to 

absorbed  in  his  OAvn  magnificent  schemes. 

the  tAventy-seven  hundred  troops  Avhich 

that  he  did  not  seem  to  trouble  himself 

he  brought  Avith  him  across  the  Hudson, 

about  the  commander-in-chief  and  his  re- 

his  army  amounts  to  about  four  thousand 

peated  summons.  “ 1 have  no  certain  in- 

men.  Washington  suggested  the  idea  of 

telligence  of  General  Lee,”  Avrites  Wash- 

surprising  BrunsAvick.  Lee,  hoAvever,  in 

ington  on  the  8th  of  December,  “although 

those  days  of  self-exaltation,  was  little 

I have  sent  frequent  expresses  to  him. 

disposed  either  to  listen  to  the  sugges- 

and  lately  Colonel  Hampton,  to  bring  me 

tions  or  obey  the  orders  of  his  superior. 

some  accurate  accounts  of  his  situation. 

“ The  post  I propose  taking,”  he  replies, 

I last  night  despatched  another  gentle- 

“ oilers  the  greatest  probability  of  success; 

man  to  him.  Major  Hoops,  desiring  he 

but  Ave  are  so  ill  shod,  and  destitute  of 

would  hasten  his  march  to  the  DehiAvare, 

light-horse,  that  this  desultory  Avar  is  hard 

in  which  I Avould  provide  boats,  near  a 

upon  the  poor  soldiers.  But  I must  do 

place  called  Alexandria,  for  the  transpor- 

them  the  justice  to  say,  that  they  have 

tation  of  his  troops.  I can  not  account 

noble  spirits,  and  Avill,  I have  no  doubt. 

for  the  sloAvne.ss  of  his  march.” 

render  great  service  to  their  country.” 

Lee  had  only  got  as  far  as  MorristoAvn, 

,The  recreant  Lee  concludes  this  impu- 

having  taken  three  Aveeks  to  reach  that 

dent  selfassertion  of  authority  with  a 

place,  Avhen  Colonel  Hampton  arrived. 

“ God  bless  you,  general !” 

What  that  officer  could  have  reported  in 

Washington  received  this  communica- 

regard  to  the  condition  of  Washington’s 

tion  by  Colonel  Hampton  on  his  return, 



( 

BEVOIUTIONARY.J  LEE’S  CON'PINUED  RECREANCY.  407 

Dec  10  immediately  de.«ipatched  an- 

operate  with  you, by  attacking  their  rear.’' 

other  summon.s.  Taking  care  to 

And,  again:  “It  will  be  difficult,  I am 

inform  Lee  that  his  situation  was  directly 

afraid,  to  join  you  ; but  can  not  I do  you 

(he  opposite  of  what  he  (Lee)  supposed 

more  service  by  .attacking  their  rear?” 

it  to  be,  and  that  General  Howe  was  pres- 

Three  d.ays  subsequently,  Lee  writes 

sing  forward  with  the  whole  of  his  army 
to  possess  himself  of  Philadelphia,  Wa.sh- 

again  to  Washirmton,  and  would 
seem  to  be  m a more  compliant 

ington  continues : “ I can  not  but  request 

humor,  for  he  talks  of  crossing  the  Dela- 

and  entreat  you,  and  this  too  by  the  ad- 

ware ; but,  .as  he  also  alludes  to  taking  a 

vice  of  all  the  general  officers  with  me. 

route  by  the  road  tow.ard  Burlington,  he 

to  march  and  join  me  with  your  whole 

evidently  clings  to  his  old  idea  of  a sepa- 

force  with  all  possible  expedition.  The 

rate  attack  upon  the  enemy,  with  a view 

utmost  exertions  that  can  be  made,  will 

of  cutting  their  cordon,  contrary  to  W.ash- 

* 

not  be  more  than  sufficient  to  save  Pliila- 

ington’s  views  and  commands.  Gener.al 

delphia.  Without  the  aid  of  jmur  force 

Howe,  it  must  be  understood,  held  the 

I think  there  is  but  little,  if  any,  prospect 

banks  of  the  Delaware  at  that  point,  and 

of  doing  it Do  come  on  ; your  arrival 

as  far  north  as  Pennington  ; and  Lee  was 

may  be  fortunate,  and,  if  it  can  be  effect- 

directed  to  take  a northerly  route  through 

ed  without  delay,  it  may  be  the  means  of 

Pittstown  to  Tinicum  feiiy,  at  Alexan- 

preserving  a city,  whose  loss  must  prove 

dria,  by  which  he  might  avoid  the  British, 

of  the  most  fatal  consequence  to  the  cause 

and  join  Washington’s  enfeebled  force  at 

of  America.” 

Trenton. 

Previous  to  the  receipt  of  this  commu- 

Orders,  it  will  be  recollected,  had  been 

ideation, Major  Hoops  had  arrived  atLee’s 

sent  by  Washington  to  General  Schuyler 

quarters  with  a letter  from  the  command- 

to  despatch  the  northern  troops  as  rapid- 

er-in-chief,  in  which  the  smallness  of  his 

ly  as  possible  to  the  .aid  of  the  army  in 

force  was  stated.  Lee,  in  answer,  as  if 

New  Jer.sey.  These  orders  were  commu- 

suddenly  startled  by  the  fact,  describes 

nicated  to  Gener.al  G.ates,  then  .at  Albany, 

^ himself  “ shocked  to  hear”  that 
Washington’s  force  was  so  inad- 

who  despatched  a dehachment  of  three 
regiments,  under  Gener.al  St.  Clair,  to  de- 

equate  to  the  necessity  of  his  situation. 

scend  the  North  river  to  New  Windsor, 

as  he  had  been  “ taught  to  think”  that  he 

and  then  m.arch  to  reinforce  the  army  in 

had  been  considerably  reinforced.  Lee 

New  Jersey.  Lee,  liowever,  intercepted 

can  not  persuade  himself  that  Philadel- 

all  that  remained  of  these  troops,  with  an 

phia  is  the  object  of  the  enemy ; and,  ha,v- 

order  to  join  him  ! Gates  himself,  accom- 

ing  posted  himself  at  Chatham,  he  seemed. 

panied  by  General  Arnold,  led  the  rem 

determined  not  to  bud^e,  let  Washlni!:ton 

nant  of  the  northern  army,  consisting  of 

beg,  entreat,  and  order,  as  he  might.  “ 1 

four  regiments,  and,  having  s.ailed  down 

have  put  myself  in  position,”  writes  Lee 

the  North  river,  landed  at  Esopus,  whence 

to  the  chief,  the  most  convenient  to  co- 

he  proposed  to  join  Washington  in  New 

f 1 

1 

408  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  LI’ART  ii. 

Jersey.  The  latter,  aware  of  liis  approach, 

sent  a despatch,  with  the  hope 
Dec.  14.  „ ’ , . ; 

of  its  meeting  him  on  liis  route. 

they  could  find  it  in  that  thinly-settled 
tract.  We  were  halted  on  the  11th  [of 
December]  by  a heavy  fall  of  snow,  which 

In  this.  Gates  was  entreated  not  to  delay 

increased  the  general’s  anxiety  for  inlbr* 

a moment  in  hastening  to  Pittstown.  “ 1 

mation  from  General  Washington,  and,  to 

expect  General  Lee  will  be  there,”  says 

relieve  his  solicitude,  I volunteered  my 

Washino-ton,  “ tliis evening  or  to-morrow.” 

services  to  find  him.  The  proposition 

At  the  moment  this  was  written,  Lee  was. 

was  adopted, and  a letter  (to  Washington) 

however,  unknown  to  Washington,  in  the 

prepared,  with  which  I Avas  despatched 

hands  of  the  enemy.  The  lofty  tlights  of 

on  the  morning  of  the  12th  of  Decern- 

that  ambitious  general  had  been  suddenly 

ber. 

checked,  on  the  morning  of  the  loth,  by 

“ I crossed  the  hills  to  Sussex  court- 

his  capture,  the  particulars  of  which  we 

house,  where  I received  advice  that  Gen- 

now  give  in  the  words  of  one  who  was 

eral  Washington  had  passed  the  Dela- 

present. 

Avare  several  days  before,  and  that  the 

Wilkinson  (then  a major),  whose  story 

enemy  had  reached  Trenton.  In  conse- 

we  relate,  presented  himself  to  General 

quence  of  this  information,  I employed  a 

Gates  on  the  5th  of  December,  having 

guide,  and  proceeded  down  the  country. 

been  temporarily  absent  from  his  com- 

On  the  road  I casually  met  an  officer  of 

mand  in  consequence  of  ill  health.  Gates, 

my  acquaintance,  Avho  informed  me  that 

says  he,  “ had  at  that  time  heard  of  Gen- 

the  boats  had  been  removed  from  the  fer- 

eral  Washington’s  crossing  the  North  riv- 

ries,  and  that  I should  find  some  difficulty 

er,  and  the  loss  of  Fort  Washington,  but 

in  getting  acro.ss  the  Delaware,  and  that 

had  received  no  satisfactory  information 

Major-General  Lee  Avas  at  MorristoAvn. 

of  posterior  incidents  and  movements. 

“ Finding  such  obstacles  in  my  w\ay  to 

though  a thousand  vague  reports  were  in 

the  commander-in-chief,  I determined  to 

circulation.  Thus  circumstanced,  his  in- 

seek  his  second,  and  to  ask  orders  from 

structions  led  him  to  take  the  back  route 

him  for  General  Gates ; and,  although 

from  Esopus,  by  the  Delaware  and  the 

dark,  I continued  my  journey  Avithout 

Minisink,  and  we  reached  Van  Kempt’s, 

halt.  About  midnight,  passing  a house 

near  the  Wallpeck,  in  very  intemperate 

by  the  Avayside,  I discovered  a glimmer- 

weather.  In  this  sequestered  valley  we 

ing  light,  and,  on  application  to  my  guide. 

were  thrown  out  of  the  ordinary  current 

Avas  informed  it  issued  from  a tavern.  I 

of  intelligence,  and  cut  off  from  all  au- 

dismounted,  and,  after  a short  parley  at 

thentic  information  respecting  the  ad- 

the  door,  gained  admittance,  and  found 

verse  armies.  The  winter  had  set  in  with 

the  Avomen  on  the  Avatch  over  the  embers 

severity  j our  troops  were  bare  of  cloth- 

of  an  expiring  fire ; for  I perceived  the 

ing ; numbers  barefoot, and  without  tents. 

Avhole  country  to  be  in  terror  and  alarm. 

provisions,  or  transport  of  any  kind.  The 

These  Avomen  kneAV  nothing  of  General 

men  and  officers  sought  shelter  wherever 

Lee;  but, after  some  AA’hispering, informed 

REvoLUTiONAnr.]  MAJOR  WILKINSON’S  NARRATIVE  4()'J 


me  two  strange  oflicer-s  were  in  bed  above 
me,  on  which  I desired  one  of  the  party 
to  awaken  and  inform  them  an  express 
desired  to  speak  with  them.  The  maid 
proceeded  with  a candle  to  execute  my 
orders,  and  soon  after  1 heard  a loud 
shriek. 

“ I instantly  mounted  the  stairs,  and, 
guided  by  the  light,  entered  the  cham- 
ber, when  a momentary  scene  of  some 
interest  took  place.  Two  gentlemen  were 
sitting  up  in  the  same  bed,  and  the  maid 
standing  at  a distance  from  tliem,  in  an 
apparent  agony,  with  the  candle  in  her 
hand.  The  shriek  had  been  caused  by 
the  ctmduct  of  one  of  the  gentlemen, 
whom  the  girl  had  awoke ; but  his  wan- 
ton levity  Avas  in  a moment  changed  into 
painful  apprehensions.  Awaking  out  of 
a sound  sleep  in  the  dead  of  night,  the 
unexpected  and  menacing  appearance  of 
an  officer,  Avitli  a Canadian  capot,  a scarlet 
under-coat,  and  a gold-laced  hat,  with  a 
pistol  in  each  hand,  was  sufficient  to  dis- 
sipate all  sense  of  an  amorous  nature,  and 
to  excite  those  frigid  sensations  which 
can  not  be  realized  so  sensibly  as  when 
an  unarmed  man  believes  himself  in  the 
power  of  an  enemy.  For  a moment  the 
gentlemen  were  struck  dumb  with  alarm ; 
literally  naked  and  defenceless,  and  be- 
lieving me  to  be  a British  officer,  their 
situation  appeared  hopeless,  and  it  was 
several  seconds  before  they  demanded. 
Who  are  you  T ” 

The  major  soon  relieved  their  fright, 
and,  after  making  himself  known,  and  re- 
ceiving their  names  and  quality  in  return, 
a greeting  ensued,  which  wais,  hoNvever, 
so  emphatic  in  expression  — proving  in- 
5-i 


dubitably  that  our  army  swore  terribly” 
in  the  Jerseys — that  we  prefer  to  omit 
the  verbal  relation  of  Wilkinson.  The 
gentlemen  thus  suddenly  aroused  wer 
Colonel  Gibson  and  a Mr.  Nourse.  They 
“had  parted  from  General  Lee  the  even- 
ing before,  and  were  absent  on  furlough  ; 
and  Mr.  Nourse  being  General  Lee’s  pri- 
vate secretary,”  continues  Major  Wilkin- 
son, “ they  could  of  course  direct  me  wdth 
precision  where  to  find  him.  Taking 
leave  of  them,  1 pursued  my  journey,  and 
about  four  o’clock  in  the  morning  reached 
his  quarters  at  White’s  tavern,  on  Bask- 
ino;  ridy:e. 

“I  was  presented  to  the  general  as  he 
lay  in  bed,  and  delivered  into  his  hands 
the  letter  of  General  Gates.  He  exam- 
ined the  superscription,  and  observed  it 
was  addressed  to  General  Washington, 
and  declined  opening  it,  until  I apprized 
him  of  the  contents,  and  the  motives  of 
my  visit ; he  then  broke  the  seal  and  read 
it,  after  which  he  desired  me  to  take  re- 
pose. I lay  down  on  my  blanket  before 
a comfortable  fire,  amidst  the  officers  of 
his  suite ; for  we  were  not  in  those  daj’s 
encumbered  wdth  beds  or  baggage. 

“ I arose  at  the  dawn,  but  could  not  see 
the  general,  wdth  wdioin  I had  been  pre- 
viously acquainted,  before  eight  o’clock. 
After  some  inquiries  respecting  the  con- 
duct of  the  campaign  on  the  northern 
frontier,  he  gave  me  a brief  account  of 
the  operations  of  the  grand  army,  wdiich 
he  condemned  in  strong  terms.  He  ob- 
served that  our  siege  of  Boston  had  led 
us  into  great  errors ; that  the  attempt  to 
defend  islands  against  a superior  land  and 
naval  force  wais  madness;  that  Sir  Wil- 


410  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  {^pakt  ii. 


liam  Howe  could  have  given  us  clieck- 
mate  at  his  discretion  ; and  that  we  owed 
our  salvation  to  his  indolence,  or  disincli- 
nation to  terminate  the  war.  ‘ When  I 
reached  the  army  on  York  i.slanci,’  said 
Lee,  ‘all  hands  were  busily  employed  in 
collecting  materials  and  erecting  bar- 
racks ; and  I found  little  Mifllin  exulting 
in  the  prospect  of  fine  winter-quarters  at 
Kingsbridge.  I replied  to  him  : “ Winter- 
quarters  here,  sir!  and  the  British  army 
still  in  the  field ! Go,  set  fire  to  those 
you  have  built,  and  get  away  by  the 
light,  or  Sir  William  Howe  will  find  quar- 
ters for  you  !”  ’ 

“ General  Lee  wasted  the  morning  in 
altercation  with  certain  militia-corps  who 
were  of  his  command,  particvdarly  the 
Connecticut  light-horse,  several  of  whom 
appeared  in  large,  full-bottomed  perukes, 
and  were  treated  very  irreverently.  One 
wanted  forage,  another  his  horse  shod, 
another  his  pay,  a fourth  provisions ; to 
which  the  general  replied  ; ‘ Your  wants 
are  numerous ; but  you  have  not  men- 
tioned the  last : you  want  to  go  home, 
and  shall  be  indulged,  for,  d — n you,  you 
do  no  good  here !’  The  call  of  the  adju- 
tant-general for  orders  also  occupied  some 
of  his  time,  and  we  did  not  sit  down  to 
breakfast  before  ten  o’clock. 

“ General  Lee  was  engaged  in  answer- 
ing General  Gates’s  letter,  and  I had  risen 
from  the  table,  and  was  looking  out  an 
end-window,  down  a lane  about  one  hun- 
dred yards  in  length,  which  led  to  the 
house  from  the  main  road,  when  I discov- 
ered a party  of  British  dragoons  turn  a 
corner  of  the  avenue  at  full  charge.  Star- 
tled at  this  unexpected  spectacle,  1 ex- 


claimed, ‘ Here,  sir,  are  the  British  caval- 
ry !’ — ‘ Where?'  replied  the  general,  who 
had  signed  his  letter  in  the  instant - 
‘Around  the  house  !’  for  they  had  opened 
files,  and  encompassed  the  building.  Gen- 
eral Lee  appeared  alarmed,  yet  collected, 
and  his  second  observation  marked  his 
self-possession:  ‘Where  is  the  guard? — 
d — n the  guard!  why  don’t  they  fire?’ 
And,  after  a momentary  pause,  he  turned 
to  me  and  said,  ‘ Do,  sir,  see  what  has  be- 
come of  the  o-uard.’ 

O 

“ The  women  of  the  house  at  this  mo- 
ment entered  the  room,  and  proposed  to 
him  to  conceal  himself  in  a bed,  which  he 
rejected  with  evident  disgust.  I caught 
up  my  pistols,  which  lay  on  the  table, 
thrust  the  letter  he  had  been  writing  into 
my  pocket,  and  passed  into  a room  at  the 
opposite  end  of  the  house,  where  I had 
seen  the  guard  in  the  morning.  Here  I 
discovered  their  arms ; but  the  men  were 
absent.  I stepped  out  of  the  door,  and 
perceived  the  dragoons  chasing  them  in 
different  directions;  and,  receiving  a very 
uncivil  salutation,  I returned  into  the 
house. 

“ Too  inexperienced  immediately  to 
penetrate  the  motives  of  this  enterprise, 
I considered  the  renconire  accidental ; and, 
from  the  terrific  tales  spread  over  the 
country,  of  the  violence  and  barbarity  of 
the  enemy,  I believed  it  to  be  a wanton, 
murdering  party,  and  determined  not  to 
die  without  company.  I accordingly 
sought  a position  where  I could  not  be 
approached  by  more  than  one  person  at 
a time,  and  with  a pistol  in  each  hand  I 
awaited  the  expected  search,  resolved  to 
shoot  tlio  first  and  the  second  person  who 


nEVOLUTiONARY.j  GENERA!;  LEE  TAKEN  PRISONER.  411 

might  appear,  and  then  to  appeal  to  my 

morning,  fell  in  on  the  road  with  Colonel 

sword. 

Harcourt,  at  the  head  of  a troop  of  British 

“ I did  not  remain  long  in  this  unpleas- 

dragoons,  out  reconnoitring,  and  gave  in- 

ant  situation,  but  was  apprized  of  the  oh- 

formation  of  the  general’s  whereabouts. 

ject  of  the  incursion  by  the  very  audible 

Harcourt,  however,  might  not  have  been 

declaration — If  the  general  does  not  svrren- 

in  time,  had  not  Lee  lingered  so  long  in 

der  in  five  minutes,  I iv  ill  set  fire  to  the  house!' 

bed,  and  spun  out  the  morning  chatting 

which,  after  a short  pause,  was  repeated. 

with  his  visiter,  scolding  at  his  militia- 

• 

with  a solemn  oath ; and  within  two  min- 

officers,  and  writing  his  letter  to  General 

utes  I heard  it  proclaimed,  ^ Here  is  the 

Gates.  If  it  had  not  been  for  this  un- 

ge^ieral — he  has  surrendered!  A general 

timely  delay,  he  would  probably  not  have 

shout  ensued ; the  trumpet  sounded  the 

been  caught  at  White’s  tavern,  but  have 

assembly;  and  the  unfortunate  Lee, 

reached  his  camp  at  Veal  town.  The  guard 

mounted  on  my  horse,  which  stood  ready 

were  as  careless  as  the  general.  The 

at  the  door,  was  hurried  off  in  triumph. 

morning  being  cold  and  the  sun  bright, 

bareheaded,  in  his  slippers  and  blanketr 

the  men  had  stacked  their  guns,  left  their 

coat,  his  collar  open,  and  his  shirt  very 

station,  crossed  the  main  road,  and  were 

much  soiled  from  several  days’  use.” 

sunning  themselves  on  tlie  south  side  of 

It  seems  that  a New-Jersey  tory — “a 

a house  about  two  hundred  yards  from 

domestic  traitor,”  as  Major  Wilkinson  calls 

the  tavern,  when  the  British  colonel  rode 

him — who  had  passed  Lee’s  quarters  that 

up  and  cut  them  oft'  from  their  arms. 

CHAPTER 

XXXVIII. 

General  Lee’s  Motives  explained. — His  Letter  to  General  Gates. — A Traitor? — The  Effect  of  the  Capture. — Exultation 

of  the  Enemy. — Major  Wilkinson’s  Escape,  and  his  Account  of  it. — Gates  affected  by  Lee’s  Capture. — Gates  on  his 
Route  to  join  Washington  in  New  Jersey. — Washington  perplexed,  but  not  in  Despair. — The  Congress  at  Philadelphia 
alarmed  by  the  Approach  of  the  Enemy — Baltimore  appointed  as  the  Next  Place  of  Meeting. — Washington’s  Powers 
extended. — His  Scrupulous  Exercise  of  them. — The  Condition  of  the  American  Army. — Effort  to  save  Philadelphia. — 

The  Banks  of  the  Delaware  guarded. — The  Enemy  will 

not  cross  the  River. — Tbe  Provincial  Eorce  strengtliened. — 

Washington  resolves  upon  Offensive  Operations. — A Letter  of  Advice  from  Colonel  Reed. — A Day  appointed  for  an 
Attack. — General  Gates  goes  to  Philadelphia. — His  Opinion  of  Washington  as  a Tactician. — “On  his  Way  to  Con- 

gress  ! — on  his  Way  to  Congress  !’’ 

General  Lee,  at  the  time  of  his 
capture,  was  evidently  not  disposed 

Morristown  for  several  days,  he  left  it  on 
the  12th  of  December;  but,*when  taken. 

to  cross  the  Delaware,  as  he  had  repeab 

his  army  had  only  marched  twelve  miles. 

edly  and  most  urgently’  been  ordered  to 

to  Veal  town.  Major  Wilkinson,  moreo- 

do  by  Washington.  After  lingering  at 

ver,  tells  us  that  “ when  Colonel  Scammel, 

412  BATTLES  OF  AMEBICA.  [part  ii 


the  adjutantrgeneral,  called  on  him  from 
General  Sullivan,  who  was  encamped  with 
the  troops,  for  orders  of  march  on  the 
morning  of  his  capture,  after  musing  a 
minute  or  two,  he  asked  the  colonel  if  he 
had  with  him  the  manuscript  map  of  the 
country,  which  was  produced  and  spread 
on  a table.  It  attracted  my  attention, 
and  I observed  General  Lee  trace  with 
his  finger  the  route  from  Vealtown  to 
Pluckimen,  thence  to  Somerset  court- 
house, and  -on  by  Rocky  hill  to  Prince- 
ton ; he  then  returned  to  Pluckamin,  and 
traced  the  route  in  the  same  manner,  by 
Boundbrook  to  Brunswick,  and,  after  a 
close  inspection,  carelessly  said  to  Scam- 
mel,  ‘Tell  General  Sullivan  to  move  down 
toward  Pluckimen  — that  I will  be  soon 
with  him.’  ” 

The  order  to  Sullivan  to  march  to 
Pluckimen  was  not  inconsistent  with  an 
intention  to  obey  the  command  of  Wash- 
ine:ton  to  cross  the  Delaware  at  Alexan- 
dria ; but  if  the  tracing  of  his  finger  on 
the  map,  so  closely  observed  by  the  vigi- 
lant eye  of  Wilkinson,  is  to  be  taken  as 
an  indication  of  Lee’s  intended  march,  he 
clearly  at  the  last  moment  was  preparing 
to  strike  a blow  against  the  enemy,  at  the 
risk  of  his  fair  fiime.  He  was  ready  to 
hazard  all  on  the  chance  of  success.  A 
victory,  he  thought,  would  raise  such  a 
flood  of  popular  applause  as  to  drown  all 
inquiry.  A defeat,  he  knew,  could  only 
result  in  disgrace  and  punishment  for  dis- 
obedience of  orders.  Lee  was  not,  how- 
ever, apparently  very  confident  of  win- 
ning in  the  hazardous  game  he  was  play- 
ing. His  letter  to  Gates,  which  Wilkin- 
‘^on  hurriedly  thrust  into  his  pocket  be- 


fore it  Avas  folded,  is  desponding,  although 
it  confirms  the  suspicion  that  he  Avas  about 
to  act  independently  of  Washington,  and 
in  disobedience  to  his  orders.  Here  it 
is : — 

“ Basking  Ridge,  December  13,  1776. 

“ My  Dear  Gates  : The  ingenious  ma- 
noeuvre of  Fort  Washington  has  unhinged 
the  goodly  fabric  Ave  had  been  building. 

There  never  Avas  so  d d a stroke.  Eii- 

ire  nous,  a certain  great  man  is  most  dam- 
nably deficient.  He  has  throAvn  me  into 
a situation  Avhere  I have  my  choice  of 
difficulties : if  I stay  in  this  province,  I 
risk  myself  and  army;  and,  if  I do  not 
stay,  the  province  is  lost  for  ever.  I have 
neither  guides,  cavalry,  medicines,  mon- 
ey, shoes,  or  stockings.  I must  act  Avith 
the  greatest  circumspection.  Tories  are 
in  my  front,  rear,  and  on  my  flanks ; the 
mass  of  the  people  is  strangely  contami- 
nated ; in  short,  unless  something,  AA'hicli 
I do  not  expect,  turns  up,  Ave  are  lost; 
our  counsels  have  been  Aveak  to  the  last 
degree.  As  to  Avhat  relates  to  yourself, 
if  you  think  you  can  be  in  time  to  aid  the 
general,  I Avould  have  you  by  all  means 
go ; you  Avill  at  least  save  your  army.  It 
is  said  that  the  Avhigs  are  determined  to 
set  fire  to  Philadelphia : iJ'they  strike  this 
decisive  stroke,  the  day  Avill  be  our  OAvn  ; 
but  unless  it  is  done,  all  chance  of  liberty 
in  any  part  of  the  globe  is  for  ever  van- 
ished. Adieu,  my  dear  friend  ! God  bless 
you ! “ Charles  Lee.” 

General  Lee’s  capture  Avas  suspected 
by  many  at  the  time  to  have  been  made 
by  collusion  Avith  the  enemy.  The  letter 
just  read,  hoAvever,  proves  that  the  senti 


RKVoLCTioNAisY.J  GENERAL  GATES  AND  IIIS  JEWISH  HOST,  413 

ment  at  least  of  that  eccentric  command- 

Gates  seems  to  have  been  greatly  af- 

er  was  at  the  last  moment  true  to  liber- 

fected  by  the  capture  of  his  old  comrade 

tj  ; and  his  rude  treatment  by  his  British 

and  friend,  and  no  doubt  sympathized 

captors  is  unquestionable  evidence  that 

fully  with  the  views  expre.ssed  in  Lee’.s 

Lee  was  not  considered  by  them  as  their 

letter.  Immediately  after  Wilkinson’s  ar- 

friend.  They  exulted  greatly,  however, 

rival,  the  troops  were  put  in  motion. 

in  his  capture,  declaring,  We  have  taken 

Brigadier-General  Arnold  led  them  di- 

the  American  palladium!”  Some  of  the 

rectly  to  Easton,  in  Pennsylvania.  Gates 

Americans  thought  no  less,  and  seemed 

and  his  suite,  with  a light-guard  of  horse. 

to  imagine  that,  with  the  loss  of  Lee,  had 

took  a more  circuitous  route,  and,  having 

passed  away  all  hopes  of  the  salvation  of 

reached  the  Delaware  river  some  distance 

the  country.  Washington  spoke  calmly 

above  Easton, in  the  night,  lodged  at  “one 

of  the  event  thus,  in  a letter  to  his  broth- 

Levy’s.”  Gates  had  a predilection  for  his 

er  Augustine  ; “ Before  you  receive  this 

host,  for  he  said  that  the  Jews  were  whig.s. 

letter,  you  will  undoubtedly  have  heard 

Levy,  however,  in  the  course  of  the  first 

of  the  captivity  of  General  Lee.  This  is 

interview,  let  drop  certain  remarks  “a 

an  additional  misfortune,  and  the  more 

little  mysterious,”  which  made  his  guests 

vexatious,  as  it  was  by  his  own  folly  and 

somewhat  suspicious  of  their  host’s  patri- 

imprudence,  and  without  a view  to  effect 

otism.  Gates  accordingly  desired  those 

any  good,  that  he  was  taken.” 

who  accompanied  him  to  conceal  his  name 

Let  us,  however,  return  to  Major  Wil- 

and  rank,  as  well  as  those  of  Colonel  John 

kinson,  and  learn  from  his  own  account 

Trumbull,  then  adjutant-general,  and  af- 

how  he  escaped  from  the  dilemma  in 

terward  the  patriotic  panel-painter.  The 

which  he  found  himself  on  the  capture 

general  presented  himself  as  “ Captain 

of  Lee.  ‘“'So  soon,”  says  Wilkinson,  “as 

Smith,  of  Berkeley,  Virginia.”  Levy’s 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Harcourt  reti’eated 

sharp  eyes  seemed  to  recognise  an  old  ac- 

with  his  prize,  I repaired  to  the  stable. 

quaintance  in  Trumbull,  and  he  observed 

mounted  the  first  horse  I could  find,  and 

that  “ he  thought  he  had  seen  the  colonel 

rode  full  speed  to  General  Sullivan,  whom 

in  Connecticut.”  General  Gates,  however. 

I found  nnder  march  toward  Pluckimen. 

quickly  answered,  “ No  1 he  is  a neigh- 

I had  not  examined  General  Lee’s  letter. 

bor’s  son  in  Berkeley.”  The  scrutinizing 

but  believing  a knowledge  of  the  con- 

observation  of  Levy  so  alarmed  his  guests. 

tents  might  be  useful  to  General  Sullivan, 

that  it  was  thought  more  prudent  to  short- 

who  succeeded  him  in  command,!  handed 

en  their  stay ; and  accordingly  the  gen- 

it  to  him,  who,  after  the  perusal,  returned 

eral,  although  the  night  was  very  inclem- 

t with  his  thanks,  and  advised  me  to  re- 

ent,  ordered  the  horses  to  be  saddled. 

join  General  Gates  without  delay,  which 

“and,”  says  Wilkinson,  “we  made  a per- 

I did  the  next  morning  at  Sussex  courL 

ilous  passage  of  the  river,  through  float- 

house,  whither  he  had  led  the  troops  from 

ing  ice,  and  marched  until  midnight,  be- 

Van  Kempt’s.” 

fore  we  lay  down,  ift  a dirty  store-room, 

- 

1 

114  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  it. 

which  almost  suffocated  me.”  The  next 

proach  of  the  British  to  Philadelphia,  that 

morning  they  reached  Nazareth  in  good 

it  was  thought  advisable  by  Congress  on 

time,  and  then  pushed  on  for  Bethlehem, 
where  they  overtook  Arnold  with  the 

its  adiournment  to  choose  Balti- 

12. 

more  as  the  next  place  ot  meet- 

troops  from  the  Nortli,  and  Lee’s  army, 

ing.  Before  adjourning,  hoAvever,  it  was 

with  General  Sullivan,  who  had  changed 

“resolved,  that,  until  Congress  shall  oth- 

his  route  the  moment  he  found  himself 

erAvise  order,  General  Washington  be  pos- 

in  command,  and  hurried  forward  to  join 

sessed  of  full  poAver  to  order  and  direct 

Washington.  While  Gates  was  at  Beth- 

all  things  relatiAm  to  the  department  and 

lehem,  he  received  that  letter  from  Wash- 

to  the  operations  of  Avar.”  This  was  a 

ington  which,  as  we  have  seen,  was  wriL 

Avide  extension  of  authority ; but  Wash- 

ten  on  the  14th  of  December,  and  con- 

ington,  alAA'ays  so  scrupulous  in  the  exer- 

tained  an  account  of  the  “ melancholy  sit- 

cise  of  his  delegated  poAvers,  does  not  as- 

nation”  of  affairs  in  New  Jersey.  The 

sume  it  Avithout  an  explanation,  which 

troops  Avere  now  hurried  on,  and  joined 

seems  almost  like  an  apology  to  the  state. 

the  commander-in-chief  in  the 
' neighborhood  of  Coryell’s  ferry. 

He  orders  three  battalions  of  artillery  to 
be  recruited.  He  promises  officers  and 

Washington’s  forces  were  considerably 

men  that  their  pay  shall  be  increased 

increased  by  the  addition  of  Sullivan’s 

twenty-five  per  cent.  This  Avas  obviously 

and  Gates’s  divisions,  but  his  difficulties 

not  transcending  the  authority  conferred 

were  ‘‘  not  sensibly  diminished.”  His  ar- 

upon  him  by  the  resolution  of  Congress, 

my  Avas  rapidly  dissolving,  and  in  ten  days 

but  Washington  fears  that  Avhat  he  has 

there  Avould  be  (in  consequence  of  the 

done  may  appear  “ premature  and  unAvar- 

expiration  of  the  time  of  service  of  many) 
only  fourteen  hundred  men  left, and  “mis- 

rantable.”  In  the  same  letter  to 
^ , , Dec.  20. 

Congress,  lioAvever,  he  can  not 

erably  provided  in  all  things.”  Washing- 

refrain  (urged  as  he  is  by  the  emergencies 

ton  was  deeply  sensible  of  the  dangers  of 

of  bis  position)  from  declaring  the  neces- 

the  country.  “I  saw  him,”  says  Wilkin- 

sity  of  acting  occasionally  on  his  own  re- 

son,  “ in  tliat  gloomy  period,  dined  Avith 

sponsibility.  If,  in  the  short  inbu'val  in 

him,  and  attentively  marked  his  aspect; 

Avhich  great  and  arduous  preparations 

always  grave  and  thoughtful, he  appeared 

must  be  made  against  the  enemy,  “ every 

at  that  time  pensive  and  solemn  in  the 

matter  that  in  its  nature  is  selfevident 

extreme.”  Perplexed  as  he  Avas,  hoAvever, 

is  to  be  referred  to  Congress,  at  the  dis- 

Washington  did  not  despair.  To  his  broth- 

tance  of  a hundred  and  thirty  or  forty 

er  he  Avrites,  “ Under  a full  persuasion  of 

miles,  so  much  time  must  elapse,”  he  says, 

the  justice  of  our  cause,  I can  not  enter- 

“ as  to  defeat  the  end  in  vieAV 

tain  an  idea  that  itAvill  finally  sink,  though 

“ It  may  be  said,”  continues  the  scrupu- 

it  may  remain  for  some  time  under  a 

lous  and  disinterested  Washington,  “ that 

cloud.” 

this  is  an  application  for  poAAmrs  that  are 

Such  was  the  imminency  of  the  ap- 

. 

too  dangerous  to  be  intrusted.  I can 

r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  WASHINGTON  ADVOCATES  A STANDING  ARMY.  41.5 

only  add  that  desperate  diseases  require 

be  raised,  as  Hie  eighty-eight  proposed  by 

desperate  remedies ; and  I -with  truth  de- 

Congress  are  by  no  means  equal  to  the 

dare  that  I have  no  lust  after  power,  but 

opposition  that  must  be  made.  “ It  is 

I wish  witli  as  much  fervency  as  any  man 

not  a time,”  says  he,  “ to  stand  upon  ex 

upon  this  wide-extended  continent  for  an 

pense.”  Emboldened  by  the  necessities 

opportunity  of  turning  the  sword  into  the 

of  the  occasion,  Washington  declares  he 

ploughshare.  But  my  feelings,  as  an  olh- 

shall  encourage  those  officers  wlio  offer  to 

cer  mid  a man,  have  been  such  as  to  force 

raise  men  upon  continental  pay  and  es- 

me  to  say  that  no  person  ever  had  a great- 

tablishment,  and  “regiment  them  when 

er  choice  of  dilhculties  to  contend  with 

they  have  done  it.”  Ilis  scrupulous  sense 

than  I have.  It  is  needless  to  add  that 

of  his  responsibility  to  the  state,  how'ever. 

short  enlistments, and  a mistaken  depend- 

here  again  shows  itself  in  these  remark- 

ence  upon  militia,  have  been  the  origin 

able  words:  “If  Congress  disapprove  of 

of  all  our  misfortunes,  and  the  great  ac- 

this  proceeding,  they  will  please  to  signi- 

cumulation  of  our  debt.  We  find,  sir,  that 

fy  it,  as  I mean  it  for  the  best.  It  may 

the  enemy  are  daily  gathering  strength 

be  thought  I am  going  a good  deal  out 

fvom  the  disaffected.  This  strength,  like 

of  the  line  of  my  duty,  to  adopt  these 

a snowball  by  rolling,  will  increase,  unless 

measures,  or  to  advise  thus  freely.  A 

some  means  can  be  devised  to  check 

character  to  lose,  an  estate  to  forfeit,  the 

effectually  the  progress  of  the  enemy’s 

inestimable  blessings  of  liberty  at  stake, 

arms.  Militia  may  possibly  do  it  for  a 

and  a life  devoted,  must  be  my  excuse.” 

little  while ; but  in  a little  while  also,  and 

“What  a wretched  spectacle  did  our 

the  militia  of  those  states,  which  have 

troops  present  in  retreating  through  the 

been  frequently  called  upon,  will  not  turn 

Jerseys !”  exclaims  an  American  officer. 

out  at  all ; or,  if  they  do,  it  will  be  with 

“without  cavalry;  but  partially  provided 

so  much  reluctanceand  sloth  as  to  amount 

with  artillery ; deficient  in  transport  foi 

to  the  same  thing.  Instance  New  Jersey  ! 

the  little  Ave  had  to  carry  ; without  tents 

Witness  Pennsylvania  ! Could  anything 

tools,  or  camp-equipage ; without  maga 

but  the  river  Delaware  have  saved  Phila- 

zines  of  any  kind  ; half  clothed ; badly 

delphia  ?” 

armed ; debilitated  by  disease,  disheart 

With  no  confidence  in  a militia,  “who 

ened  by  misfortunes,  and  Avorn  out  Avith 

come  in  you  can  not  tejl  how,  go  you  can 

fatigues.”  The  very  steps  of  the  soldiers 

not  tell  when,  and  act  j’ou  can  not  tell 

during  that  toilsome  retreat  could  be 

where,  consume  your  provisions,  exhaust 

traced  upon  the  snoAv  by  stains  of  the 

your  stores,  and  leave  you  a#  last  at  a 

blood  Avhich  had  dropped  from  their  na- 

critical  moment,”  Washington  ventures  to 

ked  feet! 

advise  the  establishment  of  “a  large  stand- 

Crippled  and  exhausted  as  the  army 

ing  army  sufficient  of  itself  to  oppose  the 

Avas,  Washington  could  not  make  a show 

enemy.”  Not  less  than  a hundred  and 

of  offensive  operations,  and  resorted  to 

ten  battalions,  he  declares,  should  at  once 

the  only  means  in  his  poAver  of  saviny 

1 

116  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  ii 

Philadelphia,  which  Congresshad  resolved 

to  concede  that  he  acted  from  the  sug- 

should  be  defended  to  the  last  extremity. 

gestions  of  those  in  whose  capacity  and 

He  did  what  he  could  to  prevent  the  Brit- 

character  he  trusted.  One  of  the  most 

ish  from  crossina;  the  Delaware.  For  thir- 

striking  characteristics  of  the  great  man 

ty  miles  along  the  western  bank  of  that 

was  the  readiness  with  which  he  adopted 

river  (from  Dunk’s  ferry,  below  Trenton, 

anv  measure,  come  from  what  source  it 

to  Coryell’s  ferry  above),  at  the  ferries 

might,  which  be  believed  to  be  conducive 

and  fords,  he  distributed  his  force  into 

to  the  welfare  of  the  great  cause  in  which 

patrolliug-parties  and  stationary  guard, s. 

he  was  engaged.  No  obstinate  self-esteem 

The  craft  on  the  Delaware  were  secured. 

ever  interrupted  the  course  of  his  gener- 

and  the  larger  vessels  formed  into  a chain 

ous  love  of  country. 

of  guard-ship.s.  With  the  advantnge  of 

Reed  was  at  the  time  with  Colonel  Cad- 

after-sight,  which  is  the  privilege  of  his- 

wallader  and  a body  of  Pennsylvania  mi- 

torians,  we  now  discover  that  the  enemy’s 
design  was  not  to  march  upon  Philadel- 

litia,  stationed  at  Bristol,  when 

’ ’ Dec.  22. 

Ire  wrote  this  letter  to  Washing- 

phia.  General  Lee’s  conjecture  was  cor- 

ton  : “ If  we  could  po.ssess  ourselves  again 

rect.  Sir  William  Howe  did  not  intend 

of  New  Jersey,  or  any  considerable  part, 

to  cross  the  Delaware  during  that  win- 

the  eflhct  would  be  greater  than  if  we 

ter’s  campaign.  The  British  general,  as 

had  not  left  it.  Allow  me  to  hope  that 

appears  from  his  despatch,  was  satisfied 

you  will  consult  your  own  good  judg- 

with  establishing  himself  in  New  Jersey, 

ment  and  spirit,  and  let  not  the  goodness 

and  thus  securing  shelter,  forage,  and  pro- 

of  your  heart  subject  you  to  the  influence 

visions,  for  his  army,  till  the  spring  should 

of  the  opinions  of  men  in  every  respect 

open,  and  reinforcements  arrive  for  car- 

your  inferiors.  Something  must  be  at- 

lying  out  other  and  more  extensive  de- 

tempted  before  the  sixty  days  expire 

signs. 

which  the  commissioners  have  allowed; 

Washington’s  army,  reinforced  by  the 

for,  however  many  may  affect  to  despise 

division  of  Lee,  the  regiments  from  the 

it,  it  is  evident  a very  serious  attention 

northern  army  under  Gates,  and  the  mi- 

is  paid  to  it:  and  I am  confident  that,  un- 

litia  from  Penn.sylvania,  drawn  out  by  the 

less  some  more  favorable  appearance  at- 

spirited  exertions  of  the  ever-active  Mif- 

tends  our  arms  and  cause  before  that 

tlin,  now  numbered  nearly  six  thousand 

time,  a very  great  number  of  the  militia- 

. effective  men.  With  this  addi- 

Dec.  22.  . p 

tion  to  his  force,  tlie  commander- 

officers  here  will  follow  the  example  of 
Jerse}^,  and  take  benefit  from  it.  Our 

in-chief  resolved  upon  commencing  oflen- 

cause  is  desperate  and  hopeless  if  we  do 

sive  operations.  How  far  he  was  actu- 

not  strike  some  stroke.  Our  affnirs  are 

ated  in  this  determination  by  a letter  re- 

hastening  apnee  to  ruin,  if  we  do  not  re- 

ceived  from  the  adjutant-general.  Colonel 

trieve  them  by  some  hnpp}^  event.  De- 

Reed,  it  is  dillicult  to  decide.  It  detracts 

lay  with  us  is  near  equal  to  a total  de- 

nothing  from  the  character  of  Wa,shington 

feat.  We  must  not  suffer  ourselves  to 

r 

REVOLUTIONAKY.J  GA'I’ES  “ON  HIS  WAY  TO  CONGRESS.  417 

be  lulled  into  security  and  inactivity,  be- 

the  humor  to  co-operate  with  the  com- 

cause  the  enemy  does  not  cross  the  river. 

mander-in-chief..  He  had  probably  aims 

The  love  of  my  country,  a wife  and  four 

of  his  owm,  which  he  was  more  anxious 

children  in  the  enemy’s  hands,  tlie  respect 

to  direct,  than  to  aid  in  furtherinar  those 

and  attachment  I have  to  you,  the  ruin 

of  Washington  and  of  the  country.  Ma- 

and  poverty  that  must  attend  me  and 

jor  Wilkinson  rode  wdth  Gates  to  Phila- 

thousands  of  others,  will  plead  my  excuse 
for  so  much  freedom.” 

Washington,  inlluenced  or  not  by  this 
outspoken  letter,  had  so  far  carried  out 
his  purpose  of  offensive  operations  as  to 
appoint  the  time  for  an  attack ; for  he 

Dec  23  Reed  that  “ Christmas- 

day,  at  night,  one  hour  before 

delphia.  They  set  out  together  on  the 
24th  of  Decemb*jr.  On  the  road  the  gen- 
eral appeared  much  depre.ssed  in  mind, 
and  frequentl 3' expressed  the  opinion  that 
wdiile  General  Wa.shington  w as  watchin<r 
the  enemy  above  Trenton,  they  would 
privately  construct  batteaux,  cro.ss  the 
Delaware  in  his  rear,  and  take  possession 

day,  is  the  time  fixed  upon  for  our  at- 

of  Philadelphia,  before  he  was  a^vare  of 

tempt  at  Trenton.  For  Heaven’s  sake, 

the  movement;  and  that,  instead  of  vain- 

keep  this  to  yourself,  as  the  discovery  of 

ly  attempting  to  stop  Sir  William  Howe 

it  may  prove  fatal  to  us — our  number, s, 

at  the  Delaware,  General  Washington 

sorry  am  I to  say,  being  less  than  I had 

ought  to  retire  to  the  south  of  the  Su.s- 

any  conception  of;  but  necessity,  dire  ne- 

quehanna  river,  and  there  form  an  army 

cessity,  will,  nay  must,  justify  an  attack. 

Gates,  moreover,  declared  that  it  was  his 

I have  ordered  our  men  to  be  pro- 

intention  to  proceed  to  Baltimore,  and 

vided  with  three  days’  provision.s,  ready 

there  lay  this  plan  before  Congre.ss.  Wil- 

cooked,  with  wdiich  and  their  blankets 

kinson  was  entreated  to  accompan3"  him. 

they  are  to  march  ; for  if  we  are  success- 

but  refused.  At  night.  Gates  wrote  a let- 

fill,  which  Heaven  grant,  and  the  circum- 

ter  to  Washington,  with  which  he  charged 

stances  favor,  w'e  may  push  on.” 

Wilkinson,  wdio  then  took  leave  of  him, 

Washington  at  this  moment  naturally 

and  prepared  to  return  to  the  arm3^ 

expected  the  cordial  co-operation  of  Gen- 

“I  was  on  horseback  early  the  next 

eral  Gate,s,  but  that  officer  unfortunately 

morning  (Christmas-da}^),”  says  Wilkin- 

was  “ unwell,  and  had  applied  for  leave 

son,  “and  reached  NewTown  about  two 

to  go  to  Philadelphia.”  He  wuis,  however. 

o’clock.  On  my  arrival  there  I disco v- 

desired  by  his  superior,  “if  his  health 

ered,  to  my  surprise,  that  General  Wash- 

would  permit  him,”  to  call  and  stay  two 

ington  had  transferred  his  quarters  to 

or  three  days  at  Bristol,  on  his  way,  to 

that  place,  and  had  himself  marched  w ith 

give  his  aid  in  settling  some  probable  dis- 

the  troops  in  that  neighborhood.  From 

putes  about  rank ; for  “ the  colonels  of 

Colonel  Harrison,  the  general’s  secretaiy. 

the  continental  regiments,”  says  Wash- 

w ho  had  been  left  in  charge  of  his  papers. 

ington,  “might  kick  up  some  dust  about 

I received  the  necessary  directions,  and 

command.”  But  Gates  was  not  then  in 
53 

proceeded  in  quest  of  the  troops,  whose 

' 

418  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

route  was  easily  traced,  as  there  was  a 

“ I answered  that  I had  been  charged 

little  snow  on  the  ground,  Avhich  was 

M'ith  it  by  General  Gates. 

tinged  here  and  there  with  blood,  from 

“ ‘ By  General  Gates ! Where  is  he  ?’ 

the  feet  of  the  men  who  wore  broken 

“ ‘ I left  him  this  morning  in  Philadel- 

shoes. 

phia.’ 

“ I got  up  with  my  brigade  near  iVhCon- 

“ ^ What  was  he  doing  there  ?’ 

key’s  ferry  about  dusk  and,  inquiring  for 

‘ I understood  him  that  he  was  on  his 

the  commander-in-chief,  was  directed  to 

way  to  Congress.’ 

his  quarters.  T found  him  alone,  with  his 

“Washington  then  earnestly  repeat- 

whip  in  his  tvnd,  prepared  to  mount  his 

ed  — 

• horse,  which  I perceived  as  I entered. 

“ ‘ On  his  way  to  Congress ! on  his  way 

When  I presented  the  letter  of  General 

to  Congress!”’  and  broke  the  seal ; where- 

Gates  to  him,  before  receiving  it,  he  ex- 

upon  Wilkinson  made  his  bow,  took  his 

claimed  with  sulemnity  — 

leave,  and,  joining  his  brigade,  prepared 

“ ‘ What  a time  is  this  to  hand  me  let- 

to  bear  his  part  in  the  eventful  enterprise 

ters !’ 

of  that  stormy  Christmas-night. 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

The  British  Troops  in  New  Jersey. — Their  Confidence  in  Themselves,  and  Contempt  of  their  Enemy. — Colonel  Kam  i\t 

Trenton. — His  Military  Character. — Daring  and  reckless. 

— A Warning  unheeded. — A Christmas-Dinner, — A Hand  at 

Cards. — Another  Warning  disregarded. — The  Approach  of  Washington. — Disposition  of  his  Force. — Crossing  of  Cie 
Delaware. — Tlie  Storm. — Squihbing. — The  Advance  and  Charge. — The  Attack  on  the  Hessians  at  Princeton. — Per- 
sonal Exposure  of  Washington. — The  Assault  led  hy  Stark. — The  Enemy  driven  from  the  Town. — The  Brave  Rahl. 

—He  rallies  and  returns  to  the  Charge. — He  falls. — Flight  of  his  Hessians. — They  are  overtaken  and  surrounded. — 

Their  Surrender. — The  Loss  on  Both  Sides. — The  March  of  Cadwallader. — Its  Delays  and  F'ailure. — Reinforcement 
from  Putnam  at  Philadelphia. — Count  IJonop  left  in  the  Lurch. — The  Dyinf  Rahl  visited  and  consoled  by  Washing- 

ton. — No  Pursuit. — Washington  recrosses  the  Delaware. 

The  Bi’itish  troops  in  New  Jersey 
w'ere  stretched  in  a line  of  canton- 

cure,  that  ne  was  no  longer  vigilant.  He 
himself,  in  fact,  had  requested  leave  of 

ments  across  from  Brunswick  to  the  river 

absence,  and  had  gone  to  New  York,  to 

Delaware,  and  along  its  banks  to  Burling- 

prepare  to  embark  for  England.  His 

ton.  The  main  body  was  at  Brunswick, 

sense  of  security  was  shared  by  the  ofh- 

and  the  rest  were  so  widely  scattered  as 

cers  and  the  army  which  he  left  behind. 

to  leave  but  small  forces  at  the  various 

and  none  doubted  their  immunity  from 

other  posts.  Confident  in  the  possession 

attack. 

of  the  country,  and  desjdising  the  meager 

Trenton  was  held  by  Colonel  Rahl  with 

and  ill-conditioned  army  of  Washington, 

three  regiments  of  Hessians  (those  of  An- 

Lord  Cornwallis  believed  himself  so  se- 

spach,  Knyphatisen,  and  Rahl),  number- 

REVOLCTiONART.J  COLONEL  RAUL  AND 

niS  CIIRISTMAS-DINNER.  419 

ing  fifteen  hundred  men,  and  a troop  of 

my,  however,  had  retired.  So  the  colonel. 

British  light-horse.  Kahl  was  a brave  and 

thinking  all  was  over,  hurried  back  to  his 

active  executive  officer,  but  careless  of 

dinner  and  his  bottle,  to  which  he  was  de- 

danger  even  to  recklessness.  He  was  a 

votedly  attached.  It  was  Christmas,  and 

bustling  disciplinarian,  and  was  ever  liar- 

of  course  a high  festival  with  the  German 

assing  his  men  by  his  minute  attention 

soldiers.  Raid  himself  was  a guest  on  the 

to  the  formalities  of  dress  and  parade. 

occasion,  at  the  house  of  one  Abraham 

He  was,  however,  no  tactician,  and  could 

Hunt,*  who  was  a trader,  and  made  no 

neither  foresee  danger  nor  provide  against 

nice  distinctions  between  whigs  and  to- 

it.  He  had,  moreover,  a great  contempt 

ries,  provided  they  were  his  customers. 

for  his  enemy ; and  when  it  was  suggest- 

The  Christmas-dinner  was  eaten,  the  wine 

ed  that  an  assault  was  possible,  and  that 

circulated  freely,  and  finally  cards  were 

he  should  fortify  his  position,  he  made  a 

proposed.  The  convivial  colonel  was  as 

jest  of  it,  exclaiming,  “ Works  ! — pooh  ! 

fond  of  play  as  of  his  bottle,  and  soon  be- 

pooh!  An  assault  by  the  rebels?  Let 

came  deeply  absorbed  in  both.  Thus  the 

them  come  ; we’ll  at  them  with  the  bay- 

afternoon  and  night  passed  gayly.  “Just 

onet  !”•■’•  He  had  given  proofs  of  his  dash- 

at  dawn  a messenger  came  in  haste  with 

ing  qualities  as  a spirited  officer  in  the 

a note  to  Colonel  Raid,  sent  by  a tory  on 

attack  on  the  lines  at  Fort  Washington, 

the  Pennington  road,  who  had  discovered 

and  was  placed  in  command  at  Trenton 

the  approach  of  the  Americans.”  There 

as  a compliment  to  his  braveiy.  Notwith- 

was  a negro-servant  at  the  door,  and  he 

standing  his  general  want  of  forecaste,  he 

refused  admittance  to  the  messenger,  tel- 

is  said  to  have  been  aroused  to  a tempo- 

ling  him  that  “the  gemmen  can’t  be  dis- 

rary  apprehension  for  the  security  of  his 

turbed.”  The  bearer  of  the  note,  howev- 

frontier  post,  and  to  have  applied  for  a 

er,  aware  of  its  pressing  importance,  in- 

reinforcement  from  General  Grant,  who 

sisted  upon  the  negro  carrying  it  in.  He 

replied  : “ Tell  the  colonel  he  is  very  safe. 

did  as  he  was  bidden,  and  handed  it  to 

I will  undertake  to  keep  the  peace  in  New 

Raid.  The  hilarious  colonel  carele.ssly 

Jersey  with  a corporal’s  guard.”  He  was 

thrust  the  note  into  his  pocket  without 

soon  lulled  into  his  habitual  confidence. 

reading  it,  and  continued  his  game.  The 

which  remained  undisturbed,  although  he 

men,  like  their  master,  were  revelling. 

was  warned  that  the  Americans  threat- 

and  forgetthig  all  sense  of  danger  and 

ened  an  attack. 

duty  in  drunken  frolic. 

On  the  afternoon  of  Christmas-day  the 

Washington  had  chosen  this  night  ot 

whole  garrison  was  suddenly  aroused  to 

Christmas  for  his  attack  with  the  expec- 

arms  by  a firing  at  one  of  the  outposts. 

tation  that  his  Hessian  enemy,  thus  yiekk 

Colonel  Raid  hastened  to  the  point,  and 

ing  to  the  festivities  of  the  day,  would  be 

found  that  a picket-guard  had  been  fired 

more  exjiosed  to  a surprise.  His  plan 

upon,  and  six  men  wounded.  The  ene- 

was,  to  cro.ss  the  Delaware  with  three  di- 

* Irving. 

* Lossing. 

420  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 


visions  of  his  army.  One,  under  Cadwal- 
lader  and  Reed,  was  to  pass  the  river  at 
Bristol ; another,  under  Ewing,  at  the  fer- 
ry a little  below  Trenton ; and  the  main 
body,  consisting  of  twenty-five  hundred 
men,  Washington  proposed  to  lead  him- 
self (in  conjunction  Avith  Sulli\'an,  Stir- 
ling, Greene,  and  Colonel  Knox  of  the 
artillery)  across  M'Conkey’s  ferry,  nine 
miles  above  Trenton.  The  British  posts 
at  Mount  Holly,  Burlington,  Black  Horse, 
and  Bordentown,  Avere  the  points  of  at- 
tack set  doAvn  for  the  first  tAvo  division;?. 
Trenton  itself  Avas  reserved  for  the  com- 
mander-in-chief 

Boats  having  been  got  in  readiness, 
Washington  ordered  the  troops  to  be  pa- 
raded early  in  the  evening- “back 

Dpi*  25 

of  M‘Conkey’s  ferry,”  and  began 
to  embark  them  as  soon  as  it  grcAv  dark. 
He  hoped  to  be  able  to  throAV  them  all 
over,  Avith  the  artillery,  by  midnight,  and 
thus  arrive  at  Trenton  by  five  o’clock  in 
the  morning,  the  distance  from  the  point 
of  landing  on  the  opposite  side  being 
about  nine  miles.  The  darkness  of  the 
night,  hoAvever ; the  frost,  by  Avhich  ice 
Avas  rapidly  made ; the  severity  of  the 
cold,  so  great  that  two  or  three  men  froze 
to  death;  and  the  force  of  the  current, 
rendered  still  more  violent  by  a high 
Avind,  impeded  the  passage  of  the  boats 
so  much,  that  it  Avas  three  o’clock  before 
all  the  artillery  could  be  got  over,  and 
nearly  four  ANdien  the  troops  took  up  their 
line  of  march.  Washington,  thus  delayed, 
despaired  of  surprising  the  toAvn,  as  he 
kncAV  that  he  could  not  reach  it  before 
the  day  had  fairly  l)roken.  He  deter- 
mined, nevertheless,  to  push  on,  as  he 


could  not  retire  Avithout  being  discovered, 
and  harassed  Avhile  recrossing  the  river. 

On  landing,  Washington  formed  his  de- 
tachment in  tAvo  divisions.  One,  under 
the  command  of  Sullivan,  Avas  ordered  to 
march  by  the  lower  or  river  road,  and 
enter  Trenton  to  the  south.  The  other, 
Washington  Avas  to  lead  himself  by  a cir- 
cuitous route  to  the  Pennington  road,  and 
thus  into  the  town  at  the  north.  In  or- 
der that  the  tAVO  divisions  might  be  ready 
to  attack  simultaneously,  the  general-in- 
chief, as  he  had  a circuit  to  make,  ordered 
Sullivan  to  halt  for  a feAV  minutes  at  a 
cross-road,  to  give  him  time  to  come  up. 
The  final  order  being  issued,  that  the 
troop.s,  haA'ing  first  forced  the  outguards, 
should  push  directly  into  the  toAvn,  and 
thus  charge  the  enemy  before  they  had 
time  to  form,  each  division  took  up  iks 
march. 

When  the  division  on  the  lower  road 
halted,  in  accordance  Avith  Washington’s 
order,  it  Avas  discovered  that  the  snoAA-- 
storm  AA'hich  Avas  beating  violently  in  the 
soldiers’  faces,  had  so  Avetted  the  best- 
secured  aims,  that  they  Avere  not  in  firing 
condition.  The  fact  Avas  announced  to 
Sullivan.  He  cast  a look  at  General  St. 
Clair,  Avho  Avas  at  his  side,  and  observed, 
“ What  is  to  be  done  ?” — “ You  have  noth- 
ing for  it  but  to  push  on  and  charge,”  av.'us 
St.  Clair’s  immediate  ansAver.  The  march 
Avas  then  continued,  the  troops  being  or- 
dered to  clear  their  muskets  in  the  best 
manner  they  could  as  they  moved  along, 
and  a great  deal  of  “ srpiibbing”  ensued. 
In  the  meantime  an  officer  Avas  sent  to 
Washington,  to  inform  him  of  the  condi- 
tion of  the  arms.  He  returned  for  ansAver 


KKVOKCTiONART.j  BATTLE  OF  TRENTON.  421 


tliat  the  soldiers  “ must  advance  and 
charge.” 

It  was  now  broad  da}^,  and  Imth  divis- 
ions having  readied  the  outskirts  of  the 
town  at  the  same  moment,  their  fires 
were  heard  by  each  other,  ns  they  began 
their  simultaneous  attacks  upon  the  ene- 
my’s pickets.  As  his  column  approached 
the  town,  Washington  kept  near  the  front, 
and,  coming  up  with  a man  cliopping 
wood  by  the  roadside,  he  asked,  “Which 
way  is  the  Hessian  picket?” — “I  don’t 
know,”  replied  the  fellow,  with  an  air  and 
tone  as  if  he  were  concealing  the  truth. 
Captain  Forrest,  who  was  in  command  of 
the  artillery,  was  on  horseback  at  the  side 
of  the  commander-in-chief,  and,  observing 
the  reluctance  of  tlie  man,  said,  “You 
may  speak,  for  that  is  General  Washing- 
t(  n.”  Tlie  man  was  astonished  at  the 
discovery,  and  raising  his  hands  to  heav- 
en, exclaimed,  addressing  the  general : 
“God  bless  and  prosper  you,  sir!  — the 
picket  is  in  that  house,  aud  the  sentry 
stands  near  that  tree.”  Captain  Wash- 
ington was  immediately  ordered  to  dis- 
lodge it,  wliich  he  did  with  great  prompt- 
ness. The  artillery  was  now  unlimbered, 
and  the  column  proceeded.  As  Forrest 
opened  his  battery,  Washington  kept  on 
the  left,  and,  advancing  with  it,  directed 
the  fire.  He  was  thus  so  much  exposed, 
that  the  officers  repeatedly  entreated  him 
to  fall  back;  but  he  continued  on,  not- 
withstanding their  solicitude  for  his  safe- 

G'- 

Colonel  Stark  commanded  the  advance- 
guard  of  Sullivan’s  division,  and  made 
quick  work  with  the  picket  on  his  side. 
Having  forced  this,  he  pressed  on  into 


the  town,  dealing  “ death  wherever  he 
found  resistance,  and  breaking  down  all 
opposition  before  him.”  The  whole  col- 
umn followed  close  at  the  heels  of  the 
dauntless  Stark.  The  enemy  made  a mo- 
mentary show  of  resistance  by  a wild  and 
aimless  fire  of  musketry  from  the  win- 
dows of  the  houses  in  which  the}^  were 
quartered,  but  were  soon  compelled  to 
abandon  their  cover  as  the  Americans  ad- 
vanced. A troop  of  British  dragoons, 
with  about  five  hundred  infantry,  took  to 
flight  across  the  Assumpink,  and  joined 
Count  Donop  at  Bordentown. 

Colonel  Rahl  seemed  to  have  lost  all 
but  his  courage  in  the  confusion  of  the 
surprise.  He  was  riding  wildly  about  on 
his  horse,  endeavoring  to  rally  his  men, 
and  crying,  “ Forward  ! march!  advance! 
advance !”  His  troops,  thus  encouraged 
by  the  presence  of  theircommander,made 
an  attempt  to  form  in  the  main  street. 
Captain  Forrest,  however,  opened  his  bat- 
tery (with  General  Washington  at  his 
side,  directing  the  fire)  at  the  head  of 
King  street,  and  greatly  confused  the 
forming  battalions;  while  Captain  Wil- 
liam Washington,  who,  seconded  by  Lieu- 
tenant James  Monroe  (afterward  presi- 
dent), led  the  advance-guard  of  General 
Washington’s  column, perceiving  that  the 
Hessians  were  endeavoring  to  form  a bat- 
tery in  the  street,  rushed  forward,  diove 
the  artillerists  from  their  guns,  and  took 
two  pieces  just  as  they  were  about  being 
fired.  Captain  Washington  and  Lieuten- 
ant Monroe  were  both  wounded  in  this 
perilous  act,  the  former  in  his  wrist  and 
the  latter  in  the  fleshy  part  of  his  shoul- 
der. This  gallant  conduct  of  the  advance- 


422  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 

guard  was  of  great  service  ; for,  if  the  en- 

summoned  them  to  surrender,  when  they 

emy  had  been  able  to  serve  their  artillery 

at  once  agreed  to  do  so  at  discretion. 

in  the  narrow  street, the  Americans  might 

The  wounded  Raid  was  now  borne,  by 

have  been  checked. 

a file  of  sergeants,  to  present  his  sword 

Colonel  Raid  succeeded,  by  a great  ef- 

to  General  Washington.  At  this  moment, 

fort,  in  withdrawing  his  troops  from  the 

Wilkinson  rode  up,  having  been  sent  for 

town  into  a field  near  by.  Here  he  formed 

orders.  “ On  my  approach,”  says  he,  “ the 

his  grenadiers,  and,  instead  of  retreating. 

commander-in-chief  took  me  by  the  hand 

as  prudence  would  have  suggested,  he 

and  observed,  ‘ Major  Wilkinson,  this  is  a 

reckles.sly  led  them  on  against  the  town. 

glorious  day  for  our  country !’  his  counte- 

now  filled  by  the  triumphant  soldiers  of 

nance  beaming  with  complacency  ; while 

his  enemy.  He  madly  pushed  on,  right 

the  unfortunate  Raid,  who  the  day  before 

in  the  teeth  of  the  fire  of  the  artillery 

would  not  have  changed  fortunes  with 

sweeping  the  streets,  and  the  brisk  mus- 

him,  now  pale,  bleeding,  and  covered  with 

ketry  of  the  American  riflemen  taking 

blood,  in  broken  accents  seemed  to  im- 

deliberate  and  sure  aim  from  the  doors 

plore  those  attentions  which  the  victor 

and  windows  of  the  houses.  At  the  first 

was  w'ell  disposed  to  bestow  on  him.” 

onset,  the  gallant  Raid  was  shot  from  his 

The  whole  loss  of  the  Americans  was 

horse.  His  men,  seeing  their  leader  fall. 

trifling,  amounting  in  all  to  tour  men 

turned  bv  their  right  along  the  river  As- 

wounded,  two  killed,  and  two  frozen  to 

sumpink,  which  runs  through  the  town. 

death.  The  enemy  had  their  command- 

and  endeavored  to  escape  to  Princeton. 

er,  six  officers,  and  four  men,  killed  ; and 

General  Washington,  observing  their  pur- 

surrendered  to  Washington  twentj'-three 

pose,  instantly  threw  Colonel  Hand  with 

officers,  nearly  one  thousand  non-comnds- 

his  riflemen  in  their  way,  and  ordered  the 

sioned  officers  and  privates,  four  stand 

Virginia  troops  under  Colonels  Scott  and 

of  colors,  twelve  Irums,  six  brass  field- 

Lawson  to  take  them  on  their  left.  Thus 

pieces,  and  a thousand  stand  of  arms  and 

hemmed  in  on  every  side,  the  Hessians 

accoutrements.  The  triumph  was  great, 

halted  and  formed  in  order  of  battle.  At 

and  it  might  have  been  much  greater  had 

this  moment  General  Washington  ordered 

Washington’s  plan  been  carried  out  in  all 

the  guns  of  Forrest’s  battery  to  be  turned 

its  details.  But  General  Cadwallader,  who 

on  them,  with  a discharge  of  canister.” 

was  to  have  crossed  the  Delaware  at  Bris- 

— 8ir,  they  have  struck !”  was  Forrest’s  an- 

tol,  and  Ewing  at  Trenton  ferry,  had  both 

Bwer  to  the  command.  Struck  !”  replied 

failed  him.  General  Putnam,  too,  who 

the  general.  ‘‘Yes,”  said  Forrest,  their 

had  been  urged  to  lend  his  aid  in  the  af- 

cutors  are  dotvn.” — “ So  they  are,”  observed 

fair,  had  been  prevented  from  carrying 

Washington,  and,  putting  spurs  to  his 

out  fully  the  orders  of  Washington. 

horse,  he  galloped  toward  them,  followed 

Ewing  did  everything  in  his  power  to 

by  Forrest  and  his  officers.  The  enemy 

cross ; but  the  quantity  of  ice  in  the  river 

having  ordered  their  arms,  Washington 

' 

was  so  great,  that  he  could  not  possibly 

\ 

c 

KEVOI.UTIONAKY.J  ‘vTTPjMPTS  TU  CROSS  THE  DP]LAWARE.  423 

o:et  over.  Cadwallader  was  also  hindered 

sible  for  him  to  march  in  person,  or  be  of 

by  the  same  difficulty  in  crossing  above 

any  mate»-ial  aid.  At  the  last  moment. 

Bristol.  He  then  made  an  attempt  at 

however,  iie  sent  off  Colonel  Grilfin,  with 

Dunk’s  ferry,  below.  As  soon  as  it  was 

a meager  detfwlnnent  of  Pennsylvania  mi- 

dark,  he  sent  down  all  the  boats  that  he 

litia.  This  officer  reached  the  Jerseys  in 

could  muster,  and  marched  down  about 

time,  but  being  indisposed  himself,  and 

eight  o’clock.  A few  men  were  first  em- 

his  troops  ill  conditioned,  he  declined  to 

barked,  to  line  the  river,  and  prevent  any 

join  in  the  attack,  and  wrote  to  Cadwal- 

persons  from  escaping  to  give  intelligence 

lader  at  Bristol,  that  he  thought  he  could 

to  the  enemy;  next  followed  a part  of 

be  of  moi’e  service  by  diverting  Count 

the  first  battalion  of  militia,  and  then  two 

Donop  at  Bordentowipand  thus  draw  him 

1 

fieldpieces,  with  which  Cadwallader  him- 

off  from  giving  his  aid  to  Colonel  Rahl  at 

self  crossed,  in  order  to  see  if  it  was  prac- 

Trenton.  Griffin  acted  accordingly.  He 

1 

ticable  to  land  them.  Upon  reaching  the 

marched  toward  Donop’s  camp  sufficient- 

1 

other  side,  and  finding,  in  consequence 

ly  near  to  be  observed,  and  to  provoke 

of  the  thickness  of  the  ice,  that  it  was 

the  enemj^  to  come  out.  He  then  retired 

impossible  to  get  the  guns  on  shore,  he 

leisurely,  skirmishing  here  and  there,  fol- 

called  together  his  field-officers,  and  con- 

lowed  by  a large  body  of  the  He.ssians, 

suited  as  to  whether  it  would  be  proper 

until  they  reached  Mount  Holly,  when 

to  march  without  the  artillery.  They  all 

Griffin  rapidly  retreated,  leaving  Donop 

aijreed  that  it  would  not.  In  the  mean- 

in  the  lurch,  who  was  left  to  find  his  way 

time,  another  battalion  of  troops  had  sue- 

back  to  Bordentown. 

ceeded  in  crossing.  They  were,  however. 

If  all  the  details  of  Washington’s  plan 

all  taken  back  to  the  Pennsylvania  side  of 

could  have  been  successfully  carried  out, 

the  Delaware,  where,  in  consequence  of 

not  a man  would  have  escaped  from  Tren- 

the  ice  and  stormy  weather,  they  did  not 

ton  ; and,  with  the  aid  of  Cadwallader,  lie 

arrive  until  four  o’clock  in  the  morning. 

would  have  been  able,  as  he  hoped,  to 

Cadwallader  then  marched  to  Bristol.  “ I 

drive  the  enemy  from  all  their  posts  be- 

imagine,”  he  said,  in  writing  to  Washing- 

low  that  town.  He  was  »vell  satisfied. 

ton,  and  giving  an  account  of  his  own  un- 

however,  with  the  conduct  of  those  troops 

successful  operations,  “ the  badness  of  the 

who  were  with  him  and  won  the  day.  He 

night  must  have  prevented  you  from  pas- 

pays  this  tribute  to  them  in  his  letter  to 

sing  over  as  you  iiltended.” 

the  pre.sident  of  Congress : “ In  justice  to 

General  Putnam  had  answered  Wash- 

the  officers  and  men,  I must  add  that  their 

inc^ton’s  solicitation  for  aid  in  the  attack 

behavior  upon  this  occasion  reflects  the 

upon  Trenton,  by  a statement  that  such 

highest  honor  upon  them.  The  difficulty 

was  the  insubordinate  and  defective  con- 

of  passing  the  river  in  a very  severe  night, 

dition  of  the  militia,  and  the  threatening 

and  their  march  through  a violent  storm 

aspect  of  affairs  (foreboding  an  insurrec- 

of  snow  and  hail,  did  not  in  the  least  abate 

tion)  in  Philadelphia,  that  it  was  impos- 

their  ardor;  but  when  they  came  to  the 

424 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPART  ir. 


charge,  each  sec  me  1 to  vie  with  the  other 
in  pressing  forward ; and  were  I to  give 
a preference  to  any  particular  corps,  I 
should  do  great  injustice  to  the  others.” 

When  the  wounded  Raid  had  surren- 
dered his  sword,  he  was  borne  to  a tavern, 
kept  by  a Quaker  of  tlie  name  of  Stacey 
Potts.  Raid’s  wound  was  mortal,  and,  as 
he  was  dying,  Washington,  in  company 
with  General  Greene,  visited  and  consoled 
him  with  expressions  of  sympathy,  and 
well-deserved  praise  for  his  heroic  daring. 
The  Hessian  commander  was  soothed,  but 
declared  that  he  preferred  rather  to  die 
than  to  outlive  his  honor. 

General  Greene  and  Colonel  Knox  (the 
latter  ol’  whom  had  been  made  a briga- 
dier-general the  next  day  by  Congress, 
without  a knowledge  of  the  triumph  at 


Trenton)  were  solicitous  that  Washing- 
ton should  push  on  and  increase  the  alarm 
of  the  enemy  by  striking  a succession  ol 
immediate  blows.  The  general-in-chiel 
himself  was  apparently  inclined  to  this 
bold  policy,  but  most  of  the  officers  were 
against  it;  and  “his  excellency  did  not 
then  think  he  could  answer  going  con- 
trary to  the  judgment  of  the  majority  of 
a council  of  war.’”^ 

Washington,  therefore,  with  inferior 
numbers  to  tlie  enemy  posted  below,  and 
with  “a  strong  battalion  of  light-i)ifantry” 
at  Princeton  above  liim,  thought  it  most 
prudent  to  return ; and  accord- 
ingly, on  the  evening  of  his  tri- 
umph, he  recrossed  the  Delaware  with 
the  prisoners  and  artillery  which  he  had 
taken. 


Dec.  26. 


CHAPTER  XL. 


The  Americans  greatlj'  encouviijred  by  tbe  Triumph  at  Trenton. — Pennsylvania  comes  more  readily  to  the  Rescue. — New* 
Jersey  Whigs  more  decided. — The  Tories  more  vacillating. — The  Insolence  of- the  Hessians. — Conduct  of  the  British 
Troops  in  New  Jersey. — “Protections.” — No  Rights  of  Property. — Rapine,  Ravage,  and  Rape. — New  Jersey  becomes 
more  favorable  to  the  Patriots. — Cadwallader  crosses  tbe  Delaware,  and  marches  to  Burlington. — No  Resistance. — 
“ Down  with  the  Red  Rags  !” — Panic  of  the  Enemy. — Cadwallader  at  Bordentown. — Washington  makes  Great  Prepa- 
rations to  attack. — Sir  William  Howe  aroused. — Lord  Cornwallis  sent  to  take  the  Command  in  New  Jersey. — Wash- 
iTigton  without  Money. — Rol  ert  Morris  called  upon. — His  “Ways  and  Means.” — A Friend  indeed. — Washington 
crosses  the  Delaware. — Reed  s;nt  out  to  reconnoitre. — His  Capture  of  a Foraging-Party. — Riding  double. — Washing- 
ton’s Position  on  the  Assumpink. — The  Arrival  and  Position  of  the  Enemy. — Washington  made  Military  Dictator. — 
H is  Dignified  Acceptance  of  the  Trust. — The  Enemy  postpone  their  Attack. — The  Amerionns  in  Danger. — A Chance 
of  Escape. 


The  triumph  at  Trenton  was  a 
1776.  ^ , * • 

great  encouragement  to  the  Ameri- 
can cause.  The  troops  were  so  much  in- 
spirited by  their  succes.s,  that  all  were 
more  eager  for  the  fight,  and  some  whose 
term  of  service  was  about  expiring  were 


induced  to  re-enlist.  Influences  which  be- 
foi’e  proved  unavailing  were  now  brought 
to  bear  with  efi’ect.  When  such  as  ap- 
peared determined  to  go  off  and  return 
to  their  homes  Avere  harangued,  artfully 


* Gordon. 


itKVOLUTiONART.j  BRITISH  AND  HESSIAN  OUTRAGES.  426 

reminded  that  they  would  be  called  cow- 

‘‘Discontents  and  murmurs  increased 

ards  should  they  leave,  and  promised  a 

every  hour  at  the  licentious  ravages  of 

bounty  of  ten  dollars  each  man,  more 

the  soldiery, both  British  and  foreign,  who 

than  half  agreed  to  remain  six  weeks 

Avere  sbaniefully  permitted,  with  unrc 

longer.  The  militia  more  promptly  an- 

lenting  hand,  to  pillage  friend  and  foe  in 

swered  to  the  call  upon  them.  Pennsjd- 

the  Jerseys.  Neither  age  nor  sex  was 

vania  was  now  roused,  and  General  Mif- 

spared.  Indiscriminate  ruin  attended  ev- 

flin  was  enabled  in  the  course  of  a few 

ery  person  they  met  Avith.  Infants,  chil- 

days  to  send  a reinforcement  of  upward 

dren,  old  men  and  Avomen,  Avere  left  in 

of  a thousand  men  to  Washington’s  army. 

their  shirts,  Avithout  a blanket  to  cover 

The  vacillating  whigs  of  New  Jersey  be- 

them,  under  the  inclemency  of  AAunter. 

came  more  decided,  and  no  longer  feared 

Every  kind  of  furniture  Avas  destroyed 

to  declare  and  act  for  the  American  cause; 

and  burnt;  AvindoAvs  and  doors  Avere  bro- 

while  even  many  of  the  tories  clung  le.ss 

ken  to  pieces : in  short,  the  houses  Avere 

tenaciously  to  British  interests.  The  in- 

left  uninhabitable,  and  the  people  Avith- 

solence  and  violent  outrages  of  the  royal 

out  provisions;  for  every  horse,  cow,  ox. 

troops,  and  especially  of  the  Hessians, 

and  fowl,  Avas  carried  off. 

had  increased  the  virulence  of  their  origi- 

“ Horrid  depredations  and  abuses  AA’ere 

nal  foes,  and  even  provoked  some  of  their 

committed  by  that  part  of  the  armyAvhich 

former  friends  to  hostility. 

Avas  stationed  at  or  near  Pennytown.  Six- 

When  the  royal  army  entered  the  Jor- 

teen  young  Avomen  fled  to  the  Avoods.  to 

seys,  most  of  the  inhabitants  remained  in 

avoid  the  brutality  of  the  soldiers,  and 

their  houses,  and  many  thousands  received 

Avere  there  seized  and  carried  ofli  One 

printed  “ protections,”  signed  by  Sir  Wil- 

man  had  the  cruel  mortification*  to  have 

liam  Howe.  But  these  saved  their  hold- 

his  AAufe  and  only  daughter  (a  child  of  ten 

ers  neither  from  insult  nor  robbery  : their 

years  of  age)  raAnshed.  Another  girl  of 

property  was  taken  or  destroyed,  without 

thirteen  Avas  taken  from  her  father’s 

distinction  of  persons.  They  might  show 

house,  carried  to  a barn  about  a mile  ofl) 

their  “ protections the  Hessians  could 

there  dishonored  and  abused  by  five  oth- 

not  or  would  not  understand  them,  and 

ers.  A most  respectable  gentleman,  in 

the  English  took  care  to  have  their  share 

the  neighboihood  of  Woodbridge,  Avas 

of  the  plunder.  The  officers,  both  Hes- 

alarmed  Avith  the  cries  and  shrieks  of  a 

sian  and  British,  were  no  less  ready  to 

most  lovely  daughter : he  found  a British 

violate  the  rights  of  property  than  their 

officer  in  the  act  of  violating  her,  and  in- 

soldiers.  The  carriages  of  gentlemen  “ of 

stantly  put  him  to  death.  Two  other  offi- 

the  first  rank”  were  seized,  their  arms  de- 

cers  rushed  in  AA'ith  their  fusees,  and  fired 

faced,  while  the  commissioned  plunderers 

two  balls  into  the  father,  avIio  Avas  left 

blazoned  their  own  on  the  panels,  and 

languishing  under  his  Avounds.”-j* 

thus  insolently  paraded  throughout  town 

* Rather  a mild  term  for  so  heinous  a crime! 

and  country. 

54 

t Gordou. 

■v^(\ 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


Exasperated  by  such  enormities,  the 


people  ot'New  Jersey  were  ready,  at  the 
least  show  of  strength  on  the  part  of 
Washington’s  army,  to  rally  to  his  aid. 
The  commander-in-chief, thus  assisted, not 
oidy  by  reinforcements  to  his  troops,  but 
oy  an  accession  of  feeling  in  his  favor,  de- 
termined to  cross  ovei-  into  New  Jersey 
a'j'ain,  and  make  another  demonstration 
against  the  enemy. 

General  Cadwallader,  having  heard  of 
Washington’s  successfid  attack  upon  the 
Hessians  at  Trenton,  crossed  into  Jersey 
early  the  next  morning,  with  fif- 
Dcc.  27.  hundred  of  the  Pennsylva- 

nia militia.  He  had  no  .sooner  landed 
most  of  his  troops,  when  he  learned  that 
Washington  had  recro.ssed  the  Delaware 
the  night  before,  and  was  then  on  the 
Pennsylvania  side.  As  Cadwallader  was 
thus  defeated  in  his  intention  of  forming 
a junction  with  the  main  body,  he  was 
much  embarrassed  which  way  to  proceed. 
He  himself  thought  it  most  prudent  to 
retreat.  Colonel  Reed,  who  was  with  him, 
warmly  advocated  the  bolder  policy  of 
marching  to  Burlington,  lest  the  fluctua- 

o O' 

ting  militia,  whose  spirit  was  now  up, 
should  be  discouraged  by  a second  disap- 
pointment. It  was  soon  discovered  that 
there  was  little  fear  of  immediate  oppo- 
sition from  the  enemy.  Although  Cad- 
wallader cro.ssed  the  river  in  open  day- 
light, there  was  no  show  of  resistance  to 
his  landing;  notwithstanding,  with  the 
overpowering  force  of  the  enemy,  they 
could  have  readily  overcome  him.  They 
were,  in  fact,  so  panic-stricken  by  their 
defeat  at  Trenton,  that  they  tied  precipi- 
tately, as  we  shall  .see,  abandoning  their 


posts  at  Black  Horse,  Mount  Holly,  Bur- 
lington, and  Bordentown,  and  were  now 
retreating  toward  South  Amboy. 

General  Cadwallader,  meeting  with  no 
opposition,  now  did  not  hesitate  to  accede 
to  Colonel  Reed’s  view.s,  and  determined 
to  push  on,  though  cautiou.sly.  Reed,  ac- 
companied by  two  other  officers,  rode  on 
in  advance  to  reconnoitre.  On  approach- 
ing Burlington,  the  enemy’s  outposts  were 
found  abandoned  ; and,  on  entering  the 
place,  there  were  all  the  signs  of  a late' 
and  precipitate  retreat.  As  Reed  and  his 
companions  in  their  continental  uniforms 
rode  through  the  streets  of  the  town,  the 
inhabitants  pulled  down  the  “red  rags,” 
which  had  been  nailed  to  their  doors  as 
a demonstration  of  loyalty  to  the  British 
fiag,  and  gladly  welcomed  the  protection 
of  another  color.  So  Reed  pushed  on, 
from  post  to  post,  sending  back  intelli- 
gence from  each  point  to  Cadwallader, 
who  followed  with  the  troops.  The  coun- 
try was  found  everywhere  clear  of  the 
enemy  as  fiir  as  Bordentown;  and  here, 
when  all  arrived,  they  halted.  Cadwal- 
lader immediately  wrote  to  Washington, 
informing  him  of  his  arrival  at  that  place 
with  eighteen  hundred  men,  and  that  five 
hundred  more  were  advancing  from  be- 
low. Washington,  in  reply,  ordered  Cad- 
wallader to  remain  at  Bordentown  until 
he  himself  should  pass  over  the  Delaware, 
which  he  proposed  to  do  on  the  29th  of 
December,  when  the  troops  might  be  suf- 
ficiently refreshed  for  another  movement. 

The  commander-in-chief  was  making 
extensive  preparations  for  his  enterprise. 
He  wrote  to  Generals  M‘Dougall  and  Max- 
well, who  were  at  Morristown,  to  use  their 


REVOLUTIONARY.] 


THE  ESCAPE  FROjM  CORNWALLIS. 


431 


parently  preparing,  like  the  enemy,  for 
repose;  with  fires  blazing  up  here  and 
there  along  the  Avhole  line,  and  the  sen- 
tinels pacing'the  bank  of  the  Assnmpink 
stream,  within  a hundred  and  fifty  yards 
of  their  antagonists.  But  the  approach 
of  night  did  not  bring  With  it  any  sugges- 
tion of  repose  to  the  minds  of  Washing- 
ton and  his  general  ofiicer.s.  They  were 
anxiou.sly  pondering  upon  the  hazardous 
position  of  their  army.  With  an  enemy 
greatly  superior  in  numbers  and  disci- 
pline before  them,  and  with  the  Delaware 
river  (clogged  with  floating  ice)  behind, 
there  was  certainly  enough  in  the  pros- 
pects of  the  dangers  of  the  coming  morn- 
ing to  disturb  the  slumbering  influences 
of  night. 

Washington,  fully  conscious  of  all  the 
hazards  of  his  position,  early  in  the  even- 
ing called  together  his  general  officers  in 
council.  He  had  but  a brief  statement 
to  make.  The  situation  of  the  army  was 
known  to  all : a battle  was  certain  if  his 
troops  remained  where  they  were  until 
the  morning,  and  a defeat  hardly  less 
sure,  with  the  superior  advantages  of  the 
enemy;  if  a defeat  without  means  of  re- 
treating, the  result  would  be  disastroirs, 
and  perhaps  fatal  to  the  cause.  What, 
then,  was  to  be  done,  was  the  question 
submitted.  Some  were  in  favor  of  re- 
treating at  once;  while  others  were  dis- 


posed to  await  the  chances  of  the  morn- 
ing, and  risk  a general  engagement,  with 
all  its  hazards  to  the  troops  and  to  the 
country. 

In  the  course  of  the  day.  General  St. 
Clair,  when  charged  with  the  guarding  of 
the  fords  of  the  Assnmpink,  and  while  ex- 
amining the  ground  to  his  right,  had  dis- 
covered a circuitous  route,  which  was 
called  the  Quaker  road,”  or  that  leading 
to  the  Quaker  bridge  and  meetinghouse.-^ 
He,  therefore,  is  said  to  have  suggested 
this  as  a way  by  which  Princeton  might 
be  reached,  and  the  rear  of  the  British 
(under  the  command  of  General  Leslie, 
on  the  high-road)  be  avoided.  Washing- 
ton heartily  welcomed  this  suggestion, 
and  adopted  it  without  hesitation.  It  was 
accordingly  determined  to  march  at  once 
by  this  roundabout  Quaker  road  to  Prince- 
ton, where  it  was  concluded,  from  the 
large  force  which  Cornwallis  had  thrown 
into  Trenton,  that  he  could  not  have  left 
many  troops,  and  might  have  left  stores. 
“ One  thing  I was  certain  of,”  says  Wash- 
ington, “ that  it  would  avoid  the  appear- 
ance of  a retreat  (which  was  of  conse- 
quence, or  to  run  the  hazard  of  the  w'hole 
army  being  cut  off),  whilst  we  might 
by  a fortunate  stroke,  withdraw  General 
Howe  from  Trenton,  and  give  some  rei> 
utation  to  our  arms.” 

* Wilkinson. 


• 

432  BATTLP:S  of  AMERICA.  Impart  ii. 

1 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

Tlie  Quaker  Koad  — Providential  Cliangfc  of  Wind. — The  Stolen  March. — A Successtfli  Ruse. — The  Ni{;h*,. — The  Route 

to  Princeton. — General  Mercer  and  the  Advance. — Meeting  with  the  Enemy. — A Surprise. — A Conflict. — The  Pro- 
vincials heaten  back. — Washington  to  the  Rescue. — His  Personal  Exposure  and  Danger. — The  Enemy  routed. — “ The 

Day  is  our  own  !” — Turned  out  of  College. — The  Pursuit. — A Fine  Fox-Chase. — Bayoneting  of  General  Mercer. — 

Lord  Cornwallis  bewildered. — “ Washington  at  Princeton 

!” — No  Pursuit. — Los.s  on  Both  Sides — Death  iif  Mercer. — 

Biographical  Sketch. — Washington  retires  from  Princeton. — The  Winter’s  Bivouac. — Alarm  of  Cornwallis,  and  his 

Rapid  March  to  Brunswick. — The  American  Winter-Quarters  at  Morristown. — Movements  of  General  Hewth. — An 

Affair,  and  Heath’s  own  Account  of  it. 

There  was  one  serious  flifficulty 
1777*  ^ 

in  carrying  out  the  plan  proposed 

ing  fences  for  fuel.  The  first  movemen’ 
is  to  send  off  the  baggage  to  Burlington, 

of  a rapid  movement  that  night  (January 

which  is  done  early  in  the  night.  The 

2d)  along  the  rough  and  circuitous  route 

troops  are  not  prepared  to  march  until 

called  the  “ Quaker  road.”  The  weather 

twelve  o’clock. 

for  two  days  had  been  unusually  mild, 

The  army  was  filed  off  silently  by  de- 

and  the  ground  had  become  so  soft,  that 
it  would  be  almost  impracticable  to  get 

tachments.  The  nio-ht  was  ex- 
ceedingly  dark,  although  calm. 

on  with  the  cattle,  carriages,  and  artille- 

clear,  and  severely  cold.  The  w’orking- 

ry.  While  the  council  of  war,  however, 

parties,  guards,  and  those  charged  with 

are  pondering  over  this  difficulty,  it  is 

keeping  the  fires  blazing,  were  left  be- 

providentially  removed.  The  wind  sud- 

hind,  with  orders  not  to  retire  until  tow- 

denly  changes  into  the  northwest ; the 

ard  the  break  of  day.  The  stratagem  is 

weather  becomes  intensely  cold  ; and  the 

entirely*successful.  The  whole  American 

ground  freezes  so  hard,  that  soon  the  road 

army  gets  away  without  exciting  the  least 

is  like  a solid  pavement.  There  is  now 

suspicion  on  the  part  of  Earl  Cornwallis, 

no  obstacle  to  the  manoeuvre,  and  imme- 

wdio  reposes  for  the  night  in  the  confi- 

diate  preparations  are  made  for  its  exe- 

dent  expectation  of  “catching  the  fox  in 

cution. 

the  morning,”  as  he  himself  declared  to 

Great  precautions  are  taken  to  prevent 

his  officers. 

the  suspicions  of  the  enemy.  Washing- 

The  Quaker  road,  comparative!}^  new, 

ton  orders  the  guards  to  be  doubled  at 

and  not  much  used,  was  so  scored  with 

the  bridge  and  the  fords  of  the  Assumpink 

deep,  frozen  ruts,  and  studded  with  stumps 

stream,  sends  a strong  fatigue-party  wuth 

of  trees,  that  the  march  was  greatly  ob- 

their  picks  and  spades  to  work  on  an  in- 

structed.  Washington’s  purpose  was,  to 

trenchmentwithin  hearing  distanceof  tlie 

have  reached  Princeton  before  daylight, 

British  sentries,  and  directs  the  camp-fires 

with  the  expectation  of  taking  the  Brit- 

to  be  kept  blazing  by  using  the  neighbor- 

ish  troops  there  by  surprise,  and  of  then 

r 

REVOLUTIONART.]  THE  MUTUAL  SURPRISE  AT  PRINCETON.  433 

pushing  on  rapidly  to  Brunswick,  and 

were  emerging  from  behind  the  wood, 

seizing  the  magazine  and  stores  before 

around  which  they  were  defiling  toward 

the  enemy  should  take  the  alarm.  Tlie 

the  town. 

march,  however, was  so  long  delayed,  that 

The  morning  was  fine,  and  in  the  clear 

Jan  3 broke  before  his  van 

arrived  at  Princeton.  Washing- 

frosty  air  every  object  could  be  distinctly 
seen.  The  British  and  Americans  seemed 

ton,  crossing  the  lower  bridge  over  the 

at  this  moment  to  have  caught  a simul- 

Stony  brook,  kept  his  main  body  on  the 

taneous  view  of  each  other.  On  looking 

•‘Quaker  road”  until  he  reached  a thick 

acro.ss  the  country  toward  the  Trenton 

wood,  when  he  defiled  to  the  right,  with 

road,  some  of  Washington’s  ofiicers  saw 

the  view  of  taking  a by-path  toward  the 

the  reflection  of  arms  in  the  light  of  the 

town.  He  ordered  General  Mercer,  how- 

rising  sun,  as  the  enemy  were  ascending 

ever,  with  three  hundred  and  fifty  men 

the  high  ground.  It  was  but  for  a mo- 

(composed  of  the  fragments  of  Colonel 

ment,  however,  for  the  Bidtish  had  imme- 

Smallwood’s  brave  Delawares  and  Mary- 

diately  shifted  their  position.  That  they 

landers,  of  the  first  Virginia  regiment,  and 

had  not  been  le.ss  observant  was  soon  evi- 

some  few  volunteers),  together  with  two 

dent,  for  two  of  their  horsemen  were  seen 

fieldpieces,  to  continue  to  the  left  on  the 

to  leap  a fence  and  advance  through  the 

Quaker  road,*which  conducted  along  the 

fields  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoitring. 

Stony  brook,  until  he  reached  the  bridge 

After  a hurried  glance,  they  galloped 

over  which  passed  the  highway  that  led 

back  ; and  soon  the  enemy,  having  faced 

from  Princeton  to  Trenton.  Here  he  was 

about,  were  observed  rapidly  descending 

to  take  possession  of  the  bridge,  for  the 

the  hill  and  retracing  their  steps  toward 

double  purpose  of  intercepting  the  fugi- 

Princeton.  They  had  succeeded  in  re- 

tives  from  Princeton,  and  to  guard  against 

crossing  the  bridge,  when,  without  sus- 

an  attack  from  Cornwallis  at  Trenton. 

pecting  its  approach,  they  suddenly  came 

The  British  had  left  three  regiments  at 

upon  General  Mercer’s  detachment,  which 

Princeton,  under  the  command  of  Lieu- 

was  hurrying  along  the  Quaker  road  tow- 

tenant-Colonel  Mawhood,  when  the  main 

ard  its  junction  with  the  highway,  for  the 

body  pushed  on  to  Trenton.  These  were 

purpose  of  securing,  in  accordance  with 

the  seventeenth,  fortieth,  and  fifty-fifth. 

W ashington’s  orders,  the  crossing  of  Stony 

They  had  been  quartered  during  the  pre- 

brook  near  that  point.  The  two  parties 

vious  night  in  the  town ; but,  at  early 

were  within  less  than  five  hundred  yards 

dawn,  the  first-named  regiment  (the  sev- 

of  each  other  when  the  mutual  surprise 

enteenth),  with  Mawhood  at  its  head,  had 

took  place  — for  Mercer,  like  Mawhood, 

marched  out  by  the  main  road,  to  join 

was  unconscious  of  the  approach  of  his 

Cornwallis.  Passing  the  bridge  over  Sto- 

enemy. 

ny  brook,  they  reached  some  high  ground 

The  two  hostile  detachments  now  hur- 

a little  distance  beyond,  on  their  route. 

ried  to  anticipate  each  other  in  getting 

at  the  moment  when  Washington’s  troops 
55 

poss'^ssion  of  some  rising  ground,  about 

' 

I 


434 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PART  II. 


fore  the  shot,  and  are  giving  way,  when 


half  a mile  north  of  Stony  brook,  to  the 
east  of  the  main  road,  and  on  the  west- 
ern edge  of  the  town.  The  Americans, 
manoeuvring  for  this  purpose,  had  got  in- 
to the  orchard  behind  the  house  of  Wil- 
liam Clark,  when  they  observed  the  Brit- 
ish, from  an  opposite  jjoint,  making  for 
the  height.  Mercer  pushed  on  his  de- 
tachment in  all  haste  through  the  orchard, 
and  succeeded  in  first  gaining  the  ground 
beyond,  and  so  disposing  his  men  as  to 
leave  a “worm  fence”  stretchinar  curvi- 
cally  across  the  acclivity  between  them 
and  the  enemy. 

Mercer,  in  possession  of  the  ground, 
began  the  attack,  under  the  cover  of  the 
fence,  Avith  a Amlley  from  his  riflemen. 
Mawhood  returned  the  fire,  and  then  or- 
dered his  men  to  charge.  The  Americans 
fired  again  and  again,  and  with  terrible 
effect ; but,  as  they  Avere  only  armed  Avitli 
rifles,  they  could  not  Avithstand  the  onset 
of  the  British  troops  thrusting  home  their 
formidable  bayonets,  and  Avere  obliged  to 
retire.  At  the  first  volley  from  the  ene- 
my, Mercer’s  gray  horse  Avas  shot  in  the 
knee,  and  that  gallant  officer  Avas  forced 
to  dismount,  and  struo:o:le  with  the  foe 
hand  to  hand.  The  British  continued 
to  pursue,  and  the  Americans  to  retreat, 
when  Washington,  hearing  the  fire,  im- 
mediately summoned  the  Pennsylvania 
militia  and  Moulder’s  battery  of  tAVo  guns 
to  the  support  of  General  Mercer,  and  led 
them  in  person  against  the  enemy. 

Colonel  MaAvhood,  observing  a large 
force  coming  up,  is  suddenly  checked  in 
in  the  midst  of  his  hot  pursuit,  and,  halb 
ing,  brings  up  his  artillery.  The  Ameri- 
can militia  hesitate  to  advance,  Avaver  be- 


Washington gallops  foi’Avard  and  strh’es 
to  press  them  on.  He  is  thus,  Avhile  bran- 
dishing his  SAVord,  and  spurring  his  Avhite 
charger  in  front  of  the  lines,  a conspicu- 
ous target  for  the  enemy.  Ilis  death  ap- 
pears inevitable.  His  aid-de-camp.  Colo- 
nel Fitzgerald,  a Avarm-hearted  Irishman, 
is  in  a moment  aware  of  the  danger  of 
his  chief  He  drops  the  reins  upon  his 
horse’s  neck,  and  draAvs  his  hat  over  his 
face,  that  he  may  not  see  him  die  — a fate 
Avhich  he  believes  that  Washington  at  that 
moment  can  not  possibly  escape. 

A shout  of  victory  immediately  suc- 
ceeds, and  Fitzgerald  A^entures  to  raise 
his  eyes.  Washington  is  safe  : the  mili- 
tia have  rallied.  Moulder’s  battery  has  dis- 
charged a volley  of  grapeshot,  and  the 
British  are  flying  in  confused  haste,  over 
fields  and  fences,  toward  the  road  lead- 
ing to  Trenton,  leaving  their  artillery  be- 
hind them.  Colonel  Fitzgerald,  Avho  Avas 
“ celebrated  as  one  of  the  finest  horsemen 
in  the  American  army,”  digs  his  spurs  in- 
to his  steed,  dashes  forAvard,  and,  bring- 
ing up  by  the  side  of  Washington,  ex- 
claims, “ Thank  God,  your  excellency  is 
safe  !”  The  sudden  reaction  from  despair 
to  joy  Avas  too  much  for  the  impulsive 
Irishman,  and  he  “ Avept  like  a child.” 
The  chief  grasped  his  hand  Avith  Avarmth, 
and  only  said  : “ AAvay,  my  dear  colonel, 
and  bring  up  the  troops.  The  day  is  our 
OAvn  !” 

While  the  enemy’s  seventeenth  regi- 
ment Avas  being  hotly  engaged,  the  fifty- 
fifth  Avas  marching  to  its  aid  ; but,  on  dis- 
covering that  their  comrades  had  been 
put  to  flight,  they  returned  to  the  college, 


REVOLUTiONARr.J  BATTLE  OF  PRINCETON.  435 


at  the  north  of  the  town^  where,  being  re- 
inforced by  the  fortieth,  quartered  there, 
they  inarched  out  again  to  encounter  the 
American  detachment  under  General  St. 
Clair,  which  had  been  sent  after  them. 
A ravine  separated  the  parties,  which,  al- 
though deep  and  precipitous,  the  Ameri- 
cans did  not  hesitate  to  cross.  While  as- 
cending the  acclivity  on  the  opposite  side, 
and  when  within  sixty  or  eighty  yards  of 
them,  the  British  Avheeled  about,  and  hur- 
ried back  to  the  college.  On  reaching 
it,  they  began  to  knock  out  the  windows, 
that  they  might  have  free  scope  for  the 
use  of  their  musketry.  The  Americans, 
as  they  came  up,  expected  warm  work ; 
but  they  had  hardly  got  within  a quarter 
of  a mile  of  the  building,  when  the  ene- 
my rushed  out  at  the  front,  and  retreated 
by  long  and  loose  files  to  Rock  hill,  and 
thence  to  Brunswick.  As  St.  Clair  had 
no  cavalry,  he  could  not  pursue  the  fugi- 
tives, although  such  was  the  disorder  of 
their  flight,  that  two  troops  of  dragoons 
would  have  picked  up  the  two  regiments.” 

While  Colonel  Mawhood  was  flying  over 
the  fields  and  fences  toward  the  road  to 
Trenton,Washington  was  encouraging  his 
troops  in  pursuit,  and,  as  his  riflemen  were 
charging  them,  he  shouted,  “ It  is  a fine 
fox-chase,  my  boys !”  The  American  gen- 
eral, no  less  spirited  a sportsman  than 
Lord  Cornwallis,  was  evidently  enjoying 
“ the  run”  as  much  as  that  nobleman  had 
anticipated  for  himself,  when,  on  the  pre- 
ceding night,  he  so  complacently  talked 
of  “ catchinc?  the  fox  in  the  mornino;.” 

General  Mercer’s  horse  was  crippled 
by  a shot,  as  we  have  seen,  in  the  begin- 
oing  of  the  engagement,  and  he  himself 


obliged  to  dismount.  As  he  was  in  front 
of  his  men,  trying  ineflectually  to  rally 
them,  he  was  left  alone  on  the  field,  and 
the  British  soldiers,  coming  iqi,  knocked 
him  down,  bayoneted  him,  and  left  him 
for  dead.  He  was  afterward  found  near 
the  barn  of  William  Clark,  still  alive,  and 
conveyed  to  Clark’s  house,  where  he  lin- 
gered for  awhile  under  the  effect  of  his 
fatal  wounds. 

The  distant  firing  was  heard  in  the  Brit- 
ish camp  at  Trenton.  Some  thought  it 
was  thunder;  and  Earl  Cornwallis,  with 
an  expression  of  anxiety,  asked  his  sur- 
rounding officers  what  it  could  be.  Sir 
William  Erskine  (who  had  so  earnestly 
recommended  an  attack  on  the  evening 
before)  immediatel}^  answered,  “ My  lord, 
it  is  Washington  at  Princeton!” 

While  the  American  troops  were  gath- 
ering together  in  Princeton,  there  was 
great  alarm  felt  for  the  safety  of  Wash- 
ington, wdio  had  followed  the  enemy  in 
pursuit  several  miles  along  the  road  to 
Trenton.  He  continued  after  the  fugi- 
tives, and  did  not  turn  back  until  General 
Leslie,  commanding  the  rear  of  the  Brit- 
ish atMaidenhead,discovering  thatWasli- 
ington’s  army  was  behind  and  not  before 
as  he  had  supposed,  changed  his  front, 
and,  followed  by  Cornwallis  and  his  main 
body,  began  to  march  toward  Princeton, 
which  he  reached  just  as  the  rear-guard 
of  the  Americans  was  leaving — Wash- 
ington, on  his  return,  having  ordered  his 
troops  to  march  immediately.  The  pre 
caution  was  taken  to  break  down  the 
bridge  over  Stony  brook ; but  the  British 
commander,  not  waiting  to  replace  it,  or- 
dered his  men  (he  himself  showing  them 


436  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 


the  example)  to  plunge  into  the  shallow 
stream  and  wade  across.  Thus  thorough- 
ly wetted,  and  then  stiffened  into  ice  by 
(he  frost,  the  troops  hurried  on  into  the 
town  and  thence  along  the  road  toward 
Brunswick,  which,  with  its  stores  and  mag- 
azines, was  supposed  to  be  W ashington’s 
next  point  of  attack. 

The  Americans  were  not  disposed  to 
linger  at  Princeton,  with  the  whole  army 
of  Cornwallis  pressing  by  a forced  march 
on  their  rear.  W ashington’s  original  plan 
was,  to  have  pushed  on  to  Brunswick ; 
but  the  harassed  state  of  the  troops,  many 
of  them  having  had  no  rest  for  two  nights 
and  a day,  and  the  danger  of  losing  the 
advantage  he  had  gained  by  aiming  at 
too  much,  induced  him,  “by  the  advice 
of  his  officers,”  to  give  it  up.  But  “in 
my  judgment,”  says  Washington,  “ six  or 
eight  hundred  fresh  troops,  upon  a forced 
march,  would  have  destroyed  all  their 
stores  and  magazines,  taken  their  mili- 
tary chest  containing  seventy  thousand 
pounds,  and  put  an  end  to  the  war.” 

The  result  at  Princeton  was  sufficiently 
successful  to  greatly  encourage  the  Amer- 
icans and  dishearten  the  enemy.  Wash- 
ington had  only  lost  about  a hundred  in 
all,  fourteen  of  whom  were  buried  on  the 
field.  The  British,  in  killed,  wounded, 
and  prisoners,  suffered  a loss  of  nearly  six 
hundred.  Among  the  killed  of  the  Eng- 
lish  officers  was  a Captain  Leslie,  son  of 
the  earl  of  Levin,  who  was  so  much  be- 
loved, that  those  who  were  taken  prison- 
ers besought  the  privilege  of  his  being 
buried  with  the  honors  of  war;  and  when 
it  was  granted,  the  men  who  had  belonged 
to  his  company  were  observed  to  weep 


bitterly  over  the  grave  of  their  young 
commander.  Washington,  too,  grieved 
over  the  death  of  some  of  the  most  able 
and  spirited  of  his  officers.  These  were. 
Colonels  Haslet  and  Potter;  Major  Mor- 
ris; Captains  William  Shippen,  Fleming, 
and  Neal ; and,  above  all.  General  Mer- 
cer. 

Mercer  was  at  first  supposed  to  have 
died  on  tlie  field,  or  Washington  would 
have  endeavored  to  bring  him  away,  al- 
though he  believed,  as  he  declared,  “ that 
it  could  not  have  been  effected.”  When 
he  heard  that  he  was  still  lingering  at 
Princeton,  the  commander-in-chief  sent  his 
nephew.  Major  Lewis,  under  a flag,  to  the 
enemy,  to  visit  him.  Mercer  was  dying  ; 
but  with  his  aid-de-camp,  Major  Arm- 
strong, constantly  at  his  side,  and  the 
family  of  the  Clarks  (in  whose  house  he 
was)  ever  at  hand  to  administer  to  his 
wants,  the  last  moments  of  the  general, 
though  his  wounds  gave  him  acute  pain, 
were  greatly  soothed.  He  died  in  the 
fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age,  in  the  arms  of 
Major  Lewis,  on  the  12th  of  January. 

Hugh  Mercer  was  a Scotchman  by  birth 
and  a Jacobite,  having  served  on  the  side 
of  the  Young  Pretender,  Prince  Charles 
Edward,  as  a surgeon’s  mate,  at  the  battle 
of  Culloden,  in  1746.  When  the  cause 
of  the  Stuarts  was  extinguished  for  ever, 
and  its  friends  dispersed,  Mercer  emigra- 
ted to  Virginia.  In  the  French  border 
wars,  he  laid  aside  the  scalpel  for  the 
sword,  and  became  a military  officer,  serv- 
ing in  the  campaigns  of  1755  and  1756 
as  a comrade  of  Washington,  by  whom 
he  was  greatly  beloved.  Mercer  was  liv- 
ing in  Fredericksburg,  Virginia,  when  the 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  HUGH  MERCER.— ALARM  OF  THE  BRITISH.  437 

American  Revolution  began,  and,  though 
he  Avas  practising  as  a doctor  with  suc- 
cess, he  gave  up  his  profession,  and  vol- 
unteered to  bear  arms  in  the  cause  of  the 
colonies.  In  1775  and  1776,  he  organ- 
ized and  commanded  large  bodies  of  the 
Virginia  militia;  and  on  the  5th  of  June, 
of  the  latter  year,  he  was  appointed  by 
Congress  a brigadier-general.  He  was  an 
intimate  associate  of  Washington’s  moth- 
er and  sister,  who  Avere  his  neighbors  at 
Fredericksburg,  and  highly  esteemed  by 
Washington  himself,  Avho  kneAv  him  as  a 
faithful  comrade  and  sincere  friend.  He 
spoke  of  him,  Avhile  mourning  his  death, 
as  “ the  brave  and  Avorthy  General  Mer- 
cer.” 

Having  given  up  all  thought  of  march- 
Jan  3 immediately  upon  Bruns- 

wick, Washington  now  retired 
from  Princeton.  He  Avas  not  greatly  en- 
cumbered Avith  baggage,  for  that  of  his 
own  army  he  had  sent  to  Burlington,  and 
there  Avas  nothing  of  the  enemy’s  to  take 
aAvay  but  some  blankets,  shoes,  and  a few 
other  trifling  articles.  The  tAvo  fieldi^ieces 
which  had  been  captured  from  the  Brit- 
ish could  not  be  brought  away  for  the 
Avant  of  horses.  The  hay  and  “ other 
such  things”  as  the  shortness  of  the  time 
would  admit  Avere  destroyed,  and  then 
the  army  marched  out.  The  Americans 
proceeded  doAvn  the  Millstone  river,  and 
halted  for  the  first  night  at  Somerset 
courthouse,  where  many  of  the  militia  on 
that  January  night  Avere  obliged  to  lie 
down  in  the  open  air  Avithout  blankets, 
which  with  the  rest  of  their  baggage  had 
been  sent  to  Burlington. 

Next  morning,  Washington  marched  to 

Pluckimen,  Avhere  he  halted  for 
several  days.  The  hardships  of 
a Avinter  campaign  Avould,  it  Avas  feared, 
discourage  the  militia,  as  Avell  might  be 
the  case,  when  they  Avere  day  after  daj 
and  night  after  night  in  midwinter  Avith- 
out “ any  cover,”  and  many  of  the  “ poor 
soldiers  quite  barefoot  and  ill  clad  in  oth- 
er respects. . . They  have  undergone,  how- 
ever,” says  Washington,  ‘‘more  fatigue 
and  hardship  than  I expected  militia,  es- 
pecially citizens,  could  have  done  at  this 
inclement  season.” 

Earl  CornAvallis  Avas  in  a state  of  g-reat 
alarm  for  the  safety  of  his  stores,  maga- 
zines, and  Avell- filled  military  chest,  at 
Brunswick.  He  pushed  on  Avith  his  Avhole 
army,  in  the  greatest  speed,  to  save  them. 

The  camp  at  Trenton  Avas  broken  up  and 
totally  abandoned.  Princeton  aauis  en- 
tered, and,  after  a check  from  the  battery 
of  the  American  rear-guard  Avhich  delayed 
him  over  an  hour,  CoriiAvallis  hurried  on 
again,  and  by  forced  marches  (here  and 
there  retarded  by  the  Avant  of  bridges, 
Avhich  Washington  had  taken  care  to  de- 
stroy) reached  BrunsAvick. 

The  enemy  seemed  to  be  panic-struck, 
and  Washington  Avas  in  “some  hopes  of 
driving  them  out  of  the  Jerseys.”  In  or- 
der to  effect  this,  he  wrote  to  General 
Putnam,  then  at  Philadelphia,  and  also  to 
General  Heath  atPeekskill,  to  co-operate 
Avitli  him  in  his  design.  To  the  former 

he  says : “ It  is  thought  ad  visable 

j o Jail*  5* 

for  you  to  march  the  troops  un- 
der your  command  to  CrossAvicks,  and 
keep  a strict  Avatch  upon  the  enemy  in 
that  quarter.  If  the  enemy  continue  at 
BrunsAvick,  you  must  act  with  great  cir- 

438 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


cuinspection,  lest  yon  meet  with  a sur- 
prise. As  we  have  made  two  successful 
attacks  upon  them  by  surprise,  if  there  is 
any  possibility  of  retaliating,  thej^  Avill  at- 
tempt it.  You  will  give  out  your  strength 
to  be  twice  as  great  as  it  is.  Forward  on 
all  the  baggage  and  scattered  troops  be- 
longing to  this  division  of  the  army,  as 
soon  as  may  be. 

“ You  will  keep  as  many  spies  out  as 
you  may  see  proper.  A number  of  horse- 
men might  be  kept  going  backward  and 
forward  for  this  purpose ; and  if  you  dis- 
cover any  motion  of  the  enemy  which 
you  can  depend  upon,  and  which  you 
think  of  consequence,  let  me  be  informed 
thereof  as  soon  as  possible  by  express.” 

To  General  Heath  Washington  wrote  : 


j ^ enemy  are  in  great  con- 

sternation ; and,  as  the  panic  af- 
fords us  a favorable  opportunity  to  drive 
them  out  of  the  Jerseys,  it  has  been  de- 
termined in  council  that  you  should  move 
down  toward  New  York  with  a consider- 
able force,  as  if  you  had  a design  upon 
the  city.”  It  was  hoped  that,  by  such  a 
diversion,  the  British  would  be  obliged  to 
draw  a large  part  of  their  force  from  New 
Jersey,  for  the  protection  of  New  York. 
General  Lincoln  was  ordered,  after  leav- 
ing four  thousand  of  the  New-England 


militia  with  Heath,  to  cross  the  Hudson 
with  the  remainder,  and  march  them  to 
Jan  6 commander-in-chief  at 

Morristown,  where  he  had  now 
moved  his  troops. 

Wa.shington  had  gone  to  Morristown, 
as  the  place  best  calculated  in  that  quar- 
ter to  accommodate  and  refresh  his  army. 
Its  resources  proving  less  than  he  expect- 


ed, and  his  men  becoming  so  impatient 
from  the  severity  of  the  season  and  their 
consequent  sufferings,  that  they  left  him 
in  considerable  numbers,  he  thought  of 
removing.  He  finally  determined,  how 
ever,  to  take  up  his  winter-quarters  at  the 
place,  for  he  did  not  know  where  else  to 
procure  covering  for  his  troops.  Wilkin- 
son says : “ This  position, little  understood 
at  the  time,  was  afterward  discovered  to  • 
be  a most  safe  one  for  the  winter-quarters 
of  an  army  of  observation,  and  such  was 
General  Washington’s.  The  approach  to 
it  from  the  seaboard  is  rendered  difficult 
and  dangerous  by  a chain  of  sharp  hills, 
which  extend  from  Pluckimen  by  Bound- 
brook  and  Springfield  to  the  vicinity  of 
the  Passaic  river ; it  is  situate  in  the  heart 
of  a country  abounding  with  forage  and 
provisions,  and  is  nearly  equidistant  from 
New  York  and  Amboy,  and  also  from  New- 
ark and  New  Brunswick,  with  defiles  in 
rear  to  cover  a retreat  should  circum- 
stances render  it  necessary.” 

Washington,  on  arriving  at  Morristown, 
repeated  his  orders  to  General  Heath  in 
regard  to  advancing  on  the  city^if  New 
York, but  suggested  that  General  Lincoln 
should  remain  with  him,  instead  of  ac- 
companying the  New-England  detacli- 
nient  ordered  to  Morristown.  Heath  at 
once  began  to  make  his  dispositions  in  ac- 
cordance with  Washington’s  orders.  He 
moved  his  troops  down  from  Peekskill, 
advancing  them  gradually  toward  New 
York.  On  one  day  a regiment  is  marched 
to  Newcastle,  and  on  another  the  militia 
is  ordered  to  White  Plains.  Again,  “ our 
general,”  as  he  always  designates  himself, 
moves  to  the  southward,  and  arrives  at 


f ♦ 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  “OUR  GENERAL”  ADVANCES  AND  RETREATS.  439 


Newcastle  before  sunset.  Soon  be  is  again 
on  the  march,  and  our  general”  reaches 
the  outposts  of  the  enemy  at  Fort  Inde- 
pendence and  Kingsbridge,  where  his 
three  divisions  have  also  arrived : “ Gen- 
eral Lincoln’s  on  the  heights  above  Colo- 
nel Van  Cortland’s;  Wooster’s  at  Wil- 
liams’s; and  Scott’s  on  the  back  of  Vol- 
entine’s.”  Here  occurred  an  engagement, 
which  we  shall  allow  Heath  to  describe 
in  his  own  words:  — 

“ Our  general,  who  moved  with  the  cen- 
tre division,  knew  that  Volentine’s  house 
was  the  quarters  of  one  of  the  guards ; 
he  did  not  know  but  it  might  be  defend- 
ed. As  he  approached  it,  he  ordered  Cap- 
tain Bryant  to  advance  a fieldpiece  to  the 
advance-guard,  and,  if  there  was  any  op- 
position from  the  house,  to  cannonade  it 
immediately.  He  then  ordered  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men  from  the  head  of  the 
column  (as  it  was  moving  on)  to  incline 
to  the  right,  and  by  a double  step  to  push 
into  the  hollow,  between  the  house  and 
the  fort,  to  cut  off  the  guard  who  were  at 
the  house,  in  case  they  shoidd  run  tow- 
ard the  latter.  At  this  instant,  two  lig-ht- 
horsemen,  who  had  been  sent  out  by  the 
enemy  as  the  day  broke  to  reconnoitre 
the  vicinity,  came  unexpectedly,  at  the 
descent  of  a hill,  plump  upon  the  head 
of  Wooster’s  column.  They  attempted  to 
turn  about,  but,  before  it  could  be  fully 
effected,  a fieldpiece  was  discharged  at 
them : one  of  them  was  pitched  from  his 
horse  and  taken  prisoner ; the  other  gal- 
loped back  to  the  fort,  hallooing  as  he 
passed,  ‘ The  rebels  ! the  rebels !’  This 
set  all  the  outguards  and  pickets  running 
to  the  fort,  leaving  in  some  places  their 


arms,  blankets,  tools,  provisions,  &c.,  be- 
hind them.  Those  who  fled  from  Volen- 
tine’s and  the  Negro  fort  were  fired  at  as 
they  ran,  but  none  were  killed  : one  who 
could  not  run  so  fast  as  the  rest  was  ta- 
ken prisoner.  Ten  muskets  were  taken 
at  Volentine’s  house.  The  guard  above 
Van  Cortland’s  was  as  completely  sur- 
prised as  the  others,  where  General  Lin- 
coln took  about  forty  arms,  some  blan- 
kets, &c.,  &c. 

‘‘The  left  and  centre  divisions  moved  in- 
to the  hollow,  between  Volentine’s  house 
and  the  fort,  from  whence  our  general  im- 
mediately sent  a summons  to  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  fort  to  surrender.” 
As  “ our  general”  modestly  withholds  the 
lofty  woi'ds  he  used  on  that  occasion,  we 
here  supply  them  : “ Forty  minutes  only,” 
said  Heath,  “ can  be  allowed  for  the  gar- 
rison to  give  their  answer;  and, should  it 
be  in  the  negative,  they  must  abide  the 
consequences.”  No  answer  was  given ; 
and  the  onlj'  consequence  which  followed 
was  the  firing  of  a gun  at  an  outpost ! 

In  a few  days.  General  Heath,  with  all 
his  usual  skill  in  tactics,  drew  back  his 
army  up  the  Hudson — having  learned 
from  a soi-cUsant  deserter  that  Governor 
Sir  Guy  Carleton’s  Canadian  troops  had 
lately  arrived  in  New  York  by  water,  and 
that  a detachment  from  Khode  Island,  un- 
der Lord  Percy,  wuis  about  to  land  in 
Westchester  county.  Fearful  of  being 
thus  surrounded,  and  threatened  by  “ the 
appearance  of  a severe  snowstorm  com- 
ing on,”  Heath  cautiously  retired.  “ Oui 
general,”  who  prided  himself  upon  being, 
above  all  things,  a good  tactician,  could 
hardly  have  felt  flattered  by  this  criticism 


f " 

- 

440  ' BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

from  Washington  on  these  late  manceu- 

so  apprehensive  of  being  surrounded,  even 

vres : “ This  letter,”  he  says,  writing  to 

if  Lord  Percy  had  landed,  I can  not  con- 

Heath,  “ is  in  addition  to  my  public  one 

ceive.  You  know  that  landing  men,  and 

of  this  date.  It  is  to  hint  to  you,  and  I 

procuring  horses,  are  not  the  work  of  an 

do  it  with  concern,  that  your  conduct  is 

hour,  a day,  or  even  a week.” 

censured  (and  by  men  of  sense  and  judg- 

Heath  had  a word  to  say  for  himself 

ment,  who  have  been  with  you  on  the 

“ Every  officer,”  he  declares,  ‘‘  objected  to 

expedition  to  Fort  Independence)  as  be- 

a storm,  as  they  apprehended  the  militia 

ing  frauglit  with  too  much  caution,  by 

inadequate  to  such  enterprise.”  In  his 

which  the  army  has  been  disappointed. 

memoir.  Heath  says  that  his  “ success  at 

and  in  some  degree  disgraced.  Your 

the  outposts  flew  through  the  country. 

summons,  as  you  did  not  attempt  to  ful- 

and  Avas  soon  magnified  to  a reduction  of 

fil  your  threats,  was  not  only  idle,  but 

the  fort  and  capture  of  the  garrison.  It 

farcical,  and  will  not  fail  of  turning  the 

reached  General  Washington  long  before 

laugh  exceedingly  upon  us.  These  things 

the  official  account,  and  he  had  commu- 

I mention  to  you  as  a friend,  for  you  will 

nicated  the  report  to  Congress ; hence  a 

perceive  that  they  have  composed  no  part 

double  disappointment,  Avhen  the  true 

of  my  public  letter.  Why  you  should  be 

state  of  facts  was  received.” 

CHAPTER  XLII. 

The  Hessian  Prisoners. — Their  Reception. — Hootings  and 

Revilings. — Interposition  o Washington. — “A  Very  Good 

Rebel.” — Treatment  of  American  Prisoners. — Prison-Ships  at  New  York. — Hisease  and  Deatli,  Famine  and  Filth, 

Robbery  and  Insult. — The  Waste-House. — Otlio  Williams’s  Experiences. — Etlian  Allen  a Prisoner  in  New  York. — 

His  Emphatic  Opinion  of  Loring  and  of  Cunningham. — Washington  writes  to  General  Ilowe,  on  Behalf  of  tlie  Ameri- 

can  Prisoners  at  New  York. — The  Letter. — General  Lee  at  New  York. — Exchange  proposed  and  refused. — Retaliation. 

— Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell  the  First  Victim. — His  own  Account  of  his  Siiflferings. — Washington  disapproves  of 

the  Treatment  of  Campbell. — He  remonstrates  with  Congress. — The  Reply  of  that  Body. 

The  Hessian  prisoners,  who  had 

them  at  every  step.  Washington,  how- 

been  taken  after  the  successful  sur- 

ever,  with  a feeling  of  humanity  and  a 

prise  at  Trenton,  were  carried  across  the 

motive  of  policy,  ordered  notices  to  be 

Delaware,  and  then  sent  through  the  in- 

posted  about  the  country,  calling  upon 

terior  of  Pennsylvania  to  Winchester,  in 

the  inhabitants  to  treat  the  Hessian  sol- 

Virginia.  As  they  passed  from  place  to 

diers  Avith  kindness,  as  they  Avere  not  re- 

place,  the  exasperated  common  people  of 

sponsible  for  the  Avar,  but  mere  passive 

the  country,  looking  upon  them  with  hor- 

instruments  in  the  hands  of  a tyrannical 

ror  and  detestation  as  so  many  hired  rob- 

and  cruel  government.  It  Avas  hoped  that 

bers  and  murderers,  hooted  and  reviled 

many  of  the  pri.'^oners,  Avhile  proceeding 



REVOLUTIONARY.] 

thi’ongli  Pennsylvania,  and  mingling  with 
the  German  population  of  that  province, 
might,  by  kindness  and  association  with 
those  speaking  their  own  language,  be 
conciliated  toward  the  American  cause. 
Washington’s  interposition  was  not  with- 
out its  effect ; for  “ from  this  time,’  con- 
fe.sses  a Hessian  officer,  “ things  went  bet- 
ter with  us.  Eveiy  day  came  many  out 
of  the  towns,  old  and  young,  rich  and  poor, 
and  brought  us  provisions,  and  treated  us 
with  kindness  and  humanity They  felt 
grateful  to  Washington  for  a treatment 
which  was  so  much  beyond  their  expec- 
tation.s,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  style  him 
“ a very  good  rebel.”'}* 

The  American  prisoners  in  the  hands 
of  their  British  captors  met  with  a very 
different  fate.  Those  who  had  been  ta- 
ken at  the  surrender  of  Fort  Washin<?ton 
were  driven  through  the  streets  of  New 
York,  amid  the  hootings  and  revilings  of 
soldiers’  tribes  and  other  vagabonds,  male 
and  female,  who  are  always  hanging,  like 
so  many  screeching  vultures,  about  an  ar- 
my, and  living  upon  its  plunder  and  cor- 
ruption. Which  is  Washington  ? which 
is  Washington  ?”  cried  these  ill-omened 
creatures,  who  Ijelieved  that  the  war  was 
at  an  end,  and  that  the  American  leader 
himself  was  among  those  who  were  thus 
exposed  to  their  foul  aspersions. 

The  men  were  thrust  in  crowds  into 
the  prison -ship.s,  churches,  and  sugar- 
house.s.  Here  they  were  enclosed  within 
bare  walls,  scantily  supplied  with  provis- 
ions of  bad  quality,  wretchedly  clothed, 
and  destitute  of  sufficient  fuel,  if  indeed 
they  had  any.  Disease  was  the  inevita- 

* Quoted  by  Irving.  1 Thuclier. 

56 


441 

ble  consequence,  and  the  prisons  where 
the  American  captives  were  immured  soon 
became  hospitals.  A fatal  malady  was 
generated,  and  the  mortality  thence  en 
suing  was  enormous.  Some  fifteen  hun- 
dred prisoners  Avere  supposed  to  have  per- 
ished in  the  course  of  a few  weeks  in  the 
city  of  New  York  ! The  dead,  too,  Avere 
treated  Avith  brutal  dishonor;  their  bod- 
ies being  allowed  to  lie  in  numbers  un- 
coffined and  exposed,  to  the  horror  of 
their  living  comrades,  and  to  the  jeers  of 
the  insulting  enemy. 

Some  of  the  American  officers  had  less 
to  complain  of,  and  Avere  enabled  to  en- 
joy “the  benefit  of  free  air  and  the  use 
of  their  limbs.”  Graydon,  Avho  Avas  a 
prisoner  in  New  York  at  that  time,  says: 
“ I ventured  to  take  boarding  at  four  dol- 
lars per  Aveek.  I knew  that  I had  an  ex 
cellent  banker  in  Philadelphia,  and  that 
if  specie  Avas  to  be  procured,  my  good 
mother  Avould  take  care  to  get  it  and 
send  it  to  me.”  But  all  had  not,  like 
Graydon,  the  specie  of  a banker,  or  the 
more  sterling  fund  of  a mother’s  affection, 
to  draw  upon.  Graydon,  too,  Avith  the 
clever  tact  of  a man  of  the  Avorld,  suc- 
ceeded in  conciliating  the  good  Avill  of 
the  oppressors,  by  Avhom  he  Avas  treated 
with  exceptional  indulgence,  although 
not  seldom  “ berebelled.”  The  fate  of 
others  Avas  more  cruel. 

Many  of  the  American  officers  Avere 
^dundered  of  their  baggage,  robbed  of 
their  side-arms,  hats,  and  cockades,  and 
otherwise  grossly  ill  treated.  A Major 
Otho  Holland  Williams,  of  Colonel  Raw- 
lings’s ride-regiment,  Avas  one  of  those 
Avho  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy 


HESSIAN  AND  AMERICAN  PRISONERS  CONTRASTED. 


442  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part 

after  the  surrender  of  Fort  Washington. 

thence  back  to  Halifax,  Allen  had  been 

He  and  three  companies  of  the  regiment 

conveyed  to  Noav  York,  Avhere  he  was 

Avere  put  on  board  the  Baltic  merchant- 

noAv  a prisoner,  startling  both  friend  and 

man,  used  as  a hospital-ship,  and  then  ly- 

foe  Avith  his  emphatic  denunciations  and 

ino;  in  Lonsr-island  sound.  Here  he  was 

his  stories  of  his  strange  adventures  and 

placed  upon  such  a small  allowance  of 

doughty  deed.s.  No  doubt  his  British  jail- 

food,  that  he  Avas  only  saved  from  fain- 

ers  congratulated  themselves  upon  hav- 

ishing  by  “ a pittance  of  pork  and  pars- 

ing  caged  so  formidable  a felloAV.  There 

nips”  Avhich  a good-natured  sailor  spared 

must  have  been  something  to  be  dreaded 

from  his  oavu  mess.  In  a fcAv  days,  Wil- 

in  one  aa'Iio  could  groAvl  so  fiercely  and 

liams  and  his  companions  Avere  taken 

bite  so  effectively.  His  captors  he  sav- 

ashore,  and,  having  been  put  into  one 

agely  denounced, and  particularly  Boring, 

common  dirhcart,  Avere  dragy-ed  through 

the  British  commissary  of  prisoner;?,  say- 

the  city  of  Ncav  York,  amid  the  bootings 

ing : “ He  is  the  most  mean-spirited,  coav- 

of  the  crowd,  to  an  old  “ Avaste-house,” 

ardly, deceitful,  and  destructive  animal,  in 

near  the  BridcAvell.  Here  they  Avere  glad 

God’s  creation  beloAv ; and  legions  of  in- 

to  find  a rest  from  the  insults  and  suffer- 

fernal  devils,  Avith  all  their  tremendous 

ings  Avhich  they  had  endured,  although 

horrors,  are  impatiently  ready  to  receive 

it  Avas  in  a place  Avhich,  from  its  “ open- 

IIoAAm  and  him,  AAuth  all  their  detestable 

ness  and  filthiness,”  had  a fcAV  months  be- 

accomplices,  into  the  most  exquisite  ago- 

fore,  Avhile  Washington  Avas  in  possession 

nies  of  the  hottest  regions  of  hell-fire !” 

of  the  city,  been  refused  as  barracks  for 

Of  Cunningham,  the  provost-marshal,  he 

the  private  soldier.s.  Such  officers  as  had 

said  that  “ he  Avas  as  great  a rascal  as  the 

not  the  banking  facilities  or  the  maternal 

army  could  boast  of,”  and  other  testimony 

resources  of  Graydon,AA'ere  obliged  to  take 

seems  to  confirm  Allen’s  opinion ; for  this 

their  board  in  the  “ Avaste-house,”  and  con- 

British  official  Avould  stride  about  the 

tent  themselves  Avith  “six  ounces  of  poi’k. 

prison,  Avhip  in  hand,  and  send  the  pris- 

one  pound  of  biscuit,  and  some  peas,  per 

oners  to  bed  as  if  they  had  been  so  many 

day,  and  tAvo  bushels  and  a half  of  sea- 

hounds,  Avith  the  cry — “ Kennel,  ye  sons 

coal  per  Aveek,  for  each.”  Such  ill-condi- 

of  bitches ! kennel,  G-d  d — n ye  !”=■'  That 

tioned  quarters  and  meager  fare  soon  had 

Allen’s  persecutors  might  be  made  con- 

their  natural  effect  upon  the  liealth  of 

scions  that  “his  bite  Avas  as  good  as  his 

the  officers. 

bark,”  he  used  to  shoAV  a fracture  in  one 

Ethan  Allen’s  great  stahvart  frame  had 

of  his  teeth,  occasioned  by  his  twisting 

lost  its  robustness;  and  his  gay  suit  of 

off  Avith  it,  in  a fit  of  anger,  the  nail  Avhich 

blue-and-gold,  Avhich  had  been  bestoAved 

fastened  the  bar  of  his  handcuffs,  Avhile  in 

upon  him  by  his  admirers  in  Cork,  hung 

irons  on  shipboard  ! “ D — n him,  can  he 

loosely  upon  his  body,  collapsing  under 

eat  iron  ?”  Avas  the  exclamation  of  his  as- 

his  meager  prison-diet.  After  his  capture 

tonished  listeners. 

in  Canada,  and  a voyage  to  England  and 

* Graydon. 

, 

revolutionart.j  WASHINGTON  REMONSTRATES.  443 

Washington,  hearing  of  the  treatment 

should  not  have  said  thus  much,  but  nry  in- 

of  the  American  prisoners  at  New  York, 

jured  countrymen  have  long  called  upon 

immediately  wrote  to  General  Sir  William 

me  to  endeavor  to  obtain  a redress  of 

Howe,  denouncing  it,  and  threatening  re- 

their  grievances ; and  I should  think  my 

taliation  in  case  it  was  not  changed  for 

self  as  culpable  as  those  who  inflict  such 

the  better. , Those  prisoners,  who  had  re- 

severities,  were  I to  continue  silent.” 

cently  been  restored  to  liberty,  “ give  the 

General  Lee,  who  had  been  at  New 

most  shocking  account,”  writes  Washing- 

York  ever  since  his  surprise  and  capture 

ton, “of  their  barbarous  usage,  which  their 

by  the  British,  was  kept  a close  prisoner. 

miserable,  emaciated  countenances  con- 

being  considered  by  Sir  William  Howe 

firm If  you  are  determined,”  he  says 

as  a deserter.  Lee,  however,  was  not 

to  Howe,  “ to  make  captivity  as  distres- 

brought  to  trial,  as  it  was  doubted  wheth- 

sing  as  possible,  let  me  know  it,  that  we 

er,  by  his  public  resignation  of  his  half- 

may  be  upon  equal  terms,  for  your  con- 

pay  as  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  British 

duct  must  and  shall  regulate  mine.”  To 

service,  previous  to  his  acceptance  of  a 

the  admiral.  Lord  Howe,  Washington  has 

commission  in  the  American  army,  he  was 

also  occasion  to  write,  in  consequence  of 

still  amenable  to  military  law  for  deser- 

the  complaint  of  a Captain  Sanble,  of  the 

tion.  Howe  informed  the  English  minis- 

ill  treatment  which  he  and  other  naval 

try  of  his  doubts,  and  received  this  per- 

prisoners  had  suffered.  In  these  words 

ernptory  answer:  “As  you  have  difficul- 

of  dignified  remonstrance  his  lordship  is 

ties  about  bringing  General  Lee  to  trial 

addressed:  “From  the  opinion  I have 

in  America,  it  is  his  majesty’s  pleasure 

ever  been  taught  to  entertain  of  your 

that  you  send  him  to  Great  Britain  by  the 

lordship’s  humanity,  I will  not  suppose 

first  ship-of-war.”  In  the  meantime,  how- 

that  you  are  privy  to  proceedings  of  so 

ever, Washington  had  refused  to  exchange 

cruel  and  unjustifiable  a nature;  and  I 

the  Hessian  field-officers  taken  at  Tren- 

hope  that,  upon  making  the  proper  in- 

ton,  or  LieutenantrColonel  Campbell,  un- 

quiry,  you  will  have  the  matter  so  regu- 

less  General  Lee  was  recognised  as  a pris- 

lated,  that  the  unhappy  persons  wliose 

oner-of-war.  Howe,  in  consequence,  fear- 

lot  is  captivity  may  not  in  future  have 

ing  that  his  German  troops  might  grow 

the  miseries  of  cold,  disease,  and  famine. 

discontented  if  their  officers  should  suffer 

added  to  their  other  misfortunes.  You 

from  Washington  retaliating  upon  them 

may  call  us  rebels,  and  say  that  we  de- 

for  the  treatment  of  Lee,  waited  for  fur- 

serve  no  better  treatment;  but  remem- 

ther  instructions  from  the  home  govern- 

ber,  my  lord,  that,  supposing  us  rebels. 

ment  before  sending  him  away.  The  next 

we  still  have  feelings  as  keen  and  sensi- 

despatch  from  the  British  minister  was  in 

ble  as  loyalists,  and  will,  if  forced  to  it. 

these  words : “ His  majesty  consents  that 

most  assuredly  retaliate  upon  those  up- 

Lee  (having  been  struck  off  the  half-pay 

on  whom  we  look  as  the  unjust  invaders 

list)  shall,  though  deserving  the  most  ex- 

of  our  I’ights,  liberties,  and  properties.  I 

emplary  punishment,  be  deemed  as  a pris- 

_ . 

444  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA,  Lpart  ii. 

onei>of-war,  and  may  be  exchanged  as 

Lieuten.antrColonel  C.ampbell,who  h.ad 

such,  when  you  may  think  proper.” 

been  taken  prisoner  on  bo.ard  a transport 

It  is  but  just  to  state  that  both  Lord 

c.aptured  off  Boston,  was  the  first  to  suf- 

Ilowe,  the  admiral,  and  Sir  William  Howe, 

fer.  He  w.as  lodged  in  the  common  jail 

the  commander  of  the  land-forces,  indig- 

of  Concord,  and  there  treated  as  if  he  had 

nantly  repelled  all  responsibility  for  the 

been  a criminal  condemned  fgr  the  most 

ill  treatment  of  the  American  prisoners 

atrocious  crimes.  His  dungeon  was  but 

in  their  hands.  His  lordship  emphatical- 

twelve  or  thirteen  feet  squ.are,  .and  shut 

ly  declared  : “ I abhor  every  imputation 

out  from  the  adjoining  yard  by  two  doors, 

of  wanton  cruelty  in  multiplying  the  mis- 

with  double  locks  and  bolts.  Although 

eries  of  the  wretched,  or  of  treating  them 

it  w.as  in  the  depth  of  winter,  the  window 

with  needless  severity.”  Sir  William  in- 

w.as  barred  only  with  iron,  and  unglazed. 

sisted  that  the  prisoners  were  provided 

He  h.ad,  however,  an  inner  ap.artment,  but 

with  proper  habitations,  sufficient  and 

this  was  described  .as  “ a loathsome,  black 

wholesome  food,  and  medicines.”  The 

hole,  decorated  with  a pair  of  fixed  chains,” 

illness  and  speedy  death  of  many  were. 

from  which  its  former  occup.ant,  a felon. 

however,  not  denied.  Those  gentlemen 

h.ad  just  been  removed,  leaving  his  litter 

were,  no  doubt,  guiltless  of  the  inliuii  an- 

.and  filth  behind  him.  “The  attendance 

ity  of  direct  and  intentional  cruelty,  al- 

of  a single  servant,”  s.aid  Campbell,  in  a 

though  they  were  justly  held  responsible 

letter  to  General  Howe, “is  also  denied 

for  the  sufferings  (probably  somewhat  ex- 

me,  and  every  visit  from  a friend  posi- 

aggerated)  caused  by  their  .agents. 

tively  refused.  In  short,  sir,  was  a fire 

During  the  early  period  of  General 

to  h.appen  in  .any  chamber  of  the  jail  — 

Lee’s  imprisonment.  Sir  William  Howe, 

which  is  all  wood,  the  chimney-stacks  ex- 

wdrile  awaiting  instructions  from  his  gov- 

cepted — I might  perish  in  the  flames  be- 

eminent,  resisted  all  .appe.als  toward  miti- 

fore  the  j.ailer  could  go  through  the  cer- 

gating  the  severity  of  his  c.aptivity.  Five 

emony  of  unbolting  the  doors ; although. 

Hessi.an  officers  were  offered  in  exchange 

to  do  him  justice,  in  his  station,  I re.ally 

for  Lee,  but  refused.  Congress  accord- 

think  him  a man  of  hum.anity  : his  house 

ingly  determined  to  retaliate,  .and  W.ash- 

is  so  remote,  that  any  call  from  within, 

ington  wrote  to  Gener.al  Howe  : I must 

especially  if  the  wind  was  high,  might  be 

give  you  warning  thatM.ajor-Gener.al  Lee 

long  of  reaching  him  effectually.” 

is  looked  upon  as  an  officer  belonging  to 

This  was  certainly  hard  treatment  for 

.and  under  the  protection  of  the  United 

a colonel  in  the  British  army,  and  a mem- 

Independent  States  of  America ; and  that 

her  of  Parliament,  and  one  who  had  .as 

any  violence  you  may  commit  upon  his 

yet  been  guiltless  of  American  blood. 

life  or  liberty  will  be  severely  ret.aliated 

Washington  remonstrated  with  the  conn- 

upon  the  lives  or  liberties  of  the  British 

cil  of  M.assachusetts  for  this  excessive  se- 

officers,  or  those  of  their  foreign  allies,  at 

verity,  reminding  them  that  Campbell, 

•present  in  our  hands.” 

.according  to  the  act  of  Congress,  wais  to 

• 

REVOLUTIONARY.J  WASHINGTON  APPEALS  TO  CONGRESS,  445 

have  exactly  the  same  treatment  as  was 

circumstances,  Ave  should  do  no  act  to 

received  by  General  Lee;  and,  as  that 

draAV  upon  the  gentlemen  belonging  to 

officer  was  "only  confined  to  a commo- 

us,  and  Avho  have  already  suffered  a long 

dious  house,  with  genteel  accommoda- 

captivity,  greater  punishments  than  they 

tions,”  there  was  no  right  or  reason  in  be- 

have  experienced  and  noAV  experience. 

ing  more  severe  upon  Colonel  Campbell, 

If  Ave  should,  Avhat  Avill  their  feelings  be 

whom  " I should  wish,”  adds  Washington, 

and  those  of  their  numerous  and  exten- 

"should  immediately  upon  the  receipt  of 

sive  connections  ? 

this  [letter]  be  removed  from  his  present 

"Suppose  the  treatment  of  the  Hessians 

situation,  and  put  in  a house  where  he 

should  be  pursued,  Avill  it  not  establish 

mny  live  comfortably.” 

Avhat  the  enemy  have  been  aiming  to 

To  Congress  Washington  also  Avrote, 

effect  by  every  artifice  and  the  grossest 

strongly  denouncing  this  treatment  of 

misrepresentation  — I mean  an  opinion 

Campbell,  as  a retaliation  Avhich  had 

of  our  enmity  toAvard  them,  and  of  the 

been  prematurely  begun.  On  the  point 

cruel  conduct  they  experience  Avhen  they 

of  policy,  npart  from  the  inhumanity,  he 

fall  into  our  hands,  a prejudice  Avhich  Ave 

condemned  it.  "The  balance  of  prison- 

on  our  part  have  heretofore  thought  it 

ers,”  he  says,  " is  greatly  against  us ; and 

politic  to  suppress  and  root  out  by  every 

a general  regard  to  the  happiness  of  the 

act  of  lenity  and  kindness?  It  certainly 

whole  should  mark  oiu’  conduct.  Can  Ave 

Avill.  The  Hessians  Avould  hear  of  the 

imagine  that  our  enemies  Avill  not  mete 

punishments 'Avith  all  the  circumstances 

the  same  punishments,  the  same  indigni- 

of  heightened  exaggeration ; Avould  feel 

ties,  the  same  cruelties,  to  those  belong- 

the  inj  ury,  Avithout  inA'estigating  the  cause 

ing  to  us,  in  their  possession,  that  Ave  im- 

or  reasoning  upon  the  justice  or  necessity 

pose  on  theirs  in  our  power  ? Why  should 

of  it.  The  mischiefs,  Avhich  may  and  must 

we  suppose  them  to  possess  more  human- 

inevitably  floAV  from  the  execution  of  the 

ity  than  Ave  have  ourselves?  Or  Avhy 

resohms,  appear  to  be  endless  and  innu- 

should  ail  ineffectual  attempt  to  relieve 

merable.”  Thus  Avas  the  judicious  Wash- 

the  distresses  of  one  brave,  unfortunate 

ington  ahvays  humane  in  his  policy  ; and 

man,  invoh^e  many  more  in  the  same  ca- 

if  politic  in  his  humanity,  it  Avas  only  to 

lamities  ? IIoAveAmr  disagreeable  the  fact 

avoid  sacrificing  the  broad  philanthropy 

may  be,  the  enemy  at  this  time  [March 

of  a patriot  to  the  personal  benevolence 

1]  have  in  their  power,  and  subject  to 

of  the  sentimentalist. 

their  call,  near  three  hundred  officers  be- 

Congress,  on  the  receipt  of  this  letter. 

longing  to  the  army  of  the  United  States. 

resolved  " that  General  Washington  be 

In  this  number  there  are  some  of  high 

informed  that  Congress  can  not  agree  to 

rank,  and  most  of  them  are  men  of  brave- 

any  alteration  in  the  resolve  passed  on 

ry  and  of  merit.  The  quota  of  theirs  in 

the  6th  of  January.”  This  resolve  Avas, 

' 

our  hands  bears  no  proportion,  being  not 

" that  the  board  of  Avar  be  directed  im- 

more  than  fifty  at  most.  Under  these 

mediately  to  order  the  five  Hessian  field- 

446  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

1 

officers  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell 

plaints  of  Colonel  Campbell,  Congress 

into  safe  and  close  custody,  it  being  the 

deigned  to  declare  that  it  was  never  their 

unalterable  resolution  of  Congress  to  re- 

intention  that  he  should  suffer  any  other 

taliate  on  them  the  same  punishment  as 

hardship  than  such  confinement  as  was 

may  be  inflicted  on  the  person  of  General 

necessary  for  his  security,  to  carry  out 

Lee.”  In  regard,  however,  to  the  com- 

the  object  of  their  resolve. 

CHAPTER  XLIII. 

fm’reased  Popularity  of  the  American  Cause  in  New  Jersey 

— General  Howe  responsible  for  the  Violation  of  the  Rignts 

1 

of  Property. — His  Manifesto  of  Rapine. — American  Scoundrels,  too. — Wa.sliington  checks  and  i)unishes  them. — llis 
Order  against  Disoider. — His  Proclamation  to  the  People  of  New  .Tersey. — Its  Effect. — Nothing  but  Skirinishe.s. — 

Lord  Cornwallis. — His  Chain  of  Posts. — His  Force. — The  American  Line  and  Posts. — Successful  Skirmishes  with  the 
Enemy. — General  Philemon  Dickinson. — His  Position  and  that  of  his  Brother. — The  Martial  Brother. — His  Engage- 
ment with  the  British  Plunderers. — Communications  between  the  Opposing  Armies. — A Letter  from  General  Lee. — 

His  Proposition. — Refused  by  Congress. — Lee’s  Disappointment  and  Sombre  Reflections. — Washington  regrets, the 
Refusal  of  Congress. — General  Putnam’s  Ruse  to  magnify  his  Force  in  the  Eyes  of  the  Enemy. — A College  Illumina- 
tion.— The  Effect. — The  Meager  American  Force. — Fewer  Men  than  Miles  to  gimrd. — Tardy  Reinforcements. — 

Wants. — French  Applicants  for  Commissions — General 

Arnold  in  Rhode  Island. — An  Abortive  Plan. — New  Regi- 

merits  and  New  Officers. — Take  none  but  Gentlemen. — Five  New  Major-Generals. 

The  American  cause  had  greatly 
I777«  ^ ^ 

increased  in  popularity  among  the 

king,  and  given  to  the  troops  as  a saving 
for  the  public.” 

New-Jersey  people.  The  Hessian  and  Brit- 

This  allowed  a wide  latitude  to  the  pro- 

ish  troops  spared  neither  friend  nor  foe 

pensities  of  a soldiery  for  plunder,  whose 

in  their  cruel  devastations ; and,  although 

only  control  was  the  word  of  command, 

Sir  William  Howe  could  scarcely  have 

and  who  looked  for  no  principle  of  action 

been  such  a monster  of  iniquity  as  to 

beyond  the  order  of  the  day.  The  Amer- 

justify  the  brutalities  practised  by  his 

ican  army  had  its  brutal  vagabonds,  too, 

soldiery  upon  the  defenceless  mothers. 

eager  to  rob  and  destroy;  but  in  Wash- 

wives,  and  daughters,  of  the  country,  he 

ington  their  commander  they  ever  found 

clearly  made  himself  responsible  for  the 

one  who,  with  a scrupulous  regard  to  the 

violation  of  the  rights  of  property  when 

rights  of  person  and  property,  was  at  all 

he  issued  such  orders  as  this:  — 

times  prompt  to  punish  with  severity  the 

“ All  salted  meat  and  provision.s,  which 

least  violation  of  them.  It  was  this  which 

may  be  judged  to  exceed  the  quantity 

greatly  aided  now  in  conciliating  to  the 

necessary  for  the  subsistence  of  an  ordi- 

American  cause  the  people  of  New  Jer- 

nary  family,  shall  be  considered  as  a mag- 

sey,  who,  though  afflicted  by  the  horrors 

aziiiv^  of  the  enemy,  and  seized  for  the 

of  war,  triumph  who  might,  could  yet  dis- 

r 

REV0LDTI0N.1RY.]  PROCLAMATIONS.— THE  OPPOSING  ARMIES.  417 

tinguish  between  a brutality  licensed  by 

interest  and  protection  of  Great  Britain 

authority  and  that  which  was  emphatic- 

to  the  freedom  and  happine.ss  of  their 

ally  denounced  and  threatened  with  pun- 

country,”  were  told  to  withdraw  them- 

ishment. 

selves  and  their  families  forthwith  within 

Washington,  indignant  at  the  conduct 

the  enemy’s  lines.  Many  of  the  people 

of  some  of  his  troops,  issued  the  following 

gladly  welcomed  this  opportunity  of  giv- 

emphatic  order:  “The  sreneral 

Jiliif  21*  ^ ^ 

prohibits,  in  both  the  militia  and 

ing  their  names  to  a cau.se  in  which  their 
hearts  were  already  engaged  ; while  oth- 

continental  troops,  in  the  most  positive 

ers,  who  had  only  been  able  to  secure 

terms,  the  infamous  practice  of  plunder- 

British  protection  by  swearing  allegiance 

ing  the  inhabitants,  under  the  specious 

to  the  king,  hesitated,  not  because  they 

pretence  of  their  being  tories.  Let  the 

were  less  friendly,  but  more  scrupulous. 

persons  of  such  as  are  known  to  be  ene- 

Some  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  the 

mies  to  their  countiy  be  seized  and  con- 

country  had  thus  committed  themselves  ; 

fined,  and  their  property  disposed  of  as 

and  now,  although  their  hearts  had  been 

the  law  of  the  state  directs.  It  is  our 

won  over  to  Washington,  they  felt  com- 

business  to  give  protection  and  support 

jrelled  to  withhold  their  hands. 

to  the  poor,  distressed  inhabitants,  not  to 

Beyond  an  occasional  skirmish, in  which 

multiply  and  increase  their  calamities. 

the  Americans  not  seldom  got  the  ad  van- 

After  the  publication  of  this  order,  any 

tage,  there  was  little  opportunity  for  ac- 

officer,  either  militia  or  continental,  found 

tion,  as  Sir  William  Howe,  with  his  usual 

attempting  to  conceal  the  public  stores. 

caution  or  indolence,  was  not  disposed  to 

plundering  the  inhabitants  under  the  pre- 

move.  Lord  Cornwallis,  with  the  main 

tence  of  their  bein«:  tories,  or  selliim  at 

body  of  the  army,  was  at  New  Brunswick, 

' vendue  plunder  taken  from  the  enemy. 

while  Ids  communication  with  the  Plud- 

in  any  other  manner  than  these  orders 

son  river  and  New  York  was  kept  up  by 

direct,  may  expect  to  be  punished  in  the 

means  of  a chain  of  small  posts.  His  force 

severest  manner.”  Copies  of  this  order 

was  great — not  less,  it  was  supposed,  than 

were  then  immediately  circulated  among 

eight  thousand.  The  Americans,  with 

all  the  troojTs. 

their  fluctuating  militia,  were  constantly 

Taking  advantage  of  the  favorable  di.s- 

varying  in  number ; which,  however,  was 

position  of  the  people,  Wasliington  now 

never  large,  seldom  over  four  thousand, 

. ^ issued  a proclamation,  in  which 

Jan.  25.  , ,,  , ,,  , , 

he  called  upon  all  those  who. 

and  at  times  reduced  as  low  as  fifteen 
hundred.  But  the  enemy  thought  them 

while  the  British  forces  were  in  the  as- 

much  more  numerous ; and,  fortunately. 

Cendant  in  New  Jersey,  had  signed  decla- 

they  had  been  favorably  impressed  by 

rations  of  fidelity  to  the  king  of  Great 

their  prowess  in  the  occasional  skirmish- 

Britain,  to  come  forward  and  take  an  oath 

es  which  had  occurred. 

of  allegiance  to  the  United  States  of  Amer- 

The  whole  line  of  Washington’s  army 

ica.  Those,  however,  who  preferred  “ the 

was  widely  extended;  he  himself  being 

448  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 


with  the  centre  and  main  body  at  Morris- 
town, while  General  Putnam  commanded 
the  rifflit  at  Princeton, and  General  Heath 
the  left  in  the  Highlands.  From  these 
different  points  occasiomd  small  detach- 
ments (generally  militia,  for  the  sake  of 
breaking  them  gradually  into  warfare) 
would  be  sent  out  to  harass  the  enemy’s 
outposts,  and  to  pounce  upon  their  fora- 
ging-parties. In  these  encounters,  the 
Americans,  with  the  advantage  of  a thor- 
ough knowledge  of  the  country,  and  the 
sympathy  of  the  inbabitants,  were  gener- 
ally successful.  On  one  Sunday  morning, 
for  example,  some  fifty  Waldeckers  were 
fallen  in  with  by  about  the  same  number 
of  militia,  and  so  taken  by  surprise,  that 
ten  of  the  enemy  were  killed  or  wounded, 
and  the  rest  taken  prisoners,  while  the 
Americans  came  off  without  the  least 
damage. 

On  another  occasion.  General  Philemon 
Dickinson,  by  a gallant  little  action,  Avon 
from  the  commander  the  praise — “ His 
behavior  reflects  the  highest  honor  upon 
him.”  Dickinson  was  a man  of  fortune 
and  influence,  belonging  to  New  Jersey, 
and  was  noAV  in  command  of  the  militia 
of  that  state.  He  Avas  brother  to  John 
Dickinson,  avIio,  although  an  earnest  po- 
litical Avriter  in  behalf  of  the  American 
cause,  opposed  (Avhile  a delegate  to  Con- 
gress from  Pennsylvania)  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  as  premature.  He,  in 
consequence,  lost  his  popularity,  but  nev- 
er his  patriotism.  His  spirit  Avas  not  of 
the  Avarlike  stamp  of  that  of  his  brother. 
“ Where  duty  and  honor  require  my  pres- 
ence,” said  John  Dickinson,  “ there  I shall 
be;  but  much. much  rather  Avould  I choose 


that  these  severe  masters  Avould  give  me 
up  to  my  dear  connections,  my  books,  and 
my  friends,  an  intercourse  and  employ- 
ment for  Avhich  my  constitution  is  better 
formed,  than  for  the  toils  of  war,  and  to 
cultivate  Avhich  my  temper  is  more  dis- 
posed, than  to  relish  all  the  united  glo- 
ries, could  I obtain  them,  of  every  heroic 
death  from  the  Roman  Curtins  to  the 
British  Wolfe.” 

The  martial  brother  had  just  noAV  dis- 
tinguished himself,  thoAigh  not  in  a Avay 
to  rival  a Curtins  or  a Wolfe,  still  in  a 
manner  worthy  of  all  praise.  General 
Dickinson  had  the  command  of  the  Amer- 
ican outpost  nearest  to  the  enemy  at  Ncav 
BrunsAvick,  stationed  on  the  Avest  bank 
of  Millstone  river.  On  the  opposite  side 
Avas  a mill,  Avitli  a large  stock  of  flour* 
and  CornAvallis,  covetous  of  the  booty 
had  sent  out  a party  to  seize  it,  and  take 
Avhatever  other  plunder  they  could  lay 
their  hands  on.  Dickinson  A\'as  on  the 
alert,  and,  heading  four  hundred  Ncaa^- 
Jersey  militiamen,  plunged  into  the  river, 
and,  pouncing  upon  the  plunderers,  put 
them  to  rout,  and  relieved  them  of  forty 
AVfigons,  Aipward  of  a hundred  horses — 
“most  of  them  of  the  English  draught- 
breed” — and  a number  of  sheep  and  cat- 
tle Avhich  they  had  collected.  The  ene- 
my returned,  Avith  nothing  to  carry  back 
to  the  camp  of  CornAvallis  but  “ a good 
many  dead  and  wounded  in  light  Avag- 
ons.” 

The  ordinary  communications  betAA^een 
opposing  armies  Avere  kept  up  during  this 
period  of  inactive  hostility.  Now 
Lord  CornAvallis  has  a convoy  of 
money  and  stores  to  send  to  the  Hessian 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  CONGRESS  REFUSES  GENERAL  LEE’S  REQUEST.  440 


prisoners,  and  wishes  a safe-conduct  for 
it  through  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania. 
Washington  answers  his  lordship  that  no 
molestation  will  be  offered  b}'  any  part 
of  the  regular  army  under  his  command. 
“ But  I can  not,”  he  says,  “ answer  for  the 
militia  who  a.re  resorting  to  arms  in  most 
part  of  this  state,  and  who  are  exceedingly 
exasperated  at  the  treatment  they  have 
met  with,  both  from  Hessian  and  British 
troops.” 

Again,  flags  are  passing  to  and  fro,  and 
messengers  and  bearers  of  letters  coming 
and  going  between  the  hostile  camps. 
On  one  of  these  occasions  a packet  ar- 
rives from  General  Lee,  containing  a let- 
ter to  Congress  under  cover  of  one  to 
Washington,  who  is  most  earnestly  en- 
treated to  despatch  it  immediately,  and 
order  that  body  to  be  as  expeditious  as 
possible.  The  letter  to  Congre.ss  contains 
the  request  from  General  Lee  that  two 
or  three  delegates  may  be  sent  immedi- 
ately to  New  York,  to  whom  he  had  to 
communicate  something,  as  he  avowed,  of 
tlie  greatest  importance.  What  it  was, 
Lee  did  not  say ; but  it  was  evidently 
something  concocted  between  him  and 
the  brothers  Howe,  for  he  declares  that 
these  commanders  would  grant  a safe- 
conduct  to  the  gentlemen  sent.  Congress, 
probably  not  anxious  for  the  second  time 
to  play  a part  in  such  a frivolous  negoti- 
ation as  was  the  result  of  the  swelling 
preliminaries  arranged  by  General  Sulli- 
van and  Lord  Howe,  resolved  that  it  was 
inexpedient  to  send  any  of  their  members 
to  confer  with  Lee.  Notwithstanding, 
the  imprisoned  general  reiterated  his  re- 
quest, and  was  a second  time  answered 
67 


with  a refusal.  Lee’s  captivity  had  given 
him  an  opportunity  of  reflecting  upon  the 
uncertainty  of  all  human  greatness;  and 
his  manner,  if  we  may  judge  from  his  let 
ter,  had  lost  all  its  early  flash,  in  the  som- 
bre shadow  now  cast  over  his  thoughts. 
He  writes  to  Washington  in  this  subdued 
strain,  expressive  of  his  disappointment: 

“ It  is  a most  unfortunate  circumstance 
for  myself,  and  I think  not  less  so  for  the 
public,  that  the  Congress  have  not  thought 
proper  to  comply  with  my  request.  It 
could  not  possibly  have  been  attended 
with  any  ill  consequence.s,and  might  with 
good  ones.  At  least,  it  was  an  indulgence 
which  I thought  my  situation  entitled  me 
to.  But  I am  unfortunate  in  everything, 
and  this  is  the  severest  I have  yet  expe- 
rienced. God  send  jmu  a different  fate  ! 

“ Adieu,  my  dear  general.  Yours  most 
truly  and  affectionately, 

“ CH.A.RLES  Lee.” 

Washington  appears  to  have  sympa- 
thized with  Lee,  or,  at  any  rate,  not  to 
have  approved  of  the  resolve  of  Congress, 
for  lie  says,  in  a letter  to  Robert  Morris : 
“ I wish,  with  all  my  heart,  that  Congress 
had  gratified  General  Lee  in  his  request. 
If  not  too  late,  I wish  they  would  do  it 
still.  I can  see  no  possible  evil  that  can 
result  from  it;  some  good  I think  might. 
The  request  to  see  a gentleman  or  two 
came  from  the  general^  not  from  the  com- 
missioner ; there  could  have  been  no  harm, 
therefore,  in  hearing  what  he  had  to  say 
on  ang  subject,  especially  as  he  had  de- 
clared that  his  own  personal  interest  was 
deeply  concerned.” 

During  tliese  communications  between 


450  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  ii 

tlie  British  and  the  American  lines,  Wash- 

The  Americans,  indeed,  had  every  rea- 

ington  Avas  particularly  anxious  lest  the 

son  to  strengthen  themselves  in  the  eyes 

measrerness  of  his  force  should  be  disco v- 

O 

of  the  enemy  Avith  imaginary  reinforce- 

ered  by  the  enemy.  He  accordingly  in- 

ments,  for  the  real  troops  came  in  but 

sisted  that  his  officers  should  avail  them- 

sloAvly  to  take  the  place  of  those  rapidly 

selves  of  the  ordinary  military  expedient 

departing.  Putnam,  at  one  time,  had  feAV 

authorized  by  such  circumstances,  and 

er  men  than  miles  of  frontier  to  guard  ! 

give  out  the  strength  of  the  army  to  be 

The  militia  were  constantly  in  a state  of 

twice  as  great  as  it  Avas.  General  Put- 

fluctuation.  “We  have  a full  army  one 

nam,  Avho  Avas  stationed  at  Princeton,  now 

day,”  says  Washington,  “and  scarce  any 

that  he  had  been  deserted  by  a large 

the  next;  and  I am  much  afraid  that  the 

jDarty  of  New-Jersey  militia,,  and  left  Avith 

enemy,  one  day  or  the  other,  taking  ad- 

only  a meager  remnant  of  troops,  had  es- 

vantage  of  one  of  these  temporary  Aveak- 

jAecial  reason  to  bear  in  mind  the  order 

nesses,  Avill  make  themselves  masters  of 

of  his  commander-in-chief  A British  offi- 

our  magazines  of  stores,  arms,  and  artil- 

cer,  Avho  Avas  lying  mortally  Avounded  in 

lery.  Nothing  but  their  ignorance  of  our 

Putnam’s  camp,  recpiested  the  privilege 
of  a Ausit  from  a friend  and  comrade  sta- 

numbers  protects  us  at  this  very  ^ 
time;  Avhen, on  the  contrary,  had 

tioned  at  Brunswick,  under  Lord  Corn- 

Ave  six  or  eight  thousand  regular  troops, 

Avallis.  The  request  Avas  granted.  A flag 

or  could  the  militia,  Avho  Avere  with  me  a 

Avas  sent,  and  returned  Avith  the  Avound- 

few  days  ago,  have  been  prevailed  upon 

ed  man’s  friend.  He  Avas,  hoAvever,  not 

to  stay,Ave  could  have  struck  such  a stroke 

allowed  to  enter  Princeton  until  he  was 

as  would  have  inevitably  ruined  the  army 

blindfolded,  and  the  night  had  advanced. 

of  the  enemy,  in  their  divided  state.” 

General  Putnam,  mindful  of  Washing- 

The  reinforcements  came  in  so  extreme- 

ton’s  orders,  and  not  indisposed  to  exer- 

ly  sloAv,  there  Avas  at  times  actually  dan- 

cise  his  Yankee  ingenuity  in  the  execu- 

ger  (in  the  interval  of  the  dissolution  of 

tion  of  a ruse,  took  the  occasion  to  pro- 

the  old  and  the  organization  of  the  neAV 

duce  an  impression,  the  largeness  of  Avhich 

army)  that  Washington  might  be  left  en- 

it  Avas  hoped  Avould  compensate  for  the 

tirely  destitute  of  men  ! Under  these  cir- 

smallness  of  the  American  force.  He  ac- 

cumstances,  he  Avrote  in  the  most  urgent 

cordingly  had  a light  put  in  every  room 

manner  to  the  governors  of  the  several 

in  the  college-buildings,  and  of  the  empty 

states  to  foi’Avard  on  their  regiments  Avith 

houses  in  the  town,  and  kept  his  handful 

all  possible  expedition.  Although,  from 

of  men  so  noisily  parading  about,  that  the 

the  supineness  of  the  enemy,  there  Avas  a 

British  visiter  returned  to  the  camp  of 

long  cessation  of  active  hostility,  Wash- 

Earl  CornAvallis  Avith  the  report  that  the 

ington  Avas  full  of  work.  On  one  day,  he 

Americans  at  Princeton  Avere  at  least  five 

is  Avriting  to  Governor  Trumbull,  of  Con- 

thousand  strong  !* 

necticut,  entreating  him  to  hasten  and 

* Irving. 

equip  the  lines  from  that  state ; and  to 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  ORGANIZATION  OF 

Governor  Livingston,  suggesting  a differ- 
ent organization  of  the  militia  of  New 
Jersey,  whose  “ officers  are  generally  of 
the  lowest  class  of  the  people,  and  instead 
of  setting  a good  example  to  their  men, 
are  leading  them  into  every  kind  of  mis- 
chief, one  species  of  which  is  plundering 
the  inhabitants,  under  the  pretence  of 
their  being  tories.” 

On  another  day,  the  general-in-chief  is 
writing  to  Congress  about  the  destitution 
of  the  commissariat  department,  from  the 
want  of  money  or  the  want  of  clothing ; 
or  about  the  exchange  of  jirisoners,  the 
appointment  of  officers,  and  the  proper 
place  of  the  laboratories.  Again,  he  is 
beset  by  a number  of  French  officers  who 
come  to  headquarters  applying  for  com- 
missions in  the  army.  “ This  evil,”  says 
Washington,  “ is  a growing  one  ; for,  from 
what  I learn,  they  are  coming  in  swarms 
from  Old  France  and  the  islands.  There 
will,  therefore,  be  a necessity  of  providing 
for  them,  or  discountenancing  them.  To 
do  the  first  is  difficult ; and  the  last  dis- 
agreeable and  perhaps  impolitic,  if  they 
are  men  of  merit ; and  it  is  impossible  to 
disthiguish  these  from  mere  adventurers, 
of  whom  I am  convinced  there  is  the 
greater  number.” 

Then,  on  yet  another  day,  Washington 
is  conferring  by  letter  with  General  Ar- 
nold about  his  schemes  on  Rhode  Island. 
The  British  were  at  Newport,  to  the  num- 
ber of  six  thousand,  under  the  command 
of  Earl  Percy.  Arnold,  immediately  after 
his  arrival  from  the  North  at  the  canlp  of 
Washington,  had  been  ordered,  in  con- 
junction with  General  Spencer,  to  take 
command  of  the  American  force  sent  to 


THE  NEW  ARMY.  451 

Rhode  Island.  This  consisted  of  some 
four  or  five  thousand  militia,  who  were 
now  encamped  at  Providence.  As  a de- 
tachment had  been  ordered  away  from 
the  camp  of  the  British,  which  had  re- 
duced their  numbers  to  four  thousand, 
Arnold  and  Spencer  proposed  an  attack 
on  Rhode  island.  Washington,  upon  be- 
ing consulted,  examines  the  map  sent  to 
him,  together  with  the  plan  of  the  enter- 
prise ; and,  after  suggesting  the  difficulty 
of  passing  a body  of  water  to  attack  an 
enemy,  and  of  making  a good  retreat  in 
case  of  repulse,  advises  that  the  assaidt 
should  not  be  made,  unless  with  a strong 
probability,  amounting  almost  to  a cer- 
tainty, of  success.  The  enterprise  was 
finally  given  up. 

The  subject,  however,  which  was  upper- 
most in  Washington’s  thoughts  at  this 
time,  was  the  recruitment  of  the  new  ar- 
my. To  this  he  was  directing  all  his  en- 
ergies. Eighty-eight  battalions,  accord- 
ing to  a resolve  of  Congress,  were  to  be 
enlisted.  Colonel  Ilazen  was  sent  to  su- 
perintend this  service  in  New  York  and 
the  New-England  states;  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Antill  in  New  Jersey,  Pennsylva- 
nia, Maryland,  and  Virginia.  With  these 
gentlemen  the  commander-in-chief  was 
frequently  communicating  by  letter,  ur- 
ging them  to  exert  themselves  as  much 
as  possible  in  filling  the  companies,  and 
sending  them  forward  with  the  utmost 
despatch.  Over  the  appointment  of  the 
officers  to  these  battalions  Washingtoi 
had  but  little  control,  each  state  choosing 
its  own  according  to  its  quota  of  troops. 
There  were,  however,  sixteen  additional 
regiments,  where  the  choice  of  the  officers 


1!j2  battles  of  AMERICA.  Ipaut  u. 


was  left  to  the  commander-in-clhef.  He 
generally  contented  himself  with  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  colonels,  and  left  the 
subordinate  commissions  to  be  distributed 
by  them,  subject  to  his  approval.  Nathan- 
iel Gist,  John  Patton,  William  Grayson, 
Th  omas  Hartley,  Samuel  B.  Webb,  David 
Henley  ,Ezekiel  Cornell,Henry  Sherburne, 
Alexander  Scammel,  and  Henry  Jackson, 
'were  the  colonels  appointed  in  January, 
and  they  were  now  busily  engaged  in  ob- 
taining men  and  officers  for  their  regi- 
ments. Colonel  Gist  was  authorized  to 
raise  four  companies  of  rangers,  and  was 
instructed  to  proceed  to  the  Clierokee  or 
any  other  nation  of  Indians  and  attempt 
to  procure  a number  of  warriors,  not  ex- 
ceeding five  hundred,  who  were  to  be  sup- 
plied with  arms  and  blankets,  and  paid 
like  the  continental  troops.  There  was, 
however,  a good  deal  of  reserve  on  the 
part  of  the  Americans  in  availing  them- 
selves of  the  aid  of  the  Indians;  and  du- 
ring the  whole  war  the  British,  with  less 
scruple,  always  succeeded,  by  their  pro- 
fuse largesses,  in  obtaining  a preponder- 
ance of  savage  auxiliaries. 

While  Washington  gave  his  colonels 
tlie  privilege  of  choosing  their  officers,  he 
earnestly  recommended  them  to  be  cir- 
cumspect in  their  choice.  “ Take  none,” 
he  says,  “ but  gentlemen ; let  no  local  at- 
tachments influence  you ; do  not  suffer 
your  good  nature,  when  an  application  is 
made,  to  say  ‘Yes,’  when  you  ought  to 
say  ‘ No remember  that  it  is  a public, 
not  a private  cause,  that  is  to  be  injured 
or  benefited  by  your  choice ; recollect, 
also,  that  no  instance  has  yet  happened 
of  good  or  bad  behavior  in  a corps  in  our 


service,  that  has  not  originated  with  the 
officers.  Do  not  take  old  men,  nor  yet 
fill  your  corps  with  boys,  especially  foi 
captains.” 

.Washington  had  constantly  urged  up- 
on Congress  the  necessity  of  hastening 
the  appointment  of  the  general  officers. 
“We  have  very  little  time,”  he  sa3's,  “to 
do  a very  great  work  in  ;”  and  tells  them 
that,  if  they  are  withholding  the  commis- 
sions from  parsimonious  principles,  they 
are  mistaken.  He,  with  a delicate  reserve, 
did  not  pretend  to  direct  the  choice  of 
Congress,  but  could  not  refrain  from  sug- 
gesting the  names  of  two  officers  for  flu* 
new  appointments:  General  Cadwallader, 
'whom  he  pronounces  a man  of  ability,  a 
good  disciplinarian,  firm  in  his  principles, 
and  of  intrepid  bravery ; and  Colonel  Reed, 
whom  he  recommends  for  the  command 
of  the  horse,  as  a person  in  every  respect 
qualified. 

Congress  finally  responded  to  these  ur- 
gent appeals  of  the  commander-in-chief, 
and  appointed  five  major-gener- 
als.  These  were  Stirling,  Miffiin, 

St.  Clair,  Stephen, and  Lincoln.  Two  days 
after,  eighteen  brigadier-generals  were 
chosen,  namely  : Poor,  Glover,  Patterson, 
Learned,  Yarnum,  Huntington,  Clinton, 
Wayne,  De  Haas,Cad  wallader, Hand, Reed, 
Weedon,  Muhlenberg,  Woodford,  Scott, 
Nash,  and  Conway,  the  latter  an  Irishman. 
Cadwallader,  however,  did  not  accept  the 
appointment.  Even  this  act  of  Congress, 
as  we  shall  find,  served  to  add  to  the  em- 
barfassment  and  anxious  cares  of  Wash 
ington.  Jealousies  were  excited  and  dis- 
appointments created,  which  the  chief  was 
called  upon  to  remove  and  allay. 


K EVOLUTIONARY. J MOVEMP^NTS  UP’  THE  BRITISH.  453 

CHAPTER  XL  IV. 

Activity  of  the  Enemy. — Lord  Percy  arrives  at  Amboy. — Sir  William  Howe  in  New  Jersey. — " Some  Push”  intended. — 

Its  Purpose  uncertain. — Washinijton  persuaded  that  Philadelphia  is  the  Ohjeet  of  the  British. — More  American  Forces, 
or  “ the  Game  at  an  End.” — The  Indolent  llowo  true  to  his  Character. — The  Americans  on  the  Alert. — Skirmishes. — 
Success  of  Nielson  of  Brunswick. — Washin;^lon’s  Skilful  Management. — Lauded  in  Europe — Botta’s  Opinion. — Gen 

eral  Arnold’s  Non-Promotion. — Washington  takes  up  his 

Cuusc. — ArunlrPs  own  Protestations. — He  asks  for  a Court 

of  Inquiry. — Washington  opposes,  ainl  gives  Good  Advice. — Not  taken  by  Arnold,  who  persists. — Discontent  of  other 

Officers,  who  are  soothed  by  Washington  — Difficulties  in 

Recruiting. — A Rcmarkalile  Letter. — Tiie  Small-Pox  in  the 

Army. — Inoculation. — Its  Mild  Elfects. — Want  of  Anns. — A Timely  Arrival  from  France. — Kesignation  of  Colonel 
Joseph  Reed. — General  Gates  otfers  his  Services  to  Washington. — A Dilemma,  from  which  Gates  is  relieved. — He  is 
appointed  to  the  Command  of  the  Forces  at  Ticonderoga. — Irascibility  of  General  Schuyler. — He  is  rebuked  by  Con- 
gress.— Alexander  Hamilton  appointgd  Secretary  to  Washington. 

There  -was  now  some  aiipearance 
1777*  ^ ^ 

of  activity  on  the  part  of  the  ene- 

American  general,  with  Philadelphia  as 
his  object.  The  British  Nvere  at  least  ten 

my.  A detachment  of  their  troops,  im- 

thousand  strong.  The  Americans  u'ere 

der  Lord  Percy,  witli  several  pieces  of 

only  fo*ur  thousand.  The  former  Avere 

lieavy  artillery,  had  moved  from  Newport, 

Avell  disciplined,  well  officered,  and  well 

Rhode  Island,  and  Lmded  at  Ani- 
Feb.  20.  Sir  William  IIoAve,  too,  had 

appointed ; the  latter  raw  militia,  badly 
officered, and  under  no  government.  Gen- 

forsaken  his  snug  quarters  at  New  York, 

eral  Howe’s  numbers,  it  was  true,  could 

with  its  convivial  delights,  and  come  over 

not  in  any  short  time  be  increased.  As 

the  Hudson.  It  wais  now  probable  that. 

for  Washington’s,  “ they  must  be,”  he  said. 

with  a force  of  nearly  eight  thousand  men 

“ very  considerably,  and  by  such  troops 

in  New  Jersey,  and  the  reinforcements 

as  we  can  have  reliance  upon,  or  the  game 

just  landed  and  marching  to  join  them. 

is  at  an  end.”  With  what  propriety,  then. 

General  Howe  was  “ on  the  point  of  ma- 

can  the  enemy  miss  so  favorable  an  op- 

king  some  push.”  Whether  his  object 

poi-tunity  of  striking  a heavy  blow  at 

was  to  beat  up  the  American  quarters 

Philadelphia,  from  which  the  Americans 

and  extend  his  own,  to  make  a large  for- 

are  deriving  so  many  advantages,  and  the 

age  and  collection  of  provender  of  which 

carrying  of  \vhich  would  give  such  eclat 

the  enemy  were  in  great  want,  or  to  cross 

to  the  British  arms  ? “ The  longer  it  is 

the  Delaware  ’with  the  view  of  marching 

delayed,”  wrote  Washington,  who  believed 

to  Philadelphia,  could  not  be  determined. 

the  attack  was  ahiiost  certain,  “the  bet- 

Washington  was  on  the  alert,  but  nat- 

ter  for  us,  and  happy  shall  I be  if  am  de- 

urally  anxious,  when  he  knew  his  force 

ceived.” 

was  so  small  as  to  be  quite  unequal  to  a 

Sir  William  Howe  did  not,  however,  be- 

successful  opposition.  Sir  William  Hom’c 

lie  his  reputation  for  indolence.  He  can- 

would  surely  move  forward,  thought  the 

toned  his  reinforcements  with  the  rest  of 

, 

454  BATTLES  OF  AMItRICA.  Lpart  it 


his  army  at  Brunswick  and  the  adjacent 
posts,  and  sat  down  to  contemplate  his 
magnificent  designs  for  a future  campaign. 
Tlie  Americans,  notwithstanding,  were  vi- 
gilant, and  attentive  at  their  several  posts 
to  guard  against  surprises ; while  every 
preparation  for  resistance  was  made  that 
the  feeble  state  of  their  little  army  ad- 
mitted of  Small  skirmishes  continued  ; 
and,  althoimh  in  one  week  a militia-gi:uard 
in  Monmouth,  near  the  Hook,  is  taken  by 
a party  of  British  troops,  in  the  next  full 
revenge  is  obtained  by  the  success  of  Colo- 
nel Nielson,  of  Brunswick.  This  officer, 
with  a small  detachment  of  militia,  sallies 
out  and  takes  by  surprise  Major  Stockton, 
of  General  Skinner’s  corps  of  New-Jersey 
royalists,  whom  he  captures,  together  with 
fifty-nine  of  his  men,  and  all  their  arms. 

Thus  was  presented,  during  the  whole 
winter,  “ the  extraordinary  spectacle  of  a 
powerful  army,  straitened  within  narrow 
limits  by  the  phantom  of  a military  force, 
and  never  permitted  to  transgress  those 
limits  with  impunity,  in  which  skill  sup- 
plied the  place  of  means,  and  disposition 
was  the  substitute  for  an  army.”-'-  The 
conduct  of  Washington  was  everywhere 
greatly  extolled.  Botta,  the  Italian  his- 
torian of  America,  expresses  the  admira- 
tion with  which  it  was  appreciated  in  Eu- 
rope : — 

“Achievements  so  astonishing  gained 
for  the  American  commander  a very  great 
reputation,  and  were  regarded  with  won- 
der by  all  nations,  as  well  as  by  the  Amer- 
icans. Every  one  applauded  the  prudence, 
the  firmness,  and  the  daring,  of  General 
Washington.  All  declared  him  the  sav- 

*■  Alexander  Hamilloii. 


iour  of  his  country;  all  proclaimed  him 
equal  to  the  most  renowim'^  commanders 
of  antiquity,  and  especially  distinguished 
him  by  the  name  of  the  Ajuencan  Fabiiis. 
His  name  was  in  the  mouths  of  all  men, 
and  celebrated  by  the  pens  of  the  most 
eminent  writers.  The  greatest  person- 
ages in  Europe  bestowed  upon  him  praise 
and  congratulation.  Thus  the  American 
general  wanted  neither  a noble  cause  to 
defend,  nor  an  opportunity  for  acquiring 
glory,  nor  the  genius  to  avail  himself  of 
it,  nor  a whole  generation  of  men  com- 
petent and  well  disposed  to  render  him 
homage.”'-'^ 

Horace  Walpole  wrote  thus  to  Mann : 
“Washington,  the  dictator,  has  shown  him- 
self both  a Fabius  and  a Camillus.  His 
march  through  our  lines  is  allowed  to 
have  been  a prodigy  of  generalship.” 

In  the  list  of  the  new  major-generals 
chosen  by  Congress,  the  name  of  Arnold 
had  been  omitted,  although  those  thus 
appointed  were  all  his  juniors  in  rank. 
This  gave  Washington  great  concern,  and 
he  wrote  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  a mem- 
ber of  Congress  from  Virginia:  “I  am 
anxious  to  know  whether  General  Ar- 
nold’s non-promotion  was  owing  to  acci- 
dent or  design ; and  the  cause  of  it.  Sure 
ly  a more  active,  a more  spirited  and  sen 
sible  officer,  fills  no  department  in  yoiu 
army.  Not  seeing  him.  then,  in  the  list 
of  major-generaks,  and  no  mention  made 
of  him,  has  given  me  uneasiness ; as  it  is 
not  to  be  presumed,  being  the  oldest  brig 
adier,  that  he  will  continue  in  service  un- 
der such  a slight.”  Fearing  the  effect  of 
this  neglect  upon  the  irascible  temper  of 

* Quoted  l>y  Sparks. 


r- 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  GENERAL  ARNOLD’S  NON-RRO]\IOTION.  455 

Arnold,  AVa.'^liington  wrote  to  entreat  liiin 

Washington,  who  was  fully  conscious 

not  to  take  any  hasty  steps,  and  he  would 

of  Arnold’s  ability,  and  had  at  that  time 

use  his  best  endeavors  to  remedy  any  er- 

no  reason  to  doubt  the  sincerity  of  his 

ror  that  might  have  been  committed. 

professions  of  patriotism,  was  anxious  to 

Arnold,  after  courteously  acknowledg- 

place  him  in  the  position  to  which  he  was 

ing  Washington’s  interposition  in  his  be- 

thought  to  be  entitled.  The  commander- 

half,  expresses  his  sense  of  the  wrong  he 

in-chief  continued  to  solicit  his  friends  in 

has  suffered  by  a self-complacent  state- 

Congress  to  repair  the  wrong  supposetl 

ment  of  his  fastidious  conscientiousness. 

to  have  been  done  to  that  officer,  and  re- 

his  sensibility  to  disgrace,  and  the  claims 

quested  General  Greene,  who  was  then 

he  has  upon  his  country  for  his  patriotic 

at  Philadelphia,  to  investigate  the  causes 

services.  “My  commission,”  writes  Ar- 

which  had  influenced  their  action.  The 

1 

nold,  “ was  conferred  unsolicited,  and  re- 

only  satisfaction  obtained  was  the  pro- 

1 

ceived  with  pleasure  only  as  a means  of 

fessed  motive,  on  the  part  of  the  mem- 

serving  my  country.  With  equal  pleas- 

hers  of  Congress,  of  proportioning  the 

lire  I resign  it,  when  I can  no  longer  serve 

general  officers  to  the  number  of  troops 

my  country  with  honor.  The  person  who. 

supplied  liy  each  state,  and  the  explana- 

void  of  the  nice  feelings  of  honor,  will 

tion  that,  as  Connecticut  had  already  two 

tamely  condescend  to  give  up  his  right. 

major-generals,  it  was  necessary  to  pass 

and  retain  a commission  at  the  expense 

Arnold  by.  AYashington,  in  answer  to 

of  his  reputation,  I hold  as  a disgrace  to 

Arnold’s  demand  for  a court  of  inquiry. 

the  army,  and  unworthy  of  the  glorious 

replied  that  he  could  not  see  upon  what 

cause  in  which  we  are  engaged.  When 

ground  he  could  ask  it,  as  no  particular 

I entered  the  service  of  my  country,  my 

charge  was  alleged  against  him.  Public 

character  was  unimpeached.  I have  sac- 

bodies  are  not  amenable  for  their  actions. 

riticed  my  interest,  ease,  and  happiness. 

They  place  and  displace  at  pleasure  ; and 

in  her  cause.  It  is  rather  a misfortune. 

all  tlie  satisfaction  that  an  individual  can 

than  a fault,  that  rny  exertions  have  not 

obtain,  when  he  is  overlooked,  is,  if  inno- 

been  crowned  with  success.  I am  con- 

cent,  a consciousness  that  he  has  not  de- 

scions  of  the  rectitude  of  my  intentions. 

served  such  treatment  for  his  honest  ex- 

In  justice,  therefore,  to  my  own  charac- 

ertions. 

ter,  and  for  the  satisfaction  of  my  friends. 

This  was  a kind  of  advice  which  came 

I must  request  a court  of  inquiry  into  my 

naturally  from  the  upright  mind  of  the 

conduct ; and,  though  I sensibly  feel  the 

commander-in-chief,  but  which  was  far 

ingratitude  of  my  countrymen,  yet  every 

from  calming  the  perturbed  spirit  of  Ar- 

personal  injury  shall  be  buried  in  my 

nold.  The  purest  air  of  heaven  will  only 

zeal  for  the  safety  and  happiness  of  my 

intlame  an  angry  sore  : an  appeal  to  con- 

country,  in  whose  cause  I have  repeated- 

science  gives  no  relief  to  a corrupt  heart. 

ly  fought  and  bled,  and  am  ready  at  all 

Arnold  was  obliged  to  give  up  all  hopes 

times  to  risk  my  life.” 

of  a court  of  inquiiy  ; but  he  determined 

■ 

456  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  | part  ii 

to  visit  headquarters,  and  obtain  permis- 
sion from  Washington  to  proceed  to  Phil- 
adelphia, and  seek  an  investigation  into 
the  cause  of  the  treatment  which  had  so 
disappointed  his  ambition  and  stirred  his 
anger. 

There  were  others  besides  Arnold  who 
had  been  wronged,  as  they  supposed,  by 
being  passed  over  in  the  recent  appoint- 
ments by  Congress.  Washington  strove  to 
soothe  the  wounded  sensibilities  of  these 
latter  as  he  had  those  of  the  former.  Brig- 
adier-General Andi-ew  Lewis  had  reason 
to  expect  promotion  to  a major-general- 
ship. He  had  been  disappointed.  Wash- 
ington writes  to  him  : “ Let  me  beseech 
you  to  reflect  that  the  period  is  now  ar- 
rived when  our  most  vigorous  exertions 
are  wanted ; when  it  is  highly  and  indis- 
pensably necessary  for  gentlemen  of  abil- 
ities in  any  line,  but  more  especially  in 
the  military,  not  to  withhold  themselves 
from  public  employment,  or  suffer  any 
small  punctilios  to  persuade  them  to  re- 
tire from  their  country’s  service.”  Gen- 
eral Lewis,  however,  did  not  yield  to  this 
patriotic  appeal,  but  resigned  his  commis- 
sion, which  was  accepted  by  Congress. 
Again,  William  Woodford,  although  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general, 
was  named  after  two  of  his  juniors.  In 
this  instance  also,  Washington,  anticipa- 
ting a wound  to  Woodford’s  feelings,  en- 
deavors to  divert  him  from  all  personal 
considerations,  by  invoking  the  generosi- 
ty of  his  patriotism.  “ Trifling  punctil- 
ios,” he  says,  “ should  have  no  influence 
upon  a man’s  conduct  in  such  a cause, 
and  at  such  a time  as  this.  If  smaller 
matters  do  not  yield  to  greater,  if  trifles 

light  as  air  in  comparison  with  what  we 
are  contending  for,  can  withdraw  or  with- 
hold gentlemen  from  service,  when  our 
all  is  at  stake,  and  a single  cast  of  the  die 
may  turn  the  tables,  what  are  we  to  ex- 
pect ?” 

A remarkable  letter,  written  about  this 
time  by  Washington  to  General 

Sullivan,  shows  the  vexations  to 
which  he  must  have  been  subjected  by 
the  jealous  rivalries  and  fnncied  slights 
of  some  of  the  officers  under  his  command. 

“ Do  not,  my  dear  General  Sullivan,”  says 
Washington,  ‘Gorment  yourself  any  long- 
er Avith  imaginary  slights,  and  involve 
others  in  the  perplexities  you  feel  on  that 
score.  No  other  officer  of  rank,  in  the 
whole  army,  has  so  often  conceived  him- 
self neglected,  slighted,  and  ill  treated,  as 
you  have  done  ; and  none,  I am  sure,  has 
had  less  cause  than  yourself  to  entertain 
such  ideas.  Mere  accidents,  things  which 
have  occurred  in  the  common  course  of 
service,  have  been  considered  by  you  as 

designed  affronts Why  these  unrea- 

sonable,  these  unjustifiable  suspicions — 
suspicions  which  can  answer  no  other  end 
than  to  poison  your  own  happiness,  and 

add  vexation  to  that  of  othei’s  ? But  I 

have  not  time  to  dwell  upon  a subject  of 
this  kind.  I shall  quit  it  with  an  earnest 
exhortation  that  you  will  not  suffer  your- 
self to  be  teased  with  evils  that  only  ex- 
ist in  the  imagination,  and  with  slights 
that  have  no  existence  at  all.”  Sullivan 
was  vain,  and  sensitive,  as  all  vain  men 
are  ; but,  as  he  was  a sincere  patriot  and 
a faithful  friend  of  Washington,  it  is  not 
doubted  but  that  he  took  this  severe  les- 
son in  good  part,  and  benefited  by  it. 

r 

REVOLUTIONARY.  SMALL-POX  IN  THE  ARMY.— ARMS  FROM  FRANCE.  457 

In  addition  to  these  trouldes  on  the 

turned  out  and  fought  the  British.”  If 

score  of  the  ofliicers,  Washington  was 

the  inoculated  had  been  able  to  take  the 

ninch  perturbed  by  the  difficulties  and 

field,  they  could  not  have  brought  against 

obstructions  which  interfered  Avith  the 

their  enemy  a more  formidable  powei 

recruiting  of  his  new  army.  The  spring 

than  the  terrors  of  the  dreadful  disease 

had  already  opened ; and  yet  such  was  the 

which  presented  its  horrid  front  in  the 

delay  in  the  enlistments,  that  Washing- 

American  ranks. 

ton  expected  to  be  left  on  the  15th  of 

When  the  new  recruits  presented  them- 

March  with  only  the  remains  of  five  Vir- 

selves,  Washington  was  perplexed  to  find 

ginia  regiments,  containing  less  than  five 

means  for  equipping  them.  The  old  regi- 

hundred  men  ; parts  of  two  or  three  oth- 

ments,  at  the  expiration  of  their  term  of 

er  continental  battalions, “all  very  weak;” 

service,  returned  home,  taking  their  arms 

and  some  small  parties  of  New-Jersey  and 

with  them.  How  to  provide  the  new  ar- 

Pennsylvania  militia,  on  which  but  little 

my  was  now  the  question,  which  was  so 

dependence  conld  be  put,  as  they  “ come 

embarrassing,  that  all  began  to  consider 

and  go  when  they  please The  enemy 

it  with  dismay,  when  it  was  fortunately 

must  be  ignorant  of  our  numbers  and  sit- 

solved  by  the  arrival  of  a supply  of  arms 

nation,  or  they  would  never  suffer  ns  to 

from  France.  One  ship,  escaping  all  the 

remain  unmolested,  and,”  adds  Washing- 

vigilance  of  the  British  cruisers,  had  ar- 

ton,  “I  almost  tax  myself  with  impru- 

rived  at  Portsmouth,  in  New  Hampshire, 

dence  in  committing  the  secret  to  paper.” 

laden  with  a cargo  consisting  of  twelve 

Nor  were  the  recruits  who  came  in  so 

thousand  fusees,  one  thousand  barrels  of 

slowly  and  in  such  scant  numbers  imme- 

powder,  and  a good  stock  of  blankets  and 

diately  available.  The  small-pox  hither- 

military  stores.  Another  French  vessel 

to  had  created  terrible  ravay:es  amono;  the 

had  reached  Philadelphia  in  safety,  with 

American  troops,  and  Washington  was 

six  thousand  fusees  for  the  United  States, 

determined  to  use  the  only  means  then 

and  five  thousand  for  sale  on  private  ac- 

known  to  protect  them  from  its  fatality. 

count.  The  whole  army  could  now  be 

All  the  officers  and  soldiers  in  the  can- 

equipped,  and  there  was  no  longer  any 

tonment  at  Morristown  were  now  inocu- 

anxiety  on  the  score  of  arms. 

lated,  and  each  recruit  as  he  came  in  was 

Colonel  Joseph  Reed’s  resignation  as 

subjected  to  the  same  operation.  Whole 

adjutant- general,  although  it  was  Avel- 

regiments  were  thus  suffering  under  the 

coined  by  a large  number  of  New -Eng- 

disease  at  the  same  moment.  Fortunate- 

land  men  (with  whom,  in  the  course  of 

ly,  little  or  no  mortality  ensued ; and  “ the 

the  sectional  jealousies  in  the  army,  he 

disorder  was  so  slight,”  says  an  annalist. 

had  incurred  great  unpopularity),  was  a 

doubtless  with  some  exa^'^eration,  “ that 

serious  loss  to  the  service,  and  a source  • 

from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  it  there 

of  perplexity  to  Washington.  There  was 

was  not  a single  day  in  which  they  could 

difficulty  in  finding  for  that  important 

not,  and  if  called  upon  would  not,  have 
.5S 

office  a successor  of  equal  efficiency  Avith 

[ 

■ 

458  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

its  former  active  incumbent.  President 

on  your  resumption  of  the  office  of  adju- 

Hancock  wrote  to  General  Gates,  propo- 

tant-general  as  the  only  means  of  giving 

sino;  that  he  should  ne-ain  become  the 

form  and  regularity  to  our  new  army.” 

adjutant-general,  a position  to  which  he 

The  frank  and  direct  manner  in  which 

had  been  appointed  on  the  organization 

Washington  took  Gates  at  his  word  might 

of  the  first  American  army.  Gates’s  as- 

have  been  supposed  to  greatly  embarrass 

pirations  had  in  the  meanwhile  risen  to 

that  officer,  who  was  not  disposed  to  re- 

a greater  height.  He  evidently  was  not 

strain  his  ambition  within  the  narrow 

flattered  by  Hancock’s  proposition.  His 

bounds  of  a subordinate  position.  The 

vexation  was  ill  concealed  beneath  a pro- 

timely  appointment  of  the  command  of 

fession  of  willingne.ss  to  serve,  in  a letter 

the  northern  army  at  Ticonderoga,  how- 

which  he  wrote  to  Washington  : “ I own,” 

ever,  relieved  him  from  the  apparent  di- 

he  writes,  referring  to  the  letter  of  the 

lemma  in  which  his  own  professions,  and 

president  of  Congre.s.s,  “ I was  surprised 

Washington’s  sincere  belief  in  them,  had 

at  the  contents ; and  the  more  so,  as  it 

placed  him.  Still,  there  is  reason  to  be- 

was  not  preceded  by  one  on  the  same 

lieve  that  General  Gates  had  anticipated 

subject  from  your  excellency.  Unless  it 

this  means  of  escape  from  his  unpleasant 

is  vour  earnest  desire  that  such  a meas- 

situation,  and  that  he  was  eagerly  await- 

lire  should  directly  take  place,  I could  by 

ing  the  command  which  he  now  received 

no  means  consent  to  it.” 

when  offerino:  his  services  to  Washington 

Washington  wrote  to  General  Gates  in 

in  the  humbler  position.  Timothy  Pick- 

answer : “ Although  I often  wished  in  se- 

ering,  of  Massachusetts,  became  the  new 

cret  that  you  could  be  brought  to  resume 

adjutant-general.  ‘ 

theoflice  of  adjutant-general,!  never  even 

Gates  was  indebted  to  the  irascibility 

hinted  it,  because  I thought  it  might  be 

of  General  Schuyler  for  his  new  appoinb 

disagreeable  to  you,  for  the  reason  which 

ment.  Schuyler  had  involved  himself  in 

you  yourself  mention  — that  you  ‘com- 

a quarrel  with  Congress.  His  enemies 

manded  last  campaign  at  the  second  post 

had  been  industrious,  and  made  various 

upon  this  continent’ — and  that  therefore 

charges  against  him.  He  insisted  upon 

it  might  be  looked  upon  by  you  as  a deg- 

resio-nino;  his  commission,  but  Congress 

I 

1 

radation.  But  you  can  not  conceive  the 

would  not  accept  his  resignation.  The 

pleasure  I feel  when  you  tell  me  that,  ‘ if 

surgeon  of  his  army,  a Doctor  Striger,  had 

it  is  my  desire  that  you  should  resume 

been  removed  from  his  office ; ivliereat 

your  former  office,  you  will  with  cheer- 

Schuyler  is  greatly  angered,  and  writes 

fulness  and  alacrity  proceed  to  Morris- 

to  Congress : “ As  Doctor  Striger  had  my 

town.’  Give  me  leave  to  return  you  my 

recommendation  to  the  office  he  had  sus- 

. sincere  thanks  for  this  mark  of  your  at- 

tained,  perhaps  it  was  a compliment  due 

tentioii  to  a request  of  mine  which,  now 

to  me  that  I should  have  been  advised  of 

you  give  me  an  opening,  I make,  and  at 

the  reason  of  his  dismission.”  Colonel  Jo- 

the  same  time  assure  you  that  I look  up- 

seph  Trumbull  had  insinuated  that  Gen- 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  SCHUYLER  AND  TRUMBULL.— ALEXANDER  HAMILTON.  459 

eral  Schuyler  had  suppressed  a coiumis- 

the  southern  bank  of  the  Delaware,  and 

sion  intended  for  his  brother,  whereupon 

in  reorganizing  the  3ommissary  depart- 

the  angry  commander  writes  to  Congress, 

ment. 

complaining  of  the  base  insinuation,  and 

Early  in  the  spring,  while  Washington 

says:  “I  hope  Congress  wdll  not  enter- 

was  still  at  Morristown,  young  Alex.\xder 

tain  the  least  idea  that  I can  tamely  sub- 

Hamilton  became  one  of  his  aids-de-camp. 

mit  to  such  injurious  treatment.  I ex- 

and  was  received  into  what  is  technically 

pect  they  will  immediately  do  wdiat  is  in- 

called  his  “family.”  General  Greene,  as 

cumbent  on  them  on  the  occasion.  Un- 

we  have  seen,  had  been  early  struck  with 

til  Mr.  Trumbull  and  I are  upon  a footing, 

the  skill  of  the  youthful  captain  of  artil- 

I can  not  do  what  the  law's  of  honor  and 

lery,  and  had  spoken  of  him  with  admi- 

a regard  to  tny  own  reputation  render 

ration  to  the  commander-in-chief  Wash- 

indispensably  necessary.  Congress  can 

ington,  too,  at  White  Plains,  and  during 

put  us  on  a par  by  dismissing  one  or  the 

the  perilous  retreat  through  New  Jer- 

other  from  the  service.”*  Congress  would 

sey,  had  noticed  the  art  with  which,  in 

not  gratify  this  pugnacious  desire  of  the 

the  one  instance,  he  had  directed  the  con- 

general,  whereupon  he  is  vexed  to  ex- 

struction  of  the  works,  and,  in  the  other, 

ceeding  wrath,  and  tells  them — “ I really 

the  daring  and  skill  with  which  he  had 

feel  myself  deeply  chagrined  on  the  oc- 

brought  his  guns  to  bear  upon  the  pur- 

casion.  I am  incapable  of  the  meanness 

suing  enemy.  Young  as  he  was,  being 

he  [Colonel  Trumbull]  suspects  me  of; 

only  twenty  years  of  age,  Hamilton  had 

and  I confidently  expected  that  Congress 

already  become  a marked  man.  He  had 

would  do  me  that  justice  which  it  was  in 

acquired  a reputation  as  a writer,  and 

their  power  to  give,  and  which  I humbly 

Washington  gladly  availed  himself  of  his 

conceive  they  ought  to  have  done.” 

fluent  pen.  Colonel  Harrison  (“  the  old 

For  awhile  Congress  passed  these  com- 

secretary,”  as  he  was  always  termed)  be- 

munications  over  in  silence,  but  finally 

ing  now  employed  in  other  service,  the 

its  offended  dignity  vindicated  itself  by  a 

new  aid-de-camp  took  his  place.  As  the 

resolution,  in  wdiich  certain  passages  in 

commander-in-chief  never  allowed  any 

Schuyler’s  letters  were  pronounced  “ill 

idlers  about  him,  he  took  care  that  the 

advised  and  highly  indecent,”  and  by  the 

industry  and  capacity  of  his  young  sec- 

appointmentof  Gates  to  supersede  Schuy- 

retary  should  be  put  thoroughly  to  the 

ler  in  the  command  of  the  northern  army. 

test;  and  that  they  were,  and  proved 

The  latter,  however,  lost  none  of  his  ar- 

equal  to  the  trial,  no  one  has  ever  doubt- 

dor  in  behalf  of  his  country’s  cause ; and. 

ed.  It  Avas  left,  hoAvever,  for  an  aspiring 

as  a major-general  of  the  army,  he  con- 

descendant  and  biographer,  not  conten 

tinned  to  serve  with  undiminished  inter- 

with  the  greatness  of  his  distinguished 

est  and  energy.  Stationed  at  Philadel- 

parent,  to  claim  for  him  that  which  be- 

:hia,  he  was  busily  engaged  in  fortifying 

lon<rs  to  Washiimton  himself 

* Quoted  bv  Irving. 

The  two  other  members  of  the  chief’s 

460  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  ' [part  ii. 

military  fixmily  at  this  time  were  Colonels 

boy”  when  speaking  of  Hamilton,  to  whom 

Meade  and  Tench  Tilghman,  both  men  of 

he  became  warmly  attached,  and  whose 

gallant  spirit  and  gentlemanly  bearing. 

great  abilities  and  sterling  integrity  he 

Colonel  Robert  H.  Harrison,  the  former 

did  not  fail  fully  to  appreciate.  Hamil- 

secretary,  although  frequently  employed 

ton  is  described  at  this  time  as  ‘‘  a youth, 

in  other  service,  was  still  a constant  wri- 

a mere  stripling,  small,  slender,  almost 

ter  at  headquarters.  He  looked  with  ad- 

delicate  in  frame.”  His  vivacity  made 

miration  upon  his  youthful  successor. 

him  the  favorite  companion  of  the  young, 

whom  he  styled  “ the  little  lion.”  Wash- 

while  his  ripe  intelligence  and  great  in- 

ing;ton  himself  is  sa,id  to  have  often  in- 

tellectual  powers  won  for  him  the  regard 

dulged  in  the  fond  expression  of  “ my 

of  the  old. 

CHAPTER  X L V. 

The  Enemy  in  Canada. — Ticonderoga  or  Philadcdphia  ? — Wasliington  and  Congress. — General  Howe  suffers  a Collapse 

— Grand  Schemes. — Disappointment. — Pennsylvania  now  his  Object. — Invasion  hy  Sea. — Possible  Co-operation  in  the 
Future  with  Forces  in  Canada. — Preparations  of  tlie  Enemy  for  the  Campaign. — Howe  tries  liis  Strength. — An  Attack 
upon  Peekskill  proposed. — A Ruse. — Its  Success. — The  British  Fleet  and  Transports  up  the  Hudson. — The  Landing. 

— Retirement  of  General  M Dongall. — The  Enemy  burn 

and  destroy. — They  are  checked  by  AVillett — 'The  Loss. — 

The  Liveliness  of  the  British  in  New  Jersey. — Boundbrook  taken. — General  Lincoln  makes  good  his  Retreat. — The 

Expedition  to  Danbury. — 1 he  People  aroused  to  Arms. — 

General  Arnold  to  the  Rescue. — The  Enemy  reach  Danbury. 

— The  Militia  march  out  as  the  British  march  in. — Fire  and  Rapine. — Revenge  provoked. — Terrible  Result. — Depart- 
ure of  the  Enemy  from  Danbury. — They  are  attacked  by  the  Provincials. — Fall  of  General  Wooster. — Arnold  in  Dan- 
ger.— He  saves  himself  by  a Timely  Shot. — Governor  Tryon  hurries  away  with  tlie  British. — Harassed  on  the  Route. 

— Embarkation. — The  Struggle  and  Loss. — Life  and  Character  of  Wooster. — Washington  hopeful. 

It  was  thouo-ht  probable  that  du- 
I777t  ° ^ 

ring  the  winter,  the  British  forces 

by  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  that  Ticonder- 
oga, at  least  for  the  present,  would  be  dis- 

in  Canada,  under  Sir  Guy  Carleton  and 

reo-arded.  Washino:ton  and  his  g-eneral 

General  Burgoyne,  taking  advantage  of 

officers  were  persuaded  that  the  deter- 

the  frozen  lakes,  would  make  a vigorous 

mined  resolution  of  the  British  was  to 

attack  upon  Ticonderoga.  To  provide 

take  possession  of  Philadelphia  as  soon  as 

against  it,  the  fifteen  new  battalions  to 

the  roads,  after  the  spring  thaw,  became 

be  supplied  by  Massachusetts  were  or- 

passable  for  their  artillery  and  wagons. 

dered,  as  fast  as  they  were  raised,  to  be 

Washington  considered  it  a waste  of 

forwarded  to  the  North.  The  spring  was 

power  to  send  so  mnnj^  troops  to  Ticon- 

now  opening,  however  ; the  attack  by  the 

derogn,  and  acccordingly  ordered  eight 

British  had  not  been  made ; and  it  was 

of  the  battalions  originally  intended  for 

conjectured  that,  secure  in  the  possession 

that  post  to  be  sent  to  Peekskill,  on  the 

of  the  lakes,  the  greater  part  of  the  ene- 

Hudson  river.  A concentration  of  force 

my’s  force  would  be  drawn  from  Canada, 

here  would  he  ad  vantageous,  to  give  the 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  PLANS  OF  GENERAL  HOWE.  4G1 

required  support  to  the  army  of  the  east- 

the  impracticable  and  rather  im- 

i Mar  14 

ern  or  middle  states.  Should  the  enemy 

portunate  suggestions  of  Con- 

strive  to  penetrate  the  country  up  the 

gress.  His  whole  force  was  but  “ a hand 

North  river,  the  troops  at  Peekskill  would 

ful,”  and  the  greater  part  of  this  was  made 

be  well  posted  to  resist  them.  Should 

up  of  militia.  Under  such  circumstances, 

the  British  attempt  to  march  into  New 

the  commander-in-chief  felt  it  necessary 

England,  the  troops  at  Peekskill  would 

not  only  to  curb  his  own  heroic  desires. 

be  well  stationed  for  opposition ; should 

but  to  extinguish  the  brilliant  expecta- 

they  move  westward,  the  eastern  and 

tions  of  the  national  counsellors.  “ I con- 

southern  forces  would  be  enabled  easily 

fess,  sir,”  writes  Washington  to  President 

to  form  a junction  ; and,  with  a strong 

Hancock,  “ I feel  the  most  painful  anxie- 

American  force  so  near  as  Peekskill,  Sir 

ty  when  I reflect  on  our  situation  and 

William  Howe  would  be  obliged  to  keep 

that  of  the  enemy.  Unless  the  levies  ar- 

a powerfid  garrison  in  New  York,  and 

rive  soon,  we  must  before  long  experi- 

thus  diminish  his  resources  for  active  op- 

ence  some  interesting  and  melancholy 

erations  elsewhere.  Even  granting  that 

event.” 

the  army  in  Canada  had  designs  against 

The  swelling  conceptions  of  General 

Ticonderoga,  the  post  at  Peekskill  would 

Howe  were  also  destined  to  a collapse. 

not  be  disadvantageously  situated  for  de- 

He,  while  doino;  nothino;  during  the  lono; 

spatching  reinforcements  to  the  north. 

winter,  had  consoled  himself  with  the 

Washington  was  convinced  that  the 

hope  of  doing  a great  deal  in  the  coming 

army  in  Canada  would  be  governed  in  a 

summer  and  autumn.  He  had  magnifi- 

great  degree  by  the  operation  of  General 

cently  resolved  upon  making  an  incur- 

Howe’s,  then  in  New  Jersey.  “If  this  is 

sion  into  Ehode  Island  and  Massachu- 

held  at  bay,  curbed  and  confined,”  he  said, 

setts,  taking  Boston ; ascending  the  Hud- 

“ the  northern  army  will  not  dare  to  pen- 

son  river  to  Albany ; attacking  Philadel- 

etrate.”  Washington  would  have  great- 

phia ; and  invading  A^irginia  ! This  grand 

ly  wished  to  give  Howe  some  “ capital 

scheme  was  concocted  in  the  heat  of  his 

stroke”  in  the  early  part  of  the  season, 

success  in  New  Jersey.  The  subsequent 

that  he  might  open  the  campaign  with 

defeat  of  the  Hessians  at  Trenton,  how- 

the  eclat  of  a triumph.  The  aspirations 

ever,  somewhat  clqjped  the  wings  of  his 

of  Congress,  however,  greatly  transcended 

imagination,  and  confined  its  flights  to 

those  of  the  commander-in-chief  They 

the  single  state  of  Pennsylvania,  which 

eagerly  desired  that  the  enemy  might  be 

he  proposed  to  reduce.  He  wanted,  nev- 

confined  in  their  present  quarters,  pre- 

ertheless,  thirty  thousand  men  to  execute 

vented  from  getting  supplies  from  the 

what  had  been  so  brilliantly  conceived. 

country,  and  totally  subdued  before  they 

These  he  was  told  by  the  prime  minister 

were  reinforced.  “ Could  such  grand  ob- 

he  could  not  get,  and  Sir  AVilliam  was 

jects  be  accomplished,  I should  be  happy 

again  forced  to  restrict  still  further  his 

indeed,”  wrote  Washington,  in  answer  to 

m 

designs. 

, 

462  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

General  Howe  now  gave  up  all  hope 
of  making  an  attempt  upon  New  Eng- 
land, or  any  important  movement  up  the 
North  river.  New  Jersey  being  almost 
wrested  from  his  possession,  he  was  hxin  to 
change  his  purpose  of  marching  through 
that  state  in  order  to  reduce  Pennsylva- 
nia. The  latter  he  now  proposed  to  in- 
vade by  sea.  This  was  to  be  the  main 
object  of  the  coming  campaign.  Gov- 
ernor Tryon,  however,  was  to  be  left  at 
New  York  with  three  thousand  provin- 
cial troops,  in  order  that  he  might  be  pre- 
pared to  act  on  the  Hudson  or  against 
Connecticut,  as  circumstances  might  di- 
rect. To  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  in  Canada, 
no  hopes  were  held  out  of  co-operation, 
in  the  outset  of  the  campaign,  although 
General  Howe  thought  he  would  be  able 
to  spare  a sufficient  force  to  open  a com- 
munication through  the  Highlands  on  the 
North  river  for  the  passage  of  the  men- 
of-war,  and  that  these  troops  might  co- 
operate with  the  British  army  in  the 
North. 

These  designs  of  the  enemy,  although 
now  fully  known  to  the  historian,  could 
only  be  conjectured  or  learned  by  the 
Americans  through  the  irregular  and  un- 
certain means  of  the  spy  or  the  deserter. 
That  the  British  troops  were  preparing 
to  move  in  some  direction,  was  clear.  At 
the  camp  at  Brunswick,  they  were  very 
busily  employed  in  building  a bridge,  to  be 
supported  by  flabboats,  which  were  to  be 
transported  by  land  on  cari'iages.  It  was 
inferred  by  the  Americans  that  this  bridge 
was  designed  for  crossing  the  Delaware, 
and  that  the  British  commander  intend- 
ed to  march  through  New  Jersey  into 

Pennsylvania;  while  the  transports  which 
were  getting  ready  at  New  York  should 
bring  troops  thence  by  water  to  Philadel- 
phia, in  order  to  co-operate  with  the  main 
body  of  the  army,  marched  over  land 
from  Brunswick. 

General  Howe,  before  opening  the  cam- 
paign, and  bringing  his  whole  army  into 
the  field,  inflicted  several  small  blows,  to 
try,  as  it  were,  the  temper  of  his  troops, 
and  the  powers  of  resistance  of  his  an- 
tagonists. 

General  Heath,  who  was  in  command 
of  the  American  forces  at  Peekskill,  had 
obtained  leave  to  visit  his  home  in  New 
England.  Being  subsequently  appointed 
to  the  command  of  the  garrison  at  Boston, 
he  did  not  retire.  General  M‘Dougall.  as 
his  second,  succeeded  him,  and  was  now 
in  command  at  Peekskill. 

Howe,  tempted  by  the  large  amount 
of  military  stores  and  provisions  collected 
at  Peekskill,  devised  a scheme  for  takins: 
or  destroj' ing  them.  To  divert  the  Amer- 
icans from  his  real  purpose,  an  American 
officer,  who  was  one  of  the  prisoners  ta- 
ken at  Fort  Washington,  was  allowed  to 
hear,  with  affected  inadvertence,  the  con- 
versation of  some  British  officers.  The 
American  was  then  sent  out  with  a flao- 

O 

to  the  outposts  of  General  M‘Dougall,  and 
there  left,  with  the  understanding  that  he 
had  been  exchanged.  Getting  among  his 
countrymen,  and  suspecting  nothing  of 
the  enemy’s  ruse,  his  first  step  was  toward 
headquarters,  to  report  himself  and  give 
all  the  information  which  he  possessed. 
Accordingly, he  communicated  to  General 
iVPDougall  all  that  he  had  gathered  from 
the  conversation  to  which  he  supposed 

r' 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  BRITISH  SUCCESS  AT  PEEKSKILL.  4G5 

lie  had  been  unintentionally  made  a par- 

ment  of  troops  from  Fort  Constitution  to 

ty.  The  enemy,  lie  said,  talked  of  nia- 

his  aid. 

king;  an  incursion  into  Westchester  coun- 

The  British  Avere  left  undisturbed  du- 

ty,  with  the  design  of  taking  off  the  for- 

ring  a Avhole  day,Avhen  they  secured  some 

age.  With  this  view,  they  were  about 

of  the  stores,  and  burned  the  greater  part. 

sending^  out  three  detachments:  one  to 

as  the  only  wharf  at  Avhich  they  could  be 

proceed  up  Long-island  sound  to  Mama- 

shipped  had  licen  destroyed  by  the  fire 

roneck ; another  by  the  Hudson  to  Tarry- 

ordered  by  MTfougall  as  he  retreated. 

town  ; and  the  third  to  go  by  land,  by 

In  the  meantime,  Willett  had  come  up 

Avay  of  Kingsbridge. 

Avith  his  reinforcement,  and  finding  that 

General  M‘Dougall  had  only  two  bun- 

a party  of  the  British  had  the  next  morn- 

dred  and  fifty  men,  and  could  hardly  ven- 

iug  detached  themselves  from  the  main 

ture  to  oppose  so  formidable  an  invasion, 

body  and  taken  possession  of  some  high 

of  which  he  had  been  thus  fictitiously  in- 

ground  near  the  town,  he  attacked  them 

formed.  He,  however,  did  all  he  could: 

Avith  such  spirit,  that  they  Avere  forced. 

he  began  to  send  away  the  stores  which 

after  a loss  of  nine  killed  and  Avounded, 

Avere  at  Peekskill  to  Forts  Montgomery 

to  retire  to  their  comrades  in  the  town. 

and  Constitution,  that  they  might  be  more 

The  Avhole  British  force,  having  accoin- 

secure.  While  thus  eu£ii:ag:ed,  the 
Itlar.  22.  o o > 

plished  their  purpose,  now  prepared  ttt 

enemy  made  their  appearance. 

embark,  setting  fire,  as  they  Avent,  to  the 

with  ten  sail,  in  the  North  river,  off  Tar- 

houses  and  the  boats  along  the  bay.  Fa- 

rytown;  and,  on  the  same  evening,  two 

vored  by  a moonlight  night,  they  Avere 

of  the  vessels  advanced  to  within  twelve 

soon  on  board  their  transjiorts,  and  sail- 

miles  of  Peekskill.  By  noon  on  the  fol- 

ing  down  the  river. 

lowing  day,  the  whole  fleet  (con- 
niar.  23.  o a > v 

sistiug  of  the  Boome  frigate,  two 

“ The  loss  of  rum,  molasses,  flour,  bis- 
cuit, pork,  beef,  Avheat,  oats,  hay,  tallow. 

ships  and  two  brigs,  three  galleys  and 

iron  pots,  camp-kettle.s,  canteens,  bowls. 

four  transports)  rode  at  anchor  in  Peeks- 

nails,  Avagons  and  carts,  barracks,  store- 

kill  bay.  In  an  hour’s  time,  five  hundred 

houses,  sloops  and  peitiaitgers  laden  Avith 

men  and  four  pieces  of  artillery,  under 

provisons,”  says  Gordon,  “ Avas  very  con- 

the  command  of  Colonel  Bird,  were  land- 

siderable,  far  beyond  Avhat  Avas  given  out 

ed  at  Lent’s  cove. 

by  the  American.s,  though  not  of  that  im- 

General  M‘Dougall,  finding  the  num- 

portance  and  magnitude  as  to  ansAver  the 

her  of  the  enemy  double  that  of  his  own. 

expectations  of  General  Howe.” 

;lid  not  venture  to  oppose  them,  but  re- 

The  enemy  Avere  evidently  in  a more 

treated  to  the  hills  behind  the  town  — 

lively  disposition  for  attack,  and  their  at- 

having,  however,  first  set  fire  to  some  of 
the  storehouses  situated  by  the  river-side. 

tempts  became  more  frequent.  ^ 

They  even  showed  a disposition 

and  sent  orders  to  Lieutenant-Colonel 

to  disturb  the  Americans  in  Ncav  Jersey. 

Marinus  Willett  to  march  with  a detach- 

General  Lincoln  Avas  jAOsted  Avith  his  di- 

J 

4G4 

vision  (in  which  there  were  only  about 
five  hundred  effective  men)  at  Bound- 
brook,  who  had  to  guard  an  extent  of 
five  or  six  miles.  Lord  Cornwallis  deter- 
mined to  attack  the  post  thus  weakened. 
Lincoln  was  not  imexpectant  of  such  a 
manoeuvre,  and  had  put  his  men  on  their 
guard  against  a surprise.  The  patriots, 
however,  became  neglectful ; and  the  en- 
emy, numbering  about  a thousand  men, 
led  on  by  Lord  Cornwallis  and  General 
Grant,  succeeded  in  crossing  the  Raritan, 
a short  distance  above  Lincoln’s  quarters, 
and  were  not  discovered  until  they  had 
advanced  within  tu^o  hundred  yards  of 
the  American  lines.  While  these  were 
attempting  to  surround  the  general,  two 
thousand  more  British  troops  marched 
along  the  banks  of  the  Raritan  to  attack 
the  Americans  in  front.  Lincoln  barely 
had  a chance  to  escape,  but  succeeded, 
together  with  one  of  his  aids,  in  getting 
off ; but  his  other  aid-de-camp,  with  all  his 
papers,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Lincoln  immediately  galloped  to  the  front 
of  his  troops,  while  Earl  Cornwallis  threw 
a part  of  his  force  in  the  rear  of  their 
right,  and  attempted  to  pass  another  de- 
tachment on  their  left,  with  the  purpose 
of  surrounding  and  cutting  off  the  retreat 
of  the  Americans.  Lincoln  saw  the  de- 
sign, and,  while  these  two  detachments  of 
the  enemy  were  closing  and  about  to  hem 
him  in,  he  with  great  promptness  pushed 
his  force  through  the  jjassage  between 
them,  and  thus  eflected  his  escape,  with 
the  loss  only  of  sixty  killed  and  wound- 
ed. Cornwallis  was  left  in  possession  of 
Boundbrook;  but,  after  destroying  a score 
of  barrels  of  flour,  a few  casks  of  rum,  and 


[part  II 

some  miscellaneous  stores,  he  evacuated 
the  place. 

Sir  William  Howe  now  struck  another 
preliminary  blow  against  the  Americans 
Learning  that  Danbury,  in  Connecticut, 
had  been  made  the  depot  of  a large  quan- 
tity of  stores,  he  fitted  out  an  expedition 
at  New  York  to  destroy  them.  Governor 
Tryon  was  given  the  command,  and  with 
him  were  associated  General  Agnew  and 
Sir  William  Erskine.  Two  thou- 
sand troops  were  detailed  for  the 
service;  and,  being  embarked  on  board 
twe)ity-six  British  men-of-war  and  trans- 
ports, the  whole  expedition  sailed  up 
Long-island  sound  — exciting  by  its  for- 
midable appearance  the  greatest  alarm 
along  the  shores  of  Westchester  and  Con- 
necticut. As  the  fleet  stood  in  toward 
the  villages  of  Norwalk  and  Fairfield, 
the  inhabitants  hurried  to  their  arms  and 
prepared  for  resistance. 

The  vessels  having  come  to  anclior,  the 
boats  were  lowered  and  the  British  troops 
landed  on  the  low  shore  which  stretches 
out  from  the  base  of  the  Compo  hill,  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Saugatuck  river.  Try- 
on,  having  planted  his  artillery,  was  en 
abled  soon  to  disperse  the  miscellaneous 
throng  of  people  which  had  gathered  to 
oppose  him,  and  take  up  his  march,  al- 
though his  men  were  severely  galled  here 
and  there  by  the  American  marksmen, 
who  as  they  retired  fired  upon  their  in- 
vaders from  under  cover  of  the  woods 
and  stone-fences.  The  British,  however, 
pushed  their  way  for  seven  miles  into  the 
interior  of  the  country,  and  halted  for 
the  night. 

' General  Silliman,  of  the  Connecticut 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


r 

REVOLUTIONAUY.J  BRITISH  ATROCITIES  AT  DANBURY.  46, t 

militia,  who  was  at  Fairfield,  so  soon  as 

country-people  rode  in  with  the  intelli- 

he  was  aware  of  the  landing  of  the  ene- 

gence  that  the  enemy  were  but  nine  miles 

my,  sent  out  expresses  in  every  direction 

off,  and  were  coming  with  all  speed.  The 

to  call  the  inhabitants  to  arms.  Early 

alarm  was  great  in  Danbury.  Any  aU 

next  mornini’:,  the  militia,  olje- 

Api  il  26.  V . . 

dient  to  tlie  summons,  came  in 

tempt  at  resistance,  with  the  scanty  mi- 
litia force  of  only  a hundred  and  fift}! 

to  the  number  of  five  hundred  men,  and 

men,  which  was  the  whole  number  in  the 

Silliman  marched  them  to  Reading,  in 

place,  was  felt  to  be  useless.  Those  who 

pursuit  of  the  eneinj^  It  happened  that 

could  leave,  fled  with  their  wives,  chil- 

General  Arnold,  who  was  on  ids  way  from 

dren.  and  effects,  to  the  woods  and  neigh- 

Providence  to  Philadelphia,  to  lay  before 

boring  villages ; for,  with  exaggerated 

Congress  his  complaints,  was  sojourning 

fears  of  the  cruelty  of  the  British,  they 

with  his  friends  at  New  Haven  when  the 

believed  them  capal)le  of  every  outrage. 

intelligence  arrived  of  the  British  inva- 

The  small  militia  force  made  their  way 

slon.  Forgetting  momentarily  all  his  pri- 

out  of  Danbury  at  one  extremity  while 

vate  troubles,  his  ardent  spirit  was  roused 

the  enemy  marched  in  at  the  other,  and 

to  active  sympathy  with  the  public  cause. 

succeeded  in  joining  General  Silliman  at 

He  immediately  mounted  his  horse,  and. 

Bethel. 

joining  General  Wooster,  who  was  also 

The  British,  as  soon  as  they  entered 

at  New  Haven,  rode  with  him  in  great 

the  town,  began  to  destroy  the  public 

haste  to  overtake  Silliman,  some  thirty 

stores,  and  made  great  havoc,  turning  out 

miles  distant.  Stirring  up  with  their  ar- 

of  the  episcopal  church  the  barrels  of  flour 

dent  appeals  the  people  along  the  road. 

and  pork  with  which  it  was  crammed  to 

Wooster  and  Arnold  succeeded  in  briim'- 

the  galleries,  and  the  contents  of  two  oth- 

ing  in  with  them,  when  they  reached  Sil- 

er  buildings,  and  then  burning  them.  In 

liman  at  Reading,  over  a hundred  men. 

this  manner,  eighteen  hundred  barrels  of 

The  whole  body  now  moved  on  toward 

pork  and  beef,  seven  hundred  of  tlour.  two 

Danbury,  which  was  known  to  be  the  ob- 

thousand  bushels  of  wheat,  rye,  oats,  and 

ject  of  the  enemy,  but  halted  within  four 

Indian  corn,  clothing  for  a whole  regi- 

miles  of  that  town,  at  Bethel,  which  they 

ment,  and  seventeen  hundred  tents,  the 

did  not  reach  until  midnight,  in  conse- 

greatest  loss  of  all,  were  consumed. 

quence  of  the  heavy  rain. 

Their  object  accomplished,  the  enemy 

The  British,  after  their  nii'ht- 
April  26.  , , ’ , , ° . 

halt,  were  on  the  march  again 

did  not  seem  disposed  to  commit  any  fur- 
ther outrage.  They  were,  however,  pro- 

early  the  next  morning,  and  proceeded 

voked  to  an  act  of  revenge  by  the  sense- 

with  such  despatch,  that,  with  the  aid  of 

less  conduct  of  four  of  the  inhabitants. 

two  native  tories  as  guides,  they  reached 

who,  well  charged  with  liquor,  and  armed 

Danbury  at  two  o’clock  in  the  afternoon. 

with  rifles,  had  posted  themselves  in  one 

The  inhabitants  were  not  aware  of  their 

of  the  houses,  and  commenced  to  fire  up- 

approach  until  some  of  the  frightened 
ay 

• 

' on  the  troops.  The  British  soldiers,  thus 

. 

466 

irritated,  rushed  forward,  and,  seizing  the 
four  men,  thrusl  them  into  the  cellar,  and 
burnt  the  house  and  the  poor  wretches 
with  it ! This  was  a signal  for  general 
riot,  and  the  troops  began  to  break  open 
the  casks  of  rum,  and  help  themselves 
freely  to  their  contents.  The  whole  force 
was  consequently  in  such  a state  of  in- 
toxication that  night,  that  the  men  could 
have  been  readily  mastered  by  the  Amer- 
ican militia,  few  as  they  were. 

Generals  Silliiuan,  Wooster,  and  Ar- 
nold, however,  liad  deemed  it  imprudent, 
with  their  small  force,  to  risk  an, attack 
upon  the  enemy  while  at  Danbury  : they 
preferred  to  await  their  return,  and  try 
to  cut  them  off  from  their  ships.  They 
soon  had  an  opportunity  of  beginning  op- 
erations. Tryon,  finding  that  his  men 
were  fast  losing  all  sense  of  discipline  in 
their  debauchery,  and  fearing  that  the 
Americans  (whom  he  knew  to  be  at  Beth- 
el) might  come  upon  him  in  the  midst  of 
disorder,  prudently  determined  to  with- 
draw his  troops  from  Danbury  as  soon  as 
the  drunkards  had  partially  slept  off  the 
effects  of  their  liquor,  and  the  wearied 
Apr’l  ‘>7  fatigue.  Before  the  morn- 

ing broke,  therefore,  Ti-yon  be- 
gan his  march,  having  fii’st  set  fire  to  all 
the  buildino;s  in  the  vilkme,  with  the  ex- 
ceptiou  of  those  which  had  been  previ- 
ously marked  with  a cross,  to  indicate 
that  they  w’ere  in  possession  of  his  tory 
friends,  and  were  to  be  spared.  From  the 
contrast  of  the  darkness  of  the  lincyerino; 
dawn  on  that  stormy  morning,  the  blaze 
of  Danbury  on  fire  was  visible  through- 
out a wide  extent  of  the  adjacent  coun- 
try,  and  the  inhabitants  were  infiamed  to 


[I’AUT  II. 

great  indignation  against  these  modern 
Vandals. 

As  Governor  Tryon  was  conscious  that 
the  Americans  would  attempt  to  cut  off 
his  retreat  to  his  ships  Ijdng  in  the  sound, 
he  took  an  indirect  route,  with  the  view 
of  giving  the  impression  that  he  wns  about 
returning  to  New  York  by  land  through 
Westchester,  the  county  bordering  on 
Connecticut.  This  led  him  to  Ridgeway. 

The  veteran  Wooster,  who,  as  senior  in 
rank,  had  taken  the  chief  command  of  the 
militia,  on  discoverins;  this  movement  of 
the  eneinjq  sent  Generals  Arnold  and  Sil- 
liinan,  with  four  hundred  men,  to  march 
and  post  themselves  in  front  of  Tryon,  in 
order  to  oppose  his  advance,w’hile  he  him- 
self, with  two  hundred,  prepared  to  hang 
upon  his  rear  and  do  what  he  could  to 
harass  it.  Arnold  arrived  at  Ridgefield 
(which  the  enemy  would  be  obliged  to 
pass,  on  their  way  to  Compo)  about  ten 
o’clock,  and  took  a position  in  a narrow 
road  where  it  entered  the  northern  end 
of  the  village.  Here  he  hastly  gathered 
as  many  carts  and  logs  as  he  could,  and 
built  them  up,  with  earth,  into  a barri- 
cade acro.ss  the  road,  between  a house  on 
one  side  and  a ledge  of  rocks  on  the  oth- 
er; and  with  his  force  now  increased  to 
five  hundred  by  the  militiamen  that  he 
had  picked  up  on  his  route,  he  awaited 
the  approach  of  the  enemy. 

As  Tryon  hurried  on.  General  Wooster, 
with  his  two  hundred  men,  followed  after, 
and  came  up  with  the  rear-guard  of  the 
British  within  a few  miles  of  Ridgefield. 
The  Americans  succeeded  in  picking  up 
a score  of  stragglers,  and  then  continued 
to*[)ush  on,  when  the  enemy  turned,  and. 


BAl'TLES  OF  AMERICA. 


REVOLUTIONART.J  DEATH  OF  GENERAL  WOOSTER.  467 

planting  their  artillery,  discharged  a vol- 

escaped,  although  followed  by  the  bullets 

ley  of  shot,  which  caused  Wooster’s  little 

of  a whole  platoon  of  the  enemy.  Tryon 

band  of  militia  to  falter.  The  old  gener- 

now  entered  Ridgefield,  and  allowed  his 

al,  riding  at  their  head,  and  full  of  spirit. 

troops,  harassed  by  the  day’s  hard  work. 

though  a veteran  of  nearly  seventy  years, 

the  rest  of  a night. 

strove  to  rally  his  troops,  and  cried  out, 

At  dawn  next  day,  the  Bi  itish,  having 

“Come  on,  my  hoys!  Never  mind  such 
random  shots !”  At  this  moment  a ball 

burnt  four  houses  at  Rido-efield, 

® ’ April  28. 

were  again  on  the  march,  and 

struck  him  in  the  side,  and  he  fell  mor- 

continued  their  route  for  Compo,  through 

1 

tally  wounded.  His  men  gave  up  the 

Norwall^  The  ever-active  Arnold  was  on 

pursuit,  and  bore  their  dying  general  to 

the  alert.  Again  in  the  saddle,  he  had 

Danbury. 

rallied  his  scattered  militia,  and  posted 

The  enemy  pushed  on  toward  Ridge- 

them  on  the  road  leading  to  the  bridge 

field,  sending  the.ir  llanking-parties  out  on 

across  the  Saugatuck  river,  prepared  once 

either  side,  and  marching  with  their  main 

more  to  oppose  Tryon’s  retreat;  while  at 

body  in  solid  array  direct  for  Arnold’s  bar- 

the  bridge  itself  he  had  stationed  Colonel 

ricade.  The  Americans  gave  them  a warm 

Lamb  and  his  corps,  and  planted  three 

reception  as  they  came  up ; but,  as  the 

field  pieces,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Os- 

British  gained  the  ledge  of  rocks  on  his 

wald.  Tryon,  finding  his  way  thus  op- 

flank,  and  began  to  pour  down  upon  his 

posed,  turned  his  column  toward  a ford 

little  band  volley  after  volley  of  musket- 

of  the  stream  above,  and  ordered  his  men 

ry,  Arnold  was  forced  to  order  a retreat. 

to  get  across  with  all  possible  expedition 

lie  himself,  with  his  usual  dare-devil  spir- 

His  object  was,  to  anticipate  the  Ameri- 

it,  was  the  last  to  leave  the  ground  ; and. 

cans  before  they  could  pass  over  and  be 

when  thus  left  in  the  rear  of  his  men,  he 

able  to  oppose  his  retreat.  He  partially 

became  a prominent  target  for  the  fire  of 

succeeded,  but  did  not  escape  without  a 

the  enemy.  Just  as  he  was  turning  his 

severe  struggle,  as  his  rear  came  in  col- 

horse  to  follow,  a shot  struck  the  animal. 

lision  with  the  van  of  his  pursuers  just 

which  brought  it  down  upon  its  knees. 

crossing  the  bridge.  Colonel  Hunting- 

While  Arnold  was  still  in  the  saddle,  try- 

ton,  too,  posted  on  the  other  side,  with 

ing  to  get  his  foot  out,  which  had  got  en- 

Wooster’s  men  and  the  militia  of  Danbu- 

tangled  in  the  stirrup,  a Connecticut  tory 

ry,  gave  Tryon  a good  deal  of  annoyance 

rushed  at  him  with  his  bayonet,  crying 

on  his  flank. 

out — 

The  enemy,  however,  pushed  on,  with 

“ Surrender  1 you  are  my  prisoner !” 

the  whole  body  of  the  Americans  close 

“ Not  yet !”  answered  Arnold,  who  at 

after  them.  On  reaching  Compo,  Tryon 

the  'moment,  drawing  a pistol  from  his 

took  his  position  upon  the  hill,  while  the 

holster,  shot  the  man  dead  ; and  then,  ex- 

Americans  came  to  a halt  and  waited  til: 

tiicating  himself  from  his  wounded  horse. 

he  should  attempt  to  embark  his  troops, 

he  made  for  a swamp  by  tlie  roadside  and  ' 

when  they  hoped  greatly  to  harass  him. 

„ 

408 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LrART  II. 


Sir  William  Erokine,  observing  the  dan- 
gerous position  of  Trjon,  immediately 
landed  from  the  fleet  lying  ofl‘  the  shore 
a large  body  of  sailors  and  marines,  who 
drove  back  the  pursuers,  and  thus  suc- 
ceeded in  covering  the  emliarkation  of 
the  whole  British  force,  when  tliQ  ships 
set  all  sail  and  moved  down  the  sound. 

In  the  struggle,  Arnold,  as  usual,  was 
foremost;  and,  although  he  hunself  es- 
caped, his  horse  was  shot  in  the  neck. 
Colonel  Lamb  Avas  dangerou.sly  wounded 
by  a grapeshot  while  directing  his  bat- 
tery, and  gallantly  standing  his  ground 
among  the  last. 

The  British, although  they  had  effected 
their  main  purpose  in  the  expedition,  were 
much  the  greater  losers  in  men,  having 
lost  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  at 
least  three  hundred,  while  the  loss  of  the 
Americans  was  only  one  hundred.  The 
death  of  the  veteran  Wooster,  which  oc- 
curred at  Danbury  on  the  2d  of  May,  was 
greatly  regretted.  Though  sixty-seven 
years  of  age  when  he  .fell,  he  had  all  the 
spirit  and  gallantry  of  youth. 

David  Wooster  was  one  of  the  few  lead- 
ing military  men  of  his  day  who,  when 
the  Revolutionary  War  began,  brought 
into  the  field  a practical  knowledge  of  tac- 
tics derived  from  experience.  He  had 
served  in  the  French  War,  fought  under 
Sir  William  Pepperell  at  Louisburg,  and 
commanded  with  honor  as  a colonel  and 
subsequenU>  a brigadier  in  the  French 


and  Indian  campaign  of  1763.  Taking 
part  with  the  revolutionists  in  1775,  he 
was  appointed,  on  the  organization  of  the 
continental  army,  the  third  in  rank  of 
the  eight  brigadier-generals  then  chosen. 
After  a brief  command  in  Canada  in  1776, 
he  returned  to  his  native  state  of  Con- 
necticut, when  he  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  major-general,  the  first  in  rank, 
and  thus  became  the  chief  in  command 
when  Governor  Tryoiv attacked  Danbury. 
His  birth  in  Stratford,  education  at  Yale 
college,  his  marriage  with  the  daughter 
of  the  president  of  that  institution,  and 
his  devotion  to  the  interests  of  Connecti- 
cut, had  greatly  endeared  him  to  the  peo- 
ple of  that  state. 

On  hearing  of  the  result  of  the  invar 
sion  by  Tiyon,  Washington  wrote:  “1 
regret  our  loss  of  stores  at  Danbury,  and 
the  misfortunes  of  our  brave  men  who 
fell,  and  of  those  who  were  Avonnded. 
However,  from  these  latter  events  Ave  de- 
rive this  consolation,  that  the  sentiments 
of  the  people  are  still  powerfully  directed 
to  liberty,  and  that  no  impression  of  the 
enemy,  be  it  ever  .so  sudden  and  unex- 
pected, Avill  pass  Avith  impunity.”  Wash- 
ington Avas  ahvays  confident  in  the  up- 
rightness of  the  American  cause,  and  nev- 
er despaired  of  its  final  trifimph,  Avhile 
his  countrymen  remained  true  to  it,  how- 
ever they  might  be  temporarily  over- 
Avhelmed  by  the  profuse  resources  of  a 
powerful  enemy. 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  GENERAL  ARNOLD  COMPLAINS  TO  CONGRESS.  469 

CHAPTER  XLVl. 

Geue.-al  Arnold’s  Gallantry. — Applause  and  Rcward.s. — Arnold  made  a Major-General. — He  is  still  dissatisfied. — Seeks 

Satisfaction  from  Congress. — His  Enemies  and  Friends.— 

-Arrival  at  Headquarters. — Reception  by  Washington. — He 

is  justified  by  tbe  Board  of  War. — Unfavorable  Aspect  of  Arnold’s  Accounts. — The  Report  of  Congress  intentionally 

postponed  — Washington  and  tbe  Foreign  Officers. — Rebuke  to  Monsieur  Malmcdy. — Monsieur  Colerus. — Monsieur 

Ducoudray. — A Rebuke  from  Congress. — Tbe  End  of  Monsieur  Ducoudray. — Colonel  Conway. — He  is  made  a Major- 

General. — First  Impressions. — Kosciusko. — " Tiy  me.”- 

—Appointed  Aid  de-Camp  by  Washington. — His  Early  Life. 

— Frencli  Engineers. — “None  but  Natives.” — The  WasI 

ington  Guard. — All  Personal  Aggrandizement  sternlj'  resist- 

ed. — Description  of  tbe  Camp  and  Headquarters  at  Morristown. — General  Wayne. — Dinner  at  Washington’s  Table. — 

The  CompaiiN'. — Alexander  Hamilton. — Innocent  Gayet)'  encouraged — Serious  Thoughts. — Anxieties. — Peculation 

— The  Provincial  Attack  on  Sag  Harbor. — Meigs’s  Gallantry. — Applauded  by  Washington. 

General  Arnold’s  gallantry  was 

go  to  Philadelphia  and  confront  Congress 

highly  applauded.  Congress  imine- 

with  a statement  of  his  wrongs. 

diately  raised  him  to  the  rank  of  a major- 

‘‘I  am  exceedingly  unhapj||’,”  wrote 

general,  and  voted  him  the  gift  of  a horse 

Arnold  to  Congress,  “ to  find  that,  after 

“ properly  caparisoned,  as  ti  token  of  their 

having  made  every  sacrifice  of  fortune. 

admiration  of  his  i>:allant  conduct  in  the 

ease,  and  domestic  happiness,  to  serve  my 

action  against  the  enemy  in  their  late  en- 

country,  I am  publicly  impeached  of  a 

terprise  to  Danbury,  in  which  General  Ar- 

catalogue  of  crimes,  which,  if  true,  ought 

nold  had  one  horse  shot  under  him  and 

to  subject  me  to  disgrace,  infamy,  and  the 

another  wounded.”  There  was,  however. 

just  resentment  of  my  countrymen.  Con- 

even  in  these  honors  conferred  by  Con- 

scions  of  the  rectitude  of  my  intentions, 

gress,  an  implied  censure,  which  the  irri- 

however  I may  have  erred  in  judgment, 

table  temper  of  Arnold  could  not  brook. 

I must  request  the  favor  of  Congress  to 

The  date  of  his  commission  still  kept  him 

point  out  some  mode  by  which  my  con- 

below  the  five  other  major-generals  whose 

duct  and  that  of  my  accusers  may  be  in- 

elevation  had  so  greatly  stirred  his  angry 

quired  into,  and  justice  done  to  the  inno- 

spirit.  Washington  did  his  best  to  soothe 

cent  and  injured.” 

the  chafed  feelings  of  the  man.  Conscious 

If  Arnold  had  bitter  enemies  in  Con- 

of  his  merits  as  a military  officer,  he  gave 

gress,  he  also  had  strong  friends.  Among 

him  the  command  of  the  important  post 

the  latter  was  Richard  Henry  Lee,  of  Vir- 

of  guarding  the  North  river  at  Peekskill. 

ginia,  who  warmly  advocated  his  cause. 

Arnold  was  flattered  by  this  tribute  to  his 

In  regard  to  the  charges  so  industriously 

worth,  but  was  not  appeased.  He  still 

circulated  against  Arnold,  Lee  wrote: 

impetuously  insisted  upon  an  examina- 

“ One  plan  now  in  frequent  use  is,  to  as- 

lion  into  his  conduct;  and,  declining  for 

sassinate  the  characters  of  the  friends  of 

the  present  the  command  at  Peekskill,  he 

America,  in  every  place  and  by  every 

asked  the  permission  of  Washington  to 

means;  at  this  moment  they  are  reading 



— — J 

470  ' BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  ^part  n. 


in  Congress  a bold  and  audacious  attempt 
of  this  kind  against  the  brave  General 
Arnold.”  When  Arnold  presented  him- 
self at  headquarters  at  Morristown,  on  his 
way  to  Philadelphia,  Washington  received 
him  with  marked  favor,  and  so  far  advo- 
cated his  cause  as  to  give  him  a letter  to 
Comrress,  in  which  Arnold’s  claim  to  be 
heard  in  his  own  vindication  was  urged. 
Althoue;h  Washington,  with  his  usual  re- 
serve,  withholds  all  expression  of  opinion 
in  regard  to  a matter  not  within  his  own 
sphere  of  observation,  he  does  not  hesi- 
tate to  say  of  Arnold’s  military 

May  12* 

character  that  “it  is  universally 
known  tlj^t  he  has  always  distinguished 
himself  as  a judicious,  brave  olticer,  of 
great  aetivity,  enterprise,  and  perseve- 
rance.” 

The  board  of  war,  to  whom  the  cluirges 
were  referred,  reported  that  they  were 
entirely  satisfied  with  Arnold’s  character 
and  conduct,  which  had  been  “so  cruelly 
and  groundlessly  aspersed.”  Congre.ss 
confirmed  the  report,  but  did  not  go  fur- 
ther and  elevate  Arnold  to  that  priority 
of  rank  among  the  major-generals  which 
he  claimed  as  his  right,  and  desired  more 
than  any  unsubstantial  testimoniids  of 
character.  Congress  acted  with  apparent 
inconsistency ; but  it  must  be  recollected 
that,  if  all  admired  the  military  genius 
and  personal  daring  of  Arnold,  there  Avere 
also  many  who  considered  his  moral  chai'- 
acter  at  the  best  equivocal,  the  tenden- 
cies of  which  it  behooved  them  to  check. 

There  was  now  a test  of  character  by 
which  Arnold  was  more  severely  tried. 
Ilis  accounts  were  submitted  to  Congress, 
and  these  not  only  presented  the  irregu- 


larity of  outlay  without  vouchers,  but  ex- 
trav.agant  expenditure  in  his  own  favor. 
Arnold  was  known  to  have  been  a poor 
man,  and  of  no  personal  pecuniary  credit : 
and,  therefore,  when  he  claimed  an  enor- 
mous balance  for  money  spent  from  his 
private  purse,  it  Avas  naturally  inferred 
that  he  Avas  asking  Avhat  Avas  not  his  due. 
His  enemies  openly  declared  that  a fraud 
Avas  attempted,  and  his  friends  hesitated 
to  defend  a man  so  obviously  guilty.  The 
report  of  the  committee  Avas  intentionally 
delayed ; for  Congress,  in  the  emergency 
of  the  country,  did  not  care  to  be  de- 
prived of  the  services  of  one  to  Avhom 
none  denied  the  possession  of  the  highest 
military  qualities,  though  all  deplored  his 
destitution  of  moral  principle. 

Washington  Avas  perplexed  by  the  sen- 
sitiveness of  his  officers  in  regard  to  rank, 
but  particularly  Avith  that  of  the  foreign 
gentlemen  avIio  came  to  headquarters  in 
crowds,  expecting  to  be  provided  for.  “ 1 
take  the  liberty,”  he  Avrites  to  Richard 
Henry  Lee,  “to  ask  you  Avhat  Congress 
expect  I am  to  do  Avith  the  many  foreign- 
ers they  have  at  different  times  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  field-officers,  and,  by  the 
last  resolve,  two  to  that  of  colonels.” 

There  Avas  a Monsieur  Malmedy,  Avho 
had,  on  the  recommendation  of  General 
Lee,  received  the  commission  of  brigadier- 
general  of  the  state  of  Rhode  Island.  He 
Avas  subsequently  appointed  a colonel  in 
the  continental  sei’vice.  This  appeared 
to  him  such  a descent  in  rank,  that  he  Avas 
di.ssatisfied,  and  so  pestered  Washington 
Avith  his  complaints,  that  he  was  obliged 
to  Avrite  to  him : “ 'fhough  T Avish  not  to 
offend  or  wooud,  yet  justice  both  to  you 


r 

RKVOLLTIONARY.]  IMONSIEUR  DUCOUDR AY.— TH A DDEUS  KOSCIUSKO.  471 


and  myself  requires  that  I should  plainly 
inform  you  that  your  scruples  and  diffi- 
culties, so  often  reiterated,  and  under  a 
variety  of  shapes,  are  exceedingly  per- 
plexing to  me,  and  that  1 wish  them  to 
cease.” 

A certain  Monsieur  Golems,  too,  was 
somewhat  importunate  in  his  demands; 
and  Washington,  having  made  a major  of 
him,  lets  him  know  that,  if  the  appoint- 
ment does  not  satisfy,  he  has  no  other  in 
his  power,  and  that  if  monsieur  should 
take  “a  calm  and  dispassionate  view  of 
things,”  he  would  expect  no  more. 

Then  comes  a Monsieur  Ducoudray, 
who  had  been  promised  by  Silas  Deane, 
the  American  agent  in  Paris,  the  command 
of  the  artillery,  with  the  rank  of  major- 
general.  Washington,  being  well  satisfied 
with  the  gallant  and  able  Kiiox,  is  not  dis- 
posed to  oust  him,  in  order  to  make  way 
for  the  French  gentleman, and  says,  more- 
over, that  “ it  may  be  questioned,  with 
much  propriety,  whether  so  important  a 
command  as  that  of  the  artillery  should 
be  vested  in  any  but  a native,  or  one 
attached  by  the  ties  of  interest  to  these 
states.”  It  having  been  reported  that 
Ducoudray  had  been  appointed  a major- 
general  in  the  army,  with  the  command 
of  the  artillery.  Generals  Greene,  Sullivan, 
and  Knox,  were  so  indignant,  that  each 
wrote  a letter  to  Congre.ss,  desiring  per- 
mission, if  it  were  so,  to  resign  at  once. 
Congress  had  not  acted  as  was  rumored  ; 
and,  when  that  body  received  the  letters 
of  the  American  generals,it  rebuked  them 
for  an  attempt  to  influence  its  decisions. 
Deane’s  treaty  was  not  ratified,  and  Du- 
coud'ay  was  accepted  only  as  a volunteer. 


All  further  question  about  his  rank  was 
settled,  a few  months  after,  by  a mishap 
which  terminated  his  life.  Mobile  crossing 
the  Schuylkill  in  a flat-bottomed  boat,  his 
horse,  an  unruly  young  mare,  could  not 
be  controlled  by  Ducoudray,  and  plunged 
with  him  into  the  river,  where  he  was 
drowned. 

A great  difficulty  with  these  French 
officers  was,  their  want  of  knowledge  of 
Engli.sh.  This  objection  could  not  be 
ui-ged  against  Colonel  Conway,  who  was 
an  Irishman  by  birth,  although  an  officer 
in  the  French  army.  He  was  therefore 
more  readily  provided  for,  and  appointed 
a brigadier-general.  He  had  presented 
himself  to  Washington,  and  seems  to  have 
made  a not  unfavorable  impression  upon 
him.  “From  what  1 can  discovei-,”  says 
the  commander-in-chief,  “he  appears  to 
be  a man  of  candor.”  We  shall  find  that 
in  this,  as  in  many  other  cases,  first  ap- 
pearances are  often  deceitful. 

Thoimli  the  feeliim  of  Washington  was 
naturally  more  favorably  disposed  toward 
his  countrymen,  who  had  everything  at 
stake,  than  toward  foreigners,  who  were 
for  the  most  part  merely  military  adven- 
turers, seeking  either  the  pa}^  of  the  mer- 
cenary or  the  satisfaction  of  a restless  am 
bition,  he  was  ready  to  do  justice  to  the 
claims  of  the  worthy,  come  from  where 
they  might.  Kosciusko,  at  the  first  in- 
terview, won  ^Vashington’s  eontideii'^e. 
The  noble  Pole  came  to  headquarters, 
with  no  better  title  to  considei’ation  than 
a host  of  others,  soliciting  employment 
in  the  army. 

“ MTiat  do  you  seek  here  ?”  inquired 
Washington. 


I 


472  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 


“ I came  to  fight  as  a volunteer  for 
American  independence,'’  replied  Kosci- 
usko. 

‘‘  What  can  you  do  ?” 

“ Try  me,”  was  the  brief  response  of 
the  Pole.  Washington  was  pleased  with 
his  frank  and  self-reliant  bearing,  and  at 
once  made  him  one  of  his  aids-de-cainp. 

Thaddeus  Kosciusko  had  been  well  ed- 
ucated at  the  military  schools  of  his  na- 
tive country  and  of  France,  and  his  scien- 
tific acquirements  were  soon  made  avail- 
able in  the  engineer  department,  in  which 
he  chiefly  served.  Of  his  early  life  the 
romantic  story  is  told  that,  having  eloped 
with  a young  and  beautiful  girl  of  a no- 
ble family,  he  was  overtaken  by  the  fa- 
ther, who  drew  his  sword  and  attempted 
to  wrest  his  daughter  by  violence.  Kos- 
ciusko, finding  that  he  must  either  kill 
the  one  or  give  up  the  other,  saved  the 
father  and  lost  the  daimhter.  On  his 
departure  for  America,  Doctor  Franklin, 
who  had  known  him  in  Paris,  commend- 
ed him  by  a letter  to  the  notice  of  Wash- 
ington, and  his  own  personal  qualities  ac- 
complished the  rest. 

Apart  from  those  officers  of  note  who 
afterward  fought  in  the  American  cause, 
there  was  a number  of  eimineers  eiu>:ao:ed 
in  France  by  Deane,  in  accordance  with 
an  act  of  Congress.  The  services  of  these 
were  of  the  greatest  importance,  for  the 
country  was  naturally  deficient  in  that 
particular  class  of  officers. 

Washington  at  this  time  had  not  much 
faith  in  foreign  aid.  “ I profess  myself,” 
he  says,  “ to  be  of  that  class  who  never 
built  sanguinely  upon  the  assistance  of 
France,  further  than  her  winking  at  our 


supplies  from  thence  for  the  benefits  de- 
rived from  our  trade.”  His  chief  reliance 
was  upon  his  own  country  and  his  coun- 
trymen. In  all  places  of  trust  he  greatly 
preferred  Americans.  When  forming  his 
guard,  he  wrote  to  the  four  colonels  from 
whose  regiments  he  was  to  receive  the 
men,  “ Send  me  none  but  natives.”  He 
was,  however,  too  discreet  to  offend  the 
sensibilities  of  the  forei<>:ners,  and  guards 
his  officers  against  any  intimation  of  his 
preference  of  natives. 

Washington  was  solicitous  about  this 
guard.  He  desired  that  it  should  be  com- 
posed of  men  of  undoubted  integrity,  for 
during  the  campaign  his  baggcage,  papers, 
and  other  matters  of  great  public  import, 
would  probably  be  committed  to  their 
sole  care.  Always  mindful,  too,  of  a good 
soldierly  effect,  he  wished  that  his  guard 
“ should  look  well  and  be  nearly  of  a size,” 
and  therefore  ordered  that  the  men  should 
neither  exceed  in  stature  five  feet  ten 
inches  nor  fall  short  of  five  feet  nine  inch- 
es, and  be  “ sober,  young,  active,  and  well 
made.”  He  wanted,  he  said,  men  of  good 
character,  and  those  that  possess  the 
pride  of  appearing  clean  and  soldierlike.” 

That  this  was  not  to  gratify  his  own 
personal  pride,  or  to  increase  his  individ- 
ual importance,  was  evident  even  at  that 
early  period, for  Washington  had  rebuked 
with  severity  every  tendency  among  his 
officers  and  men  toward  worship  of  him- 
self, or  any  separate  power  or  interest  of 
the  state.  Two  of  the  new  regiments  had 
been  called  “ Congress’s  own”  and  “ Gen- 
eral Washington’s  Life-Guards;”  and  Con- 
gress had,  with  a quick  sensibility  to  the 
danger  of  such  distinctive  appellations, 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.!  AVASHINGTON’S  CAMP  AT  MORRISTOWN.  47:> 

jjassed  a resolve  by  which  they  were  con- 

thought  a co-operation  •with  the  northern 

demned  as  improper,  and  ordered  not  to 

army,  by  means  of  the  Hudson  river,  was 

be  kept  in  use.  Washington’s  fastidious 

General  Howe’s  purpose.  AYashington. 

delicacy  in  the  matter  had,  how'ever,  an- 

however,  although  he  allowed  that  indi- 

ticipated  the  action  of  that  body.  “ I can 

cations  seemed  to  point  in  that  direction, 

assure  Congress,”  he  says,  ‘‘  the  nppella- 

•was  of  the  opinion  that  the  enemy’s  ob- 

non  given  to  the  regiments  othcered  by 

ject  was  Philadelphia. 

me  was  without  my  consent  or  privity. 

Graydon  spent  two  days  in  the  camp  at 

As  soon  as  I heard  it,  I wiote  to  several 

Morristown.  He  found  everybody  about 

of  the  oflicers  in  terms  of  severe  repre- 

headquarters  in  the  most  cheerful  mood. 

hension,  and  expre.ssly  charged  them  to 

The  appearance  of  the  army  did  not,  how- 

suppress  the  distinction.” 

ever,  seem  to  justify  the  good  spirits  of 

We  obtain  a glimpse  of  the  camp  and 

the  officers.  “ 1 had  been,”  says  Gra3’don. 

headquarters  of  Washington  at  Morris- 

“ extremely  anxious  to  see  our  army. 

i 

town,  about  this  time,  in  the  lively  ac- 

Here  it  wuis,  but  I could  see  nothing 

count  of  a visit  by  Graydon,  who  during 

which  deserved  the  name.  I was  told. 

the  winter  had  been  a prisoner  in  New 

indeed,  that  it  was  much  weakened  bj' 

York  and  on  Long  island,  and,  having 

detachments;  and  I was  glad  to  find  that 

been  released  on  parole,  was  now  on  his 

there  was  some  cause  for  the  present  pan- 

Avay  to  his  native  city  of  Philadelphia. 

city  of  soldiers.”  The  brave  and  daring 

While  Graydon  and  his  companions  were 

General  \Yayne  was  apparently  in  a high 

rambling  in  a “ coal-waoon”  along  the 

state  of  exhilaration,  and,  notwithstand- 

road  within  a few  miles  of  Morristown, 

ing  the  drooping  of  his  feathens^  and  his 

they  met  Washington  on  horseback,  with 

faded  appearance  “ in  a dingy  red  coat. 

three  or  four  attendants.  He  recognised 

with  a black,  rusty  cravat,  and  tarnished 

them,  and  after  a salutation,  a few  words 

laced  hat,”  he  could  yet  crow  exultingly. 

of  courteous  congratulation  on  their  re- 

“ He  entertained,”  says  Graydon,  “ the 

lease  from  captivity,and  saying  he  should 

most  sovereign  contempt  for  the  enemy. 

return  to  the  camp  in  a few  hour.s,  where 

In  his  confident  way,  he  affirmed  that  the 

he  expected  to  see  them,  the  general  rode 

two  armies  had  interchanged  their  origi- 

on.  Accordingly,  in  the  evening.  Gray- 

nal  modes  of  warfare : that,  for  our  part, 

don  and  his  friends  went  to  pay  their  re- 

we  had  thrown  away  the  shovel,  and  the 

spects  to  Washington,  at  his  marquee. 

British  had  taken  it  up,  as  they  dared  not 

The  chief  topic  of  conversation  was  nat- 

face  us  without  the  cover  of  an  intrench- 

iirally  the  probable  objects  of  Sir  William 

ment.”  The  appearance  of  the  soldiers 

Howe  in  the  coming  campaign,  and  the 

brought  to  mind  the  answer  of  a gentle- 

American  commander  requested  to  hear 

man  when  asked  -what  w'as  the  uniform 

from  his  visiters  their  opinion,  as  far  as 

of  the  army.  “ In  general,”  he  said,  “ it 

they  could  give  it  consistently  with  their 

is  blue-and-buff’  but  by  this  time  it  must 

parole.  One  of  them  answered  that  he 
C.i) 

be  all  buff!”  The  period  o^  “ all  buff’” 

J 

474 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPART  n. 


seemed  to  be  rapidly  approaching,  from 
the  “ motley,  shabby  covering”  of  the  sol- 
rliers — who,  however,  like  the  spirited 
Wayne,  had  not,  it  is  presnmed,  lost  their 
pluck  with  the  tarnish  of  their  regimen- 
tals. 

There  was  apparently  no  want  of  so- 
cial enjoyment.  Graydon  was  dined  at 
Washing-ton’s  table,  where  there  was  a 

O 

large  company,  among  which  there  were 
several  ladies,  Mrs.  Washington  no  doubt 
among  the  rest,  for  she  was  at  that  time 
at  Morristown.  Colonel  Alexander  Ham- 
ilton presided,  “ and  he  acquitted  himself 
with  an  ease,  propriety,  and  vivacity,” 
says  Graydon,  “ which  gave  me  the  most 
favorable  impression  of  his  talents  and  ac- 
complishments.” In  the  evening,  escort- 
ed by  Colonels  Tilghman  and  Hamilton, 
both  aids  of  Washington,  Graydon  was 
taken  to  “'drink  tea  with  some  of  the  la- 
dies of  the  village,”  where  a part  of  the 
dinner-company  was  again  assembled. 

Washington,  in  fact,  did  all  he  could  to 
cncouracre  the  cheerfulness  of  both  oflfi- 
cers  and  men.  While,  howevei-,  he  pro- 
moted innocent  pleasures,  he  was  ever 
mindful  of  the  seriousness  of  the  cause  in 
which  he  was  en^aared,  and  took  care  tliat 
his  army  should  not  lose  sight  of  the  mor- 
al influence  which  it  was  expected  to  ex- 
ercise. In  his  instructions  to  the  briga- 
dier-generals, Washington  says:  “Let vice 
and  immorality  of  every  kind  be  discour- 
aged as  much  as  possible  in  jmur  brigade  ; 
and,  as  a chaplain  is  allowed  to  each  regi- 
ment, see  that  the  men  regularly  attend 
divine  worship.  Gaming  of  every  kind 
is  expressly  forbidden,  as  being  the  foun- 
dation of  evil,  and  the  cause  of  many  a 


brave  and  gallant  officer’s  ruin.  Games 
of  exercise  for  amusement  may  not  only 
be  permitted,  but  encouraged.” 

There  were,  however,  at  this  time,  not- 

withstandino-  the  mood  of  appa- 

, ^ . April  24. 

rent  cheertulness  in  the  Ameri- 
can camp,  not  a few  sources  of  anxiet}'. 
The  remissness  in  the  appointment  of 
general  officers,  the  resignation  of  some 
of  them,  the  non-acceptance  of  others, 
“ and  I might  add,” sa3^s  Washington,  “ the 
unfitness  of  a few,  joined  to  the  amazing 
delay  in  assembling  the  troops,  and  the 
abuses  which  I am  satisfied  have  been 
committed  b}^  the  recruiting-ofificers,have 
distressed  me  and  the  service  exceeding- 
1}^”  To  the  slow  recruiting  was  to  be 
added  the  further  trouble  of  frequent  de- 
sertions. The  men  were  not  regularly 
paid,  and  were  going  off  to  the  enemy, 
where  at  least  they  were  sure  of  their 
wages  ; and  common  soldiers  are  not,  un- 
der such  circumstances,  ver^'  apt  to  dis- 
criminate between  a good  and  a bad  cause. 
The  niilitaiy  chest  was  nearly  exhausted. 
“ But  there  is  a cause,”  said  Washington, 
“which  I fear  will  be  found  on  examina- 
tion too  true,  and  that  is,  that  the  officers 
have  drawn  large  sums, under  pretence  of 
paying  their  men  ; but  have  been  obliged, 
from  extravagance  and  for  other  purposes, 
to  approjiriate  this  money  to  their  own 
use.” 

With  all  these  drawbacks,  there  were 
not  wanting  sterling  men  in  the  armj"  to 
do  their  duty  when  called  upon.  The 
bold  and  successful  enterprise  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Meigs  gave  such  proof  of 
gallantry  and  ability  as  to  encourage  the 
most  despairing.  The  British  had  been 


REVOLDTIONARY.J  COLONEL  .^lEIGSS  EXPLOIT  AT  SAG  IIARr.OlL  475 

Katherine:  foi’a<;e,  irraiii,  and  otlier  neccs- 

wood,  and,  leaving  a party  to  guard  them. 

saries  for  the  army,  which  were  deposited 

marched  on  with  the  remainder  of  his 

in  large  quantities  atSng  Harbor, on  Long 

force.  At  two  o’clock  in  the  morning,  he 

island.  General  Parsons,  having  become 

arrived  at  the  place,  and  at  once 

aware  of  the  fact,  proposed  to  mnke.a  de- 

1 1 j 1 rT^^  *1  April  24* 

beojan  the  attack,  i he  guards 

scent  and  destroy  the  stores.  Lienten- 

having  been  bayoneted, Meigs  led  hismen 

antrColonel  Meigs,  a spirited  officer,  who 

to  the  wharf,  and  commenced  the  work 

had  served  under  Arnold  in  Canada,  was 

of  destruction.  An  armed  schooner  of 

selected  to  conduct  (he  enterprise.  He 

twelve  guns,  lying  off  some  hundred  and 

accord ino-ly  left  New  Haven  with 

l^liy  21,  ° 

fifty  yards  or  so,  opened  a fire,  which  was 

two  hundred  and  thirty-four  men 

continued  uninterruptedly  for  three  quar- 

in  thirteen  whale-boats  and  sailed  to  Guil- 

ters  of  an  hour,  but  witliout  the  least  ef- 

ford.  Here  he  was  delayed,  as  the  sound 

feet. 

was  so  rough,  that  he  could  not  venture 

Colonel  Meigs  never  ceased  till  his  pur- 

to  cross  to  Long  island.  On  the  23d,  how- 

pose  was  fully  accomplished,  and  only 

ever,  early  in  the  afternoon,  he  embarked 

departed  after  he  had  destroyed  twelve 

one  hundred  and  seventy  of  his  men,  and 

brigs  and  sloops,  one  of  Avhich  was  an 

sailed  from  Guilford,  accompanied  by  two 

armed  vessel  of  twelve  guns,  a hundred 

armed  sloops.  On  reaching  Soutliold,  in 

and  twenty  tons  of  pressed  hay,  a con- 

the  evening,  where  he  expected  to  meet 

siderable  amount  of  corn  and  oats,  ten 

some  of  the  enemy,  Meigs  learned  that 

hogsheads  of  rum,  and  a large  quantity 

the  troops  had  left  the  place  two  days 

of  merchandise.  Moreover,  after  havins: 

before  and  crossed  over  to  New  York. 

killed  six  of  the  enemy,  he  brought  off 

He  was  informed,  however,  that  at  Sag 

ninety  prisoners,  while  he  had  not  a man 

Harbor  he  would  probably  find  a party. 

killed  or  even  wounded.  Meigs  with  all 

Meigs  accordingly  made  all  haste  to  come 

his  men  was  back  again  at  Guilford  as 

up  with  them.  The  distance  was  fifteen 

early  as  two  o’clock  on  the  same  after- 

miles,  with  a stretch  of  land,  over  which 

ternoon,  having  been  absent  only  twenty- 

the  men  were  obliged  to  carry  the  whale- 

five  hours,  during  which  time  a distance 

boats,  before  reaching  the  bay  which  sep- 

of  ninety  miles  of  land  and  water  had 

arates  the  northern  from  the  southern 

been  traversed.  Meigs’s  gallantry  was 

branch  of  the  island  on  which  Sag  Harbor 

publicly  acknowledged  by  General  ^Yash- 

is  situated. 

ington,  and  rewarded  by  Congress  with 

At  midnight,  Meigs  had  reached,  with 

the  vote  of  a sword,  as  a token  of  their 

all  his  men,  the  opposite  side  of  the  bay. 

sense  of  the  “prudence,  activity,  enter- 

about  four  miles  from  Sag  Harbor.  Here 

prise,  and  valor,”  with  which  he  had  con 

he  secured  his  boats  in  a neighboring 

• 

ducted  the  enterprise. 

476 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPART  ji 


CHAPTER  XLVll. 

Tlie  Enemy’s  Biiiigc. — Washington  anxious  alioiit  the  North  River. — Generals  Greene  and  Knox  sent  to  inspect  the  Forts 
on  the  Hudson. — Report  in  favor  of  Additional  Strength,  Chains,  and  Obstructions. — General  Putnam  despatched  to 
superintend  tlie  Works. — ‘ Old  Put”  in  FuU  Activity. — Secret  Expedition  against  the  British  at  Kingsbridge. — Wash- 

in^^ton  shifts  his  Encampment  to  Middlebrook. — His  Plans. — Sir  William  Howe  on  the  Move  — Prospect  of  Action. 

Provincials  guard  the  Delaware. — Ready  foi  the  Enemy. — Howe  apparently  changes  his  Plans,  and  makes  a New 

Move. — Washington  on  the  Alert  to  harass  Him. — Greene  and  Magaw  attack  the  British  Rear. — Howe  at  Amboy. 

Ho  crosses  with  his  Whole  Force  to  Staten  Island. — All  New  Jersey  in  Possession  of  the  Americans. — Great  Stir  in 
the  Bay  of  New  York. — A Junction  of  Howe  with  Burgoyno  in  the  North  conjectured. — Preparations  to  prevent  it. — 
Washington  moves  toward  the  Hndsoti. — Washington  at  Pompton. — Adairs  at  the  North. — General  Schuyler  rein- 
stated in  his  Command. — General  Gatos  offended. — He  seeks  Redress  from  Congress. — Is  rebuked  for  itisulting  the 
House. — General  St.  Clair  at  Ticonderoga. — Is  Burgoyne  coming? — Washington’s  Opinion. 


The  desitriis  of  the  British  were 
1777.  ° 

not  yet  clearly  revealed,  but  it  was 

believed  that  Philadelphia  was  their  main 
object.  They  were  still  busy  at  work  on 
the  bridge ; and  Washington  was  so  fully 
persuaded  that  it  was  to  be  used  when 
finished  to  cross  the  Delaware,  that  he 
ordered  the  exact  breiidth  of  the  river 
for  a considerable  distance  to  be  obtained, 
in  order  to  compare  it  with  the  length 
of  the  bridge,  a knowledge  of  which  he 
hoped  to  acquire  through  his  spies,  and 
thus  discover  the  part  of  the  stream  in- 
tended to  be  traversed. 

It  was,  however,  believed  that  General 
Ilowe  would  also  make  an  effort  to  secure 
the  North  river ; and  Washington  was  ac- 
cordingly very  anxious  to  resist  any  at- 
tempt in  that  direction.  The  British  had 
anchored  several  transports  at  Dobbs’s 
ferry  on  the  Hudson,  with  the  purpose, 
it  was  conjectured,  of  diverting  the  atten- 
tionof  Washington  from  their  movements 
toward  the  Delaware.  It  was  possible, 
moreover,  that  they  might  attempt  from 
Brunswick  to  make  an  incursion  into  the 


country  back  of  Morristown,  in  order  to 
seize  the  passes  through  the  mountains^ 
and  thus  try  to  cut  off  the  communica- 
tion of  the  American  army  with  the  North 
river.  The  general-in-chief  accordingly 
urged  General  M‘Dougall,  at  Peekskill,  to 
be  on  the  alert,  and  George  Clinton  (re- 
cently appointed  a brigadier-general)  to 
post  as  large  a body  of  troops  in  the  pas- 
ses of  the  Highlands  as  he  could  spare 
from  the  forts  which  he  commanded  on 
the  Hudson. 

Major-General  Greene  and  General 
Knox,  two  of  his  officers  in  whose  capa- 
city and  fidelity  Washington  had  great 
trust,  were  sent  by  him  to  examine  into 
the  state  of  the  defences  on  the  Hudson 
and  at  the  Highland  passes.  They  pro- 
ceeded to  Peekskill,  and,  meeting  there 
with  Generals  M‘Dougall,  Clinton,  and 
Wayne,  the  five  officers  began  their  in- 
vestigations. They  inferred  that  the  pas- 
ses through  the  Highlands  were  so  " ex- 
ceedingly difficult,”  that  the  British  v/ould 
not  attempt  to  operate  by  land,  provided 
the  river  was  effectually  obstructed.  For 


REVOLDTIONARY.]  CHANGE  OF  THE  AMERICAN  ENCAMPMENT.  477 


this  purpose,  they  recorninended  in  their 
report  to  Washington  that  a boom  or  chain 
should  be  stretched  across  the  river  at 
Fort  Montgomery,  with  one  or  two  iron 
cables  in  front  to  break  the  foi'ce  of  any 
vessel  should  it  attempt  to  pass  the  bar- 
rier. These,  with  two  armed  ships  and 
two  row  galleys  stationed  above,  ready 
to  fire  upon  the  approach  of  the  enemy, 
were  believed  to  be  sufficient  to  defeat 
any  efforts  they  might  make  to  sail  up. 

Washington  approved  of  the  views  of 
Greene  and  his  associates,  and  immedi- 
ately sent  the  vigorous  and  laborious 
Putnam  to  superintend  tbe  work,  while 
Congress  was  urged  to  supply  without 
delay  the  necessary  means.  That  body 
was  advised  by  the  commander-in-chief 
to  purchase  the  iron  cables  at  Philadel- 
phia, as  they  could  not  be  procured  else- 
where, and  which,  as  they  were  to  be  laid 
diagonally  across  the  river  of  five  hun- 
dred and  forty  yards  in  breadth,  should 
not  be  less  than  four  hundred  and  fifty 
fathoms  long,  and  of  the  “ largest  size  that 
can  be  had.” 

In  the  meantime,  while  Congress  was 
deliberating  about  the  cables.  Old  Put’s 
ingenuity  w^as  put  to  the  task  in  fixing  a 
boom.  Presuming  upon  his  exhaustless 
activity,  other  work  was  also  provided  for 
the  veteran  general.  Washington  pro- 
posed that  he  should  get  up  a secret  ex- 
pedition against  the  British  at  Kings- 
bridge,  on  the  upper  end  of  the  island  of 
New  York.  Two  plans  were  suggested. 
A number  of  troops  might  be  embarked 
in  boats,  under  pretence  of  transporting 
them  and  their  baggage  across  the  river 
to  Tappan,  as  if  to  join  Washington’s  ar- 


my in  New  Jersey.  To  give  this  purpose 
the  appearance  of  greater  plausibility,  a 
number  of  w^agons  might  be  got  ready  at 
the  landing  on  the  Jersey  side,  as  if  wait 
ing  for  the  baggage.  If  this  plan  did  not 
suit,  there  was  the  other  of  embarking 
the  troops  at  Peekskill,  under  pretence 
of  reinforcing  the  f^arrison  on  the  Ilud- 
son,  in  order  to  expedite  the  works,  and 
to  set  off  as  bound  thither ; and  then,  un- 
der the  cover  of  the  night,  to  turn  and 
push  down  the  river.  The  place  proposed 
for  the  landing  of  the  troops  was  the  hol- 
low between  Fort  Washington  and  Spuy- 
ten-Devil  creek.  Here  was  a good  spot 
to  land  upon,  and  a passage  into  the  road 
leading  from  the  fort  to  Kingsbridge:  this 
route,  b.eing  deeply  hidden,  would  enable 
Putnam  to  fidl  in  upon  the  back  of  the 
British  troops  at  Fort  Independence,  by 
which  their  surprise  would  be  greater, 
and  their  retreat  cut  off  “ Thence,”  says 
Washington,  in  his  instructions,  “your 
troops  might,  or  might  not,  march  up  by 
land,  and  sweep  the  country  before  them 
of  the  enemy  and  provisions,  as  circum- 
stances might  justify.” 

Washington,  now'  that  his  army  was 
somewhat  reinforced,  determined  to  shift 
his  encampment.  His  troops,  however, 
even  at  this  time,  hardly  num- 
bered  eight  thousand,  as  most  of 
the  regiments  were  greatly  scant  of  their 
full  complement  of  men.-='  Forty-three 
regiments  (those  of  New  Jersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Delaware,  Maryland,  and  Virginia, 
together  Avith  Colonel  Hazen’s)  composed 
the  army  in  New  Jersey,  under  the  im- 
mediate orders  of  the  commander-in-chief 

* Sparks 


478  BA'l’TLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

These  were  divided  into  ten  brigades,  un- 

Reinforced  from  New  York  and 

derBrig.adier-Generals  Muhlenberg,  Wee- 

Rhode  Island,  he  commenced  his 

don,  Woodford,  Scott,  Smallwood,  Wayne, 

march  in  the  evening,  and  in  the  course 

Deborre,  De  Haas,  Conway,  and  Maxwell. 

of  the  night  his  front  had  reached  Som- 

The  divisions  were  five,  of  two  brigades 

erset  courthouse,  where  it  halted,  while 

each,  under  Major-Generals  Greene,  Stir- 

his  rear  remained  at  Brunswick.  It  ap- 

ling, Sullivan, Stephen,and  Lincoln:  Gen- 

peared  to  be  his  intention  to  push  direct- 

era!  Knox  coinmanded  the  artillery.  The 

ly  for  the  Delaware,  although  Washington 

New-York  and  New-England  troops  were 

did  not  know  whether  it  was  a real  move 

chielly  at  Ticonderoga,  under  Generals 

toward  Philadelphia  or  an  endeavor  to 

Gates  and  St.  Clair;  and  at  Peekskill,  ini- 

draw  the  Americans  from  the  heiirhts 

der  Generals  Putnam, M‘Dougall, and  Clin- 

which  they  occupied  along  the  whole 

ton. 

front  of  the  enemy.  Howe’s  only  object. 

The  new  position  taken  by  Washing- 

as  we  now  know,  was  to  brino;  Washinu'- 

ton  AVJis  a strong  one  on  the  high  ground 

ton  to  a general  action,  for  he  had  deter- 

about  Middlebrook,  and  several  miles  near- 

mined  to  attack  Philadelphia  by  sea.  His 

er  than  Morristown  to  the  main  body  of 

plans  then,  however,  could  only  be  con- 

the  enemy  at  Brunswick.  There  was  no 

jectured  by  the  Americans,  and  they  pre- 

attempt  on  the  part  of  the  British  to  op- 

pared  to  act  in  accordance  with  their  sur- 

pose  this  movement,  beyond  sending  out 

mises. 

a body  of  light-horse,  which,  after  skir- 

As  the  prospect  of  action  approachen. 

mishing  with  the  advance-guard,  retired 

the  militia  began  to  turn  out  in  a more 

on  finding  a large  detachment  of  the 

spirited  manner;  and  they,  together  with 

American  army  coming  forward.  Wash- 

thecontijiental  troops, seemed  determined 

iiigton’s  purpose  was  to  oppose  the  march 

to  harass  and  oppose  the  enemy  ‘‘  upon 

of  General  Howe  to  the  banks  of  the  Del- 

their  march  through  the  country.”  Gen- 

aware,  which  it  was  thought  to  be  his  de- 

eral  Howe  would  have  great  difficulty. 

sign  to  cross  on  the  way  to  Philadelphia. 

thought  Washington,  in  crossing  the  Del- 

The  American  chief,  however,  was  not 

aware.  Arnold  (who  had  been  ordered 

sanguine  of  his  power  to  check  the  ene- 

from  Philadelphia)  and  Mifflin  would  be 

my,  in  consequence  of  the  meagerness  of 

ready  with  a considerable  force  to  meet 

his  force.  ' “ If,”  says  he,  “ some 

him  on  the  western  side  of  the  river,  while 

effectual  mode  is  not  devised  to 

Washington’s  army  on  the  opposite  bank 

fill  the  regiments,  it  is  impossible,  at  least 

would  “ hang  heavily  on  his  rear.”  The 

very  unlikely,  that  any  effectual  opposi- 

American  troops  were  withdrawn  from 

tion  can  be  given  to  the  British  army 

Peekskill,  with  the  exception  of  a thou- 

witli  the  troops  we  have,  whose  numbers 

sand  men,  who  were  supposed  suificient 

diminish  more  by  desertion  than  they  in- 

(now  that  the  enemy  had  diminished  their 

crease  by  enlistments.” 

force  by  their  drafts  for  New  Jersey)  to 

General  Howe  finally  began  to  move. 

prevent  any  suiprise  from  New  York. 

r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  MOVEMENTS  OF 

GENERAL  IIOWE.  479 

Tlie  hostile  armies  now  confronted  each 

great  for  the  enemy  to  attempt  to  cross 

other,  mutually  expectant. 

the  Delaware,  when  they  must  expect  to 

The  main  body  of  the  Americans  was 

meet  a formidable  opposition  in  front,  and 

encamped  upon  the  higu  ground  at  Mid- 

have  the  whole  American  army  in  their 

dlebrook,  while  a considerable  force  un- 

rear.  “ They  might  possibly  be  success- 

der  General  Sullivan  was  posted  on  the 

ful,”  writes  Washington,  “ but  the  proba- 

lowland  hills.  The  position  at  Middle- 

bility  would  be  infinitely  against  them. 

brook  was  na'  urally  very  strong,  but  was 

Should  they  be  imprudent  enough  to  do 

further  strengthened  by  works.  The  pas- 

it,  1 shall  keep  close  upon  (heir  heels,  and 

ses  in  the  mountains  were  too  difficult  to 

do  everything  in  my  power  to  make  the 

be  attempted  ; and,  although  the  right  of 

project  fatal  to  them.”  The  British  gen- 

the  army  was  not  so  well  defended,  two 

eral,  however,  had  apparently  no  design 

or  three  redoubts  were  all  that  were  ne- 

upon  the  Delaware  at  that  time,  or  he 

cessary  to  secure  it  effectuall}'.  The  en- 

would  have  made  a secret,  rapid  march 

emy  were  also  strongly  posted.  Well  for- 

for  it,  and  not  have  come  out  opeuly,  and 

tided  on  their  right,  with  the  river  Rari- 

as  light  as  possible,  leaving  all  his  bag- 

tan  all  along  their  front  and  the  Millstone 

gage,  provisions,  boats,  and  bridges,  at 

creek  on  their  left,  they  were  in  a situa- 

Brunswick.  From  the  position  he  had 

(ion  where  an  attack  upon  them  was  not 

taken,  his  piu-pose  was,  more  probably,  to 

warranted  by  a sufficient  prospect  of  sue- 

prepare  for  an  attack  upon  Washington’s 

cess,  and  might  “be  attended  with  the 

right,  which  was  the  weakest  point.  But 

most  ruinous  consequences.”  Under  these 

whatever  might  be  General  Howe’s  ob- 

circumstances,  Washington  determined  to 

ject,  the  people  were  in  a high  state  of 

collect  all  the  force  at  Middlebrook  that 

animation,  and  apparently  ready  for  the 

could  be  properly  withdrawn  from  other 

enemj’. 

quarters,  so  as  to  bring  the  security  of 

Howe  soon  made  another  change,  that 

his  army  to  the  greatest  possible  certain- 

gave  rise  to  much  speculation  at  head- 

I 

ty,  and  be  ready  to  take  advantage  of  any 

quarters.  After  having  moved  his  main 

fair  opportunity  of  attack  which  might 

body  from  Brunswick,  and  extended  his 

offer.  In  the  meantime,  he  would  send 

van  to  Somerset  courthouse,  encamping 

out  light  bodies  of  militia  (accompanied 

between  these  two  posts,  and  beginning 

by  a few  continental  troops  to  keep  them 

a line  of  redoubts,  he  suddenly  marched 

in  countenance  by  their  more  soldierly 

back  his  whole  army  to  the  for-  , 

June  I9» 

bearing),  to  harass  and  weaken  the  enemy 

mer  place,  burning  the  houses 

by  frequent  skirmishes. 

aud  devastating  the  country  along  his 

Whatever  might  be  the  ulterior  pur- 

route.  Washington  at  this  time  was  con 

pose  of  the  British,  it  was  conjectured  by 

stantly  in  the  saddle,  reconnoitring  and 

Washington  that  their  first  object  was  to 

sending  out  his  lightrtroops  to  hover  as 

destroy  his  army,  and  then  get  possession 

near  as  possible  about  the  enemy,  who, 

of  Philadelphia.  The  l isk  would  be  too 

however,  secured  as  they  were  on  their 

1 

1 

... 

4S0  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pakt  ii. 

flanks  by  tlie  Raritan  and  Millstone  riv- 

reporting  with  great  praise  the  conduct 

ers,  had  no  great  difficulty  in  reaching 

and  bravery  of  General  Wayne  and  Colo 

their  former  posts. 

nel  Morgan,  and  of  their  officers  and  men. 

In  three  days  more,  the  Brit- 

Juiie  22.  . • 11  f • 1 f 

ish  camp  was  again  all  astir  night 

who  constantly  advanced  upon  an  enemy 
far  superior  to  them  in  numbers,  and  well 

and  day.  A movement  was  evidently  in 

secured  behind  strong  redoubts.  General 

prospect.  Washington  accordingly  sent 

Maxwell,  unfortunately,  missed  the  ex- 

an  express  to  General  Maxwell  to  lie  be- 

press  messenger,  who  had  by  accident  or 

low  Brunswick  and  Amboy,  in  order  to 

design  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  Brit- 

intercept  any  British  parties  which  might 

ish ; otherwise  their  rear-guard,  as  they 

be  passing ; and  detached  three  lirigades, 

themselves  confessed,  would  have  been 

under  Major-General  Greene,  to  fall  upon 

cut  off  Maxwell  was  now  reinforced  by 

the  enemy’s  rear  as  soon  as  they  should 

Lord  Stirlino;  and  his  division. 

move ; while  the  main  body  of  the  army 

General  Howe,  on  reaching  Amboy,  de- 

was  paraded  upon  the  heights  of  Middle- 

spatched  some  of  his  troops  across  to 

brook,  to  support  Greene  if  there  should 

Staten  island  ; but  he  soon  brought  them 

be  occasion. 

back, and  advanced  toward  Westfield  with 

Sir  William  Howe  began  his  march, 

his  whole  army.  Washington  had  moved 

and  the  Americans  were  on  the  alert  to 

the  entire  American  force  to  Quibbletown, 

harass  him.  A party  of  Colonel  Morgan’s 
light-infantry  pushed  forward  betimes  and 

in  order  to  be  nearer  the  enemy 
r.  cn  June  24. 

alter  tlieir  evacuation  ol  liruns- 

drove  in  the  Hessian  picket  before  the  sun 

wick,  and  ordered  Lord  Stirling  to  move 

was  up  ; while  the  rest  of  Morgan’s  regi- 

his  division  still  closer  to  Howe’s  lines. 

ment  and  General  Wayne’s  brigade  fol- 

When  the  enemy  began  apparently  to  re- 

lowed  rapidl}^,  and  posted  themselves  op- 

turn,  with  the  purpose  of  turning  the 

posite  to  Brunswick.  The  enemy,  how- 

American  left,  Washington  marched  his 

ever,  crossed  the  bridge,  and  took  posses- 

main  army  back  to  the  secure  position  at 

sion  of  the  redoubts  which  they  had  con- 

Middlebrook,  but  continued  to  hang  up- 

structed  on  the  north  side  of  the  river. 

on  the  British  flank  with  a body  of  light- 

General  Greene,  now  advancing  his  troops 
briskly  toward  them,  they  quitted  their 
position  and  retired  by  the  road  to  Am- 
boy, with  Morgan  and  his  riflemen  close 
at  their  heels,  keeping  up  a sharp  fire, 
which  ‘‘did  considerable  execution.” 

troops  and  Morgan’s  riflemen.  After  some 
slight  skirmishing.  General  Howe  again 
withdrew,  plundering  and  burning  all  be- 
fore him,  to  Amboy,  and  finally  passed 

over  to  Staten  island  with  his  en-  , 

, ...  June  30. 

tire  army, using  the  bridge  wliicli 

Greene  continued  to  pursue  the  enemy 

had  been  so  laboriously  constructed  at 

as  far  as  Piscataway,  but  finding  it  impos- 

Brunswick  for  the  purpose  of  transport- 

sible  to  overtake  them,  and  fearful  lest 

ing  his  artillery  and  baggage.  The  Amer- 

he  might  be  drawn  away  too  far  from  the 

leans  were  thus  left  in  complete  posses- 

main  body,  he  returned  to  Brunswick, 

sion  of  New  Jersey.  The  next  move  of 

r 

[ 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  SCHUYLER  REINSTATED  IN  HIS  COMMAND.  481 

the  enemy  was  now  the  object  of  anxious 

Generals  Putnam  and  George  Clinton,  ur- 

speculation. 

ging  them  to  put  forth  every  exertion  in 

A great  stir  among  the  shipping  in 

their  power,  and  instantly  to  call  out  a 

New-York  bay,  the  general  striking  of 

“ respectable”  body  of  militia  to  aid  in  the 

the  tents,  and  the  marching  of  the  troops 

defence  of  the  important  posts  on  the 

from  that  part  of  Staten  island  ojiposite 

North  river.  Washington  also  advanced 

to  Amboy  to  the  other  side,  in  the  neigh- 

a division  of  his  army,  under  General  Sul- 

liorhood  of  the  anchorage  of  the  fleet, 

livan,  to  Pompton,  in  order  to  be  nearer 

made  it  apparent  that  General  Howe  had 

the  enemy  should  they  attempt  to  ascend 

in  contemplation  some  movement  by  wa- 

the  Hudson. 

ter.  At  this  time,  intelligence  was  re- 

Further  intelligence  from  the  North 

ceived  from  General  St.  Clair,  command- 

induced  Washing-ton  to  believe  that  the 

O 

ing  at  Ticonderoga,  that  the  British  army 

possession  of  the  Hudson  and  the  commu- 

in  Canada  evidently  had  designs  upon 

nication  with  Canada,  by  which  the  east- 

that  fort.  It  was  thence  inferred  that 

ern  and  southern  states  might  be  sepa- 

Howe’s  purpose  might  be  to  push  imme- 
diately up  the  Hudson,  in  order  to  co- 
operate with  the  British  troops  marching 

rated,  was  probably  the  intention  of  the 
enemy ; and  he  therefore  moved 
his  whole  force  to  Morristown, 

from  the  North.  In  case  this  should  be 

and  thence  to  Pompton,  from  which  place 

the  enemy’s  design,  Washington  prompt- 

he  prepared  to  march  still  farther  toward 

ly  ordered  General  Putnam,  at  Peekskill, 

the  Hudson.  Let  us  now  for  a moment 

to  reinforce  St.  Clair  with  a portion  of  his 

glance  at  the  condition  of  affairs  at  the 

eastern  troops;  but,  while  Howe’s  object 

North. 

was  not  clearly  manifest,  he  was  in  great 

General  Gates,  as  we  have  seen,  had  su- 

uncertainty  how  to  direct  his  main  body. 

perseded  General  Schuyler  in  the  com- 

His  situation  was  “ truly  delicate  and  per- 

mand  of  the  northern  army,  but  had  onl}' 

plexing.”  Should  he  march  his  army  to 

served  from  the  25th  of  March,  when  on 

/ 

) 

Peekskill,  leaving  the  British  commander 

the  22d  of  May  he  was  obliged  to  give  it 

on  Staten  island,  there  Avould  be  no  tiling 

up.  Schuyler  had  obtained  from  Congress 

to  prevent  his  crossing  to  South  Amboy, 

the  investigation  which  he  had  sought  so 

and  pushing  thence  to  Philadelphiii.  On 

pertinaciously,  and  was  rewarded  for  his 

the  other  hand,  if  the  North  river  and 

perseverance  by  a reinstatement  in  bis 

the  possession  of  the  Highlands  should 

command;  not,however, before  he  had  ad- 

be  General  Howe’s  object,  the  keeping 

di-essed  a memorial  to  Congress,  in  which 

of  the  army  in  New  Jersey  would  give 

an  apologetic  explanation  was  made  of 

the  enemy  the  opportunity  of  effecting 

the  expressions  in  his  former  letter  which 

their  purpose  without  resistance  in  that 

had  given  so  much  offence.  New  Eng- 

quarter.  “We  shall  attempt  in  this  di- 

land  resisted  Schuyler’s  appointment  to 

lemma,”  says  Washington,  “ to  do  the  best 

the  last,  and  it  was  only  secured  by  the 

we  can.”  In  the  meanwhile,  he  wrote  to 
Gi 

absence  of  some  of  the  delegates  from 

r 

1 

— -w- 

■ — — - , 

1 

482 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


that  quarter.  It  was,  however,  generally 
conceded  that  his  influence  in  the  state 
of  New  York  rendered  him  the  most  ef- 
fective man  for  the  position. 

Gates  was  greatly  vexed  at  the  result, 
and,  refusing  to  serve  under  Schuyler, 
who  offered  him  the  command  at  Ticon- 
deroga,  requested  permission  to  proceed 
to  Philadelphia.  Here  he  arrived,  and  so 
lost  all  self-control,  that  he  presented  him- 
self on  the  floor  of  Congress,  and  began 
to  indulge  in  some  personal  reflections  on 
one  of  the  members,  which  excited  the 
indignation  of  the  house,  and,  after  a noi- 
sy debate,  led  to  a request  that  he  would 
withdraw.  There  was  a great  deal  of 
partisan  feeling  exhibited  in  the  discus- 
sion of  the  relative  commands  of  Schuy- 
ler and  Gates,  and  the  reinstatement  "of 
the  former  was  considered  to  be  a triumph 
of  what  was  then  termed  the  New-York 
party  over  that  of  New  England. 

As  soon  as  Schuyler  reached  Albany 
from  Philadelphia  (where  he  had  been 
stationed  during  the  interval  of  his  loss 
of  the  northern  command),  he  ordered 

General  St.  Clair  to  Ticonderoga. 

Both  Schuyler  and  St.  Clair  be- 
lieved that  the  enemy  were  preparing  to 
come  in  great  force  from  Canada  by  way 
of  the  lakes.  A British  spy,  one  Arnes- 
bury,  had  been  taken  and  examined,  who 
stated  that  the  main  body  of  the  Canadi- 
an army  was  advancing  by  St.  Johns,  and 
that  a detachment  of  English,  Canadians, 
and  Indians,  was  about  penetrating  to  the 
south  by  the  Mohawk  river.  Apart  from 
the  information  which  he  was  to  gatlier, 
Amesbury  was  intrusted  with  a canteen 
by  a Judge  Levins, of  Canada,  with  direc- 


tions to  deliver  it  to  General  Sullivan, 
and  request  him  to  remove  a flilse  bot- 
tom, within  which  he  would  find  a letter 
The  canteen  was  obtained  by  Schuyler, 
the  concealed  letter  found  directed  as  had 
been  stated  by  the  spy,  and  at  once  for- 
warded, through  the  commander-in-chief 
It  proved  to  be  an  appeal  to  General  Sul- 
livan to  betray  the  American  cause.  It 
is  needless  to  say  that  against  this  subtle 
exhortation  that  officer  was  patriotically 
proof 

This  information  of  the  probable  ad- 
vance of  the  Canadian  army  by  way  of 
the  lakes  took  Washington  by  surprise, 
as  he,  together  with  his  chief  officers  and 
Congress,  had  entertained  the  opinion 
that  the  British  troops  at  the  North  would 
have  come  round  by  the  St.  Lawrence 
and  the  sea,  to  reinforce  General  Howe 
at  New  York.  Ticonderoga  had  conse- 
quently been  neglected,  and  frequent  de- 
mands for  reinforcements  of  the  American 
strength  at  Albany  and  beyond  not  re- 
sponded to. 

Washington  had,  moreover,  received 
exao:o:erated  accounts  of  the  force  at  the 
command  of  Schuyler  and  St.  Clair.  Even 
as  late  as  the  2d  of  July,  he  says : “ I see 
no  reason  for  apprehending  that  it  [Ticon- 
deroga] can  possibly  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy  in  a short  time.”  He  was 
still  perplexed  about  the  designs  of  his 
antagonists.  “ If  a co-operation  is  intend- 
ed,” he  writes  to  Schuyler,  “General  Howe 
must  speedily  throw  ofi‘  the  mask,  and 
make  his  preparations  for  going  up  the 
North  river ; if  he  does  not,  1 shall  tliink 
that  the  fleet  and  a small  force  of  Indians 
and  light-troops  are  amusing  you  upon 


REVOLUTIONAUY.J  JOHN  BURGOYNE.  483 

the  lake,Avhile  the  main  body  comes  round 

Burgoyne’s  spirit  and  enterprise  would 

• 

and  forms  a junction  by  water.  One  rea- 

never  have  returned  from  England  mere- 

son  operates  strongly  against  this,  in  my 

ly  to  execute  a plan  from  which  no  great 

‘•ninion,  and  that  is,  a man  of  General 

credit  or  honor  was  to  be  derived.” 

CHAPTER  XLVIII. 

^jcneral  Burgoyne. — His  Life  and  Character. — His  Parliamentary  Career. — His  Dramatic  Works. — His  Military  Career, 

— Horace  Walpole’s  Estimate  of  Him. — Commander-in-Chief  of  the  British  Forces  in  Canada. — Plan  of  the  Campai^.t. 

— Sir  Guy  Carleton’s  Magnanimity. — A Sufferer  for  his  Humanity. — Estimate  of  Burgoyne’s  Force. — His  Officers. — 
Be^^inning  of  the  Campaign. — Burgoyne  meets  the  Indians  in  Council. — Swollen  Bhetoric. — Pompous  Proclamation. — 
General  Schuyler  at  Ticonderoga. — He  strengthens  the  Fortifications. — Goes  to  Albany. — Sends  Stores  and  Men. — He 
is  sanguine  about  the  Security  of  Ticonderoga. — Washington  entertains  the  Same  Opinion. — General  St  Clair  in 
Command  of  tlie  Fort. — The  Defences. — The  Weak  Points. — Wasted  Energies. 

General  Burgoyne  is  now  about 

1 7T7i 

to  act  a more  important  part  in  the 

the  rank  of  lieutenantrcolonel.  He  dis- 
tinguished himself  in  Portugal,  where  he 

American  War ; and  we  shall  here,  as  we 

was  a comrade  of  the  eccentric  Charles 

meet  him  for  the  first  time  in  the  capaci- 

Lee,  who,  under  the  orders  of  Burgoyne. 

ty  of  a commander-in-chief,  give  some  ac- 

swam  the  Tagus  at  the  head  of  three 

count  of  his  life  and  character.  This  was 

hundred  and  fifty  British  soldiers,  and 

his  third  visit  to  America.  He  had  served 

surprised  the  Spanish  camp.  After  the 

in  Boston,  under  Governor  Gage  ; in  Can- 

campaign  in  Portugal,  Burgoyne  was  re- 

ada,  under  Sir  Guy  Carleton ; and  had 

warded  with  a colonelcy. 

recently,  after  visiting  England,  returned 

In  1761,  he  Avas  elected  a member  of 

to  take  command  of  the  British  forces  in 

Parliament  for  Midhurst,  a position  for 

the  North. 

Avhich  he  was  no  doubt  indebted  to  some 

The  time  and  place  of  the  birth  of  John 

poAverful  patronage  through  his  putatiA^e 

Burgoyne — a man  who  rose  to  no  mean 

relationship  to  Lord  Bingley.  In  1768, 

celebrity  as  a writer,  a senator,  and  a mil- 

Burgoyne  Avas  again  returned  to  Parlia- 

itary  officer — are  unknown.  Even  his 

ment  for  the  borough  of  Preston ; and 

parentage  has  not  been  ascertained  with 

his  election  drcAV  upon  him  the  brilliant 

certainty,  although  he  is  generally  sup- 

invective  of  “Junius,”  avIio,  considering 

posed  to  have  been  the  natural  son  of 

him  a satellite  of  the  duke  of  Grafton 

Lord  Bingley,  who  died  an  old  man  in 

treated  him  Avith  the  same  unsparing  se- 

1774.  He  was  probably  early  destined 

verity.  Burgoyne  Avas  noAV  appointed 

for  a military  life.  There  is,  however,  no 

gOA’ernor  of  Fort  William,  and  in  1772 

record  of  the  dates  of  his  grades  in  the 

raised  to  the  rank  of  general.  As  a mem- 

army  until  1758,  when  he  was  raised  to 

ber  of  Parliament  he  began  to  take  a 

- : 

J J 

481  llATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

prominent  share  in  its  debates.  In  1772, 

der  the  auspices,  and  with  some  touches 

he  took  the  lead  in  denonncing  the  cor- 

of  the  pen,  of  Garrick)  at  Drury  Lane. 

4 

nipt  conduct  of  the  officials  of  the  East- 

The  pen  was,  however,  soon  dropped  for 

India  Company,  and  introduced  Avith  a 

the  sword,  and  it  was  not  until  after  his 

brilliant  and  effective  speech  the  motion 

several  campaigns  in  America  that  he  re- 

that  a committee  be  appointed  to  “in- 

newed  his  literary  pursuits.  He  then 

quire  into  the  nature,  state,  and  condi- 

wrote  “ The  Lord  of  the  Manorf  a comic 

tion  of  the  East-India  Company,  and  of 

opera  in  three  acts  — a light,  sparkling 

the  British  affairs  in  the  East  Indies.” 

piece,  which  was  acted,  and  Avelcomed 

The  committee  having  been  appointed. 

with  much  applause.  Writing  verse  with 

Bui'goyne  as  its  chairman  was  frequently 

facility,  he  contributed  two  lively,  satiri- 

called  upon  to  defend  the  conduct  and 

cal  compositions,  ‘•Mhe  ^Vestminder  Gidde" 

measures  of  himself  and  his  colleagues. 

and  a Prohaiionar/j  Ode','  to  one  of  the 

and  never  failed  to  do  it  with  great  tact 

cleverest  political  jeu  d'esprits  of  the  day. 

and  power. 

In  1786,  he  brought  out  on  the  stage  the 

While  a dashing  young  subaltern.  Bur- 

comedy  of  Heiress,"  and,  soon  after. 

goyne  made  the  acquaintance  of  a daugh- 

the  historical  drama  of  ‘•‘•Richard  Coeiir  de 

ter  of  the  earl  of  Derby.  The  two  be- 

Lion."  In  all  these,  Burgoyne  exhibits  a 

came  deeply  enamored,  and  were  married 

knowledge  of  society  and  the  world,  a 

(dandestinely,  greatly  to  the  indignation 

quick  fancy,  and  a flexible  hand.  His 

of  his  lordship  of  Derby,  who  declared 

temper  Avas  gay,  and  his  disposition  so- 

that  he  would  never  admit  them  to  his 

cial.  He  loved  pleasure,  but  Avas  active 

presence.  Burgoyne,  however,  with  his 

in  business.  A thorough  soldier,  he  never 

brilliant  promise  as  a soldier,  and  a rising 

fiiiled  to  do  his  duty,  though  he  ahvays 

man  in  Parliament,  aided  by  his  gentle- 

strove  to  soften  the  severities  of  Avar  by 

manly  tact,  soon  reconciled  the  earl  of 

acts  of  generosity  and  humanity,  to  Avhich 

Derby  to  the  alliance.  With  this  recog- 

his  natural  kindliness  of  heart  prompted 

nised  relationship,  we  find  Burgoyne,  in 

him.  Horace  Walpole  says  of  him  smart- 

1774,  acting  as  master  of  ceremonies  in 

ingly,  that  he  had  “a  half-understanding 

the  fete  given  at  the  seat  of  the  family. 

that  was  Avorse  than  none that  he  Avas 

“The  Oaks,”  to  celebrate  the  marriage 

“ a classic  scholar  avIio  had  more  reading 

of  his  brother-in-law,  Lord  Stanley,  with 

than  parts  -f  that  he  “ Avas  fond  of  Avriting, 

Lady  Betsey  Hamilton,  the  daughter  of 

and  did  not  Avant  eloquence,  but  judg- 

the  duke  of  Hamilton.  It  was  on  this 

ment  extremely  " and,  again,  that  he  Avas 

occasion  that  Burgoyne  first  publicly  dis- 

“ the  most  verbose  and  bombastic  boaster 

played  his  talents  as  a dramatist.  He 

that  ever  bore  a truncheon,”  though  “ he 

wrote  a “ dramatic  entertainment,  in  five 

did  not  Avant  spirit,  not  knowledge,  not 

acts,”  styled  “ The  Maid  of  the  Oaksf  which 

any  zeal  for  serving  his  master.” 

was  played  at  the  marriage-festival,  and 

We  have  seen  Burgoyne  at  Boston,  and 

afterward  successfully  brought  out  (un- 

subsequently  in  Canada ; and  now,  for  the 

■q 

* 

KEVOLUTIONARY.]  GENERAL  BURGOYNE  BEGINS  HIS  MARCH.  485 

third  time,  we  find  him  in  America  as 

ciliated, and  the  native  Canadians  induced 

commander-in-chief  of  the  British  troops 

to  remain  faithful  to  British  interests. 

at  the  North.  This  appointment  Inul  been 

Bnrg03me’s  Eurojiean  force  amounted 

conferred  upon  him  l)y  the  British  gov- 

to  seven  thousand  men,  of  whom  nearly 

eminent  in  order  to  carry  out  the  pro- 

one  half  were  hii’ed  mercenaries  from  the 

posed  plan  of  penetrating  toward  Alliany 

principality  of  Brunswick,  in  Germany. 

from  Canada,  and  tluis  form  a junction 

To  these  were'added  four  hundred  Indi- 

with  a portion  of  Sir  William  Howe’s  ar- 

ans  and  about  a hundred  and  fifty  Cana- 

my  which  was  to  advance  up  the  Hudson, 

dians.  His  artillery  corps  and  train  were 

that  the  American  communication  might 

of  the  most  serviceable  character,  “ prob- 

be  cut  off  between  the  northern  and  east- 

ably  the  finest  and  the  most  excellently 

ern  states.  Burgoyne,  when  consulted. 

supplied  as  to  officers  and  private  men 

had  declared  that  a force  of  eight  thou- 

that  had  ever  been  allotted  to  second  the 

saud  regulars,  two  thousand  Canadians, 

operations  of  an^'’  arm}’.”  His  officers 

and  one  thousand  Indians,  would  be  ne- 

were  men  of  great  repute  for  skill  and 

cessary  to  secure  the  success  of  the  plan. 

daring.  General  Phillips  commanded  the 

On  arriving  in  Canada,  General  Bur- 

artilleiy  ; Generals  Fraser,  Hamilton,  and 

goyne  met  witli  some  disappointment  in 

Powell,  the  various  British  divisions ; and 

filling  up  the  complement  of  his  army. 

Baron  Reidesel  and  General  Specht,  the 

but  was  able,  however,  to  commence  op- 

Brunswickers.  • . 

erations  with  an  effective  force.  Sir  Guy 

Ha  ving  first  detached  Colonel  St.  Leger 

Carleton  had  been  superseded,  and  might 

from  St.  Johns  with  a miscellaneous  force, 

have  justly  complained  of  neglect,  and 

consisting  of  British,  Germans,  Sir  John 

want  of  acknowledgment  of  his  previous 

Johnson’s  New-York  tory  confederates. 

services ; but,  waiving  all  personal  feel- 

and  savages  (amounting  in  all  to  about 

ing,  he  magnanimously  welcomed  Bur- 

eight  hundred),  in  order  to  make  a diver- 

goyne  with  great  friendliness,  and  ear- 
nestly aided  him  in  executing  his  plans. 

sion  on  the  Mohawk  river,  Bur-  ^ 
goj'iie  himself  set  out  with  his 

Carleton,  in  character  with  his  usuid  be- 

force.  After  proceeding  some  distance. 

nevolence,  is  supposed  to  have  objected 

he  encamped  his  arm}"  at  the  river  Bon- 

to  the  employment  of  the  Indians,  and 

quet,  on  the  western  side  of  Lake  Cham- 

therefore  been  supplanted  by  Burgoyne, 

plain,  near  Crown  Point.  Here  he  met 

who  had  fewer  scruples  on  this  point. 

the  Indians  in  council,  and  gave  them  a 

Carleton  sent  his  resignation  to  Eng-land 

war-feast.  Burgoyne  Avas  naturally  soli- 

as  governor  of  Canada,  but  in  the  mean- 

citous  about  the  conduct  of  his  .saA^age  al- 

time  tendered  his  services  to  the  newly- 

lies,  and  took  care  to  impress  upon  them 

appointed  commander-in-chief;  and,  with 

the  hrmane  requirements  of  civilized  Avar- 

his  knowledge  of  and  influence  in  the 

fare.  They  were  told  that  .they  should 

country,  he  proved  of  great  advantage. 

only  kill  those  Avho  opposed  them  in  arms; 

By  his  means  the  Indian  tribes  were  con- 

that  old  men  and  Avornen,  children  and 

^86  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


prisoners,  the  wounded  and  the  dying, 
should  be  spared  the  hatchet;  and  that 
none  but  those  Avho  had  been  slain  in  bah 
tie  should  be  scalped.  Burgoyne  prom- 
ised them  rewards  for  prisoners,  but  de- 
clared that  he  Avould  call  them  to  strict 
account  for  every  scalp  they  brought  in. 

Havin«:  swollen  his  rhetoric,  in  his  ad- 
dress  to  the  savages,  in  accordance  Avitli 
tlie  supposed  requirements  of  Indian  ora- 
tory, Burgoyne,  it  would  seem,  found  it 
diflicidt  to  bring  his  imagination  within 
its  ordinary  range  ; for  the  proclamation 
Avhich  he  immediately  afterward  issued 
to  the  people  of  the  country  Avas  full  of 
pompous  declamation.  There  Avas  some- 
thing in  it,  however,  Avorse  than  its  style. 
It  held  out  the  threat  of  savage  cruelty. 
“ I have,”  said  he,  “ but  to  give  stretch  to 
the  Indjan  forces  under  my  direction,  and 
they  amount  to  thousands,  to  overtake 
the  hardened  enemies  of  Great  Britain 
and  America.  I consider  them  the  same, 
Adierever  they  may  lurk.” 

Soon  after  sending  St.  Clair  to  Ticon- 

June  17  Cieneral  Schuyler  him- 

self Avent  to  examine  into  the 
condition  of  alfairs  there.  They  did  not 
appear  as  satisfactory  as  he  had  antici- 
pated. Instead  of  the  force  of  five  thou- 
sand, Avliich  Washington  supposed  to  be 
the  strength  of  the  garrison  at  this  post, 
it  was  found  that  there  Avere  less  than 
tAventy-five  hundred  effective  men  in  all, 
to  defend  both  the  Avorks  at  Ticonderoga, 
on  the  Avest  side  of  the  lake,  and  Mount 
Independence,  on  the  east.  Such  a mea- 
ger supply *of  troops,  it  Avas  clear,  Avas 
quite  inadequate  to  defend  the  two  posts. 
Without  reinforcements,  in  case  of  an  ah 


tack  from  the  enemy,  one  or  the  other 
AAmuld  have  to  be  abandoned.  In  such 
an  event.  Mount  Independence  Avas  con- 
sidered as  the  post  at  Avhich  it  Avould  be 
desirable  to  concentrate  all  the  available 
force.  Attention  Avas  accordingly  direct- 
ed chiefly  to  this  point.  All  the  cannon 
and  stores,  not  immediately  Avanted  on 
the  Ticonderoga  side,  Avere  taken  over ; 
and  Kosciusko,  avIio  Avas  the  engineer-in- 
chief  of  the  northern  army,  at  once  com- 
menced repairing  the  old  and  adding  neAv 
AVorks,  in  order  to  strengthen  the  by-no- 
means strong  fortifications  of  Mount  In- 
dependence. There  Avas  such  a deficiency 
of  provisions,  that  it  Avas  inferred  that  the 
garrison,  unless  soon  supplied,  Avould  not 
be  able  to  hold  out  for  many  days.  With 
all  these  draAvbacks,  it  Avas  still  thought 
advisable  to  obtain  reinforcements  and 
supplies,  and  to  maintain  the  tAvo  posts 
as  long  as  possible.  It  Avas  deemed  pru- 
dent, however,  to  collect  and  repair  the 
batteaux,  in  case  a retreat  should  become 
necessary. 

General  Schuyler,  thus  made  aware  of 
the  Aveaknesses  and  Avants  of  Ticondero- 
ga, hastened  back  to  Fort  George,  and 
so  bestirred  himself,  that  he  Avas  soon  able 
to  send  a good  supply  of  provisions,  and 
some  Avorking-men  to  aid  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  Avorks.  He  seemed,  ImAvever, 
to  be  in  very  little  anxiety  about  the  post, 
for  he  writes  to  Congress : 1 trust  Ave 

shall  still  be  able  to  put  everything  in 
such  order  as  to  give  the  enemy  a good 
reception,  and,  I hope,  a repulse,  should 
they  attempt  a real  attack,  AA’hich  I con- 
jecture Avill  not  be  soon,  if  at  all.”* 

* Irving. 


L 


r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  DEFENCES  OF  TIC'ONDEROGA.  487 


Washington,  too,  from  the  information 
he  had  obtained,  which  was  unaccounta- 
b] y inexact,  continued  to  believe  that  Ti- 
conderoga  was  beyond  the  cliance  of  dan- 
ger. “As  the  garrison  at  Ticonderoga,” 
he  writes  to  Schuyler,  “is  sufficient  to 
hold  it  against  any  attack,  I do  not  think 
it  politic,  under  your  representation  of  the 
scarcity  of  provisions,  to  send  up  troops 
to  consume  whatoimlit  to  lie  thrown  into 

O 

the  fort.”  He  soon  received  intelligence 
which  placed  it  beyond  any  chance  of 
doubt,  that  Burgoyne  was  advancing; 
but  he  was  still  confident  of  St.  Clair’s 
security  until  the  last  moment,  when  a 
July  1 Schuyler  appears  to 

have  conveyed  for  the  first  time 
a truthful  account  of  the  condition  of  Ti- 
eonderoga.  Washington  thereupon  im- 
mediately ordered  General  Putnam  to  de- 
spatch a brigade,  under  Nixon,  to  rein- 
force the  northern  army. 

Schuyler,  in  the  meantime,  was  divert- 
ing himself  with  the  idea  that  Burgoyne 
would  march  his  main  body  from  St.  Fran- 
cis or  St.  Johns  to  the  east  and  invade 
New  England.  “ I am,”  he  writes,  “ the 
more  confirmed  in  this  conjecture,  as  the 
enemy  can  not  be  ignorant  how  very  dif- 
ficult, if  not  impossible,  it  will  be  for  them 
to  penetrate  to  Albany,  unless  in  losing 
Ticonderoga  we  should  lose  not  only  all 
our  cannon,  but  most  of  the  army  de- 
signed for  this  [the  northern]  depart- 
ment.” 

St.  Clair,  even  at  Ticonderoga,  was  for 
a long  time  in  a state  of  uncerbiinty  about 
the  strength  and  designs  of  the  enemy. 
In  the  meanwhile  he  kept  his  men  busily 
occupied  in  increasing  the  defences  of  the 


place.  There  'were  not  wanting  some 
among  the  officers  who  were  doubtful  of 
the  policy  of  holding  the  post.  The  gar- 
rison were  so  few  in  number.s,  and  the  la- 
bors of  all  so  much  increased  by  the  works 
and  the  strong  guards  necessary  on  the 
threatened  approach  of  the  enemy,  that 
the  men  became  prostrated  by  fatigue  and 
watching.  “ If  fortitude,”  wrote  an  officer 
at  that  time,  “ if  enterprise,  if  perseve- 
rance or  temerity,  could  avail,  I would 
not  complain  ; but,  in  the  name  of  Heav- 
en, what  can  be  expected  from  a naked, 
undisciplined,  badly-armed,  unaccoutred 
body  of  men,  when  opposed  to  a vast  su- 
periority of  British  troops?” 

The  American  lines  were  greatly  ex- 
tended, from  Mount  Independence, on  the 
east  side  of  Lake  Champlain,  to  Ticon- 
deroga on  the  vv'est.  The  two  places  were 
connected  by  a floating  bridge,  supported 
on  twenty-two  sunken  piers  of  very  large 
timber,  and  the  spaces  between  filled  with 
separate  floats,  each  about  fifty  feet  long 
and  twelve  wide,  strongly  fastened  to- 
gether by  iron  chains  and  rivets.  On  the 
northern  side  of  this  bridge  was  stretched 
a boom  made  of  large  timber,  well  seciu'ed 
by  riveted  bolts,  and  a double  iron  chain, 
with  links  of  one  and  a half  inches  square. 
The  length  of  this  combined  bridge,boom, 
and  chain,  was  four  hundred  yards,  and 
its  construction  had  cost  an  immensity 
of  labor  and  expense.  The  work  was  sup- 
2)osed,  hoAvever,  to  be  admirably  adapted 
to  the  double  purpose  of  a communication 
between  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Inde- 
pendence, and  of  an  impenetrable  barrier 
to  any  approach  of  the  enemy  by  way 
of  the  lake. 


488 


BA'rTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


There  were  two  hills  which  command- 
ed the  works : -one  called  Mount  Hope, 
rising  about  half  a mile  in  advance  of  the 
old  French  lines  on  the  Ticonderoga  or 
west  side  of  the  lake;  and  another,  known 
as  the  Sugar-Loaf  hill,  or  Mount  Defiance. 
Mount  Hope  was  the  least  important  of 
the  two  hills,  as  it  only  commanded  the 
left  of  the  woi  ks  at  Ticonderoga,  and  was 
unprotected,  probably  in  consequence  of 
the  meagerness  of  St.  Clair’s  force,  which, 
composed  of  less  than  three  thousand 
men  — of  whom  nine  hundred  were  raw  i 
militia,  but  just  come  in  — was  not  suffi- 
cient, when  the  troops  were  ordered  to 
man  the  lines,  to  occupy  their  whole  ex- 
tent. 

The  Sugar-Loaf  hill  was,  however,  en- 
tirely neglected,  from  the  prevalent  im- 
pression that  it  was  inaccessible  for  artil- 
lery, and  too  distant,  even  if  in  possession 
of  an  enemy,  for  their  balls  to  reach  the 
fort.  This  hill,  which  is  the  northern  ter- 
mination of  the  mountain-ridge  dividing 
Lake  George  from  Lake  Champlain,  rises 
precipitously  to  a height  of  six  hundred 
feet,  and  completely  commanded  both  the 
works  at  Ticonderoga,  from  which  it  was 
only  separated  by  the  outlet  from  Lake 
George,  and  those  at  Mount  Independ- 
ence, from  which  it  was  divided  by  the 
narrowest  part  of  Lake  Chatnplain.  A 
year  before,  John  Trumbidl  (then  Gen- 
eral Gates’s  adjutant  at  Ticonderogn,  and 
subsequently  the  well-known  painter)  had 
been  impressed  with  the  importance  of 
guarding  the  Sugar-Loaf  hill.  “ I had  for 
some  time,”  he  says,  “^regarded  this  emi- 
nence as  completely  overruling  our  en- 
tire position.  It  was  said,  indeed,  to  be 


at  too  great  a distance  to  be  dangerous 
but  by  repeated  observations  I had  satis- 
fied my  mind  that  the  distance  was  by 
no  means  so  great  as  was  generally  sup- 
posed : and  at  length,  at  the  table  of  Gen- 
eral Gates,  where  the  principal  officers  of 
the  army  were  present,  I ventured  to  ad- 
vance the  new  and  heretical  opinion  that 
our  position  was  bad  and  untenable,  as 
being  overlooked  in  all  its  parts  by  this 
hill.  I was  ridiculed  for  advancing  such 
an  extravagant  idea.  I persisted,  how- 
ever; and,  as  the  truth  could  not  be  as- 
certained by  argument,  by  theory,  or  by 
ridicule,  1 requested  and  obtained  the 
general’s  permission  to  ascertain  it  by 
experiment. 

General  (then  Major)  Stevens  was  bu- 
sy at  the  north  point  of  Mount  Indepen- 
dence in  examining  and  proving  cannon. 
I went  over  to  him  on  the  following  morn- 
ing, and  selected  a long,  double-fortified 
French  brass  gun  (a  twelve-pounder), 
which  was  loaded  with  the  proof  charge  of 
best  powder,  and  double  shotted.  When 
I desired  him  to  elevate  this  gun  so  that 
it  should  point  at  the  summit  of  Mount 
Defiance  (Sugar-Loaf  hill),  he  looked  sur- 
prised, and  gave  his  opinion  that  the  shot 
would  not  cross  the  lake.  ‘ That  is  what 
I wish  to  ascertain,  major,’  w'as  my  an- 
swer. ‘ I believe  they  will ; and  you  wull 
direct  your  men  to  look  sharp,  and  w’e, 
too,  will  keep  a good  lookout.  If  the  shot 
di’op  in  the  lake,  their  splash  wull  be  easi- 
ly seen  ; if,  as  I expect,  they  reach  the  hill. 
WQ  shall  know  it  by  the  dust  of  the  im- 
pression which  they  will  make  upon  its 
rocky  face.’ 

“ The  gun  was  fired,  and  the  shot  was 


REVOLUTiONARy.J  THE  BRITISH  APPROACH  TICONDEROGA.  489 

plainly  seen  to  strike  at  more  than  halt 

general’s  barge,  Avhich  landed  us  at  the 

the  height  of  the  hill.  I returned  to  head- 

foot  of  the  hill,  where  it  was  most  pre- 

quarters,  and  made  my  triumphant  re- 

cipitous  and  rocky,  and  w’e  clambered  to 

port,  and  after  dinner  requested  the  gen- 

the  summit  in  a short  time.  The seen 

eral  and  officers  who  were  with  him  to 

tms  difficult  and  laborious,  but  not  imprac- 

walk  out  upon  the  glacis  of  the  old  French 

ticable ; and  when  w’e  looked  down  upon 

fort,  where  I had  ordered  a common  six- 

the  outlet  of  Lake  George,  it  w'as  obvious 

pound  field-gun  to  be  placed  in  readiness. 

to  all  that  there  could  be  no  difficulty  in 

This  was,  in  their  presence,  loaded  with 

driving  up  a loaded  carriage.” 

the  ordinary  charge,  pointed  at  the  top 

Notwithstanding  this  demonstration  of 

of  the  hill,  and  when  fired  it  w'as  seen 

the  importance  of  Mount  Defiance  a year 

that  the  shot  struck  near  the  summit. 

before,  no  regard  was  paid  towuird  seen- 

Thus,  the  truth  of  the  new  doctrine 

ring  it ; and  the  engineers  and  the  dispir- 

was  demonstrated  ; but  still  it  was  insist- 

ited  droops  went  on  wuisting  their  ener- 

ed  upon  that  this  summit  was  inaccessible 

gies  in  ceaseless  labors  upon  w’orks  which 

to  an  enemy.  This  also  I denied,  and 

alone  were  useless  for  defence,  unless  the 

again  resorted  to  experiment.  General 

enemy  should  be  equally  heedless,  and 

Arnold,  Colonel  Wayne,  and  several  oth- 

dash  their  force  against  them  in  an  as- 

er  active  officers,  accompanied  me  in  the 

sault. 

CHAPTER  XL  IX. 

^Stealthy  Approach  of  the  Enemy. — General  St.  Clair  in  Despair. — The  Beginning  of  the  Attack. — A Hasty  and  Inefteci- 

ual  Fire. — A Jolly  Hibernian. — St.  Clair  hopeful  of  an  Assault. — General  Burgoyne  discovers  the  Weak  Point. — He 
takes  possession  of  Sugar-Loaf  Hill. — St.  Clair  calls  a Council  of  War. — A Betreat  determined  upon. — The  Night’s 

Silent  March.— The  Enemy  aroused. — The  Scene  described. — The  Provincials  escape  to  Skenesborough. — They  are 
overtaken  by  Burgoyne. — Burning  of  Galleys  and  Batteaux. — The  Struggle  on  Land. — “The  Indians  at  our  Heels.” 

—The  Fight  at  Fort  Anne. — Disasters  and  Adventures 

of  the  Fugitives. — The  Lost  St.  Clair. — His  Wanderings. — 

The  Success  of  the  British  at  Hubbardtown. — Unsuccessful  Attempt  of  St.  Clair  to  aid  the  Discomfited  Provincials 

—St.  Clair  turns  up  in  Vermont. — A Royal  Conqueror. 

The  occasional  sight  of  the  Indi- 
an w’arriors  at  the  American  out- 

mation  had  been  in  vain.  Although  the 
heights  of  Ticonderoga  afforded  an  ex- 

posts  (some  of  General  Burgoyne’s  savage 

tended  view  of  the  country,  the  approach- 

allies),  as  they  were  prowling  about  the 

eswere  concealed  by  mountain  headlands 

adjacent  forests,  indicated  the  approach 

and  dense  woods.  Reconnoitring-parties 

of  the  enemy.  General  St.  Clair,  how’ever, 

were  sent  out,  but  the}^  were  either  cut 

was  yet  in  ignorance  of  their  force  and 

up,  captured,  or  driven  in,  by  the  Indian 

de.signs.  All  his  efforts  to  obtain  infor- 
62 

scouts  of  the  enemy. 

490  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii, 


Biirgoyne’s  force,  however,  was  reveiil- 
ing  itself  more  clearly  from  day  to  day. 
On  the  30th  of  June,  a part  of  his  fleet 
hod  saHed  up  the  lake  from  Crown  Point, 
and  troops  debarked  on  the  west  side, 
within  three  miles  and  in  full  view  of  Ti- 
conderoga.  Another  detachment,  com- 
posed of  Indians  and  Canadians,  had  land- 
ed on  the  opposite  side,  and,  falling  in 
with  an  American  scouting-party,attacked 
and  put  it  to  the  rout.  St.  Clair  was  anx- 
ioius,  but  yet,  as  he  was  ignorant  of  the 
strength  and  purpose  of  the  enemy,  un- 
decided upon  what  he  should  do.  Per- 
fectly aware,  however,  of  the  weakness 
of  his  own  position,  St.  Clair  wrote  to  Gen- 
eral Schuyler : “ Should  tlie  enemy  invest 
and  blockade  us,  we  are  infallibly  ruined  ; 
we  shall  be  obliged  to  abandon  this  side 
[theTiconderoga  side], and  then  they  will 
soon  force  the  other  from  us,  nor  do  I see 
that  a retreat  will  in  any  shape  be  prac- 
ticable. Everything,  however,  shall  be 
done  that  is  practicable  to  frustrate  the 
enemy’s  designs ; but  what  can  be  expect- 
ed from  troops  ill  armed,  naked,  and  un- 
accoutred ?”  He  was  in  hopes,  notwith- 
standing, that  Burgo^me’s  force  was  too 
small  for  an  investment  of  the  posts  on 
both  sides  of  the  lake,  and  that  he  would 
attempt  an  assault,  in  which  case  St.  Clair 
encouraged  himself  with  the  belief  that, 
by  withdrawing  all  his  troops  within  the 
works  at  Mount  Independence,  a success- 
ful resistance  might  possibly  be  made. 
July  I Burgoyne’s  whole  armj^  now 
began  to  move  from  Crown  Point. 
On  the  western  shore  the  British  came 
marching  forward,  and  on  the  left  the 
German  troops,  while  the  fleet  sailed  up 


the  lake  in  advance.  The  British  imme- 
diately and  without  resistance  took  pos- 
session of  Mount  Hope,  which  command- 
ed the  left  of  the  works  at  Ticonderoira. 
Desiring  to  possess  themselves  of  another 
piece  of  rising  ground  in  advance,  within 
only  a thousand  yards  of  the  American 
lines,  they  sent  forward  Captain  Frazer, 
with  a detachment  of  riflemen  and  sev- 
eral hundred  Indians,  to  clear  the  wav. 
They  came  on  so  audaciously,  that  they 
ventured  to  attack  an  American  picket 
of  sixty  men,  within  two  hundred  yards 
of  a battery  of  eight  guns,  and,  having 
dispersed  this  outguard,  approached  to 
within  less  than  a hundred  yards  of  the 
main  work,  where,  scattering  themselves 
along  the  front  among  the  brushwood, 
they  kept  up  a brisk  fire. 

General  St.  Clair,  who  had  consoled 
himself  with  the  hope  of  an  assault,  be- 
lieved that  it  was  now  about  to  take 
place,  and  that  the  detachment  which  had 
approached  so  boldly  had  been  sent  for- 
ward to  draw  his  fire  and  create  disorder, 
preliminary  to  the  general  attack.  He 
accordingly  ordered  his  troops  to  sit  down  • 
on  the  banquet,  with  their  backs  to  the 
parapet,  to  cover  them  from  the  shot  of 
the  enemy,  and  to  prevent  their  throw- 
ing away  their  own  fire.  One  of  the  offi- 
cers at  this  moment,  as  he  leaned  on  the 
parapet,  observed  a British  light-infantiy- 
man,who,  having  crept  within  forty  paces 
of  the  ditch,  and  taken  a position  on  his 
knees  behind  a stump,  was  loading  and 
firing.  “I  stepped,”  says  Wilkinson  (for 
he  was  the  officer,  and  gives  the  account 
of  the  incident),  ‘‘  to  a salient  angle  of  the 
line,  and  ordei  ed  a sergeant  to  rise  and 


r 

RKVOLUTIONARY.]  ST.  CLAIR'S  DOUBTS.- 

-THE  JOLLY  HIBERNIAN.  491 

shoot  him.  The  order  was  obeyed,  and 

The  prisoner  proved  to  be  not  only 

at  the  discharge  of  the  musket  every  man 

communicative,but  intelligent;  and  John- 

arose,  mounted  the  banquet,  and  without 

son  was  enabled  to  draw  from  him  the 

command  fired  a volley  ; the  artillery  fol- 

number  and  name  of  every  corps  under 

lowed  the  example,  as  did  many  of  the 

General  Burgoyne,  and  an  estimate  of  the 

officers,  from  the  colonels  down  to  subal- 

strength  of  his  whole  force.  It  would 

terns:  and,  notwithstanding  the  exertions 

appear,  moreover,  to  have  been  pretty 

of  the.  general,  his  aids,  and  several  other 

clearly  ascertained  that  the  enemy’s  oh- 

officers,  three  rounds  were  discharged  be- 

ject  was  to  invest  the  place. 

fore  they  could  stop  the  firing.”  The 

The  American  commander,  however. 

whole  result  of  this  hurried  fire  and  large 

still  deluded  himself  with  the  hope  that 

consumption  of  powder  was  the  wound- 

Burgoyne  would  hazard  an  assault.  Ac- 

ing  of  a single  lieutenant,  and  the  fright 

cordingly,  for  several  days,  he  held  his 

of  the  rest  of  the  party,  who,  when  the 

ground  ; and,  although  the  British  were 

smoke  had  dispersed,  were  observed  at 

in  possession  of  Mount  Hope,  and  contin- 

three  hundred  yards’  distance,  retreating 

ued  to  make  their  approaches,  he  opened 

helter-skelter  to  the  British  position  on 

his  batteries  and  kept  up  a brisk  cannon- 

^[ount  Hope.  One  drunken  fellow,  how- 

ade.  St.  Clair  strove  with  all  his  might 

ever,  was  left  upon  the  field,  who,  having 

to  animate  his  fatigued  troops,  and  or- 

been  brought  into  the  American  lines. 

dered  every  man  at  morning  and  evening 

proved  of  some  service. 

roll-call  to  the  alarm-posts;  while  the 

St.  Clair  was  still  ignorant  of  the  force 

greatest  vigilance  and  alertness  were  en- 

of  the  enemy,  and  of  their  purpose.  He 

joined. 

now  hit  upon  an  expedient  for  obtaining 

Burgoyne,  in  the  meantime,  having 

the  information  he  desired.  The  tip.sy 

thoroughly  examined  the  American  posi- 

captive,  who  had  been  picked  up  in  front 

tion,  discovered  its  weak  point.  This  was 

of  the  works,  was  clajiped  into  the  guard- 

the  unoccupied  Sugar-Loaf  hill,  on  the 

house,  and,  as  he  was  supposed  to  be  in 

south  side  of  the  outlet  from  Lake  George 

a social  and  communicative  humor,  it  was 

into  Lake  Champlain.  A party  of  light- 

proposed  to  get  what  he  knew  out  of 

infantry  had  already  encamped  at  its  base, 

him.  An  Irishman,  one  Captain  Johnson, 

and  the  question  was  soon  started  wheth- 

of  the  American  artillery,  tempoi-arily  as- 

er  it  were  po.ssible  to  scale  the  hill  and 

sinning  the  character  of  a tory  (putting 

establish  upon  its  summit  a force  suffi- 

on  a ragged  suit,  and  concealing  about 

cient  for  operations  against  the  forts  The 

his  person  a bottle),  was  thrust  in  with 

directing;  engineer  of  the  British,  Lieu- 

the  prisoner.  Johnson’s  brogue,  rags,  and 

tenant  Twiss,  having  been  ordered  to  re- 

whiskey,  dispelled  all  doubts  of  his  conn- 

connoitre,  reported  that  the- hill  had  the 

try,  and  he  soon  succeeded  in  commend- 

entire  command  of  the  works  and  build- 

ing  himself  to  the  fellowship  of  the  cap- 

ings  of  both  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  In- 

tive,  wh.o  was  also  a jolly  Hibernian. 

dependence,  at  the  distance  of  about  four- 

r 

492  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [paut  ii. 

teen  hundred  yards  from  the  former  and 

simultaneous  attack  would  probably  be 

hfteen  hundred  from  the  latter;  that  the 

made  upon  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Inde- 

ground  might  be  levelled  so  as  to  receive 

pendeuce,  requested  their  opinion  as  to 

cannon,  and  that  the  road  by  which  to 

Avhether  the  whole  of  the  troops,  artillery, 

convey  them,  although  difficult,  might  be 

and  stores,should  be  drawm  over  to  Mount 

made  practicable  in  twenty-four  hours; 

Independence  for  the  defence  of  that  post. 

that  the  hill  also  commanded  in  reverse 

The  council  unanimously  agreed  that  they 

the  bridge  of  communication  across  the 

should  be,  on  that  very  night.  The  gen- 

lake  between  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  In- 

eral  then  proposed  the  question  wdiether. 

dependence ; and  that  from  the  summit 

after  this  movement, Mount  Independence 

the  exact  situation  of  the  vessels  could 

itself  could  be  defended ; and,  if  not,  whe- 

be  seen,  while  not  a movement  of  the 

ther  a retreat  into  the  country  were  prac- 

Americans  could  be  made  during  the  day 

ticable.  They  unanimously  expressed  the 

without  being  discovered,  and  even  hav- 

opinion  that,  “ as  the  enemy  have  already 

ing  their  numbers  counted. 

nearly  surrounded  us,  and  there  remains 

Burgoyne,  after  this  report,  immediate- 

nothing  more  to  invest  us  completely  but 

ly  ordered  General  Phillips  to  take  pos- 

their  occupying  the  neck  of  land  betwixt 

session  of  Sugar-Loaf  hill.  It  was  not 

the  lake  and  the  East  creek  (which  is  not 

elfected  without  difficulty  ; for  such  w'as 

more  than  three  quarters  of  a mile  over). 

the  steepness  of  the  ascent,  that  it  became 

and  possessing  themselves  of  the  narrows 

necessary  to  hoist  the  cannon  from  tree 

betwixt  that  and  Skenesborough  — and 

to  tree.*  The  final  success,  however,  w'as 

therebycLittingoffall  communication  with 

complete;  and,  on  the  5th  of  July,  the 

the  country — a retreat  ought  to  be  un- 

British  wrere  in  full  possession,  and  signal- 

dertaken  as  soon  as  possible,  and  that  w^e 

ized  their  triumph  by  christening  the  hill 

shall  be  very  fortunate  to  effect  it.” 

lanew,  by  the  name  of  “ Mount  Defiance.” 

The  retreat  having  been  determined 

When  St.  Clair  beheld  the  English  flag 

upon,  everything  w\as  done  to  effect  it. 

1 

flying  from  the  summit,  and  the  bristling 

without  arousing  the  suspicions  of  the 

1 

j 

cannon  threatening  his  doomed  post,  he 

enemy.  A cannonade  was  kept  up  every 

i 

turned  to  his  officers,  saying,  “We  must 

half  hour  from  the  redoubt  against  the 

! 

i 

away  from  this,  for  our  situation  has  be- 

advanced  battery  of  the  British  ; and,  pre- 

1 

1 

come  a desperate  one.”  A council  of  war 

vious  to  striking  the  tents,  all  the  lights 

j 

i 

w'as  immediately  called. 

wrere  put  out.  The  cannon  left  behind 

1 

i 

General  St.  Clair, having  stated 
July  5.  , . , , 

to  his  officers  that  there  was  ev- 

wrere  ordered  to  be  spiked,  but  the  trun- 
nions not  to  be  knocked  off)  lest  the  noise 

cry  reason  to  believe  that  the  batteries 

might  arouse  the  enemy.  The  evacua- 

of  the  enemy  were  ready  to  open  on  the 

tion  had  been  resolved  upon  at  three 

Ticonderoga  side,  that  the  camp  was  very 

o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  but  night  wais 

much  exposed  to  their  fire,  and  that  a 

waited  for,  that  it  might  be  carried  into 

* Tli:uhe>- 

execution  with  greater  secrecy.  Accord- 

. 

r 

KEVOLDTIONARY.]  THE  FUGITIVES  FROM  TICONDEROGA.  493 

j ^ ill  tiiG  middle  of  the  night, 

the  whole  camp  was  aroused,  and 

and  forward  with  apprehension,”  there 
were  not  wantino;  those  who  were  awa- 

began  to  move  from  both  Ticonderoga 

kened  to  the  picturesque  interests  about 

and  Mount  Independence,  with  the  usual 

them.  “ The  night  was  moonlit  and  pleas- 

bustle  and  confusion  of  a hasty  retreat. 

ant;  the  sun  burst  forth  in  tbe  morning 

The  sick,  the  wounded,  and  the  women, 

with  uncommon  lustre  ; the  day  was  fine ; 

were  brought  out  to  the  shore,  together 

the  water’s  surface  serene  and  unruffled. 

with  as  many  of  the  cannon  and  stores 

The  shore  on  each  side  exhibited  a vari- 

as  could  be  collected  in  the  hurry.  They 

egated  view  of  huge  rocks,  caverns,  and 

were  then  thrust  aboard  of  two  hundred 

clefts,  and  the  whole  was  bounded  by  a 

batteaux  and  boats,  which,  at  three  o’clock 

tbick,  impenetrable  wilderness.”'-"’  There 

in  the  morning,  pushed  up  Lake 
July  6.  for  Skenesborough, 

were,  fortunately,  other  available  means 
to  keep  up  tbe  spirits  of  those  less  sensi- 

followed  by  an  escort  of  five  armed  gal- 

ble  to  the  exhilarating  inlluence  of  the 

leys  and  a guard  of  six  hundred  men,  un- 

beauties  of  Nature.  The  drum  and  the 

der  Colonel  Long,  of  New  Hampshire. 

fife  struck  up  their  cheering  music ; and 

The  main  body  of  the  troops  crossed  over 

among  the  hospital-stores  gathered  in  tbe 

the  brido-e  from  Ticonderoga  to  Mount 

baste  of  tbe  retreat,  there  were  found  ma- 

Independence ; and  St.  Clair,  taking  an 

ny  “ dozen  bottles  of  choice  wine,”  wliicb. 

unfinished  road  through  the  wilderness. 

by  “ breaking  off  their  necks,”  were  made 

on  the  east  or  Vermont  side  of  the  lake. 

available  for  the  enlivenment  of  the  de- 

led  them  on  toward  Hubbard  ton  and  Cas- 

sponding.'j* 

tleton,  with  the  view  of  reaching  Skenes- 

Thus  they  sailed  on  during  the  night 

borough  by  a circuitous  march. 

and  a part  of  the  next  day,  until  they 

The  retreat  had  been  begun  with  great 
caution  in  the  silence  and  darkness  of  the 

reached  Skenesboroimh  at  three 
, , . • . . J»iy  7. 

0 clock  in  tbe  aiternoon,  tbe  lar- 

night,  and  the  enemy  seemed  to  be  quite 

thest  point  of  tbe  lake  navigable  by  tbe 

unconscious  of  the  movement.  But,  by 

galleys.  Having  got  thus  far  in  safety, 

some  blunder  or  accident,  the  house  of 

there  was  no  suspicion  of  further  danger. 

General  De  Fermoy  had  been  set  on  fire. 

The  boats  were  lying  quietly  at  the  wharf, 

and  suddenly  a blaze  of  light  arose  from 

and  the  people,  having  landed,  were  loi- 

Mount  Independence,  by  which  tlie  Brit- 

tering  without  concern  upon  the  shore, 

ish  from  their  lofty  position  on  the  hills 

when  suddenly  the  enemy’s  fleet  hove  in 

could  see  the  Americans  in  full  retreat. 

sight,  and  began  to  pour  a broadside  into 

At  once  the  sentries  gave  the  alarm  ; the 

the  American  galleys  and  batteaux. 

drums  beat  to  arms;  and  the  enemy, fiock- 

General  Burgoyne  was  on  board  the 

ing  into  the  deserted  forts,  prepared  to 

frigate  Royal  George,  on  the  lake,  when 

follow  in  immediate  pursuit. 

he  first  learned  the  retreat  of  the  Ameri- 

The  party  on  the  lake  got  safely  off; 

cans.  He  immediately  ordered  General 

and,  though  looking  “ back  with  regret 

* Thac'luT.  t Jb. 

494  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 


Fraser  with  his  l^rigacle,  and  Baron  Rei- 
desel  with  a detachment  of  Brnnswickers, 
to  follow  St.  Clair  by  land,  while  he  him- 
self promptly  pursued  with  his  fleet  the 
fugitives  on  the  lake.  The  famous  bridge, 
chain,  and  boom,  which  had  cost  such  an 
immensity  of  labor  and  money,  and  were 
deemed  so  impenetrable,  were  before  him. 
This  Wiis  the  security  in  the  faith  of  which 
the  Americans  were  reposing  so  compla- 
cently at  Skenesborough.  Bridge,  boom, 
and  chain,  however,  all  gave  way  before 
the  “uncommon  efforts  and  industry”  of 
Burgoyne,  and  so  rapidly,  that  his  gun- 
boats reached  Skenesborough  only  two 
hours  after  the  arrival  of  the  American 
flotilla.  He  had  thus  almost  overtaken 
it  on  the  lake  ; and,  if  he  had,  “ horridly 
disastrous  indeed  would  have  been  our 
fate,”  exclaims  one  of  the  pursued.  Nor 
were  they  yet  safe.  The  galleys  at  the 
wharves  resisted  for  some  time ; but  soon 
two  struck  their  colors,  and  the  rest  were 
blown  up. 

While  the  British  gun-boats  advanced 
to  Skenesborough,  the  frigates  came  to 
anchor  a short  distance  to  the  north,  and 
landed  a body  of  British  soldiers  and  In- 
dians. Colonel  Long  strove  to  rally  his 
guard,  and  with  them  to  give  battle  ; but 
his  efforts  were  useless.  His  men  were 
panic-struck,  and,  having  set  fire  to  the 
fort,  mills,  and  batteaux,  scattered  in  ev- 
ery direction,  each  one  seeking  only  his 
personal  safety  in  flight.  A number  of 
them,  however,  soon  gathered  together 
for  mutual  safety,  and  fled  through  a 
narrow  defile,  so  closely  pursued  by  the 
enemy,  that  those  in  the  rear  were  con- 
stantly calling  out,  “ March  on  ! the  Indi- 


ans are  at  our  heels !”  Thus  the  fugi- 
tives pushed  on  the  whole  of  that  night, 
and  until  five  o’clock  the  next  morning, 
when  they  reached  Fort  Anne. 

Some  of  the  sick  succeeded  in 
arriving  at  the  same  post,  having  made 
their  escape  in  the  boats  by  Wood  creek, 
a small,  navigable  stream,  which  branches 
off  from  the  lake  at  Skenesborough.  All 
the  artillery,  provision,  most  of  the  bag- 
gage, and  some  of  the  invalids,  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

General  Schuyler,  being  at  Fort  Ed- 
ward, and  hearing  of  the  disaster,  sent  a 
small  reinforcement,  which  so  encouraged 
the  fugitives  under  Colonel  Long,  that 
they  not  only  stood  their  ground  at  Fort 
Anne,  but  prepared  to  sally  out  against 
their  pursuers. 

LieutenanbColonel  Hill,  with  the  ninth 
regiment  of  British  regulars,  had  followed 
the  panic-struck  fugitives  from  ^ 

Skenesborough,  and  had  posted 
himself  under  cover  of  the  Avoods  near 
Fort  Anne.  Early  the  next  morning  the 
Americans  sallied  out,  and,  while  one  par- 
ty attacked  him  in  front  Avith  great  vigor, 
another  crossed  a creek  in  order  to  take 
him  in  the  rear.  Colonel  Hill  was  forced 
to  shift  his  ground  for  fear  of  being  sur- 
rounded, and  post  himself  upon  the  sum- 
mit of  a hill.  Here  he  Avas  pursued  and 
attacked,  Avhen  a hot  struggle  ensued, 
Avliich  lasted  for  nearly  tAAm  hours.  Vic- 
tory Avas  almost  in  the  grasp  of  the  Amer- 
icans, Avhen  a number  of  savages — de- 
tached l)y  Burgoyne  from  Skenesborough 
— rushed  out  of  the  neighboring  forests, 
and  sent  up  their  terrible  Avar-AAdioop, 
Avhich  Avas  answered  by  three  cheers  from 


RKVOLUTIONARY.J  GENERAL  ST.  CLAIRS  RETREAT  4'J 

the  British  troops,  and  Colonel  Long’s 
men  gave  way.  Retiring  to  Fort  Anne, 
which  was  a small  picket-fort  of  little  im- 
portance, the  Americans  set  fire  to  it,  and 
then  proceeded  to  Foi  t Edward,  on  the 
Fliidson,  some  thirty  miles  distant.  Here 
they  found  General  Schuyler,  who  had 
fome  on  wi(h  the  small  reinforcement 
j ^ sent  from  Peekskill,  which  he 
had  been  anxiously  awaiting,  for 
the  purpose  of  marching  to  the  aid  of 
the  post  at  Ticonderoga. 

“ I am  here,”  wiites  Schnjder  from  Fort 
Edward,  “ at  the  head  of  a handful  of  men 
(not  above  fifteen  hundred),  with  little 
ammunition  (not  above  five  rounds  to  a 
man),  having  neither  balls  nor  lead  to 
make  any.  The  country  is  in  the  deep- 
est consternation  ; no  carriages  to  remove 
the  stores  from  Fort  George,  which  I ex- 
pect evei-y  moment  to  hear  is  attacked  ; 
and  what  adds  to  my  distress  is,  that  a 
report  prevails  that  I had  given  orders 
for  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoica.” 

Schuyler  could  learn  nothing  of  the 
fate  of  General  St.  Clair  and  the  main 
body  of  the  troops.  The  Americans  who 
had  escaped  by  the  lake  to  Skenesbor- 
ough,  and  arrived  at  Fort  Edward,  could 
not  clear  up  the  mystery.  They  merely 
reported  the  retreat  from  Ticonderoga, 
and  their  own  disasters  and  adventures. 
Whether  St.  Clair  had  been  cut  off  by  the 
enemy,  or  had  succeeded  in  making  his 
escape,  and  was  now  wandering  through 
the  forest  wildernesses,  was  a question  the 
fsolution  of  which  was  anxiously  looked 
for.  Tn  two  days  more  the  solution  came, 
in  the  intelligence  that  St.  Clair  was  safe, 
^^ith  a remnant  of  liis  troops,  in  Vermont. 

Let  us  now  trace  his  course  fimn  the  mo- 
ment of  abandoning  the  posts  at  Ticon- 
deroga and  Mount  Independence. 

It  was  three  o’clock  in  the  morning  be- 
fore St.  Clair  had  beiyun  his  re- 

....  , , . July  7. 

treat  witii  Ins  van,  ana  his  rear 

was  still  lingering  not  far  from  the  forts, 
when  the  enemy  took  possession.  Gen- 
eral Fraser,  a brave  and  active  officer,  had 
no  sooner  planted  the  British  flag,  than 
he  was  out  in  pursuit  with  his  brigade. 
Baron  Reidesel,  with  his  Brunswickers, 
had  been  ordered  to  reinforce  him ; but 
the  heavy,  formal  Germans  did  not  move 
with  the  same  celerity  as  Fraser’s  light- 
troops,  which  pushed  on  quickly  in  ad- 
vance. 

St.  Clair,  too,  did  not  linger,  but  moved 
on  the  whole  day  through  the  forest  wil- 
derness with  great  speed,  and  did  not  halt 
his  advanced  troops  until  the  afternoon, 
at  Hubbardton.  Here  he  remained  a 
short  time  for  his  rear-o:uard  and  stra*;- 
glers;  but,  learning  that  they  were  com- 
ing, St.  Clair  left  Colonel  Warner,  with  a 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  to  await  their  ar- 
rival, and  pushed  on  until  night,  when  he 
reached  Castleton,  some  thirty  miles  dis- 
tant from  Ticonderoga. 

Warner  had  been  ordered  to  join  the 
rear-guard  when  it  arrived  at  Hubbard- 
ton, and  then  advance  with  it  toward  Cas- 
tleton. When,  however.  Colonel  Francis, 
who  commanded  the  rear-guard,  came  up, 
he  and  Warner,  either  confiding  in  their 
numbers,  which  amounted  to  over  fifteen 
hundred  men,  or  underrating  the  activity 
of  their  pursuers,  determined  to  halt  for 
the  night  at  Hubbardton.  Ear- 
ly the  next  morning  they  were 

496  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


parading  their  troops,  in  readiness  to  fol- 
low St.  Clair,  when  General  Fraser  sud- 
denly marched  into  Hubbardton  ! This 
l)rave  and  expeditious  officer  had  kept 
close  upon  the  heels  of  Warner  the  whole 
day  before ; and,  as  his  own  force  was 
small,  amounting  to  only  eight  hundred 
and  fifty  men,  and  he  knew  that  St.  Clair 
could  not  be  far  in  advance,  he  ordered 
his  troops  to  lie  on  their  arms  for  the 
night,  waiting  to  attack  the  rear  of  the 
Americans  when  their  van  sliould  be  suf- 
ficiently distant.  The  occasion  was  now 
offered  ; and  Fraser,  although  with  an  in- 
ferior force,  being  too  impatient  to  await 
the  coming  up  of  the  Germans,  at  once 
be«:nn  an  attack.  The  Americans  g-ener- 
ally  bore  the  onset  gallantly;  but  Colo- 
nel Hale,  who  is  said  to  have  been  dis- 
pirited by  a long  illness,  fled  immediate- 
ly with  his  whole  regiment  of  militia  in 
the  direction  of  Castleton.  This  greatly 
diminished  the  force  of  the  Americans; 
but  those  left  bravely  stood  their  ground, 
and  at  their  very  first  fire  made  great 
havoc  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  enemy, 
striking  down  twenty-one  men,  killing 
Major  Grant,  a distinguished  British  offi- 
cer, and  wounding  the  young  earl  of  Bal- 
carras,  at  the  head  of  the  light-infanti’y. 
Colonels  Warner  and  Francis  led  on  their 
men  with  great  gallantry,  and  were  them- 
selves foremost  in  the  fight.  The  Amer- 
icans were  apparently  driving  their  oppo- 
nents from  the  ground,  when  the  drums 
Avere  heard  of  the  German  troops  coming 
up  to  reinforce  Fraser.  This  dispirited 
the  Americans  and  encouraged  the  Brit- 


ish. The  latter  now  made  a vigorous 
charge  with  their  bayonets,  and  remained 
masters  of  the  field.  The  loss  of  the  en- 
emy was  a hundred  and  eighty-three  in 
killed  and  Avounded  ; that  of  the  Ameri- 
cans amounted  to  over  three  hundred, 
twelve  of  Avhom  Avere  officers,  and  among 
them  Colonel  Francis.  The  recreant  Hale 
and  his  militia  met  Avith  a characteristic 
fate : they  surrendered  to  a small  party 
of  British  troops,  much  inferior  to  them- 
seh'es. 

General  St.  Clair,  at  Castleton,  hearing 
the  firing,  immediately  sent  his  aid-de- 
camp  to  order  two  militia  regiments — 
AAdiich  Avere  encamped  three  or  four  miles 
in  his  rear — to  reinforce  the  troops  at 
Hubbardton.  They,  hoAvever,  reffised  to 
obey.  St.  Clair  then  prepared  to  march 
himself;  but,  finding  that  the  Americans 
had  been  put  to  flight,  he  continued  his 
retreat.  Skenesborongh  had  been  his  ob- 
ject, in  the  circuitous  route  AA'hich  he  had 
taken  ; but  an  officer  of  one  of  the  Amer- 
ican galleys  having  come  in  and  reported 
that  the  Bi  itish  Avere  pursuing  in  force 
toAvard  that  place,  he  changed  his  line  of 
march,  and  struck  the  Avoods  to  his  left, 
on  the  route  to  Bennington  (in  the  Ncav- 
Hampshire  grants,  noAv  Vermont);  and, 
Avhile  on  his  Avay  thither,  intelligence  Avas 
first  received  by  General  Schuyler,  at  Fort 
Edward,  of  his  safety. 

“ The  king,”  says  Horace  Walpole,  “ on 
receiving  the  account  of  the  taking  of 
Ticonderoga,  ran  into  the  queen’s  room, 
crying,  ‘I  have  beat  them  — beat  all  the 
Americans !’  ” 


r 

REVOLUTIONAKI  1 WASHINGTON  MOVES  TOWARD  THE  HUDSON.  497 

CHAPTER  L. 

Wasliington  incredulous  of  the  Fall  of  Ticonderorra. — He  does  not  doubt  the  Advance  of  General  Burif03'ne. — Prepares  to 

give  Him  a Check. — Urges  that  General  Arnold  bo  sent  North  for  the  Purpose. — Moves  his  own  Army  nearer  the 
Hudson. — Encamps  at  the  Clove. — He  disapproves  of  the  Abandonment  of  Ticonderoga. — Disappointed,  but  not  dis- 
lieartened. — General  St.  Clair  at  Fort  Edward. — The  American  Force  at  the  North. — Its  Sorry  Condition. — Fortunate 

Delay  of  Bitrgoyne. — General  Schuyler  fortifies  a Camp 

at  Moses’  Creek. — 'I’lie  Discouragement  of  the  Countrv. — 

Schuyler  slandered. — St.  Clair  assumes  the  Responsibility. — A Lost  Post : a Saved  State. — The  American  Troops 
disaffected. — Arnold  arrives  at  Moses’  Creek. — His  Disinterested  Conduct. — Burgoyne  on  the  Move. — A Difficult 
March. — Proclamations  and  Counter-Proclamations. — The  British  caught  napping  in  Rhode  Island. — A Novel  Batter- 

ing-Ram. — Capture  of  General  Prescott.  * 

When  the  first  ruinor  of  the  lo.ss 

1777* 

of  Ticonderoga  rejiched  Washing- 

wrote  Washington  to  Congress,  advising 
thivt  body  to  send  Arnold  at  once  from 

ton,  he  was  loath  to  believe  it.  General 

Philadelphia  to  the  northern  department. 

Schuyler  had  written  him  from  Stillwater, 

Believing,  too,  that  Sir  William  Howe 

while  on  his  way  to  Fort  Edward, 
July  10.  , , , , ‘ 

what  he  had  lieard ; but  tlie  en- 

would  push  against  the  Highland  pji.sses^ 
in  order  to  co-operate  with  General  Bur- 

tire  account  appeared  so  confused  to  the 

goyne,  Washington  moved  his  own  army 

commander-in-chief, that  he  could  not“es- 

toward  the  North  river.  From  Morris- 

t.ablish  any  certain  deduction  from  it,” 
and  hoped  that  it  might  prove  “prema- 
ture and  groundless.”  Whether  true  or 

town,  where  he  had  encamped  after  leav- 
ing Middlebrook,  he  marched  to 

jy  . 1 . tT 

Pompton  plains.  He  was  now 

not,  he  was  no  longer  in  doubt  that  Gen- 

no  longer  in  doubt  concerning  the  hill  of 

eral  Burgoyne  had  come  up  Lake  Cham- 

Ticonderogii,  for  General  Schuyler  had 

plain,  determined  to  push  his  way  toward 

sent  him  more  specific  information  from 

the  Hudson,  and  that  a check  to  his  prog- 

Fort  Edward.  Washington  pronounced 

ress  was  absolutely  necessary.  The  mi- 

the  evacuation  of  the  posts  upon  Lake 

litia  from  New  York  and  the  New-Eng- 

Chiunplain  as  “among  the  most  unfortu- 

land  states  must  be  instantly  called  out 

nate  that  could  have  befallen  us.”  Schuy'- 

in  fidl  force,  and  an  active,  spirited  ofiicer 

ler,  having  written  tlnit  he  had  not  been 

appointed  to  conduct  and  lead  them  on. 

able  to  learn  anything  about  General  St. 

General  Arnold  was  recommended  as  the 

Clair  and  the  army  under  him.  Washing- 

man  for  this  business.  “ He  is  active,  ju- 
dicious, and  brave,  and  an  officer  in  whom 

ton  writes  in  answer  that  he  is 
astonished  beymnd  expre.ssion. 

the  militia  will  repose  gre<‘it  confidence 

“ I am  totally  at  loss,”  he  says,  “ to  con- 

and,  besides,  “he  is  well  acquainted  with 

ceive  what  has  become  of  them.  The 

that  country,  and  with  the  routes  and 

whole  affair  is  so  mysterious,  that  it  even 

most  important  passes  and  defiles  in  it,” 
63 

baffles  conjecture.”  He  was  sufficiently 

I 

1 

498  BATTLES  OF  ASIERICA.  LPART  ii. 


sanguine,  however,  to  hope  that  they 
might  have  “ changed  their  design  of  re- 
treating  from  the  forts,  and  returned  to 
them,”  although  he  feared  that  they  had 
all  hdlen  into  the  hands  of  the  eneniy. 

^ Washington,  having  marched 
July  la.  still  nearer  to  the  Hud- 

son, and  encamped  at  the  Clove,  he  here 
receives  a despatch  from  General  Schuy- 
ler, clearing  up  tlie  mystery  in  regard  to 
St.  Clair.  He  expresses  his  chagrin  and 
surprise  that  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  In- 
dependence should  have  been  evacuated 
— an  event,  he  says,  “not  apprehended, 
nor  within  the  compass  of  my  reasoning.” 
Even  at  this  late  moment,  Washington, 
by  some  strange  and  inexplicable  neglect 
on  the  part  of  Schuyler,  had  not  been 
correctly  informed  of  the  condition  of  St. 
Clair  and  his  troops  previous  to  their  re- 
treat. He  very  naturally  declares  that  he 
knows  not  upon  what  principle  the  evac- 
uation was  founded,  and  that  it  was  diffi- 
cult to  be  accounted  for,  “ if  the  garrison 
amounted  to  five  thousand  men,  in  high  spirits, 
hcalthg,  ivell  supplied  luith  provisions  and  am- 
munition, and  the  eastern  militia  marching 
to  their  succor.” 

Washington,  however,  does  not  allow 
himself  to  indulge  long  in  useless  regrets. 
“This  stroke,” he  writes, “is  severe  indeed, 
and  has  distressed  us  much.”  But,  with 
his  usual  firm  reliance  upon  the  justice 
of  his  cause,  he  calmly  says : “ Notwith- 
standing things  at  present  have  a dark 
and  gloomy  aspect,  I hope  a spirited  op- 
position will  check  the  progress  of  Gen- 
eral Burgoyne’s  army,  and  that  the  con- 
lidence  derived  from  his  success  will  hur- 
rv  him  into  measures  that  will  in  their 


consequences  be  favorable  to  us.  We 
should  never  despair.  Our  situation  has 
before  beenunpromising,and  has  changed 
for  the  better ; so  I trust  it  Avill  again.  If 
new  difficulties  arise,  we  must  only  put 
forth  new  exertions,  and  proportion  our 
efforts  to  the  exigency  of  the  times.” 

General  St.  Clair  finally  succeeded  in 
reaching  Schuyler,  at  Fort  Ed- 
ward,  with  the  remnant  of  his 
jaded  troops,  after  their  long  and  painful 
.march  through  a wild  country  of  forest, 
mountain,  and  mora.s.s.  The  whole  north- 
ern army,  when  thus  concentrated,  num- 
bered only  four  thousand  four  hundred 
men,  inclusive  of  the  militia.  They  were 
deficient  in  almost  every  requirement: 
they  had  neither  tents,  houses,  barns, 
boards,  nor  any  shelter,  except  a little 
brushwood;  their  supply  of  ammunition 
was  so  scanty,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Al- 
bany were  obliged  to  strip  the  windows 
of  the  .shops  and  houses  of  their  leaden 
weights  to  melt  into  balls;  provisions  they 
had  in  tolerable  abundance,  but  means  to 
cook  them  were  so  scarce,  that  only  one 
camp-kettle  could  be  afforded  to  every 
twenty  men.  Under  these  circumstances 
disease  increased,  and  the  troops  were  so 
disheartened,  that  desertions  began  to  pre- 
vail to  an  alarming  extent. 

Fortunately  for  the  Americans,  Genera] 
Burgoyne  lingered  atSkenesborough  and 
in  its  neighlmrhood,  waiting  for  the  arri- 
val of  tents,baggage,and  provisions.  This 
delay  of  the  British  general  gave  Schuy- 
ler an  opportunity  of  making  some  efforts 
to  strengthen  himself  and  oppose  the 
march  of  the  enemy.  A position  was  se- 
lected for  a fortified  camp  at  Moses’  creek, 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  GENERALS  SCHUYLER  AND  ST.  CLAIR  SLANDERED. 


on  the  Hudson,  five  miles  below  Fort  Ed- 
ward. Kosciusko,  who  was  chief-engineer, 
had  chosen  the  ground  and  superintend- 
ed the  Avorks.  Everything  Avas  done,  by 
the  destruction  of  bridges,  and  the  felling 
of  trees  across  the  roads  and  passes,  to 
obstruct  the  march  of  the  enemy  from 
the  north.  Schuyler,  however,  Avith  all 
his  activity,  found  that  his  exertions  Avere 
of  little  avail.  His  troops  Avere  daily  di- 
minishing by  disease  and  desertion,  and 
the  country  failed  to  respond  to  his  ear- 
nest appeals  for  aid.  “ Every  letter  I re- 
ceive from  the  county  of  Tryon,”  he  says, 
“ advise  me  that  the  inhabitants  of  it  Avill 
lay  doAvn  theirarms  unless  I support  them 

Avith  continental  troops The  district  of 

Schoharie,”  he  adds,  “has  also  pointedly 
intimated  that,  unless  continental  troops 
are  sent  them,  they  Avill  also  submit  to 
the  enemy.” 

The  country  Avas,  in  fact,  greatly  dis- 
heartened by  the  loss  of  the  northern 
posts,  for  which  Generals  Schuyler  and 
St.  Clair  Avere  unjustly  held  responsible. 
It  Avas  even  believed  that  they  had  acted 
the  part  of  traitors  to  their  country,  and 
absurdly  rumored  that  they  had  been 
paid  for  their  treason  by  Burgoyne  in 
silver  balls,  Avhich  he  had  shot  into  the 
American  camp  ! General  St.  Clair  soon 
relieved  Schuyler  from  all  responsibility 
for  the  abandonment  of  Ticonderoga  and 
Mount  Independence.  “He  knew  noth- 
ing of  the  matter  until  it  Avas  over,”  was 
St.  Clair’s  public  refutation  of  the  slan- 
ders against  Schuyler.  “As  to  myself,” 
he  continues,  “ I Avas  perfectly  easy.  I 
AA^as  conscious  of  the  uprightness  and  pro- 
priety of  my  conduct,  and  despised  the 


499 

vague  censure  of  an  uninformed  popu- 
lace.” More  than  this,  St.  Clair  justified 
his  act,  not  only  on  the  ground  of  its  ne- 
cessity, but  its  policy.  “ Although  I have 
lost  a post,”  he  exclaims,  “I  have  event- 
ually saA^ed  a state ;”  and,  notAvithstand- 
ing  the  slanders  Avhich  for  a time  Avere 
visited  upon  him  by  the  ignorant  and  un- 
charitable, it  was  not  long  before  his  proud 
boast  Avas  recognised  as  the  statement  of 
a fact. 

These  slanders  against  the  generals, 
hoAvever,  circulated  so  freely  and  Avith  so 
much  effect  in  the  army,  that  the  troojAS 
became  Avidely  disaffected,  and  either  lost 
all  spirit  for  the  service  or  abandoned  it 
altogether.  Schuyler  himself  gives  this 
discouraging  account  of  his  force:  “It 
con.sists  of  about  tAventy-seven 
hundred  continental  troops;  of 
militia  from  the  state  of  Connecticut,  one 
major,  one  captain,  tAvo  lieutenants,  two 
ensigns,  one  adjutant,  one  quartermaster, 
six  sergeants,  one  drummer,  six  sick  and 
three  rank  and  file  fit  for  duty;  the  rest, 
after  remaining  three  or  four  days,  desert- 
ed us  : of  those  from  the  county  of  Berk- 
shire (in  the  Massachusetts),  Avho  consist- 
ed of  upward  of  twelve  hundred,  half  of 
Avhich  Avere  to  haAm  remained,  someAvhat 
more  than  tAvo  hundred  are  left,  the  re- 
mainder having  also  deserted  : of  Colonel 
Moseley’s  regiment  from  the  county  of 
Hampshire  (Massachusetts),  about  ten  or 
tAvelve  are  left,  the  rest  having  deserted  : 
of  Colonel  Porter’s  regiment  of  the  coun- 
ty of  Hampshire,  about  tAvo  hundred  left : 
of  the  militia  of  the  county  of  Alljany,  ten 
hundred  and  fifty  are  left,  being  forty-six 
more  than  half  of  Avhat  Avere  upon  the 


500  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [rARi  n. 

ground,  when  it  was  resolved  to  let  half 

triumph,  or  influenced  by  the  opinion  of 

return  to  their  habitations.” 

the  tory  Major  Skene,  of  Skenesborough 

“ That  torpor,”  adds  Schuyler,  as  a coin- 

(who  is  suspected  of  having  advised  the 

uientary  upon  the  facts  he  had  just  stated. 

land-route,  that  the  value  of  his  property. 

‘‘  criminal  indifference,  and  want  of  spirit, 

of  which  he  was  an  extensive  holder  in 

which  so  generally  prevails,  is  more  dan- 

that  neighborhood,  might  be  enhanced  by 

gcrous  than  all  the  efforts  of  the  enemy. 

a military  road),  Burgoyne  marched  for- 

Nor  is  that  jealousy  and  spirit  of  detrac- 

ward.  His  route  was  naturally  a difficult 

tion,  which  so  unhappily  prevails,  of  small 

<and  laborious  one,  through  a country  of 

detriment  to  our  cause.” 

forest  and  swamp,  where  he  had  to  cut 

Major-General  Arnold,  flattered  by  the 

down  trees,  plunge  into  morasses,  and 

complimentary  preference  of  Washington, 

throw  bridges  across  the  numerous  creeks. 

and  enger  for  action,  did  not  hesitate  to 

ravines,  and  gulleys.  The  weather,  too. 

proceed  to  the  North  when  ordered  by 

was  sultry,  and  the  musketoes  abounded. 

Congress,  in  accordance  with  the  advice 

greatly  tormenting  his  men,  whose  Euro- 

of  the  commander-in-chief.  Although  he 

pean  freshness  seemed  to  provoke  these 

would  thus  be  obliged  to  serve  under  St. 

annoj^ing  insects  to  more  than  ordinary 

Clair,  who  was  one  of  the  five  major-gen- 

bloodthirstiness.  Schuyler’s  precautions 

erals  whose  promotion  above  him  had  so 

in  destroying  the  bridges,  and  obstructing 

grievously  wounded  Arnold’s  spirit,  he 

the  roads  and  passes  with  felled  trees,  also 

yet  for  the  present  generously  waived  all 

added  greatly  to  the  difficulties  and  de- 

personal  feeling,  and  took  the  subordinate 

lays  of  Burgoyne’s  march.  He,  however, 

position.  On  joining  General  Schuyler, 

continued  his  route  toward  Fort  Edward  ; 

at  Fort  Edward,  Arnold  moved  with  the 

while  General  Phillips,  with  the  artillery. 

army  to  Moses’  creek,  and  received  the 

provisions,  and  bagg.age,  guarded  by  a 

command  of  the  left  division,  encamped 

strong  detachment  of  troops,  proceeded 

on  one  side  of  the  Hudson  river ; while 

by  the  way  of  Lake  George,  with  the  pur- 

Major-General  St.  Clair  commanded  the 

pose  of  forming  on  the  Hudson  a junc- 

right,  on  tlie  opposite  side. 

tion  with  the  main  body,  which  had  pro- 

General  Burgoyne,  after  lingering  three 

ceded  him  by  land. 

weeks  at  Skenesborough,  at  length  began 

In  the  course  of  his  progress,  while  the 

his  march  toward  the  south.  Instead  of 

country  was  impressed  by  his  recent  tri- 

returning  to  Ticonderoga,and  thence  pro- 

umphs  and  his  overwhelming  force.  Bur- 

ceeding  by  Lake  George  to  Fort  George 

goyne  strove  to  induce  the  inhabitants  to 

(whence  there  was  a good  road  to  Fort 

abandon  the  American  cause.  He  issued 

Edward,  which  was  his  object),  he  deter- 

a swelling  proclamation,  abounding  in  the 

mined  to  strike  across  the  country  by  a 

usual  promises  of  reward  for  compliance 

more  direct  route.  Fearful,  however,  that 

and  threats  of  punishment  for  disobedi- 

turning  back  would  appear  like  a retreat. 

ence.  General  Schuyler  put  forth  a no 

and  thus  destroy  the  ivesti^e  of  his  late 

less  rhetorical  counter-edict,  in  which  the 

REVOLUTIONARY.] 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  PRESCOTT. 


501 


people,  being  reminded  liow  the  British 
in  New  Jersey  had  ‘^cruelly  butchered, 
without  distinction  ofageor  sex;  ravished 
children  from  ten  to  women  of  eighty 
years  of  age burned,  pillaged,  and  de- 
stroyed, not  even  sparing  “in  their  sacri- 
legious fury  those  edifices  dedicated  to 
the  worship  of  Almighty  God,”  were  told 
that  the  same  late  awaited  them. 

While  everything  thus  appeared  so  dis- 
astrous for  the  American  cause  in  the 
North,  an  event  occurred  in  Rhode  Isl- 
and which, however  triding  in  itself’ great- 
ly stimulated  the  spirit  of  the  country. 
General  Prescott  was  in  command  of  the 
British  troops  at  Rhode  island,  and  held 
his  headquarters  at  a farmhouse  near  the 
water,  about  five  miles  from  Newport. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Barton,  in  command 
of  a regiment  of  Rhode-Island  militia,  de- 
termined to  surprise  him  and  carry  him 
off.  He  accordingly  selected  thirty-eight 
men,  in  whom  he  had  confidence,  and  set 
out  on  the  expedition  one  dark  night. 
From  Warwick  neck  they  rowed  over  in 
two  boats,  with  muffled  oars,  to  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  bay,  a distance  of  ten 
miles.  Having  passed  the  British  men- 
of-war  and  guard-boats  without  exciting 
alarm,  they  landed,  and  silently  proceed- 
ed on.  Upon  reaching  the  house,  they 
secured  the  sentinel,  and  entered.  Arri- 
ving at  the  door  of  the  room  where  the 
British  general  slept,  they  found  it  locked ; 
whereupon  a negro  of  the  name  of  Prince, 
who  was  at  Barton’s  side,  and  is  sjioken 


of  as  his  “ confidential  friend,”  with  a leap 
“ plunged  bis  bead  against  the  door,  and 
knocked  out  the  panel, through  which  the 
colonel  entered.”*  Prescott  was  found  in 
bed,  and  immediately  secured.  His  aid- 
de-camp  attempted  to  escape  from  the 
house  by  leaping  through  a window,  but 
Avas  caught  and  carried  over  to  the  main- 
land together  with  the  general.  Barton 
and  his  party  returned  with  their  prize 
across  the  bay,  silently  and  cautiously  as 
they  came.  Prescott,  who  seemed  great- 
ly surprised  at  the  success  of  Barton’s  en- 
terprise, remarked  to  him  as  they  landed, 
“ Sir,  I did  not  tfiink  it  possible  you  could 
escape  the  vigilance  of  the  water-guards.” 

The  boldness,  skill,  and  success,  Avith 
Avhich  the  enterprise  liad  been  conducted, 
Avere  highly  lauded.  Congress  voted  Bar- 
ton a sAvord,  and  promoted  him  to  the 
rank  of  a colonel  of  the  continental  army. 
The  country  exulted  more  particularly 
over  the  capture  of  Prescott,  because  in 
an  officer  of  his  rank  they  held  an  equiv- 
alent for  Major-General  Lee,  still  a pris- 
oner, for  Avhom  Washington  immediately 
proposed  to  exchange  the  British  com- 
mander. In  the  meaiiAvliile,  Prescott  Avas 
ordered  to  be  “genteelly  accommodated, 
but  strongly  guarded,”  and  removed  into 
some  place  “ Avhere  the  people  are  gener- 
ally Avell  affected.”  He  Avas  refused  his 
liberty  on  parole,  and  it  Avas  determined 
to  treat  him  in  every  respect  as  Lee  was 
treated  by  the  British. 

* Holmes’s  Annals  of  Amerira 


I 


502 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


CHAPTER  LI. 

Piizzlint;  Conduct  of  General  Howe. — He  is  supposed  to  seek  a Junction  with  General  Bitrgoyne. — Lord  Stirling  sent  K) 
Pcckskill  — The  Departure  of  the  Britisli  Fleet  from  New  York. — A Pithy  Letter  from  General  Putnam. — A Trick  of 
the  British  exposed. — The  Enemy  off  the  Capes  of  Delaware. — They  sail  away  again. — Wa.sltington  perplexed. — He 
moves  his  Army  to  Germantown. — Wa.shington  in  Philadelphia. — Meeting  with  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette. — His  Life 
and  Character. — His  Devotion  to  the  American  Cause. — His  Interviews  with  Franklin  and  Deane. — His  Escape  from 
France  — Arrival  in  America. — His  First  Impressions. — His  Joyous  Progress. — His  First  Rebuff. — Final  Success. — 
Appointed  Major-General. — Becomes  a Member  of  Washington’s  Family. — Washington’s  Opinion  of  Him — Count 
Pulaski. — His  Life  and  Character. — He  is  appointed  Major-General  and  Commander  of  the  Cavalry. 


General  Howe’s  “ conduct  is  puz- 
1777»  ^ 

zling  and  embarrassing  beyond 

measure ; so  are  the  informations  which 

I eret,”  writes  Washington.  ‘‘At 

July  92,  ° ® 

one  time  the  ships  are  standing 
np  toward  the  North  river;  in  a little 
they  are  going  up  the  sound ; and  in  an 
hour  after  they  are  going  out  of  the  Hook.” 
Washington,  how’ever,  was  for  awhile  so 
far  persuaded  that  Howe’s  object  was  to 
form  a junction  wdth  General  Burgoyne, 
by  the  Hudson,  that  he  sent  Lord  Stir- 
ling with  his  division  to  Peekskill,  and 
moved  with  the  rest  of  his  army  to  Ram- 
apo.  But,  while  here,  he  learned  that 
July  24  William  Howe  had  left  New 
York,  wkh  a fleet  of  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty-seven  sail,  and  a land-force 
of  about  sixteen  thousand  men,  made  up 
of  thirty-six  British  and  Hessian  battiil- 
ions,  a powerful  artillery,  a New-York 
corps  called  the  Queen’s  Rangers,  and  a 
regiment  of  light-horse.  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton was  left  at  New  York  w’ith  seventeen 
battalions,  a regiment  of  light-horse,  and 
a corps  of  American  loyalists.  Clinton 
had  been  to  Europe,  and  his  return  was 
first  made  known  to  General  Putnam  by 


receiving  from  him  a flag  of  truce,  with 
a demand  to  give  np  Lieutenant  Palmer. 
This  provoked  the  follow’ing  memorable 
reply:  — 

“ Headquarters,  7 Aug.,  1777. 

“ Edmund  Palmer,  an  officer  in  the  ene- 
my’s service,  was  taken  as  a spy,  lurking 
within  our  lines;  he  has  been  tried  as  a 
spy,  condemned  as  a spy,  and  shall  be 
executed  as  a spy,  and  the  flag  is  ordered 
to  depart  immediately. 

“Israel  Putnam. 

“P.  S.  — He  has  been  accordingly  exe- 
cuted.” 

Washington  also  received  such  infor- 
mation as  induced  him  to  believe  that 
the  Delaware  was  General  Howe’s  desti- 
nation. It  became  necessary,  therefore, 
to  move  the  army  back  again  in  that  di- 
rection, and  to  recall  the  divisions  of  Lord 
Stirling  and  General  Sullivan  from  the 
Hudson  river. 

As  Washington  was  preparing  for  his 
march  toward  the  Delaware,  he  received 
through  General  Putnam  the  following 
letter,  addressed  to  General  Burgoyne, 
which  a young  man  had  brought  into  the 
American  camp  at  Peekskill : — 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  A BRITISH  TRI CK.— WASH INGTON  PERPLEXED.  503 

“New  York,  Julu  20,  1777. 

then  in  that  city,  Washington  wrote,  nr- 

“Dear  Sir:  I have  received  your  leL 

ging  him  to  be  on  the  alert  for  informa- 

ter  of  the  14th  of  May,  from  Quebec,  and 

tion,  and  to  transmit  it  as  soon  as  he  had 

.shall  fully  observe  the  contents.  The 

ascertained  it  to  his  satisfaction  ; for  he 

expedition  to  B n [Boston]  will  take 

declares  that  he  himself  will  pay  no  re- 

place  of  that  up  the  North  river.  If,  ac- 

gard  to  any  flying  reports  of  the  appear- 

cording  to  my  expectations,  we  may  sue- 

ance  of  the  fleet. 

ceed  rapidly  in  the  possession  of  B , 

From  Philadelphia  soon  came  the  in- 

the  enemy  having  no  force  of  consequence 

telligence  that  the  enemy  had  arrived  off 

there,  1 shall,  without  loss  of  time,  pro- 

the  capes  of  Delaware.  Next  day,  how- 

ceed  to  co-operate  with  you  in  the  defeat 

ever,  an  express  came  hurrying  into  the 

of  the  rebel  army  opposed  to  you.  Clin- 

camp  with  the  neAvs  that  the  fleet  had 

ton  is  sufficiently  strong  to  amuse  Wash- 

borne  aAvay  again,  taking  an  easteily 

ington  and  Putnam.  I am  now  making 

course.  “Noav,  surely  the  North  river 

demonstration  to  the  soutliward,  which  1 

must  be  their  object,”  thought  Washing- 

think  will  have  the  full  effect  in  carrying 

ton  ; and  he  orders  General  Sulli\’an  back 

our  plan  into  execution.  Success  attend 

again  to  Peekskill,  for  the  “importance 

you  ! “ W.  Howe.” 

of  preA^enting  Mr.  HoAve’s  getting  posses- 

The  story  of  the  young  man  who  had 

sion  of  the  Highland.s,  b}’’  a coiq)  de  mam, 

presented  himself,  and  given  up  the  let- 

is  infinite  to  America.”  Washington,  thus 

ter,  -was  this : He  had,  he  said,  been  a pris- 

perplexed  by  the  strange  movements  of 

oner  in  New  York,  and  was  offered  a hand- 

the  enemy,  finally  moves  his  army  across 

some  sum  for  carrying  the  letter  to  Gen- 

the  DelaAvare,  and  encamps  at  German- 

eral  Burgoyne,  which  at  first  he  refused 

town,  about  six  miles  from  Pliila- 

Aufifi  5* 

to  do,  but  subsequently  consented,  Avith 

delpliia.  His  letter  to  his  broth- 

the  intention  of  taking  it  to  die  American 

er  Augustine  at  this  time  is  the  best  ex- 

camp.  Washington  no  sooner  read  the 

position  of  his  movements  and  perplex! 

letter,  than  he  saw  that  it  was  a trick. 

ties : — 

“ It  was  evidently  intended,”  says  he,  “ to 

“ Since  General  HoAve  removed  from 

fall  into  our  hands.  The  complexion  of 

the  Jerseys,”  Avrites  Washington,  “the 

it,  the  circumstances  attending  it,  evince 

troops  under  my  command  have  been 

this  beyond  a doubt  in  my  mind.”  He 

more  harassed  by  marching  and  counter- 

accordingly  urged  Putnmn  to  lose  no  time 

marching  than  by  any  other  thing  that 

in  sendinji:  on  General  Sullivan  and  Lord 

has  happened  to  them  in  the  course  of 

Stirling  with  their  divisions,  while  Wash- 

the  campaign.  After  he  had  embarked 

ington  himself  moved  the  main  body  to 

his  troops,  the  presumption  that  he  Avoidd 

Coryell’s  ferry  on  the  Delaware,  in  order 

co-operate  upon  the  North  river,  to  form 

to  be  ready  to  cross  that  river  as  soon 

a junction  Avith  General  Burgoyne,  Avas 

as  the  enemy  made  a movement  toward 

so  strong,  that  I removed  from  Middle- 

Philadelphia.  To  General  Gates,  who  was 

brook  to  Morristown,  and  from  Morris- 

504  BATTLP2S  OF  AMERICA.  [pAnr  ii. 


town  to  the  Clove,  a narrow  passage  lead- 
ing through  the  Highlands,  about  eigh- 
teen miles  from  the  river.  Indeed,  upon 
some  pretty  strong  presumptive  evidence, 
I threw  two  divisions  over  the  North  riv- 
er, In  this  situation  we  lay  till  about  the 
2Ith  ultimo  [July],  when,  receiving  cer- 
tain information  that  the  fleet  had  actu- 
ally sailed  from  Sandy  Hook,  and  upon 
the  concurring  sentiment  of  every  one, 
though  I acknowledge  my  doubts  of  it 
were  strong,  that  Philadelphia  was  their 
object,  we  countermarched,  and  got  to 
Coryell’s  ferry  on  the  Delaware,  about 
thirty-three  miles  above  the  city,  on  the 
27th  [July],  where  I lay  until  I received 
information  from  Congress  that  the  ene- 
my were  actually  at  the  capes  of  Dela- 
ware. This  brought  us  in  great  haste  to 
this  place  [Germantown],  for  the  defence 
of  the  city  [Philadelphia].  But,  in  less 
than  twenty-four  hours  after  our  arrival, 
we  got  accounts  of  the  disappearance  of 
the  fleet  on  the  31st  [July]  ; since  which, 
nothing  having  been  heard  of  them,  we 
have  remained  here  in  a very  irksome 
state  of  suspense ; some  imagining  that 
they  are  gone  to  the  southward,  whilst  a 
majority,  in  whose  opinion  upon  this  oc- 
casion I concur,  are  satisfied  that  they  are 
gone  eastward.  The  fatigue,  however, 
and  injury,  which  men  must  sustain  by 
long  marches  in  such  extreme  heat  as  we 
have  felt  for  the  last  five  days,  must  keep 
us  quiet  till  we  hear  something  of  the 
destination  of  the  enemy.” 

While  the  army  was  encamped  at  Ger- 
mantown, Washington  was  frequently  in 
Philadelphia.  On  one  of  these  occasions 
he  for  the  first  time  met  the  marquis  de 


Lafayette,  at  dinner.  When  the  party 
was  breaking  up,  Washington  took  him 
aside,  and,  having  complimented  him  up- 
on the  noble  disinterestedness  which  he 
had  shown  in  behalf  of  the  American 
cause,invited  him  to  headquarters,  telling 
him  that  he  might  always  consider  it  as 
his  home,  and  himself  as  one  of  the  fam- 
ily. The  American  commander,  however, 
remarked  in  a tone  of  pleasantry  that  he 
could  not  promise  him  the  luxuries  of  a 
court,  or  even  the  conveniences  which 
his  former  habits  might  have  rendered 
essential  to  his  comfort;  but  added  that, 
since  the  young  nobleman  had  become 
an  American  soldier,  he  would  doubtless 
try  to  accommodate  himself  to  the  char- 
acter which  he  had  assumed,  and  submit 
to  the  manners,  customs,  and  privations, 
of  a republican  army. 

The  marquis  Gilbert  Mother  de  La- 
fayette was  born  on  the  6 th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1757,  at  Chavagnac,  in  the  province- 
of  Auvergne,  France,  and  was  married  be- 
fore he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  to  the 
grand-daughter  of  the  due  de  Noailles. 
Like  most  French  youth  of  rank  and  for- 
tune at  that  time,  he  entered  the  array; 
and,  while  on  duty  at  Metz,  he  tells  us 
that  his  enthusiasm  in  behalf  of  the  Amer- 
ican Ciiuse  was  lirst  awakened.  The  duke 
of  Gloucester,  a brother  of  King  George 
HI.,  happened  to  be  on  a visit  to  Metz, 
where  he  was  complimented  with  a din- 
ner by  the  commandant  of  the  place.  The 
young  marquis  de  Lafayette  was  one  of 
the  guests  on  the  occasion.  The  Ameri- 
can war  [ apropos  to  some  despatches  late- 
ly received  in  England)  became  a topic 
of  conversation  at  dinner;  and,  although 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  MARQUIS  GILBERT  MOTTIER  DE  LAFAYETTE.  505 

the  roj^al  English  duke  was  not  likely  to 

he  introduced  him  to  Baron  de  Kalb,  a 

liave  given  a very  favorable  coloring  to 

Prussian  officer,  who  had  been  in  Amer- 

the  cause  of  the  “ rebels,”  Lafayette’s  in- 

ica,  in  order  that  the  inexperienced  La- 

terest  was  at  once  so  much  awakened  liy 

fayette  might  obtain  from  him  the  intro 

Iiis  grace’s  talk,  that,  even  before  he  arose 

ductions  and  information  he  desired.  De 

from  the  table,  the  thought  suggested  itr 

Kalb  presented  him  to  Silas  Deane,  the 

self  to  him  of  offering  his  services  in  be- 

American  commissioner  in  Paris.  “ When 

half  of  a j^eople  struggling  for  independ- 

I presented  my  boyish  face  to  Mr.  Deane,” 

ence. 

says  Lafayette,  “I  spoke  more  of  my  ar- 

With  his  young  heart  filled  with  en- 

dor  in  the  cau.se  than  of  my  experience  ; 

thusiasni  for  liberty,  the  marquis  hurries 

but  I dwelt  much  upon  the  effect  my  de- 

to  Paris,  and  there  seeks  out  his  two  bo- 

parture  would  excite  in  France,  and  he 

som  friends,  Count  Segur  and  Viscount 

signed  our  agreement.”  The  purport  of 

de  Noailles,  to  whom  he  announces  his 

this  agreement  was,  that  the  young  mar- 

intention  to  go  to  America,  and  entreats 

quis  should,  on  joining  the  American  ser- 

them  to  join  him  in  the  enterprise.  They 

vice,  receive  from  Congress  the  appoint- 

readily  consent ; but,  on  consulting  their 

ment  of  major-general,  and  be  conveyed 

parents,  upon  whom  they  are  dependent 

to  America  in  a vessel  about  to  sail,  with 

for  support,  they  are  forced  to  abandon 

munitions  of  war  for  the  patriot  armies. 

the  scheme.  They,  however,  kept  their 

In  the  meantime,  news  having  arrived  of 

friend’s  secret.  Lafayette,  being  in  the 

the  succe.ss  of  the  British  at  Fort  Wash- 

enjoyment  of  an  income  of  nearly  forty 

’ington,  and  of  the  subsequent  retreat  of 

thousand  dollars  a year,  was  in  a position 

the  American  army  through  New  Jersey, 

of  greater  independence  than  his  youth- 

the  activity  of  French  sympathy  was  sc 

ful  companions,  and  therefore  resolutely 

far  checked,  that  the  despatching  of  the 

clung  to  his  original  plan.  He  soon  ob- 

French  vessel  with  supplies  was  necessa- 

tained  an  interview  with  the  count  de 

rily  abandoned. 

Broglie,  then  prime  minister  under  Louis 

The  enthusiasm  of  the  ai’dent  Lafay- 

XVI.,  who,  with  the  cautious  prudence  of 

ette  was,  however,  proof  against  the  most 

age,  strove  to  deter  the  young  enthusiast 

disastrous  news.  When  urged  to  give 

from  what  appeared  to  him  a rash  and 

up  his  scheme,  he  answered : “ My  zeal 

dangerous  entei’prise.  “ I have,”  said  the 

and  love  of  liberty  have,  perhaps,  been 

veteran,  ‘‘seen  your  uncle  die  in  the  wars 

hitherto  the  prevailing  motives ; but  now 

of  Italy ; I witnessed  your  father’s  death 

I see  a chance  for  usefulne.s.s,  which  I had 

at  the  battle  of  Minden ; and  I will  not 

not  anticipated.  I have  money : I will 

be  accessory  to  the  ruin  of  the  only  re- 

purchase  a ship,  which  shall  convey  to 

maining  branch  of  the  family.” 

America  myself,  my  companion.s,  and  the 

De  Broglie  continued  urgently  to  conn- 

freight  for  Congress.”  Accordingly,  he  did 

sel  the  youthful  marquis  against  the  un- 

purchase  a ship  ; and,  Avhile  it  was  fitting 

dertaking ; but,  finding  his  efforts  usele&s, 
G4 

at  Bordeaux,  for  sea,  Lafayette  took  the 

1 

506 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


lPART  II. 


occasion  of  visiting  England.  His  wife’s 
uncle,  the  marquis  de  Noailles,  was  the 
French  embassador  in  London  ; and  un- 
der such  auspices  he  was,  of  course,  read- 
ily admitted  to  the  court  and  the  society 
which  gathered  about  it.  His  first  visit, 
however,  was  to  an  American,  Mr.  Ban- 
croft. He  was  subsequently  presented  to 
the  king ; he  danced  at  the  liomes  of  Lord 
George  Germain,  then  minister  of  Ameri- 
can aflairs,  and  of  Lord  Eawdon,  who  had 
just  returned  from  New  York;  and  joined 
General  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  his  box  at 
the  opera,  whom  he  was  destined  after- 
ward to  meet  as  an  enemy  on  the  field 
of  battle.  Lafayette  says,  in  regard  to 
these  intimacies  with  the  society  of  Lon- 
don : “ Whilst  I concealed  my  intentions 
of  going  to  make  war  in  America,  1 open- 
ly avowed  my  sentiments;  I often  defend- 
ed the  Americans ; I rejoiced  at  their  suc- 
cess at  Trenton ; and  my  opposition  spirit 
obtained  for  me  an  invitation  to  break- 
fast with  Lord  Shelburne.  I refused  the 
offers  made  me  to  visit  the  seaports,  the 
vessels  fitting  out  against  the  rebels.,  and 
everything  that  might  be  construed  into 
an  abuse  of  confidence.” 

On  Lafayette’s  return  to  France,  he 
concealed  himself  for  some  days  at  Passy, 
where  he  saw  but  a few  of  his  personal 
friends  and  some  Americans,  among  whom 
was  Doctor  Franklin,  who,  with  Arthur 
Lee,  of  Virginia,  had  become  joint  com- 
missioners with  Deane.  Franklin  admired 
the  spirit  and  generous  disinterestedness 
of  the  marquis,  and  furthered  his  objects. 
On  Lafayette’s  leaving  for  Bordeaux,  to 
embark,  the  French  government,  through 
the  complaint  of  the  British  embassador 


in  Paris,  was  on  the  alert,  and  strove  to 
prevent  his  departure.  His  family  also, 
with  the  exception  of  liis  young  wife,  who 
shared  in  her  husband’s  enthusiasm  for 
the  American  cause,  were  anxious  that 
he  should  abandon  his  scheme.  He  suc- 
ceeded in  reaching  Bordeaux,  and  imme- 
diately set  sail  for  Passage,  a small  sea- 
port in  Spain,  where  he  proposed  to  wait 
for  the  ship’s  papers.  Here,  however,  fol- 
lowed him  a Mire  de  cachet  from  the  king, 
forbidding  his  departure,  and  letters  from 
the  government  ministers  and  from  his 
family,  insisting  up  the  abandonment  of 
his  enterprise.  But  finally,  after  some 
hair- breadth  escapes  from  pursuit,  and 
meeting  with  one  or  two  romantic  adven- 
tures, he  got  safely  to  sea,  leaving  his 
young  wife  and  child  behind  him.  Bar- 
on de  Kalb  and  several  other  military 
personages,  looking  for  service  in  Amer- 
ica, accompanied  him.  The  ship  arrived 
at  Charleston,  and  the  young  marquis’s 
impressions  seem  to  have  been  of  the 
most  agreeable  kind.  The  democratic 
features  of  American  life  were  the  first 
to  catch  the  eye  of  the  high-born  noble- 
man fresh  from  the  ceremonious  court  of 
Versailles,  but  the  effect  was  apparently 
no  less  delightful  than  new. 

“I  will  now  tell  you,”  writes  Lafayette 
to  his  wife,  “about  the  country  and  its 
inhabitants.  They  are  as  agi'eeable  as 
my  enthusiasm  had  painted  them.  Sim 
plicity  of  manners,  kindness,  love  of  coun- 
try and  of  liberty,  and  a delightful  equal- 
ity, everywhere  prevail.  The  wealthiest 
man  and  the  poorest  are  on  a level ; and, 
although  there  are  some  large  fortunes, 
I challenge  anyone  to  discover  the  slight- 


RKVOLUTIONARY.]  LAFAYETTE  JOINS  THE  ARMY.— IIIS  IMPRESSIONS.  507 

est  difference  between  the  manners  of 

The  next  day,  Lafayette  presents  himself 

these  two  classes  respectively  toward  each 

at  the  hall  of  Congress,  Avhere  Mr.  Lovell 

other.  I first  saw  the  country-life  at  the 

comes  out  to  meet  him,  Avith  the  discour- 

house  of  Major  Huger.  I am  now  in  the 

aging  intelligence  that,  as  Congress  had 

city  [Charleston],  where  everything  is 

been  embarrassed  Avith  the  applications 

very  much  after  the  English  fashion,  ex- 

of  so  many  foreigners,  there  Avas  but  little 

cept  that  there  is  more  simplicity,  equal- 

chance  of  his  success.  The  young  mar- 

ity,  cordiality,  and  courtesy,  here  than  in 

quis,  hoAveA^er,  was  not  to  be  driven  aAvay 

England. 

by  such  a rebuff:  so  he  immediately  Avrote 

“ The  city  of  Charleston  is  one  of  the 

to  the  president  of  Congress,  asking  per- 

handsomest  and  best  built,  and  the  inhab- 

mission  to  serve  in  the  American  army. 

itants  amon'ji:  the  most  aarreeable,  that  I 

on  these  tAvo  conditions:  that  he  should 

have  ever  seen.  The  American  women 

receive  no  pay,  and  that  he  should  act  as 

are  very  pretty,  simple  in  their  manners. 

a volunteer.  These  terms  Avere  so  differ- 

and  exhibit  a neatness  which  is  every- 

ent  from  those  asked  by  the  croAvd  of  for- 

Avhere  cultivated,  even  more  studiously 

eign  military  adventurers,  that  they  Avere 

than  in  England.  What  most  charms  me 

at  once  accepted  ; and  the  jmuthful  La- 

is,  that  all  the  citizens  are  brethren.  In 

fayette,  not  yet  tAventy  years  of  age,  Avas 

America,  there  are  no  poor,  nor  even  what 

appointed  major-general  in  the  American 

Ave  call  peasantry.  Each  individual  has 

army. 

his  OAvn  honest  property,  and  the  same 

Ilis  encouraging  reception  by  Wash- 

rights  as  the  most  Avealthy  landed  propri- 

ington,  added  to  the  success  of  his  final 

etor.  The  inns  are  very  difierent  from 

application  to  Congress,greatly  inspirited 

those  of  Europe  : the  host  and  hostess  sit 

Lafayette,  and  he  became  eager  for  ser- 

at  table  Avith  you,  and  do  the  honors  of  a 

Auce.  His  horses  and  equipage  Avere  im- 

comfortable  meal ; and,  on  going  aAvay, 

mediately  sent  to  the  camp  at  German- 

you  pay  your  bill  Avithout  higgling.  When 

toAvn  ; and  he  availed  himself  of  the  com- 

one  does  not  Avish  to  go  to  an  inn,  there 

mander-in-chief’s  invitation,  and^  became. 

are  country-houses  Avhere  the  title  of  a 

as  it  Avere,  a member  of  his  family.  On 

good  American  is  a sufficient  passport  to 

the  very  next  day  after  making  his  ac- 

all  those  civilities  paid  in  Europe  to  one’s 

quaintance  at  the  dinner-party.  Washing- 

friend.” 

ton  invited  him  to  ride  out  Avith  him,  to 

Receiving  everyAvhere  a flattering  avcI- 

inspect  the  fortifications  on  the  DelaAvare. 

come,  the  young  Lafayette  goes  on  joy- 

These  courtesies  flattered  the  marquis, 

ously  from  South  to  North  Carolina,  and 

but  did  not  satisfy  his  desires.  Pie  did 

thence  thi  ough  Virginia  to  Maryland  and 

not  seem  to  understand  the  honorary  na- 

Pennsylvania.  On  reaching  Philadelphia, 

ture  of  his  major-generalship,  and  expect- 

Avhere  Congress  Avas  assembled,  he  sub- 

ed  the  rank  to  be  accompanied  by  a com- 

mits  his  letters  to  Mr.  Lovell,  the  chair- 

maud.  “It  is  true  he  has  said,”  writes 

man  of  the  committee  of  foreign  affairs, 

Washington,  “ that  he  is  young  and  inex- 

508  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

perienced,  but  at  the  same  time  has  al- 

Another  distinguished  foreigner  soon 

ways  accompanied  it  with  a hint  that,  so 

presented  himself  at  the  headquarters  of 

soon  as  I shall  think  him  fit  for  the  com- 

the  commander-in-chief  “ Count  Pula.ski, 

mand  of  a division,  he  shall  be  ready  to 

of  Poland,  an  officer  famous  throughout 

enter  upon  the  duties  of  it,  and  in  the 

Europe  for  his  bravery  and  conduct  in 

meantime  has  offered  his  services  for  a 

defence  of  the  liberties  of  his  country 

simdler  command  ; to  which  I may  add. 

against  the  three  great  invading  powers 

that  he  has  actually  applied  to  me,  by 

of  Russia,  Austria,  and  Prussia,  will  have 

direction,  he  says,  from  Mr.  Hancock,  for 

the  honor  of  delivering  this  into  your  ex- 

commissions  for  his  two  aids-de-camp.” 

cellency’s  hands,”  were  the  words  of  Doc- 

Washington  was  perplexed  by  the  perti- 

tor  Fi  anklin,  in  the  letter  w'ritten  by  him 

nacity  of  the  young  and  ardent  French- 

at  Paris  to  Washington,  introducing  the 

man,  and  asked  for  instructions  from  Con- 

illustrious  Pole. 

gress.  That  body  replied  that  Lafayette’s 

Count  Casimir  Pulaski,  in  the  rebellion 

appointment  wuis  only  honorary,  and  that 

against  King  Stanislaus  Augustu.s,  of  Po- 

Washington  was  at  liberty  to  use  his  own 

land  (who,  as  a creature  of  the  empress 

judgment  in  regard  to  the  bestowal  of  a 

Catharine  IL,  Avas  upheld  on  the  throne 

command.  The  young  marquis  was  ac- 

against  the  Avishes  of  the  nation),  had  al- 

cordingly  left  for  the  present  in  the  eu- 

ready  given  proof  of  his  deAmtion  to  lib- 

j’oyment  only  of  the  rank  of  a major-gen- 

erty.  His  father  had  sacrificed  his  life  in 

eral,  while  he  served  in  the  army  as  a 

the  same  cause,  and  the  son  succeeded 

volunteer. 

him  as  the  leader  of  the  insurgents ; but. 

Lafayette  is  described  as  being  at  this 

failing  to  gather  a sufficient  force  to  re- 

early  period  nearly  six  feet  high,  large 

sist  the  efforts  of  Russia,  in  conjunction 

but  not  corpulent,  and  not  very  elegant 

Avith  the  Polish  king,  to  subdue  his  conn- 

in  person,  his  shoulders  being  broad  and 

try,  young  Pulaski  determined  to  possess 

high.  His  features  were  irregular,  his 

himself  of  the  person  of  Stani.shius,  and 

forehead  remarkably  high,  his  nose  large 

compel  him  to  head  the  people  in  their 

and  long;  his  eyebrows  projected  promi- 

struggle  for  independence.  Accordingly, 

nently  over  his  eyes,  which  were  full  of 

Pulaski,  Avith  thirty-nine  bold  associates. 

fire,  and  of  a hazel  color.  He  spoke  but 

entered  WarsaAV, seized  the  king, and  Avere 

few  words  of  broken  English.* 

carrying  him  off,  when  the  guard  came 

Baron  de  Kalb,  who  came  over  from 

up  and  rescued  the  royal  prisoner.  Pu- 

France  with  Lafayette,  was  also  (though 

laski’s  meager  force  of  patriots  Avas  soon 

subsequently  to  the  appointment  of  the 

after  beaten  by  the  combined  armies  of 

marquis)  made  a major-general.  The  ser- 

Russia  and  Prussia,  and  he  himself  forced 

vices  of  most  of  the  other  French  officers. 

to  fly  from  the  country.  He  subsequent- 

however,who  accompanied  them,were  not 

ly  joined  the  Turks,  in  whose  service  he 

accepted,  and  they  returned  home. 

fought  against  his  old  enemies  the  Ru.s- 

* Thacher. 

sians.  When  the  Avar  Avas  over,  Pulaski 

4 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  COUNT  CASIMIR  PULASKI.— RURGOYNE  S ADVANCE.  509 

went  to  Paris,  where  he  met  Franklin,  by 

like  us,  engnged  in  defending  the  liberty 

whom,  on  his  resolving  to  go  to  America, 

and  independence  of  his  countiy,  and  has 

he  was  commended,  as  we  have  seen,  to 

sacrificed  his  fortune  to  his  zeal  for  those 

Washington. 

objects.  He  derives  from  hence  a title 

The  commander-in-chief  proposed  that 

to  our  respect,  that  ought  to  operate  in 

Pulaski  should  have  the  command  of  the 

his  favor,  as  far  as  the  good  of  the  ser- 

cavalry,  in  which  hitherto  there  had  been 

vice  v.'ill  permit.” 

no  officer  of  higher  rank  than  colonel. 

Count  Pulaski  was  raised  to  the  rank 

GeneralJosephReed  had  been  offered  the 

of  brigadier-general  by  Congres.s,  and,  af- 

appointment,but  had  declined.  Washing- 

ter  the  battle  of  the  Brandywine,  given 

ton  recommended  Pulaski  for  the  com- 

the  command  of  the  cavalry,  in  accord- 

mand, saying  to  the  presidentof  Congress: 

ance  with  the  suggestion  made  by  the 

“ This  gentleman,  we  are  told,  has  been. 

commander-in-chief 

CHAPTER  LII. 

Biirgoyne’s  Progress. — General  Scliuyler  moves  his  Camp  to 

Fort  Miller. — Alarm  of  the  Country. — Scliuvler  rebukes  the 

1 

1 

Cowards. — Ilis  Efforts  for  Defence. — Burgoyne  rallies  the  Savages. — Unchecked  Ferocity. — Story  of  Jane  M'Crea. — 
Buigoyne  horrified. — Impotent  Attempt  to  punish  the  Murderers. — The  Effect  of  the  Tragedy  upon  the  Country. — 

Burgoyne  pushes  on  to  Fort  Edward. — The  Americans 

retire  to  Stillwater. — The  British  besiege  Fort  Stanwix. — A 

Summons  unheeded. — Peter  Gansevoort  in  Command.— 

■Old  Herkimer  to  the  Rescue. — A Struggle. — A Fratricidal 

Fight. — The  Patriots  in  Possession  of  the  Field. — Death  of  Herkimer. — Schuyler  sends  Relief  to  the  Patriots  on  the 

Mohawk. 

General  Burgoyne  continued  his 

1 777« 

toilsome  march  toward  the  Hudson, 

in.spire  them  with  greater  fortitude.  “ Is 
it,”  he  writes,  “ becoming  rational  being.s. 

and  so  slow  was  his  progress,  that  he  did 

when  a misfortune  has  happened  to  them. 

not  reach  Fort  Anne  till  the  end  of  July. 

to  despond  and  not  to  counteract  the  evil  ? 

On  his  approach.  General  Schuyler  aban- 

Surely  not;  and,  if  the  militia  would  do 

doned  his  position  at  Mose.s’  creek,  and 

their  duty,  we  should  soon  make  the  en- 

moved  down  the  Hudson  to  Fort  Miller. 

emy  repent  their  ever  having  come  into 

The  inhabitants  of  the  country  were  still 

the  country,  and  retreat  with  infinitely 

in  great  alarm,  and  fled  from  their  houses 

more  lo.ss  than  we  have  experienced  ; but 

and  their  farms,  abandoning  to  the  enemy 

if  the  militia  will  sit  still,  folding  their 

their  flocks  and  ripening  harvests  as  the 

arms,  and  not  make  use  of  those  exer- 

British  advanced.  The  people  even  in 

tions  which  God  has  put  in  their  power 

Albany  were  panic-stricken,  and  called 

to  make  use  of  for  their  own  defence,  they 

upon  Schuyler  for  protection.  Vexed  at 

certainly  will  become  the  victims  of  an 

their  unmanly  fears,  Schuyler  strove  to 

enemy  whose  very  mercies  are  cruelty.” 

, 

510  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

General  Schuyler  in  the  meantime  was 


nnwearied  in  his  efforts  to  bring  all  the 
resources  of  tlie  country  to  bear  in  its  de- 
fence. He  wrote  the  most  pressing  let- 
ters to  the  governors  of  New  England,  to 
he  committees  of  safety,  and  to  Washing- 
ton, asking  for  reinforcements.  From  the 
commander-in-chief  he  soon  received  the 
encouraging  response  tliat  he  would  de- 
spatch General  Lincoln,  of  Massachusetts, 
to  use  his  great  influence  in  calling  out 
tlie  militia  of  NewEnMand  ; and  Colonel 
Morgan,  with  his  riflemen,  to  protect  the 
country  against  the  barbarous  Indian  .al- 
lies of  the  British. 

General  Burgoyne  li.ad  gathered  to- 
gether a large  force  of  Indian  warriors. 
To  those  which  he  had  brought  with  liiin 
from  C.anada  were  now  added  the  Otta- 
w.as  and  .allied  tribes.  It  was  supposed 
by  the  British  government  that  these  s.av- 
ages  would  terrify  the  country,  .and  such 
had  been  its  object  in  employing  them. 
Burgoyne,  naturally  a humane  person, 
had  hoped  to  keep  the  cruel  instincts  of 
the  Indians  in  check  by  the  exercise  of 
military  discipline,  .and  the  influence  of 
the  French-Can.adians  who  led  them  on. 
These  wild  denizens  of  the  forest  fully 
served  the  purpose  designed  of  inspiring 
terror,  but  it  w.as  soon  found  impractica- 
ble to  keep  them  within  the  constraints 
of  civilized  warfare.  A tr.ag-ic  incident 

O 

now  occured,  which  proved  how  useless 
had  been  Burgoyne’s  attempt  to  tame  the 
ferocity  of  his  Indian  allies.  The  British 
army  h.ad  reached  Fort  Anne,  and  was 
preparing  to  move  on  to  Fort  Edward. 
The  Americ.ans  h.ad  retired  with  their 
main  body,  leaving  a rear-guard  at  the 


fort,  re.adyto  evacuate  it  on  the  approach 
of  the  enemy  in  force. 

Near  Fort  Edward  lived  a Mrs.  McNeil, 
who,  being  a royalist  in  sentiment  and  a 
kinswoman  of  Gener.al  Fraser,  remained, 
awaiting  without  .alarm  the  appro.ach  of 
the  British  troops,  while  most  of  the  in- 
habit.ants  were  flying.  With  Mrs.  M‘Neil 
there  lingered  one,  however,  who,  though 
belonging  to  an  Americ.an  family,  did  not 
.share  in  the  anxious  .alarms  of  her  coun- 
trymen. This  w.as  Jane  M‘Cre.a,  the  daugh- 
ter of  a Scotch  Pi’esbyteri.an  clergyman, 
of  New  Jersey.  Her  father  was  de.ad,  and 
she  had  gone  to  live  with  a brofher  resi- 
ding near  Fort  Edward,  but  who,  .as  he 
w.as  a patriot,  h.ad  ab.andoned  his  home 
on  the  appro.ach  of  the  enemy,  and  fled 
to  Albany.  He  strove  to  persuade  his 
sister  to  accomp.any  him,  but  without  sue 
ce.ss.  He  wrote  to  her  .again  and  again, 
to  entreat  her  to  join  him,  but  she  still 
linn-ered  behind.  She  w.as  now  a guest 
of  Mrs.  M‘Neil,  and,  like  that  lady,  fear- 
lessly awaited  the  appro.ach  of  the  Brit- 
ish, for  she  knew  that  she  had  one  among 
them  who  would  protect  her  to  the  ut- 
most of  his  power.  This  was  her  lover. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  her  brother’s 
home  at  Fort  Edward  there  lived  a youth 
of  the  name  of  D.avid  Jones.  He  and 
Jane  M‘Cre.a  became  lovers,  and  were  be- 
trothed. His  family,  however,  were  loy- 
.alists,  while  hers  were  whigs;  and,  when 
war  broke  out,  a separ.ation  took  pl.ace. 
Youno;  Jones  volunteered  to  serve  in  the 
royal  army,  and,  leaving  his  betrothed  at 
the  home  of  her  patriot  brother,  went  to 
Can.ad.a, where  he  received  the  king’s coni- 
mis.sion  .as  a lieutenant  Having  joined 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  STORY  OF 

JANE  M-CREA.  T)!! 

Burgoyne,  he  was  now  marching,  with  the 

This  is  the  commonly-received  account 

division  under  General  Fraser,  toward  his 

of  the  tragic  event.  There  are,  however, 

former  home,  and  with  eager  expectation 

other  versions  of  the  sad  story.  Every 

of  meeting  his  beloved. 

annalist  has  his  own.  One  tells  us  that 

As  rumors  reached  MissM‘Crea’s  liroth- 

the  fatal  shot  came  from  the  Americans 

er,  at  Albany,  of  the  advance  of  the  ene- 

at  Fort  Edward,  who,  observing  the  In- 

my,  and  of  the  terror  with  which  their 

dians  escaping  with  tlieir  prize,  fired  at 

savage  allies  were  filling  the  whole  coun- 

them,  and  unfortunately  killed  the  fair 

try,  he  sent  a peremptory  command  to 

captive,  whereupon  the  savages  immedi- 

his  sister  to  go  down  to  him.  She  finally 

ately  scalped  her.  Another  reports  that 

though  reluctantly  consented,  and  pre- 

the  Indians  had  been  hired  liy  Lieutenant 

pared  to  leave,  in  company  with  several 

Jones  to  bring  his  betrothed  to  the  British 

families,  in  a large  batteau,  which  was 

camp,  and  that  in  their  quarrel  for  the  re- 

about  to  sail.  On  the  morning  of  the  day 

ward  (a  keg  of  rum)  they  tomahawked 

proposed  for  departure,  the  whole  region 

her.  This  is  the  more  popular  version  ; 

was  suddenly  alarmed  by  the  intelligence 

but,  as  it  was  solemidy  denied  by  Jones 

that  some  of  Burgoyne’s  Indians  were 

himself,  who  asserted  his  entire  ignorance 

prowling  in  the  neighborhood. 

of  the  affair  until  he  beheld  the  reekiiur 

The  home  of  Mrs.  M‘Neil  was  one  of 

scalp  of  the  victim,  it  should  no  longer 

the  most  exposed,  and  the  household  was 

be  accepted. 

soon  thrown  into  great  consternation  by 

Burgoyne  was  no  less  horrified  than 

a negro-boy,  who  came  running  in,  cry- 

every  other  civilized  being  at  this  act  of 

ing  that  the  Indians  were  close  by,  and 

savage  ferocity.  lie  determined,  more- 

then  scampered  away  to  the  fort.  Before 

over,  to  punish  the  murderer.  A council 

the  people  in  the  house  could  hide  tliem- 

•of  his  Indians  was  called,  and  a demand 

selves,  the  savages  had  entered.  Seizing 

made  upon  them  for  the  surrender  of  the 

Mrs.  M‘Neil  and  Miss  M'Crea,  the  Indians 

criminal.  This,  however,  greatly  angered 

— dividing  into  two  parties,  each  with  a 

the  savages,for  he  who  had  done  the  cruel 

prize  — bore  them  off  toward  Burgoyne’s 

deed  was  a chief.  Burgoyne  would,  not- 

camp.  Those  who  had  charge  of  Miss 

Avithstanding,  have  still  persisted,  had  not 

M^Crea  had  not  gone  far,  when  they  halt- 

those  who  whre  supposed  to  be  more  fii- 

ed  at  a spring.  Here  the  Indians  quar- 

miliar  Avith  the  Indian  character,  together 

relied  among  themselves  for  the  posses- 

Avith  some  of  his  officers  (fearful  lest  the 

sion  of  their  captive.  All  their  savage 

savages  might  become  so  indignant  as  to 

« ferocity  was  aroused  ; and  one,  in  his  wild 

abandon  the  British  alliance),  persuaded 

rage,  settled  the  dispute  by  killing  the 

him  no  lon<»:er  to  urge  his  demand. 

poor  girl.  They  then  tomahawked  her, 

The  story  of  the  murder,  however,  Avas 

and  bore  her  scalp  as  a trophy  to  the 

everyAvhere  told  Avith  an  exaggerated  ac- 

British  camp.* 

count  of  the  complicity  of  the  British,  and 

* Wilkinson. 

served  to  inflame  the  feelings  of  the  Avhole 

O 

512  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n 


country  against  them.  “ The  story,”  says 
Lossing,  “ went  abroad  with  all  its  horrid 
einbeHishments ; and  the  blood  of  Jane 
iSTCrea  pleaded  eloquently  for  revenge. 
Burke,  in  the  exercise  of  his  glowing  elo- 
quence, used  the  story  witli  powerfid  ef- 
fect in  the  British  house  of  commons,  and 
made  the  dre:idful  tale  familiar  to  the  ear 
throughout  Europe.”  Burgoyne’s  civil- 
ized notions  of  justice,  moreover,  so  far 
disagreed  with  the  sentiments  of  his  sav- 
age allies,  that  they  became  discontented, 
and  deserted  him  so  rapidly,  that  he  was 
soon  left  with  but  few  Indians  in  camp. 

General  Burgoyne  now  reached  Fort 
Edward,  while  the  Americans  continued 
to  retire  farther  down  the  Hudson,  moving 
first  to  Saratoga,  and  thence  to  Stillwater. 
The  British  commander  in  the  meantime 
halted,  to  await  the  arrival  of 
Aug.  3.  Phillips,  with  the  artil- 

lery and  baggage,  and  to  receive  intelli- 
gence from  the  detachment  of  the  army 
sent  under  Colonel  St.  Leger  to  make  a 
diversion  by  the  way  of  Oswego,  and  with 
whom  it  was  intended  to  form  a junction 
at  Albany. 

Word  soon  came  that  St.  Leger  was 
investing  Fort  Stanwix  (or  Schuyler,  as 
it  had  been  lately  called)  situated  at  the 
head  of  navigation  on  the  Mohawk  river. 
Colonel  Peter  Gansevoort,  of  Albany,  who 
had  served  under  Montgomery  at  Quebec, 
commanded  the  post,  with  a garrison  of 
seven  hundred  and  fifty  regular  troops 
from  Massachusetts  and  New  York.  The 
fort  had  been  built  during  the  French 
War,  and  was  of  considerable  strength, 
but  had  been  allowed  to  decay.  The 
Americans,  however,  had  lately  repaired 


it,  though  not  in  such  a manner  as  to 
make  its  defences  complete. 

Colonel  St.  Leger  now  threatened  the 
post  with  a large  and  very  miscellaneous 
force,  composed  of  nearly  seventeen  hun- 
dred men  in  all,  among  whom  there  Avere 
a few  British,  Hessians,  Canadians,  and 
American  loyalists,  Avhile  the  majority 
were  Indian  warriors,  under  Brant,  the 
Mohawk  chief,  and  Sir  John  Johnson. 

On  the  3d  of  August,  St.  Leger  sent  in 
a flag,  with  a summons  to  suiu'ender,  and 
a copy  of  a pompous  proclamation  which 
he  had  spread  over  the  country.  The 
garrison  took  no  notice  of  either,  but  re- 
solved upon  defending  their  post.  On 
the  next  day,  the  English  com-  ^ 
niander  commenced  the  siege  by 
throwing  a few  bombs,  and  sending  out 
parties  of  Indians  to  approach  close  to 
the  fort,  and,  under  cover  of  the  trees,  to 
pick  off  those  at  work  on  the  parapets ; 
while  at  night  the  savages  Avere  ordered 
to  keep  up  a Avild  howl,  Avith  the  view  of 
frii^htenino;  the  garrison. 

Although  the  countiy  had  been  panic- 
stricken  by  the  advance  of  the  enemy, 
the  aged  Herkimer,  general  of  the  militia 
of  Tryon  county,  had  succeeded  by  great 
efibrts  in  gathering  eight  hundred  men, 
Avith  Avhom  he  had  marched  to  Oriskany, 
Avithin  eight  miles  of  the  fort.  He  noAv 
sent  to  inform  Colonel  Gansevoort  of  his 
approach,  and  to  request  him  to  signify 
the  arrival  of  his  messenger  by  firing 
three  guns.  On  hearing  these  signals, 
General  Herkimer  proposed  to  force  his 
Avay  through  St.  Leger’s  troops,  to  the  be- 
sieged garrison.  As  the  enemy  Avere  on 
the  alert,  and  had  surrounded  the  fort, 


r 

KKVOLUTiONAiiT.]  COLONEL  ST.  LEGER 

BESIEGES  FORT  SCHUYLER.  513 

with  the  view  of  cutting  off  its  commu- 

age,  that  they  would  probably  be  the  first 

nication  with  the  neighboring  country, 

to  run  at  the  sight  of  the  enemy. 

the  messenger  had  great  dilhculty  in 

Colonel  St.  Leger  had  received  intelli- 

reaching  Gansevoort.  He  finally  succeed- 

gence  of  General  Herkimer’s  approach, 

ed  by  wading  through  a swamp  supposed 

and  sent  out  Major  Watts,  wuth  a party 

by  the  enemy  to  be  impassable,  but  only 

of  Johnson’s  Greens,  Colonel  Butler  wdtli 

after  a long  delay;  for,  although  he  had 

his  Rangers,  and  a considerable  body  of 

started  in  the  night,  with  the  hope  of  de- 

Indians  under  Brant,  to  oppose  it.  Colo- 

livering  his  message  before  morning,  he 

nel  Gansevoort  had  observed  from  the 

did  not  arrive  until  ten  o’clock  the  next 

first  this  movement  of  the  enemy,  but 

day. 

wuas  unconscious  of  its  object,  until  Her- 

Old  Herkimer,  in  the  meanwhile,  re- 

kimer’s  messenger  arrived,  when  it  be- 

mained  at  Oriskany  with  his  militia,  an.x- 

came  obvious  that  St.  Leger’s  ofy'ect  was 

iously  awaiting  the  discharge  of  the  three 

to  cut  off  the  old  veteran’s  party.  Ganse- 

guns,  which  were  to  be  the  signal  for  his 

voort  immediately  fired  the  three  signal- 

advance.  His  men  chafed  at  the  delay. 

guns,  and  ordered  out  a detachment  of 

and  their  officers,  sharing  in  their  impa- 

tw'o  hundred  men  drawn  from  his  own 

tience,  urged  Herkimer  to  press  on.  The 

and  Wesson’s  regiments,  wuth  a single  iron 

veteran,  with  true  Dutch  phlegm,  smoked 

three-pounder,  to  make  an  attack  upon  the 

his  pipe,  and  did  not  heed  their  importu- 

position  occupied  by  Sir  John  Johnson’s 

nities.  At  last,  two  of  his  ofiicers  (Colo- 

division,  wdiich  had  been  weakened  by 

nels  Cox  and  Paris),  irritated  by  the  ob- 

the  detachment  sent  off  against  Herki- 

stinate  prudence  of  their  cautious  com- 

mer. 

mander,  lost  all  self-control,  and  in  their 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Willett,  a veteran 

anger  charged  Herkimer  with  cowardice 

Long-islander,  who  had  served  in  the 

and  treason.  The  fact  that  he  had  a broth- 

French  Wars,  and  like  Gansevoort  fought 

er  and  other  relatives  in  the  ranks  of  the 

under  Montgomery  at  Quebec,  had  chaige 

enemy  appeared  to  give  some  show  of 

of  this  enterprise.  Willett  drew  up  his 

probability  to  the  accusation.  The  old 

men  and  prepared  to  make  a sortie  from 

man,  however,  was  true  as  steel,  nnd,  con- 

the  fort,  when  the  rain  fell  in  torrents, 

scions  of  his  integrity,  calmly  replied, “I 

and  prevented  his  departure.  It  proved. 

am  placed  over  you  as  a father  and  a 

however,  but  a summer  shower,  and  after 

giiardian,  and  shall  not  lead  you  into  dif- 

a short  delay  he  w'as  able  to  sally  out. 

ficulties  from  which  I may  not  be  able  to 

Willett’s  charge  upon  Sir  John  Johnson’s 

extricate  you.”  His  officers, notwithstand- 

“Royal  Greens”  and  Indian  allies  wuis  so 

ing,  persisted  in  their  ungenerous  taunts. 

impetuous,  that  the  advanced  guard  w^as 

when  Herkimer  yielded,  and  gave  the  or- 

pushed  in  upon  the  encampment,  and  the 

der  to  advance ; but  he  took  care  to  tell 

whole  force  driven  in  confusion  from  its 

those  who  were  so  anxious  to  press  for- 

ground.  Sir  John  w'as  so  taken  by  sur- 

ward,  and  were  so  boastful  of  their  corn- 
G5 

prise,  that  he  had  no  time  to  put  on  his 

1 

J 

514 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


regimental  coat,  and,  thus  unaccoutred, 
strove  to  rally  his  trooj^s.  His  efTorts, 
however,  were  unavailing,  and  he  and  his 
Royal  Greens  were  forced  to  cross  the 
river  and  seek  refuge  in  St.  Leger’s  camp 
on  the  opposite  bank,  while  the  Indians 
fled  in  all  directions  through  the  surround- 
ing forests.  A large  quantity  of  stores, 
five  British  flags,  and  the  papers  and  bag- 
ti:a<>:e  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  Willett,  who  had  not  lost  a sin- 
gle man  in  the  enterprise.  On  his  return 
to  the  fort,  the  English  flags  wTre  hoisted 
beneath  the  American  standard  ; and  his 
men,  mounting  the  ramparts,  gave  three 
loud  hurrahs. 

lleikimer  moved  on,  in  no  complacent 
humor;  and  his  undisciplined  militia, shar- 
ing in  the  contentions  of  their  officers, 
followed  him  with  little  order  or  caution. 
The  enemy,  in  the  meanwhile,  had  pre- 
pared an  ambuscade.  Across  the  road 
by  which  Herkimer  waas  advancing  there 
was  a ravine,  through  which  he  would  be 
obliged  to  march.  The  enemy,  on  reach- 
ing this,  posted  their  few  regulars  in  the 
front,  toward  the  fort,  and  concealed  the 
Indians  in  the  thick  wmod  on  each  side  of 
the  road.  The  latter  were  ordered  to  let 
the  Americans  pass  through  the  ravine, 
and  only  attack  them  when  they  had 
pushed  on  in  the  struggle  wdtli  the  small 
party  of  British  in  front.  In  this  manner 
it  was  intended  to  surround  Herkimer’s 
force,  and  completely  hem  it  in  — front, 
liank,  and  rear. 

The  Americans  came  on  carelessly  and 
without  suspicion.  Their  main  body  had 
got  firirly  into  the  ravine,  followed  by  the 
baggage-wagons,  while  the  rear-guard  was 


[part  It. 

still  some  distance  behind  on  the  road, 
wdien  suddenly  the  Indians,  too  impatient 
to  wait  for  orders,  shouted  their  terrible 
war-whoop,  and  rushed  impetuously  from 
their  cover  down  upon  Herkimer  and  his 
men.  The  rear-guard  immediately  turned 
and  fled,  leaving  those  in  advance  to  bear 
the  whole  brunt  of  the  attack.  General 
Herkimer  was  brought  down  at  the  firsi 
fire,  by  a musket-ball  which  killed  his 
horse,  and  shattered  his  own  leg  near  the 
knee.  The  brave  old  man,  however,  re- 
fused to  be  carried  from  the  field,  and  or- 
dered his  men  to  bear  him  to  the  foot  of 
a beech-tree  near  by,  where,  sitting  on 
his  saddle,  and  calmly  lighting  his  pipe, 
he  remained,  giving  orders. 

The  fight  continued  for  more  than  an 
hour  with  great  spirit,  when  the  enemy 
strove  to  settle  the  engagement  with  a 
charge  of  the  bayonet.  The  Americans, 
however,  formed  in  circles,  by  which  they 
w'ere  enabled  to  present  a front  to  their 
assailants  from  all  sides,  and  keep  them 
off  liy  their  effective  musketry.  The  day 
had  been  cloudy  and  unsettled,  and  now 
came  a heavy  rain,  wdtli  thunder — the 
same  shower  which,  as  we  have  seen,  de- 
layed Willett’s  sortie  from  the  fort.  The 
storm  for  awhile  put  an  end  to  the  strug- 
gle, and  both  parties  sought  a cover  in 
the  woods. 

During  this  temporary  lull,  the  Ameri- 
cans shifted  their  ground,  and  determined 
to  change  their  manoeuvres.  The  savages 
had  been  observed  to  await  the  discharge 
of  the  muskets,  and  then  rush  upon  each 
man  of  the  scattered  troops  while  he  was 
separated  fi'om  his  fellows,  and  tomahawk 
him.  To  guard  against  this,  it  was  re- 


iKvoi.nnoNARY.]  SEVERE  FIGHT.— DEATH  OF  GENERAL  HERKIMER.  515 

solved  by  the  Americans  to  post  them- 

adjoining  forests.  The  white  men  heard 

selves,  two  together,  behind  the  trees,  so 

these  ominous  shouts  of  their  savage  con- 

that  when  one  had  fired  his  musket  and 

federates,  and  saw  their  hasty  retreat  to 

prepared  to  reload,  the  other  might  come 

the  woods,  but  nevertheless  continued  to 

forward  ready  to  take  his  place  and  cover 

fight, and  did  not  cease  their  deadly  strug- 

his  comrade.  With  this  improvement  in 

gle,  until  the  distant  firing  from  the  at- 

their  tactics,  the  Americans  found  the  In- 

tack  of  Colonel  Willett  (in  his  sortie  from 

dians  much  less  formidable,  and  soon  got 

the  fort)  began  to  be  heard  ; whereupon, 

so  far  the  advantage  of  them,  that  they 

the  British  commander,  anxious  for  the 

began  to  lose  spirit  and  disperse. 

safety  of  St.  Leger’s  camp,  withdrew  his 

Major  Watts  now  brought  up  a detach- 

troops  from  the  field,  leaving  the  patriots 

ment  of  the  “Johnson  Greens,”  which  had 

in  possession,  and  marched  back  to  rein- 

hitherto  been  kept  in  reserve.  These 

force  the  arch-leader  of  the  “tories,”  Sir 

were  men  belonging  to  the  Mohawk  val- 

John  Johnson. 

ley ; and,  being  thus  brought  into  conflict 

The  victory,  in  the  engagement  thus 

with  the  American  patriots,  among  whom 

abruptly  brought  to  a close,  remained  un- 

there  were  not  only  those  who  were  neigh- 

decided.  The  loss  in  killed  and  wound- 

bors,  but  some  even  who  were  their  kins- 

ed  on  both  sides  was  about  equally  great, 

men,  the  horrors  of  a fierce  family  feud 

amounting  to  over  three  hundred  each. 

were  added  to  the  usual  terrors  of  war- 

Of  the  American  officers.  Colonel  Cox  and 

fare.  The  old  quarrels  and  animosities 

Captain  Van  Sluyk  were  killed  at  the  first 

which  had  before  occurred  between  those 

fire.  The  brave  old  commander,  Ilerki- 

taking  separate  sides  in  the  early  contro- 

mer,  and  the  rest  of  the  wounded,  were 

versies  and  troubles  of  the  colonies,  grow- 

borne  off  the  field  on  litters  made  from 

ing  out  of  the  dispute  with  the  mother- 

the  branches  of  trees.  The  general  died 

country,  were  now  aroused  to  increased 

ten  days  after  the  battle,  at  his  own  resi- 

fury.  There  was  no  check  to  passion,  and 

deuce,  on  the  Mohawk  river.  His  shat- 

no  scruple  to  forbid  the  shedding  of  blood. 

tered  leg  was  amputated,  but  (from  the 

Actual  war  authorized  all,  and  neighbor 

complex  nature  of  the  wound)  so  unsuc- 

joined  in  deadly  struggle  with  neighbor 

cessfully,  that  he  never  recovered  from 

without  a qualm  of  conscience.  The  en- 

the  efiects  of  the  operation.  He  bore  his 

gagement  was  fierce,  and  the  result  ter- 

sufferings  cheerfully,  and  calmy  awaited 

ribly  fiit.al. 

his  death,  smoking  his  pipe  and  reading 

The  battle  was  so  pertinaciously  con- 

his  Bible,  to  quote  the  graphic  words  of 

tested  on  both  sides,  that  neither  seemed 

an  annalist,  “ like  a Christian  hero.”  His 

disposed  to  give  way.  The  Indian  allies 

patriotic  example  was  greatly  venerated 

of  the  British,  however,  were  the  first  to 

by  his  countrymen,  and  his  illustrious 

lose  heart ; and,  shouting  their  retreating 

name  was  subsequently  conferred  by  the 

\ 

cry,  “ Oonali ! oonah !”  these  ruthless  war- 

legislature  of  New  York  upon  one  of  the 

riors  at  length  fled  precipitately  to  the 

newly-formed  counties  of  the  state. 

. 

516  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


The  enemy  had  retired  from  the  field 
of  action  in  such  haste,  that  one  of  their 
officers  (Major  Watts,  who  was  severely 
wounded)  was  left  for  dead.  He  there 
remained  for  two  days,  when  he  was  dis- 
covered by  an  Indian  scout,  near  a spring 
of  water,  where  he  had  crawled  to  quench 
his  burning  thirst,  and  was  borne  into  St. 
Leger’s  camp. 

When  General  Schuyler  received  in- 
telligence, at  Stillwater,  of  this  tragic  con- 
test, he  despatched  a force  of  eight  hun- 
dred continental  troops,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Brigadier-General  Learned,  to 
reinforce  the  patriots. 


A few  days  subsequently.  General  Ar- 
nold volunteered  his  services,  which  were 
accepted  by  Schuyler,  who  or-  ^ jg 
dered  him  to  proceed  immedi- 
ately  to  the  “ German  Flats,”  where  he 
was  to  assume  the  chief  command,  and, 
calling  out  the  militia  of  the  neighboring 
country,  relieve  Fort  Schuyler,  if  practi- 
cable ; otherwise,  to  adopt  such  precau- 
tionary measures  as  would  most  effectu- 
ally cover  the  settlements  of  the  Mohawk 
valley  from  the  ravages  of  General  Bur- 
goyne’s  advancing  British  and  Germans, 
and  their  more  terrible  Indian  allies,  who 
filled  the  country  with  consternation 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


CHAPTER  LIII. 

General  Burgoyne  in  Straits. — His  Wants. — He  seeks  Relief  by  an  Expedition  to  Bennington. — Opposition  of  OfTiceis  — 
Major  Skene,  of  Skenesborough,  carries  the  Day. — The  Force. — The  Hessians  and  Colonel  Baume. — Small  Means 
and  Great  Ends. — The  Slow  Germans. — The  Plodding  Banme. — A Capture. — Encouragement  and  Discouragement. 
— The  Americans  on  the  Alert. — General  Stark  and  his  Quarrels. — His  Influence. — Colonel  Setli  Warner  and  tlie 
Green-Mountain  Boys. — Stark  comes  up  with  the  Enemy. — A Successful  Skirinisli. — A Soaking  Rain. — Breyman  and 
his  Lumbering  Germans. — Intrenchments  of  the  Enemy. — A Figliting  Parson. — Molly  Stark’s  Prospects  of  Widow- 
hood.— The  Fight. — Victory. — Losses. — “ One  Little  Hair”  too  late. — Stark’s  Glory  and  Rewards. 


General  Burgoyne  had  so  far  ex- 

1 7T  • • 

haiisted  his  resources  in  his  difficult 
march  to  Fort  Edward,  and  Schuyler’s 
efforts  to  deprive  him  of  the  natural  sup- 
plies of  the  country  had  been  so  success- 
ful, that  he  found  himself  unable  to  pros- 
ecute his  onward  route  to  Albany,  where, 
forming  a junction  with  Colonel  St.Leger, 
he  proposed  to  concentrate  his  forces.  His 
chief  want  was  horses  with  which  to  draw 
his  baggage-wagons  and  artillery,  and  to 
mount  his  cavalry  regiments.  Having 
learned  that  Bennington,  in  the  ‘‘New- 
Hampshire  grants”  (now  Vermont),  was 
used  by  the  Americans  as  a deposite  for 
stores,  and  that  it  contained  not  only  live 
stock  in  abundance,  but  large  quantities 
of  corn  and  flour,  he  determined  to  send 
an  expedition  against  the  place.  General 
Phillips,  of  the  artillery,  and  Baron  Rei- 
desel,  who  commanded  the  Hessians,  op- 
posed the  enterprise.  They  contended 


that,  to  send  a detachment  into  the  heart 
of  the  enemy’s  country,  would  be  to  in- 
cur too  great  a danger.  Burgoyne  him- 
self thought  that  a large  force  might  be 
required ; but  Major  Skene,  of  Skenes- 
borough, who  pretended  thoroughly  to 
know  the  country  and  the  sentiments  of 
the  people,  declared  that  the  friends  of 
the  British  cause  were  as  five  to  one,  and 
that  they  only  required  the  appearance 
of  a protecting  power  to  show  themselves. 
General  Burgoyne  accordingljq  trusting 
to  Skene’s  apparently  superior  knowledge, 
followed  his  advice,  and  despatched  but  a 
small  force  to  Bennington,  consisting  of 
about  five  or  six  hundred  men  in  all,  with 
two  light  fieldpieces.  Of  this  small  de- 
tachment, one  hundred  were  Indian*?,  a 
few  British  and  Canadians,  but  the  great- 
er part  Hessian.s,  among  whom  were  two 
hundred  dismounted  dragoons  belonging 

to  Reidesel’s  regiment.  Lieutenant-Colo- 

517 


518  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [rAiiT  ii. 

! 

nel  Baume,  a German,  was  appointed  to 

tenant- Colonel  Baume,  with  his  small 

the  command  ; and  Major  Skene  was  sent 
to  accompany  him,  and  aid  in  the  execu- 

force,  set  out  on  his  expedition.  ^ 

General  Burgoyne,  at  the  same 

tion  of  an  enterprise  of  which  he  was  the 

time,  moved  his  army  along  the  eastern 

chief  instio-ator. 

O 

shore  of  the  Hudson,  and  encamped  near- 

The  force  was  meager,  hut  it  was  ex- 

ly  opposite  to  Saratoga,  where,  having 

pected  to  accomplish  great  purposes,  as 

thrown  a bridge  of  boats  across  the  river, 

maybe  inferred  from  Burgoyne’s  instruc- 

he  sent  over  his  advanced  guard,  under 

tions  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Baume,  who 

General  Fraser. 

was  ordered  to  proceed  through  the  New- 

Baume  had  not  a long  march  before 

Hampshire  grants;  cross  the  mountains ; 

him,  Bennington  being  only  about  twen- 

scour  the  country  from  Rockingham  to 

ty-four  miles  to  the  eastward  of  the  Hud- 

Otter  creek ; to  get  horses,  carriages,  and 

son,  but  he  and  his  heavy  Germans  were 

cattle,  and  mount  Reidesel’s  regiment  of 

slow  in  their  movements.  ‘^The  worst 

dragoons;  to  go  down  Connecticut  river 

British  regiment  in  the  service,”  says  Sted- 

as  far  as  Brattleborough,  and  return  by 

man,  the  English  military  annalist,  “ woidd 

the  great  road  to  Albany,  there  to  meet 

with  ease  have  marched  two  miles  for 

General  Burgoyne  ; to  endeavor  to  malce 

their  one.”  Rapidity  of  motion  was  not 

the  country  believe  it  was  the  advanced 

one  of  the  virtues  of  the  German  troops. 

body  of  the  general’s  army,  who  was  to 

They  were  not  only  naturally  less  active 

cross  Connecticut  river  and  proceed  to 

than  the  British,  but  were  weighed  down 

Boston,  and  that  at  Springfield  they  were 

by  the  monstrous  accoutrements  intro- 

to  be  joined  by  the  troops  from  Rhode 

duced  by  Frederick  the  Great  into  the 

Island.  All  officers,  civil  and  military, 

Prussian  armies.  Their  hats  and  swords 

acting  under  the  Congress,  were  to  be 

alone  weighed  nearly  as  much  as  the  en- 

made  prisoners.  He  (Baume)  was  to  tax 

tire  equipment  of  a British  soldier ! The 

the  towns  where  they  halted,  with  such 

Germans  were  the  last  men  who  should 

articles  as  they  wanted,  and  take  host- 

have  been  selected  for  attempting  a sur- 

ages  for  the  performance.  “ You  are  to 

prise,  which  requires  above  all  things  ce- 

bring  all  horses,”  adds  Burgoyne,  “ fit  to 

lerity  of  movement. 

mount  the  dragoons  or  to  serve  as  battal- 

Baume  went  on,  plodding  his  way  slow- 

ion  horses  for  the  troops,  with  as  many 

ly  but  faithfully.  On  the  first  night  he 

saddles  and  bridles  as  can  be  found.  The 

reached  Cambridge,  where  his  advanced 

number  of  horses  requisite,  besides  those 

guard  of  Indians  and  Canadians  succeed- 

for  the  dragoons,  ought  to  be  thirteen 

ed  in  dispersing  a small  party  of  Ameri- 

hundred ; if  you  can  bring  more,  so  mucli 

cans  guarding  some  cattle.  The  follow- 

the  better.  The  horses  must  be  tied  in 

ing  day  he  got  possession  of  the  mill  of 

strings  of  ten  each,  in  order  that  one  man 

“ Sancook,”  with  a large  supply  of  “very 

may  lead  ten  horses.” 

fine  flour,”  a thousand  bushels  of  wheat. 

With  these  great  designs  in  view.  Lieu- 

twenty  barrels  of  salt,  and  about  “one 

r 

KEVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  MARCH  TO  BENNINGTON.— GENERAL  STARK.  519 


thousand  pounds  of  pearlash  and  potash,” 
which  the  Americans,  flying  before  him, 
had  left  as  a prize  behind  them.  From 
this  place,  on  the  morning  of  the  14th  of 
August,  he  writes  a despatch  to  General 
Burgoyne,  which,  upon  the  whole,  is  quite 
encouraging.  “ By  five  prisoners  taken 
here,”  he  says,  ‘‘  they  agree  that  from  fif- 
teen to  eighteen  hundred  are  at  Benning- 
ton, but  are  supposed  to  leave  it  on  our 
approach People  are  flocking  in  hour- 

ly, but  want  to  be  armed.”  There  were, 
however,  already  some  drawbacks  to  his 
successful  progress.  The  Americans  were 
breaking  down  the  bridges,  and  delaying 
his  march  ; and  the  Indians  were  giving 
him  no  little  trouble.  “ The  savages,”  he 
declares,  “ can  not  be  controlled ; they 
ruin  and  take  everything  they  please.” 
IVith  their  superior  skill  in  horse-steal- 
ing,  the  Indian  allies  were  the  first  to  get 
possession  of  these  animals ; and,  unless 
they  received  hard  cash  for  tliem,  they 
would  either  destroy  or  drive  them  off. 
Baume,  notwithstanding,  is  still  hopeful, 
and  adds,  in  his  deliberate  way,  “ I will 
proceed  so  far  to-day  as  to  fixll  on  the  en- 
emy to-morrow.” 

The  Americans,  however,  were  vigilant, 
and  were  preparing  to  receive  the  lieu- 
tenant-colonel  and  his  Germans.  Ever 
since  the  success  of  General  Burgoyne  at 
Ticonderoga,  the  eastern  states  had  been 
making  strenuous  eftbrts  to  protect  their 
frontiers  from  invasion.  New  Hampshire, 
being  the  first  exposed,  was  foremost  in 
prepai'ing  to  defend  herself  The  militia 
of  the  state  was  called  out.  and  a detach- 
ment under  General  Stark  ordered  im- 
mediately to  the  frontier. 


Stark  had  only  accepted  the  command 
of  the  New-Hampshii’e  militia  on  the  con- 
dition of  being  left  at  liberty  to  serve  or 
not  under  a continental  commander  as 
he  pleased.  The  general  was  vexed  by 
the  treatment  which  he  had  received  at 
the  hands  of  Congress,  that  body  having, 
by  the  appointment  of  younger  and  less- 
experienced  men  above  him,  slighted,  as 
he  thought,  his  superior  claims.  He  liad 
therefore  left  the  general  service  in  dis- 
gust, but  was  too  devoted  a patriot  to 
abandon  his  country  in  the  crisis  of  its 
trials ; and,  when  his  native  state  w%as 
threatened,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  come 
forward  in  her  defence. 

John  Stark  had,  xvliile  a youth,  fought 
in  the  French  wars.  At  the  first  sound 
of  the  cannon  at  Lexington,  he  had  left 
his  sawmill,  and,  calling  together  the  back 
woodsmen  of  New  Hampshire,  had  hast- 
ened to  Boston,  where  he  was  foremost 
in  the  struggle  at  Bunker’s  hill.  He  had 
served  in  Canada  under  Montgomery  and 
Arnold ; and  he  had  shared  in  (he  victo- 
ry at  Trenton  under  Washington.  Al- 
though these  services  may  have  been  for- 
gotten by  Congress  in  the  strife  of  parti- 
sanship, they  were  held  in  fresh  remem- 
brance by  his  own  state. 

Stark’s  influence  in  New  Hampshire 
w'as  so  great,  that  his  appointment  was 
no  sooner  made,  than  fourteen  hundred 
men  rallied  to  his  standard.  These  were 
not  raw  militia,  but  brave  and  true  sol- 
diers, well  officered,  who  had  already,  like 
their  veteran  commander,  seen  service. 

Stark’s  resolve  to  act  independently  of 
the  orders  of  any  continental  command- 
er was  soon  put  to  the  test.  General 


** 

520  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  - [i-akt  ii 

Lincoln,  who  had  been  sent  by  Washing- 

that  Baume’s  Indians  were  at  Cambridge, 

ton  to  the  North,  to  aid  Schuyler,  had 

twelve  miles  north  of  him.  He  immedi- 

now  reached  Manchester,  some  twenty 
miles  north  of  Bennington.  Here  Stark 
met  him,  and  was  ordered  to  join  Schuy- 
ler nt  Stillwater.  With  this  order,  how- 

ately  sent  foiwvard  Lieutenant- Colonel 
Gregg,  with  two  hundred  men,  to  oppose 
them ; and  the  next  morning, 
having  rallied  his  brigade  and 

ever,  he  refused  compliance,  confronting 

the  militia,  and  being  reinforced  by  War- 

Lincoln  with  the  “condition  of  service” 

ner,  who  had  come  into  Bennington  with 

which  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  had 

his  men  drenched  by  a soaking  rain,  he 

accepted.  The  matter  was  finally  referred 

marched  himself  w'ith  all  speed  to  meet 

to  Congress  for  adjustment,  when  that 

the  enemy.  WarneVs  regiment  w’as  left 

body  resolved  “that  the  council  of  New 

behind  to  “dry”  and  refresh  themselves. 

Hampshire  be  informed  that  the  instruc- 

Stark  had  got  but  seven  miles  on  his  way, 

tions  which  General  Stark  says  he  has  re- 

when  he  met  Gregg  and  his  part}^  in  full 

ceived  fi  oni  them  are  destructive  of  mill- 

retreat,  with  Baume’s  force  in  pursuit, 

tary  subordination,  and  highly  prejudicial 

only  a mile  in  their  rear. 

to  the  common  cause  at  this  crisis ; and 

Stark  at  once  halted  his  troops,  and 

that  therefore  they  be  desired  to  instruct 

drew  them  up  in  order  of  battle.  The 

General  Stark  to  conform  himself  to  the 

enemy  coming  up  and  seeing  his  strength. 

same  rules  which  other  general  officers 

did  likewise,  taking  their  position  on  a 

of  the  militia  are  subject  to,  whenever 

hill  very  advantageously  situated.  Stark 

they  are  called  out  at  the  expense  of  the 

confined  himself  to  sending  out  small  par- 

United  States.” 

ties  to  skirmish  with  their  advance-guards. 

Stark,  however,  w\as  a plain  man,  and 

and  with  such  good  effect,  that  thirty  of 

had  no  fastidious  reg-ard  for  the  nice  dis- 

O 

the  enemy  wTre  killed  or  wounded,  wuth- 

tinctions  of  legislative  privileges.  He 

out  any  loss  on  his  own  side.  As  his 

would  do  everything,  he  siiid,  to  promote 

ground  w^as  not  suitable  for  a general  ac- 

the  public  good,  but  nothing  that  was  in- 

tion,  the  American  commander  withdrew 

consistent  with  his  own  honor,  and  went 

his  troops  a mile  farther  back,  and  en- 

on,  resolutely  bent  upon  the  sole  object 
of  defending'  his  state,  now  threatened 

camped.-  The  whole  of  the  fol-  ^ 
low’ing  day  was  mostly  lost,  for  ^ 

with  daimer.  Having;  heard  of  the  ad- 

it  rained  heavily  from  morning  till  night. 

vance  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Baume,  the 

A council  of  war,  however,  was  called,  ax 

veteran  Stark  hurried  back  to  Benning- 

which  a plan  of  action  was  agreed  upon. 

ton,  where 4ie  was  soon  followed  b}^  Colo- 

Two  detachments  w'ere  to  be  sent  to  at- 

nel  Seth  Warner  and  his  “ Green-Mount- 

tack  the  enemy  in  the  rear,  while  a third 

ain  Boys,”  who  had  returned  to  New 

should  oppose  them  in  front.  Lieuten- 

Hampshire  after  St.  Clair’s  surrender  and 

antrColonel  Baume,  in  the  meanwhile, 

retreat  from  Ticonderog:a. 

took  advantage  of  this  pause  to  send  to 

On  reaching  Bennington, Stark  learned 

O O " 

Burgoyne  for  a reinforcement;  and  Colo- 

r 

REvoLUTioNAuy.J  BATTLE  OF  BENNINGTON.  521 

nel  Breyman  was  immediately  despatched 

setts.  Among  the  volunteers  was  a war- 

with  live  hundred  men  to  his  aid.  His 

like  clergyman  of  the  name  of  Allen.  So 

progress,  however,  was  so  slow,  with  his 

impatient  was  he  for  the  fight,  that  he  no 

lumbering  Germans,  that,  although  he  had 

sooner  arrived,  than  he  presented  himself 

but  twenty-four  miles  to  march,  he  took 

to  Stark,  saying,  “ General,  the  people  of 

over  two  days  to  accomplish  it!  “This 

Berkshire  have  been  so  often  summoned 

Breyman,”  says  the  author  of  ‘^Knight's 

without  being  allowed  to  fight,  that  they 

History  of  England',''  “like  most  of  his  school. 

have  resolved,  unless  you  now  give  them 

was  a pedant  and  a formalist,  who  had  no 

a chance,  not  to  turn  out  again.” — “ You 

notion  of  marching,  even  through  a rough 

wouldn’t  surely  wish  to  march  while  it  is 

country,  except  with  all  the  order  and 

dark  and  raining!”  replied  Stark.  “No, 

precision  of  the  drill-ground:  he  halted 

not  just  now,”  answered  Allen.  “ Well,” 

ten  times  an  hour  to  dress  his  ranks.”  Of 

responded  the  general,  “if  the  Lord  will 

course,  such  a laggard  was  not  likely  to 

only  give  us  once  more  some  sunshine. 

be  up  to  time,  and  we  shall  find  that  his 

and  I do  not  give  you  fighting  enough, 

arrival  was  too  late  for  him  to  render  any 

I’ll  never  ask  you  to  come  out  again.” 

aid. 

As  the  day  advanced,  the  rain  ceased, 

Baume,  in  the  meantime,  continued  by 
means  of  intrenchments  to  strengthen  the 

and  the  sun  shone  brightly;  so 

Stark  prepared  to  begin  his  op- 

position  which  he  had  chosen,  upon  the 

erations  against  the  enemy.  In  accord- 

high  ground,  within  a bend  of  the  little 

ance  with  the  plan  agreed  upon  with  his 

Wallormscook  river.  Although  the  rainy 

officers  on  the  previous  day,  the  general 

weather  kept  the  two  opposing  parties, 

sent  Colonel  Nichols,  with  two  hundred 

for  the  most  part,  within  their  encamp- 

men,  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy’s  left,  and 

ments,  there  was  an  occasional  skirmish 

Colonel  Herrick,  with  three  hundred,  in 

between  them ; and  the  Indians  were  so 

the  rear  of  their  right,  with  orders  to  join 

frequently  picked  off  by  the  New-IIamp- 

their  forces  and  make  a simultaneous  at- 

shire  riflemen,  that  they  begfln  to  desert 

tack.  To  the  right.  Colonels  Hubbard 

Baume,  telling  him  that  they  would  not 

and  Stickney  were  detached,  with  two 

stay,  because  the  woods  were  filled  with 

hundred  men,  while  a hundred  were  sent 

Yankees.* 

to  the  front,  in  order  to  draw  the  atten- 

General  Stark,  before  leaving  Benning- 

tion  of  the  enemy  in  that  direction.  The 

ton,  had  sent  expresses  in  all  directions 

command  of  the  main  body  the  general 

throughout  the  country,  to  summon  the 

reserved  for  himself,  w'ith  the  view,  as 

militia,  and  they  now  began  to  come  in. 

soon  as  the  action  began,  to  push  his  men 

Before  break  of  day  on  the  morning  of 

forward  and  make  a charge  in  front. 

the  16th  of  August,  Colonel  Symonds 

It  was  three  o’clock  in  the  afternoon 

marched  into  camp  with  a considerable 

when  the  attack  was  begun,  by  the  ad- 

body  from  Berkshire  counfy,  Massachu- 

vance  of  Colonel  Nichols  upon  the  rear 

* Lossing. 

6G 

of  Baume’s  intrenchments.  “ Forward 

1 

522  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Ipaut  ii. 

shouted  Stark,  at  the  sound  of  the  first 

enemy’s  camp,  now  left  their  ranks  to  se- 

gun,  as  he  led  his  troops  on  against  the 

cure  their  booty.  The  retreating  Ger- 

enemy’s  front.  “ See  there,  men  !”  con- 

mans,  hearing  of  the  advance  of  Colonel 

tinned  he  ; " there  are  the  red-coats ! Be- 

Bieyman  with  a reinforcement,  began  to 

fore  night  they  are  ours,  or  Molly  Stark 

rally,  and  might  have  renewed  the  en- 

will  be  a widow  !”  And  his  brave  fellows. 

gagement  to  the  disadvantage  of  the  un- 

responding  to  this  homely  speech  of  their 

disciplined  Americans,  scattered  about  in 

general  with  a loud  huzza,  pushed  for- 

their  search  for  plunder,  had  not  Colonel 

ward.  In  a few  minutes  the  action  was 

Warner’s  regiment,  which  had  been  left 

(j-eneral.  “It  lasted  two  hours,”  wrote 

behind  at  Bennington,  luckily  come  up 

Stark,  “ the  hottest  I ever  saw  in  my  life. 

at  this  moment,  and  began  the  attack 

It  represented  one  continued  clap  of  thun- ' 

' afresh.  Stark,  too,  gathered  as  many  of 

der.”  The  Indians  were  the  first  to  give 

his  dispersed  men  as  he  could,  and,  form- 

way.  Finding  that  they  were  about  to 

ing  them,  pushed  forward.  The  battle 

be  hemmed  in  by  the  Americans  in  the 

was  renewed,  and  continued  obstinately 

rear,  they  fled,  yelling  and  jingling  their 

on  both  sides  until  sunset.  The  enemy, 

cow-bells,”  but  received  a fire  by  which 

however,  were  forced  to  retreat,  with 

three  were  killed  and  two  wounded  as 

Stark  close  at  their  heels,  who  pursued 

they  ran  between  the  two  detachments 

them  until  dark.  “ Had  day,”  said  he. 

of  Nichols  and  Herrick,  that  were  closing 

“ lasted  an  hour  longer,  we  should  have 

to  form  a junction. 

taken  the  whole  body  of  them.” 

The  Germans,  nevertheless,  spiritedly 

The  liiggard  Breyman  came  up  with 

resisted,  clinging  to  their  guns  within  the 

his  slow  Germans  only  in  time  to  meet 

oreastworks  as  long  as  their  ammunition 

Baume’s  force  in  full  retreat.  “Had  he 

lasted ; and  then  strove  to  defend  them- 

been  one  little  hour  sooner,  the  fiite  of  the 

selves  with  sword  in  hand,  and  with  the 

day,”  according  to  the  British  authorities. 

brave  Baume  at  their  head.  The  Ameri- 

“might  have  been  different;  but  now  he 

cans,  however,  though  armed  only  with 

had  nothing  to  do  but  to  put  the  fugi- 

their  “ brown  firelocks,”  and  with  hardly 

tives  of  Baume’s  detachment  into  some 

a bayonet,  mounted  the  fortifications  and 

order,  and  retreat  to  the  place  he  had 

assailed  them  with  such  dashing  gallant- 

come  from.” 

ry,  that  the  enemy  were  obliged  to  give 

Seven  hundred  of  the  enemy  were  ta- 

way.  “ Our  martial  courage,”  said  Stark, 

ken  prisoners,  among  whom  was  Baume 

“ was  too  hard  for  them.”  After  a severe 

who  soon  after  died  of  his  wounds.  Two 

loss  in  killed  and  wounded,  among  the 

hundred  and  seven  of  them  were  left 

latter  of  whom  was  Baume  himself,  they 

dead  on  the  field.  The  Americans  had 

were  driven  from  their  ground,  leaving 

about  one  hundred  killed  and  nearly  the 

their  artillery  and  baggage  behind  them. 

same  number  wounded.  Stark  himself 

Stark’s  militiamen,  who  had  been  prom- 

lost  “his  horse,  bridle,  and  saddle,”  in  the 

ised  by  him  all  the  plunder  taken  in  the 

action.  Four  pieces  of  brass  cannon,  sev- 

, 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  STARK’S  REWARD.— A 

COURT  OF  INQUIRY.  523 

eral  hundred  stands  of  arms,  and  a mis- 

this  dawn  of  victory  in  the  East.  The  mi- 

cellaneous  collection  of  brass -barrelled 

litia  became  more  self-reliant,  and  proved 

drums,  stores,  swords,  and  baggage-wag- 

themselves  more  worthy  of  the  trust  of 

ons,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans. 

others.  They  had  succeeded  in  overcom- 

These  (or  their  value)  were  claimed  by 

ing  European  regulars,  and  had  put  to 

Stark  for  his  troop.s,  since,  as  he  declares 

flight  the  much-dreaded  Indian  savages 

in  his  official  account,  that  he  promised 

arrayed  against  them. 

“ the  soldiers  should  have  all  the  plunder 

General  Stark’s  share  in  the  victory 

taken  in  the  enemy’s  camp.” 

was  handsomely  acknowledged.  Con- 

The  Americans  were  everywhere  great- 

gress,  forgetting  their  own  wrongs,  now 

ly  inspirited  by  this  triumph  at  Benning- 

thought  only  of  his  rights,  and,  appoint- 

ton.  The  gloom,  which  had  previously  so 

ing  him  a brigadier-general  in  the  conti- 

darkened  the  hopes  of  the  people  in  the 

nental  army,  reinstated  him  in  the  pos' 

Morth,  now  began  to  disappear  before 

tion  which  he  claimed. 

CHAPTER  LIV. 

Court  of  Inquiry  upon  Generals  Schuyler  and  St.  Clair. — Schuyler  superseded. — Washington  declines  to  nominate  a Sue- 

cessor. — Unpopularity  of  Schuyler,  and  its  Causes. — General  Gates  appointed  to  the  Command  of  the  Northern  De- 
p.artment. — Courtesy  of  Gates  and  Schuyler. — Schuyler  chagrined. — Gates  agreeably  disappointed. — Gates’s  Attack 
upon  General  Burgoyne  with  his  Pen. — Military  Rlietoric. — Burgoyne’s  An.swer. — Movements  of  General  Arnold. — ■ 

A Master  of  Grandiloquence. — A Yankee  Trick. — Yan  Yost  Cuyler. — The  Success  of  his  Mission. — The  British  for- 
saken by  the  Indians. — An  Indian  Practical  Joke. — Fort  Schuyler  relieved. — Arnold  hastens  to  join  Gates. 

...  Congress  had  determined  that 

1 7 • • • 

a court  of  inquiry  should  be  held, 
to  investigate  the  conduct  of  Generals 
Schuyler  and  St.  Clair,  in  consequence  of 
the  surrender  of  the  posts  at  Ticondero- 
ga  and  Mount  Independence.  They  were 
. accordingly  ordered,  though  the 

time  was  not  yet  specihed,  to 

who,  however,  declined  this  re.sponsibili- 
ty,  telling  them  in  reply  : “ The  northern 
department  in  a great  measure  has  been 
considered  as  separate,  and  more  pecu- 
liarly under  their  direction ; and  the  offi- 
cers commanding  there  always  of  their 
nomination.  I have  never  interfered  fur- 

ther  than  merely  to  advise,  and  to  give 

hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  proceed 

such  aids  as  were  in  my  power,  on  the  re- 

to  headquarters.  In  the  meantime,  it  was 

quisitions  of  those  officers.  The  present 

resolved  to  supersede  General  Schuyler 

situation  of  that  department  is  delicate 

in  the  command  of  the  northern  depart- 

and  critical,  and  the  choice  of  an  officer 

ment.  The  appointment  of  his  successor 

to  the  command  may  involve  very  inter- 

was  referred  by  Congress  to  Washington, 

esting  and  important  consequences.” 

524  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

When  Conarress  iuithorized  Washlno;- 

culties  then  in  the  way  of  Burgo3me,  by 

ton  to  make  the  appointment,  tlie  New- 

the  strenuous  exertions  of  Schuyler,  the 

Eimland  delegates  were  so  anxious  that 

army  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  North  and 

their  favorite  should  receive  it,  that  they 

East  had  got  rid  of  much  of  their  panic, 

wrote  to  the  commander-in-chief,  urging 

there  is  no  doubt  that  the  appearance  of 

him  to  appoint  General  Gates,  and  ex- 

Gates  served  greatly  to  quicken  the  res- 

pressing  the  opinion  that  ‘Gio  man  will 

toration  of  their  confidence  and  courage. 

be  more  likely  to  restore  harmony,  order. 

Schu^der  courteously  received  Gates 

and  discipline,  and  retrieve  our  affairs  in 

when  he  presented  himself  at  the  camp 

that  quarter.”  This  attempt  to  influence 
his  judgment  probably  induced  Washing- 

at  Van  Schaick’s  island  (where 

^ All"'.  19i 

the  Mohawk  enters  the  Hudson),  ® 

ton  to  decline  all  interference  in  the  mat- 

to  assume  the  command  of  the  army.  Re- 

ter.  On  the  question  being  again  brought 

pressing  his  vexation  at  the  treatment  of 

up  before  Congress,  Gates  received  the 

Congress,  the  superseded  general  told  his 

appointment. 

successor  that  he  intended  to  remain  in 

General  Schuyler,  of  whose  patriotism 

the  camp  for  the  present,  and  begged  him 

and  active  devotion  to  the  interests  of  his 

to  avail  himself  freely  of  his  ‘services. 

country  there  could  be  no  doubt,  was  ex- 

That  Schu^der  Avas  deeply  Avounded  is 

ceedingly  unpopular  with  New  England. 

apparent  from  his  letter  to  Washington. 

'fhe  cause  has  been  attributed  to  the  old 

“ It  is,”  Avrites  he,  “ matter  of  extreme  cha- 

quarrel  growing  out  of  the  dispute  in  re- 

grin  to  me  to  be  deprived  of  the  command. 

gard  to  the  boundary-line  between  his 

at  a time  Avhen  soon,  if  ever,  Ave  shall 

native  colony  of  New  York  and  that  of 

probably  be  enabled  to  meet  the  enemy 

Massachusetts  Bay.  Schuyler  had  served 

— Avhen  Ave  are  on  the  point  of  taking 

as  a boundary-commissioner,  and,  in  his 

ground  Avhere  they  must  attack  to  disad- 

zealous  defence  of  the  claimsof  New  York, 

vantage,  should  our  force  be  inadequate 

is  supposed  to  have  incurred  the  ill  feel- 

to  facing  them  in  the  field  — Avhen  an  op- 

ing  of  New  England.  It  is  far  more  prob- 

portunity  aauU  in  all  probability  occur,  in 

able,  however,  that  the  formal  manners. 

Avhich  I might  evince  that  I am  not  Avhat 

and  the  claims  to  social  distinction  of  the 

Congress  have  too  plainly  insinuated,  by 

more  aristocratic  “New-Yorker,”  did  not 

the  resolution  taking  the  command  from 

accord  Avith  the  rude  simplicity  of  the 

me.” 

equality-loving  “Yankee.”  Gates,  Avho 

General  Gates,  when  first  setting  out. 

was  of  a social  turn,  and  easy  in  his  man- 

Avas  not  much  encouraged  by  the  pros- 

ners,  on  the  other  hand,  succeeded  in  con- 

pect  of  his  northern  command  ; but  Avhen 

ciliating  the  New-England  people,  and 

he  reached  the  camp,  he  found  that  the 

possessed  at  this  time  all  their  love  and 

tide  of  affairs  had  taken  a more  favorable 

confidence.  His  appointment,  therefore. 

turn.  “ Upon  my  leaving  Philadelphia,” 

was  gladly  welcomed  ; and, although  with 

he  Avrote  to  Washington,  “ the  prospect 

the  success  at  Bennington,  and  the  diffi- 

this  Avay  appeared  most  gloomj^ ; but  the 

UKvoi.uTioNAitY.]  GATES'S  CHARGES  AGAINST  BURGOYNE.  525 

severe  checks  the  enemy  have  met  at 

given,  that  the  letter  was  too  personal. 

Bennington  and  Tryon  county  have  giv- 

Gates,  with  the  usual  vanity  of  author- 

en  a more  pleasing  view  of  public  affairs. 

ship,  replied  testily,  “ By  G-d,  I don’t  be- 

I can  not  sufficiently  thank  your  excel- 

lieve  either  of  you  can  mend  it !”  It  was 

lency  for  sending  Colonel  Morgan’s  corps. 

therefore  sent  without  amendment. 

They  will  be  of  the  greatest  service  to 

Burgoyne  was  naturally  indignant  at 

the  army;  for,  until  the  late  successes 

the  charges  of  Gates,  and  took  pains,  in 

this  way,  I am  told  it  was  cpiite  panic- 

a long  answer,  to  refute  them.  In  regard 

struck  by  the  Indians,  and  their  tory  and 

to  the  tragic  death  of  Miss  M‘Crea,  he  de- 

Canadian  assassins  in  Indian  dress.  Few 

dared  that  it  was  no  premeditated  bar- 

of  the  militia  demanded  are  yet  arrived. 

barity ; that  no  one  regretted  it  more 

but  I hear  of  great  numbers  on  their 

than  himself;  and  that,  moreover,  the 

march.” 

murderer  should  have  been  executed,  had 

Gates  inaugurated  his  command  by  an 

it  not  been  believed  that  a pardon  on  the 

attack  with  his  pen  on  Burgoyne.  That 

terms  to  be  granted  would  be  more  effi- 

general  had  sent  in  a complaint  of  the 

cacious  to  prevent  further  outrage.  As 

treatment  received  by  the  prisoners  ta- 

for  the  other  Indian  cruelties,  Burgoyne 

ken  at  Bennington.  Gates  retorted  by 

denied  them,  and,  in  regard  to  the  com- 

denouncing  the  employment  of  the  Indi- 

plicity  of  which  he  was  accused,  emphat- 

ans,  and  holding  Burgoyne  responsible 

ically  asserted — “I  w'ould  not  be  con- 

for  their  cruelties.  In  the  course  of  his 

scions  of  the  acts  jmu  presume  to  impute 

letter  he  described,  in  a strain  of  turo;id 

to  me,  for  the  whole  continent  of  Amer- 

rhetoric,  the  tragic  death  of  Jane  M^Crea, 

ica,  though  the  wealth  of  worlds  was  in 

and  concluded  by  saying,  “ The  miserable 

its  bowels,  and  a paradise  upon  its  sur- 

fate  of  Miss  M‘Crea  was  peculiarly  aggra- 

face.” 

vated  by  her  being  dressed  to  receive  her 

It  may  be  presumed  that  Gates  himself 

promised  husband,  but  met  her  murderer, 

did  not  believe  that  Burgoyne  was  the 

employed  ly  you  !”  Nor  was  this  all ; he 

criminal  which  his  letter  would  seem  to 

added : “ Upward  of  one  hundred  men. 

indicate.  His  object  was  to  exaggerate 

women,  and  children,  have  perished  by 

the  cruelties  of  the  enemy,  in  order  to 

the  hands  of  ruffians,  to  whom  it  is  assert- 

excite  the  horror  and  indignation  of  the 

ed  you  have  paid  the  price  of  blood !” 

country.  He  was  merely  availing  him- 

After  Gates  had  elaborated  his  epistle, 

self  of  what  he  believed  to  be  a jnstitia- 

he  called  General  Lincoln  and  his  adju- 

ble  ruse  de yuerre,  and  it  proved  wondrous- 

tant-general  (Wilkinson)  into  his  apart- 

ly  effective.  Gates’s  exaggerated  state- 

ment,  read  it  to  them,  and  asked  their 

rnents  and  rhetorical  bombast  accorded 

opinion.  They  modestly  declined  to  give 

with  the  excited  and  unreflecting  senti- 

it.  The  general,  however,  pressed  them. 

ment  of  the  times,  and  his  letter  became 

when  they  both  declared,  as  might  be  ex- 

immensely  popular. 

pected  from  the  extracts  which  we  have 

General  Arnold,  who,  as  we  have  seen, 

526  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

had  gone  to  the  relief  of  the  garrison  at 

This  swelling  manifesto  had  its  effect,  but 

Fort  Schuyler,  soon  overtook  the  detach- 

proved  less  efficacious  than  another  de- 

incnt  of  eight  hundred  men,  under  Gen- 

vice  which  sprangfromthe  teeming  womb 

eral  Learned,  Avliich  had  preceded  him. 

of  Yankee  ingenuity. 

On  reacliino;  Fort  Davton,  at  the  German 

LieutenantrColonel  Brooks,  of  the  Mas- 

Flats,  where  tlicre  was  a small  guard  of 

sachusettsline,suggested  the  employment 

continental  troops,  it  was  found  that  the 

of  a man  of  the  name  of  Hanjmst  Schuy- 

whole  force  which  coidd  be  mustered 

ler,  or  Yan  Yost  Cuyler,  as  an  emissary 

amounted  to  only  nine  hundred  and  for- 

to  be  sent  into  the  camp  of  the  enemy. 

tv-six  regulars  and  one  hundred  militia. 

with  an  exaggerated  report  of  Arnold’s 

It  was  therefore  deemed  imprudent,  with 

numbers,  in  order  to  alarm  the  Indians. 

so  meager  a force,  to  attempt  an  attack 

This  fellow,  who-was  known  to  be  a tory, 

upon  Colonel  St.  Leger,  who  was  invest- 

had  been  arrested  while  prowling  about 

ing  Fort  Schuyler  with  a miscellaneous 

the  American  encampment,  and  was  con- 

body  of  Indians,  Canadians,  and  regulars. 

demned  to  be  executed  as  a spy.  He 

numbering  no  less  than  seventeen  hun- 

Avas  now  brought  before  General  Arnold, 

dred.  Arnold  sent  to  Gates  for  reinforce- 

who  promised  him  a pardon  if  he  would 

ments,  and  in  (he  meantime  tried  the  effi- 

perform  the  service  required  of  him.  He 

cacy  of  a proclamation.  He  was  a great 

readily  consented,  and  Avas  sent  away  to 

master  of  grandiloquence,  and  on  the 

St.  Leger’s  camp;  Avhile,  to  secure  his 

present  occasion  outdid  his  usual  efforts. 

fidelity,  his  brother  Avas  kept  as  a host- 

Presentino;  himself  as  the  ‘‘Honorable 

age. 

Benedict  Arnold,  Esquire,  general  and 

Cuyler  is  spoken  of  as  a half-witted 

commander-in-chief  of  the  army  of  the 

felloAAq  but  he  Avas  evidently  much  more 

United  States  of  America  on  the  Mohawk 

of  a rogue  than  a fool,  as  Avas  proA’^ed  by 

river,”  he  proclaimed  a free  pardon  to  all 

the  cunning  with  which  his  mission  Avns 

who  joined  or  upheld  him,  “ wdiether  sav- 

accomplished.  He  Avas,  hoAvever,  greatly 

ages,  Germans,  Americans,  or  Britons,” 

aided  by  some  Indian  confederates,  one 

provided  they  should  lay  doAvn  their  arms 

of  Avhom  suggested  that  he  should  shoot 

and  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 

bullets  through  his  coat,  in  order  that  his 

United  States  within  three  days.  Those 

story  might  appear  more  probable  to  the 

who  would  not  were  threatened  with  the 

enem3^  One  or  tAvo  Indian  accomplices 

“just  vengeance  of  Heaven  and  their  ex- 

also  agreed  to  folloAV  Cuyler,  and  sub- 

asperated  country,”  from  either  of  which 

stantiate  his  reports  of  the  strength  of 

no  mercy  was  to  be  expected ! Colonel 

the  Americans. 

St.  Leger  was  denounced  as  a “leader  of 

Cuyler  accordingly  presented  himself 

a banditti  of  robbers,  murderers,  and  trai- 

among  the  Indians  before  Fort  Schuyler. 

ters,  composed  of  savages  of  America  and 

telling  them  hoAV  he  had  barely  escaped 

more  savage  Britons,”  who  were  threat- 

(of  which  his  riddled  coat  Avas  indubitable 

cning  ruin  and  destruction  to  the  people. 

proof)  from  the  bullets  of  the  enemy,  avIkj 

r 

REVOI.UTIONARY.]  COLONEL  ST.  LEGER  AND  IIIS  INDIANS.  527 

pursued  him  and  were  advancing  in  vast 

that  the  enemy  were  advancing  with  two 

numbers.  The  savages  listened  unsuspi- 

thousand  men ; and  immediately  he  was 

ciously,  and  asked  with  alarm,  How  ma- 

followed  by  a third  dusky  fellow,  who  de- 

ny  are  coming?” — ‘‘A  thousand  !”  he  had 

dared  that  all  Burgoyne’s  army  had  been 

^ seen  in  one  body,  answered  Cuyler,  and 

cut  to  pieces,  and  that  General  Arnold 

“a  thousand  in  another,”  and  he  did  not 

was  pushing  forward  by  rapid  and  forced 

know  “ how  many  more,”  but,  looking  up 

marches  with  three  thousand  men  ! The 

into  the  surrounding  trees,  he  declared 

savages  now  became  so  panic-stricken, 

that  he  believed  “ they  were  as  numer- 

that  two  hundred  decamped  immediately, 

ous  as  the  leaves.”  Soon  came  in  one  of 

and  the  rest  threatened  to  follow.  St. 

Cuyler’s  Indian  confederates,  about  whom 

Leger  called  Sir  John  Johnson  to  his  aid 

his  fellow-savnges  pressed  as  eager  listen- 

in  this  emergency,  but  even  his  undoubt- 

ers;  and  receiving  from  his  lips  a confir- 

ed  influence  over  the  Indians  proved  on 

mation  of  Cuyler’s  story  of  the  approach 

this  occasion  of  no  avail. 

of  the  Americans,  and  still  more  extraor- 

The  savages  persisting  in  their  deter- 

dinary  accounts  of  their  force,  they  be- 

mination  to  leave  St.  Leger,  unless  he 

came  greatly  alarmed. 

should  retreat,  he  was  forced  to  comply. 

Colonel  St.  Leger  was  soon  conscious 

He  proposed,  however,  to  retire  with  de- 

of  the  agitation  among  his  Indians,  ere- 

liberation  during  the  night,  having  first 

ated  by  these  reports.  The  chiefs  hurried 

sent  on  before  him  his  sick,  wounded,  and 

to  him,  and,  confronting  him  angrily,  thus 

artillery.  But  the  Indians  were  too  im- 

addressed  him : “ You  mean  to  sacrifice 

patient  to  go,  and  too  eager  for  the  con- 

us ! When  we  marched  down,  you  told 

fusion  of  a hurried  movement,  to  consent 

us  there  would  be  no  fighting  for  us  In- 

to  a delayed  and  orderly  retreat.  They 

dians ; we  might  go  home,  and  smoke  our 

artfully  kept  up  the  alarm  in  the  camp. 

pipes;  whereas  numbers  of  our  warriors 

by  causing  messengers  to  steal  away  and 

have  been  killed!”  St.  Leger  strove  to 

come  in  again,  with  rumors  that  the  ene- 

allay  their  fears  and  anger,  promising  to 

my  were  approaching.  The  colonel,  not- 

lead  them  on  himself  against  the  enemy. 

withstanding,  resisted  their  importunities 

and  cover  them  with  a van  of  three  him- 

to  march,  until  the  sava!i:es  “ grew  furious 

dred  of  his  best  troops.  They  appeared 

and  abandoned  ; seized  upon  the  officers’ 

quieted  for  the  time,  and  agreed  to  go 

liquor  and  clothes,  in  spite  of  the  efforts 

out  the  next  morning  to  choose  the  prop- 

of  their  servants;  and  became  more  for- 

er  ground  for  a field  of  battle. 

midable,”  says  St. Leger,  “ than  the  enemy 

St.  Leger  went  out  accordingly  early 

we  hid  to  expect.”  He  was  now  forced 

on  the  following  day  with  his  Indian  war- 

to  retire  before  night,  and,  having  called 

riors,  and,  having  chosen  his  ground,  drew 

i«  his  advanced  posts,  hurried  off  toward 

up  his  force.  Soon,  however,  there  came 

Oswego. 

an  Indian,  a second  confederate  of  the 

“ They  went  off,”  says  Gordon,  “ and  St. 

wily  Yan  Yost  Cuyler,  with  the  report 

Leger  was,  about  noon  of  the  22d  [Au- 

_ ] 

528  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


gast],  ill  such  liuny  and  confusion,  as  to 
leave  his  bombardier  asleep  in  the  boinb- 
hatteiy.  His  tents,  with  most  of  the  ar- 
tillery and  stores,  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  garrison.  Some  of  the  Indian  sa- 
chems,  who  were  highly  disgusted  with 
him,  concluded  to  play  upon  him,  and  di- 
vert themselves  at  his  expense.  In  the 
evening  the  flying  troops  came  to  a clay 
soil,  pretty  soft.  St.  Leger  and  Sir  John 
Johnson  were  in  an  altercation,  St.  Leger 
reproaching  Sir  John  about  his  Indians, 
and  Sir  John  blaming  St.  Leger  for  not 
carrying  on  the  siege  differently. 

“A  couple  of  Indian  chiefs,  upon  a ri- 
sing hill  at  a small  distance,  with  light 
enough  to  observe  their  situation,  and 
near  enough  to  notice  their  wranglings, 
which  proceeded  almost  to  fighting,  di- 
rected an  Indian  to  withdraw  some  con- 
siderable way  behind  them,  and  then  to 
run  after  them,  ciyir.g  out  with  all  ima- 
ginable earnestness  in  the  Indian  lan- 
guage, ^Tlidj  are  coming  I ilieij  are  coming  T 
and  to  continue  it. 

“ St.  Leger  and  Sir  John,  upon  hearing 
the  dismal  note,  made  ofl'as  fast  as  they 
could,  but  often  tumbled  into  the  dirt. 
The  men  pushed  off  in  the  greatest  hur- 
ry. The  Indians  renewed  the  joke  ; and 
continued  thus,  and  in  like  ways,  till  the 
royalists  arrived  at  the  Oneida  lake.” 

The  garrison  at  Fort  Schuyler  were 
greatly  mystified  by  this  sudden  move- 
ment of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Gansevoort 
knew  the  strength  of  the  besiegers,  and 
how  day  after  day  they  had  been  labori- 
ously proceeding  with  their  works,  appa- 
rently with  full  confidence  in  a success- 
ful issue  to  their  operations.  They  had 


peremptorily  summoned  him  to  surren- 
der ; and,  although  he  had  resolutely  an- 
swered that  he  would  defend  the  fort  to 
the  last  extrernitjg  there  had  seemingly 
occurred  nothing  in  the  relations  between 
the  besiegers  and  besieged  to  justify  this 
sudden  retreat  of  the  enemy.  The  mys- 
tery, however,  was  soon  cleared  up  by 
the  arrival  of  the  cunning  Cuyler  at  the 
fort.  Fearful  that  his  trick  might  be  de- 
tected, and  he  meet  with  the  punishment 
which  he  deserved,  the  rogue  had  fled  in 
the  night,  during  the  confusion  of  St.  Le- 
ger’s  retreat,  and  made  his  way  to  Colo- 
nel Gansevoort,  to  whom  Cuyler,  himself 
the  principal  agent,  now  disclosed  the 
ruse  by  which  St.  Leger  had  been  forced 
to  raise  the  siege. 

General  Arnold  did  not  await  the  re- 
sult of  his  cunning  device  against  the 
enemy  nor  reinforcements  from  Gate.s, 
before  marching.  He  resolved,  with  his 
usual  impetuosity,  to  push  on  to  the  re- 
lief of  Gansevoort  with  the  force  at  his 
command,  however  small.  But  he  had 
not  got  far  when  a New-York  regiment 
found  him,  having  been  sent  by  Gates,  to 
whom  Arnold  thus  wrote  from  the  Ger- 
man Flats : I leave  this  place  this  morn- 
ing, with  twelve  hundred  conti- 
nental  troops  and  a handful  of  ” 
militia,  for  Fort  Schuyler,  still  besieged 
by  a force  equal  to  ours.  You  will  hear 
of  my  being  victorious  — or  no  more.  As 
soon  as  the  safety  of  this  part  of  the  coun- 
try will  permit,  I will  fly  to  your  assist- 
ance.” He  was  still  pressing  forward  in 
his  march  toward  the  fort,  when  he  heard 
of  the  success  of  his  ruse,  and  accordingly 
determined  to  return  and  join  Gates. 


r" 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  THT^  BRITISH  FLEET  IN  CHESAPEAKE  BAY. 


CHAPTER  LV. 

Wasiiington  in  Perplexity  — Tlie  Britisli  in  Chesapeake  Bay. — General  Howe’s  Oliject. — Philadelphia. — Tlie  Course  and 
Voyage  of  the  British  Fleet. — Washington  marches  from  Germantown. — The  March  of  the  Americans  through  Phila- 
delphia.— Landing  of  General  Howe. — Want  of  Horses. — Forestalled  by  the  Patriots. — Young  Henry  Lee. — “Light 
Horse  Harry  ” — General  Sullivan  under  a Cloud. — Washington  determines  to  give  Howe  Battle. — 'I'he  Indefatigable 
Commander. — Chad’s  Fort. — Order  of  Battle. — Approach  of  the  Enemy. — Battle  of  the  Brandywine. — Vain  Ell'orts 
of  Gallantry. — Retreat  of  the  Americans. — The  Killed  and  Wounded  — Conduct  of  the  French  Officers. — Gallantry  ot 
Lafayette  and  De  Fleury — Lafayette  wounded. — Sullivan  again  under  Censure. — He  is  recalled  and  retained. 


1777. 


Alls.  21. 


Washington,  after  being  a long 
time  perplexed  in  regard  to  the 
movements  of  General  Howe,  and  forced 
to  shift  his  encampment  hither  and  thith- 
er, now  to  one  side  of  the  Delaware  and 
again  to  the  other,  finally  concluded,  to- 
gether with  his  officers  in  coun- 
cil assembled;  that  the  enemy’s 
tleet  had  most  probably  sailed  for  Charles- 
ton. It  was,  however,  thought  expedient 
not  to  follow  How’e  to  the  southward,  but 
to  move  the  army  toward  the  North  riv- 
er. On  the  very  day  that  Washington 
was  preparing  to  march  in  accordance 
with  this  resolution,  he  received  intelli- 
gence that  two  hundred  sail  of  the  ene- 
my. had  anchored  in  Chesapeake  hay, 
off  Swan  point,  nearly  two  hundred  miles 
from  the  capes.  There  was  now  no  doubt 
that  Philadelphia  was  Sir  William  Howe’s 
object,  although  the  route  he  had  taken, 
as  Washington  remarked,  was  “a  very 
strange  one.” 

The  course  of  the  British  fleet,  which 
liad  caused  so  much  perplexing  specula- 
tion, liad  been  directed,  not  according  to 
iiny  wily  schemes  of  General  How'e,  but 
by  the  caprice  of  the  weather,  and  the 
force  of  circumstances  beyond  his  control. 

67 


The  army  had  embarked  on  the  5th  of 
July,  hut  was  detained  by  a head-wind  at 
Sandy  Hook  until  the  23d,  and  after  sail- 
ing did  not  make  the  capes  of  Delaware 
until  the  30th.  It  was  Howe’s  intention 
to  have  sailed  up  the  Delaware  to  Phila 
delphia,  hut,  receiving  intelligence  that 
the  Americans  had  raised  prodigious  im- 
pediments on  that  river,  he  changed  his 
mind  and  stood  for  the  mouth  of  the  Elk, 
which  opens  into  Chesapeake  bay.  He 
was  now  so  baffled  by  the  prevalent  south- 
erly Avinds  of  the  season,  that  he  did  not 
succeed  in  entering  the  Chesapeake  until 
this  late  period  (the  21st  of  August).  His 
troops,  both  cavalry  and  infantry,  croAvded 
into  the  holds  of  the  transports,  during 
the  hottest  season  of  the  year,  and  unpro- 
A’ided  with  the  necessaries  and  comforts 
for  a long  voyage,  suffered  greatly.  The 
soldiers  Avere  weakened  by  the  protracted 
confinement  on  shipboard,  and  the  horses 
became  nearly  useless. 

Washington  noAv  changed  the  direction 
of  his  march,  and  determined  to  proceed 
from  GermantoAvn,  Avhere  he  Avas  then  en 
camped,  in  a southerly  direction  along 
the  Avestern  hank  of  the  Delaware,  in  or- 
der to  meet  and  oppose  the  approach  of 


530  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

the  enemy.  He  also  sent  for  General  Sul- 

British  advanced  pickets.  Young  Hariy 

livan,  who  was  at  that  time  on  the  North 

Lee,  with  his  light-horse,  did  great  ser- 

river,  to  join  him  with  his  division.  With 

vice  in  these  skirmishes. 

the  view  of  exerting  “ some  influence  on 

Lee  was  a young  Virginian  — at  this 

the  minds  of  the  disaffected  there,  and 

time  only  twenty  years  of  age.  His  name- 

those  who  are  dupes  to  their  artifices  and 

sake.  General  Charles  Lee,  declared  that 

opinions,”  Washington  marched  his  army 

“he  came  forth  a soldier  from  his  mother’s 

through  Philadelphia. 

womb.”  Washington  warmly  welcomed 

The  whole  force  amounted  to  nearly 

the  youth  when  he  first  offered  his  ser- 

nine  thousand  men,  and  that  their  march 

vices,  gave  him  the  command  of  a com- 

tlirough  the  city  produced  the  impression 

pany  of  light-horse,  and  watclied  ever  af- 

desired  may  be  inferred  from  the  account 

ter  with  fond  admiration  his  spirited  ca- 

given  by  Graydon,  who  from  “ the  coffee- 

reer.  “ Perhaps,”  says  Irving,  “ there  was 

house  corner”  beheld  them  as  tliey  passed. 

something  beside  his  bold,  dashing  spirit. 

“These,”  he  s:iys,  “though  indifferently 

which  won  him  this  favor.  There  may'’ 

dressed,  lield  well-burnished  arms,  and 

have  been  early  recollections  connected 

carried  them  like  soldiers,  mid  looked,  in 

with  it.  Lee  was  the  son  of  the  lady  who 

short,  as  if  they  might  have  faced  an  equal 

first  touched  Washington’s  heart  in  his 

number  with  a reasonable  prospect  of  sue- 

schoolboy  days,  the  one  about  whom  he 

cess.”  Passing  on  through  Philadelphia 

wrote  rhymes atMountVernon and  Green- 

without  halting,  the  army  continued  its 

way  Court — his  lowland  beauty.”  Lee’s 

march  tlirough  Derby  and  Chester,  to 

gallantry,  in  fact,  was  noticed  by  the  en- 

Wilmington. 

tire  army,  and  his  services  as  a cavalry- 

Sir  William  Ilowe,  in  the  meantime. 

officer  were  so  remarkable,  that  he  was 

had  landed  on  the  banks  of  the  Elk  river. 

popularly  known  as  “Light-horse  Harry.” 

at  the  head  of  Chesapeake  bay, 
Au”'i  25i  ^ ^ 

° " and  moved  his  troops  to  within 

Washiiui  ton  took  care  to  record  the  deeds 

O 

of  his  youthful  compatriot:  “ Ten  o'clock. — 

two  miles  of  the  town  of  Elk  (Elkton),  in 

This  minute  twenty-four  British  prkson- 

Maryland,  where  he  encamped  them  up- 

ers  arrived,  taken  yesterday  by  Captain 

on  the  hills.  Howe  had  lost  so  many 

Lee  of  the  light-horse,”  is  a postscript  to 

horses  during  his  long  voyage,  that  he 

his  letter  to  the  president  of  Congress, 

was  unable  to  send  out  those  mounted 

dated  Wilmington,  30th  of  Aimust. 

parties  by  which  he  had  hoped  to  scour 

General  Sullivan,  in  obedience  to  Wash- 

the  country,  and  secure  supplies.  The 

ington’s  orders,  had  joined  the  army  with 

Americans  were  thus  enabled  to  frustrate 

his  division.  He  came  back, however,  with 

him ; and,  being  now  provided  with  an 

some  imputations  resting  upon  his  con- 

excellent  cavalry-force,  they  succeeded 

duct  in  an  unsuccessful  enterpi-ise  against 

not  only  in  securing  a good  portion  of 

Staten  island.  It  was  resolved  to  appoint 

the  public  stores  deposited  at  the  head 

a court  of  inquiry  to  investigate  the  mat- 

jf  tiie  Elk,  but  in  gi-eatly  harassing  the 

ter,  while  in  the  meantime  he  was  left  in 

. 

REVOLUTIONAUT.]  TOSITION  OF  THE  HOSTILE  AKMIES.  531 

full  command.  Sullivan  was  frequently 

tween  the  advanced  pickets  of  both  ar- 

exposed  to  charges  of  ill  conduct ; but,  as 

mies,  but  with  little  advantage  to  either 

he  always  brought  forward  proof  of  his 

side. 

courage  and  the  sincerity  of  his  patriot- 

General  Howe  now  made  another  for- 

ism,  he  never  failed  to  reinstate  himself. 

ward  movement,  with  the  appa- 

if  not  in  public  opinion,  at  any  rate  in  his 

rent  intention  or  attacking  the 

rank  in  the  army. 

Americans.  Washington  waited  for  him 

Washington’s  army  now  amounted  to 

the  whole  day;  but  finding  that  he  had 

fifteen  thousand  men,  although  the  eflect- 

halted  at  Milltown,  within  two  miles  of 

ive  force,  from  sickness  and  other  causes. 

the  American  encampment,and  it  appear- 

was  calculated  at  only  eleven  thousivnd. 

ing  probable  that  the  enemy  only  intend- 

Pie  had  determined,  however,  to  give  the 

ed  “ to  amuse  us,”  says  Washington,  “in 

enemy  battle,  though  the  latter  were  es- 

front,  while  their  real  intent  was  to  march 

timated  to  possess  the  greatly  superior 

by  our  right,  and  by  suddenly  passing  the 

strength  of  eighteen  thousand.  There 

Brandywine,  and  gaining  the  heights  up- 

were  not  wanting  those  who  considered 

on  the  north  side  of  that  river,  get  be- 

Washington’s  resolution  to  fight  under 

tween  us  and  Philadelphia,  and  cut  us  ofl 

the  disadvantage  of  such  inferior  nuin- 

from  that  city,”  he  judged  it  expedient 

bers  as  imprudent.  He  believed,  never- 

to  move  his  position  immediately. 

theless,  that,  with  the  choice  of  a good 

Washington  aceordingly  retired,  and 

position,  he  might  make  an  effective  re- 

crossing  the  Brandywine,  posted 

sistance.  Moreover,  he  thought  that,  to 

his  army  on  the  heights,  near  to 

retreat  before  General  Howe,  and  allow 

Chad’s  ford.  The  Brandywine,  rising  by 

him  to  march  to  Philadelphia  without  op- 

two  branches,  that  unite  at  what  is  called 

position,  would  dispirit  the  country  and 

the  Fork,  flows  in  a small  stream  from 

injure  the  cause  even  more  than  a de- 

west  to  east,  and  empties  into  the  Dela- 

feat. 

ware,  about  twenty-five  miles  south  of 

Washington  was  indefatigable  in  pre- 

Philadelphia.  The  principal  ford  of  the 

paring  for  the  eontest.  He  was  constant- 

river  was  Chad’s,  on  the  direct  road  to 

ly  in  his  saddle,  riding  about  the  country. 

the  north,  although  there  were  others 

in  spite  of  the  heavy  rains,  to  reeonnoitre 

above  and  below. 

the  position  of  the  enemy,  and  to  select 

Having  crossed  the  Brandy  wine.  Wash- 

proper  ground  for  opposing  their  advance. 

ington  posted  his  centre  along  the  east- 

It  was  finally  concluded  to  move  from 

ern  bank,  near  Chad’s  ford,  where,  expect- 

Wilmington  to  Newport,  where  the  army 

ing  the  main  attack  of  the  enemy,  he  com- 

was  posted  in  a line  along  the  bank  of 

manded  in  person.  His  right  wing,  un 

Sept  7 Red-Clay  creek.  The  British, 

der  General  Sullivan,  was  moved  two 

in  the  meantime,  had  advanced 

miles  above,  on  the  same  side  of  the  riv- 

within  eight  miles,  and  taken  their  posi- 

er ; and  his  left,  consisting  of  Penn.sylva- 

tion  on  Iron  hill.  Skirmishes  ensued  be- 

nia  militia,  under  General  Armstrong,  to 

— 

5;12  battles  of  AMERICA.  [part  ii, 

tlie  same  distance  at  a ford  below  Chad’s. 

proceeded  by  way  of  the  Lancaster  road, 

The  main  body,  with  the  general-in-chief, 

which  ran  nearly  parallel  to  the  principal 

was  composed  of  Wayne’s  brigade.  Wee- 

stream  of  the  Brandywine  and  crossed 

don’s  and  Muhlenberg’s,  under  General 

the  two  branches  or  forks  which  form  it 

Greene,  together  with  a body  of  light-in- 

at  its  rise. 

fantry  commanded  by  General  Maxwell, 

As  soon  as  General  Knj^phausen  was 

and  the  artillery.  Sullivan,  on  the  right. 

discovered  advancing  toward  him.  Wash- 

had  his  own  division  and  those  of  Lord 
Stirling  and  General  Stephen.  With  Arm- 

ington  prepared  to  give  him  bat- 
tle, thinking  that  his  column  was 

strong,  on  the  left,  where  the  position  was 
considered  of  less  importance,  there  were 
no  troops  but  militia. 

„ On  the  following::  day,  the  en- 

emy  had  advanced  to  Kennet 

the  main  body  of  the  enemy.  Knyphau- 
sen came  on,  firing  his  artiller}^,  but  was 
soon  checked  by  General  Maxwell,  who 
from  the  heights  oiveach  side  of  the  road 
poured  down  upon  the  advanced  guards 

Square,  within  seven  miles  of  the  Bran- 

such  a severe  fire,  that  they  were  forced 

dywine.  Washington,  in  the  meantime. 

to  fall  back  until  reinforced  by  the  rest 

sent  General  Maxwell  and  his  light-in- 

of  the  troops.  So  large  a force  now  came 

fantry  across  the  stream,  to  post  them- 

pushing  on  to  their  aid,  that  the  Ameri- 

selves  on  the  high  c^round  on  both  sides 

cans  were  obliged  to  retire  across  the  ford 

of  tlie  road  leading  to  Chad’s  foixl,  the 

and  join  their  main  body  under  Washing- 

passage  of  which  they  were  ordered  to 

ton.  Three  hundred  of  the  enemy  were 

resist  to  tlie  utmost.  Sullivan,  too,  was 

supposed  to  have  been  killed  and  wound- 

directed  to  be  on  the  alert  in  watching 

ed  in  this  preliminary  skirmish,  while  the 

the  fords  above.  This  officer  was  appa- 

loss  of  Maxwell  was  only  about  fifty  men. 

rently  vigilant,  but  only  'extended  his 

Knyphausen  held  back  his  troops,  halting 

watchfulness  to  some  four  miles  to  his 

them  on  the  heights  from  which  the  Airier- 

right,  as  far  as  the  fork  where  the  two 

ican  light-infantry  had  retired.  He  did 

branches  of  the  Brandywine  unite,  and 

not  seem  anxious  to  renew  the  engage- 

beyond  which  it  was  thought  there  was 

ment,  though  frequently  provoked  to  do 

no  likelihood  of  the  enemy  attempting 

so  by  skirmishing-parties  from  the  other 

to  cross. 

side.  Maxwell  crossed  the  ford  a second 

After  halting  a night  at  KennetSquare, 
the  British  moved  on  early  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  next  day,  in  two  col- 
Sept.  II.  ° , V 

lunns.  Une,  under  tlie  command 

time  with  his  light-corps,  and  drove  an 
advanced  party  from  their  ground,  with 
a loss  to  the  British  of  thirty  men  left 
dead  on  the  spot,  and  a number  of  in- 

of  the  Hessian  general,  Knyphausen,  ad- 

trenching-tools  with  which  they  were  en- 

vanced  in  a direct  line  along,’  the  road  to 

gaged  in  throwing  up  works  for  a batteiy. 

Chad’s  ford.  The  other,  commanded  by 

Knyphausen  still  held  back,  and  some  of 

Lord  Cornwallis,  and  accompanied  by 

the  Americans  on  the  other  side  of  the 

General  Howe,  diverged  to  their  left,  and 

river  began  to  indulge  in  the  belief  that 

itir voi.uTiONAiiY.]  APPROACH  AND  MANOEUVRES  OF  THE  IJRITISH. 


they  had  efi’ectually  put  a stop  to  his  fur- 
ther progress.  The  wary  Hessian  gener- 
al, however,  had  a part  to  perform,  as  we 
shall  see,  and  designedly  resisted  all  prov- 
ocations to  engage. 

While  Washington  was  speculating  up- 
on the  probable  manoeuvres  of  the  Brit- 
ish in  his  front,  he  received  a despatch, 
at  about  twelve  o’clock,  from  General 
Sullivan,  informing  him  that  one  of  his 
officers  had  reported  that  a large  body 
of  the  enemy,  supposed  to  amount  to  five 
thousand,  with  sixteen  or  eighteen  field- 
pieces,  was  marching  along  the  Lancas- 
ter road.  Washington  immediately  sent 
orders  to  Sullivan  to  cross  the  Brandy- 
wine and  attack  this  division,  while  he 
himself  proposed  to  advance  by  Chad’s 
ford  against  the  other.  The  former  was 
the  main  body  of  the  British,  which,  as 
we  have  seen,  had  marched  under  Gener- 
al Howe  and  Lord  Cornwallis  to  the  left, 
with  the  view  of  taking  a long,  circuitous 
route,  ffiadiim  across  the  uno:uarded  fords 
of  the  branches  of  the  Brandywine,  and 
thus  gaining  the  rear  of  the  American.s. 
The  division  in  front  of  the  commander- 
in-chief,  though  supposed  by  him  to  be 
the  main  body  of  the  enemy,  was  only  a 
smaller  column  sent  under  Knyphausen 
to  divert  the  Americans  in  front,  while 
the  main  attack  should  be  made  by  Howe 
and  Cornwallis  against  their  right  flank 
and  rear. 

Washington,  having  thus  discovered 
the  march  of  the  British  column  under 
Howe  and  Cornwallis,  was  in  a fair  way 
of  thwarting  their  desijyns,  when  another 
messenger  arrived  in  all  haste  with  intel- 
ligence from  Sullivan,  contradicting  the 


533 

information  which  he  had  sent  but  a few 
moments  before.  Major  Spear,  of  the  mi- 
litia, had  come  in  from  the  fork  of  the 
Brandywine,  and,  having  heard  nothing 
of  the  enemy, ‘‘was  confident”  that  they 
were  not  in  that  quarter.  Tlie  orders  for 
crossing  the  Brandywine  were  now  coun- 
termanded ; but  Washington  took  care  to 
secure  more  certain  intelligence  by  send- 
ing Colonel  Bland,  with  a troop  of  cav- 
alry, to  reconnoitre  the  country  beyond 
General  Sullivan’s  position,  and  report  at 
the  earliest  moment  to  that  commander 
the  result. 

In  the  meantime,  one  Thomas  Cheyney, 
a farmer  of  that  neighborhood,  and  a firm 
patriot,  came  riding  in  upon  his  “ spirited 
mare  all  in  a foam,”  and  declared  that  he 
had  seen  the  British,  in  a large  bod}^,  on 
the  north  side  of  the  river.  Washington 
affirmed  that  it  could  not  be,  for  he  had 
just  received  contrary  information.  “ My 
life  upon  it,”  answered  Cheyney,  with  a 
round  oath,  to  give  emphasis  to  his  dec- 
laration, “ it  is  true  !”  He  was,  liowever, 
listened  to  incredulously,  when  his  story 
was  confirmed  a moment  after  by  the  fol- 
lowing despatch,  received  by  Washing- 
ton : — 

“ Two  o’clock,  P.  M. 

“ Dear  General:  Colonel  Bland  has  this 
moment  sent  me  word  that  the  enemy 
are  in  the  rear  of  my  right  about  two 
miles,  coming  down.  There  are,  he  says, 
about  two  brigades  of  them.  He  also 
says  he  saw  a dust  back  in  the  country 
for  above  an  hour.  I am,  &c., 

“John  Sullivan.” 

Howe  and  Cornwallis  had  thus  carried 
out  their  design  with  success.  They  had 


J 


534 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[tart  11. 


succeeded,  by  a long  circuit  of  seventeen 
miles,  in  crossing  the  Brandywine  at  the 
fords  over  the  two  branches  of  the  river, 
and  gained  the  rear  of  the  right  wing  of 
Washington’s  army  Avithout  opposition. 
They  now  took  an  advantageous  position 
on  the  high  ground  near  the  Birmingham 
meetinghouse,  which  SuHivan’s  delay  in 
waiting  for  orders  gave  them  an  oppor- 
tunity of  doing  Avithout  the  least  shoAV 
of  resistance.  The  order  to  attack  came 
from  Washington  as  soon  as  he  learned 
the  approach  of  the  enemy. 

General  Sullivan  Avas  directed  to  bring 
his  “ Avhole  right  Aving  to  bear  at  once 
against  IIoAA’e  and  Cornwallis;”  Avhile 
Wayne  Avas  ordered  to  keep  Knyphausen 
in  check  at  Chad’s  ford ; and  General 
Greene  to  post  himself  with  the  Virginia 
brigades  in  a position  between  the  tAvo, 
and  hold  himself  in  reserve  and  ready  to 
assist  either  as  might  be  required. 

Some  absurd  misunderstanding  about 
etiquette  delayed  Sullivan’s  troops  in  get- 
ting into  line  of  battle  after  marching  to 
meet  the  enemy.  General  Deborre,  a 
veteran  Frenchman,  avIio  had  a command 
in  Lord  Stirling’s  division,  assumed  the 
post  of  honor,  on  the  extreme  right.  Sul- 
livan claimed  this  as  his  OAvn  position, 
and,  Avhile  manoeuAu-ing  his  men  to  take 
it,  the  British  began  the  attack,  and  came 
upon  the  Americans  Avhile  in  the  confu- 
sion of  the  change.  The  consequence  Avas, 
an  almost  immediate  rout  of  the  right  and 
left  Avings.  The  centre  resisted  spirited- 
ly for  aAvhile,  but  it  soon  gave  Avay,  and 
fled  Avith  the  rest  through  the  Avoods  in 
their  rear. 

While  the  enemy  got  someAvhat  beAvil- 


dered  among  the  trees,  in  the  course  of 
their  pursuit,  the  American  officers  stroA'^e 
to  rally  their  men.  Among  them  Avas  La- 
fayette, Avho  had  hurried  from  the  side 
of  Washington  to  join  Sullivan’s  division 
so  soon  as  he  found  that  it  Avas  likely  to 
be  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight,  and  had 
been  engaged  in  the  struggle  as  long  as 
the  centre  held  its  ground.  Now  that  it 
had  given  Avay,  he  dismounted,  and,  Avith 
Sullivan  and  Lord  Stirling,  Avas  striving 
to  bring  back  the  men  to  the  attack,  Avhen 
he  Avas  Avounded  by  a musket-ball  in  the 
leg.  His  aid-de-camp  Avas,  fortunately, 
near  by,  and,  lifting  the  marquis  upon  his 
horse,  hurried  him  off 

Knyphausen,  as  soon  as  he  heard  the 
first  gun  from  General  Howe’s  column, 
Avhich  was  the  signal  agreed  upon,  stroA^e 
in  earnest  to  push  his  way  across  Chad’s 
fbrd.  Wa3'ne,hoAvever,succeeded  in  keep- 
ing him  pretty  Avell  in  check. 

Washington,  Avho  found  that  the  right 
Aving  Avould  be  hard  pressed,  ordered  Gen- 
eral Greene  to  the  relief  of  SulliA^an  ; and 
that  officer  moved  Avith  such  speed,  that 
his  division  marched  four  miles  in  forty 
minutes-!  He  came  up,  hoAvever,  only  in 
time  to  meet  the  Americans  in  full  flight, 
closely  folloAved  by  the  British.  He  then, 
by  skilfully  opening  his  ranks  to  allow 
the  fugitives  to  pass,  and  closing  them 
afterward,  succeeded  in  protecting  their 
retreat.  While  checking  the  pursuit  of 
the  enemy  by  his  artillery,  Greene  retired 
to  a narroAV  defile  at  a short  distance  be- 
yond Dil worth,  Avhere  he  made  a gallant 
stand  Avith  his  Virginians.  The  British 
repeatedly  attempted  to  force  him  from 
his  position,  but  Avere  constantly  foiled 


KKVOLUTIONAUY.]  BATTLE  OF  THE  BRANDYWINE.  535 

bj  the  stubborn  resistance  they  encoun- 

own  was  estimated  by  him  at  only  ninety 

tered.  Greene  was  thus  enabled  to  cover 

killed,  four  hundred  and  eighty-eight 

the  retreat  of  the  whole  army.  General 
Howe  finally  drew  off  his  troops  from  the 
pursuit. 

wounded,  and  six  missing.  On  the  day 

after  the  battle,  the  British  gen- 

, ’ . Sept.  12. 

eral  wrote  to  Washington,  in- 

In  the  meantime,  General  Wayne  strug- 

forming  him  that  the  wounded  Ameii- 

gled  manfully  against  Knyphausen,  at 

cans  were  so  numerous,  that  his  own  sur- 

Chad’s  ford,  until  the  defeat  of  Sullivan, 

geons  could  not  attend  them. 

when  he  ordered  a retreat.  This,  how- 

The  French  officers  took  a prominent 

ever,  soon  became  a confused  fiight,  in 

share  in  the  Brandywine  battle.  Tlie 

the  course  of  which  his  baffgage  and  ar- 

young  Lafayette,  as  we  have  seen,  gal- 

tillery  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

lantly  sought  the  place  of  danger,  and 

The  Pennsylvania  militia,  under  General 

was  wounded.  The  veteran  Deborre  — 

Armstrong,  had  been  too  far  removed  from 

who  had  insisted  upon  the  command  of 

the  scene  of  conflict  to  be  engaged,  and 

Sullivan’s  riglit — had,  in  consequence  of 

retired  early  in  safety. 

the  fiight  of  his  troops,  been  the  first  to 

The  whole  American  army  was  now  in 

yield  to  the  enemy.  Congress  voted  lo 

full  retreat.  “ Fugitives,  cannon,  and  bag- 

inquire  into  his  conduct  on  the  occasion. 

gage,”  wrote  Lafayette,  crowded  with- 

At  this  resolution  he  was  greatly  indig- 

out  order  along  the  road  leading  to  dies- 

naiit,  and  wrote  to  that  body,  resigning 

ter.”  It  was  the  young  marquis’s  first 

his  appointment,  while  he  declared  that. 

taste  of  actual  war,  and  the  impression  of 

if  the  Americans  did  run  away,  it  was  not 

its  horrors  was  naturally  very  strong.  In 

his  fault.  His  resignation  was  readily 

spite  of  “ that  dreadful  confusion,”  and 

accepted ; for,  whatever  may  have  been 

the  “ darkness  of  the  night,”  of  which  he 

his  military  qualities,  he  had  become  so 

speaks,  having  had  his  bleeding  wound 

personally  unpopular  in  the  army,  that 

bound  up  by  a surgeon,  he  was,  however. 

Congress  was  rejoiced  to  get  rid  of  him. 

as  he  tells  us,  indefatigable  in  trying  to 

Captain  Louis  de  Fleury  fought  so  brave- 

check  the  flight  of  tlie  fugitives  at  dies- 

ly,  that  he  won  Washington’s  admiration. 

ter  bridge,  where  he  posted  a guard.  On 

and  was  rewarded  by  Congress  with  the 

reaching  this  place,  Washington  Reformed 

gift  of  a horse,  to  compensate  him  for  the 

his  scattered  troops,  and  halted  until  the 

one  that  he  had  lost  in  the  engagement. 

next  morning,  before  continuing  the  re- 

The  baron  St.  Ouary  (or  Ovary)  was  less 

treat  toward  Philadelphia. 

fortunate,  having  been  taken  prisoner. 

The  number  of  the  killed  and  wound- 

General  Conway  (who  was  a Frenchman 

ed  has  never  been  accurately  ascertained. 

by  adoption)  had  stood  among  the  fore- 

The  loss  of  the  Americans,  however,  was 

most  with  his  eight  hundred  men  in  the 

declared  by  General  Howe  to  be  three 

centre,  while  the  riglit  and  left  had  given 

* hundred  killed, six  hundred  wounded, and 

way. 

four  hundred  taken  prisoners ; wliile  his 

General  Greene  complained  that  the 

530  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 


Viro-inia  re‘>:iineiits  of  Weedon  and  Muli- 
lenburg,  which,  under  his  command,  had 
so  gallantly  defended  the  pass  at  Dil- 
worth,  were  not  noticed  by  Washington 
in  his  report  to  Congress.  The  command- 
er-in-chief explained  that  he  had  been 
more  reserved  in  praise  of  them  because 
they  were  Virginians,  and  lest  it  might 
be  supposed  that  he  was  prejudiced  in 
their  fa^f^r 


General  Sullivan  was  held  responsible 
by  public  opinion  for  a large  portion  of 
the  disasters  of  the  day  at  the  Brandy- 
wine. A resolve  was  passed  by  Congress, 
recalling  him  from  the  army  until  a court 
of  inquiry  should  be  held.  Washington, 
however,  declared  that  he  could  not  spare 
him  at  such  a crisis  in  the  public  affairs, 
and  Sullivan  was  accordingly  left  undis- 
turbed in  his  command. 


CHAPTER  LVI. 

'inenxl  Burgoyne  in  Receipt  of  Bad  News. — The  British  Commanders  mutually  in  the  Dark. — Burgoyne  determines  to 
advance. — General  Gates  proposes  to  meet  Him. — His  Resources. — General  Lincoln  hanging  on  the  Rear  of  the 
Enemy. — Successes  of  Colonel  Brown. — The  Americans  at  Stillwater. — Bemis’s  Heights  and  their  P’ortifications. — 
Burgoyne  willing  to  risk  All. — “A  Victory,  and  an  Empire!” — A Brilliant  Plan. — The  Arrival  of  the  Enemy. — A 
Halt. — The  Opposing  Lines. — Arrival  of  General  Stark. — A Hearty  Welcome. — Tlie  Fir.st  Battle  at  Saratoga. — 
Morgan  ‘‘ruined.” — The  Impetuous  Arnold. — Progress  of  the  Struggle. — Burgoyne  claims  a Viclory. — The  Baroness 
Reidesel  and  Lady  Harriet  Ackland. — Their  Devotion  and  Fortitude. — Life  in  a Camp. — Following  the  Drum. — 
Battle  Horrors 


When  the  discouraging  intelh- 

1777. 

gence  of  the  defeat  of  Baume  at 
Bennington  and  the  flight  of  St.  Leger 
from  Fort  Schuyler  reached  General  Bur- 
goyne at  Battenkill,  on  the  Hudson,  he 
would  have  fallen  hack  with  his  troops 
to  Fort  Edward,  within  reach  of  his  mag- 
azines on  the  lakes,  and  there  ivaited  the 
progress  of  events.  He  had,  however, 
been  positively  ordered  by  the  British 
government  to  form  a junction  with  Sir 
William  Howe,  and  he  determined  at  all 
hazards  to  perform  his  part.  He  never- 
theless looked  in  vain  for  the  co-opera- 
tion of  Howe.  That  general,  in  conse- 
quence of  his  long  delay  on  the  coast, 
alter  leaving  New  Voi'k,  did  not  receive 


his  despatches  in  time  to  pursue  the  plan 
of  operations  laid  down  by  the  govern- 
ment. He  was  already  in  Chesapeake 
bay  before  the  orders  to  co-operate  with 
Burgoyne  reached  him.  He  was  then 
too  far  engaged  in  his  expedition  to  Phil- 
adelphia to  obey  them.  Burgoyne,  how- 
ever, having  no  intelligence  from  Howe, 
still  looked  for  a junction  from  New  York, 
and  determined  to  push  on  toward  Alba- 
ny, in  order  to  do  his  part  toward  effect- 
ing it,  so  soon  as  he  should  receive  from 
the  north  the  necessary  supplies  for  a 
march. 

The  American  army,  having  retired  be- 
fore the  British  to  Van  Shaick’s  island, 
where  the  Mohawk  unites  its  waters  with 


r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  GENERAL  BURGOT^NE  CROSSES  THE  HUDSON.  5.37 

those  of  the  Hudson,  was  now  so  strength- 
ened by  reinforcements,  and  encouraged 
by  the  late  reverses  of  the  enemy,  that 
General  Gates  determined  to  march  his 
troops  back  to  meet  the  advance  of  Bur- 
goyne. 

Gates  felt  confident  in  his  means.  Ilis 
army  now  numbered  about  six  thousand 
strong.  With  him  was  General  Arnold, 
restless  and  Ciiger  for  action,  who  had  re- 
turned after  his  successful  ruse  against  St. 
Leger.  With  him,  too,  was  the  famous 
Colonel  Morgan,  with  his  five  hundred 
riflemen,  to  whose  ranks  were  added  two 
hundred  and  fifty  picked  soldiers  from 
the  line,  under  the  command  of  Mnjor 
Dearborn,  who  had  marched  with  Arnold 
through  the  wilderness  of  Maine,  and  was 
an  old  comrade  of  Morgan.  Colonels  Van 
Cortlandt  and  Livingston  had  lately  come 
in  with  their  two  New-York  regiments. 
Arnold  was  Gates’s  major-general;  Poor, 
Learned,  Nixon,  Glover,  and  Patterson, 
were  his  brigadiers.  Morgan,  Cook,  Van 
Cortlandt,  Henry  and  James  Livingston, 
Gilley,  Scammel,  Hale,  Brooks,  Butler, 
Bailey,  Wessen,  Jackson,  and  Marshall, 
were  the  colonels.  Morris,  Dearborn,  and 
Hull,  w'ere  among  the  majors.  General 
Wilkinson  was  deputy  adjutant-general, 
and  Colonel  Morgan  Lewis  quartermas- 
ter-general. 

General  Lincoln  was  now  in  the  New- 
Hampshire  grants,  with  the  militia,  which 
was  daily  gathering  in  force,  hanging  on 
the  left  and  rear  of  Burgoyne’s  army,  and 
watching  an  opportunity  for  action.  This 
soon  offered.  While  Burgoyne  was  kept 
in  forced  inactivity,  waiting  supplies,  Lin- 
coln gained  his  rear  and  sent  forward  a 
G8 

detachment  of  five  hundred  men,  under 
Colonel  Brown,  against  the  British  posts 
on  the  lakes.  This  enterprise  was  con- 
ducted with  such  secrecy  and  address 
that  Brown  succeeded  in  surprising  and 
gainino;  possession  of  all  the  out- 
posts  between  the  landing  at  the 
north  end  of  Lake  George  and  the  for- 
tress of  Ticonderoga.  Mount  Defiance, 
Mount  Hope,  the  old  French  lines,  two 
hundred  batteaux,an  armed  sloop, several 
gun-boats,  and  two  hundred  and  ninety- 
three  prisoners,  were  captured,  almost 
without  a blow.  The  fortres.ses  at  Ticon- 
deroga and  Mount  Independence  were 
too  strongly  garrisoned  for  Brown  to  mas- 
ter with  his  small  force ; but  he  succeed- 
ed in  releasing  a hundred  Americans  held 
as  prisoners,  and  bringing  off  as  a trophy 
the  continental  flag  which  had  been  left 
by  St.  Clair  on  his  retreat.  He  still  con- 
tinued in  Burgoyne’s  rear. 

The  American  army  began  to  retrace 
its  steps  toward  the  enemy  on  the  8th  of 
September,  and  next  day  reached  Still- 
water. Here  Kosciusko,  who  was  the 
chief  engineer,  traced  a line  for  intrench- 
ments,  and  set  a thousand  men  to  work  ; 
but  the  position  being  discovered  to  be 
untenable.  Gates  moved  his  army  to  Be- 
mis’s  heights,  and  began  to  fortify  his 
ground  by  breastworks  and  redoubts. 

Burgoyne,  having  finally  received  his 
baggage,  artillery,  military  stores,  and 
thirty  days’ provisions,  from  Lake  George, 
on  the  13th  and  14th  of  September  he 
crossed  the  Hudson  with  his  whole  army 
to  Saratoga.  He  had  now  risked  all  up- 
on the  chance  of  forcing  his  way  to  Al- 
bany. He  had  concentrated  his  troops, 

1 

53S  BATTLP:S  of  AMERICA.  [paR"  i’. 

he  had  abandoned  hisconnnunication  with 

before  his  army  could  move.  Gates,  too, 

the  lakes,  and  his  only  hope  was  now  to 

took  care  to  harass  the  British  wmrking- 

move  forward.  “ There  was  much  to  dis- 

parties,  by  sending  out  the  ever-active 

courage  and  positively  nothing  to  encour- 

Arnold,  with  fifteen  hundred  men,  who  so 

age”  such  an  advance,  but  Burgoyne  was 

greatly  annoyed  Burgoyne,  that  he  was 

determined  to  obey  orders;  and,  more- 

forced  to  advance  whole  regiments  be 

over,  there  was  something  so  enticing  to 

fore  he  could  o-et  a bridp-e  con-  „ 

a military  leader  in  a plan,  the  successful 

, , 1 oCpi*  lo» 

structed.  ihe  enemy  at  length 

execution  of  which  it  was  believed  would 

came  to  a halt  within  two  miles  of  Gates’s 

not  only  secure  a victory,  but  an  empire. 

army. 

that  it  is  not  surprising  he  should  have 

The  ground  upon  which  the  twm  oppo 

risked  all  on  the  chance,  however  remote. 

sing  forces  were  encamped  may  be  thus 

of  such  a prize. 

described  : On  the  north  was  what  is  now 

The  British  ministry  believed  that  Bur- 

called  Wilbur’s  basin,  where  the  main 

goyne’s  force  by  moving  southward  along 

body  of  Burgoyne’s  army  w’as  encamped. 

the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  and  Sir  William 

On  the  east  was  the  Hudson,  Avith  its  nar- 

Howe’s  by  advancing  northward,  could 

row  alluvial  tlats.  Westward  from  the 

form  a junction  at  Albany.  Here  there 

Hats  Avere  the  river  hills  and  an  elevated 

would  be  gathered  a great  army,  which 

plateau,  terminating  in  Bemis’s  heights. 

would  cut  off  all  communication  between 

Through  the  plain,  branching  in  various 

the  eastern  and  southern  provinces,  and 

directions,  ran  Mill  creek,  along  the  main 

crush  out  all  further  opposition.  “ With- 

channel  of  Avhich  was  a ravine.  South 

out  question,”  says  an  English  writer,* 

of  this  Avas  a second  ravine  ; and  again  a 

“ the  plan  was  ably  formed  ; and  had  the 

third  and  larger  one,  still  more  to  the 

success  of  the  execution  been  equal  to 

south.  BetAveen  these  tAVO  latter  A\'ere 

the  ingenuit}^  of  the  design,  the  recon- 

the  principal  American  defences.  The 

quest  or  submission  of  the  thirteen  Uni- 

Avhole  ground  Avas  covered  Avith  a dense 

ted  States  must  in  all  human  probability 

forest,  except  the  flats  and  some  cleared 

have  followed ; and  the  independence 

fields  called  Freeman’s  farm,  which  Avas 

which  they  proclaimed  in  1776  would 

situated  toward  the  middle  of  the  plain. 

have  been  extinguished  before  it  existed 

betAveen  the  two  encampments.* 

a second  year.” 

The  American  defences  consisted  of  a 

Buigoyne,  after  crossing  the  Hudson 

line  of  breastworks  along  the  broAV  of  the 

to  Saratoga,  moved  forward  toward  the 

hills,  toAvard  the  river,  about  three  quar- 

American  encampment.  As  the  country 

ters  of  a mile  in  extent,  forming  a curve. 

was  rugged,  and  seamed  with  creeks  and 

Avith  its  convexity  toAvard  the  enemy.  A 

waiter-courses,  his  progress  was  necessa- 

strong  redoubt  Avas  raised  at  each  extrem- 

rily  slow,  for  he  was  forced  to  construct 

ity,  and  one  near  the  centre,  so  as  to  com- 

bridges  and  build  temporary  causeways 

mand  the  flats.  From  the  base  of  the 

* Creiiiy. 

* A.  B.  Stieet. 

RKVOI.UTIONAIIY.J  THE  AMERICANS  AND  ERITISII  AT  SARATOGA.  539 

hills  was  an  intrenchment.reacliino;  across 

expected  from  them  in  the  approaching 

the  flats  to  the  Hudson,  with  a batteiy  on 

engagement.  They  were,  however,  inde- 

the  margin  of  the  river,  guarding  a float- 

pendent  militia, and  did  not  seem  disposed 

ing  bridge.  In  advance,  on  the  western 

to  submit  to  discipline.  They  swaggered 

border  of  Mill  creek,  near  where  it  einp- 

about  in  loose  array  from  tent  to  tent, 

tied  into  the  Hudson,  were  also  a breast- 

peering  curiously  into  everything,  and 

work  and  battery. 

apparently  undetermined  whether  to  sta}' 

On  the  morning  of  the  19th  of  Septem- 

or  to  go.  They  now  began  to  collect  in 

her  the  following  was  the  position  of  the 

groups,  and  whisper  mysteriously  togeth- 

two  armies  : General  Poor’s  brigade,  con- 

er.  Finally,  Avith  tbeir  knapsacks  still  on 

sistingof  threeNew-Hampshire  regiments 

their  backs,  they  boldly  reminded  their 

under  Colonels  Gilley,  Scnmmel,  and  Hale; 

oflicers  that  i/ieir  time  of  service  had  expired 

two  of  New  York,  under  Colonel  Philip 

that  daij,  and  that  the}'  had  resolved  to  go 

Van  Cortland t and  Lieutenant-Colonel 

home.  Stark  urged  them  to  remain,  but 

Henry  Livingston;  Colonels  Cook  and 

his  appeals  were  in  vain  ; and  the  heroes 

Latimer’s  Connecticut  militia ; Colonel 

of  Bennington  marched  back  again,  on 

Morgan  with  his  rifle-corps,  and  the  two 

the  very  day  they  had  arrived.  Rapidly 

hundred  and  fifty  infantry  under  Major 

as  they  hurried  off,  they  could  not  have 

Dearborn,  composed  the  left  wing  of  the 

got  beyond  the  sound  of  the  guns  Avhen 

American  army,  under  the  command  of 

the  action  began ! 

Major-General  Benedict  Arnold,  and  rest- 

The  left  Aving  of  the  British,  Avith  the 

ed  on  the  heights,  nearly  a mile  from  the 

large  train  of  artillery,  under  General 

river.  The  centre,  composed  of  General 

Phillips  and  the  baron  de  Reidesel,  occu- 

Learned’s  brigade ; three  Massachusetts 

pied  the  flats  toAvard  the  river.  The  cen- 

regiments,  under  Colonels  Bailey,  We.s- 

tre  and  right  Aving,  of  Avhich  most  Avere 

sen,  and  Jackson  ; and  one  of  NeAV  Y^ork, 

Germans,  commanded  by  Burgoyne  in 

under  Colonel  James  Livingston,  occu- 

person,  extended  acro.ss  the  plains  to  the 

pied  the  elevated  plain.  The  main  body. 

Avest.  Their  jAOsition  Avas  covered  by  the 

consisting  principally  of  the  brigades  of 

grenadiers  and  light-infiuitry,  under  Gen- 

Nixon,  Patterson,  and  Glover,  and  com- 

eral  Fraser  and  Colonel  Breyman.  On 

manded  by  General  Gates  in  person,  com- 

the  flanks  and  in  front  Avas  a miscellane- 

posed  the  right  wing,  extending  across 

ous  throng  of  American  loyalists,  Cana- 

the  river  hills  and  flats  toward  the  Hud- 

dians,  and  Indians.* 

son. 

About  eight  o’clock  in  the  morning 

The  American  army  was  greatly  en- 
couraged by  the  arrival  of  General  Stark, 

the  officer  command  ing  an  Amer- 
ican picket  reported  that  the  en- 

with  those  troops  which  had  so  gallantly 

emy  had  struck  most  of  their  tents  on  the 

won  the  day  at  Bennington.  Loud  huz- 

plain,  and  that  Burgoyne  Avitli  his  centre 

zas  from  the  lines  welcomed  them  as  they 

Avas  passing  AvestAvardly  in  the  direction 

entered  the  camp,  aud  great  service  was 

* Street. 

540  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  h. 

• of  the  American  left.  Soon  a more  gen- 

persed  troops,  Wilkinson,  the  adjutant 

eral  movement  was  observed.  Fraser, 

general,  rode  up.  “ I am  ruined,  by  G-d  !” 

with  his  light-infantry,  was  marching,  by 

exclaimed  Morgan,  with  tears  in  his  eyes. 

a circuitous  route,  from  the  right  of  the 

“ Major  Morris  ran  on  so  rapidly  with  the 

British,  in  the  same  direction  as  Bur- 

front,  that  they  were  beaten  before  I 

goyne;  and  Phillips  and  De  Reidesel  were 

could  get  up  with  the  rear,  and  my  men 

bringing  up  tlie  artillery  from  th^  left, 

are  scattered  God  knows  where  !”  Mor- 

alon^  the  flats  borderinir  the  Hudson. 

gan,  when  marching  into  action,  always 

The  Indians  and  Canadians,  in  front  of 

brought  up  the  rear  himself, “to  see,”  as 

the  British  line,  were  also  moving  toward 

he  said,  “ that  every  man  did  his  duty; 

the  outposts  of  the  American  centre.  Bur- 

and  that  cowards  did  notlasr  behind  while 

O 

goy lie’s  object  was,  while  the  Indians  and 

brave  men  were  fio;htinf)i:.” 

O O 

Canadians  should  divert  Gates  in  front. 

Several  officers  and  men  of  Morgan’s 

and  Phillips  and  De  Reidesel  on  his  riglit. 

corps  had  been  taken  prisoners.  Major 

to  move  round  through  the  woods,  and 

Morris,  who  had  led  them  on  so  impetu- 

get  to  the  rear  of  the  American  left. 

ously,  only  saved  himself  by  dashing  his 

General  Gates  remained  impassive,  ap- 

horse  through  4116  ranks  of  the  enemj'^. 

parently  determined  to  awiiit  the  attack  ; 

who  surrounded  him,  and  making  off  by 

but  Arnold,  in  command  of  the  left,  grew 

a circuitous  route.  The  “turkey-call” 

so  imjiatient,  that  he  sent  aid-de-camp  af- 

soon  brought  back  the  fugitives,  and  Mor- 

ter  aid-de-camp  to  Gates,  urging  him  to 

gan  with  his  corps  reformed,  and  being 

be  allowed  to  send  out  a detachment,  in 

joined  by  Colonels  Gilley,  Brooks,  and 

order  to  check  the  advance  of  the  enemy. 

Scammel,  and  Major  Hull,  with  their  New 

The  general  flnally  consented,  when  about 

Hampshire  regiments,  is  now  again  pre- 

noon  Arnold  ordered  out  Morgan  and 

pared  for  action.  It  is  renewed  with 

Dearborn,  with  their  riflemen,  to  the  at- 

great  spirit  on  both  sides ; now  the  Brit- 

lack.  They  soon  came  upon  a body  of 

ish  are  gaining  ground,  and  again  the 

Indians  and  Canadians  in  the  woods,  and 

Americans ; and  so  the  contest  is  contin- 

scattered  them  at  the  first  fire.  The  rifle- 

ued,  with  fluctuating  result,  until  each 

men  now  pushed  on  in  pursuit,  when  they 

party  finally  retires  within  the  intrench- 

found  themselves  suddenly  brought  to  a 

ments,  while  neither  claims  the  ad  van- 

check  by  being  confronted  with  the  whole 

tage. 

British  line. 

Arnold,  in  the  mean time,keeping  watch 

A complete  rout  of  the  Americans  en- 

over  the  movement  of  General  Fraser — 

sued,  and  Morgan’s  corps  was  so  scattered. 

who  is  attempting  to  turn  the  American 

that  he  himself  was  left  with  only  two  of 

left — determines  to  thwart  him  by  cutr 

his  men  ! As  the  old  forest-hunter  was 

ting  him  off  from  the  main  body  of  the 

striving  with  his  shrill  “turkey-call” (from 

British.  He  accoidingly  pushes  on  rap- 

the  couch-shell  which  he  wore  suspended 

idly  with  Colonel  Hale’s  New-Hampsbire 

from  his  neck)  to  whistle  back  his  dis- 

regiment,  three  of  New  York  under  Yan 

REVOLUTIONARY.J  BATTLE  OF  BEMIS’S  HEIGHTS.  541 

Cortland  and  Livingston,  and  a body  of 

hold  their  fire  until  the  British  are  close 

Connecticut  militia,  with  the  view  of  turn- 

up,  and  then  witli  a sure  aim  pour  upon 

ing  Fraser’s  left.  As,  however,  he  is  stri- 

them  such  a discharge,  that  their  ranks, 

ving  to  carry  out  his  manoeuvre  unob- 

reeling  with  the  shock,  finally  break  and 

served,  under  the  cover  of  the  forest,  he 

give  way.  The  Americans  now  rush  from 

suddenly  comes  upon  Fraser  with  his 

their  forest-covert  and  follow  the  enemy 

whole  force,  and  a struggle  ensues ; but 

in  close  pursuit  across  the  field.  The 

General  Phillips  soon  making  his  appear- 

British,  reaching  the  high  ground,  and 

ance  with  his  artillery,  gave  the  enemy 

being  covered  by  their  artillery,  now  ral- 

so  greatly  the  advantage,  tliat  the  Amer- 

ly,  and  again  charging  with  tbe  bayonet. 

leans  prudently  retired.  There  was  now 

drive  the  Americans  in  their  turn  back 

a pause  in  the  action.  It  was,  however, 

to  the  woods.  Tlie  marksmen  once  more 

soon  renewed. 

with  their  deadly  fire  compel  the  enemy 

The  British  stood  in  line,  in  advance  of 

to  flee,  and  again  pursue  them  to  the  cov- 

their  encampment,  upon  the  slope  of  a 

er  of  their  encampment.  The  British 

rising  ground,  amid  scattered  pines.  The 

rally  and  charge  as  before;  and  thus  did 

American  ranks,  formed  ready  for  battle. 

“ the  battle  fluctuate,  like  waves  of  a 

were  opposite,  but  closely  hid  from  their 

strong  sea,  with  alternate  advantage,  for 

enemy,  in  a thick  forest.  Between  the 

four  hours,  without  one  moment’s  inter- 

two  was  “Freeman’s  farm,”  a cleared  field. 

mission.”  Gallantly  they  fought  on  both 

once  cultivated  by  the  hand  of  the  peace- 

sides,  and  night  alone  ended  the  conflict. 

fnl  husbandman,  now  choked  with  weeds 

Neither  the  British  nor  the  Americans 

and  abandoned  to  the  tramp  of  the  sol- 

could  justly  claim  the  victory.  The  loss 

dier.  This  Freeman’s  farm,  between  the 

was  neai’ly  tlie  same,  amounting  to  more 

opposing  armies,  was  now  the  field  of  bah 

than  three  hundred  each  ; while  the  num- 

tie. 

her  engaged  was  also  about  equal,  though 

The  British  provoke  the  conflict  by  a 

some  have  stated  that  the  Americans  on- 

discharge  of  artillery.  The  Americans, 

ly  brought  twenty-five  hundred  into  the 

however,  remain  unmoved.  Soon  the 

field  against  three  thousand  of  General 

smoke  clears  away,  and  the  ranks  of  the 

Burgoyne’s  troops. 

enemy  are  seen  in  motion,  hurrying  down 

In  the  course  of  the  struggle,  the  Amer- 

the  slope  with  apparent  irregularity,  as 

icans  succeeded  in  gaining  possession  of 

the  sight  is  confused  by  the  scattered 

some  of  the  British  artillery,  but  they  had 

pines.  They  now  show  themselves,  how- 

to  fight  hard  for  it.  The  captain"  and 

ever,  in  close  and  well-ordered  array,  ad- 

thirty-six  men,  out  of  a company  of  forty- 

vancing  in  the  cleared  ground  below. 

eight,  were  struck  down  before  their  gun 

’I'hey  come  on  quickly,  nearer  and  near- 

could  be  taken,  so  manfully  did  they  cling 

er;  they  halt,  level  their  muskets,  firing 

to  their  piece.  The  cannon  taken,  how- 

a volley,  and  then  rush  forward,  charging 

ever,  for  want  of  horses  to  bring  them 

with  their  bayonets.  The  Americans  with- 

off,  were  left  upon  the  field,  and  conse- 

542  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

quently  again  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 

during  the  campaign.  Lady  Ackland, 

enemy. 

however,  having  heard  that  the  major 

General  Biirgoyne  claimed  the  victory, 

had  received  a wound  in  the  affair  at 

as  appeared  by  some  letters  found  in  the 

Hubbardton,  she  hurried  to  join  him  in 

pouch  of  an  Indian,  who  was  shot  dead 

spite  of  the  risks  and  trials  of  the  jour- 

by  one  of  the  American  scouts  on  the 

ney.  She  could  not  be  prevailed  upon 

lookout  throughout  the  whole  country 

afterward  to  leave  him,  and  accompanied 

around  for  British  spies  and  messengers. 

the  army  during  the  dreaiy  and  tedious 

The  letters  were  wrifen  by  Burgoyne  to 

march  to  Fort  Edward.  Here  the  tent 

Sir  Guy  Carleton,  in  Canada.  In  one  he 

in  Avhich  she  lodged  took  fire,  and  she 

wrote:  I take  the  first  opportunity  to 

barely  escaped  with  her  life.  She  still 

inform  you  we  have  had  a smart  and  very 

resolutely  persevered  in  clinging  to  her 

honoralde  action,  and  are  now  encamped 

husband,  and  followed  each  advance  of 

in  the  front  of  the  field,  which  must  de- 

the  British  army,  driving  in  “ a small,  twm- 

monstrate  our  victory  beyond  the  power 

wheeled  tumbril,  drawn  by  a single  horse. 

of  even  an  American  newspaper  writer 

over  roads  almost  impassable.’”’' 

to  explain  away.”  In  another  letter  he 

The  baroness  Reidesel,  equally  devo- 

declared:  ‘‘We  found  five  hundred  of 

ted,  followed  her  husband  also.  “I  or- 

their  [the  Americans’]  bodies  the  morn- 

dered,”  she  writes,  “ a large  calash  to  he 

iug  after.” 

built,  capable  of  holding  my  three  chil 

There  were  two  women  of  ranlc  in  the 

dren,  myself,  and  two  female-servants ; in 

British  camp,  whose  noble  devotion  to 

this  manner  Ave  moved  Avith  the  army  in 

their  husbands  and  spirited  endurance  of 

the  midst  of  the  soldiery,  Avho  Avere  A’ery 

the  trials  of  affection  and  fortitude  to 

merry,  singing  songs  and  panting  for  ac- 

which  they  were  exposed  in  the  course 

tion.”  She  thus  folloAved  the  army,  gen- 

of  the  terrors  and  hoTrors  of  actual  w^ar. 

erally  remaining  about  an  hour’s  maich 

have  given  a romantic  interest  to  Bur- 

in  the  rear,  Avhere  she  received  daily  vis- 

go^'iie’s  campaign.  No  historian  has  failed 

its  from  her  husband  the  baron.  When 

to  record  the  remarkable  adventures  of 

Burgoyne  encamped  opposite  to  Gates, 

the  baroness  Reidesel  and  Lady  Harriet 

Major  Williams  of  the  artillery  proposed. 

Ackland.  The  former  has,  in  her  own 

as  the  fi  equent  change  of  quarters  was  in 

natural  narrative,  left  the  best  history  of 

convenient,  to  have  a house  built  for  her, 

her  sad  experience  in  America. 

“ with  a chimney,”  quite  an  unusual  lux- 

The  baroness  Reidesel  was  the  Avife  of 

ury  in  that  hard  campaign.  As  it  Avould 

the  Hessian  general  in  command  of  the 

cost  “only  five  or  six  guineas” — some 

Germans.  Lady  Harriet  Ackland  was  the 

tAventy-five  dollars — the  baroness  con- 

sister  of  the  earl  of  Ilchester,  and  the 

sented,  and  the  dwelling  was  constructed. 

wife  of  Major  Ackland,  of  the  grenadiers. 

and  named  “The  Blockhouse,”  from  its 

They  had  accompanied  their  husbands  to 

square  form,  and  the  resemblance  Aviiich 

Quebec,  where  they  were  urged  to  remain 

* Thacber. 

I 

! 

1 

r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  BARONESS  REIDESEL  AND  LADY  ACKLAND.  543 


it  bore  to  buildings  so  called,  erected  for 
purposes  of  defence. 

On  the  bloody  day  of  the  19th  of  Sep- 
tember, however,  the  “ Blockhouse”  was 
abandoned ; and  the  baroness  Reidesel, 
together  with  Lady  Ackl and  and  tlie  wives 
of  Major  Hamage  and  Lieutenant  Bey- 
nell,  being  advised  to  follow  the  route  of 
the  artillery,  took  refuge,  when  the  en- 
gngeinent  commenced,  in  a small  hut  near 
Freeman’s  farm,  the  ladies  retiring  into 
the  cellar  as  the  danger  increased. 

“ I was  an  eye-witness,”  says  the  bar- 
)ness,  “ to  the  whole  affair ; and  as  my 


husband  was  engaged  in  it,  I was  full  of 
anxiety,  and  troubled  at  every  shot  I 
heard.  I saw  a great  number  of  the 
wounded,  and,  what  added  to  the  distress 
of  the  scene,  three  of  them  were  brought 
into  the  house  in  which  I took  shelter.” 
One  was  Major  Hamage,  who  was  very 
badly  wounded ; and,  soon  after,  word 
came  that  Lieutenant  Reynell  was  shot 
dead ! The  wives  of  both  Avere  in  the 
hut,  with  the  baroness  Reidesel  and  Lady 
Ackland.  “Imagination  wants  no  help,” 
wrote  Burgoyne,  “ to  figure  the  state  of 
the  whple  group.” 


CHAPTER  LVII. 

A Gloomy  Morning. — Gayly  to  Aims! — Anxious  Expectation. — Attack  postponed. — Another  Delay. — News  from  .sir 
Henry  Clinton. — General  Burgoyne’s  Only  Hope. — The  Treacherous  Iroquois. — Nothing  more  from  Sir  Henry. — Im- 
patience of  Burgoyne. — Fortifies. — No  Sleep. — The  Provincials  in  High  Spirits. — Trouble  in  the  American  Camp  — 
Generals  Arnold  and  Gates. — Their  Quarrel. — Arnold  resigns. — A Second,  Sober  Thought — Arnold  without  Com- 
mand.— Blustering  about  the  Camp. 


The  morniim  after  the  battle  of 
1777»  ° 

Bemis’s  heights  opened  dull  and 

gloomy.  A thick  mist  rose  from  the  river, 

and,  overspreading  plain  and  forest,  hung 

in  heavy  folds  about  the  sides 
Sept.  20.  „ , , , 

of  the  hills.  Ihe  dead  find  the 

wounded  had  been  gathered  during  the 
night  from  the  field  of  battle.  Sufferers 
were  groaning  Avith  pain  in  tent  and  hos- 
pital ; mourners  Avere  Aveeping  over  the 
fresh  graves  of  their  buried  comrades ; 
surgeons  Avith  probe  and  knife  Avere  busy 
at  their  bloody  but  merciful  Avork ; and 
priests  Avere  uttering  the  solemn  Avords 
Df  prayer.  Yet,  amid  the  gloom  of  Na- 


ture, the  groans  of  the  dying,  and  the 
mourning  for  the  dead,  the  drums  beat 
gayly  to  arms  in  the  British  camp,  and 
soldiers  AVTre  briskly  stepping  into  the 
ranks. 

The  thick  fog  hid  the  tAAm  armies  from 
each  other,  but  both  Avere  ready  to  reneAV 
the  bloody  struggle  of  yesterday.  A.  de- 
serter came  into  the  American  camp,  his 
mouth  all  smutched  Avith  the  biting  of 
cartridges.  He  had  been,  he  said,  in  the 
Avhole  of  the  action  of  the  previous  day. 
The  niglit  Avas  spent  in  removing  the 
Avounded  and  the  Avomen  to  the  encamp- 
ment and  hospital  tents  near  the  river. 


544 

Fresh  aininunition  bad  been  served  out 
to  the  troops  ; bis  own  cartridge-box  was 
now  crammed  with  sixty  rounds ; and  be 
declared  that  when  be  left  the  British 
ranks,  only  a quarter  of  an  hour  before, 
the  whole  of  the  enemy’s  force  was  un- 
der arms,  and  orders  bad  been  given  to 
attack  the  American  lines.  In  ten  min- 
utes more,  be  added,  Burgoyne  would 
march. 

Trusting  to  this  report.  General  Gates 
ordered  bis  lines  to  be  manned  immedi- 
ately ; and  be  and  bis  officers  exhorted 
the  troops  to  show  themselves,  in  (Jie  com- 
ing conflict,  worthy  of  the  cause  for  which 
they  fought.  The  men,  though  wearied 
with  a stru^o-le  which  had  lasted  until 
night  of  the  previous  day,  readily  obeyed 
the  summons  for  another  day’s  work;  and 
eagerly,  as  they  stood  in  rank,  strove  to 
pierce  with  their  straining  eyes  the  thick 
mist,  and  catch  a glimpse  of  the  approach- 
ing enemy. 

Gates,  however,  did  not  share  in  the 
enthusiasm  of  his  troops.  Each  minute, 
as  it  passed,  was  one  of  anxious  solicitude. 
He  was  ill  prepared  that  day  (as  he  and 
some  of  his  officers  only  knew)  to  meet 
the  enemy.  His  ammunition  was  nearly 
exhausted,  and  he  was  anxiously  awaiting 
a supply  from  Albany. 

An  hour  of  excited  expectation  and 
anxious  suspense  passed,  during  Avhich 
hope  and  fear  played  with  the  imagina- 
tion. Some  thought  they  could  hear  the 
movement  of  the  enemy,  and  others  that 
thi  ough  the  floating  mist  they  could  catch 
a sight  of  the  advancing  British  troops. 
The  sun,  now  dispersing  the  vapor,  shone 
out  — not  flashing  upon  the  arms  of  a 


[TAUT  II. 

threatening  enemy,  but  only  revealing  in 
its  bright  reflection  the  sparkling  surface 
of  the  Hudson,  and  the  verdure  of  the 
forest,  still  freshly  green  in  the  early  au- 
tumn, upon  hill  and  plain.  Gates  now 
gladly  dismissed  the  troops. 

Burgoyne  had  drawn  up  his  army,  and  ' 
was  about  ordering  it  to  march  to  the  at- 
tack, when  General  Fraser  (whose  ability 
and  dauntless  courage  had  gained  for  him 
great  and  well-deserved  influence  with 
his  commander)  besought  him  to  post- 
pone the  assault,  as  the  grenadiers  and 
light-infantry,  who  were  to  take  the  lead, 
seemed  wearied  by  the  hard  work  of  the 
day  before.  Burgoyne  accordingly  or- 
dered his  troops  back  to  camp,  and  de- 
termined to  postj^one  the  attack  until  the 
next  morning. 

Burgoyne’s  design  was,  however,  again 
put  off  His  anxious  desire  to  hear  from 
New  York  was  now  gratified.  In  the  mid- 
dle of  the  nio-ht  a spy  entered 

o 1 Sent.  21. 

his  camp,  with  a letter  in  cipher 

from  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  in  which  that 
general  stated  that  he  was  about  making 
an  attack  upon  the  forts  on  the  North 
river. 

The  American  scouts  were  everywhere 
so  much  on  the  alert,  that  the  ingenuity 
of  the  British  commanders  was  greatly 
taxed  to  keep  up  a communication.  Let- 
ters w'ere  often  copied  in  duplicate,  and 
even  in  triplicate,  and,  although  each  was 
sent  by  a separate  messenger,  it  was  sel- 
dom that  either  arrived.  Burgoyne  now 
heard  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton  for  the 
first  time.  Greatly  disappointed  as  he 
was  to  find  that  General  Howe  with  his 
whole  foice  was  not  coming  to  Albany, 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


r 

itKVOLUTioNARY.]  HOPES  AND  FEARS  OF  BURGOYNE.  545 

to  co-operate  with  him,  as  he  had  been 

and  their  propensities  for  scalping  and 

led  to  expect  when  the  plan  of  the  cam- 

plundering  been  so  checked  by  the  hu 

paign  was  laid  down  by  the  English  gov- 

mane  restrictions  of  the  British  command- 

eminent,  he  was  still  encouraged  by  the 

er,  that  they  lost  all  inducement  to  serve. 

mere  show  of  an  advance  of  a British 

and  could  no  longer  be  prevailed  upon 

force,  however  small,  from  New  York.  In 

to  remain.  A band  of  Iroquois,  amount- 

answer  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  Burgoyne 

ing  to  more  than  a hundred  and  fifty, 

wrote:  ‘‘An  attack,  or  the  menace  of  an 

treacherously  transferred  their  uncertahi 

attack,  upon  Montgomery  [the  fort  of 

fealty  to  what  they  believed  to  be  the 

that  name  on  the  North  river],  must  be 

stronger  side,  that  of  Gates.  The  Cana- 

of  great  use,  as  it  will  draw  away  a part 

dians  and  American  lo3%alists  likewise  lost 

of  this  force,  and  I will  follow  them  close. 

heart,  and  deserted  in  numbers.  General 

Do  it,  my  dear  friend,  directly.” 

Burgojme,  however,  was  still  firm ; and 

He  now  determined  to  wait  a few  da3^s, 

his  regulars  shared  in  the  re.solute  spirit 

in  order  to  give  Sir  Henry  Clinton  an  op- 

of  their  undaunted  commander,  who  de- 

portunity  to  begin  operations,  before  ma- 

dared  to  his  men  that  he  would  either 

king  his  attack.  His  provisions  could  not 

force  his  way  to  Albany  or  leave  his  bones 

last  beyond  the  20th  of  October ; and,  as 

on  the  field  of  battle.  Burgoyne  heard 

his  communication  with  Canada  was  so 

nothing  more  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  but 

completel}'  cut  off,  that  he  could  not  re- 

cheered  himself  and  his  army  with  the 

ceive  a man  or  a biscuit  from  that  quar- 

hope  that  intelligence  would  soon  arrive 

ter,  his  only  hope  was,  with  the  aid  of 

of  a successful  result  to  the  promised  ef- 

General  Clinton,  to  be  able  soon  to  move 

forts  at  co-operation  from  New  York. 

forward.  He  could  wait  until  the  12th, 

While  Burgo^'ne  was  awaiting  news 

he  declared,  and  no  longer. 

from  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  he  began  to  for- 

Colonel  St.  Leger  had  succeeded,  after 

tify  his  encampment.  He  raised  breast- 

his  flight  from  Fort  Schu^der,  in  making 

works  on  the  fiats  by  the  river  to  his  left, 

his  way  back  to  Ticonderoga  with  a mea- 

on  the  plain  at  his  centre,  and  up  the  ac- 

ger  remnant  of  troops,  and  would  have 

clivit^"  of  the  hills  on  his  right,  strength- 

joined  Burgoyne  had  he  been  able  to 

ened  here  and  there  by  abaitis  of  heaped- 

reach  him.  Colonel  Brown  was  in  his 

up  rails  and  by  redoubts.  His  men  were 

way  with  a detachment  of  General  Lin- 

kept  constantly  at  work,  and  on  the  alert. 

coin’s  New-Hampshire  troops,  which,  af- 

“ From  the  20th  of  September  to  the  7th 

te.r  retiring  from  an  unsuccessful  attempt 

of  October,”  wrote  Burgoyne,  in  his  nar- 

upon  Fort  Diamond,  was  now  hanging  in 

rative  of  the  expedition,  “ the  armies  were 

the  rear  of  the  British  encampment,  and 

so  near,  that  not  a night  passed  without 

completely  cutting  it  oft' from  all  coinniu- 

firing,  and  sometimes  concerted  attacks 

nication  with  the  north. 

upon  our  advanced  pickets.  I do  not  be- 

Burgoyne’s  Indians,  too,  had  suffered 

lieve  either  officer  or  soldier  ever  slept 

so  terribl}'  from  Morgan’s  sharpshooters, 
Gy 

in  that  interval  without  his  clothes;  or 

. 

54G 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


that  any  general  officer  or  commander  of 
a regiment  passed  a single  night  without 
being  upon  his  legs  occasionally  at  differ- 
ent hours,  and  constantly  an  hour  before 
daylight.” 

Gates  and  his  army,  although  equally 
on  the  alert,  had  less  labor  and  anxiety. 
Their  defensive  works  had  already  been 
raised,  and  nothing  was  now  left  but  to 
strengthen  them  here  and  there.  The 
Americans  were  in  high  spirits;  for,  al- 
though they  did  not  claim  the  victory  on 
the  19th  of  September,  they  had  been 
able,  with  equal  if  not  with  fewer  num- 
bers, to  fight  a drawm  battle  with  the 
choicest  of  the  British  troops,  and  were 
thus  encouraged  to  further  efibrt.  Rein- 
forcements, too,  came  thronging  in  : Gen- 
eral Lincoln  had  arrived,  with  two  thou- 
sand New-Hamp.shire  men  ; and  the  mili- 
tia offered  themselves  freely  from  the  sur- 
rounding country,  which  was  now  inspir- 
ited by  the  perils  threatening  Burgoyne, 
and  the  triumphs  awaiting  Gates.  Sup- 
plies also  of  food  and  ammunition  were 
daily  brought  into  the  American  camp  in 
great  abundance,  while  the  scanty  rations 
of  Burgoyne’s  soldiers  wei'e  rapidly  di- 
minishing. 

There  was,  however,  trouble  brewing 
m the  American  camp.  The  impetuous 
Arnold,  never  very  submissive,  had  been 
vexed  into  a great  rage  by  the  somewhat 
arbitrary  conduct  of  General  Gates,  On 
the  opening  of  the  battle  of  the  19th,  Ar- 
nold had  repeatedly  and  ui’gently  sent  to 
the  general-in-chief  for  reinforcements  be- 
fore his  demand  was  complied  with,  and 
he  attributed  the  delay  to  an  envious  spir- 
it on  the  part  of  Gates.  The  next  day, 


Arnold  uniiortunately  insisted 

^ . ill,  , Sept.  20. 

upon  Gates  giving  battle  to  the 

enemy ; but  his  advice,  very  intrusively 
and  persistently  urged,  was  finally  reject- 
ed, although  the  reason  was  left  unex- 
plained. Gates’s  reason  was  a good  one 
(his  supply  of  ammunition  having  given 
out),  but  he  did  not  deign  to  state  it  — 
leaving  Arnold  to  put  his  own  construc- 
tion upon  his  motives.  The  latter  attrib- 
uted it  to  envy,  and  gave  vent  to  his  feel- 
ings of  indignation.  “I  have  lately  ob- 
served,” ha  wrote  to  Gates,  “little  or  no 
attention  paid  to  any  proposals  I have 
thought  it  my  duty  to  ni'ake  for  the  pub- 
lic service ; and  when  a measure  I have 
proposed  has  been  agreed  to,  it  has  been 
immediately  contradicted.  I have  been 
received  with  the  greatest  coolness  at 
headquarters,  and  often  huffed  in  such  a 
manner  as  must  mortify  a person  with 
less  pride  than  I have,  and  in  my  station 
in  the  army.” 

Arnold  began  to  talk  freely  in  camp  of 
Gates’s  opposition  to  him,  and  succeeded 
in  gaining  the  sympathy  of  some  of  the 
officers,  among  whom  there  were  those 
who  were  attached  to  General  Schuyler, 
and  were  indignant  that  he  should  have 
been  superseded.  He  was  thus  encour- 
aged in  the  indulgence  of  his  spirit  of  in- 
subordination. General  Wilkinson,  on  the 
other  hand,  was  at  that  time  a great  par- 
tisan of  Gates ; and,  being  unfriendly  tow- 
ard Arnold,  he  lost  no  opportunity  of  grat- 
ifying the  one  and  vexing  the  other.  He 
accordingly,  with  apparently  no  better 
motive  than  piquing  Arnold,  induced  the 
commander-in-chief  to  issue  the  following 
ordei’:  “Colonel  Morgans  corps,  not  be- 


RKVOLUTIONARY.]  QUARREL  BETWEEN  GATES  AND  ARNOLD. 


547 


ing  attached  to  any  brigade  or  division 
of  the  army,  he  is  to  make  returns  and  re- 
ports to  headquarters  only,  from  whence 
alone  he  is  to  receive  orders.” 

This  greatly  angered  Arnold,  for  he 
declared  it  Avas  notorious  to  the  whole 
army  that  Colonel  Morgan’s  corps  had 
done  duty  “for  some  time  past”  with  his 
division.  He  hastened  to  headquarters, 
and,  confronting  the  commander-in-chief, 
“ asserted  his  pretensions  to  the  command 
of  the  Hite,  and  was  ridiculed  by  General 
Gates.  IliMi  words  and  ijross  lan<>:ua(>:e 
ensued.”"'^  In  the  course  of  this  interview. 
Gates  told  Arnold  that  he  did  not  know 
tliat  he  was  a majjor-general,  or  had  any 
command  in  the  army ! Arnold  retired 
in  a great  rage,  and  immediately  wrote  a 
letter  to  Gates,  in  which  he  said : “ As  I 
find  your  observation  very  just,  that  I am 
not  or  that  you  wish  me  of  little  conse- 
quence in  the  army,  and  as  I have  the  in- 
terest and  safety  of  my  country  at  heart, 
I wish  to  be  where  I can  be  of  most  ser- 
vice to  her.  I therefore,  as  General  Lin- 
coln is  arrived,  have  to  request  your  pass 
to  Philadelphia,  with  my  two  aids-de-camp 
and  their  servants,  where  I propose  to  join 
General  Washington;  and  may  possibly 


have  it  in  my  power  to  serve  my  coun- 
try, although  I am  thought  of  no  conse- 
quence in  this  department.” 

Gates  Avas  Avell  pleased  thus  easily  to 
get  rid  of  one  who,  by  his  brilliant  talents 
and  his  dashing  courage  as  a soldier,  Avas 
likely  to  throAv  into  the  shade  the  more 
sober  qualities  of  his  superior.  The  pass 
Avas  immediately  Avritten  and  sent  to  Ar- 
nold, ill  accordance  Avith  his  request.  Sev- 
eral formal  notes  subsequently  passed  be- 
tAveen  them,  mutually  recriminatory;  but 
Arnold  still  lingered  in  camp,  and  finally 
Avrote  to  Gates,  saying,  “ I am  determined 
to  sacrifice  my  feelings,  present  peace, 
and  quiet,  to  the  public  good,  and  con- 
tinue in  the  army  at  this  critical  junc- 
ture, Avhen  my  country  needs  eA^ery  sup- 
port.” 

Arnold,  therefore,  remained  Avithout  a 
command.  Gates  himself  having  taken  his 
division  on  the  left.  It  Avas,  however, 
freely  rumored  that  General  Lincoln  Ava.'^ 
to  assume  the  command,  Avhich 
he  finally  did.  In  the  meantime, 

Arnold  blustered  about  the  camp,  and  de- 
clared that  it  Avonld  be  death  to  any  offi- 
cer Avho  should  venture  to  interfere  Avitli 
his  division  in  the  expected  battle.* 


* Wilkinson. 


* Irving. 


548 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LPArt  11. 


CHAPTER  LVIII. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  prepares  for  an  Expedition. — Tlie  Ameriean  Forts  on  the  Hudson. — Tlie  Patriotic  Clintons. — tjenerai 
Putnam  at  Peekskill. — Sir  Henry  Clinton  sails  up  the  River. — “ Old  Put”  astir. — Mistaken  Calculations. — Landing 
of  the  British. — Governor  George  Clinton  at  Fort  Montgomery. — A Traitorous  Messenger. — Sir  Henry  Clinton  lands 
at  Stony  Point* — I'lie  Plan  of  Attack. — An  Unexpected  Resistance. — Hard  but  Unsuccessful  Struggle  of  the  Ameri- 
cans.— Demands  for  Surrender. — The  Refusal. — Desperate  Assault. — The  Americans  overpowered. — Escape  of  the 
Clintons. — The  Loss  on  Both  Sides. — Count  Gahrowski. — Died  like  a Soldier. — Burning  of  the  American  Vessels.— 
A Sublime  Scene. — Booms  and  Chevaux-de-Frise  all  gone. — The  Victorious  Advance  of  the  British. — The  Clintons 
rallying  again. — A Spy,  and  the  Effects  of  Tartar-Emetic.-  Sir  Henry’s  Letter  from  Fort  Montgomery. — Esopus  in 
Ruins. — Old  Put  discouraged. 


1777. 


Although  General  Burgojne  was 
ignorant  of  the  movements  of  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  that  spirited  officer  was 
losing  no  time  in  doing  all  and  even  more 
than  he  had  promised.  The  reinforce- 
ment from  England  of  two  thousand  men, 
under  General  Robertson,  having  been 
“^shipped  in  Dutch  bottoms,”  did  not  ar- 
rive at  New  York  until  the  end  of  Sep- 
tember, after  a protracted  voyage  of  three 
months.  On  their  arrival.  Sir  Henry  'was 
ready  to  set  out  on  his  expedition  up  the 
North  river.  He  had  already  prepared 
everything  in  advance.  A fleet  of  trans- 
ports and  flat-bottomed  boats  had  been 
anchored  off  the  upper  end  of  the  island 
of  New  York;  troops  had  been  gathered 
together  at  Kingsbridge ; a supply  of 
hard  bread  had  been  baked  ; and  as  soon 
as  General  Robertson  and  his  troops  land- 
ed to  garrison  New  York  in  his  absence, 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  embarked  three  thou- 
sand men  and  sailed  up  the  Hudson. 

General  Putnam  was  still  at  Peekskill 
— with  a force,  however,  reduced  to  the 
small  number  of  twelve  hundred  conti- 
nental troops  and  three  hundred  militia, 


in  consequence  of  the  drafts  made  upon 
him  by  Washington  to  reinforce  the  army 
in  Pennsylvania.  The  forts,  too,  on  the 
river  were  but  feebly  garrisoned.  Fort 
Independence,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Hudson,  was  near  Putnam’s  post  at  Peeks- 
kill ; but  he  could  spare  only  a few  men 
from  his  meager  force  to  defend  it.  Forts 
Clinton  and  Montgomery,  on  the  west 
side  and  above,  Avere  manned  by  not  more 
than  six  hundred  militia,  divided  between 
the  two.  George  Clinton,  the  governor 
of  New  York,  commanded  Fort  Montgom- 
ery, while  his  brother  had  charge  of  Fort 
Clinton,  Avhich  Avas  situated  a hundred 
yards  or  so  to  the  south,  and  separated 
from  the  northern  fort  by  a deep  inlet 
from  the  Hudson,  called  “ Peplopenkill.” 
From  a short  distance  above  the  kill  to 
Anthony’s  Nose,  opposite,  Avere  stretched 
a chevaiix-dc-frise,  a boom,  and  a huge  iron 
chain,  Avhich,  Avith  the  armed  galleys,  the 
tAvo  frigates  anchored  above, and  the  guns 
of  the  forts,  Avere  supposed  to  be  an  effecL 
ual  obstacle  to  the  ascent  of  the  river. 

General  Putnam,  at  Peekskill,  Avas  on 
the  alert.  He  had  received  information 


Ri'.voLUTiONAUY.J  SIR  HPINRY  CLINTON  UP  THE  HUDSON.  549 


of  the  arrival  of  British  reinforcements 
at  New  York,  and  of  Sir  Heniy  Clinton’s 
preparations  for  his  expedition.  The  de- 
signs of  the  enemy  he  supposed  to  be 
either  ‘‘against  the  posts  of  the  High- 
lands, or  some  part  of  the  counties  of 
Westchester  or  Dutchess.”  He  had  sent 
due  notice  to  Governor  Clinton,  wlio  was 
absejit  at  the  time  from  his  military  post, 
and  engaged  in  the  performance  of  his 
civil  functions  elsewhere.  The  governor 
immediately  returned  to  Fort  Montgom- 
ery, having  first  ordered  out  the  militia 
of  the  state  of  New  York. 

The  farmers,  as  it  was  nearly  seedtime, 
and  they^iad  not  yet  sown  their  grain, 
did  not  muster  very  readily  at  the  call 
of  the  governor.  A considerable  force 
was,  however,  finally  gathered ; part  of 
which  was  stationed  at  the  forts,  and  the 
rest  sent  to  Peekskill.  But  the  men  be- 
came “ extremely  restless  and  uneasy 
and  General  Putnam,  who  in  his  old  age 
was  becoming  quite  the  reverse,  gave  ear 
to  the  grumblings  of  the  discontented 
yeomen,  and  allowed  them  to  return  to 
their  fields.  The  governor,  however,  who 
Avas  disposed  to  be  more  exacting,  called 
one  half  of  them  back  again,  Avith  the  un- 
derstanding that,  after  they  had  served  a 
month,  they  should  be  dismissed,  and  the 
other  half  called  in  to  take  their  places. 
Wlfile  this  plan  Avas  being  carried  into 
effect,  there  Avas  so  much  delay  in  set- 
tling who  should  serve  first  and  Avho  last, 
that  neither  got  ready  in  time  to  be  of 
service  in  the  approaching  emergency. 

The  Avind  having  been  unfavorable.  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  Avas  detained  till  the  night 
of  Saturday  the  4th  of  October,  Avhen, 


Avith  a fair  breeze,  the  fleet,  under  the 
command  of  Commodore  Holtham,  stood 
up  the  river.  In  advance  sailed  two  men- 
of-wa,r,  three  tenders,  and  a large  flotilla 
of  flat-bottomed  boats.  Soon  after  fol- 
loAved  a frigate,  five  square-rigged  ve.ssels, 
and  a number  of  small  craft.  Putnam 
Avas  on  the  Avatch  at  Peekskill,  and,  haA^- 
ing  stationed  guard-boats  along  the  river, 
soon  heard  of  the  enemy’s  approach.  His 
next  intelligence  Avas,  that  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  had  landed  at  Tarrytown,  some 
thirty  miles  from  New  York.  This  being 
on  the  same  side  of  the  river,  and  beloAV 
Peekskill,  “ Old  Put”  quite  made  up  his 
mind  that  his  post  Avas  Clinton’s  object, 
and  he  accordingly  sent  off  parties  to 
harass  him,  “if  prudent,”  on  his  march. 

Sir  Henry,  hoAvever,  at  that  moment 
had  no  designs  upon  Peekskill,  and  had 
merely  landed  at  TarrytoAvn  in  order  to 
divert  Putnam  from  his  real  purpose.  He 
accordingly,  after  marching  his  men  five 
miles  into  the  country,marched  them  back 
again,  re-embarked  them  on  board  his  ves- 
sels, and  sailed  farther  up  the  river.  Clin- 
ton, still  bent  upon  concealing  his  object 
from  Putnam,  proceeded  up  the  Hudson 
as  far  as  Verplanck’s  Point,  on  the  east 
side,  Avhere  he  again  landed  Avith  a con- 
siderable force,  only  eight  miles  beloAV 
Peekskill.  Putnam  Avas  uoav  still  more 
confident  that  his  post  and  Fort  Indepen- 
dence Avere  threatened ; and  Avhile  con- 
sulting Avith  General  Parsons,  and  cau- 
tiously reconnoitring  the  supposed  posi 
tion  of  the  inaiti  body  of  the  British,  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  taking  advantage  of  a fog- 
gy morning,  crossed  over  next  day  at  an 
early  hour  from  Verplanck’s  Point,  with 


550  r.ATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  ii. 


two  of  his  three  thousand  men,  to  Stony 
Point  opposite,  and  marched  for  Forts 
Clinlon  and  Montgomery. 

Putnam’s  scouts  brought  in  word  that 
some  of  the  enemy  had  landed  on  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  where  a building 
had  been  set  on  tire  ; but  it  was  supposed 
that  those  who  had  crossed  composed  only 
a small  force,  whose  object  was  to  burn 
the  storehouses  at  Stony  Point,  and  that 
the  principal  body  still  remained  atVer- 
planck’s  Point.  Putnam  was  not  unde- 
ceived until  he  heard  “ a very  heavy  and 
hot  firing,  both  of  small-arms  and  cannon, 
at  Fort  Montgomery,”  which  immediately 
convinced  him  that  the  British  had  gone 
over  in  the  mornino;  with  "a  lary-e  force. 
He  then,  at  this  late  moment,  detached 
five  hundred  men  to  reinforce  the  garri- 
sons at  Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton. 
Before  they  could  cross  the  river,  howev- 
er, Sir  Henry  Clinton,  as  we  shall  see,  had 
gained  his  object. 

Governor  Clinton,  at  Fort  Montgome- 
ry, was  aroused  to  the  danger  threatening 
the  forts ; and,  having  first  sent  a messen- 
ger to  General  Putnam,  asking  for  a rein- 
forcement, he  ordered  out  Major  Logan, 
an  alert  officer,  well  acquainted  with  the 
ground,  with  thirty  men,  to  reconnoitre 
and  gain  intelligence  of  the  enemy.  The 
major  did  not  return  until  nine  o’clock 
the  next  morning,  when  he  declared  that, 
from  the  sound  he  had  heard  of  the  row- 
ing of  boats,  he  believed  that  the  British 
had  crossed  with  a considerable  force,  but, 
as  the  morning  was  foggy,  it  had  been 
impossible  to  see  them  and  compute  their 
numbers.  The  governor,  on  hearing  this 
inteHigence,despatched  Lieutenant  Jack- 


son, with  a small  party,  to  watch  their 
movements,  and  anxiously  awaited  a re- 
sponse to  his  message  to  General  Putnam 
asking  reinforcements.  These,  however, 
never  came  ; for  the  messenger  proved  a 
traitor,  and  went  over  to  the  enemy. 

Sir  Henry,  on  landing  at  Stony  Point, 
left  a strong  guard  there  to  secure  his 
communication  with  the  war-ships,  and 
marched  by  a circuitous  route  toward  the 
forts,  which  were  in  a direct  line,  about 
tw^elve  miles  distant.  While  the  trans- 
ports were  anchored  offStony Point, three 
of  the  British  men-of-war  (the  Tartar,  the 
Mercury,  aud  the  Preston)  moved  a short 
distance  up  the  river,  aud  moored  near 
Fort  Independence,  in  order  to  keep  the 
Americans  in  check  on  that  side  of  the 
Hudson,  and  prevent  Putnam  from  send- 
ing aid  to  the  garrisons  opposite. 

The  British,  guided  by  a tory,  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  country,  proceeded 
through  a narrow  and  rugged  defile  skirL 
iug  the  western  base  of  the  Dunderberg 
or  Thunder  mountain,  which  rises  with 
rocky  cliffs  abruptly  from  the  border  of 
the  Hudson.  On  reaching  a ravine  at 
the  north,  between  Dunderberg  and  Bear 
hill.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  divided  his  force. 
One  division,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Campbell,  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Fort 
Montgomery,  while  Sir  Henry  himself  led 
the  other  against  Fort  Clinton.  With 
Campbell’s  division  were  nine  hundred 
men,  some  of  whom  were  American  loy- 
alists,under  the  command  of  Colonel  Bev- 
erly Eobinson,  of  New  York;  some  Brit- 
ish grenadiers,  led  by  the  youthful  Lord 
Kawdon,  who  was  accompanied  by  his 
friend  Count  Gabrowski,  a Pole  ; and  the 


itEVOLUTiONARY.  I FORTS  CLINTON  AND  MONTGOMERY  STORMED.  551 


rest  of  the  force  was  composed  of  Hes- 
sians. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell  was  or- 
dered to  make  a circuitous  marcli  to  the 
west  around  Bear  hill,  and  the  rear  of 
Fort  Montgomery,  which  he  was  directed 
to  attack  when  Sir  Henry  himself  was  pre- 
pared to  begin  upon  Fort  Clinton,  toward 
Avhich  he  now  led  his  division. 

Sir  Hemy  had  but  a small  distance  to 
march,  as  Fort  Clinton  was  the  nearer  of 
the  two  fortresses,  and  could  be  reached 
by  a shorter  circuit.  While  Campbell’s 
route  led  oil' to  the  left  of  Bear  hill,  that 
of  Sir  Henry  Clinton  Avas  to  the  right, 
through  a raA'ine,  and  thence  in  a direct 
line  to  the  fort,  between  a pond  called 
Sinipink  lake  and  the  river. 

Sir  Henry  advanced  cautiou.sly,  though 
he  deluded  himself  Avith  the  hope  that 
Ins  movement  Avas  unsuspected.  He  soon 
had  reason  to  knoAV  that  the  Americans 
Avere  on  the  alert;  for  his  advance-guard, 
on  reaching  DoodletoAvn,  on  the  Haver- 
straw  road,  fell  in  Avith  Lieutenant  Jack- 
son  and  his  scouting-party,  Avho  had  been 
sent  out  to  reconnoitre.  The  British  fired 
as  Jackson  came  up,  Avho,  after  giving 
them  a volley  in  return,  Avas  forced  to  re- 
treat Avith  his  handfid  of  men. 

The  firing  Avas  heard  at  Fort  Clinton, 
and  General  James  Clinton,  Avho  Avas  in 
command  there,  immediately  despatched 
fifty  continental  troops,  under  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Bruyn,  and  the  same  num- 
ber of  militia,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
MTJaughrey,  to  meet  Sir  Henry  and  op- 
pose his  approach.  They  soon  became 
engaged  in  a hot  struggle,  but  the  Brit- 
ish were  too  numerous  for  them,  and  they 


fell  back  — disputing  the  rough  ground, 
how'ever,  inch  by  inch,  to  the  Avails  of  the 
fort. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell’s  march 
to  Fort  Montgomery,  through  the  defile 
on  the  Avest  side  of  Bear  hill,  Avas  no  less 
disputed  than  Sir  Henry’s  advance  to  Fort 
Clinton.  Colonel  Lamb  (he  who  had  so 
gallantly  served  his  battery  at  Quebec, 
under  Arnold)  had  been  sent  out  Avith  a 
covering-party  of  sixty  men  from  the  fort, 
to  plaiit  a fieldpiece  in  an  advantageous 
positiou,commanding  the  narroAvand  rug- 
ged path  through  Avhich  the  enemy  Avould 
be  obliged  to  advance.  A second  detach- 
ment of  sixty  Avere  also  ordered  to  folloAV 
Lamb  and  sustain  him.  Campbell  came 
leading  on  his  men  at  a quick  pace,  Avhen 
he  Avas  suddenly  brought  to  a check  by 
a discharge  of  grapeshot  from  Lamb’s 
gun  and  a Avell-directed  fire  of  musketry 
from  the  Americans  posted  on  the  high 
ground  on  a border  of  the  defile. 

The  shock  Avas  so  severe, that  theAvhole 
British  force  Avas  driven  back,  and  at  each 
effort  to  push  forAvard  again  Avas  so  effect- 
ually checked,  that  Campbell  Avas  obliged 
to  AvithdraAv  his  men.  He  noAA’,  hoAvever, 
divided  his  troops,  and  filing  them  off  by 
the  right  and  the  left  through  the  Avoods, 
attempted  to  surround  the  Americans, 
Avho,  seeing  his  purpose,  abandoned  their 
fieldpiece,  after  first  spiking  it  to  render 
it  useless  to  the  enemy,  and  then  retired. 
Governor  Clinton,  in  order  to  cover  their 
retreat  and  harass  the  foe,  ordered  out  a 
tAvelve-pounder,  Avhich,  being  Avell  served 
Avith  grapeshot,  greatly  annoyed  the  Britr 
ish,  and  gave  the  Americans  an  opportu- 
nity of  reaching  the  fort  Avith  very  little 


552  BATTLES  OF  AMKIIICA.  [parp  ii. 

loss,  except  the  capture  of  Captain  Fen- 

coming  on,  the  Americans  found  it  use- 

no,  who  commanded  the  gun. 

less  to  dispute  the  po.ssession  any  longer. 

It  w\as  now  about  two  o’clock  in  the 

Most  were  obliged  to  throw  down  their 

afternoon,  and  the  enemy  continued  to 

arms  and  surrender;  but  others  fought 

push  on  toward  the  forts.  They  were, 

their  way  through  the  enemy,  and  thus 

however,  so  checked  in  their  advance  by 

escaped.  Among  these  were  Governor 

the  ahattis  of  felled  trees  and  the  o])posi- 

Clinton  and  his  brother  James.  The  lat- 

tion  they  met,  that  they  were  not  ready 

ter,  though  wounded  in  the  thigh,  slid 

to  begin  the  attack  till  nearly  five  o’clock. 

down  a precipice  one  hundred  feet  high. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell  now  ap- 

into  the  ravine  between  the  forts,  and  got 

proached  with  a flag,  when  Lieutenant- 

off  through  the  woods.  His  brother,  the 

Colonel  Livingston  was  sent  out  to  meet 

governor,let  himself  down  the  steep  rocks 

him,  and  demand  his  rank  and  business. 

and  reached  the  river-side  just  as  a boat 

Campbell,  having  announced  who  he  was. 

was  pushing  off  with  a number  of  other 

said  that  he  came  to  demand  the  surren- 

fugitive.s.  They  pulled  back  to  take  him 

der  of  the  fort  in  five  minutes,  to  prevent 

in;  but  as  the  boat  was  loaded  down  to 

the  further  effusion  of  blood  ; and  he  de- 

the  gunwale,  he  declined  to  go,  for  fear 

dared  that,  if  the  garrison  would  give 

of  risking  their  safety.  They,  however. 

themselves  up  as  prisoners-of-war,  they 

having  insisted,  and  declared  that  the  boat 

might  depend  upon  being  well  treated. 

could  easily  hold  him,  he  was  induced  to 

Livingston  rejected  the  proposition  with 

get  in,  and  succeeded  in  crossing  the  Hud- 

scorn,  and  informed  Campbell  that  he 

son  in  safety.  He  now  hastened  to  join 

miuht  be«:in  his  attack  as  soon  as  he 

General  Putnam.* 

pleased,  as  it  was  determined  to  defend 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  killed, 

tlie  forts  to  the  last  extremity. 

wounded,  and  prisoners,  amounted  to  al- 

In  about  ten  minutes  the  enemy  at- 

most  three  hundred  ; that  of  the  enemy, 

tacked  both  posts  w'ith  desperate  energy. 

in  killed  and  wounded,  to  only  a hundrec' 

They  met  with  spirited  resistance  on  the 

and  forty.  The  British  loss  in  officers 

part  of  the  meager  garrisons  in  the  forts. 

was,  as  usual,  disproportionately  large. 

I’lie  numbers  of  the  assailants,  however. 

Among  those  who  fell  were  Lieutenant- 

were  overwhelming.  Witli  fixed  bayo- 

Colonel  Campbell,  who  led  the  division 

nets  they  came  rushing  against  the  forth 

against  Fort  Montgomery  ; Major  Grant, 

fications.mountino'on one  another’s  shoul- 

^ O 

of  the  New-York  loyalists ; Captain  Stew- 

ders,  and  climbing  through  the  embra- 

art,  of  the  grenadiers ; and  Major  Lile,  of 

sures  by  the  sides  of  the  guns,  hot  with 

the  sixty-third  regiment.  The  gallant 

incessant  firing.  They  crowded  in  upon 

count  Gabrowski  likewise  fell,  mortally 

the  ramparts,  but  the  brave  garrison  still 

wounded  by  three  balls.  He  had  ad- 

resisted,  fighting  de.sperately  in  a hand- 

vanced  to  the  storming  of  the  fcrt  by 

to-hand  struggle.  Seeing  theniselves,how- 

the  side  of  his  young  friend  'Lord  Itaw- 

ever,  surrounded  on  all  sides,  and  night 

* Irvinjj. 

, 

REVOLUTIONARY.!  THE  BRITISH  TRIUIMPHANT  OX  THE  HUDSON.  55.3 

don  (nfterwai’d  the  nmrqui.s  of  Ilasting.s), 

every  sail  was  set,  the  vessels  soon  be- 

at  the  liead  of  the  British  grenadiers.  As 

came  magnificent  pyramids  of  fire.  The 

they  became  entangled  among  the  felled 

reflection  on  the  steep  face  of  the  oppo- 

trees,  and  each  man  was  obliged  to  find 

site  mountain,  and  the  long  train  of  rud- 

a path  for  himself,  Gabrowski  was  sepa- 

dy  light  which  shone  upon  the  water  for 

rated  from  his  lordship,  when  he  received 

a prodigious  distance,  had  a wonderful 

the  fatal  shot.  As  he  fell,  he  took  the 

effect;  while  tlie  ear  Avas  awfully  filled 

sword  from  his  side,  and,  handing  it  to  a 

with  the  continued  echoes  from  the  rocky 

grenadier,  liegged  him  to  deliver  it  to 

shores,  as  the  flames  gradually  reached 

Lord  Rawdon,  and  tell  him  that  he  had 

the  loaded  cannons.  The  whole  was  sub- 

died  like  a soldier. 

limely  terminated  by  the  explosions,which 

It  was  dusk  when  the  struggle  ceased. 

left  all  again  in  darkness.” 

and  dark  night  before  the  fall  of  the  forts 

The  next  day,  the  boom,  chain,  chev- 

became  known  to  those  on  board  the 

aux-dc-frise,  and  all,  Avhich  had  cost  a quar- 

American  vessels  which  were  stationed 
above  the  chevmix-defme  acro.ss  the  river. 

ter  of  a million  of  dollars,  were 
destroyed  by  the  English  sailors ; 

As  they  feared  that  Admiral  Iloltham  — 

and  a flying  squadron  of  small  frigates, 

who,  during  the  contest  on  shore,  had 

under  Sir  .James  Wallace,  Avith  a detach- 

moved  up,  and  while  cannonading  the 

ment  of  British  troops  on  board,  com- 

forts  had  brought  his  ships  within  gun- 

manded  by  General  Vaughan,  moved  tri- 

shot  of  the  American  frigates  and  galleys 

umphantly  up  the  Hudson.  On  land.  Fort 

— would  now  direct  his  attention  to  them. 

Constitution,  opposite  West  Point,  and 

an  attempt  was  made  to  get  them  so  far 

Fort  Independence,  near  Peekskill,  Avere 

above  the  chevanx-defrise  as  to  be  out  of 

abandoned.  General  Vaughan  now  land- 

reach.  The  officers  accordingly  called 

ed  his  force  and  marched  against  Esopus 

all  hands  to  slip  the  cables,  hoist  sail,  and 

(now  Kingston),  and,  having  put  to  flight 

get  under  weigh.  The  vessels,  however. 

a small  band  of  militia,  burnt  the  village 

being  badly  manned,  the  tide  on  the  ebb. 

to  the  ground,  together  Avith  a large  sup- 

and  the  wind  having  died  away,  it  was 

ply  of  military  stores. 

found  impo.ssible  to  manage  them.  The 

General  Putnam,  after  the  fall  of  the 

frigate  Montgomery,  which  was  nearest 

forts,  retired  from  Peekskill,  and,  march- 

to  the  chain,  lost  her  headway  and  drift- 

ing  along  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson. 

ed  down  so  close  t5  the  enemy,  that  the 

posted  himself  in  a defile  in  the  mount- 

captain  and  his  crew  were  forced  to  set 

ains  near  Fishkill.  Governor  Clinton,  in 

fire  to  and  abandon  her.  The  other  frig- 

the  meantime,  having  collected  two  con- 

ate,  the  Congress,  got  aground  near  Fort 

tinental  regiments  and  a straggling  force 

Constitution,  and  was  burnt,  as  were  also 

of  militia,  moved  along  the  Avestern  side 

the  two  galleys  and  the  sloop. 

of  the  river,  Avith  the  vieAv  of  keeping  be- 

“ The  fiame.s,” says  Stedman,the  British 

tween  the  enemy  and  Albany,  Avhere  he 

annalist,  “ suddenly  broke  forth,  and,  as 
70 

hoped  to  be  joined  by  General  Putnam, 

554 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PART  JI 


who  was  to  proceed  along  the  eastern 
bank. 

On  reaching  New  Windsor,  Governor 
Clinton’s  advanced  guards  brought  in  a 
couple  of  British  spies,  on  their  way  from 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  General  Burgoyne. 
One  of  them,  as  soon  as  caught,  was  ob- 
served to  put  somethiim  into  his 
Oct*  9*  ^ ^ 

mouth  and  swallow  it.  A severe 

dose  of  tartar-emetic  was  at  once  admin- 
istered, which  brought  from  him  a small 
silver  bullet.  In  the  hollow  of  it  was 
found  this  letter:  — 

“Fort  Montgomery,  Oct.  8,  1777. 

“JVoiis  ?/  void,  and  nothing  between  us 
but  Gates.  I sincerely  hope  this  little 
^luccess  of  ours  may  facilitate  your  opera- 
tions. In  answer  to  your  letter  of  the 
20th  Sept.,  by  C.  C.,  I shall  only  say  I can 
not  presume  to  order  or  even  advise,  for 
reasons  obvious.  I heartily  wish  you  suc- 
cess. Faithfully  yours, 

•‘H.  Clinton.” 

The  spy,  moreover,  confessed  that  Cap- 
tain Campbell,  who  had  brought  despatch- 
es from  General  Burgoyne,  was  on  his  re- 
turn, with  the  news  of  the  fiill  of  Forts 
Clinton  and  Montgomery.  Restarted  on 
the  8th  of  October.  Governor  Clinton 


now  followed  close  upon  the  heels  of  Gen- 
eral Vaughan,  but  reached  Esopns  only 
in  time  to  find  it  in  ruins.  He  then,  af- 
ter hanging  the  British  spies  to  an  apple- 
tree,  moved  forward,  spiritedly  resolved 
to  do  his  best  to  frustrate  the  enemy  in 
their  endeavor  to  reach  Albany  before 
him. 

‘‘  Old  Put”  was  evidently  very  much 
discouraged.  On  the  8th  of  October,  he 
wrote  to  General  Gates,  saying,  “ I can 
not  flatter  you  or  myself  with  the  hopes 
of  preventing  the  enemy’s  advancing ; 
therefore,  prepare  for  the  worst.”  The 
next  day  his  words  are  still  less  cheerful : 
“ The  Connecticut  militia  came  in  yester- 
day and  the  day  before  in  great  numbei's, 
but  I am  sorry  to  say  they  already  begin 
to  run  away.  The  enemy  can  take  a fair 
wind,  and,  with  their  flat-bottomed  boats, 
which  have  all  sails,  go  to  Albany  or  Half- 
Moon  with  great  expedition,  and  I be- 
lieve without  opposition.” 

In  the  meantime,  we  shall  see  that 
great  events  were  occuring  in  the  North, 
destined  to  change  the  relative  prospects 
which  seemed  so  dismal  for  the  Ameri- 
cans and  so  encouraging  to  the  British 
on  the  North  river.  Let  us  now  go  back 
to  the  hostile  camps  near  Saratoga. 


if 


r 

KEVOLUTiojsfART.]  BURGOYNE’S  STRAITS.— ARNOLD  IMPATIENl.  555 

CHAPTER  LIX. 

Battle  of  Bemis’s  Heights  continued. — The  Opposing  Armies. — General  Burgoync  in  the  Dark. — Ilis  Diminishing  ftup- 

plies. — His  Impatience. — General  Gates  strong,  confident,  and  patient. — Arnold  in  a Hurry. — “To  Arms!’' — The 

Game  begun. — The  Order  of  Battle. — The  Conflict. — Fall  of  General  Fraser. — The  Tragic  Scene. — Stained  with 

British  Blood. — The  Wounded  Ackland. — The  Mad  Arnold. — He  is  down,  but  up  again. — The  Victory. 

The  two  armies  of  Burgoyne  and 

that  he  prepared  to  give  battle,  his  wants 

Gates  remained  within  cannon-shot 

were  so  urgent,  that  he  was  about  stri- 

of  each  other ; neither  having  yielded  an 

king  a blow  more  from  necessity  than 

inch  of  ground  since  the  bloody  conflict 

from  policy. 

of  Bemis’s  heights.  Both  con- 

General  Gates,  on  the  other  Inind,  with 

Lept.  19.  busy  with  their  fortifica- 

his  daily  increasing  strength,  and  the  con- 

tions,  and  the  adjoining  forest  resounded 

stantly  diminishing  resources  of  his  an- 

from  morning  till  night  with  the  strokes 

tagonist,  was  not  disposed  to  hurry  info 

of  the  axe.  Burgoyne  was  waiting  anx- 

action,  and  put  to  the  hazard  of  a battle 

iously  for  further  news  from  Sir  Henry 

the  certainties  of  a position  which  were 

Clinton.  It  was  now  the  7th  of  October, 

proving  so  fatal  to  his  adversary.  The 

and  he  had  received  no  intelligence  since 

impatient  Arnold,  in  the  meanwhile,  was 

the  arrival  of  the  spy  in  his  camp  on  the 

striving  by  his  importunate  communica- 

night  of  the  20th  of  September.  He  knew 

tions  to  provoke  him  to  engage  the  ene- 

nothing-  of  Clinton’s  success  on  the  North 

my:  “I  think  it  my  duty,”  he  wrote  to 

river — of  his  capture  of  the  forts  Mont- 

Gates,  “ (which  nothing  shall  deter  me 

gomery  and  Clinton  ; of  the  advance  of 

from  doing)  to  acquaint  you  the  army 

the  British  fleet  up  the  Hudson ; and  of 

are  clamorous  for  action.”  The  general- 

the  unopposed  marchof  General  Vaughan, 

in-chief,  however,  wisely  gave  no  heed  to 

who  was  hastening  to  Albany,  to  bring 

Arnold’s  advice,  which  was  intrusively 

hope  to  Burgoyne  of  a junction,  and  of 

urged  more  to  irritate  than  to  guide.  He 

a triumphant  result  to  his  eventful  cam- 

prudently  waited  until  Burgoyne  should 

paign. 

make  the  first  move.  He  did  not  wait 

The  necessities,  however,  of  the  British 

long. 

commander,  made  him  impatient;  und. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  7th  of  October, 

receiving  no  intelligence  from  Sir  Henry 

the  advanced  guard  of  the  American  cen- 

Clinton,  he  could  wait  no  longer.  His 

tre  suddenly  beat  to  arms.  The  alarm 

provisions  were  so  rapidly  diminishing, 

at  once*ran  throughout  the  line,  and  the 

that  he  had  been  already  obliged  to  re- 

troops  hurried  to  their  posts.  General 

duce  the  rations  of  each  soldier ; and  now 

Gates,  who  was  at  his  headquarters,  ea- 

_ J 

% 


556 

gerly  caught  at  the  sound  of  the  drums, 
and  immediately  sent  off  Adjutant-Gen- 
eral Wilkinson  to  seek  out  the  cause. 
Wilkinson,  mounting  his  horse,  galloped 
to  the  guard  which  had  first  struck  up 
the  alarm,  but  could  learn  nothing  more 
than  that  some  person  had  reported  that 
the  British  were  advancing  ngainst  the 
American  left!  lie  then  rode  forward  for 
some  distance  in  front,  and  as  he  reached 
the  risinu:  o^round  he  saw  several  columns 
of  the  enemy  moving  into  a field  of  stand- 
ing wheat  to  the  left,  about  half  a mile 
from  the  line  of  the  American  encainp- 
ment.  After  getting  into  the  field,  the 
British  troops  formed  a double  line,  and 
the  soldiers  sat  down,  with  their  muskets 
between  their  knees,  while  the  foragers 
began  to  cut  the  wheat.  Some  of  their 
ollicers  in  the  meantime  had  mounted  a 
hut,  and  with  their  glasses  were  striving 
to  reconnoitre  the  American  left,  which 
was  almost  hid  from  their  view  by  the 
intervening  forests. 

Wilkinson  now  galloped  back  to  head- 
quarters, and  reported  to  Gates  what  he 
had  seen. 

“ What  do  they  seem  to  be  doing  ?” 
asked  the  general. 

“ They  are  foraging,  and  endeavoring 
to  reconnoitre  your  left;  and  I think,  sir, 
they  offer  you  battle.” 

“ What  is  the  nature  of  the  ground,  and 
what  your  opinion?”  rejoined  Gates. 

“Their  front  is  open,  and  their  flanks 
rest  on  woods,  under  cover  of  which  they 
may  be  attacked ; their  right  is  skirted 
by  a lofty  height,”  answered  Wilkinson. 
“1  would  indulge  them,”  he  added. 

“ Well,  then,  order  on  Morgan  to  begin 


LPART  II. 

the  game,”  was  the  reply ; when  Wilkin- 
son immediately  galloped  off  to  do  as  he 
was  bidden. 

The  British  commander,  having  left 
Generals  Hamilton  and  Specht  to  guard 
his  line  on  the  plain,  and  General  Gall 
the  fortifications  on  the  flats  bordering 
the  Hudson  river,  had  advanced  with  fif- 
teen hundred  men, under  the  several  com- 
mands of  Generals  Fraser,  Phillips,  and 
De  Beidesel,  and  ten  pieces  of  artillery, 
to  the  right  of  his  encampment,  and  about 
half  a mile  beyond  the  American  left. 
Burgoyne  was  now  stationed  where  Wil- 
kinson had  observed  him,  in  the  wheat- 
field.  The  foragers  having  supplied  them- 
selves, and  Burgoyne  having  sent  forward 
a party  of  Canadians  and  Indians,  began 
to  deploy  his  troops  into  line.  In  his 
centre  were  placed  some  British  and  Ger- 
man regiments,  under  Phillips  and  De 
Beidesel;  on  his  left  the  grenadiers  and 
artillery,  under  Majors  Ackland  and  Wil- 
liams, bordering  a wood  and  a small  ra- 
vine, through  which  flowed  a rivulet;  on 
his  extreme  right  was  Lord  Balcarras, 
with  the  English  light-infantry,  and  five 
hundred  men  in  advance  led  by  General 
Fraser,  the  hitter  being  covered  by  the 
well-wooded  heights  on  the  west  of  the 
camp,  and  by  a “ worm-fence.” 

The  Canadians  and  Indians,  being  now 
pushed  foi'ward,  commenced  an  irregular 
attack  upon  the  advanced  pickets  on  the 
American  left.  They  succeeded  in  dri- 
viim  the  (guards  befoi'e  them  close  to  the 

O O 

American  redoubt  called  “Fort  Neilson,” 
which  had  been  raised  by  Gates  to  pro- 
tect his  left  toward  the  hills.  Colonel 
Morgan,  however,  having  received  orders 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


r 

KKVOLUTIONARY.J  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  BEMIS'S  HEIGHTS.  557 


to  march, was  leading  his  ritienien  through 
the  woods,  in  order  to  gain  the  heights 
to  the  right  of  the  enemy,  when  he  came 
upon  the  Indian  and  Canadian  party,  and 
soon  forced  it  back  to  the  British  lines. 

Morgan  now  continued  his  circuitous 
route  through  the  woods,  and  was  hast- 
enin<>:  to  beo-in  his  attack  : while  General 
Gates,  as  had  been  agreed  upon,  was  wait- 
ing for  him  to  come  up  with  the  enemy’s 
right  before  he  himself  should  send  out  a 
force  against  their  left.  Sufficient  time 
had  elapsed  for  Morgan  to  make  his  cir- 
cuit, and  Gates  now  accordingly  ordered 
General  Poor’s  brigade  of  New-York  and 
New-Hampshire  troops  to  move  against 
Burgoy lie’s  left  flank  and  front. 

The  two  attacks  were  made  simultane- 
ously. Morgan  had  reached  the  heights 
in  the  very  nick  of  time,  and  from  the 
cover  of  the  woods  poured  down  upon 
the  enemy  below  a torrent  of  fire.  The 
English  light-infantry, under  General  Fra- 
ser, taken  on  their  flank,were  manoeuvring 
to  change  their  front  in  order  to  meet 
the  shock,  when  at  this  moment  Major 
Dearborn  (who  was  Morgan’s  second  in 
command)  pushed  his  corps  rapidly  for- 
ward. After  delivering  a close  and  mur- 
deroLis  fire,  the  men  leaped  the  ‘‘worm- 
fence,”  and,  charging  with  a loud  shout, 
forced  the  British  to  retire. 

The  young  earl  of  Balcarras,  however, 
coming  up  to  the  aid  of  Fraser,  the  men 
were  rallied,  and  renewed  the  struggle. 
General  Fraser,  in  the  full  uniform  of  a 
British  field-officer,  and  mounted  upon  a 
fine  gray  horse,  was  soon  a marked  object 
to  the  American  riflemen.  One  rifle-ball 
had  already  cut  in  two  the  crupper,  and 


another  had  passed  through  the  mane  of 
his  charger;  when  his  aid-de-camp, observ- 
ing his  danger,  rode  up  to  his  side,  and 
begged  that,  as  the  marksmen  were  cer 
tainly  singling  him  out,  he  would  take  a 
less  exposed  position.  “ My  duty  forbids 
me  to  fly  fixirn  danger,”  firmly  answered 
the  brave  Fraser;  and  he  fell  almost  as 
he  spoke. 

Morgan,  having  called  two  or  three  of 
his  best  marksmen  to  his  side,  and,  point- 
ing to  the  doomed  Briton,  had  said  : “ Do 
you  see  that  gallant  officer  ? That  is  Gen- 
eral Fraser.  I respect  and  honor  him; 
but  it  is  necessary  he  should  die!”  lie 
fell,  as  we  have  seen,  mortally  wounded, 
and  was  carried  off  the  field.  Fraser’s 
loss  was  deeply  felt  by  the  British  troops ; 
but  Lord  Balcarras  spiritedly  urged  them 
on  to  revenge  his  death,  and  they  strug- 
gled manfully  to  hold  their  ground. 

In  the  meantime.  General  Poor’s  bri- 
gade advanced  steadily  and  silently,  for 
each  soldier  had  been  ordered  not  to  fire 
a shot  until  the  first  discharge  from  the 
enemy.  The  British  grenadiers  and  ar- 
tillery are  drawn  up  on  a rising  ground 
to  the  left  of  Burgoyne,  and  grim  as  the 
solemn  pines  which  cover  them,  stand 
with  poised  musket  and  loaded  cannon, 
ready  to  begin  their  work  of  death  upon 
the  approaching  columns.  The  Ameri- 
cans reach  the  slope,  and  are  rapidly  but 
deliberately  marching  up,  when  the  ene- 
my open  their  fire.  The  Americans  now 
jDOur  back  a volley  in  return,  and,  with- 
out faltering,  push  right  on,  with  a loud 
hurrah.  They  rush  up  the  hill,  driving 
the  grenadiers  before  them,  and  strug- 
gling hand  1 hand  with  the  artillerymen 


I 

558  liATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

for  the  possession  of  the  cannon.  The 
enemy  rally  and  come  back  again  to  the 
attack,  and  the  conflict  is  renewed  with 
greater  fierceness  than  ever ; when  final- 
ly the  Americans  gain  possession  of  the 
ground,  and  the  British  are  driven  within 
their  encampment. 

The  spectacle  which  presented  itself 
on  this  part  of  the  field  of  battle  at  that 
moment  was  a mingled  one  of  tragic  hor- 
ror and  wild  excitement.  Upon  the  earth, 
within  tlie  space  of  ten  or  fifteen  yards, 
were  stretched  eighteen  grenadiers  in  the 
aijonies  of  death.  Three  British  olficers, 
two  of  them  mortally  wounded  and  bleed- 
ing profusely, lay  with  their  heads  propped 
up  against  some  stumps  of  trees.  Colonel 
Cilley,  of  New  Hampshire,  straddling  a 
brass  twelve-pounder,  loudly  exulted  in 
its  capture ; while  a surgeon,  who  was 
dressing  a wound,  raised  his  bloody  hands, 
exclaiming,  “I  have  dipped  my  hands  in 
British  blood  !” 

Such  was  the  scene,  as  he  tells  us,  wit- 
nessed by  General  Wilkinson,  when  he 
came  up  with  Ten  Broeck’s  brigade  of 
militia,  which  he  had  been  sent  for  to 
reinforce  General  Poor’s  division,  and  aid 
in  the  pursuit  of  the  retreating  enemy. 

As  he  rode  on,  Wilkinson  saw  another 
and  sadder  spectacle  still.  “ Turning  my 
eyes,”  says  he,  it  was  my  fortune  to  ar- 
rest the  purpose  of  a lad,  thirteen  or  four- 
teen years  old,  in  the  act  of  taking  aim 
at  a wounded  officer  who  lay  in  the  angle 
of  a worm-fence.  Inquiring  his  rank,  he 
answered,  ‘ I had  the  honor  to  command 
the  grenadiers.’  Of  course,  1 knew  him  to 
be  Major  Ackland,  wlio  had  been  brought 
fiom  the  field  to  this  place  on  the  back 

of  a Captain  Shimpton  of  his  own  corps, 
under  a heavy  fire,  and  was  here  depos- 
ited to  save  the  lives  of  both.  1 dismount 
ed,  took  him  by  the  hand,  and  expressed 
the  hope  that  he  was  not  badly  wounded. 

‘ Not  badly,’  he  replied,  ‘ but  very  incon- 
veniently ; 1 am  shot  through  both  legs. 

Will  you,  sir,  have  the  goodness  to  have 
me  conveyed  to  your  camp  ?’  ” Wilkin- 
son, having  ordered  his  servant  to  alight 
from  his  horse,  they  lifted  Ackland  into 
the  saddle,  and  sent  him  to  the  American 
headquarters. 

When  the  fresh  reinforcement  of  three 
thousand  New-York  militia,  under  Ten 
Broeck,  together  with  Learned’s  brigade, 
came  up,  the  action  became  general.  Mor- 
gan was  slowly  but  surely  forcing  the 
enemy’s  right  before  him;  their  left  had 
given  way  Ijefore  Poor’s  brigade ; but 
the  British  grenadiers  were  disputing  ev- 
ery inch  of  ground  as  they  retired  : and 
now  the  reserved  troops  sent  forward  by 
General  Gates  were  hotly  engaged  with 
Burgoy lie’s  centre,  principally  composed 
of  Hessians,  and  led  by  the  commander- 
in-chief  himself 

General  Arn-ild,  who  had  remained  in 
the  camp,  as  he  declared  he  would,  was 
without  command.  When  the  battle  be- 
gan, however,  his  impetuous  nature  fret- 
ted greatly  against  the  constraint  of  his 
position.  On  the  first  beat  to  arms,  he 
mounted  his  black  horse,  and  rode  about 
the  camp,  talking  loudly  and  fiercely  of 
his  wrongs,  and,  brandishing  his  sword, 
threatened  veimeance  against  those  who 
had  dared  to  revile  and  injure  him.  Such 
was  his  state  of  excitement,  that  it  was 
believed  that,  in  his  attempt  to  drown  his 

RKVOI.ITTIONARY.J  MAD  PRANKS  OF  ARNOLD.— THE  VICTORY.  550 


troubles  in  wine,  he  had  drunk  so  freely 
as  to  lose  all  self-control.  Dashing  about 
thus,  in  wild  agitation,  he  no  sooner  saw 
that  the  engagement  with  the  enemy  had 
become  general,  than  he  spurred  his  horse 
furiously  into  the  midst  of  the  fight,  where 
General  Learned’s  brigade  on  the  left — 
which  had  belonged  to  Arnold’s  own  di- 
vision— was  bravely  struggling  with  the 
Hessians,  who  formed  the  British  centre. 
Here  Arnold  assumed  the  command,  and, 
riding  in  front  along  the  line,  he  led  the 
American  troops  forward  again  and  again, 
and  broke  the  ranks  of  the  Germans  at 
every  charge.  But,  gallantly  as  his  men 
pushed  on,  nothing  seemed  to  satisfy  the 
mad  fury  of  their  commander,  who  con- 
tinued to  dash  about  wildly,  spurring  his 
charger  to  the  height  of  his  speed,  and, 
flourishing  his  sword,  fiercely  to  call  upon 
his  troops  to  come  on.  In  his  mad  ex- 
citement, he  became  so  beside  himself, 
that  he  struck  one  of  the  officers  upon 
the  head  and  severely  wounded  him,  with- 
out being  conscious  (as  he  afterward  de- 
clared) of  the  act.  On  the  impulse  of  the 
moment,  the  officer  raised  his  fusee  to 
shoot  Arnold,  but, suddenly  checking  him- 
self, he  began  to  remonstrate ; when  the 
general  was  off  again,  digging  the  spurs 
into  his  horse,  and  riding  to  another  part 
of  the  field,  like  a madman. 

General  Gates  being  told  of  the  erratic 
movements  of  Arnold,  sent  Major  Arm- 
strong after  him,  with  orders.  Arnold, 
however,  as  soon  as  he  caught  a glimpse 
of  him,  and  probably  aware  of  his  object, 
only  quickened  the  speed  of  his  horse, 
and  led  the  major  such  a break-neck  chase 


hither  and  thither,  that  he  was  fain  to 
give  up  the  pursuit.  He  was  now  on  the 
American  right,  and  again  in  a moment 
to  the  extreme  left,  having  dashed  along 
the  whole  length  of  the  line,  between  the 
fires  of  the  two  armies,  without  receiving 
a wound  or  even  the  graze  of  a shot. 

Morgan  and  Dearborn,  on  the  Ameri- 
can left,  had  succeeded  in  driving  Lord 
Balcai’ras  and  his  light-infantry  within 
their  intrenchments.  Arnold  dashed  up, 
and,  calling  upon  a company  of  riflemen 
in  advance  to  follow  him,  strove  to  force 
his  way  into  the  enemy’s  camp.  Finding 
his  efforts  foiled  here  by  tbe  gallant  re- 
sistance of  Balcarras,  he  turned  his  horse 
and  galloped  to  his  left,  where  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  Brooks  was  storming  the  ex- 
treme right  of  the  British  fortifications, 
held  by  a reserve  of  Hessians,  under  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Breyman.  In  spite  ofai>a/- 
Us  and  redoubts,  the  Germans  are  obliged 
to  give  way,  having  first  lost  their  spir- 
ited commander;  and  Arnold  is  among 
the  first  to  dash  with  his  horse  through 
a sally-port  right  in  the  midst  of  the  en- 
emy, who  fire  a last  volley  as  they  retire, 
killing  Arnold’s  black  charger,  and  stretch- 
ing his  rider  upon  the  ground  with  a shot 
in  the  same  knee  which  was  wounded  at 
Quebec. 

By  this  success  of  the  Americans  on 
the  extreme  right,  the  whole  British  en- 
campment was  laid  open;  but,  as  night 
was  rapidly  coming  on,  and  the  troops 
were  fatigued  by  hard  fighting.  General 
Gates  did  not  further  push  his  advantage, 
but  remained  satisfied  with  the  glorious 
victory  of  the  day. 


560  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ir 

CHAPTER  LX. 

Comparative  Strength  of  the  two  Armies. — The  Killed  and  Wounded. — The  British  retreat. — A Trying  Night. — The 

Baroness  Reidesel. — Her  Sad  Experiences. — Lady  Harriet  Ackland. — A Wife  mourning  for  her  Lord. — The  Death 

of  Genera]  Frnser. — His  Burial. — Honors  to  a Gallant 

Enemy. — A Dismal  Night — The  Journey  of  the  Baroness 

Reidesel. — Her  Husband  and  Cliildren. — An  Expected  Attack. — Saving  the  Valuables — The  Baroness  in  Trouble. — 

General  Gates  takes  Possession  of  the  Abaniloned  Intrenchments. — Lady  Ackland. — Woman’s  Devotion. — Visit  to 

the  American  Camp. — A tolerably  Comfortable  Night. — A Happy  Meeting. — Continued  Retreat  of  the  British. — Pur- 

suit  by  Gates. — Headquarters  in  a Hovel. — Alarm  of  the  Enemy. — Further  Trials  of  the  Baroness. — A “ Horrid 

Situation.” 

The  second  battle  near  Bemis’s 

a mile  to  the  northward  of  his  former  en- 

heights  had  lasted  from  noon  until 

campment.  The  trials  and  incidents  of 

night.  General  Gates  had  undoubtedly 

that  night  have  been  recorded  in  affect- 

much  the  superior  force,  although  the 

ing  words  by  the  baroness  Reidesel,  wbo 

numbers  on  both  sides  actutdly 

entered  in  her  narrative  tbe  events  of  the 

Oct.  7.  1 • c w 

engnged  in  the  light  were  near- 

whole  day  as  well  as  of  the  night.  ‘‘Se- 

ly  equal.  General  Burgoyne’s  whole  ar- 

vere  trials,”  she  writes,  “ awaited  us ; and 

my  amounted  to  less  than  six  thousand  ; 

on  the  7th  of  October  our  misfortunes 

that  of  Gates  to  two  or  three  thousand 

began.  I was  at  breakfast  with  my  hus- 

more  th.an  that  number.  The  loss  of  the 

band,  and  heard  that  .something  was  in- 

former  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners, 

tended.  On  the  same  day  I expected 

was  about  seven  hundred,  among  whom 

Generals  Burgoyne,  Phillips,  and  Fraser, 

were  a number  of  officers  of  high  rank,  in- 

to  dine  with  us.  I saw  a great  move- 

cludino-  General  Fraser,  LieutenantrColo- 

ment  among  the  troops : my  husband  told 

nel  Breyman,  Sir  Francis  Clarke,  an  aid 

me  it  was  merely  a reconnoissance,  Avhich 

of  Burgoyne,  and  others.  Burgoyne  him- 

gave  me  no  concern,  as  it  often  happened. 

self  was  greatly  exposed  ; his  hat  was 

I walked  out  of  the  house  and  met  sev- 

shot  through,  and  his  waistcoat  torn  by 

eral  Indians,  in  their  war-dresses,  with 

a ball.  The  Americans  lost  but  one  him- 

guns  in  their  hand.s.  When  I asked  them 

dred  and  fifty  in  killed  and  wounded  ; 

where  they  were  going,  they  cried  out, 

General  Arnold  was  the  only  commis- 

‘JVar/  ivar  r (meaning  that  they  were 

sioned  officer  who  even  received  a con- 

going  to  battle).  This  filled  me  with  ap- 

tusion,  and  he  was  without  a command. 

prehension,  and  I had  scarcely  got  home 

Burgoyne,  finding  his  position 

before  I heard  reports  of  cannon  and  mu.s- 

untenalde,  broke  up  his  camp 

ketry,  which  grew  louder  by  degrees,  till 

and  moved  his  whole  army  in  the  midst 

at  last  the  noise  became  excessive. 

of  the  night  after  the  battle,  to  some 

“About  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon. 

heights  near  the  river  Hudson,  and  about 

instead  of  the  guests  whom  I expected 

r 

RKVOLUTIONAUY.]  THE  BARONESS  REIDESEL.— DEATH  OF  FRASER.  561 

General  Fraser  was  brought  on  a litter, 

would  move  the  next  morning  into  my 

mortally  wounded.  The  table,  which  was 

new  house,  and  had  everything  packed 

already  set,  was  instantly  removed,  and 

up  ready. 

a bed  placed  in  its  stead  for  the  wounded 

“ Lady  Harriet  Ackland  had  a tent  no 

general.  I sat  trembling  in  a corner ; the 

far  from  our  house  ; in  this  she  slept,  and 

noise  grew  louder  and  the  alarm  increased. 

the  rest  of  the  day  she  was  in  the  camp. 

The  thought  that  my  hushand  might  per- 

All  of  a sudden,  a man  came  to  tell  her 

haps  be  brought  in,  wounded  in  the  same 

that  her  husband  was  mortally  wounded. 

manner,  was  terrible  to  me,  and  distressed 

and  taken  prisoner.  On  hearing  this,  she 

me  exceedingly.  General  Fraser  said  to 

became  very  miserable.  We  comforted 

the  surgeon : ‘ Tell  me  if  my  wound  is 

her  by  telling  her  that  the  wound  was 

mortal ; do  not  flatter  me.’  The  hall  had 

only  slight,  and  at  the  same  time  advised 

passed  through  his  body,  and  unhappily 

her  to  go  over  to  her  husband,  to  do  which 

for  the  general  he  had  eaten  a very  hearty 

she  would  certainly  obtain  permission. 

breakfast,  by  which  the  stomach  was  di.s- 

and  then  she  could  attend  him  herself 

tended  ; and  the  hall,  as  the  surgeon  said. 

She  was  a charming  woman,  and  very 

had  passed  through  it.  I heard  him  often 

fond  of  him.  I spent  much  of  the  night 

exclaim,  with  a sigh  : ‘ 0 fatal  ambition  ! 

in  comforting  her,  and  then  went  again 

Poor  General  Burgoyne ! 0 my  poor 

to  my  children,  whom  I had  put  to  bed. 

wife !’  He  was  asked  if  he  had  any  re- 

“ I could  not  go  to  sleep,  as  I had  Gen- 

quest  to  make,  to  which  he  replied  that, 

eral  Fraser  and  all  the  other  wounded 

‘ if  General  Burgoyne  would  permit  it, 

gentlemen  in  my  room ; and  I was  sadTy 

he  should  like  to  be  buried  at  six  o’clock 

afraid  my  children  Avould  awake,  and  by 

in  the  evening,  on  the  top  of  a mountain, 

their  crying  disturb  the  dying  man  in  his 

in  a redoubt  which  had  been  built  there.’ 

last  moments,  who  often  addressed  me. 

“I  did  not  know  which  way  to  turn; 

and  apologized  ‘ for  the  trouble  he  gave 

all  the  other  rooms  were  full  of  sick.  Tow- 

me.’  About  three  o’clock  in  the  morn- 

ard  evening  I saw  my  hushand  coming ; 

inor  I was  told  he  could  not  hold  out  much 

then  I forgot  all  my  sorrows,  and  thanked 

lonarer.  I had  desired  to  be  informed  of 

God  that  he  was  spared  to  mo.  He  ate 

the  near  approach  of  this  sad  crisis ; and 

in  great  haste,  with  me  and  his  aid-de- 

I then  wrapped  up  my  children  in  their 

camp,  behind  the  house.  We  had  been 

clothes, and  went  with  them  into  the  room 

told  that  we  had  the  advantage  of  the 

below.  About  eight  o’clock  in  the  morn- 

enemy,  but  the  sorrowful  faces  I beheld 

ing  he  died. 

told  a different  tale  ; and  before  my  hus- 

. . . . “ The  corpse  was  brought  out,  and 

band  went  away,  he  took  me  on  one  side. 

we  saw  all  the  generals  attend  it  to  the 

and  said  everything  was  going  very  had  ; 

mountain  ; the  chaplain, Mr.  Bru- 

’ ^ Oct.  8. 

that  I must  keep  myself  in  readiness  to 

denell, performed  the  funeral  ser- 

leave  the  place,  but  not  to  mention  it  to 

vice,  rendered  unusually  solemn  and  aw 

any  one.  I made  the  pretence  that  I 
71 

ful  from  its  being  accompanied  by  con 

[ 

562  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  part  ii. 

stant  peals  from  the  enemy’s  artillery. 

threw  hostile  shot, but  discharged  minute- 

Many  cannon-balls  flew  close  by  me,  but 

guns  in  honor  of  the  memory  of  Fraser, 

I had  my  eyes  directed  toward  the  mount- 

whose  gallantry  was  acknowledged  both 

ain, where  my  husband  was  standing,  amid 

by  friend  and  foe. 

the  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  of  course  I 

As  soon  as  Burgoyne  had  paid  the  last 

could  not  think  of  my  own  danger.” 

sad  duties  to  his  brave  comrade,  he  began 

General  Burgoyne  had  not  hesitated  to 
grant  the  dying  request  of  his  brave  and 

his  retreat.  The  fires  in  the  old  ^ 

camp  were  left  burning,and  some 

true-hearted  friend,  notwithstanding  the 

tents  standing  ; and  orders  were  given  to 

delay  and  inconvenience  which  it  caused 

the  troops  to  move  in  profound  silence. 

to  the  retreat  he  contemplated.  Burgoyne 

The  night  was  stormy ; the  rain  poured 

has  also  left  a touching  description  of  the 

in  torrents,  and  it  was  with  the  greatest 

scene  of  the  burial  of  General  Fraser,  and 

difficulty  that  the  weak  and  half-starved 

recorded  his  admiration  and  love  for  the 

horses  could  draw  the  ba«rt»:a«:e-wao:ons 

‘lallant  soldier : “The  incessant  cannon- 

over  the  broken  roads  in  which  the  wheels 

ade  during  the  ceremony  ; the  steady  at- 

sank  deep  into  the  mire.  Constant  halts 

titude  and  unaltered  voice  with  which  the 

took  place,  to  give  the  wmaried  troops 

chaplain  officiated, though  frequently  cov- 

moments  of  rest,  and  to  bring  up  by  the 

ered  with  dust  which  the  shot  threw  up 

river  the  lagging  boats,  laden  with  the 

on  all  sides  of  him ; the  mute  but  expres- 

artillery  and  stores.  The  sad  march  con- 

sive  mixture  of  sensibility  and  indigna- 

tinned  from  time  to  time  throughout  that 

tk)n  upon  every  countenance ; these  ob- 

dismal  night. 

jects  will  remain  to  the  last  of  life  upon 

Burgoyne  had  left  his  sick  and  wound- 

the  mind  of  every  man  who  was  present. 

ed  behind  him,  in  the  hospital  in  his  late 

The  growing  darkness  added  to  the  scene- 

camp,  with  a letter  to  Gates,  commend- 

ry,  and  the  whole  marked  a character  of 

ing  them  to  the  protection  “ which  I feel,’' 

that  juncture  which  would  make  one  of 

wrote  the  British  commander,  “ I should 

the  finest  subjects  for  the  pencil  of  a mas- 

show  to  an  enemy  in  the  same  case.” 

ter  that  the  field  ever  exhibited.  To  the 

Some  of  the  wounded  officers,  however, 

canvas  and  to  the  faithful  page  of  a more 

in  spite  of  their  injuries,  crept  from  their 

important  historian,  gallant  friend  ! 1 con- 

beds,  and  determined,  rather  than  stay 

sign  thy  meiimry.  There  may  thy  tab 

behind,  to  sufier  all  the  tortures  of  a pain- 

ents,  thy  manly  virtues,  their  progress 

fill  journey.  The  officers’  wives  who  were 

and  their  period,  find  due  distinction;  and 

with  the  army  were  sent  on  in  advance. 

long  may  they  survive  — long  after  the 

The  baroness  Reide.sel’s  calash  was  made 

frail  record  of  my  pen  shall  be  forgotten !” 

ready  for  her,  but  she  would  not  consent 

The  firing  from  the  American  lines  was 

to  go  before  the  troops.  The  baron,  see- 

in  consequence  of  ignorance  of  the  object 

ing  her  thus  exposed  to  danger  by  re- 

of  the  gathering  upon  the  height.  When 

maining  in  the  rear,  ordered  the  children 

it  was  discovered,  the  artillery  no  longer 

and  servants  into  the  carriage,  and  inti 

REVOLUTIONAUT.]  GENERAL  r.URGOYNE  RETREATS.  663 

mated  to  his  Avife  to  follow  and  depart 

ed  me  to  take  care  of,  and  which  I prom- 

without  delay.  “ I still  prayed,”  says  the 

ised  to  do  to  the  utmost  of  my  power.” 

baroness, ‘Ho  remain;  but  my  husband. 

The  army,nevertheless,  soon  recovered 

knowing  my  weak  side,  said,  ‘ Well,  then. 

from  its  fright, and  moved  slowly  on  again. 

your  children  must  go,  that  at  least  they 

But  the  poor  baroness,  with  the  anxieties 

may  be  safe  from  danger.’  ” She  then  con- 

for  hei’  husband,  the  care  of  her  little  chil- 

sented,  got  into  her  calash,  and  drove  off. 

dren,  and  her  despairing  servants,  was 

At  six  o’clock  the  next  morn- 

Oct  9 

overwhelmed  Avith  trouble.  “ One  of  my 

ing  there  was  a full  halt.  “ The 

Avaiting-Avomen,”  she  says,  “ Avas  in  a state 

delay,”  saj^s  the  baroness  (whose  anxie- 

of  despair  Avhich  approached  to  madness. 

ties  were  naturally  for  her  husband  and 

She  cursed,  and  tore  her  hair ; and  Avhen 

her  children ),“seemed  to  displease  every- 

I attempted  to  reason  Avith  her,  and  to 

body;  for,  if  we  could  have  only  made 

pacify  her,  she  asked  me  if  I Avas  not 

another  good  march,  we  should  have  been 

grieved  at  o\u’  situation;  and,  upon  my 

in  safety.”  Burgoyne  was,  however,  pru- 

saying,  ‘I  am,’  she  tore  her  cap  off  her 

dently  preparing  against  the  chances  of 

head,  and  let  her  hair  drop  over  her  face. 

attack  from  his  triumphant  enemy  in  the 

saying  to  me : ‘ It  is  very  easy  for  you 

rear.  He  halted  in  order  to  count  and 

to  be  composed  .and  t.alk ; you  hfive  your 

range  his  cannon,  and  to  bring  his  strag- 

husb.and  with  you  : I h.ave  noue,  and  Avhat 

gling  troops  out  of  the  confusion  unavoid- 

remains  to  me  but  the  prospect  of  perish- 

able  in  a hurried  retreat.  He  soon  found 

ing,  or  losing  .all  I have  ?’  ” All  that  the 

reason  for  his  discretion  ; for  he  had  hard- 

baroness  could  do  Avas  to  bid  her  take 

ly  begun  his  march,  when  the  alarm  Avas 

comfort,  and  promise  that  she  should  be 

given  that  the  enemy  were  in  sight.  A 

compensated  for  .all  her  losses. 

halt  was  again  immediately  ordered  ; but 

“ About  evening,”  continues  the  baron- 

it  was  soon  discovered  that  the  fright  had 

ess,  “ Ave  arrived  at  Saratoga.  My  dress 

come  from  a small  reconnoitring-party  of 

Avas  Avet  through  and  through  Avith  rain. 

American.s,  only  two  hundred  strong. 

and  in  that  state  I had  to  remain 

In  the  meantime,  however,  the  retreat- 

Oct  9 

the  Avhole  night,  h.aving  no  pl.ace 

ing  army  expected  an  engagement,  and 

to  change  it.  I,  hoAvever,  got  close  to  a 

prepared  for  the  worst.  Some  of  the  Ger- 

large  fire,  and  at  last  l.ay  doAvn  on  some 

man  officers  collected  their  valuables,  and 

straAV.  At  this  moment.  General  Phillips 

strove  to  place  them  in  security,  so  that 

came  up  to  me,  and  I asked  him  Avhy  Ave 

their  property  might  have  a chance  of 

h.ad  not  continued  our  retreat,  as  my  hu.s- 

safety,  whatever  might  be  the  risks  to 

band  h.ad  promised  to  cover  it,  .and  bring 

which  their  lives  were  exposed.  “ Cap- 

the  army  through.  ‘ Pool’,  dear  Avoman,’ 

tain  Willoe,”  says  the  baroness,  “ brought 

said  he,  ‘I  Avonder  hoAV,  drenched  as  you 

me  a bag  full  of  bank-notes,  and  Captain 

are,  you  have  the  courage  still  to  perse- 

Geismar  his  elegant  watch,  a ring,  and  a 

vere  and  venture  farther  in  this  kind  of 

purse  full  of  money,  which  they  request- 

Aveather.  I wish,’  continued  he,  ‘ you  were 

564  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

our  commanding  general : General  Bur- 

abandoned  by  Burgoyne.  “ The  weath- 

goyne  is  tired,  and  means  to  halt  here  to- 

er,”  says  Wilkinson,  “was  unfavorable,  the 

night  and  give  us  our  supper.’” 

commissariat  dilatory,  and  the  men  seem- 

On  the  morning  after  Burgoyne’s  re- 

ed  to  prefer  repose  to  action.”  The  delay 

treat,  the  whole  of  Gates’s  army,  with  the 

fretted  the  young  deputy  adjutant-gener- 

^ ^ exception  of  the  carnp-guards. 

al,  but  Gates  was  unmoved,  and  was  calm- 

moved  forward  and  took  posses- 

ly  and  discreetly  abiding  his  time. 

sion  of  the  enemy’s  abandoned  intrench- 

An  incident  now  occurred  which  brings 

ments.  The  British  commander  was  still 

again  to  our  notice  one  of  the  gentle  wo- 

in  the  position,  on  the  heights,  which  he 

men  of  whom  we  have  already 

^ Oct  9 

had  taken  on  the  night  of  the  battle.  Du- 

had  so  much  to  say,  to  whose 

ring  the  day  while  he  remained,  previous 

constant  heroism  of  woman’s  love  during; 

to  beginning  his  retreat,  a desultory  fire 

these  trying  times  we  all  eagerly  turn. 

was  kept  up  between  the  pickets  of  the 

from  the  hot  bravery  flushing  up  in  the 

opposing  camps;  and  General  Lincoln, 

angry  paroxysms  of  the  battle-struggle. 

while  reconnoitring,  had  his  leg  broken 

Lady  Harriet  Ackland,  when  she  heard 

by  a shot  from  the  enemy.  Burgoyne, 

that  her  husband  (Major  Ackland,  of  the 

as  we  have  seen,  was  allowed  to  begin  his 

grenadiers)  was  wounded  and  a prison- 

retreat  on  the  night  of  the  8th  of  Octo- 

er,  was  determined  to  go  to  him,  as  she 

her,  without  interruption  ; for  Gates  pru- 

had  done  when  he  was  a sufferer  before, 

dently  avoided  an  engagement,  and  de- 

and  by  her  sympathy  and  her  tender  care 

termined  so  to  surround  his  enemy  as  to 

soothe  him  whom  she  loved  so  deeply. 

force  him  to  a surrender.  He  according- 

When  she  sent  to  Burgoyne,  asking  per- 

ly,  when  Burgoyne  was  retreating,  sent 

mission  to  proceed  to  the  American  camp. 

off  General  Fellows,  with  a detachment 

he  was  greatly  surprised.  “ Though  I was 

of  fourteen  hundred  militia,  to  cross  the 

ready  to  believe,”  he  says,  “ that  patience 

Hudson,  and  post  themselves  on  the  high 

and  fortitude,  in  a supreme  degree,  were 

ground,  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river. 

to  be  found,  as  well  as  every  other  virtue. 

opposite  to  Saratoga,  and  at  a ford  where 

under  the  most  tender  forms,  I was  as- 

the  British  would  desire  to  cross.  Other 

tonished  at  this  proposal.  After  so  long 

troops  were  also  detached  to  Fishkill ; 

an  agitation  of  spirits,  exhausted  not  only 

while  Fort  Edward,  on  the  Hudson,  and 

for  want  of  rest,  but  absolutely  want  of 

Fort  George,  on  Lake  George,  to  the 

food,  drenched  in  rains  for  twelve  hours 

north  of  Saratoga,  were  already  held  by 

together — that  a woman  should  be  ca- 

Colonel  Cochrane,  in  command  of  a force 

pable  of  such  an  undertaking  as  deliver- 

which  was  daily  gathering  strength  from 

ing  herself  to  an  enemy,  probably  in  the 

the  flocking  in  of  the  militia  of  the  whole 

night,  and  uncertain  of  what  hands  she 

country  round. 

might  fall  into,  appeared  an  effort  above 

General  Gates,  with  his  main  body,  re- 

human  nature.  The  assistance  I was  en- 

mained  quietly  for  two  days  in  the  camp 

abled  to  give  was  small  indeed  ; I had  not 

. 

REVOLUTioNARY.J  LADY  HARRIET  ACKLAND.  565 

s 

even  a cup  of  wine  to  offer  her:  but  I 
was  told  she  had  found,  from  some  kind 
and  fortunate  hand,  a little  rum  and  dirty 
water.  All  I could  furnish  to  her  was  an 
open  boat,  and  a few  lines  (written  upon 
dirty,  wet  paper)  to  General  Gates,  rec- 
ommending her  to  his  protection.” 

On  the  “dirty,  wet  paper”  the  British 
cornmander-in-chief  wrote  as  follows,  in  a 
rapid  scrawl : — 

“ Sir  : Lady  Harriet  Ackland,  a lady  of 
the  first  distinction  by  family,  rank,  and 
by  personal  virtues,  is  under  such  concern 
on  account  of  Major  Ackland  her  husband, 
wounded  and  a prisoner  in  your  hands, 
that  I can  not  refuse  her  request  to  com- 
mit her  to  your  protection. 

“ Whatever  general  impropriety  there 
may  be  in  persons  acting  in  your  situa- 
tion and  mine  to  solicit  favors,  I can  not 
see  the  uncommon  perseverance  in  every 
female  grace  and  exaltation  of  character 
of  this  lady,  and  her  very  hard  fortune, 
without  testifying  that  your  attentions  to 
her  will  lay  me  under  obligation. 

“ I am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

“J.  Burgoyne. 

“ October  9,  1777. 

“ Major-General  Gates.” 

Lady  Ackland,  thus  provided,  set  out 
in  the  midst  of  a storm  of  rain,  on  her 
trying  journey,  in  an  open  boat  upon  the 
Hudson.  Mr.  Brudenell,  the  chaplain,  had 
offered  to  accompany  her;  and  he,  to- 
gether with  a waiting-maid,  and  her  hus- 
band’s body-servant  (who  had  still  a ball 
in  his  shoulder,  Avhich  he  luad  received 
while  searching  for  his  master  on  the  bat- 
tle-field), were  her  only  companions.  It 

Avas  at  dusk  in  fhe  evening  aa'Iicji  she  be- 
gan her  journey,  and  it  Avas  late  at  night 
Avhen  she  reached  the  American  outposts. 

A sentinel,  hearing  the  oars  of  the  boat, 
challenged  it,  Avhen  Mr.  Brudenell,  the 
chajfiain,  called  out  that  he  bore  a flag  of 
truce  from  General  Burgoyne.  The  sol- 
dier, fearful  of  treachery,  and  threatening 
to  shoot  them  should  they  laud,  kept 
them  off  until  he  had  sent  Avord  to  Major 
Henry  Dearborn,  Avho  commanded  the 
American  advanced  guard. 

The  major,  upon  learning  that  there 

Avas  a lady  in  the  boat,  immediately  pre- 
pared to  receive  her.  His  guard  occupied 
a log-cabin,  in  AA’hich  there  Avas  a back 
apartment  appropriated  to  his  own  use. 
This  he  had  cleared  for  her  reception,  and 
orders  Avere  given  that  the  party  should 
be  alloAved  to  land.  Upon  reaching  the 
cabin.  Lady  Ackland  Avas  assured  of  her 
husband’s  safety  ; and  a fire  having  been 
lighted,  and  a cup  of  tea  made,  she  Avas 
enabled  to  pass  the  night  Avith  tolerable 

comfort.  Early  the  next  morn- 

, , . , , n Oct.  10. 

mg,  tlie  party  again  embarked, 

and  sailed  doAvn  the  river  to  the  Ameri- 
can camp,  “ Avhere  General  Gates,  Avhose 
gallantry  Avill  not  be  denied,”  says  Wil- 
kinson, “ stood  ready  to  receive  her  Avith 
all  the  tenderness  and  respect  to  Avhich 
her  rank  and  condition  gave  her  a claim. 
Indeed,  the  feminine  figure,  the  benign  as- 
pect,  and  polished  manners,  of  this  charm- 
ing woman,  Avere  alone  sufficient  to  attract 
the  sympathy  of  the  most  obdurate ; but 
if  another  motive  could  have  been  AA^ant- 
ing  to  inspire  respect,  it  Avas  furnislied  by 
the  peculiar  circumstances  of  Lady  Har- 
riet, then  in  that  most  delicate  situation, 

5GG  BATTLES  OF  AIMERICA.  [part  ii. 

which  can  not  fnil  to  interest  the  solici- 
tudes of  every  being  possessing  the  form 
and  feelings  of  a man.” 

Her  wounded  husband,  Major  Ackland, 
liad  already  been  conveyed  to  Albany, 
where  Lady  Harriet  proceeded  immedi- 
ately to  join  him,  and  had  the  happiness 
of  finding  that  his  wound  was  not  mortal, 
and  that  he  Avas  rapidly  recovering  from 
its  e fleets.'*' 

General  Bnrgoyne  did  not  remain  long 
at  Saratoga,  but,  having  refreshed  his  ar- 
mj^  after  its  painful  march  with  a few 
hours  of  such  repose  as  his  troops  could 
olitain  by  throwing  themselves  on  the  wet 
ground  during  the  pelting  rain,  he  began 
to  continue  his  retreat  to  the  northward 

Oct  10  break  of  day.  A detach- 

ment of  Americans  had  reached 
the  gi’oimd,  on  the  bank  of  the  Fishkill, 

* The  subsequent  liistoiy  of  Lady  Harriet  and  Major  Ack- 
land was  thus  first  told  by  Wilkinson,  and  has  been  adopted 
by  most  other  writers:  “ Ackland,  after  his  return  to  Eng- 
land, procured  a regiment ; and  at  a dinner  of  military  men, 
where  tlie  courage  of  Americans  was  made  a question,  took 
the  negative  side  with  his  usual  decision  ; he  was  opposed, 
warmth  ensued,  and  he  gave  the  lie  direct  to  a Lieutenant 
Lloyd,  fought  him,  and  was  shot  through  the  head.  Lady 
Harriet  lost  her  senses,  and  continued  deranged  two  years  ; 
after  which,  I have  been  informed,”  continues  Wilkinson, 
“she  married  Mr.  Brudenell,  who  accompanied  her  from 
General  Burgoyne’s  camp,  when  she  sought  her  wounded 
husband  on  the  Hudson’s  river.”  This  story,  however,  is 
now  contradicted  ; and  it  is  declared,  apparently  on  good 
authority,  that  Major  Ackland  did  not  fight  a duel,  and  was 
not  killed  ; that  Lady  Harriet  did  not  become  insane,  and 
did  not  marry  the  chaplain,  Mr.  Brudenell.  “Major  John 
Dyke  Ackland,”  says  Lossing,  in  his  Life  of  Washington, 

“ was  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  Thomas  Dyke  Ackland.  He  died 
from  the  effects  of  his  wounds  received  at  Saratoga,  Novem- 
ber, 1778.  His  wife,  the  ‘ Right  Honorable  Lady  Harriet 
Ackland,’  was  sister  of  the  earl  of  Ilchester,  and  mother  of 
the  late  countess  of  Carnarvon.  Lady  Ackland  survived 
her  husband  many  years,  and,  contrary  to  the  generally- 
.•eceived  opinion,  appears  to  have  remained  his  widow  until 
her  death,  on  the  21st  of  July,  1815.  . . . Lady  Ackland  and 
the  eminent  Charles  James  Fox  were  cousins.” — (See  Amer- 
ican HiUorical  Magazine,  New  York,  vol.  ii.,  p.  121.) 

before  the  British  commanrler;  aiicl,  al- 
though on  his  advance,  they  had  retreat- 
ed to  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  Avhere 
GeneralFellows  was  posted  on  the  heights 
with  his  fifteen  hundred  men,  they  had 
taken  care  to  break  down  the  brido-es. 

O 

Burgoyne  was  thus  delayed  in  getting 
his  baggage  and  artillery  over  the  Fisl 
kill,  which  small  stream,  running  into  th 
Hudson  from  west  to  east,  stretched  di- 
rectly across  his  route.  After  destroying 
the  buildings  on  the  south  bank,  among 
which  were  the  house  and  mills  belonRino; 
to  General  Schuyler,  the  British  crossed 
over  and  posted  themselves  on  the  heights 
north  of  the  Fishkill,  where  they  at  once 
began  to  intrench  their  camp. 

General  Gates,  in  the  meantime,  drew 
near  in  pursuit;  although,  in  consequence 
of  the  heavy  rains,  and  some  delay  in  wait- 
ing for  supplies,  he  did  not  march  before 
the  afternoon  of  the  10  th  of  October.  By 
four  o’clock,  however,  he  reached  Sarato- 
ga, and  took  his  position  on  the  wooded 
heights,  about  a mile  south  of  the  Fish- 
kill, separated  from  Burgoyne’s  ciunp  by 
this  small  stream.  The  general’s  own  quar- 
ters were  humble  enough,being  in  a small 
hovel  about  ten  feet  square,  situated  at 
the  foot  of  a hill,  out  of  which  it  had  been 
partially  scooped.  The  floor  was  simply 
the  ground,  and  Gates’s  pallet  was  spread 
upon  rude  boards,  supported  by  four  fork- 
ed pieces  of  timber,  with  cross-pieces,  in 
one  corner ; while  Wilkinson,  with  his 
saddle  for  a pillow,  lay  upon  the  straw  in 
another.  Finding  the  enemy  still  busy 
in  moving  their  stores.  Gates  ordered  out 
two  light  fieldpieces,  to  disperse  a fatigue 
party  engaged  in  unloading  the  batteaux 

REVOLUTioNAKT.]  THE  BARONESS  REIDESEL  IN  A CELLAR.  567 

which  had  followed  Burgoyiie  up  the 
Hudson.  The  object  was  attained  ; but 
Major  Stevens,  who  was  serving  the  field- 
pieces,  was  soon  obliged  to  withdraw,  by 
a severe  cannonade  from  the  whole  park 
of  the  enemy’s  artillery. 

To  the  baroness  Keidesel’s  narrative  we 
must  again  recur  for  a true  impression  of 
passing  events  in  the  British  camp.  “ The 
greatest  misery,”  she  says,  “ at  this  time 
prevailed  in  the  army,  and  more  than 
thirty  officers  came  to  me,  for  whom  tea 
and  coffee  was  prepared,  and  with  whom 

1 shared  all  my  provisions,  with  which  my 
calash  was  in  general  well  supplied  ; for  I 
had  a cook  who  was  an  excellent  caterer, 
and  who  often  in  the  night  crossed  small 
rivers  and  foraged  on  the  inhabitants, 
bringing  in  with  him  sheep,  small  pigs, 
and  poultry,  for  which  he  very  often  for- 
got to  pay,  though  he  received  good  pay 
from  me,  as  long  as  I had  any,  and  was 
ultimately  handsomely  rewarded.  Our 
provisions  now  failed  us  for  want  of  prop- 
er conduct  in  the  commissary’s  depart- 
ment, and  I began  to  despair. 

“ About  two  o’clock  in  the  af- 
Oct.  11.  • 1 1 c • 

ternoon,  we  again  lieard  a firing 

of  cannon  and  small-arms.  Instantly  all 
was  alarm,  and  everything  in  motion. 
My  husband  told  me  to  go  to  a house  not 
far  off  I immediately  seated  myself  in 
my  calash  with  my  children,  and  drove 
olf ; but  scarcely  had  we  reached  it,  be- 
fore I discovered  five  or  six  armed  men 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Hudson.  Instinct- 
ively I threw  my  children  down  in  the 
calash,  and  then  concealed  myself  with 
them.  At  that  moment  the  fellows  fired, 
and  wounded  an  alreadv  wounded  Eng- 

y O 

lish  soldier,  who  was  behind  me.  Poor 
fellow ! I pitied  him  exceedingly,  but  at 
that  moment  had  no  means  or  power  to 
relieve  him. 

“ A terrible  cannonade  was  commenced 
by  the  enemy,  which  was  directed  against 
the  house  in  which  I sought  to  obtain 
shelter  for  myself  and  childi-en,  under  the 
mistaken  idea  that  all  the  generals  were 
in  it.  Alas  ! it  contained  none  but  wound- 
ed and  women.  We  were  at  last  obliged 
to  resort  to  the  cellar  for  refuge ; and  in 
one  corner  of  this  I remained  the  ■whole 
day,  my  children  sleeping  on  the  earth 
with  their  heads  in  my  lap,  and  in  the 
same  situation  I passed  a sleepless  night. 
Eleven  cannon-balls  passed  through  the 
house,  and  we  could  distinctly  hear  them 
roll  away.  One  poor  soldier,  who  was  ly- 
ing on  a table,  for  the  purpose  of  having 
his  leg  amputated,,  was  struck  by  a shot 
which  carried  away  his  other.  His  com- 
rades had  left  him,  and  when  we  went  to 
his  assistance  we  found  him  in  a corner 
otthe  room,  into  which  he  had  crept  more 
dead  than  alive,  scarcely  breathing.  My 
reflections  on  the  danger  to  which  my 
husband  was  exposed  now  agonized  me 
exceedingly;  and  the  thoughts  of  my 
children,  and  the  necessity  of  struggling 
for  their  preservation,  alone  sustained  me. 

“ The  ladies  of  the  artny  who  w'ere  with 
me  were,  Mrs.  Hamage,  a Mrs.  Kennels, 
the  widow  of  a lieutentant  who  was  killed, 
and  the  wife  of  the  commissary.  Major 
Hamage,  his  wife,  and  Mrs. Kennels,  made 
a little  room  in  a corner,  with  curtains  to 
it,  and  wished  to  do  the  same  for  me  ; but 

I preferred  being  near  the  door,  in  case 
of  fire.  Not  far  off  my  maid  slept,  and 

< 

568  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  it. 

opposite  to  us  three  English  officers,  who, 

“I  now  occupied  myself  through  the 

though  wounded,  were  determined  not  to 

day  in  attending  the  wounded.  I made 

be  left  behind  ; one  of  them  was  Captain 

them  tea  and  coffee,  and  often  shared  my 

Greene,  an  aid-de-camp  to  Major  Phillips, 

dinner  Avith  them,  for  which  they  offered 

a very  valuable  officer  and  most  agreea- 

me  a thousand  expressions  of  gratitude. 

ble  man.  They  each  made  me  a most 

One  day,  a Canadian  officer  came  to  our 

sacred  promise  not  to  leave  me  behind ; 

cellar,  who  had  scarcely  the  power  of 

and,  in  case  of  a sudden  retreat,  that  they 

holding  himself  upright,  and  we  con- 

would  each  of  them  take  one  of  my  chil- 

eluded  he  was  dying  for  want  of  nourish- 

dren  on  his  horse:  and,  for  myself,  one 

inent.  I was  happy  in  offering  him  my 

of  my  husband’s  was  in  constant  readi- 

dinner,  Avhich  strengthened  him,  and  pro- 

ness. 

cured  me  his  friendship.  I now  under- 

“ Our  cook,  I have  before  mentioned. 

took  the  care  of  Major  Bloomfield,  anoth- 

procured  us  our  meals,  but  we  were  in 

er  aid-de-camp  of  General  Phillips.  He 

want  of  water;  and  I was  often  obliged 

had  received  a musket-ball  through  both 

to  drink  wine,  and  to  give  it  to  my  chil- 

cheeks,  Avhich  in  its  course  had  knocked 

dren.  It  was  tlie  only  thing  my  husband 

out  several  of  his  teeth  and  cut  his  tongue. 

took  — which  made  our  faithful  huuter 

He  could  hold  nothing  in  his  mouth  ; the 

(Rockel)  express  one  day  his  apprehen- 

matter  which  ran  from  his  mouth  almost 

sions  that  ‘ the  general  was  weary  of  his 

choked  him,  and  he  was  not  able  to  take 

life,  or  fearful  of  being  taken,  as  he  drank 

any  nourishment  except  a little  soup  or 

so  much  wine.’  The  constant  danger  which 

something  liquid.  We  had  some  Rhenish 

my  husband  was  in,  kept  me  in  a state  of 

wine,  and,  in  the  hope  that  the  acidity  of 

wretchedness;  and  I asked  myself  if  it 

it  would  cleanse  his  wound,  I gave  him 

was  possible  I should  be  the  only  happy 

a bottle  of  it;  he  took  a little  now  and 

one,  and  have  my  husband  spared  to  me 

then,  and  with  such  effect,  that  his  cure 

unhurt,  exposed  as  he  was  to  so  many 

soon  followed.  Thus  I added  another  to 

perils.  He  never  entered  his  tent,  but 

my  stock  of  friends,  and  derived  a satis- 

lay  down  whole  nights  by  the  watch-fires. 

faction  which,  in  the  midst  of  sufferings, 

This  alone  was  enough  to  have  killed 

served  to  tranquillize  me,  and  diminish 

him,  the  cold  was  so  intense. 

their  acuteness. 

“The  want  of  water  distressed  us  much. 

“ One  day.  General  Phillips  accompa- 

At  length  we  found  a soldier’s  wife,  who 

nied  my  husband,  at  the  risk  of  their  lives. 

had  courage  enough  to  fetch  us  some  from 

on  a visit  to  us,  who,  after  having  wit- 

the  river,  an  office  nobody  else  would  un- 

nessed  our  situation, said  to  him : ‘ I would 

dertake,  as  the  Amerieans  shot  at  every 

not  for  ten  thousand  guineas  come  again 

person  who  approached  it ; but,  out  of  re- 

to  this  place  ; my  heart  is  almost  broken  !’ 

spect  for  her  sex,  they  never  molested 

In  this  horrid  situation  we  remained  six 

her. 

days.” 

t 

«KVOLUTiONAUY.]  BUUGOYNE’S  DESPERATE  SITUATION. 


5G;) 


CHAPTER  LXI. 

Desperate  Situation  ot  General  Bur<ioyne. — Desperate  Expedients. — A Masked  Movement. — The  Americans  tricked  — 
A Skirmish  with  the  Pickets. — The  British  surrounded. — Despair  of  Burgoyne. — Proposals  to  negotiate. — The  Terms 
settled. — Surrender  of  Burgoyne. — Convention  not  Capitulation. — News  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton. — Too  late. — Fresh 
Beef. — The  Baroness  Reidesel  refreshed. — The  Convention  signed. — Meeting  of  Burgoyne  and  Gates. — Splendor  and 
Simplicity. — 'I'he  Formalities  of  the  Surrender. — The  British  Commander  pleads  Illness. — The  “Stars  and  Stripes” 
for  the  First  Time. — The  Adventures  of  the  Baroness  continued. — Courtesy  of  General  Schuyler. — French  Gallantry. 
— Kindness  of  Schuyler. — The  Numbers  surrendered. — The  News  of  Victory  reaches  Congress. — Gates  moves  toward 
the  Hudson. — Uelreat  of  General  Vaughan. — The  Result  of  the  Surrender  at  Saratoga. — Its  Effect  in  France,  Eng- 
land, and  throughout  Europe. — The  Earl  of  Chatham. — “You  can  not  conquer  America!” 


General  Burgoyne  wus  now  in  a 
desperate  position,  with  a powerful 
body  of  Americans  under  General  Fellows 
extending  beyond  his  left  flank,  on  the 
eastern  bank  of  the  Hudson;  with  the 
country  before  him,  toward  the  north, 
filled  with  provincials,  who  held  Fort  Ed- 
ward, and  swarmed  in  every  mountain- 
pass  and  forest-path  which  led  to  Fort 
George,  and  even  to  the  borders  of  Lake 
Champlain;  and  with  a triumphant  ene- 
my behind  him.  His  situation  was  des- 
perate, and  his  plans  for  extrication  equal- 
ly so.  He  proposed  to  ascend  the  Hud- 
son, along  the  western  bank,  where  he 
was  now  posted,  to  Fort  George,  at  the 
southern  end  of  the  lake  of  that  name. 
A rugged  country,  with  mountains,  mo- 
rasses, ravines,  and  deep  streams,  was  be- 
fore him.  Roads  were  to  be  made  and 
bridges  built  by  an  army  half  famished 
and  threatened  on  all  sides  by  a numer- 
ous and  triumphant  enemy.  Great  as 
were  the  obstacles,  the  British  general 
made  the  attempt  to  overcome  them.  He 
sent  out  working-parties  to  open  roads 
and  construct  bridges ; but  the  American 
72 


riflemen  were  everywhere  on  the  alert, 
and  from  each  rocky  defile  and  foresU 
covert  came  the  fatal  bullets : and,  after 
one  day’s  trial,  Burgoyne’s  artificers  were 
forced  to  retire  to  the  cover  of  the  camp, 
and  give  up  all  hope  of  the  route  to  Fort 
George  by  the  western  bank  of  the  Hud- 
son. 

Burgoyne  now  hit  upon  the  desperate 
expedient  of  marching  his  army  a short 
distance  along  the  Hudson,  and  forcing 
his  passage  across  that  river  in  the  very 
face  of  the  large  body  of  Americans  on 
the  eastern  bank.  Making  up  his  mind 
to  abandon  the  artillery,  and  giving  each 
man  his  share  of  the  few  days’  provisions 
which  were  all  that  were  left  to  carry  in 
his  knapsack  on  his  back,  he  hoped  that 
his  troop.s,  by  dint  of  personal  daring  and 
physical  endurance,  might  succeed  in 
working  their  way  to  Fort  Edward*  and 
the  lakes,  and  thence  by  a circuitous 
route  find  safety  in  Canada.  With  this 
object  in  view,  Burgoyne  sent  a 
detachment  up  the  river  in  ad-  ’ * 

vance,  intending  to  follow  with  the  whole 
of  his  army  in  the  course  of  the  night. 


f 


570  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [ part  u 

“I 

This  movement  almost  proved  fatal  to 

river,  and  were  now  brought  face  to  fice 

G ates. 

with  the  full  force  of  the  enemy,  who  im- 

Intelligence  was  brought  late  at  night 

mediately  began  a heavy  fire  of  artillery 

into  the  American  camp  that  the  main 

and  musketry,  which  soon  drove  him  back, 

body  of  the  British  had  abandoned  their 

and  sent  him  with  his  scattered  brigade 

intrenchments  on  the  north  side  of  the 

across  to  the  American  encampment. 

Fishkill,  and  were  marching  to  Fort  Ed- 

Morgan  and  his  riflemen,  after  their 

ward.  Gates  accordingly  ordered  Mor- 

engagement  with  the  advanced  picket 

gan,  with  his  ride-corps,  and  Nixon  and 

of  the  enemy,  had  warily  moved,  under 

Glover,  with  their  brigades,  to  cross  the 

cover  of  the  fog,  around  Burgoyne’s  right. 

Fishkill  at  break  of  day,  and  attack  the 

and  taken  their  position  on  some  heights 

enemy’s  encampment,  supposed  to  be  de- 

in  its  rear,  which  they  firmly  held.  The 

fended  merely  by  a rear-y;nard. 
Oct.  II.  . ® 

ilie  morning,  as  is  common  at 

brigades  of  Patterson  and  Learned,  which 
had  gone  to  the  support  of  Morgan,  also 

that  season  of  the  year,  opened  witli  a 

succeeded,  after  a slight  skirmish  with  an 

dense  foii;;  but  the  alert  Moro’an  had  at 

advanced  party  of  the  British,  in  gaining 

the  earliest  hour  groped  his  way  across 

a strong  position  under  the  cover  of  a 

the  stream,  and  was  soon  engaged  with 

wood,  and  maintainiim  it,  thouMi  on  the 

an  advanced  picket  of  the  Briti.sh  on  their 

same  side  of  the  Fishkill  with  Burgoyne’s 

ii;>:ht.  The  firim»:  broimbt  the  bri«:ades 

encampment. 

of  Patterson  and  Learned  to  his  support. 

The  two  armie.s,  thus  drawn  clo.se  to 

Nixon,  too,  had  crossed  the  Fishkill,  to 

each  other,  kept  up  an  incessant  cannon- 

move  against  the  centre  of  the  enemy’s 

ade  ; but  the  British  commander,  finding 

camp  ; Glover  was  about  doing  the  same  ; 

himself  completely  hemmed  in,  and  all 

and  General  Gates  had  moved  his  whole 

resources  of  escape  cut  off  but  the  chance 

army  forward,  prepared  to  follow,  when 

of  l elief  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton  (of  which, 

a British  soldier  came  wading  through 

after  lingering  so  long  in  anxious  expec- 

the  water.  He  proved  to  be  a deserter. 

tation,he  now  at  last  abandoned  all  hope). 

and  brought  intelligence  that  Burgoyne 

was  in  despair  of  saving  his  army. 

was  still  in  camp,  with  the  main  body  of 

“ A series  of  hard  toil,”  wrote  Burgoyne 

his  troops.  Glover  immediately  checked 

himself;  “incessant  effort, and  stubborn  ac- 

the  march  of  his  brigade,  and  strove  to 

tion,  until  disabled  in  the  collateral  branch- 

call  back  Nixon  from  the  other  side  of 

es  of  the  army  by  the  total  defection  of 

the  stream. 

the  Indians ; the  desertion  or  the  timidity 

At  this  moment  the  fog  suddenly  lifted 

ofthe  Canadiansand  provincials,. some indi- 

and  rolled  away,  and  the  day  became 

viduals  excepted  ; disappointed  in  the  last 

clear,  revealing  the  whole  British  army. 

hope  of  any  co-operation  from  other  ar- 

drawn  up  in  formidable  array  before  their 

lilies;  the  regular  troops  reduced  by  lo.sses 

camp  on  the  heights.  Fifteen  hundred 

from  the  best  parts  to  thirty-five  hundred 

American.s,  under  Nixon,  had  crossed  the 

fighting  men,  not  two  thousand  of  which 

, 

' 

RKVOLDTIONARY.J  SURRENDER  OF  GENERAL  BURGOYNE.  571 

were  British  ; only  three  days’  provisions, 

he  is  impelled  by  humanity,  and  thinks 

npon  short  allowance,  in  store;  invested 

himself  justified  by  established  principles 

by  an  army  of  sixteen  thousand  men,  and 

and  precedents  of  state  and  war,  to  spare 

no  appearance  of  retreat  remaining,  I 

the  lives  of  brave  men  upon  honorable 

'’ailed  into  council  all  the  generals,  field- 

terms.  Should  Major-General  Gates  be 

officers,  and  captains  commanding  corps. 

inclined  to  treat  upon  that  idea.  General 

and  by  their  unanimous  concurrence  and 

Burgoyne  would  propose  a cessation  of 

advice  I Avas  induced  to  open  a treaty 

arms  during  the  time  necessary  to  com- 

witli  Major-General  Gates.”  While  the 

municate  the  jAreliminary  terms  by  Avhich. 

council  was  in  session,  an  eighteen-pound 

in  any  extremity,  he  and  his  army  mean 

ball  passed  over  the  table,  as  there  was 

to  abide.” 

not  a spot  of  ground  in  the  whole  British 

Gates  was  prepared  with  his  answer  in 

camp  which  was  not  exposed  to  the  fire 

advance  ; and,  as  soon  as  Major  Kingston 

of  the  Americans. 

had  done,  the  general  put  his  hand  into 

It  having;  been  determined  to 

Oct.  13. 

his  side-pocket,  and,  pulling  out  a paper. 

open  a treaty,  Burgoyne  imme- 

said,  “ There,  sir,  are  the  terms  on  which 

diately  wrote  a note  to  General  Gates, 

General  Burgoyne  must  surrender.”'^-  The 

saying  that  he  was  desirous  of  sending  a 

major  Avas  someAvhat  taken  by  surprise 

field-officer  upon  a matter  of  high  mo- 

at  the  promptness  of  the  reply,  but  read 

ment  to  both  armies,”  and  requesting  to 

the  paper,  Avhile  Gates  surveyed  him  cu- 

be  informed  at  what  time  General  Gates 

riously  through  his  spectacles.  Kingston 

would  receive  him  the  next  morning.  A 

was  not  pleased  Avith  the  terms,  Avhich 

note  in  reply  was  promptly  sent,  in  which 

proposed,  “ as  Burgoyne’s  retreat  Avas  cut 

Gates  appointed  ten  o’clock  as  the  hour. 

off,”  an  unconditional  surrender  of  his 

Accordingly,  next  morning,  at 

troops  as  prisoners-of-war;  and  he  at  first 

the  hour  appointed.  Major  Kings- 

objected  to  convey  them  to  the  British 

ton  presented  himself  at  the  American 

commander,  but  Avas  finally  prevailed  up- 

advanced  post,  and, being  blindfolded,  was 

on.  Kingston  soon  came  back  Avith  a neg- 

led  to  headquarters,  where  he  delivered 

ative  answer,  and  word  from  his  general 

the  following  message  from  the  British  to 

that  he  would  never  admit  that  his  re- 

the  American  commander:  “After  hav- 

treat  Avas  cut  off  while  his  troops  had  arms 

ing  fought  you  twice,Lieutenant-General 

in  their  hands.  Hostilities  in  the  mean- 

Burgoyne  has  waited  some  days  in  his 

time  ceased ; and  other  proposals  Avere 

present  position,  determined  to  try  a third 

then  made,  and  passed  backward  and  for- 

conflict  against  any  force  you  could  bring 

Avard,  Avhen  finally,  after  a tAvo  or  three 

against  him.  He  is  apprized  of  the  supe- 

days’  delay,  the  following  terms  Avere 

riority  of  your  numbers,  and  the  disposi- 

agreed  upon:  — 

tion  of  your  troops  to  impede  his  sup- 

General  Burgoyne’s  troops  Avere  to 

plies,  and  render  his  retreat  a scene  of 

march  out  of  their  camp  with  all  the  hon 

carnage  on  both  sides.  In  this  situation 

* Wilkinson. 

572  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  . Lpart  it. 


Burgojne  immediately  called  a coun- 
cil of  war,  and  submitted  to  it  the  ques- 


ors of  war;  and  the  artillery  to  be  moved 
to  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  river,  and 
there  left,  together  with  the  soldiers’  arms, 
which  were  to  be  piled  at  the  word  of 
command  from  their  own  officers.  It  was 
agreed  that  a free  passage  to  GreatBritain 
should  he  granted  to  the  troops,  on  condi- 
tion of  their  not  serving  again  in  the  pres- 
ent contest ; that  all  officers  should  retain 
their  baggage  and  side-arms,  and  not  he 
separated  from  their  men;  and  that  all, 
of  whatever  country  they  might  he,  fol- 
lowing the  camp,  should  he  included  in 
the  terms  of  capitulation. 

^ The  conditions  of  the  surren- 

der being  seUled,  the  two  gener- 
als were  preparing  to  sign  and  carry  out 
the  terms  of  the  treaty,  and  about  to  ex- 
change signatures,  when  Burgo_yne  sent 
word  to  Gates  that  it  had  been  unguard- 
edly called  a treaty  of  capitulation.,  while 
his  army  only  meant  it  as  a treaty  of  con- 
vention. Gates,  without  hesitation,  admit- 
ted the  alteration  ; and  the  next  day  (the 
16th)  he  was  expecting  to  receive  from 
the  British  commander  a copy  of  the  con- 
vention, properly  signed,  when  instead  a 
note  arrived,  in  which  Burgoyne,  having 
heard  of  the  departure  of  some  of  the 
Americanmilitia(who,with  their  usual  in- 
dependence, had  gone  off  without  leave), 
declared  he  had  “received  intelligence 
that  a considerable  force  had  been  de- 
tached from  the  army  under  the  command 
of  Major-General  Gates”  during  the  ne- 
gotiation, and  in  violation  of  the  cessa  tion 
of  arms  agreed  upon.  This  gave  rise  to 
another  delay;  and,  in  the  meanwhile, 
word  was  at  last  received  at  the  British 
headquarters  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton. 


tion  ••  whether  it  was  consistent  with  pub- 
lic fifith,  and  if  so,  expedient,  to  suspend 
the  execution  of  the  treaty,  and  trust  to 
events.”  At  this  anxious  moment  there 
were  those  in  the  British  camp  who,  hav- 
ing, during  the  cessation  of  hostilities,mo- 
mentarily  enjoyed  the  blessings  of  repose 
and  security,  were  in  fearfid  alarm  lest 
they  should  soon  he  {igain  awakened  to 
the  horrors  of  the  battle-field. 

“ One  day,”  says  the  baroness  Reidesel, 
“ a message  was  sent  to  my  husband,  who 
had  visited  me  and  was  reposing  in  my 
bed,  to  attend  a council  of  war,  where  it 
was  proposed  to  break  the  convention ; 
hut,  to  my  great  joy,  the  majority  was  for 
adhering  to  it.  On  the  16th,  however, 
my  husband  had  to  repair  to  his  post,  and 
I to  my  cellar.  This  day  fresh  beef  was 
served  out  to  the  officers,  who  until  now 
had  only  salt  provision,  Avhich  was  very 
had  for  their  wounds.  The  good  woman 
who  brought  us  water,  made  us  an  excel 
lent  soup  of  the  meat,  but  I had  lost  my 
appetite,  and  took  nothing  hut  crusts  of 
bread  dipped  in  wine.  The  wounded  offi 
cers  (my  unfortunate  companions)  cut  ofl 
the  best  hit  and  presented  it  to  me  on  a 
plate.  I declined  eating  anything;  hut 
they  contended  that  it  was  necessary  for 
me  to  take  nourishment,  and  declared 
they  would  not  touch  a morsel  until  1 
afforded  them  the  pleasure  of  seeing  me 
partake.  I could  no  longer  withstand 
their  pressing  invitations,  accompanied  as 
they  were  by  assurances  of  the  happiness 
they  had  in  offering  me  the  first  good 
thing  they  had  in  their  power  and  I par 


REVOLDTIONAUY.J  INTERVIEW  BETWEEN  BURGOYNE  AND  GATES.  573 

took  of  a repast  rendered  palatable  by 

war.  General  Gates,  has  made  me  your 

the  kindness  and  good  will  of  iny  fellow- 

prisoner;’  to  which  the  conqueror,  return- 

sufferers,  forgetting  for  the  moment  the 

ing  a courtly  salute,  replied,  ‘I  shall  al- 

misery  of  our  apartment  and  the  absence 

ways  be  ready  to  bear  testimony  that  it 

of  almost  every  comfort.” 

has  not  been  through  any  fault  of  your 

The  British  commander-in-chief,  thoiwli 

excellency.’  ” 

himself  inclined  to  believe  that  he  might 

General  Gates  acted  with  great  courte- 

honorably  withdraw  fiorn  the  convention, 

sy  throughout,  during  these  occurrences. 

yielded  to  the  majority  of  his  officers,  and 

so  trying  to  the  sensibilities  of  the  brave 

signed  it  on  the  17th  of  October.  This 

soldier.  Wilkinson  was  the  only  Ameri- 

was  a happy  moment  for  the  baroness 

can  who  was  allowed  to  wdtne.ss  the  sur- 

Keidesel.  “ General  Burgoyne  and  the 

render  of  the  British  army.  The  spot 

other  generals,”  she  says,  “ watted  on  tlie 

having  been  first  selected  by  him,  Gener- 

American  general ; the  troops  laid  down 

al  Burgoyne’s  troops  were  drawn  up  on 

their  arms,  and  . gave  themselves  up  pris- 

the  level  ground  in  front  of  Fort  Hardy, 

oners-of-war.  And  now  the  good  woman 

on  the  north  bank  of  the  Fishkill,  where 

who  had  supplied  us  with  water,  at  the 

that  stream  joins  with  the  Hudson.  Here 

hazard  of  her  life,  received  the  reward  of 

the  soldiers  emptied  their  cartridge-boxes 

her  services.  Each  of  us  threw  a hand- 

and  grounded  their  arms  at  the  word  of 

ful  of  money  into  her  apron,  and  she  got 

command  from  their  own  officers.  The 

altogether  about  twenty  guineas.  At 

place  was  within  sight  of  the  American 

such  a moment  as  this,  how  susceptible 

encampment;  but  Gate.s,  with  a courteous 

is  the  heart  of  feelings  of  gratitude !” 

regard  for  the  feelings  of  his  gallant  ene- 

The  deputy  adjutant-general,  Wilkin- 

my,  took  care  to  order  every  man  to  keep 

son,  was  the  master  of  ceremonies  chosen 

within  the  lines,  that  there  should  be  no 

to  conduct  the  formalities  of  the  surren- 

exulting  witness  of  the  humiliation  of  the 

der.  He  accordingly  visited  General  Bur- 

British  troops. 

Oft  17  camp,  and  returned 

In  the  afternoon,  the  American  army 

w-ith  him  to  present  him  to  Gen- 

was  drawn  up  in  two  lines,  bordering  the 

eral  Gates.  The  British  commander  came 

road  which  led  to  their  encampment  to 

dressed  in  a rich  royal  uniform,  and  sur- 

the  extent  of  a mile.  The  British  troops 

rounded  by  a brilliant  staff  of  ollicers,  all 

now  crossed  the  river,  and,  escorted  by  a 

mounted  on  horseback.  On  reaching  the 

company  of  light  dragoons,  were  marched 

American  headquarters, General  Gates,  in 

between  the  American  soldiers,  preceded 

“ a plain  blue  frock,”  was  on  the  ground. 

by  two  American  officers,  unfurling  for 

readj^  to  receive  his  visiters,  who,  having 

the  first  time  the  “stars  and  stripes;”* 

approached  within  about  a sword’s  length 
of  him,  reined  up  their  horses.  At  this 

* In  June,  1777,  Conj^rcss  first  resolved  that  “the  stars 
and  stripes”  sliould  be  used,  but  not  unfurled  until  Scptein 

moment.  General  Burgoyne,  “ raising  his 
hat  most  gracefully,  said,  ‘ The  fortune  of 

ber.  Previously  the  flag  was  the  union  one,  with  the  com- 
bined crosses  of  St.  George  and  St.  Andrew,  and  thirteen 
stripes,  alternately  red  and  white 

5V4  BATTLES  OP  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

while  the  bands  struck  up  the  lively  time 

baroness  Reidesel:  “ My  husband’s  groom,” 

of  “ Yankee  Doodle'.'  Burgoyue,  attended 

she  says,  “ brought  me  a me-ssage  to  join 

bj’  his  staff,  was  with  Gates,  in  front  of 

him  with  my  children.  I seated  m3-self 

his  marquee ; and,  at  the  moment  when 

once  more  in  my  dear  calash,  and  then 

his  troops  were  filing  bet’iveen  the  Ameri- 

rode  through  the  American  camp.  As  1 

can  rme.s,he  stepped  back, drew  his  sword. 

passed  on, I observed  (and  this  was  a groat 

and  presented  it  to  his  victorious  oppo- 

consolation  to  me)  that  no  one  ejmd  me 

nent.  Gates  received  the  sword  with  a 

with  looks  of  resentment,  but  that  they 

courteous  acknowledgment,  and  immedi- 

all  greeted  ns,  and  even  showed  compas- 

ately  returned  it,  when  the  two  generals 

sion  in  their  countenances  at  the  sight  of 

retired  within  the  tent. 

a mother  with  her  children.  I was,  I con- 

The  foreign  soldiers,  especially  those 

fess,  afraid  to  go  over  to  the  enemy,  as  it 

of  Germany,  who  had  been  drilled  in  all 

was  something  quite  new  to  me.  When 

the  stiff  formalities  of  Prussian  military 

I drew  near  the  tents,  a handsome  man 

regulation,  were  struck  with  the  undre.ss 

approached  and  met  me,  took  my  children 

appearance  of  the  American  troops  ; they 

from  the  cala.sh,  and  hugged  and  ki.ssed 

observed  that  none  of  them  were  uniform- 

them,  which  affected  me  almost  to  tears. 

ly  clad,  but  that  each  had  on  the  clothes 

‘You  tremble,’  said  he,  as  he  offered  me 

he  had  worn  in  “ the  fields,  the  church,  or 

his  arm ; ‘ be  not  afraid.’ — ‘ No,’  I replied, 

the  tavern.”  They  could  not,  however. 

‘ you  seem  so  kind  and  tender  to  my  chil- 

withhold  their  admiration  of  the  natural 

dren,  it  gives  me  courage.’  He  then  con- 

good  looks  of  “ such  a handsome,  well- 

ducted  me  to  the  tent  of  General  Gates, 

formed  race,”  and  were  surprised  at  their 

where  I found  Generals  Burgoyne  and 

conduct.  “The  men  all  stood  so  still, 

Phillips  on  the  most  friendly  footing  with 

that  we  were  filled  with  w’onder.  Not 

him.  General  Burgoyne  said  to  me,  ‘Nev- 

one  of  them  made  a single  motion  as  if 

er  mind  now,  your  sorrows  are  all  over.’ 

he  would  speak  with  his  neighbor,”  was 

I replied  that  I should  be  much  to  blame 

the  testimony  of  one  of  the  Biamswick- 

to  have  anxieties  Avhen  he  had  none,  and 

ers.*  The  officers,  in  their  motley  dres- 

was  on  such  friendly  terms  with  General 

ses — some  in  brown  turned  np  with  sea- 

Gates. 

green, some  in  buffand-blue,somein  home- 

“All  the  generals  remained  to  dine 

lygray,but  mostin  old-fashioned  unkempt 

with  General  Gates.  The  same  gentle- 

wigs  and  every-day  dress,  with  only  a 

man  who  had  received  me  so  kindly  now 

white  belt  to  distinguish  their  rank  in 

came  and  said  to  me  : ‘ You  ma}-’  feel  em- 

the  army  — were  the  objectsof  great  won- 

barrassed  in  dining  with  all  these  gentle- 

der  and  hardly-suppressed  merriment  to 

men ; come  with  your  children  to  m3’  tent, 

the  German  military  martinets.'!* 

Avhere  you  Avill  find  a frugal  meal  offered 

Let  ns  again  trace  the  fortunes  of  that 

with  the  best  will.’  I replied,  ‘ You  must 

gentle  and  noblest  of  camp-followers,  the 

certainly  be  a husband  and  a father,  you 

1 

i 

* Quoted  by  Irving.  t Ib.  | 

show  me  so  much  kindness.’  He  now 

i 

r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  TFIE  BARONESS  REIDESEL  AND  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 


told  me  that  he  was  General  Schuyler. 
He  regaled  me  with  excellent  smoked 
tongue,  beefsteaks,  potatoes,  and  good 
oread  and  butter.  I could  not  have  de- 
sired a better  dinner.  I was  happy  and 
contented,  and  saw  that  those  about  me 
were  so  likewise ; and,  what  was  best  of 
all,  my  husband  was  out  of  danger. 

“After  dinner.  General  Schuyler  told 
me  that  his  residence  was  at  Albany,  that 
General  Burgoyne  had  promised  to  be- 
come his  guest,  and  invited  mj'self  and 
children  also.  I consulted  my  hu.sband, 
and  he  advised  me  to  accept  the  invita- 
tion. General  Schuyler  politely  sent  me 
back  under  tlie  escort  of  a French  gen- 
tleman, who,  after  leaving  me  at  the  house 
where  I was  to  remain,  went  back. 

“In  the  house  I found  a French  sur- 
geon. who  had  under  his  care  a Bruns- 
wick officer,  who  was  mortally  wounded, 
and  died  a few  days  afterward.  The 
Frenchman  boasted  a good  deal  of  his 
treatment  of  his  patient,  and  possibly  was 
skilful  enough  as  a surgeon,  but  otherwise 
a great  fool.  He  seemed  delighted  when 
he  discovered  I could  speak  his  language. 
He  began  to  address  many  empty  and 
impertinent  speeches  to  me.  Among  oth- 
er thing.s,  he  said  he  could  not  believe  I 
was  a general’s  wife,  as  he  was  certain  a 
woman  of  such  rank  would  not  follow  her 
husband.  He  expressed  the  wish  that  I 
would  remain  with  him,  as  he  said  it  was 
better  to  be  with  the  conquerors  than  the 
conquered.  I was  shocked  at  his  impu- 
dence, but  dared  not  show  the  contempt 
and  detestation  I felt  for  him,  because  it 
would  deprive  me  of  a place  of  safety. 
Toward  evening  he  begged  me  to  take 


575 

part  of  his  chamber.  I told  him  that  I 
was  determined  to  remain  in  the  room 
with  the  wounded  officers,  when  he  at- 
tempted to  pay  me  some  stupid  compli- 
ment. At  this  moment  the  door  opened, 
and  my  husband  with  his  aid-de-camp  en- 
tered. I then  said,  ‘ Here,  sir,  is  my  hus- 
band !’  and  at  the  same  moment  looked  at 
him  with  scorn,  when  he  retired  abashed. 
He  wa.s,  however,  polite  enough  to  offer 
us  his  chamber. 

“Soon  after,  we  arrived  at  Albany  — 
where  we  had  so  often  wished  ourselves 
— but  we  did  not  enter  it  as  we  expected 
we  should,  victors.  We- were  received  by 
the  good  General  Schuyler,  his  wife,  and 
daughter.s,notas  enemies  but  kind  friends, 
and  they  treated  us  with  the  most  marked 
attention  and  politenes.s,  as  they  did  Gen- 
eral Burgoyne,  who  had  caused  General 
Schuyler’s  handsome  house  to  be  burned. 
In  fact,  they  behaved  like  persons  of  ex- 
alted minds,  who  were  determined  to  bury 
all  recollection  of  their  own  injuries  in 
the  contemplation  of  our  misfortunes. 

“ General  Burgoyne  was  struck  with 
General  Schuyler’s  generosity,  and  said 
to  him  — 

“‘You  show  me  great  kindness,  al- 
though I have  done  you  much  injury.’ 

“ ‘ That  was  the  fate  of  war,’  replied  the 
brave  man.  ‘Let  us  say  no  more  about 
it.’  ” 

Burgoyne  was  not  unmindful  of  Schuy- 
ler’s generous  hospitality  and  chivalrous 
courtesy,  and  took  occasion  on  his  return 
to  England,  where  he  I’esunied  his  place 
in  the  Parliament,  to  acknowledge,  in  the 
presence  of  the  assembled  British  senate, 
his  sense  of  gratitude. 


570 

The  whole  British  force  which  surren- 
dered at  Sarato»:a  amounted  to  five  thou- 
sand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-one  men, 
of  whom  two  thousand  four  hundred  and 
twelve  were  Germans.  A train  of  brass 
artillery,  consisting  of  forty-two  cannon, 
howitzers,  and  mortars,  and  four  thousand 
six  hundred  and  forty-seven  muskets,  to- 
gether with  a large  supply  of  ammunition, 
fell  into  the  possession  of  the  Americans. 
Among  the  British  officers  wdio  had  sur- 
rendered  were  some  of  the  most  distin- 
guished Englishmen.  There  w^ere  six 
among  them  who  were  memhers  of  Par- 
liament. The  prisoners  were  subsequent- 
ly removed  to  Boston,  where  they  I'e- 
mained  under  the  especial  guard  of  Gen- 
eral Heath  and  the  garrison  under  his 
command. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Gates  hastened  to 
Albany,  in  order  to  encounter  the  British 
troops  advancing  up  the  Hudson  under 
the  command  of  General  Vaughan.  But 
when  Sir  Henry  Clinton  heard  of  Bur- 
goyne’s  surrender,  he  immediately  re- 
called Vaughan  (who  had  reached  within 
only  four  hours’  sail  of  Albany),  and  with- 
drew all  his  force  from  the  river  to  New 
York. 

Major  Wilkinson  was  despatched  with 
the  report  of  the  American  triumph  to 
Congress,  then  in  session  at  York  town. 
He  w as  received  wdth  great  honor,  and 
had  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  imme- 
diately bestowed  upon  him,  in  accordance 
with  the  recommendation  of  Gates,  who 
also  received  eveiy  tribute  which  a grate- 
ful people  could  give.  Gates’s  military 
reputation  was  now  at  its  height,  and  the 
esteem  of  his  friends  and  his  own  vanity 


[part  n 

led  him  to  entertain  hopes  of  the  chief 
command  of  the  patriot  armies. 

The  success  at  Saratoga  was  a great 
triumph  for  the  American  cause.  Creas}' 
has  justly  ranked  Gates’s  victory  as  one 
among  “ the  fifteen  decisive  battles  of  the 
world.”  The  Americans  themselves  were 
now  more  sanguine  than  ever  of  achiev- 
ing their  independence,  and  their  luke- 
warm advocates  in  Europe  at  once  be- 
came staunch  friends.  When  news  first 
reached  France  of  the  triumphant  march 
of  Burgoyne  from  the  North,  the  French 
government  immediately  despatched  in- 
structions to  Nantz  and  other  seaports  of 
the  kingdom,  that  not  an  American  pri- 
vateer should  be  allowed  to  enter  them, 
except  in  case  of  indispensable  necessity, 
for  repairs  or  provisions.  Franklin,  Ad- 
ams, and  Deane,  the  American  commis- 
sioners at  Paris,  w'ere  about  leaving  that 
city  in  disgust  with  the  selfish  conduct 
of  the  French  government,  when  the  in- 
telligence arrived  of  Burgoyne’s  surren- 
der. Now  all  was  changed,  and  France 
unhesitatingly  came  to  the  aid  of  a peo- 
ple who  had  proved  that  they  Avere  so 
well  able  to  defend  themselves.  She  was 
ready  to  make  a treaty,  lend  her  money, 
send  a fleet  and  troops,  or  do  anything 
by  which  to  strengthen  the  power  of  her 
new  ally  in  striking  the  destined  blow 
against  her  old  enemy.  In  December 
following  the  memorable  month  of  Sep- 
tember a treaty  was  arranged,  and  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1778,  ihe  minister  of  Louis  XVI. 
signed  it,  and  acknowledged  the  independ- 
ent United  States.  French  fleets,  and  troops, 
and  money,  soon  gave  proof  of  the  sin- 
cerity of  French  promises,  and  hastened 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


Rr.voT/tTTTONARY.J  EARLvS  COVENTRY  AND  CHATIIAAI  ON  AMERICA.  o77 

the  consummation  of  the  hopes  of  Amer- 

exclaimed,  ‘‘I  venture  to  say  it,  you  can 

ica.  Spain  and  Holland,  soon  afterward, 

not  conquer  Amenca. . . . You  may  swell  ev- 

acknowledged  the  independence  of  the 

ery  expense,  and  every  effort,  still  inoni 

“ United  States  and  England  was  left 

extravagantly ; pile  and  accumulate  ev- 

alone  to  struggle  in  her  obstinate  pride 

ery  assistance  you  can  buy  or  borrow ; 

airainst  the  inevitalde  fate  which  was  to 

traffic  and  barter  with  every  little  pitiful 

sever  for  ever  the  American  colonies  from 

German  prince,  that  sells  and  sends  his 

her  dominion,  but  only  to  bind  the  great 

subjects  to  the  shambles  of  a foreign  po- 

nation  of  the  West  in  firmer  ties  of  inter- 

tentate  : your  efforts  are  for  ever  vain  and 

est,  if  not  of  friendship,  with  Great  Brit- 

impotent — doubly  so  from  this  mercena- 

ain. 

ry  aid  on  which  you  rely ; for  it  irritates 

Even  in  England,  the  steadfast  friends 

to  an  incurable  resentment  the  minds  of 

of  the  American  cause  saw  its  final  tri- 

your  enemies,  to  overrun  them  with  the 

umph  in  the  failure  of  Burgoyne’s  cam- 

mercenary  sons  of  rapine  and  plunder — 

paign,  and  boldly  declared  it.  “ Attend,” 

devoting  them  and  their  possessions  to 

said  the  earl  of  Coventry,  in  the  house  of 

hireling  cruelty ! Jf  I ivere  an  American, 

lords,  with  the  spirit  and  solemn  utter- 

as  I am  an  Englishman,  tvhile  a foreign  troop 

ance  of  a prophet,  “ to  the  vast  extent  of 

ivas  landed  in  my  country,  1 never  loould  lay 

the  one  [America],  and  the  diminutive 

down  my  arms — never — never — never  1 

figure  of  Britain ; to  their  domestic  situ- 

You  can  not  conciliate  America  by  your 

ations;  to  the  increase  of  population  in 

present  measures;  you  can  not  subdue 

the  one,  and  the  inevitable  decline  of  it 

her  by  any  measures.  What,  then,  can 

in  the  other ; the  luxury,  dissipation,  and 

you  do  ? You  can  not  conquer,  you  can 

all  the  concomitant  effects,  in  this  coun- 

not  gain  : but  you  can  address — you  can 

try,  and  the  frugality,  industry,  and  con- 

lull  the  fears  and  anxieties  of  the  mo- 

sequent  wise  policy,  of  America.  These, 

ment  into  an  ig-norance  of  the  dan<^cr 

my  lords,  were  the  main  grounds  on  which 

that  should  produce  them.  But,  my  lords, 

1 presumed  to  trouble  you  from  time  to 

the  time  demands  the  language  of  truth  : 

time  on  this  subject.  I foresaw  then,  as  I 

we  must  not  now  apply  the  flattering  unc- 

continue  to  do,  that  a period  must  arrive  when 

tion  of  servile  compliance  or  blind  com- 

America  ivould  render  herself  independent; 

plaisance.  In  a just  and  necessary  war. 

that  this  country  tvoidd  fall,  and  the  seat  of 

to  maintain  the  right  or  honor  of  my  coun- 

empire  he  removed  beyond  the  Atlantic !” 

try,  I would  strip  the  shirt  from  my  back 

The  great  earl  of  Chatham  rose  feebly 

to  support  it;  but  in  such  a war  as  this. 

upon  his  crutch,  but  there  came  from  his 

unjust  in  its  principle,  impracticable  in  its 

ardent  heart  and  eloquent  lips  the  same 

means,  and  ruinous  in  its  consequences. 

full  gush,  as  of  old,  of  generous  sentiment 

I would  not  contribute  a single  effort  or 

and  burning  words.  “ You  can  not,”  he 
73 

a single  shilling !” 

578 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[ PAS,T  11 


CHAPTER  LXII. 

Retreat  of  Washinrrton  to  Germantown. — Slow  Advanee  of  General  Howe. — He  erosses  the  Schuylkill. — Storm  verso* 
Biiitle. — Success  of  General  Grey,  and  Defeat  of  Wayne. — The  British  ahead. — A Forced  Contribution. — The  Scru- 
pulous Washington. — Forts  and  Obstructions  on  the  Delaware. — Franklin’s  Ingenuity. — Entry  of  the  British  into 
Philadelphia. — The  Show. — The  Officers  described. — Adjournment  and  Removal  of  Congress. — The  British  Fleet  in 
the  Delaware. — General  Howe  sends  out  a Force  to  co-operate. — Attack  on  Germantown — Washington’s  Plans. — Pre- 
liminary Skirmish. — The  Enemy  driven  back. — Musgrave  in  Chew’s  House. — General  Knox  on  Tactics. — Panic  of  the 
Americans. — Their  Retreat. — Almost  a Victory. — Pursuit  by  the  British. — The  Losses  on  Both  Sides. 


W.\sinNGTON,  after  the  battle  of 

1777# 

tlie  Brandywine,  collected  lii.s  scat- 
tered troops  at  Chester,  and  then  contin- 
ued his  retreat,  marching  through  Derby, 
crossing  the  Schuylkill,  and  finally  halt- 
ing to  refresh  his  army  at  Ger- 
Sept.  I . within  six  miles  of 

Philadelphia.  Sir  William  Howe,  as  usu- 
al, was  dilatory,  and  for  several  days  con- 
tented himself  with  merely  sending  for- 
ward detachments  to  take  possession  of 
Concord,  Chester,  and  Wilmington. 

While  in  camp  at  Germantown,  Wash- 
ington detached  a part  of  the  militia,  un- 
der General  Armstrong,  with  the  aid  of 
General  Joseph  Reed  (who  had  volun- 
teered his  services,  as  he  was  familiar  with 
the  country),  to  throw  up  redoubts  on 
the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill,  and  occupy 
the  eastern  or  Philadelphia  side  of  the 
river,  while  he  himself  should  cross  with 
his  main  body,  to  oppose  the  advance  of 
the  enemy.  The  commander-in-chief  re- 
mained but  twenty-four  hours  in  German- 
town ; and  then,  having  ordered  General 
Putnam  to  send  him  a detachment  of  fif- 
teen hundred  continental  troops  fi  om  his 
post  on  the  Hudson,  he  returned  across 


the  Schuylkill  river,  and,  taking  the  Lan- 
caster road,  determined  to  offer  battle  to 
General  Howe. 

The  British  commander,  however,  had 
suddenly  become  unusually  alert,  and  by  a 
quick  movement  had  reached  the  Schuyl- 
kill, and  crossed  it,  on  his  way  to  Phila- 
delphia, after  Washington  had  advanc.ed 
to  give  him  battle  on  the  opposite  side. 
Tlie  two  armies  were,  in  fact,  upon  the 
point  of  coming  to  an  engagement  pre- 
vious to  Howe’s  crossing  the  river,  but 
were  prevented  by  a most  violent  storm 
of  rain,  Avhich  continued  a whole  day  and 
night.  When  the  weather  cleared,  it  was 
discovered  that  all  the  muskets  were  un- 
fitted for  service,  and  that  the  ammuni- 
tion,of  which  each  man  had  been  supplied 
with  forty  rounds,  was  entirely  ruined ! 
Nothing  now  was  to  be  done  but  to  seek 
out  a strong  piece  of  ground  where  the 
troops  might  be  secure,  while  the  arms 
were  being  put  in  order,  and  a fresh  sup- 
ply of  ammunition  obtained.  Washing- 
ton had  encamped  for  this  purpose  near 
Warwick,  on  French  creek,  when  General 
Howe  succeeded  in  his  manoeuvre  of  cros- 
sing the  Schuylkill ; not,  however,  withouf 


L 


r‘ 

aEVOLUTiONARY.]  WAYNE’S  DEFEAT.— HOWE  APPROACHES  PHILADELPHIA.  679 

an  attempt  to  harass  his  rear.  General 

Howe’s  supplies  by  land  and  by  water, 

Wayne,  with  fifteen  hundred  men,  was 

and  was  disposed  to  think  that  the  acqui- 

sent  off  in  the  night,  in  order  to  take  the 

sition  of  Philadelphia  might  prove  his 

enemy  by  surprise.  But  his  purpose  hav- 

ruin  instead  of  his  good  fortune.  The 

ing  been  detected,  Howe  detached  a large 

American  army  now  crossed  the  Schuyl- 

force  under  General  Grey,  who,  coming 

kill  at  Parker’s  ford,  and  encamped  near 

suddenly  upon  the  Americans,  and  charg- 

Pottsgrove,  to  refresh  and  await  the  rein- 

ing  them  with  the  bayonet,  drove  them 

forcements  expected  from  General  Put- 

from  their  covert  in  the  woods,  with  the 

nam  at  Peekskill.  In  the  hope  of  check- 

loss  of  two  or  three  hundred  men. 

ing  the  advance  to  Philadelphia  of  the 

“ They  had  so  far  got  the  start,”  wrote 

British  fleet,  at  that  time  anchored  in  the 

Washington,  “before  I received  certain 

Delaware,  and  of  preventing  the  co-oper- 

intelligence  that  any  considerable  num- 

ation  of  Admiral  Lord  Howe  with  his 

ber  had  crossed,  that  I found  it  in  vain  to 

brother  the  general,  Washington  was  very 

think  of  overtaking  their  rear  with  troops 

solicitous  about  the  fortifications  and  ob- 

harassed  as  ours  had  been  with  constant 

structions  which  had  been  constructed  in 

marching  since  the  battle  of  Brandywine.” 

the  river. 

The  men  were  so  destitute  of  clothing. 

Benjamin  Franklin,  before  proceeding 

and  particularly  of  shoes,  that  the  want 

to  Paris  in  his  diplomatic  capacity,  had 

of  this  last  essential  article  was  a very  se- 

already  exercised  his  manifold  ingenuity 

rious  obstruction  to  the  progress  of  the 

in  planning  works  to  be  raised  on  the 

army.  No  less  than  one  thousand  of  tlie 

Delaware,  to  protect  his  adopted  city. 

American  soldiers  were  barefooted,  and 

Subsequently,  rows  ol chevaux-de-f rise,  con- 

forced  to  march  in  that  condition  ! Shoes 

structed  of  immense  beams  of  timber. 

and  blankets  were  now  the  great  deside- 

bolted  together  and  stuck  full  of  iron 

rata,  and  to  obtain  them  Washington  was 

spikes,  were  sunk  in  the  channel  of  the 

(painful  though  he  confesses  it  to  have 

Delaware,  near  where  it  forms  its  junc- 

been)  obliged  to  extort  a forced  contri- 

tion  with  the  Schuylkill.  Above  these, 

bution  from  the  inhabitants  of  Philadel- 

and  about  seven  miles  from  Philadelphia, 

phia.  His  young  aid-de-camp.  Colonel 

was  a battery,  with  heavy  cannon,  called 

Alexander  Hamilton,  was  sent  forward  as 

Fort  Mifflin,  situated  upon  the  flat  and 

the  agent  in  this  unpleasant  business;  but 

marshy  ground  of  Mud  or  Fort  island ; 

the  commander-in-chief  took  care  to  en- 

while  opposite,  at-Red  bank,  on  the  New- 

join  upon  him  the  utmost  delicacy  and 

Jersey  shore,  was  a strong  redoubt,  with 

discretion  in  its  execution. 

intrenchments,  called  Fort  Mercer,  pro- 

General  Howe  was  now  sure  of  Phila- 

tected  in  front  by  another  fortified  island. 

delphia,  toward  which  city  he  immediate- 

Below,  there  was  a further  series  of  clicv- 

ly  marched ; but  Washington  strove  to 

anx-de-frise  in  the  channel  of  the  Delaware 

make  his  situation  there  as  little  “ agree- 

between  Billing’s  island  and  Billingsport, 

able”  as  possible.  He  hoped  to  cut  oil' 

at  which  latter  point,  on  the  New-Jersey 

_■  J 

580  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pakt  ii. 


side,  there  was  also  a strong  redoubt. 
There  were,  moreover,  several  American 
armed  ve.ssels,  a number  of  row-galleys, 
some  hre-ships,  and  floating  batteries,  an- 
chored to  defend  the  chevanx-de-frise,  and 
prevent  the  approach  to  Philadelphia  by 
water. 

General  Sir  William  Howe  had  in  the 
meanwhile  encamped  at  Germantown, 
wlieuce  he  sent  a large  body  of  troops, 
under  Earl  Cornwallis,  to  take  possession 
of  Pliiladelphia.  Their  entry  into  the  city" 
was  impressive.  The  inhabitants,  natu- 
rally in  expectation  of  violence  and  rap- 
ine, were  greatly  relieved  by  the  orderly 
conduct  of  the  enemy.  Their  houses  and 
shops  were  closed,  but  the  people,  dressed 
in  their  best  apparel,  did  not  fear  to  show 
themselves  in  the  streets.  The  British 
grenadiers,  of  “ tranquil  look  and  digni- 
fied appearance,”  led  the  van.  Lord  Corn- 
wallis at  their  head,  who,  wifh  his  some- 
what short  and  thick-set  person,  his  ami- 
able hxce,  and  affable  manner, s, had  no  very 
formidable  look.  The  gi-enadiers,  howev- 
er, were  followed  by  some  of  the  dreaded 
Hessian.s,  and  in  the  eyes  of  the  citizens 
they  appeared  terrific.  Their  “ brass  caps, 
their  mustachios,  their  countenances,  by 
nature  morose,and  their  music, thatsouud- 
ed  better  English  than  they  themselves 
could  speak,  '■  Plunder  I plunder!  plunder!' 
gave,”  says  an  eye-witness  of  the  scene, 
a desponding,  heart-breaking  effect,  as  I 
thought,  to  all.”  The  meager,  erect,  and 
sharp-featured  Hessian  general, Knyphau- 
sen  (a  stiff'  formalist  and  military  marti- 
net, though  courtly  in  his  way),  was  not 
calculated  to  relieve  the  inhabitants  from 
their  excited  apprehensions  of  his  merce- 


nary troops.  Some  of  the  more  thought- 
ful of  the  citizens  appeared  sad,  and  the 
timid  frightened  ; but  to  the  great  mass 
the  entry  of  the  British  troop.s,  with  their 
gay  accoutrements  and  lively  music,  was 
a show  upon  which  they  looked,  if  not 
with  pleasure,  certainly  with  a cheerful 
curiosity. 

Congress  had,  on  the  advance  of  the 
British,  adjourned  to  Lancaster,  and  sub- 
sequently to  Yorktown,  beyond  the  Sus- 
quehannah  river,  where  its  members  as- 
sembled, and  continued  to  hold  „ 

, . ’ . , Sept.  30. 

their  sessions  as  long  as  rhila- 

delphia  remained  in  posse.ssion  of  the 
enemy. 

Sir  William  Howe,  desirous  of  a co-op- 
eration with  the  fie"-t,  in  order  to  secure 
supplies  for  his  army,  first  directed  his 
attention  toward  the  attainment  of  that 
object.  His  army  was,  therefore,  no  soon- 
er encamped,  than  he  began  to  erect  bat- 
teries on  the  Delaware,  near  Philadelphia. 
At  the  same  time,  he  sent  out  a detach- 
ment of  troops,  with  orders  to  cro.ss  the 
river  and  make  an  attempt  upon  the 
American  works  at  Billingsport,  on  the 
New-Jersey  side,  which  commanded  the 
cJievaiix-de-fnse,  and  interfered  with  the 
advance  of  the  British  lleet  to  Philadel- 
phia. 

Washington,  discovering  this  move- 
ment of  the  enemy,  and  being  reinforced 
by  fifteen  hundred  men  detached  by  Gen- 
eral Putnam,  determined  to  at- 

, , . , . Sept.  27. 

tack  them  m their  encampment 

at  Germantown,  as,  in  consequence  of 
their  force  being  weakened  by  the  detach- 
ment sent  out  against  Billingsport,  it  was 
thought  a favorable  opportunity  offered. 


1 

KEVOLDTIONART.J  WASHINGTON  PLANS 

AN  ATTACK  ON  HOWE.  581 

The  commander-in-chief  was  now  at  Pen- 

Howe’s  encampment  stretched  diago- 

nibacker’s  mill,  on  the  Skippack  road, 

nally  across  the  lower  part  of  German- 

within  fourteen  miles  of  Germantown ; 

town,  being  thus  divided  as  it  were  by 

and  he  proposed  to  march  that  distance 

the  main  street,  or  the  Skippack  l oad  ; 

in  the  night,  and  if  possible  take  General 

to  the  west  of  which  lay  the  left  wing. 

Howe  by  surprise. 

under  General  Knyphausen, extending  to 

To  understand  Washington’s  plan  of 

the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill ; while  to  the 

attack,  it  is  necessary  to  call  to  mind  the 

east  stretched  til's  right,  commanded  by 

position  of  Germantown.  This  place,  now 

General  Grant.  The  British  centre  occu 

as  it  were  a,  suburb  of  Philadelphia,  was 

pied  the  houses  in  the  main  street  or  the 

then  a small  town  or  village,  about  six 

Skippack  road  — the  village  itself,  in  fact. 

miles  northwest  from  that  city.  It  was 

To  the  north,  there  was  posted  on  this 

chiefly  composed  of  two  rows  of  small 

road  an  advanced  guard,  consisting  of  a 

houses,  extending  over  a mile  in  distance, 

battalion  of  light-infantry  and  the  fortieth 

one  on  each  side  of  the  Skippack  road. 

regiment  of  the  line.  The  left  wing  was 

which  ran  (forming  one  street,  bordered 

covered  by  the  German  chasseurs,  horse 

with  peach-trees)  directly  through  Ger- 

and  foot,  who  were  stationed  at  “ 

mantown  from  north  to  south,  and,  before 

Deering’s  mill,”on  theSchuylkill ; and  the 

reaching  the  village,  passing  over  the  two 

right  was  guarded  by  the  Queen’s  Rangers, 

eminences  of  Chestnut  hill  and  Mount 

posted  on  the  Old  York  road,  and  by  the 

Airy.  On  the  outskirts  of  Germantown, 

light-inlantry  on  tlie  Limekiln. 

to  the  north,  and  situated  on  the  Skip- 

Washington’s  plan  of  attack,  as  de- 

pack  road,  was  a large  stone-house,  be- 

scribed  by  himself,  was,  to  march  a divi.s- 

longing  to  Chief-Justice  Chew,  a distin- 

ion  of  his  army  by  each  of  the  foui:  roads 

guished  Pennsylvanian,  inclined  to  be 

which,  as  we  have  seen,  led  to  German- 

whiggish,  but  rather  vacillating  in  his  po- 

town.  The  divisions  of  Generals  Sullivan 

litical  principles.  Wissahickon  creek,  that 

and  Wayne,  supported  by  Conway’s  bri- 

empties  into  the  Schuylkill,  was,  together 

gade,  were  to  enter  the  town  by  the  Ski|> 

with  that  river,  at  that  time  a rather  re- 

pack  road  from  the  north,  to  attack  the 

mote  western  boundary  of  the  village. 

British  centre.  The  divisions  of  Greene 

In  addition  to  the  Skippack  road,  which 

and  Stephen  were  to  take  the  Limekiln 

ran  directly  through  the  centre  of  Ger- 

road,  and  attack  their  right  wing  in  front ; 

mantown,  there  were  three  other  roads 

while  Generals  Smallwood  and  Forman, 

which  approached  it  from  the  north : the 

with  the  Maryland  and  New-Jersey  mill- 

Limekiln  and  Old  York  roads  were  on 

tia,  wei'e  to  march  by  the  Old  York  road, 

the  east  of  the  central  or  Skippack  road. 

and  fall  upon  their  rear.  The  enemy’s 

and  the  Manatawny  or  Ridge  road  to  the 

left,  on  the  Schuylkill,  was  reserved  fur 

west,  which, leading  between  Wissahickon 

General  Armstrong  and  the  Pennsylvania 

creek  and  Schuylkill  river,  crossed  the 

militia,  who  were  to  proceed  by  the  Man- 

former  at  the  southern  border  of  the  town. 

atawny  road.  Lord  Stirling,  with  Nash''^ 

. . . 

■ 1 

582  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  | part  h 


and  Maxwell’s  brigades,  was  to  form  a 
corps  de  reserve. 

The  march  began  at  seven 
Oct*  3*  * 

o’clock  in  the  evening,  Washing- 
ton accompanying  Sullivan’s  division  in 
person.  The  distance  was  long,  the  night 
dark,  and  the  road  rough  ; and  it  was  con- 
sequently daybreak  before  Sullivan’s  ad- 
vanced guard  emerged  from  the  woods 
on  Chestnut  hill.  Here  it  was  expected 
to  find  an  advanced  picket  of  the  enemy, 
but  none  made  its  appearance.  A detach- 
ment was  now  sent  forward  under  Cap- 
tain M‘Lane,  who  led  his  men  on  cautiou.s- 
ly,  as  tlie  morning  was  foggy,  and  noth- 
ing could  be  seen  in  the  distance  until  he 
reached  “Allen’s  house,”  on  Mount  Airy, 
where  he  fell  in  with  an  advanced  picket 
of  the  enemy  posted  there  with  two  six- 
pounders.  M‘Lane  attacked  it,  and  drove 
it  down  the  hill  and  back  to  the  body  of 
ligiit-infantry  stationed  in  its  rear,  and 
about  two  miles  on  the  road  in  advance 
of  General  Howe’s  centre  in  the  town. 
This  preliminary  skirmish  soon-  aroused 
tiie  enemy, and  the  whole  British  encamp- 
ment was  immediately  astir,  with  the 
drums  beating  to  arm.s. 

^ , General  Wayne  hastened  for- 

OCt.  4.  , - 1,  T r 1 

ward  to  sustain  JVTLane,  as  the 

British  light-infantry  presented  itself,  in 
full  force,  to  dispute  the  passage  of  the 
road.  Wayne’s  troops  came  on  so  impet- 
uou-sly,  that  the  enemy  broke  before  the 
encounter.  Their  officers,  however,  re- 
formed them,  and  a fierce  firing  ensued. 
They  were  nevertheless  forced  from  their 
ground ; but,  being  supported  by  the 
grenadiers,  they  came  up  once  more,  and 
renewed  the  struggle  with  great  spirit. 


Sullivan’s  division  and  Conway’s  brigade 
now  arrived  to  the  aid  of  Wayne,  when 
the  British  were  unable  to  hold  their  po- 
sition, and  were  forced  back,  struggling 
awhile  as  they  retired  ; but  Wayne’s  men 
charged  them  so  fiercely  with  the  bayo- 
net, that  they  finally  fled  for  their  lives, 
hard  pushed  by  the  Americans,  and  beg- 
ging for  mercy,  but  receiving  none.  At 
thisjuncture, however.  Colonel  Musgrave, 
with  six  companies  of  the  fortieth  regi- 
ment, succeeded  as  he  retreated  in  get- 
ting possession  of  Chew’s  large  stone 
house. 

While  Wayne,  with  the  advanced  body, 
continued  to  pursue  the  retreating  British 
into  Germantown,  the  remainder  of  the 
Americans  were  brought  to  a halt  by  Colo- 
nelMusgrave.  Thisofficer  had  barricaded 
the  doors  of  Chew’s  house,  and  from  the 
windows  his  light-infantry  kept  up  a mur- 
derous fire  upon  their  pursuers.  A dis- 
cu.ssion  now  took  place  among  the  Ameri- 
can officers.  Some  were  in  favor  of  storm- 
ing the  house,  and  others  were  opposed  to 
the  consequent  delay.  General  Reed  was 
for  pushing  on  ; General  Knox,  of  the  ar- 
tillery, however,  contended  that  it  was 
contraiy  to  all  military  precedent  to  leave 
“ a fort,”  po.ssessed  by  the  enemy,  in  the 
rear.  “ What !”  exclaimed  Reed,  “ call  that 
G‘i  fort,’  and  lose  the  happy  moment?” 
Knox’s  opinion,  nevertheless,  prevailed  ; 
and,  that  everything  might  be  done  ac- 
cording to  the  “ rules  of  war,”  it  was  de- 
termined to  send  a summons  to  tlie  com- 
mander of  “ the  fort”  to  surrender.  A 
youth  was  therefore  sent  with  a flag  in 
due  form  ; but  he  had  no  sooner  reached 
within  musket-range,  than  he  was  shot 


RF.VOLUTIONART.J  BA'I’TLE  OF  GERMANTOWN.  583 

dead.  The  artillery  was  now  brought  up, 

spirit;  and,  as  Forman  and  Smallwood, 

but  even  cannon-balls  proved  ineffectual. 

with  the  militia  of  New  Jersey  and  Ma- 

Attempts  were  at  last  made  to  set  tire  to 

ryland,  were  rapidly  getting  by  the  Old 

the  house.  Some  with  bundles  of  straw, 

York  road  to  the  rear  of  the  British  right. 

and  others  with  firebrands  of  pine-wood. 

there  was  every  prospect  of  success.  At 

made  their  way  amid  a shower  of  bullets 

this  moment,  however,  Avhether  from  the 

to  the  lower  part  of  the  building,  where 

complicated  nature  of  the  plan,  the  thick 

they  strove  to  effect  their  purpose ; but 

fog,  or  the  mere  nervous  excitement  of 

Musgrave’s  men  were  on  the  alert,  and. 

the  troop.s,  a general  panic  seized  upon 

getting  into  the  cellar  of  the  house,  shot 

the  American.s.  A great  confusion  now 

down  each  man  before  he  could  accom- 

prevailed,  and  friend  was  mistaken  for 

plish  his  object.  A half-hour  was  thus 

foe.  General  Wayne’s  division,  in  the 

lost  in  the.se  vain  and  absurd  efforts  to 

heat  of  pursuit,  was  suddenly  turned  and 

carry  out  Knox’s  formal  tactics,  and  the 

put  to  flight  by  the  approach  on  its  flank 

rear  of  Sullivan’s  division  Avas  prevented 

of  some  American  troops  which  were  be- 

from  giving  that  aid  to  General  Wayne 

lieved  to  be  those  of  the  enemy.  Ste- 

Avhich  might  have  proved  of  effective 

phen’s  division,  too,  was  thrown  into  di.s- 

service. 

order  by  making  the  same  mistake  in  re- 

General  Sullivan,  however,  in  spite  of 

gard  to  Wayne’s  corps.  Sullivan’s  men, 

this  delay  of  a part  of  his  troops,  being 

having  shot  their  last  round  of  arnmuni" 

reinforced  by  Nash’s  and  Conway’s  bri- 

tion,  had  also  been  panic-struck  by  the 

gades,  succeeded,  by  leaving  the  Skip- 

cry  that  the  enemy  were  surrounding 

pack  road,  crossing  a field,  and  marching 

them.  “ In  the  midst,”  said  Washington, 

rapidly  for  a mile,  in  coming  np  with  the 

“of  the  most  promising  appearances,  when 

left  of  the  enemy,  and  by  a vigorous  at- 

everything  gave  tlie  most  flattering  hopes 

tack  forcing  it  to  retire. 

of  victory,  the  troops  began  suddenly  to 

The  divisions  of  Generals  Greene  and 

retreat,  and  entirely  left  the  field,  in  spite 

Stephen  had,  in  accordance  with  Wash- 

of  every  effort  that  could  be  made  to  rally 

ington’s  plan,  gained  the  Limekiln  road  ; 

them.” 

but  the  latter  having  diverged,  to  assist 

It  was  not  known  until  afterward  how 

in  the  attack  on  Chew’s  house,  Greene 

near  the  Americans  were  of  gaining  a com- 

was  left  to  march  against  the  enemy’s 

plete  victory.  The  action  had  lasted  two 

right  with  none  but  his  own  troops,  con- 

hours  and  forty  minutes,  and  the  enemy 

sisting  of  Scott’s  and  Muhlenberg’s  bri- 

had  been  so  hard  pre.ssed,  that  they  were 

gades.  He  succeeded,  however,  in  dri- 

about  retreating  to  Chester.  Washington 

ving  an  advanced  guard  of  lightrinfiintry 

succeeded  in  bringing  off  all  his  artillery. 

before  him,  and  in  making  his  way  to  the 

but  lost,  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing, 

market-hou.se  in  the  town,  where  the  Brit- 

nearly  a thousand  men ; while  the  ene- 

ish  right  wing,  under  General  Grant,  was 

my,  according  to  their  own  account,  lost 

posted.  Greene  began  the  attack  with 

but  about  five  hundred.  General  Na.sh 

1 

58^  P,ATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  :i 

of  North  Carolina  was  killed,  and  Colonel 

sued  it  with  great  promptitude.  Theii 

Mathews  of  Virginia  taken  captive,  to- 

left  "wing  was  brought  up  by  General 

gether  with  a large  number  of  prisoners 

Grey,  and,  being  joined  on  the  road  by 

which  he  had  obtained  in  the  beginning 

Lord  Cornwallis  wdth  a detachment  of 

of  tlie  engagement.  The  British  general 

light-horse  from  Philadelphia,  tlie  fugi- 

Agnew  was  mortally  wounded,  together 

tives  were  followed  in  hot  pursuit.  Gen- 

with  other  officers. 

erals  Greene  and  Wayne,  however,  cov- 

It  was  during  the  retreat,  after  the  sin- 

ered  the  retreat  with  great  skill,  and  often 

gular  panic  which  seized  upon  the  army. 

brought  their  pursuers  to  a stand.  Wash- 

when  the  loss  of  the  Ameiacans  w\as  the 

ington  continued  to  retire  until  the  close 

greatest.  As  soon  as  the  British  disco v- 

of  the  day,  when  he  reached  Perkirnen 

ered  how  strangely  the  advantage  of  the 

creek,  some  twenty  miles  distant  from 

day  was  turning  in  their  favor,  they  pur- 

Germantown. 

CHAPTER  LXIII. 

Ueneral  Howe’s  Works  on  the  Delaware. — Destruction  of  the  American  Ships. — Success  of  the  British  at  Billingsport. — 

Gaps  in  tlie  Clievaux  de-Frise. — A Clear  Run. — Attack  on  Fort  Mercer. — Its  Gallant  Defence. — Repulse  of  the  Hes- 
sians.— Death  of  Count  Donop. — A Victim  of  Ambition  and  Avarice. — Attack  on  Fort  Mifflin. — Repulse  of  the  Brit- 
ish.— Burning  of  a Ship-of  War. — Effect  of  the  American  Triumph. — Another  Effort  for  the  Command  of  the  Dela- 
ware.— A Secoinl  Attack  upon  Fort  Mifflin. — Its  Heroic  Defence. — Desperate  Straits  of  the  Garrison. — Showers  of 

Bombs  and  Balls. — Fall  of  Fort  Mifflin. — Washington 
and  Putnam. — Effect  of  Age  upon  Putnam. 

n want  of  Reinforcements. — Dilatoriness  of  Generals  Gates 

General  Sir  William  Howe  no 
sooner  reached  Germantown,  and 

vessels.  The  few  armed  cruisers,  both 
public  and  private,  then  employed,  had 

took  possession  of  Phihidelphia,  than  .he 

accordingly  been  for  the  most  part  built 

strove  to  obtain  the  command  of  the  Del- 

and  prepared  for  sea  on  the  Delaware, 

aware,  in  order  to  secure  the  co-operation 

where  they  remained  until  ordered  for 

of  the  fleet  commanded  by  his  brother. 

service.  Although,  on  the  approach  of 

Admiral  Lord  Howe.  For  this  purpose. 

the  British  fleet  off  the  mouth  of  that 

as  we  have  seen,  he  had  begun  to  con- 

river,  some  of  the  vessels  had  succeeded 

struct  three  batteries  netir  the  city,  and 

in  making  their  escape  to  sea,  there  were 

prepared  to  attack  the  American  forts  on 

others  which  had  been  left,  and  had  now 

the  river. 

sought  refuge  above  the  forts  and  obstruc- 

Philadelphia,  being  a seaport,  and  at 

tions  in  the  stream.  Some  of  these  were 

that  time  the  largest  town  in  the  United 

at  this  time  above  and  others  below  the 

States,  presented  the  greatest  facilities 

city;  and  when  General  Howe  began  to 

for  constructing  and  fitting* out  naval 

O O 

erect  his  three  batteries,  it  was  obvious 

, 

r ~ 

RKVOLCTIONARY.J  DEFENCES  OF  THE  DELAWARE.— FORT  MERCER.  685 


that  the  communication  between  them 
would  be  cut  off.  The  Delaware,  a twen- 
ty-four, and  the  Doria,  a fourteen-gun  ves- 
sel, together  with  several  smaller  armed 
craft,  accordingly  moved  in  front  of  the 
British  works  and  opened  a cannonade. 
The  Delaware,  however,  was  so  unfortu- 
nately placed,  that  she  took  the  ground 
on  the  ebb  of  the  tide  ; and  her  guns  be- 
coming unmanageable,  she  was  obliged  to 
strike  to  the  enemy,  who  had  brought 
some  fieldpieces  to  bear  upon  her.  Her 
consorts  then  retired,  and  General  Howe 
was  allowed  to  continue  the  construction 
' of  his  batteries  without  interference. 

The  detachment  of  British  troops,  un- 
der Colonel  Stirling,  that  had  crossed  the 
Delaware  to  attack  the  American  works 
at  Billingsport,  on  the  New-Jersej^  side 
of  the  river,  had  succeeded  in  carrying 
them.  The  works  having  been  disman- 
tled, the  British  frigate  Roebuck  broke 
through  the  chevmix-dc-frise  which  crossed 
the  channel  of  the  Delaware  at  that  point, 
and  made  a gap  sufficiently  wide  to  ad- 
mit the  largest  man-of-war.  The  enemy’s 
next  attempt  w'as  upon  the  forts  and  che- 
vaiix-de-fnse  above.  Great  preparations 
Avere  made  for  their  defence,  as  they  were 
deemed  of  the  utmost  importance  by  the 
Americans.  Washington  himself  declared 
that  the  enemy’s  hopes  of  keeping  Phila- 
delphia, and  “■  finally  succeeding  in  the 
pre.sent  campaign,”  depended  upon  them. 
Efforts  to  carry  them  Avere  made  by  the 
Bi'itish  corresponding  Avith  those  Avhich 
Avere  put  forth  in  their  defence. 

After  the  redoubt  at  Billingsport  Avas 
taken  and  the  chevaux-de-frise  broken  by 
the  enemy,  the  defence  of  the  DehiAvare 
74 


depended  upon  the  Avorks  aboA’e — Fort 
Mercer,  at  Red  bank,  on  the  eastern  or 
NeAA'-Jersey  side;  and  FortMiffiin,on  Mud 
island,  on  the  Avestern  or  Pennsylvania 
side.  The  fortifications  of  both  Avere  fair- 
ly constructed,  and  consisted  of  redoubts 
and  outAvorks.  Tavo  Maryland  regiments, 
commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sam- 
uel Smith,  garrisoned  Fort  Mifflin;  and 
tAvo  of  Rhode  Island,  under  Colonel  Chris- 
topher Greene,  occupied  Fort  Mercer. 
With  Greene  Avas  a young  Frenchman, 
Captain  Manduit  DuplessLs,  aa’Iio  Avas  serv- 
ing in  the  American  army,  and  aa’Iio,  in 
consequence  of  his  skill  as  an  engineer, 
had  been  sent  doAvn  to  superintend  the 
construction  of  the  additional  fortifica- 
tions supposed  to  be  necessary.  The  chc- 
vanx-dc-frise  in  the  channel  beloAV  the  isl- 
ands, Avhich  Avere  his  Avoi;k,  having  been 
finished,  he  Avas  iioav  busy  in  strengthen- 
ing the  defences  at  Fort  Mercer. 

While  a party  of  men,  under  the  super- 
intendence of  Duple.«sis,  Avas  engaged,  on 
the  morning  of  the  22d  of  October,  at 
AAmrk  on  the  outer  defences,  Avhich  Avere 
still  incomplete,  a large  force  of  Hessinns 
Avas  seen  suddenly  to  come  through  the 
Avoods,  and  form  almost  Avithin  cannon- 
shot.  The  garrison  amounted  to  only  four 
hundred  men.  The  enemy  Avere  tAventy- 
five  hundred  strong.  The  outAvorks  of 
the  fort,  as  before  remarked,  Avere  unfin- 
ished, and  the  redoubt  Avithin  the  enclo- 
sure Avas  mounted  Avith  only  fourteen 
guns.  Colonel  Greene,  hoAvever,  deter 
mined  upon  defending  his  post  to  the 
last  extremity. 

When  the  Hessians  came  to  a halt. 
Count  Donop,  who  commanded  them,  or- 


586  BA'I’TLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n 


dered  a parley  to  be  beaten  by  the  drums, 
and  sent  forward  an  officer  with  a flag, 
who  summoned  the  garrison  to  surrender, 
and  threatened  that,  in  case  of  refusal,  no 
quarter  would  be  given.  “ Tell  your  com- 
mander.” replied  Greene,  “ that  we  ask  no 
quarter,  and  will  give  none  !”  Count  Do- 
nop  now  advanced  his  men  within  a short 
distance  of  the  fort,  and  began  to  raise  a 
battery. 

Colonel  Greene  was  aware,  from  the 
incomplete  state  of  his  outworks,  that  it 
would  be  in  vain  to  attempt  to  defend 
them,  and  therefore  resolved  upon  con- 
centrating his  whole  strength  within  the 
inner  redoubt.  Here,  with  his  little  gar- 
rison, he  resolved  to  hold  his  ground,  and 
if  possible  beat  off  the  superior  force  of 

^ his  antagonist.  In  the  afternoon, 
Oct.  22.  ” , . , ’ 

Count  Honop,  having  completed 

his  battery,  began  a severe  cannonade, 

and  under  the  cover  of  tlie  fire  marched 

forward  his  troops  in  two  divisions.  One 

was  to  take  the  works  on  the  north  side  ; 

while  the  other,  led  by  himself,  was  to 

make  the  assault  by  the  south. 

The  Americans  awaited  the  approach 
of  the  enemy,  and  gave  one  fire  before 
retiring  to  the  redoubt.  Tlie  Hessians 
siifi’ered  severely;  but  as  they  advanced, 
and  found  the  outworks  suddenly  aban- 
doned, they  believed  that  the  garrison 
had  fled  in  fright.  With  one  triumphant 
shout,  the  enemy  then  pushed  on,  from 
both  the  north  and  south  sides.  Passing 
through  the  uhaiiis,  crossing  the  ditches, 
and  leaping  the  pickets,  they  hurried  for- 
ward, with  flag  in  hand,  to  plant  it  exult- 
ingly  upon  the  ramparts.  Greene  waited 
until  the  scattered  Hessians  had  closed  in 


together  from  the  surrounding  outworks, 
and  crowded  towmrd  the  central  redoubt ; 
and,  while  they  were  thus  concentrated 
in  a dense  throng,  he  opened  his  artillery 
upon  them  with  terrible  effect. 

The  assailants  quailed  before  the  unex- 
pected shock,  and,  as  their  comrades  fell 
thickly  about  them,  would  have  fled,  had 
not  the  brave  Count  Donop  sprung  for- 
ward and  rallied  them.  They  came  on 
again  impetuously,  but  a second  cannon- 
ade from  the  redoubt  checked  their  on- 
set, and  caused  them  to  waver.  Rallying 
once  more,  they  were  again  pushing  for- 
ward to  the  assault,  Avhen  another  mur- 
derous fire  drove  them  back,  and  they 
fled  in  confusion  from  the  Avorks.  As  they 
were  retreating  from  the  outer  defences, 
the  American  flotilla  of  gun-boats  and  gal- 
leys, under  Commodore  Hazelwood,  di- 
rected its  guns  upon  the  fugitives,  and 
galled  them  severely. 

The  loss  of  the  Hessians  amounted  to 
nearly  four  hundred,  while  that  of  the 
Americans  was  only  eight  killed  and  twen- 
ty-nine wounded.  While  the  young  en- 
gineer, Captain  Duplessis,  was  out  with  a 
small  detachment,  making  a survey  of 
the  results  of  the  engagement,  he  heard 
a voice  from  among  the  dead  and  dying: 
“ Whoever  you  are,  draw  me  hence.”  It 
was  that  of  Count  Donop.  Duplessis  had 
him  instantly  borne  into  the  fort,  Avhere 
he  lingered  for  three  days,  and  finally 
died,  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven.  “ This 
is  finishing  a noble  career  early,”  said  he 
shortly  before  his  death,  “and  I die  the 
victim  of  my  ambition  and  of  the  avarice 
of  my  sovereign.”* 

* Tlie  elector  of  Hesse  Ciissel. 


REvoLUTiONAiir.]  BURNING  OF  BRITISH  SHIPS.— FORT  MIFFLIN.  587 

The  second  in  command  of  the  lies- 

on  her  quarter  to  render  her  shot-proof 

sian.s,  LieutenantrColonel  Mingerode,  was 

The  rest  of  the  squadron  dropped  down 

also  severely  wounded  in  the  assault,  and 

the  river,  and  abandoned  the  attack,  to 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Linsing  succeeded. 

avoid  the  dangerous  neighborhood  of 

lie  strove  to  reform  his  troops,  but,  in 

the  burning  ship,  which,  after  blazing  n 

spite  of  his  efforts,  they  fled  in  confusion 

short  time,  and  the  fire  having  reached 

to  Haddonfield. 

her  magazine,  blew  up  with  a terrific  ex- 

Simultaneously  with  the  attack  by  land 

plosion.  Most  of  her  crew  succeeded  in 

on  Fort  Mercer,  the  British  vessels  in  the 

saving  theniselves,but  the  .second-lieuten- 

Delaware  itiade  an  attempt  upon  Fort 

ant,  the  chaplain,  a gunner,  and  .several 

Mifflin,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  chan- 

sailors,  perished.  The  Merlin  being  still 

ncl.  Admiral  Howe  sent  up  from  below 

fast,  the  British  determined  to  leave  her 

(where  his  fleet  was  anchored  off  the 

to  her  fate ; and  accordingly  the  crew. 

Pennsylvania  shore,  between  Ruddy  isl- 

having  set  fire  to  her,  took  to  their  boats. 

and  and  Newcastle)  a squadron,  consist- 

and  pulled  off  to  the  other  vessels. 

ing  of  the  Augusta,  a sixty-four,  the  Mer- 

The  succe.ssful  resistance  of  the  hit'; 

lin  sloop-of-war,  the  Roebuck,  a forty- four. 

on  the  Delaware  was  a source  of  great 

and  several  smaller  ships.  They  succeed- 

satisfaction  to  the  country,  and  Congress  . 

ed,  after  the  successful  attack  at  Billings- 

gave  expre.ssion  to  the  feeling  by  voting 

port,  in  readily  passing  through  the  gap 

thanks  and  swords  to  Colonels  Smith  and 

in  the  chevauz-de-frise  which  had  been  con- 

Greene  and  Commodore  Hazelwood. 

structed  ; but,  while  sailing  up  toward  the 

As  General  Howe’s  security  at  Phihi- 

fort,  the  Augusta  and  the  Merlin  got  fast 

delphia  (ivliere  he  now  proposed  to  make 

aground,  in  consequence  of  the  channel 

his  winter-quarters)  depended  upon  his 

having  been  altered  by  the  obstructions 

wresting  the  command  of  the  Delaware 

placed  above.  This  delayed  the  attack, 

from  the  American.s,  he  and  his  brother 

„ and  it  was  put  off  until  the  fol- 
Oct.  23i  ^ 

resolved  to  persist  in  their  efforts,  in  spite 

lowing  day.  When  the  morning 

of  their  first  fruitless  attempts.  Washing- 

opened,  the  men-of-war  began  a heavy 

ton,  too,  was  equally  determined  to  throw 

cannonade  upon  Fort  Mifflin,  which  was 

every  obstacle  in  their  way  ivithin  his 

returned  by  both  the  fort  itself  and  from 

power.  But  he  was  greatly  crippled  for 

the  American  galleys  in  the  river.  In 

want  of  troops.  General  Gates  having 

the  meantime,  every  effort  was  made  by 

withheld  the  reinforcements  which  the 

the  English  to  get  off  the  Augusta  and 

commandei’-in-chief  had  expected  from 

the  Merlin,  but  they  stuck  so  fast,  that  it 

the  northern  army ; and,  until  their  arri- 

was  found  impracticable.  The  Americans 

val,  it  was  with  difficulty  that  a single 

now  sent  down  some  fire-ships,  in  order 

man  could  be  spared  from  his  camp  for 

to  destroy  them,  but  without  effect.  Soon 

operations  elsewhere.  Small  detachments 

after,  however,  the  Augusta  took  fire  from 

of  troops  were,  however,  sent  to  both  Fort 

some  pressed  hay  which  had  been  secured 

Mifflin  and  Fort  Mercer;  and  General  Var- 

S8S  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  LPArt  ii. 

num  was  despatched  with  his  brigade  to 

up  all  hopes  of  a successful  resistance. 

Red  bank,  in  order  to  be  in  readiness  to 

and  wrote  to  this  effect  to  Washinorton  ; 

give  any  aid  that  might  be  required  by 

but  he  was  urged,  in  reply,  to  defend  the 

either  garrison. 

post  to  the  last.  Smith,  accordingly,  did 

Between  the  Pennsylvania  shore  and 

his  utmost.  . 

Mud  island,  upon  which  Fort  Mifflin  was 

The  British  at  length  had  everything 

situated,  was  Province  island,  an  oozy  bit 

in  readiness  for  an  attack,  and  began  to 

of  land,  mostly  under  water.  Tliere  were, 

open  their  batteries  from  Prov-  , 

^ Nov*  I0« 

however, two  dry  spots  upon  it.only  about 

ince  island.  The  garrison  of  Fort 

four  or  live  hundred  yards  from  the  west- 

Mifflin  returned  the  fire  with  spirit;  but 

ern  side  of  Fort  Mifflin,  where  the  de- 

the  heavy  guns  of  the  enemy,  firing  both 

fences,  consisting  only  of  palisades,  a sin- 

shell  and  ball,  were  doing  irreparable  mis- 

gle  cannon,  and  two  blockhouses,  were 

chief.  On  the  first  day,  the  blockhouses 

exceedingly  weak.  Lieutenant- Colonel 

and  the  new  two-gun  battery,  on  the  out- 

Smith,  in  command  of  the  garrison  of 

side  of  the  fort,  were  demolished,  and 

Fort  Mifflin,  strove  to  provide  against  the 

Lieutenant  Treat  killed.  On  the  next. 

danger  from  this  quarter.  He  erected  a 

away  went  the  strong  palisades,  ^ ^ 

. two-gun  battery  on  Mud  island  (where 

a cannon  in  one  of  the  embra- 

his  fort  was),  to  command  the  dry  place 

sures,  and  the  barracks  shattered  into  ru- 

on  Province  island.  The  enennq  in  the 

ins.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Smith  was  now 

meantime,  had  marched  down  in  consid- 

disabled.  He  was  engaged  in  writing  a 

erable  force  from  Philadelphia,  in  order 

note  to  General  Varnum,  in  command  of 

to  take  possession  of  this  ground,  with  the 

the  reserve  force  on  the  New-Jersey  side 

view  of  operating  against  Fort  Mifflin. 

of  the  Delaware,  when  the  chimney  of  the 

They  had  sent  a party,  under  an  officer. 

barrack-room,  being  struck  by  a cannon- 

to  make  a preliminary  survey  of  Prov- 

ball,  fell,  scattering  the  bricks  in  every 

nice  island,  preparatory  to  the  erection 

direction,  one  of  which  knocked  the  com- 

of  their  works,  when  LieutenantrColonel 

mander  senseless  to  the  ground.  He  was 

Smith  brought  such  a well-directed  fire 

then  borne  away  and  taken  across  to  Red 

to  bear  upon  them  from  his  new  battery. 

bank.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Russell  was 

that  they  were  forced,  after  the  loss  of 

the  next  in  command,  but  he  was  unable, 

their  commander,  to  retreat  to  the  main- 

from  ill  health  and  fatigue,  to  take  charge ; 

land. 

and  Major  Thayer,  of  Rhode  Island,  vol- 

The  British,  however,  crossing  over  in 

unteered  to  assume  the  duty. 

larger  numbers,  soon  made  good  their  po- 

On  the  third  day  the  garrison  still  held 

sition  upon  Province  island,  and  ivere  en- 

out ; but  the  British,  by  their  incessant 

abled  to  erect  no  less  than  five  batteries 

cannonade,  having  demolished 

within  only  five  hundred  yards  of  Fort 

^ c>  Mov»  12i 

the  outer  works,  it  was  found  ne- 

Mifflin.  This  looked  so  formidable,  that 

cessary  to  keep  within  the  fort.  Colonel 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Smith  be<>:an  to  irive 

o n 

Fleury,  the  Frunch  engineer,  made  every 

. 

RKVOLCTiONAuy.]  FALL  OF  FORT  MIFFLIN.  68i 

effort  to  repair  the  works,  but  without 

In  the  evening,  Major  Thayer  deter- 

success.  The  enemy  kept  up  llieir  fire 

mined  to  give  the  survivors  a chance  of 

night  and  day.  Fleury,  however,  declared 

escape,  and  accordingly  sent  most  of  the 

that  the  fort  could  still  be  defended,  pro- 

garrison  ashore.  He,  together  with  Cap- 

vided  reinforcements  should  arrive.  The 

tains  Fleury  and  Talbot  (although  the 

reinforcements  came  from  General  Var- 

two  latter  were  wounded),  remained  with 

num,  and  the  garrison  still  persisted  in 

thirty  men  until  midnight,  in  order  to  re- 

their  gallant  resistance. 

move  the  military  store.s.  This  being  ac- 

„ During  the  night  of  the  third 

Nov*  13*  ^ ^ 

complished,  they  retired  to  Bed 

day,  the  British  fleet  succeeded 

bank,  having  first  set  fire  to  what 

in  co-operating  with  their  land-force.  A 

was  left  of  the  woodwork  of  the  fort.  The 

merchantman  was  cut  down,  and,  beino; 

loss  of  the  Americans  during  this  gallant 

made  into  a floating  battery,  was  towed 

strui^ale  of  the  little  garrison  at  Fort  Mif- 

oo  o 

within  gun-shot  of  the  fort,  and  early  in 

flin  against  such  overwhelming  odds,  Avas 

the  morning  began  a heavy  cannonade ; 

two  hundred  and  fifty  in  killed  and  wound- 

but  before  noon  its  guns  were  silenced 

ed. 

by  a well-directed  fire  from  the  still-re- 

The  loss  of  Fort  Mifflin  led  to  a good 

sisting  garrison.  On  the  following  day. 

deal  of  invidious  remark  on  the  part  of 

several  men-of-war  also  bore  up  to  the 

the  censorious,  and  Washington  thought 

attack:  two  passed  into  the  channel  be- 

it  necessary  to  justify  his  conduct.  It 

tween  Province  island  and  the  fort ; two 

Avas  contended  that  he  should  have  given 

took  position  in  front;  and  others  an- 

greater  relief  to  the  fort,  but  it  Avas  clear 

chored  toward  the  New-Jersey  shore,  that 

that  he  had  done  all  that  his  resources 

their  guns  might  bear  upon  Fort  Mercer. 

enabled  him  to  do.  He  had  thrown  such 

In  spite  of  this  formidable  force,  the  brave 

a garrison  into  Fort  Mifflin  as  had  been 

garrison,  exhausted  as  it  was  with  fatigue. 

found  before  sufficient  to  defend  it  to  the 

still  held  out.  The  enemy  continued  to 

last  extremity ; and  he  had  likeAvise  sta- 

pour  in  their  shot  and  bombshells  from 

tinned  General  Varnum’s  brigade  at  Fort 

land-battery  and  ship’s  broadside,  and  yet 

Mercer,  opposite,  to  be  in  readiness  to 

not  a sign  of  surrender  from  those  reso- 

give  his  aid.  The  only  other  practicable 

lute  men.  The  fort  was  in  ruins,  nianv 

mode  of  giving  relief  to  the  beleaguered 

of  the  guns  dismounted,  and  almost  every 

fort  Avould  have  been  to  dislodge  the  en- 

wall  beaten  down  level  with  the  marsh 

emy  from  Province  island.  To  have  done 

of  the  island.  The  British  ships  had  com- 

this,  hoAvever,  it  Avould  have  been  neces- 

pletely  surrounded  the  place,  and  closed 

sary  to  remove  the  Avhole  or  a consider- 

in  so  near,  that  hand-grenades  were  flung 

able  portion  of  the  army  to  the  Avestern 

into  the  fort,  and  men  were  killed  upon 

bank  of  the  Schuylkill.  There  Avere  many 

the  platforms  by  sailors  in  the  maintops ; 

and  very  forcible  reasons  against  such  a 

and  yet  the  garrison  struggled  manfully 

movement.  The  stores  at  Easton,  Beth- 

on  through  the  whole  day  against  fate. 

lehem,  and  Allentown,  Avould  have  been 

'' 

— 

590  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part 

uncovered,  and  the  post  at  Red  bank  im- 

Both  of  these  generals  Avere  evidently 

protected.  It  was  also  shown  that,  with 

anxious  to  do  something  on  their  OAvn 

the  army  on  the  west  side  of  the  Schuyl- 

account,  and  Avere  not  disposed  to  dimin- 

kill,  the  British  would  have  been  able  to 

ish  the  forces  under  their  eommands,  and 

throw  over  such  a force  into  New  Jersey 

thus  lessen  the  hopes  of  striking  a blow 

as  to  overpower  the  garrison  at  Red-bank, 

Avhich  might  resound  to  their  glory.  Both 

and  so  cut  off  all  supplies  from  Fort  Mif- 

may  have  been  actuated  by  the  best  of 

llin,  opposite  ; and  “ thus  w'e  should,”  said 

motives,  although  it  Avas  supposed  that 

Washington,  “ in  all  probability,  have  lost 

Gates  Avas  influenced  by  an  ignominious 

both  posts  by  one  stroke.”  The  enemy. 

desire  of  tliAvarting  Washington,  Avhom  he 

too,  hy  taking  possession  of  the  fords  up- 

Avas  suspected  of  intriguing  to  supersede 

on  the  Schuylkill,  after  Washington  had 

in  the  chief  command.  The  patriotism 

crossed,  might  have  rendered  the  expect- 

of  General  Putnam  Avas  beyond  suspicion. 

ed  junction  of  the  northern  army  imprac- 

but  in  the  course  of  increasing  years  he 

ticable;  and  “should  any  accident  have 

had  become  self-willed,  and,  haA'ing  enter- 

happened  to  them,”  continued  the  com- 

tained  the  project  of  an  attack  upon  New 

mander-in-chief,  “ we  should  have  stood 

York,  Avas  not  inclined  to  give  up  his  pet 

a very  poor  chance  of  looking  General 

idea,  Avhich  he  nursed  Avith  all  the  fond- 

Ilowe  in  the  fixce  through  the  winter. 

ness  of  dotage,  hoAvever  chimerical  and 

Avith  an  inferior  army.”  The  chief  diffi- 

absurd.  Young  Hamilton,  nevertheless. 

culty  in  the  way  of  energetic  operations 

though  he  found  “many  unaccountable 

was  the  delay  of  the  march  of  the  troops 

delnys  thrown  in  his  way,”  succeeded  by 

from  the  North. 

his  prompt  energies  in  overcoming  them. 

The  want  of  the  reinforcements  from 

and  soon  extorted  from  the  aged  Putnam 

General  Gates’s  army  greatly  embarrassed 

and  the  unAvillino;  Gates  those  reinforce- 

all  Washington’s  measures;  and  so  anx- 

ments  from  Albany  and  Peekskill,  which, 

ions  was  he  for  their  arrival,  that  he  de- 

had  they  come  at  an  earlier  day,  might 

spatched  Colonel  Alexander  Hamilton,  to 

have  saved  the  forts  on  the  DelaAvare 

do  his  best  to  push  them  forward.  It  was 

and  rendered  Philadelphia  at  least  “a  very 

not  only  Gates,  at  Albany,  who  was  so 

ineligible  situation  for  the  enemy”  during 

dilatory,  but  Putnam  also,  at  Peekskill. 

the  winter. 

1 

r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  FORT  MERCER  SURRENDERS  TO  LORD  CORNWALLIS.  591 

CHAPTER  LXIV. 

Full  of  Fort  Mercer. — Washiny;ton  too  late. — The  Briti.sh 

command  the  Delaware. — A Gallant  Naval  Expltit. — The 

Ralei'jh  and  the  Alfred. — Their  Cruise. — Siicce.ssful  Attack  upon  a Fleet. — Success  of  American  Privateers. — Wash- 

infjton  at  AVhitemarsh. — Arrival  of  the  Northern  Army. — 

!ts  Miserable  Plight. — Shoes  wanted. — A Suhstitnte  proposed. 

— Raw-Hide  a Failure. — Plans  of  Attack. — Sir  William 

Howe  on  the  Move. — General  Greene  ordered  to  march. — 

The  Marquis  Laifayette  finds  a Chance  for  Glory. — His 

Extensive  Designs. — Martial  Fancies. — Lafayette  gets  into 

Danger,  hut  gets  out  of  it. — His  own  Account  of  the  Affair. — He  is  rewarded  with  the  Command  of  a Division. — Gen- 

eral  Stephen  superseded. — Howe  offers  Battle. — Washing 
phia. — Washington  in  search  of  Winter-Quarters. 

ton  remains  on  the  Defensive. — Howe  returns  to  Philadel- 

Fort  Mercer,  situated,  as  before 
1777*  ^ 

described,  at  Red-bank,  on  the  New- 

ever,  too  late.  Cornwallis  approached 
with  so  large  a force,  before  the  reinforce- 

Jersey  side  of  the  Delaware,  was  still  in 

ments  sent  by  Washington  could  arrive. 

possession  of  the  Americans.  The  fort 

that  it  was  futile  to  attempt  resistance ; 

was  held  by  the  garrison  which,  under  the 

and  Red-bank  was  thus  abandoned  to  the 

command  of  Colonel  Greene,  Inid  so  gal- 

enemy,  leaving  the  Delaware,  from  the 

lantly  repulsed  Count  Donop  and  his  Hes- 

capes  to  Philadelphia,  in  the  full  posses- 

sians;  and  General  Varnum  with  his  hri- 

sion  of  the  Howes.  The  Americans  now 

gade  was  stationed  in  the  neighborhood. 

destroyed  tlie  few  sea-vessels  which  they 

As  this  post  partially  commanded  the  Del- 

had  in  the  river,  consisting  of  the  Andrea 

aware,  thus  embarrassing  the  movements 

Doria,  of  fourteen  guns,  and  the  Hornet 

of  the  British  fleet,  and  protecting  the 

and  the  Wasp,  of  ten  and  eight  respect- 

few  American  armed  vessels  in  the  river. 

ively.  The  galleys,  by  keeping  close  in 

it  was  determined  to  make  an  eflbrt  to 

to  the  New-Jersey  shore,  were  enabled  to 

hold  it.  With  this  view.  Generals  St.  Clair 

make  their  escape  to  the  shallow  water 

and  Knox,  and  Baron  de  Kalb,  were  sent 

above  the  city. 

down  by  Washington  to  take  a survey  of 

While  these  occurrences  were  taking 

the  ground,  and  to  ende.ivor  to  form  a 

place  on  the  Delaware,  there  was  a gal- 

judgment  of  the  most  probable  means  of 

lant  little  exploit  effected  at  sea,  which 

securing  its  posses.sion.  Soon  afterward 

proved  that  there  was  still  some  spirit 

intelligence  was  received  thata  large  Brit- 

left  among  American  naval  nien,although 

ish  force,  commanded  by  Lord  Cornwal- 

their  character  for  daring  had  been  some- 

lis,  had  crossed  the  Delaware  from  Phila- 

what  tarnished  by  the  conduct  of  Com- 

delphia  to  New  Jersey ; and  it  being  in- 

modore  Hazelwood  and  his  officers,  who 

ferred  that  his  object  was  Red-bank,  Wa.sh- 

w'ere  thought  to  have  been  less  efficient 

inscton  ordered  Generals  Greene  and  Hun- 

than  they  might  have  been  during  the 

tingdon,  together  with  Glover’s  brigade. 

brave  but  unsucce.ssful  struggle  to  hold 

to  march  to  its  support.  They  were,  how- 

the  forts  on  the  Delaware. 

j 

592  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  it. 


The  Raleigli,  a twelve-pounder  frigate, 
having  been  fitted  out  at  Portsmouth,  in 
New  Hampshire,  was  put  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Thompson,  and  sailed  in 
company  with  tlie  Alfred,  a twenty-gun 
vessel,  commanded  by  Captain  Hinman. 
Their  first  commission  was  to  proceed  to 
France,  in  order  to  bring  thence  military 
stores  that  were  awaiting  transportation 
to  America.  They  got  to  sea,  and  made 
a good  run  of  the  coast,  when  they  fell  in 
with  the  Nancy,  a trader,  and  captured 
her.  From  her  captain  it  was  discovered 
that  she  had  been  left  the  day  before  by 
the  Windward-i.sland  fleet  of  merchant- 
men, bound  to  the  West  Indies,  which  was 
under  the  convoy  of  four  British  men-of- 
war,  the  Camel,  the  Druid,  the  Weasel, 
and  the  Grasshopper.  Captain  Thomp- 
son, having  learned  their  probable  posi- 
tion, resolved  to  give  chase.  In  twenty- 
^ ^ g four  hours  he  got  sight  of  them 
from  his  masthead,  and  before 
nio-ht  he  was  close  enough  to  count  the 
sixty  sail  composing  the  convoy,  and  to 
discover  the  positions  of  the  men-of-vvar. 
Thompson, having  obtained  from  his  prize 
(the  Nancy)  the  signals  of  the  enemy,  sig- 
nalled his  consort  as  if  she  belonged  to 
the  convoy.  The  two  were  astern,  and 
to  the  windward  of  the  British  fleet ; and 
at  night  Thompson  spoke  the  Alfred,  and 
told  her  commander  to  keep  near  him,  as 
he  intended  to  run  in  among  the  enemy 
and  lay  the  commodore  aboard. 

In  the  course  of  the  night  the  wind 
came  round  to  the  northward ; and  the 
fleet  having  hauled  by  the  wind,  the  Ba- 
le! i'll  and  the  Alfred  were  broimht  to  the 

o o 

leeward.  At  break  of  day  the  breeze 


freshened  ; and  as,  in  order  to  effect  his 
purpose,  it  was  necessary  to  carry  more 
sail,  Thompson  ordered  the  canvas  to  be 
spread.  Unfortunately,  the  Alfred  could 
not  bear  it,  and  fell  to  the  leeward  a long 
distance;  while  the Baleigh, under  double- 
reefed  topsails,  fetched  handsomely  into 
the  fleet.  Thompson  could  not  shorten 
sail,  lest  he  might  be  detected  as  a stran- 
ger; and,  giving  up  all  hope  of  aid  from 
his  consort,  he  boldly  steered  in  among 
the  enemy’s  ships,  and  hove  to,  in  order 
that  the  merchantmen  astern  might  draw 
more  ahead  of  him.  He  now  filled  away, 
and,  steering  directly  through  the  con- 
voy, made  for  the  vessel-of-war  most  to 
the  windward.  As  he  passed,  he  spoke 
some  of  the  merchantmen  ; and,  in  order 
to  keep  up  his  deception,  he  gave  them 
orders  about  their  course,  and  continued 
to  use  the  enemy’s  signals.  With  her 
guns  housed  and  her  ports  lowered,  and 
there  being  no  visible  preparations  for 
action,  none  as  yet  suspected  the  true 
character  of  the  Raleigh, 

Captain  Thompson  now  ran  his  ship 
alongside  the  Druid,  of  twenty  guns,  com- 
manded by  Captain  Carteret, and,running 
out  his  guns  and  setting  his  ensign,  or- 
dered the  enemy  to  strike.  The  Druid 
was  so  taken  by  surprise,  that  everything 
on  board  of  her  was  thrown  into  confu- 
sion, and  even  her  sails  got  aback.  The 
Raleio-h  at  this  moment  threw  into  her  a 

O 

heavy  broadside,  which  served  to  increase 
the  disorder.  Thompson  continued  firing, 
and  with  such  rapidity,  that  in  twenty 
minutes  he  had  poured  into  his  enemy  a 
dozen  broadsides,  without  receiving  hard- 
ly a shot  in  return.  A squall  coming  on. 


1 

RK.VOI.UTIONARY.]  CAPTAIN  THOMPSON’S  GALLANT  NAVAL  I-:XPLOIT.  693 

closed  in  the  two  vessels  from  all  view  of 

arrived  too  late  to  save  it.  Shoes  had 

the  rest;  but,  when  it  cleared  away,  the 

become  so  scarce  in  the  camp,  that  the 

convoy  was  seen  scattered,  and  making 

commander-in-chief  was  induced  to  offer 

off  in  all  directions.  The  other  vessels- 

a reward  for  a substitute.  Accordingly 

of-war,  however,  were  coming  up  to  the 

the  following  was  posted  about,  as  a stim- 

rescue  of  the  Druid,  and  Thompson  found 

ulus  to  the  inventive  genius  of  the  army  : 

it  necessary  to  leave  his  adversary.  He 

The  commander-in-chief  offers  a re- 

therefore  ran  to  the  leeward  and  joined 

ward  of  ten  dollars  to  any  person  who 

his  consort,  the  Alfred.  Shortening  sail. 

shidl,  by  nine  o’clock  on  Monday  morn- 

the  two  ships  waited  for  the  British  men- 

ing,  produce  the  best  substitute  for  shoes, 

of-war  to  come  up  ; but,  night  ap- 
i ept.  0,  tPe  latter  hauled  in 

made  of  raw-hides.  The  commissary  of 
hides  is  to  furnish  the  hides,  and  the  ma- 

with  the  fleet  again.  Thompson  followed 

jor-general  of  the  day  is  to  judge  of  tile 

them  for  some  days,  but  did  not  succeed  in 

essays,  and  assign  the  reward  to  the  best 

provoking  them  to  a combat.  The  Druid 

artist.” 

was  so  greatly  damaged  in  the  encounter, 

What  the  result  was,  has  never  been 

that  she  was  obliged  to  return  to  England 

recorded  ; although  it  is  probable  that,  as 

for  repairs.  Her  loss  was  six  killed  and 

shoes  remained  for  a lomir  time  subse- 

o 

twenty-six  wounded  ; that  of  the  Raleigh 

quently  a pressing  want  in  the  army,  the 

was  only  three  men  killed  and  wounded.* 

raw-hide  substitute  never  came  into  use. 

During  the  whole  year  1777,  the  loss 

While  Lord  Cornwallis  was  marching 

of  the  British  commercial  marine  was  no 
less  than  four  hundred  and  sixty-seven 
sail,  principally  taken  by  American  pri- 
vateers, though  seventy  men-of-war  were 
kept  on  the  American  coast  alone  to  pro- 
tect English  vessels.-j- 

Nov  22  Washington’s  present  encamp- 

ment was  at  Whitemarsh,  within 

against  Red-bank,  a council  of  war  was 
held  in  the  American  camp,  to  consider 
the  propriety  of  taking  advantage  of  the 
occasion  of  his  absence,  to  make  an  attack 
on  Philadelphia.  Four  of  the  fifteen  gen- 
eral officers  were  in  favor  of  it,  but  eleven 
opposed  it,  and  the  idea  was  abandoned. 
This,  no  doubt,  -was  a judicious  resolve ; 

1 

fourteen  miles  of  Philadelphia.  While 

for,  although  the  enemy  left  at  Philadel- 

here,  the  northern  army  at  last  arrived. 

phia  were  not  greater  in  number  than 

and  in  such  wretched  condition  in  regard 

Washington’s  army,  now  that  he  was  re- 

to  clothing,  that  a large  part  of  Morgan’s 

inforced  by  the  northern  troops,  their  dis- 

corps  had  to  remain  in  camp  for  want  of 

cipline  and  condition  were  much  better. 

shoes,  and  only  a hundred  and  seventy 

Sir  William  Howe,  too,  having  concentra- 

were  sufficiently  well  shod  to  be  able  to 

ted  his  troops  within  the  city,  had  pro- 

march  when  Washington  was  sending 

tected  them  by  skilfully-constructed  de- 

those  reinforcements  to  Red-bank  which 

fensive  works.  His  lines  on  the  north 

♦ History  of  the  Navy  of  the  United  States,  by  J.  Fenni- 
more  Cocper.  t Ib. 

75 

side  of  Philadelphia  stretched  from  river 
to  river,  and  were  defended  by  a chain 

1 

1 

b94 

of  fourteen  strong  redoubts,  with  here  and 
there  abattis  and  circular  works,  while  his 
flanks  were  each  protected  by  a river,  and 
his  rear  by  the  junction  of  two. 

General  Howe,  finding  that  Washing- 
ton was  not  disposed  to  attack  him  in  his 
encampment  at  Philadelphia,  resolved  up- 
on a forward  movement  himself,  hoping, 
as  he  said  in  his  despatch  to  the  British 
minister,  that  it  would  “ be  attended  with 
the  success  that  is  due  to  the  activity  and 
spirit  of  his  majesty’s  troops.”  Washing- 
tbn  had  been  well  informed  of  the  inten- 
tions of  the  enemy,  and  as  early  as  the 
28th  of  November  declared  that  he  would 
“ not  be  disappointed  if  they  come  out 
this  night  or  very  early  in  the  morning.” 
He  accordingly  wrote  to  General  Greene 
(who  was  now  returning  from  his  futile 
march  into  New  Jersey,  where  he  had  ar- 
rived too  late  to  thwart  Cornwalli.s’s  ex- 
pedition against  Red-bank),  urging  him 
to  push  forward  the  rear  brigades  with  all 
despatch,  and  hasten  on  himself  to  the 
camp. 

During  this  march  of  Greene,  the  young 
marquis  de Lafayette  had  an  opportunity, 
for  which  he  was  ever  eager,  of  gratifying 
his  desire  for  military  glory.  After  his 
wound  at  the  battle  of  the  Brandywine, 
he  had  been  conducted  to*Bethlehem,  in 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained,  under 
the  nursing  care  of  the  kindly  Moravians, 
for  nearly  two  months.  While  listening 
to  the  sermons  of  the  peace-loving  breth- 
ren, the  marquis,  with  the  ardor  so  natu- 
ral to  youth,  was  concocting  all  kinds  of 
military  schemes.  He  planned  a descent 
upon  the  English  West-India  islands, which 
he  proposed  to  attack  with  the  connivance 


i 

[l-ART  11 

of  the  French  commander  of  Martinique, 
to  whom  he  wrote,,  explaining  his  design. 

He  also  conceived  an  extensive  expedi- 
tion against  the  British  possessions  in  the 
East  Indies,  and  solicited  permission  from 
the  French  prime  minister  to  conduct  an 
American  force  to  the  Isle  of  France, 
whence  he  proposed  to  strike  his  great 
blow  against  the  English  power  in  the 
East.  The  marquis  found  the  good  Mo- 
ravians as  little  disposed  to  concur  with 
his  grand  views  of  stirring  up  the  whole 
world  to  contention  as  he  was  to  follow 
their  precepts  of  universal  love.  They 
ceased  not  to  deplore  “ his  warlike  poli- 
cy,” but  he  continued  to  indulge  in  his 
martial  fancies.  They  preached  peace, 
but  his  voice  was  “still  for  war.” 

Lafayette  now  became  impatient,  and 
determined,  although  not  yet  completely 
cured  of  his  wound, seek  an  opportu- 
nity of  carrying  his  martial  theories  into 
practice.  When  General  Greene’s  trum- 
pets, therefore,  sounded  in  his  ears,  he 
bade  good-by  to  the  peaceful  Moravians, 
and  buckled  on  his  sword  again.  Greene 
welcomed  the  young  marquis,  and  giati- 
fied  his  eagerness  for  fight,  by  allowing 
him,  in  accordance  with  his  own  request, 
to  reconnoitre  Cornwallis  on  the  earl’s  re- 
turn from  Red-bank,  and  to  make  an  at- 
tack if  the  circumstances  should  justify 
it.  Lafayette  accordingly  went  off  in 
high  spirits,  with  ten  light-horse,  about  a 
hundred  and  fifty  riflemen,  and  two  pick- 
ets of  militia. 

Lord  Cornwallis  was  just  on  the  point 
of  sending  his  troops  across  the  Delaware 
at  Gloucester,  when  Lafayette,  in  his  ea- 
gerness to  reconnoitre,  came  so  close  to 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


■ 

RICVOLDTIONARY.]  LAFAYETTE  SUPERSEDES  GENERAL  STEPHEN.  598 

the  enemy,  tliat  he  was  near  being  cut  off 

it  in  the  conclusion  of  his  letter ; “ I take 

by  a company  of  dragoons  sent  to  inter- 

the  greatest  pleasure  in  letting  you  know 

cept  him.  He  escaped,  however,  and  lived 

that  the  conduct  of  our  soldiers  was  above 

to  engage  in  a skirmish,  and  to  describe 

all  praise.  I never  saw  men  so  merry,  so 

it,  whicli  he  did  as  follows  in  a letter  to 

spirited,  and  so  desiro\is  to  go  on  to  the 

General  Washington : — 

enemy,  whatever  force  they  might  have. 

“After  having  spent,”  wrote  the  mar- 

as  that  small  party,  in  this  little  fight.”=^ 

qiiis,  “ the  most  j)artof  the  day  in  making 

When  the  account  of  the  skiianish  was 

myself  well  acquainted  with  the  certainty 

transmitted  to  Congress  by  Washington, 

of  the  enemy’s  motions,  I came  pretty 

with  this  acknowledgment  of  Lafayette’s 

late  into  the  Gloucester  road,  between 

gallantry — “ I am  convinced  he  possesses 

the  two  creeks.  I had  ten  light-horse, 

a large  .share  of  that  military  ardor  which 

almost  one  hundred  andfifty  riflemen,and 

generally  characterizes  the  nobility  of  his 

two  pickets  of  militia.  Colonel  Armand, 

country”  — that  body  appointed  the  mar- 

Colonel  Launney,  and  the  chevaliers  Du- 

quis  to  the  command  of  the  division  in 

plessis  and  Gimat,  were  the  Frenchmen 

the  continental  army  lately  v.acated  by 

with  me.  A scout  of  my  men,  under 

the  dismission  of  General  Stephen,  of  Vir- 

Duplessis,  went  to  ascertain  how  near  to 

ginia,  who  had  unfortunately  acquired 

Gloucester  were  the  enemy’s  first  j^ick- 

habits  which  rendered  him  unfit  for  ser- 

ets;  and  they  found,  at  the  distance  of 

vice,  and  threw  a shade  over  the  bright 

two  miles  and  a half  from  that  place,  a 

reputation  of  his  earlier  days. 

strong  post  of  three  hundred  and  fifty 

The  movement  of  General  Howe  did 

Hessians,  with  fieldpieces,  and  they  en- 

not  occur  quite  as  soon  as  was  expected, 

gaged  immediately.  As  my  little  recon- 

and  it  was  not  until  the  4th  of  December 

noitring-party  were  all  in  fine  spirits,  I 

that  word  was  brought  into  Wa.shington’s 

supported  them.  We  pushed  the  Hes- 

camp  at  Whitemarsh  that  the  enemy  were 

sians  more  than  half  a mile  from  the  place 

about  attacking  it  that  night.  A detach- 

where  their  main  body  had  been,  and  we 

ment  of  one  hundred  men,  under  Captain 

made  them  run  very  fast.  British  rein- 

M Lane,  was  immediately  sent  out  to  re- 

forcements  came  twice  to  them,  but,  very 

connoitre.  They  soon  discovered  a van- 

far  from  recovering  their  ground,  they 

guard  of  the  British  on  the  Germantown 

always  retreated.  The  darkness  of  the 

road,  and  managed  to  harass  and  check 

night  prevented  us  from  pursuing  our  ad- 

its  approach  during  the  night. 

vantage.  After  standing  on  the  ground 

At  break  of  day  the  next  morn- 

we  had  gained,  I ordered  them  to  return 

ing,  the  enemy  appeared  in  full  force  up- 

very  slowly  to  Haddonfield.” 

on  Chestnut  hill,  on  the  Skippack  road. 

The  young  marquis  had  only  lost  one 

only  three  miles  from  Washington’s  en- 

man  killed  and  six  wounded,  and  was  so 

campment.  Brigadier-General  Irvine  was 

charmed  with  the  good  conduct  of  his 

sent  forward  with  six  hundred  Pennsyl- 

troops,  that  he  thus  emphatically  praised 

♦ Sparks. 

1 

59G  battles  of  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

vania  militia,  fo  harass  the  British  light 

templated  a general  assault.  Washing- 

advanced  parties.  A skirmish  ensued,  in 

ton  was  not  only  prepared  for  him,  but, 

which  Irvine  was  wounded  and  taken 

as  he  always  was  on  the  approach  of  an 

prisoner,  his  men  having  given  way  after 

engagement,  eager  for  the  attack.  He 

the  first  encounter,  and  left  their  disabled 

was  constantly  on  horseback,  riding  along 

commander,  with  a half-dozen  of  his  sol- 

his  lines,  and  exhorting  his  men  to  duty. 

diers  in  the  same  plight,  on  the  field. 

He  earnestly  entreated  them  to  stand 

Nothing  more  occurred  during*  the  day. 

firm,  and  to  rely  mainly  upon  their  bayo- 

but  General  Sir  William  Howe  with  his 

nets  to  resist  the  assault  of  the  enemy. 

staff  of  officers  was  seen  to  reconnoitre 

His  resolute  presence,  and  earnest  though 

the  ground. 

calmly-spoken  words,  served  to  bind  each 

Durino;  the  ni^ht,  the  British  advanced 

man  in  faithful  obedience  to  their  great 

still  closer,  and  took  a position  on  the 

leader’s  commands.  The  day  passed, how- 

left,  and  only  a mile  from  Washington’s 

ever,  without  the  occurrence  of  the  ex- 

encampment.  Here  they  remained  for 

pected  event. 

two  days,  and  then  moved  a little  farther 

The  next  day  it  was  discovered  that 

to  the  left,  with  the  evident  purpose  of 

the  enemy  had  taken  occasion  of 

provoking  battle.  Washington,  however. 

1 - 1 r 1 ■ T n WCCi  9i 

the  niglitj  alter  having  lit  up  all 

was  on  strong  ground,  and  was  not  dis- 

their  camp-fires,  to  retire  silently  toward 

posed  to  pit  his  ill-disciplined  and  suffer- 

Philadelphia.  They  had  gone  too  far  to 

ing  troops  against  the  w^ell-conditioned 

be  pursued,  and  Washington’s  disappoint- 

regulars  of  General  Howe’s  army,  and  so 

ment  at  the  change  in  the  purpose  of 

throw  away  the  advantage  of  his  position 

the  British  is  strongly  expressed  in  these 

on  the  hazard  of  an  unequal  conflict. 

Avords  to  the  president  of  Congress:  “I 

Notwithstanding,some  skirmishes  took 

sincerely  wish  that  they  had  made  an  at- 

place  between  the  advanced  parties  of  the 

tack,  as  the  issue  in  all  probability,  from 

two  armies.  On  one  occasion.  Colonel 

the  disposition  of  our  troops  and  the 

- 

Morgan  with  his  rifle-corps,  and  Colonel 

strong  situation  of  our  camp,  would  have 

Gist  with  the  Maryland  militia,  had  a 

been  fortunate  and  happy.  At  the  same 

short  but  hot  engagement  with  the  ene- 

time,  I must  add  that  reason,  prudence, 

my  on  Edge  hill,  in  which  both  parties 

and  every  principle  of  policy,  forbade  us 

suffered  severely,  but  the  Americans  were 

from  quitting  our  post  to  attack  them. 

compelled  to  retreat  before  the  superior 

Nothing  but  success  would  have  justified 

force  of  their  antagonists,  after  a loss  of 

the  measure,  and  this  could  not  be  ex- 

neaily  fifty  killed  and  wounded.  Among 

pected  from  their  position.” 

the  hitter  was  Major  Morris,  of  Morgan’s 

General  Howe’s  reason  for  not  making 

rifles. 

the  attack  was  equally  well  founded.  He 

On  the  following  day,  the  manoeuvres 

saw  that  the  American  army  was  too 

„ of  General  Howe  induced  the 

strongly  posted,  and  feared  lest  the  issue 

Americans  to  believe  thathecon- 

which  Washington  anticipated  would  be 

- 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  WASHINGTON  SELECTS  VALLEY  FORGE. 


59’, 


SO  happy  and  fortunate  to  the  Americans, 
should  prove  quite  the  reverse  to  the 
British. 

There  seemed  little  prospect  now  of 
further  active  hostilities  during  the  pres- 


ent campaign,  and  Washington  was  anx- 
iously considering  how  to  dispose  of  his 
army  for  the  rest  of  the  winter.  The 
great  question  with  all  was,  “ Where  to 
look  for  winter-quarters  ?” 


CHAPTER  LXV. 

The  Question  of  Winter-Quarters. — Valley  Forge  selected  by  Washington. — Description  of  Valley  Forge. — Motives  Tor 
the  Selection. — The  Winter  of  1777-’78. — Destitution  of  the  Army. — A Day  of  Praise  and  Thanksgiving. — Construc- 
tion of  Huts. — Howards  of  Labor. — Hunger  and  Cold. — Remissness  of  Congress. — The  Commissariat  Department  in 
Fault, — Not  a Hoof. — Twelve  Thousand  Hungry  Men. — No  Soap. — No  Shirts  to  wash. — The  Soldiers  l)arefoot  and 
naked. — No  Blankets:  no  Sleep. — Cry  of  the  Destitute:  “No  Pay,  no  Clothes,  no  Provisions,  no  Hum!” — Famine, 
Disease,  and  Death. — Washington  still  hopeful. — Washington  in  Prayer. — He  rebukes  the  Intermeddlers  of  Pennsyl- 
vania.— Occasional  Murmurs  and  Disobedience. — Coercive  Measures. — Their  Danger. — Resistance  of  the  Inhabitants. 
— Putrid  Camp-Fever. — Dissolution  of  the  Army  imminent. 


1777. 


The  question  of  a proper  place 
for  winter-quarters  for  his  army  was 
submitted  by  Washington,  with  his  usual 
modest  regard  for  the  opinion  of  his  mili- 
tary associates,  to  a council  of  war.  The 
officers,  however,  differed  widely  in  their 
views.  Some  were  in  favor  of  quarter- 
ing the  troops  at  Wilmington ; some  were 
for  cantoning  them  in  the  valley  of  Tre- 
dyfine,  a few  miles  west  of  the  Schuylkill 
river ; while  others  argued  in  favor  of  sta- 
tioning them  in  a line  from  Reading  to 
Lancaster.  Such  was  the  diversity  of 
opinions,  that  Washington,  as  frequently 
happened,  was  left  to  decide  the  matter 
according  to  his  own  judgment.  He  de- 
termined to  winter  the  army  in  Valley 
Forge. 

\ Alley  Forge  is  a small  and  shallow 
valley  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania, 
about  twenty  miles  from  Philadelphia, 
formed  between  some  rugged  hills  con- 


taining iron-ore,  from  the  working  ol 
which  it  derived  its  name.  It  is  situated 
on  the  western  bank  of  the  Schuylkill 
river.  There  is  now  a town  of  some  im- 
portance on  the  site  of  the  old  camping- 
ground,  but  during  the  Revolution  there 
were  only  a few  scattered  settlers  on  the 
banks  of  the  little  stream  which  flows 
through  the  bottom  of  the  valley.  On 
the  sides  of  the  hills  Washiiiirton  now 
proposed  to  encamp  his  troop.s,  and  there 
winter  them  in  huts  to  be  built  out  of 
the  forest-timber  growing  wdldly  about, 
and  having  their  interstices  filled  with 
clay  from  the  untilled  soil.  The  motive 
which  governed  the  commander-in-chief 
in  selecting  this  position  was  explained 
by  him  in  the  following  order  to  his  ar- 
my previous  to  taking  up  his  march  : — 

“ The  general,”  he  said,  ‘‘  ardently  wish 
es  it  were  now  in  his  power  to  conduct 
the  troops  into  the  best  winter-quartens. 


598  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


But  where  are  these  to  be  found  ? Should 
we  retire  to  the  interior  parts  of  the  state, 
we  should  find  them  crowded  with  virtu- 
ous citizens  who,  sacrificing  their  all,  have 
left  Philadelphia,  and  fled  thither  for  pro- 
tection. To  their  distresses,  humanity  for- 
bids us  to  add.  This  is  not  all : Ave  should 
leave  a large  extent  of  fertile  country  to 
be  despoiled  and  ravaged  by  the  enemy.” 

Washington  believed  Valley  Forge  to 
be  the  position  which  Avould  enable  his 
army  to  inflict  the  least  distress  and  give 
the  most  security;  and  there  ‘Ave  must 
make  ourselves,”  he  said,  “the  best  shel- 
ter in  our  power.”  While  the  huts  Avere 
yet  unbuilt,  Washington,  conscious  of  the 
trials  to  Avhich  his  badly-clothed  troops, 
unprovided  Avith  shelter  in  the  midst  of 
winter,  would  be  subjected,  expresses,  in 
an  appeal  to  their  fortitude,  the  hope  that 
“ the  officers  and  .soldier.s,  with  one  heart 
and  one  mind,  will  resolve  to  surmount 
every  difficulty,  Avith  a fortitude  and  pa- 
tience becoming  their  profession,  and  the 
sacred  cause  in  Avhich  they  are  engaged. 
He  himself,”  adds  the  general,  “ Avill  share 
in  the  hardships  and  partake  of  every 
inconvenience.” 

Never  Avas  human  endurance  more  se- 
verely tasked  than  in  the  trials  of  the 
whole  American  army  during  the  hard 

Dec  II  of*  *t8.  When  the 

troops  moved  from  Whitemarsh 
to  Valley  Forge, they  were  already  so  de.s- 
titute  of  shoes  and  stockings,  that  their 
footsteps  might  be  tracked  in  blood  on 
the  hard,  frozen  ground.  It  seemed  al- 
most mockery  that  on  the  very  day  be- 
fore the  army  entered  the  valley  Avhich 
was  destined  to  be  the  scene  of  so  much 


suffering,  Avas  that  Avhich,  in  ac- 

1 ui  • • . . ‘8. 

cordance  Avith  the  appointment 

of  Congress,  Avas  to  be  kept  as  “ a day  of 
praise  and  thanksgiving.”  The  army  halt- 
ed, and  the  solemnities  of  the  day  being 
reverentially  observed  by  every  officer 

and  soldier,  the  Avhole  body  of 

, urn- 

troops,  on  the  following  morn- 
ing, resumed  the  march  to  Valley  Forge, 
where  they  arrived  the  same  day. 

The  troops  Avere  at  once  scattered  over 
the  rugged  hills,  and,  being  divided  into 
parties  of  twelve  men  each,  Avere  busily 
occupied  in  constructing  those  rude  huts 
Avhich  Avere  to  be  their  only  shelter  from 
the  severity  of  a North  American  Avinter. 
The  very  orders  of  the  army,  giving  uni- 
formity to  misery,  shoAV  the  hard  neces- 
sities to  which  all  alike  Avere  noAv  com- 
pelled to  submit.  The  huts  Avere  to  be 
fourteen  feet  by  six  ; the  sides,  ends,  and 
roofs,  to  be  made  with  logs ; the  roofs  to 
be  made  tight  Avith  split  slabs,  or  in  some 
other  Avay;  the  sides  to  be  made  tight 
Avith  clay  ; a fireplace  to  be  made  of  Avood, 
and  secured  Avith  clay  on  the  inside,  eigh- 
teen inches  thick ; the  fireplace  to  be  in 
the  rear  of  the  hut;  the  door  to  be  in 
the  end  next  the  street ; the  doors  to  be 
made  ofsplitoak-slabs,unless  boards  could 
be  procured  ; the  side-Avalls  to  be  six  and 
a half  feet  high.  One  such  hut  was  ap- 
portioned to  each  tAvelve  soldiers,  Avhile 
no  person  under  the  rank  of  a field-officer 
Avas  entitled  to  the  privilege  of  a hut  to 
himself  The  Avhole  Avere  to  be  arranged, 
as  is  usual  Avith  an  encampment,  in  regu 
lar  streets. 

Should  necessity  alone  not  prove  a suf- 
ficient stimulus  to  labor,  the  soldiers  were 


r 


■tEVOLUTiONAUY.j  DESTITUTION  AND  SUFFERING  IN  THE  ARMY  59y 


encouraged  “ to  industry  and  art”  by  the 
promise  of  a reward  of  twelve  dollars  to 
the  party  in  each  regiment  which  should 
finish  its  hut  in  ‘‘  the  quickest  and  most 
workmanlike  manner.”  And,  as  ))oards 
for  the  covering  of  the  huts  were  difficult 
to  be  got,  a provocative  to  the  exercise 
of  ingenuity  was  offered  in  the  prize  of  a 
hundred  dollars  to  any  officer  or  soldier 
who,  in  the  opinion  of  three  gentlemen 
appointed  to  be  judges,  should  devise  a 
substitute  equally  good,  but  cheaper,  and 
more  quickly  made. 

With  a little  ingenuity  and  much  labo- 
rious perseverance,  it  was  found  practi- 
cable to  raise  huts ; but  there  were  other 
necessities  which  no  industry  or  skill  of 
the  soldier  could  provide  or  power  of  en- 
durance surmount.  The  men  must  be 
fed  and  clothed.  Huimer  and  cold  are 

O 

too  severely  extortionate  to  be  resisted 
by  any  conscientous  appeals  to  the  vir- 
tue of  self  denial.  Congress,  by  some  un- 
wise changes,  had  so  completely  disorgan- 
ized the  commissariat  department,  that  it 
failed  almost  entirely  in  providing  for  the 
wants  of  the  army.  Colonel  Joseph  Trum- 
bull, who  had  been  appointed  commissary- 
general  by  Washington,  resigned  at  the 
beginning  of  the  year,  in  consequence  of 
the  officious  meddling  of  Congress  with 
the  department,  and  ever  since  the  com- 
missariat had  been  at  the  mercy  of  im- 
provident folly  and  cunning  dishonesty. 
“ 1 do  not  know,”  wrote  the  commander- 
in-chief,  “from  what  cause  this  alarmino; 
deficiency,  or  rather  total  failure  of  sup- 
plies, arises.”  Again,  he  says  : “ Unless 
some  great  and  capital  change  takes  place 
in  that  line,  this  army  must  be  inevitably 


reduced  to  one  or  other  of  these  three 
things — starve,  dissolve,  or  disperse,  in 
order  to  obtain  subsistence  in  the  best 
manner  they  can.” 

But  few  days  had  passed  in  Valley 
Forge  when  this  “ melancholy  and  alarm- 
ing truth”  was  discovered,  that  the  com- 
missary in  the  camp  had  not  “a  single 
hoof  of  any  kind  to  slaughter,  and  not 
more  than  twenty-five  barrels  of  flour” 
to  feed  some  twelve  thousand  hungry 
men  ! “ The  soap,  vinegar,  and  other  ar- 
ticles,” wrote  Washington,  “ allowed  by 
Congress,  we  see  none  of,  nor  have  we 
seen  them,  I believe,  since  the  battle  of 
Brandywine.  The  first,  indeed,  we  have 
now  little  occasion  for;  few  men  having 
more  than  one  shirt,  many  only  the  moi- 
ety of  one,  and  some  none  at  all.  In  ad- 
dition to  which,  as  a proof  of  the  little 
benefit  received  from  a clothier-general, 
and  as  a further  proof  of  the  inability  of 
an  army,  under  the  circumstances  of  thi.s, 
to  perform  the  common  duties  of  soldiers 
(besides  a number  of  men  confined  to  ho.s- 
pitals  for  want  of  shoes,  and  others  in 
farmers’ houses  on  the  same  account),  we 
have,  by  a field-return  this  day  made,  no 
less  than  two  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  ninety-eight  men  now  in  camp  unfit 
for  duty,  because  they  are  barefoot  and 
otherwise  naked.” 

Thousands  of  the  soldiers  were  without 
bjankets,  and  many  kept  cowering  and 
awake  the  whole  night  about  the  camp- 
fires, for  fear  lest,  if  they  went  to  sleep, 
they  might  be  frozen  for  want  of  cover- 
ing. It  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty 
that  a sufficient  number  of  men  coull  be 
found  in  a condition  fit  to  perform  the 


GOO 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


»LpART  II. 


ordinary  routine  of  camp-dnty  ; and  men 
able-bodied  but  naked,  were  often  obliged, 
when  ordered  out,  to  borrow  clothes  from 
those  who  happened  to  have  any.  One 
of  the  foreign  officers,  while  walking  with 
AVashington  through  the  encampment, 
looked  with  such  alarm  upon  the  miser- 
able soldiers  (as  their  famished  frames, 
scantily  covered  with  a dirty  blanket, 
slunk  in  the  wintry  air  from  hut  to  hut), 
and  heal'd  with  such  dismay,  through  the 
open  crevices  between  the  logs  of  their 
wretched  dwellings,  the  wofiil  cry,  “ No 
pay,  no  clothes,  no  provisions,  no  nan!” 
that  he  despaired  of  the  independence  of 
the  country. 

‘‘The  imfortnnate  soldiers,”  declared 
Lafayette,  “ were  in  want  of  every  thing ; 
they  had  neither  coats  nor  hats,  shirts 
nor  shoes.  Their  feet  and  legs  froze  till 
iliey  became  blade,  and  it  teas  often  necessary 
to  amputate  them.  From  want  of  money, 
the  officers  could  obtain  neither  provis- 
ions nor  any  means  of  transport ; the  colo- 
nels were  often  reduced  to  two  rations, 
and  sometimes  even  to  one.  The  army 
frequently  remained  a whole  day  without 
any  provisions  whatever!” 

Washington  now  found  himself  encum- 
bered with  a great  mass  of  starving  men, 
so  weakened  by  ffimine  and  pinched  by 
the  winter’s  cold,  tha,t  they  were  capable 
of  little  beyond  that  last  effort  of  nature, 
crying  for  a supply  of  the  necessities  for 
its  existence.  Ever  on  the  alert  for  the 
performance  of  his  duty  as  a military  com- 
mander, AVashington,  hearing  of  a move- 
ment of  the  British,  would  have  sent  out 
a force  to  check  it.  He  accordingly  or- 
dered some  of  his  troops  to  be  ready  to 


march  ; when  from  General  Huntingdon, 
who  commanded  one  division,  came  a leb 
ter,  saying : “ I received  an  order  to  hold 
my  brigade  in  readiness  to  march.  Fight- 
ing will  be  far  preferable  to  starving.  My 
brigade  are  out  of  provisions,  nor  can  the 
commissary  obtain  any  meat.  I am  ex- 
ceedingly unhappy  in  being  the  bearer 
of  complaints  to  headquarters.  I have 
used  every  argument  my  imagination  can 
invent  to  make  the  soldiers  easy,  but  I 
despair  of  being  able  to  do  it  much  long- 
er.” 

From  General  A^arnnm,  too,  came  a let- 
ter. “According  to  the  saying  of  Solo- 
mon,” wrote  the  general,  “ hunger  will 
break  through  a stone-wall.  It  is  there- 
fore a very  pleasing  circumstance  to  the 
division  under  my  command,  that  there 
is  a probability  of  their  marching.  Three 
days  successively  we  have  been  destitute 
of  bread  ; two  days  we  have  been  entii'e- 
ly  without  meat.  The  men  must  be  sup- 
plied, or  they  can  not  be  commanded. 
The  complaints  are  too  urgent  to  pass  un- 
noticed. It  is  with  pain  that  I mention 
this  distress.  I know  it  will  make  your 
excellency  unhappy  ; but,  if  you  expect 
the  exertion  of  virtuous  principles,  while 
yonr  troops  are  deprived  of  the  necessa- 
ries of  life,  your  final  disappointment  will 
be  great  in  proportion  to  the  patience 
which  now  astonishes  every  man  of  hu- 
man feeling.” 

Washington,  always  trustful  in  the  ho- 
liness of  his  cause,  never  despaired  of  its 
ultimate  triumph.  AVe  can  readily  be- 
lieve that,  in  these  times  of  trial,  with  the 
piety  which  never  forsook  him  in  adver- 
sity or  prosperity,  he  often  on  his  knees 


r 


REVOLDTIONAUY.]  WASHINGTON  REBUKES  THE  INTERMEDDLERS.  COl 

implored  in  prayer  the  mere}’  of  God  up- 

and  Jersey.  But  what  makes  this  matter 

on  his  suffering  troops.  It  is  recorded  by 

still  more  extraordinary  in  my  eyes  is. 

a contemporary  witness  that,  on  one  oc- 

that  these  very  gentlemen  — who  were 

casion,  while  strolling  along  the  stream 

well  apprized  of  the  nakedness  of  the 

which  flowed  through  the  bottom  of  the 

troops  from  ocular  demonstration,  who 

valley,  he  heard  a voice,  as  of  one  in  sup- 

thought  their  own  soldiers  worse  clad 

plication  and  prayer,  coming  out  of  a se- 

than  others,  and  who  advised  me  near  a 

eluded  spot.  On  appioaching  the  place. 

month  ago  to  postpone  the  execution  of 

Washington’s  horse  was  found  tied  near 

a plan  I was  about  to  adopt,  in  conse- 

by.  The  intruder  immediately  turned  his 

quence  of  a resolve  of  Congress  for  seiz- 

steps  homeward  ; and,  as  he  told  his  wife 

ing  clothes,  under  strong  assurances  that 

what  he  had  seen,  he  said,  with  a burst 

an  ample  supply  would  be  collected  in 

of  tears,  “ If  there  is  any  one  on  this  earth 

ten  days  agreeably  to  a decree  of  the 

whom  the  Lord  will  listen  to,  it  is  George 

state  (not  one  article  of  which,  by-the-by. 

Washington.”* 

is  yet  come  to  hand) — should  think  a 

The  commander-in-chief  would,  howev- 

winter’s  campaign,  and  the  covering  of 

er,  have  been  more  or  less  than  human. 

these  states  from  the  invasion  of  an  ene- 

if  his  patience  had  not  been  disturbed  by 

my,  so  easy  and  practicable  a busine.ss !” 

the  officious  intermeddling  of  the  Penn- 

Washington  then  proiceeds  to  rebuke 

sylvania  legislature  with  his  plans,  and 

these  intermeddlers  of  Pennsylvania  with 

its  censorious  strictures  in  a “Remon- 

a warmth  of  feeling  excited  not  only  by 

strance”  against  his  conduct.  “ We  find 

their  reckless  disregard  of  the  sufferintrs 

gentlemen,”  said  Washington,  “ wdthout 

of  his  troops,  but  by  his  own  humane 

knowing  whether  the  army  was  really 

sympathy  with  them  : “I  can  assure  these 

going  into  winter-quarters  or  not  (for  I 

gentlemen,”  he  wrote, that  it  is  a much 

am  sure  no  resolution  of  mine  would  war- 

easier  and  less  distressing  thing  to  draw 

rant  the  remonstrance),  reprobating  the 

remonstrances  in  a comfortable  room,  by 

measure  as  much  as  if  they  thought  the 

a good  fireside,  than  to  occupy  a cold. 

soldiers  were  made  of  stocks  or  stones. 

bleak  hill,  and  sleep  under  frost  and  snow. 

and  equally  insensible  of  frost  and  snow ; 

without  clothes  or  blankets.  However, 

and  moreover,  as  if  they  conceived  it  ea- 

although  they  seem  to  have  little  feeling 

sily  practicable  for  an  inferior  army,  un- 

for  the  naked  and  distressed  soldiers,  I 

der  the  disadvantages  I have  described 

feel  superabundantly  for  them,  and  from 

ours  to  be,  which  are  by  no  means  exag- 

my  soul  I pity  those  miseries  which  it  is 

gerated,  to  confine  a superior  one,  in  all 

neither  in  my  power  to  relieve  nor  to 

respects  well  appointed  and  provided  for 

prevent.” 

a winter’s  campaign,  within  the  city  of 

That  the  army,  in  the  state  of  destitu- 

Philadelphia,  and  to  cover  from  depreda- 

tion  and  suffering  in  which  it  was,  should 

tion  and  waste  the  states  of  Pennsylvania 

occasionally  break  out  in  mutinous  com- 

* Lossing. 

76 

plaints,  and  refuse  to  do  duty,  was  natu- 

' 

1 

1 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


602 

rally  to  be  expected.  The  long  for- 
bearance of  his  soldiers  surprised 
Washington  himself,  and  won  from  him 
a grateful  tribute  to  their  patient  endu- 
rance. “ Naked  and  starving  as  they  are,” 
he  said,  “we  can  not  enough  admire  the 
Feb  P incomparable  patience  and  fidel- 
ity of  the  soldiery, that  they  have 
not  been,  ere  this,  excited  by  their  suf- 
ferings to  a general  mutiny  and  deser- 
tion.” 

In  order  to  make  up  for  the  deficien- 
cies of  its  ill-managed  commissariat.  Con- 
gress authorized  Washington  to  resort  to 
the  desperate  expedient  of  exacting  sup- 
plies from  the  people  by  force.  Wash- 
ington unwillingly  consented  to  avail  him- 
self of  this  legiil  authority,  in  the  pressing 
necessities  of  his  army,  but  declared  that 
it  would  never  do  to  procure  supplies  of 
clothing  or  provisions  by  coercive  meas- 
ures. “Such  procedures,”  he  emphatic- 
ally adds,  “ may  give  a momentary  relief  j 
but,  if  repeated,  will  prove  of  the  most 
pernicious  consequence.  Besides  spread- 
ing disaffection,  jealou.sy,  and  fear,  among 
the  people,  they  never  fail,  even  in  the 
most  veteran  troops,  under  the  most  rigid 
and  exact  discipline,  to  raise  in  the  sol- 
diery a disposition  to  licentiousness,  to 
plunder  and  robbery,  difficult  to  suppress 
afterward,  and  which  has  proved  not  on- 
ly ruinous  to  the  inhabitants,  but, in  many 
instances,  to  armies  themselves.  I regret 
the  occasion  that  compelled  to  the  meas- 
ure the  other  day,  and  shall  consider  it 
among  the  greatest  of  our  misfortunes  if 
we  should  be  under  the  necessity  of  prac- 
tising it  again.” 

Was  there  ever  a leader  of  armies  who 


thus  spoke  and  acted  like  a brother-man 
and  fellow-citizen  ? When  this  reserve  in 
regard  to  private  property  was  observed, 
too,  in  a country  hostile  to  American  in- 
terests, how  much  greater  appears  Wash- 
ington’s honorable  fastidiousness ! When, 
in  order  to  save  his  men  from  absolute 
famine,  he  reluctantly  exercised  the  [xiw- 
er  conferred  upon  him  by  Congress,  the 
inhabitants  resisted  his  authority  even 
unto  arms.  Washington  issued  a procla- 
mation, in  which  he  required  all  the  farm- 
ers within  seventy  miles  of  Valley  Forge 
to  thrash  out  one  half  of  their  grain 

o 1778i 

by  the  first  of  February,  and  the 
other  half  by  the  first  of  March,  under  the 
penalty  of  having  the  whole  seized  as 
straw.  Many  of  the  disaffected  Pennsyl- 
vanians, who  abounded  in  that  quarter, 
refused  to  comply  with  the  requisition; 
and  when  troops  were  sent  out  for  sup- 
plies, and  a fair  price  offered  for  them, 
the  fiirmers  defended  their  grain  and  cat- 
tle with  violence,  and  in  some  instances 
burned  what  they  could  not  protect,  so 
resolutely  hostile  were  they  to  the  Amer- 
ican cause. 

Without  the  necessities  of  life,  man  and 
beast  soon  began  to  sicken.  The  horses 
died  for  want  of  forage ; and  the  poor, 
famishing  soldiers  were  forced  to  yoke 
themselves  to  wagons  and  sledges,  to  bring 
in  what  fuel  and  scanty  stores  could  oc- 
casionally be  obtained.  There  was  as  yet, 
no  improvement  in  the  commissary  de 
partment.  The  suffering  army  was  con 
stantly  being  tantalized  with  accounts 
from  all  quarters  of  the  prodigious  qnan 
tity  of  clothing  which  was  purchased  and 
forwarded  for  their  use,  while  little  or 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  AMERICANS  STARVING— BRITISH  LUXURIATING.  * 60.^ 

none  renched  them,  or  that  little  so  badly 

of  all  the  necessities  of  life  ; and  so  many 

sorted  as  to  he  totally  useless.  The  poor 

sickened,  while  such  numlfers  deserted 

soldier  had  a pair  of  stockings  given  him 

daily,  that  the  army  was  thought  to  be 

without  shoes,  or  a waistcoat  without  a 

in  danger  of  dissolution. 

coat  or  blanket  to  his  back.  The  little 

“The  situation  of  the  camp,”  wrote 

man  had  a large  pair  of  trousers,  and  the 

General  Varnum  to  General  Greene,  “is 

large  one,  like  the  big  boy  in  the  Cyro- 

such,  that,  in  all  human  proba- 

^ Feb.  12. 

pcedia,  a small  coat;  so  that  none  were 

bility,  the  army  must  soon  dis- 

benefited.  “Perhaps by  midsummer,” said 

solve.  Many  of  the  troops  are  destitute 

Washington,  with  bitter  irony,  “he  [the 

of  meat,  and  are  sever.al  days  in  arrear. 

soldier]  may  receive  thick stockings,shoes. 

The  horses  are  dying  for  want  of  forage. 

and  blankets,  which  he  will  contrive  to 

The  country  in  tlie  vicinity  of  the  camp 

get  rid  of  in  the  most  expeditious  man- 

is  exhausted.  There  can  not  be  a moral 

ner.  In  tliis  way,  by  an  eternal  round 

certainty  of  bettering  our  circumstances 

of  the  most  stupid  management,  the  puh- 

while  Ave  continue  here.  What  conse- 

lie  treasure  is  expended  to  no  kind  of 

quences  have  we  actually  to  expect? 

purpose,  while  the  men  have  been  left  to 

Our  desertions  are  astonishingly  great; 

perish  by  inches  with  cold  and  naked- 

the  love  of  freedom,  Avhich  once  animated 

ness !” 

the  breasts  of  those  born  in  th«  country. 

A putrid  camp-fever  was  the  natural 

is  controlled  by  hunger,  the  keenest  of 

consequence  of  this  terrible  destitution 

• 

necessities.” 

CHAPTER  LXVI. 

The  British  revelling  in  Philadelphia. — Plenty  of  Money. — Plenty  of  Friends. — Gold  versus  Paper. — Six  Hundred  Dol- 

lars  for  a Pair  of  Boots. — The  British  waxing  fat. — Luxury  and  Dissipation. — Loyally  drunk. — The  Effect. — The 
Profligates  among  the  Quakers. — “ A Housekeeper  wanted.” — Gambling. — Run  of  111  Luck. — Penniless  Officers. — A 

J0II3'  Parson. — General  Howe  in  “High  Jinks.” — May  Pemberton’s  Coach  and  Horses. — Old  Men  wag  their  Heads. 

— Admiral  Lord  Howe  in  Philadelphia. — British  and  Hessian  Generals. — M.ajor  Andrd  in  Franklin’s  House. — A Com- 

plimoutary  Theft. — Deserters  from  the  American  Camp 

— Their  Tale  of  Misery. — The  Sock  and  Buskin. — British 

Officers  turned  Players. — The  Mischianza. — The  Pageant  described. — Regatta. — The  Tournament. — Fair  Ladies-and 

Brave  Knights. — The  Queen  of  Beauty. — Ball  and  Banquet. — The  Victorious  Miss  Franks. — A Single  and  Signal 

Defeat. 

From  the  starving  camp  of  Wa.sh- 
ington  at  Valley  Forge  we  turn  to 

the  midst  of  abundance.  Provisions  were, 
indeed,  scarce  and  dear,  and  many  of  the 

the  winter-quarters  of  the  British  army 

inhabitants  were  obliged  to  curtail  the 

at  Philadelphia,  where  Sir  William  Howe, 

luxuries  if  not  the  necessities  of  life  ; but 

liis  officers,  and  men,  were  revelling  in 

the  army-chest,  being  always  kept  well 

G04  - BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [paut  n, 


replenished  by  the  prodigal  mother-coun- 
try, the  British  troops  enjoyed  both.  The 
inhabitants  of  the  surrounding  country 
were  inclined  in  favor  of  the  royal  inter- 
ests, and  particularly  well  disposed  tow- 
ard their  own.  They  preferred  selling 
their  hay,  corn,  and  cattle,  to  General 
Ilowe,  not  only  because  he  was  apparent- 
ly in  the  ascendant,  but  because  he  could 
pay  in  sterling  gold  for  what  Washing- 
ton was  only  enabled  to  give  them  in  ex- 
change the  almost  valueless  continental 
money.  When  an  American  commissary 
presented  himself  with  his  worthless  pa- 
per, the  farmer,  with  his  rusty  musket  to 
his  shoulder,  resolutely  fought  for  each 
grain  of  his  harvest  and  starveling  of  his 
llofdc,  and  yielded  neither  until  forced  to 
comply ; •while  barns  were  readily  emp- 
(ied  out,  and  whole  herds  driven  forth, 
at  the  demand  of  the  British  agents,  sup- 
plied with  gold. 

Cono-ress  might  issue  its  millions  of  bits 
of  paper,  and  call  each  a dollar ; but  when 
half  a thousand  could  be  readily  bought 
I’or  two  golden  guineas,  it  was  natural 
that  the.  trader,  whatever  might  be  his 
love  for  political  freedom,  should  prefer 
to  pocket  the  latter,  even  with  its  insult- 
ing impress  of  the  hated  King  George,  to 
taking  the  former  with  all  its  eloquent 
flourishes  of  liberty  and  independence. 
Thus,  a man  with  a guinea  in  his  pocket 
was  often  a more  welcome  customer  than 
he  who  had  hundreds  of  continental  dol- 
lars; and,  while  the  one  could  purchase 
a pair  of  boots,  the  other  was  forced  to 
go  barefoot.  Six  hundred  dollars  in  con- 
tinental currency  were  not  seldom  paid 
for  a single  pair  of  boots,  and  a skein  of 


silk  was  thought  cheap  at  ten  dollars  of 
the  depreciated  currency ! 

Waxing  fat  with  the  abundance  and  in 
the  indolence  of  their  winter  encamp- 
ment, the  British  yielded  themselves  up  to 
luxury  and  dissipation.  Their  own  his- 
torians have  declared  that  they  reversed 
the  standing  maxim  of  Marshal  Turenne, 
and  seemed  to  think  the  more  drinking, 
gaming,  and  licentiousness,  in  a garrison, 
the  better.'^  The  whole  winter  of  1777- 
’78  was  spent  in  indolence,  or  in  dissipa- 
tion and  revelry.  Every  regimental  mess 
w\as  a scene  of  nightly  orgies.  When  op- 
portunity offered,  the  men,  whether  on 
or  off  duty,  got  most  loyally  drunk. 

A want  of  discipline  and  proper  sub- 
ordination pervaded  the  whole  British 
force  ; and  if  famine  and  sickness  thinned 
the  American  army  encamped  at  Valley 
Forge, abundance  and  indulgence  perhaps 
did  no  less  injury  to  the  British  troops. 
During  the  winter,  a very  unfortunate  in- 
attention was  shown  to  the  feelings  of  the 
inhabitants.  They  experienced  many  of 
the  horrors  of  civil  war.  Some  of  the 
leading  inhabitants,  and  many  of  these, 
too,  of  the  orderly  sect  of  Quakers,  were 
forced  to  quarter  reckless  young  officers, 
who  were  even  indecent  enough  to  intro- 
duce their  mistresses  into  the  mansions 
of  their  compulsory  hosts.j*  A pair  of 
3’outhful  profligates  had  the  audacity  to 
advertise  in  the  public  journal : “ Wanted 
to  hire  with  twosingle  gentlemen, a young 
woman  to  act  in  the  capacity  of  house- 
keeper, and  who  can  occasionally  put  her 
band  to  anything.  E.xtravagant  wages 
will  be  given,  and  no  character  required. 

* Pictorial  History  of  Eiiijland.  t Stedman. 


REVOLUTIONARY.J  GENERAL  HOWE’S  “HIGH  JINKS.”— MAJOR  ANDRE.  605 


Any  young  woman  wlio  chooses  to  offer, 
may  be  farther  informed  at  the  bar  of 
tlie  City  Tavern.”* 

Gaming  of  every  species  was  permit- 
ted, and  even  sanctioned.  This  vice  not 
only  debauched  the  mind,  but,  by  seden- 
tary confinement  and  tlie  want  of  season- 
able repose,  enervated  the  body.  A for- 
eign officer  held  the  bank  at  the  game 
of /are,  by  which  he  made  a very  consid- 
erable fortune;  and  but  too  many  respect- 
able families  in  Britain  had  to  lament  its 
baneful  effects.  Officers  who  might  have 
rendered  honorable  service  to  their  coun- 
try were  compelled,  by  what  was  termed 
a “ a bad  run  of  luck,”  to  dispose  of  their 
commissions, and  return  penniless  to  their 
friends.f 

It  is  some  satisfaction  to  find  that  these 
graceless  fellows  “very  frequently  attend- 
ed different  places  of  worship,”  although 
“ Friends’  meetinghouses  were  not  much 
to  their  tastes.”J  They  naturally  pre- 
ferred to  attend  the  service  of  their  own 
chaplains,  who  seemed  to  be  on  very  ex- 
cellent terms  with  their  reprobate  listen- 
ers. A “jolly  parson  Badger,”  who  was 
billeted  with  a demure  Quaker,  was  in 
the  habit,  after  parades,  of  bringing  a set 
of  rollicking  young  officers  into  his  “ front 
room  iip-stairs,”  who  rather  disturbed  the 
staid  propriety  of  the  small,  quiet  house- 
hold of  his  broad-brimmed  host. 

General  Howe  himself  also  kept  such 
“ high  jinks,”  that  he  scandalized  the  older 
officers,  although  he  only  grew  more  pop- 
ular w'ith  the  younger  ones.  He  took 
possession  of  one  of  the  finest  houses  in 

* Watson’s  Annals  of  I’liiladilphia 

t Stcdnaan.  J Watson. 


towm,  in  High  street,  afterward  occupied 
by  General  Washington,  and  drove  about 
with  “May  Pemberton’s  coach  and  horses,” 
which  he  had  seized  and  kept  for  his  own 
use.  His  conduct  was  so  free,  w’ith  a set 
of  jolly  young  officers,  that  some  of  the 
veterans  shook  their  heads,  and  declared 
that,  before  his  promotion  to  the  chief 
command  of  the  army,  he  always  sought 
for  the  company  and  counsels  of  officers 
of  experience  and  merit;  while  now’  his 
companions  were  usually  mere  boys  and 
the  most  dissipated  fellows  in  the  whole 
army.* 

His  brother.  Admiral  Lord  How’e,  be- 
haved himself  with  more  sobriety  of  de- 
meanor. Having  moved  his  fleet  to  the 
city,  he  too  now  resided  in  Philadelphia, 
taking  possession  of  an  imposing  mansion 
in  Chestnut  street.  Earl  Cornw’allis  and 
General  Knyphausen  w ere  also  lodged  in 
accordance  with  their  dignity  ; and  Mnjor 
Andre  dwelt  in  Doctor  Franklin’s  house, 
w hich  had  been  vacated  by  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  Bache,  on  the  entrance  of  the  British 
into  Philadelphia.  Andre  seems  to  have 
conducted  himself  generally  with  a prop- 
er regard  to  the  rights  of  the  owner  of 
the  dwelling;  for  Mrs.  Bache,  in  writing 
afterward  to  her  father,  in  Paris,  con fe.sses 
that  she  found  the  house  and  furniture 
upon  her  return  in  better  order  than  she 
had  reason  to  expect  from  “such  a rapa- 
cious crew.”  The  majjor,  however,  carried 
off  the  renowmed  philosopher’s  portrait; 
but,  as  the  theft  is  pi-esumed  to  have  been 
intended  as  a compliment  to  the  scientific 
attainments  of  the  great  original,  it  may 
be  ranked  among  the  pardonable  sins 

* Watson. 


606  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


Franklin,  though  his  own  liouse,  with 
his  pet  books,  his  ingenious  mechanical 
toj's,  and  his  scientific  apparatus,  Avas  ex- 
posed to  the  rude  handling  of  a vandal 
enemy,  received  the  news  of  the  posses- 
sion of  the  city  by  the  British  with  won- 
derful equanimity.  “ General  Hoive,”  he 
said,  “ has  not  taken  Philadelphia : Phila- 
delphia has  taken  General  Iloieer  And  the 
luxury  and  wantonne.ss  which  demoral- 
ized both  officers  and  soldiers,  while  in 
winter-quarters  in  thatcity, confirmed  the 
shrewd  remark  of  the  philosopher. 

Thus  the  wdnter  passed  in  all  gayety 
in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  while  it  was 
all  gloom  on  the  rugged  hills  of  Valley 
Forge.  In  the  British  camp  there  Avas  no 
reminder  of  the  possibility  of  suffering 
and  misery,  except  AA'lien  some  hungry, 
barefooted,  halfnaked  deserter,  covered 
only  by  a dirty  blanket  bound  around  his 
lean  loins  Avith  a leathern  belt,  stole  aAA\ay 
from  the  famishing  camp  of  Washington, 
and  fled  to  the  Avell-fed  ranks  of  the  ene- 
my. These  poor  AAU’etches  gave  a doleful 
account  of  the  sufferings  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, of  Avhich  they  themselves  Avere  the 
most  expressive  illustrations ; and  yet  the 
British  commander,  much  to  the  vexation 
of  some  of  his  more  martial  associates, 
never  moved  from  his  comfortable  quar- 
ters to  strike  the  bloAV  against  the  Ameri- 
can army  in  its  distress  Avhich  they  be- 
lieved would  have  crushed  it  at  once,  and 
thus  paA^ed  the  Avay  to  a speedy  subjec- 
tion of  the  Avhole  country  to  the  royal 
authority.  “ Had  General  Ilowe,”  said 
one,  “ led  on  his  troops  to  action,  victory 
was  in  his  poAver  and  conquest  in  his 
train.”  In  this  dark  hour  of  the  Ameri- 


can Revolution,  it  Avas  perhaps  fortunate 
for  the  safety  of  Washington’s  army,  if 
not  for  the  ultimate  triumph  of  liberty 
itself,  that  the  chief  command  of  the  Brit- 
ish forces  devolved  upon  the  indolent  and 
procrastinating  Howe  instead  of  the  active 
CornAvallis  or  the  vigilant  and  energetic 
Clinton. 

Every  one  in  the  Briti.sh  camp,  howev- 
er, Avas  noAV  absorbed  in  the  pursuit  of 
pleasure.  The  officers  no  longer  troubled 
themselATS  about  Avinning;  or  losing;  bat- 
ties : they  Avere  far  more  intent  upon  the 
chances  of  the  faro-table.  They  cared  not 
to  have  the  roar  of  the  cannon  thundered 
in  their  ears,  Avhile  they  could  listen  to 
the  Amluptuous  tunings  of  the  sweet  voices 
of  the  “ tory  ladies”  of  Philadelphia.  The 
glory  and  real  tragedies  of  the  battle-field 
Avere  gladly  exchanged  fffl'  the  mock  he- 
roics and  the  melodramatic  horrors  of  the 
stage.  As  an  officer  of  the  army  presided 
over  the  gaming-table,  so  British  colonels, 
majors,  captains,  lieutenante,  and  ensigns, 
turned  players,  and  got  up  theatrical  per- 
formances. They  enacted  tragedy,  and 
comedy,  and  pantomime  ; and  Avon  more 
decided  triumphs  on  the  stage  than  they 
had  ever  hoped  for  on  the  field  of  battle. 
Major  Andre,  Avith  his  ready  accomplish- 
ments Avith  the  pen  and  the  pencil,  Avas 
in  great  requisition.  He  Avrote  farces, 
and  painted  scenes.  His  “ waterfall ” drop- 
curtain  was  a masterpiece  of  theatrical  art, 
and  hung  in  the  Southwark  theatre, 
adelphia,  long  after  the  unfortunate  mili- 
tary artist  ceased  to  live.  The  NeAAWork 
loyalist  captain,  Delancey,  Avas  one  of  An- 
dre’s most  active  coadjutors  in  the  dra- 
matic department.  In  the  grand  balls 


c 

— — _ 

1 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  GENERAL  HOWE  RESIGNS.— THE  “ MISCHIANZA.”  G07 

as  in  all  the  gayeties  of  the  season,  these 

count  of  all  the  glories  of  the  occasion, 

two  officers  shone  also  as  chief  masters 

might  have  said,  “ Quorum  rnagmpars  sui;" 

of  ceremonies. 

for  he,  together  with  his  dramatic  coad- 

The  revels  of  the  British  army  readied 

jutor  Delancey,  bore  a prominent  part 

• 

their  climax  in  the  evei’-memorable  Mis- 

in  the  preparations  and  celebration  of  the 

chianza.  This,  as  its  Italian  name  indi- 

Mischianza.  He  painted  the  scenery,  sug- 

cates,  was  a "medley”  entertainment.  We 

gested  the  decorations,  and  planned  the 

must,  however,  somewhat  anticipate  the 

pageant. 

progress  of  events,  in  order  to  understand 

The  very  cards  of  invitation,  in  their 

the  occasion  of  this  splendid  folly.  The 

preliminary  display,  gave  promise  of  the 

British  government,  having  become  dis- 

brilliancy  of  the  coming  show.  These 

satisfied  with  Sir  William  Howe’s  conduct 

were  as  large  as  playing-cards,  and  upon 

of  the  campaign,  was  free  in  its  censures. 

them  was  eng-raved  in  a shield  a view  of 

The  general  was  no  less  ready  to  justify 

the  sea,  with  the  setting  sun,  Sir  William 

himself,  declaring  that  his  plans  had  been 

Howe’s  crest  and  motto,  '•‘■Vive  vale!"  and 

thwarted  by  the  obstructions  thrown  in 

the  complimentary  word.s,  ‘‘ Luceo  disce- 

his  way  by  the  ministry.  They  both  con- 

dens,  aueto  splendore  resurgani : I shine  even 

tinned  to  indulge  in  mutual  recrimiiia- 

WHILE  SETTING,  AND  SH.ILL  ARISE  WITH  IN- 

tion,  until  finally  Sir  William  resigned  his 

CREASED  splendor!” — alluding  to  the  gen- 

command.  His  resignation  was  accepted. 

eral’s  popularity  at  his  departure,  and 

and  the  general  was  about  departing  for 

prophesying  his  future  glory.  Around 

England,  when  his  officers,  with  whom  he 

the  shield  was  a wreath  of  laurel ; while 

was  a great  favorite  froui  the  suavity  of 

such  military  insignia  as  Hags, swords, can- 

his  manners  (and  probably  also  from  his 

non,  and  field-batons,  completed  the  pic- 

too  lax  discipline),  determined  to  express 

ture. 

their  regard  for  him  by  getting  up  the 

A grand  regatta  began  the  entertain- 

Mischianza  in  his  honor. 

ment.  It  consisted  of  three  divisions.  In 

The  entertainment  took  place  on  the 

the  first  was  the  Ferret  galley,  with  Sir 

18th  of  May,  1778,  and  consisted  of  two 

William  and  Lord  Howe,  Sir  Henry  Clin- 

principal  parts — a regatta  on  the  water. 

ton  (w’ho  had  arrived  from  New  York  as 

and  a tournament  on  land.  For  the  ex- 

Howe’s  successor  in  the  command),  the 

penses  of  the  occasion,  all  the  army  would 

officers  of  their  suites,  and  some  ladies. 

have  joyfully  contributed,  as  Sir  William 

The  Cornwallis  galley  brought  up  the 

was  a universal  favorite  ; but  it  was  final- 

rear,  having  on  board  the  earl  himself, 

ly  agreed  that  they  should  be  defrayed 

General  Knyphausen  and  his  suite,  three 

by  twenty- two  field-officers.  Sir  John 

British  generals,  and  a party  of  ladies. 

Wrottlesey,  Colonel  O’Hara,  Major  Gar- 

On  each  quarter  of  these  galleys,  and 

diner,  and  Montressor,  the  chief-engineer. 

forming  their  division, w'ere  five  fiabboats, 

were  the  managers  appointed.  Major  An- 

lined  wdth  green  cloth,  and  filled  with  la- 

dre,  however,  who  wrote  a glowing  ac- 

dies  and  gentlemen.  In  advance  of  the  . 

r 

- - 

608  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 

whole  were  three  flat-boats,  with  a band 

quitted,  and  the  company  disposed  of  in 

of  music  in  each.  Six  barges  rowed  about 

different  barges. 

each  flank,  to  keep  off  the  swarm  of  boats 

The  landing-place  was  at  the  old  fort, 

that  covered  tlie  Delaw\are  from  side  to 

near  the  present  navy-yard,  a little  to  the 

side.  The  galleys  were  dressed  out  in  a 

southward  of  the  town,  before  Wharton’s 

variety  of  colors  and  streamers,  and  in 

mansion,  from  which  a broad  greensward. 

each  flat-boat  was  displayed  the  flag  of 

lined  with  rows  of  tall  trees,  stretched  in 

its  own  division. 

a gentle  descent  for  four  hundred  yards 

In  the  stream,  opposite  the  centre  of 

down  to  the  water-side.  As  soon  as  the 

the  city,  the  armed  ship  Fanny,  magnifi- 

general’s  barge  was  seen  to  push  from  the 

cently  decorated,  was  placed  at  anchor ; 

shore,  a salute  of  seventeen  guns  was  fired 

and  at  some  distance  ahead  lay  his  maj- 

from  the  Roebuck,  which  was  followed. 

esty’s  frigate  Roebuck,  with  the  admiral’s 

after  a short  interval,  by  the  same  num- 

flag  hoisted  at  the  fore-topmast  head.  The 

ber  from  the  Vigilant.  Tlie  company,  as 

transport-ships,  extending  in  a line,  the 

they  disembarked, arranged  themselves  in 

whole  length  of  the  town,  appeared  with 

a line  of  procession,  and  advanced  through 

colors  flying,  and  crowded  with  specta- 

an  avenue  formed  by  two  files  of  grena- 

tors,  as  were  also  the  opening  of  the  sev- 

diers,  and  a line  of  light-horse  supporting 

eral  wharves  on  shore,  exhibiting  the 

each  file.  The  avenue  led  to  a square 

most  picturesque  and  enlivening  scene 

lawn  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  on 

which  the  eye  could  desire  to  look  upon. 

each  side,  lined  with  troops,  and  properly 

The  rendezvous  appointed  for  the  whole 

prepared  for  the  exhibition  of  a tilt  and 

was  at  Knight’s  wharf,  at  the  northern 

tournament, accoj’ding  to  the  customs  and 

extremity  of  the  city. 

ordinances  of  ancient  chivalry.  The  pro- 

M''  18  half-past  four  o’clock  in  the 

morning  the  whole  company  was 

cession  marched  through  the  centre  of 
the  square.  The  music,  consisting  of  all 

embarked,  and  the  signal  being  made  by 

the  bands  of  the  army,  moved  in  front. 

the  ship-ofwar  Vigilant,  the  three  divis- 

The  managers,  with  favors  of  blue  and 

ions  rowed  slowly  down,  preserving  their 

white  ribbons  on  their  breasts,  followed 

proper  intervals  of  distance,  and  keeping 

next  in  order.  The  general,  the  admiral, 

time  to  the  music,  which  led  the  fleet. 

and  the  rest  of  the  conq^any,  proceeded 

Arrived  between  the  Fanny  and  the  Mar- 

promiscuously. 

ket  wharf,  a signal  was  made  from  one 

In  front  appeared  Wharton’s  large  and 

of  the  boats  ahead,  and  the  whole  lay 

elegant  mansion,  which  bounded  the  view 

upon  their  oars,  while  the  bands  played 

through  a vista  formed  by  two  triumphal 

‘‘  God  save  the  Kingl"  and  three  cheers  giv- 

arches  erected  at  proper  intervals  in  a 

en  from  the  vessels  were  returned  fiom 

line  with  the  landing-place.  Two  pavil- 

the  multitude  on  shore.  By  this  time  the 

ions,  with  rows  of  benches  rising  one 

flood-tide  became  too  rapid  for  the  gal- 

above  another,  and  serving  as  the  “ad- 

leys  to  advance;  they  were  therefore 

vanced  wings”  (as  Andre,  in  his  militarv 

» 

r 

KEVOLDTiONART.]  THE  GRAND  TOURNAMPjNT.  60'j 

phrase,  describes  them)  of  the  first  tri- 

nied  by  his  esquire  bearing  his  sliield,  and 

iimphal  arch,  received  the  ladies;  while 

prepared  to  do  service  for  his  “ lady  e love.” 

the  gentlemen  arranged  themselves  in 

Among  these  “Knights  of  the  Blended 

convenient  order  on  each  side.  On  the 

Rose”  appeared  Andre  himself,  then  hold- 

front  seat  of  each  pavilion  were  placed 

ing  the  rank  of  captain,  with  his  youth 

seven  of  the  principal  young  ladies  of  the 

ful  brother,  only  nineteen  years  of  age,  a 

country,  dressed  in  Turkish  habits,  and 

lieutenant  in  the  army. 

wearing  in  their  turbans  the  favors  with 

After  the  knights  had  rode  up  and 

which  they  designed  to  reward  the  sev- 

made  the  circuit  of  the  square,  they  sa- 

eral  knights  who  were  to  contend  in  thSir 

luted  the  ladies  as  they  passed  before  the 

honor. 

pavilions,  and  then  ranged  themselves  in 

These  arrangements  were  hardly  com- 

a line  with  the  seat  of  the  dames  of  the 

pleted,  when  the  sound  of  trumpets  was 

“Blended  Rose,”  whose  pre-eminent  beau- 

heard  at  a distance ; and  soon  a band  of 

ty,  wit,  and  accomplishments,  they  were 

knights,  dressed  in  ancient  habits  of  white 

prepared  to  prove  by  their  arms,  as  their 

and  red  silk,  and  mounted  on  noble  gray 

herald  declared,  against  all  who  should 

horses,  richly  caparisoned  in  trappings  of 

dare  to  deny  them.  Three  times  the  dial- 

the  same  colors,  entered  the  lists,  attend- 

lenge  was  sounded.  At  the  third,  a her- 

ed  by  their  esquires  on  foot,  in  suitable 

aid,  with  four  trumpeters,  dressed  in  black 

apparel,  in  the  following  order;  four  trum- 

and  orange,  galloped  into  the  lists.  He 

peters,  properly  habited,  their  trumpets 

was  met  by  the  herald  of  the  “Blended 

decorated  with  small  pendent  banners ; a 

Rose,”  and,  after  a brief  parley,  he  of  the 

herald,  in  his  robe  of  ceremony,  with  a 

“ Knights  of  the  Burning  Mountain”  loud- 

device  of  his  band  on  it,  consisting  of  two 

ly  sounded  his  trumpet,  and  proclaimed 

white  roses  intertwined,  with  the  motto. 

defiance  to  the  challenge,  declaring  that 

“ ^Ye  drop  ivlien  separated!'  Lord  Cathcart, 

the  knights  of  the  “Burning  Mountain” 

mounted  on  a superb  horse  led  by  grooms. 

came  to  disprove  by  deeds,  and  not  by 

appeared  as  chief  of  these  knights.  Two 

words,  the  vainglorious  assertions  of  the 

young  black  slaves,  with  sashes  and  draw- 

knights  of  the  “ Blended  Rose.” 

ers  of  blue  and  white  silk,  wearing  large 

The  knights  of  the  “ Burning  Mount- 

silver  clasps  round  their  necks  and  arms. 

ain”  now  rode  in,  headed  by  their  chief 

their  breasts  and  shoulders  bare,  held  his 

Each  had  his  squire,  shield,  and  device, 

stirrups.  On  his  right  and  left  walked 

and  was  ready  to  do  service  for  his  espe- 

his  two  esquires,  one  bearing  his  lance 

cial  dame.  They,  having  made  the  cir- 

and  the  other  his  shield,  upon  which  was 

cuit  of  the  lists,  and  their  obeisance  to 

the  device  of  Cupid  riding  a lion,  with 

all  the  ladies,  reined  up  their  horses  defi- 

the  motto,  ‘‘  Surmounted  hy  Love!'  His  lord- 

antly  infrontof  the  knightsof  the  “Blend-* 

ship  appeared  in  honor  of  Miss  Auchmuty. 

ed  Rose.”  The  chief  of  the  latter  then 

Then  followed  his  six  knights,  each  splen- 

threw  down  his  gauntlet,  which  was  or- 

didly  accoutred  and  mounted,  accompa- 
77 

dered  to  be  taken  up  by  the  esquire  of 

(310  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


the  chief  of  the  “ Buniino;  Mountain.” 
Each  knight  now  took  his  lance  and  shield 
from  his  esquire ; and  the  two  opposing 
bands,  after  making  a general  salute  to 
each  other  by  a graceful  movement  of 
their  lances,  turned  to  take  their  career, 
and,  encountering  in  full  gallop,  shivered 
their  spears.  In  the  second  and  third  en- 
counters they  discharged  their  pistols.  In 
the  fourth  they  fought  with  their  swords. 
At  length  the  two  chiefs,  spurring  for- 
ward into  the  centre,  engaged  furiously 
in  single  combat,  till  the  marshal  of  the 
held  rushed  in  between  the  champions, 
and  declared  that  the  fair  damsels  of  the 
“Blended  Bose”  and  “Burning  Mount- 
ain” were  perfectly  satished  with  the 
proofs  of  love  and  the  signal  feats  of  val- 
or given  by  their  respective  knights,  and 
commanded  them,  as  they  prized  the  fu- 
ture favors  of  their  mistresses,  that  they 
would  instantly  desist  from  further  com- 
bat. Obedience  being  paid  to  this  order, 
the  chiefs  joined  their  respective  array 
of  knights. 

A passage  being  now  opened  between 
the  two  pavilions,  the  knights,  preceded 
by  their  squires  and  the  bands  of  music, 
rode  through  the  first  triumphal  arch, 
and  arrayed  themselves  to  the  right  and 
left.  This  arch  was  erected  in  honor  of 
Lord  Howe.  It  presented  two  fronts,  in 
the  Tuscan  order.  The  pediment  was 
adorned  with  various  naval  trophies,  and 
at  the  top  was  the  figure  of  Neptune,  with 
a trident  in  his  right  hand.  In  a niche 
on  each  side  stood  a sailor  with  a drawn 
cutlass.  Three  plumes  of  feathers  were 
placed  on  the  summit  of  each  wing,  and 
m the  entablature  was  a Latin  inscription. 


saying  that  praise  was  his  due,  but  that 
his  soul  was  above  praise.  From  this 
arch  led  an  avenue  three  hundred  feet 
long  and  thirty-four  broad,  lined  on  each 
side  with  troops;  while  beyond  all  the 
colors  of  the  army  were  planted  at  prop- 
er intervals,  between  which  the  knights 
and  squires  took  their  stations.  The  bands 
struck  up  a succession  of  martial  tunes, 
and  the  procession  then  moved  forward. 
The  ladies,  in  their  Turkish  habits,  led 
the  way ; and,  as  they  passed,  they  were 
saluted  by  the  knights,  who  dismounted 
and  joined  them.  Thus  the  whole  com- 
pany passed  through  a second  triumplud 
arch  into  the  garden  which  fronted  the 
“ Wharton  mansion.” 

The  second  arch,  like  the  first,  w'as  of 
the  Tuscan  order,  and  was  dedicated  to 
Sir  William  Howe.  On  the  interior  part 
of  the  pediment  was  painted  a plume  of 
feathers,  and  various  military  tro[)liies. 
At  the  top  stood  the  figure  of  Fame,  and 
in  the  entablature  was  this  Latin  in.scrij)- 
tion : I,  bono,  quo  virtus  tua  ie  vocal ; I pede 
faiisto : Go,  GOOD  one,  where  thy  virtue 

SHALL  CALL  THEE;  MAY  PROSPERITY  ATTEND 
THY  STEPS  !”  On  the  right-hand  pillar  was 
placed  a bomb,  and  on  the  left  a flaming 
heart.  The  front  of  the  arch  next  to  the 
house  was  covered  with  fireworks,  ar- 
ranged in  ornamental  forms,  ready  to  be 
fired  in  the  course  of  the  night. 

From  the  garden  a flight  of  steps  cov- 
ered wdth  carpet  led  to  a spacious  hall, 
which  was  adorned  with  panelling  paint- 
ed in  imitation  of  Sienna  marble,  cleverly 
executed  by  Captain  Andre  himself,  who 
had  transferred  his  brush  from  the  canvas 
of  the  theatre  to  the  walls  of  the  Whar- 


V 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  BALL  AND 

THE  banquet.  611 

ton  house  for  this  gnind  occasion.  In  the 

engineer.  As  the  rockets  shot  into  the 

hall  and  in  the  adjoining  apartments  were 

air,  and  the  fire-balloons  burst  into  a blaze 

prepared  tea,  lemonade,  and  other  cooling 

of  light,  the  interior  of  the  triumphal  arch 

drinks,  to  which  the  company  seated  them- 

Avas  illuminated.  The  military  trophies 

selves  according  to  the  comfortable  prac- 

shone  out  resplendently  in  variegated  col- 

tice  of  those  good  old-fashioned  times. 

ors;  and  Fame  appeared  at  the  summit. 

While  they  Avere  thus  regaling  them- 

spangled  AA'ith  stars,  and  bloAving  from  her 

selves,  the  knights  came  in,  and  on  bend- 

trumpet  in  letters  of  light,  lauriers 

ed  knees  received  their  favors  from  their 

sont  immorieh : His  laurels  are  iaimortal.” 

respective  ladies. 

At  tAvelve  o’clock  at  nio-ht,  sup- 

There  was  one  apartment  of  the  man- 

-1  1 ■»  loi 

per  Avas  announced  ; and  large 

sion  especially  devgted  to  the  most  ab- 

folding-doors,  until  this  moment  artfully 

sorbing  interest  of  that  time.  Here  Avas 

hidden,  Avere  suddenly  throAvn  open,  dis- 

the  faro-table  ; and,  as.if  mocking  at  their 

covering  a magnificent  saloon  of  tAvo  him- 

OAvn  vice,  these  reckless  debauchees  had 

dred  and  ten  feet  by  forty,  and  tAventy- 

painted  on  a panel  over  the  chimney,  so 

tAVO  feet  in  height,  Avith  three  alcoves  on 

that  it  might  be  the  fiist  object  seen  on 

each  side,  Avhich  served  as  sideboards.  The 

entering  the  room,  a cornucopia,  fdled  to 

ceiling  Avas  the  segment  of  a circle  ; and 

overfloAving  Avitli  floAvers  of  the  richest 

the  sides  Avere  painted  of  a light  straAV- 

colors,  Avhile  over  the  door  of  exit  w.as 

color,  Avith  vine-leaves  and  festoons  of 

represented  another,  Avhich  Avas  shrunk. 

floAvers,  some  in  a bright,  some  in  a dark- 

reversed,  and  emptied  ! Thus  Avas  sym- 

ish  green.  Fifty-six  large  pier-glasse.s,  or- 

bolized  the  doom  of  the  gamester,  Avho,en- 

namented  Avith  green-silk  artificial  floAv- 

tering  Avith  abundance,  Avas  destined  to 

ers  and  ribbons ; one  hundred  branche.s. 

go  away  empty  from  that  fatal  hall. 

Avith  three  lights  in  each,  trimmed  in  the 

Above  these  loAver  apartments  Avere 

same  manner  as  the  mirrors;  eighteen 

ball  and  refreshment  rooms,  illuminated 

lustres,  each  Avith  tAventy-four  lights,  sirs- 

with  hundreds  of  Avax-lights,  hung  Avith 

pended  from  the  ceiling,  and  ornamented 

rose-colored  drapery,  painted  Avith  grace- 

as  the  branches;  three  hundred  Avax-ta- 

ful  forms  and  rich  devices,  festooned  Avith 

pers,  disposed  along  the  supper-tables; 

Avreaths  of  natural  floAvers,  and  all  reflect- 

four  hundred  and  thirty  covers ; tAvelve 

ed  brilliantly  from  the  numerous  mirrors 

hundred  dishes ; tAventy-four  black  slaves 

on  the  Avails.  The  ball  Avas  opened  by 

in  oriental  dresses,  Avith  silver  collars  and 

the  knights  and  their  ladies,  and  the  dance 

bracelets,  ranged  in  tAvo  lines,  and  bend- 

Avas  kept  up  until  ten  o’clock,  Avhen  the 

ing  to  the  ground  as  the  general  and  the 

AvindoAVS  Avere  tliroAvm  open  on  that  Avarm 

admiral  approached  the  saloon,  formed 

spring  night,  and  a magniflcent  bouquet 

together  “ the  most  brilliant  assemblage 

of  rockets  began  the  display  of  fireAvorks, 

of  gay  objects,  and  appearing  at  once  ns 

AAdiich  had  been  prepared  under  the  su- 

Ave  entered  by  an  easy  descent,”  Avrote 

pei  vision  of  Captain  Montressor,  the  chief- 

Captain  Andre,  in  his  gloAving  account  of 

512  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

the  Hcene,  “ exhibited  a coup  d'ceil  beyond 

blaze  of  her  beauty,  only  to  wither  them 

description  magnificent.” 

in  the  fire  of  her  wdt.  Give  us  ^Britons, 

Toward  the  close  of  the  ban- 
q^^^et,  the  herald  of  the  “ Blended 

stnlee  home !'  ” shouted  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
to  the  musicians.  ‘‘The  commander-in 

Rose,”  habited  in  his  robes  of  ceremony, 

chief  has  made  a mistake,”  exclaimed  Miss 

and  attended  by  his  trumpeters,  entered 

Franks;  he  meant  to  say, ‘Britons — go 

the  saloon,  and  proclaimed  the  health  of 

home !'  ” She  is  acknowledged  to  have 

the  king,  the  queen,  and  the  royal  fami- 

been  beaten  only  once  in  those  martial 

ly  ; the  army  andjhe  navy,  with  their  re- 

days,  in  the  war  of  words,  which  she  was 

spective  commanders ; the  knights  and 

ever  ready  to  w'age  with  whig  or  tory. 

their  ladies;  and  the  ladies  in  general  — 

general  or  subaltern,  and  then  by  that 

each  of  the  toasts  being  followed  by  a 

old  campaigner,  in  the  letter  to  which  al- 

flourish  of  music.  After  supper,  the  dan- 

lusion  has  been  made,  and  which  she  re- 

cing  was  resumed,  and  was  kept  up  until 

ceived  with  anger,  a sure  sign  of  defeat. 

four  o’clock  the  next  morning. 

“Paine,”  observes  Lossing,  “in  one  of 

Tlie  ladies  present  on  the  occasion  were 

the  numbers  of  his  paper  called  ‘ The  Cri- 

all  Americans,  with  the  exception  of  Miss 

sisi  a laughable  account  of  this  farce” 

Auchmuty,  the  subsequent  bride  of  Cap- 

(of  the  Mischianza).  “Alluding  to  Gen- 

tain  Montressor.  They  became  memora- 

eral  Howe,  he  says,  ‘ He  bounces  off,  with 

ble  ever  after  as  the  Mkchianza  ladies” 

his  bombs  and  burning  hearts  set  upon 

and  a rigid  patriotism  frowned  awhile  up- 

the  pillars  of  his  triumphant  arch,  which, 

on  them,  but  it  soon  yielded  to  the  smiles 

at  the  proper  time  of  the  show,  burst  out 

of  beauty ; and  Americans,  in  tlieir  pro- 

with  a shower  of  squibs  and  crackers,  and 

verbial  gallantry  toward  the  other  sex, 

other  fireworks,  to  the  delight  and  amaze- 

forgot  all  distinctions  between  “ tory”  and 

ment  of  Miss  Craig,  Miss  Chew,  Miss  Red- 

‘‘  whig.”  Miss  Shippen,  one  of  the  fairest 

man,  and  all  the  other  misses,  dressed  out 

damsels  of  the  MiscManza,  became  after- 

as  the  fair  damsels  of  the  Blended  Rose, 

ward  the  dashing  bride  of  General  Ar- 

and  of  the  Burning  Mountain,  for  this  ' 

nold.  Miss  Franks,  rendered  famous  Ijy 

farce  of  knightrerrantry.’  How  strange 

General  Charles  Lee’s  witty  letter  ad- 

that  such  sensible  men  as  these  two  com- 

dressed  to  her,  was  the  reigning  belle  on 

manders  were,  should  have  consented  to 

the  occasion.  She  attracted  all  by  the 

receive  such  gross  adulation !” 

itEvoLUTiONARY.J  THE  CONSPIRATORS  AT  WORK.— CONWAY  AND  GATES.  613 


CHAPTER  LXVII. 

Wasliinjjton  and  his  Slanderers. — General  Gates  in  Opposition. — General  Conway. — Letter  from  Washington. — Conway 
made  Inspector-General. — The  Anti-Washington  Faction  in  the  Ascendant. — The  Cabal. — Intrigue. — Exposure. — 
General  Wilkinson. — His  Account  of  the  Affair. — Lord  Stirling  in  his  Cups. — A Challenge. — No  Blood  shed. — Con- 
way detected  and  exposed. — His  Resignation. — His  Duel  with  General  Cadwallader. — Atonement  of  a Dying  Man. — 
An  Immortality  of  Dishonor. — Improvement  at  Valley  Forge. — Supplies. — Arrival  of  Mrs.  Washington. — Visiters. — 
Getieral  Charles  Lee  exchanged. — His  Arrival  in  the  American  Camp. — Ethan  Allen. — Lafayette  appointed  to  com- 
mand an  Expedition  to  Canada. — The  Marquis  remains  faithful  to  Washington. — He  is  flattered  in  vain  by  the  “ Ca- 
bal.”— To  Albany  and  back  again. — Baron  Steuben. — His  Life  and  Character. — He  is  appointed  Inspector-General. — 
Anecdotes. — The  Baron’s  Services. 


There  were  not  only  the  trials  of 
I778«  ^ 

the  command  of  an  army  of  fam- 
ishing soldiers,  constantly  on  the  verge 
of  mutiny,  to  which  their  crying  wants 
provoked  and  almost  justified  them  in 
yielding,  to  perplex  the  head  and  wound 
the  heart  of  Washington ; he  was  now 
tormented  by  the  stings  of  scandal,  and 
harassed  by  the  opposition  of  the  factions 
in  the  army  and  in  Congress.  The  com- 
mander-in-chief had  long  been  conscious 
that  there  were  some  who  were  disposed 
to  depreciate  his  military  character,  and 
elevate  their  own  at  his  expense.  He 
saw  that  General  Gates^forgetful  of  his 
old  friendship,  and  though  bound  to  him 
by  every  tie  of  gratitude,  had  become  dis- 
affected, and  neglected  no  opportunity  of 
vvoundino;  his  sensibilities  and  thwarting  ! 

o o i 

his  purposes.  Gates  was  a vain  man,  and 
his  triumph  at  Saratoga,  and  the  flatte- 
ries which  followed,  seem  to  have  raised 
him  to  such  a giddy  height  in  his  own 
esteem,  that  his  head  turned.  After  the 
.surrender  of  Burgoyne, ordinary  courtesy 
should  have  impelled  General  Gates  to 
write  to  Washington,  but  he  was  guilty 


of  the  indignitj^  of  neglecting  this  obvi- 
ous duty.  The  commander-in-chief,  with 
conscious  dignity,  either  left  these  marks 
of  disrespect  and  indications  of  opposition 
unnoticed,  or  remarked  upon  them  as  the 
usual  accompaniments  of  high  trust  and 
position.  When,  however,  he  discovered 
that  his  enemies  were  seriously  organi- 
zing into  a party  to  overthrow  him,  and 
to  take  the  lead  in  the  conduct  of  affiiir.s, 
he  was  resolved  to  check  them,  if  not  for 
his  own  sake,  yet  for  the  sake  of  the  cause 
which  he  loved  too  much  to  expose  to  the 
mercy  of  such  guide.s. 

The  first  notice  which  the  general-in- 
chief  deigned  to  take  of  the  intrigues  of 
his  enemies,  was  this  note  from  him  to 
General  Conway:  — 

“ Camp,  Nov.  16,  1777. 

“ Sir  : A letter  which  I received  last 
night  contained  the  following  paragraph : 

‘‘  ‘ In  a letter  from  General  Conway  to 
General  Gates,  he  says,  “ Heaven  has  deter- 
mined to  save  your  country,  or  a iveah  getieral 
and  had  counsellors  tvould  have  mined  itr ' 

“ I am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

“ George  Washington.” 


•3)4  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


Genernl  Conway,  on  the  receipt  of  this, 


without  denying  the  words  which  were 
attributed  to  him,  strove  immediately,  by 
letter,  or  an  interview  with  the  command- 
er-in-chief, to  explain  them  away ; but  the 
result  was  so  unsatisfactory,  that,  appa- 
rently in  conscious  guilt,  he  offered  his 
resignation.  This  was  not  accepted,  and 
in  the  course  of  a month,  and  near  the 

close  of  the  year  1777,  Conway 
Dec.  16.  . 1 

was  appointed  inspector-general 

of  the  army,  with  the  rank  of  major-gen- 
eral. The  bitterest  opponent  of  Wash- 
ington was  thus  elevated  by  Congress  to 
this  high  position  even  after  his  intrigues 
a^Tainst  the  commauder-in-chief  had  be- 

O 

come  know'll,  and  ivlien  Washington  had 
already  (before  he  ivas  aivare  of  Conivay’s 
personal  attacks  upon  him)  written  these 
words  while  the  c[uestion  was  being  agi- 
tated months  before  about  such  an  ap- 
pointment: “It  will  be  as  unfortunate  a 
measure  as  ever  ivas  adopted  ; I may  add, 
and  I think  with  truth,  that  it  will  give  a 
fatal  blow  to  the  existence  of  the  army.” 

The  faction  opposed  to  Washington, 
however,  ivas  now  in  the  ascendant  in 
Congress.  A board  of  war  was  appoint- 
ed, in  which  those  suspected  of  intrigues 
airainst  the  commander-in-chief  formed 
the  nmjority,  and  were  the  most  promi- 
nent members.  General  Gates  became 
president ; General  Mifflin,  supposed  to 
be  leagued  with  Gates  and  Conway  in  an 
effort  to  supplant  Washington,  and  place 
one  of  the  three  in  the  chief  command, 
was  a member ; Timothy  Pickering,  late 
adjutant-general,  Jose[)h  Trumbull,  the 
former  commissary,  and  Richard  Peters, 
composed  the  rest  of  the  new  board.  Si- 


multaneously w’ith  the  creation  of  this 
board,  Conway  received  his  appointment 
as  inspector-general,  with  the  rank  of 
major-general,  and  ivas  thus  promoted 
above  all  the  brigadiers  of  older  date ! 
The  army,  by  whom  Washington  Avas  be- 
loved above  all, became  indignant,and  the 
officers  and  soldiers  freely  denounced  the 
fftction  which  they  did  not  hesitate  to  de- 
clare controlled  the  action  of  Congress, 
to  the  injury  of  the  great  interests  of  the 
country.  But  faction  continued  awhile 
to  govern  that  body,  and  some  of  its  mem- 
bers strove  by  secret  as  Avell  as  by  open 
means  to  accomplish  their  partisan  ends. 
Anonymous  letters  Avere  written  to  the 
governors  of  the  states  and  to  the  officials 
of  Congress,  to  sound  them  and  to  gain 
them  over,  by  attacks  upon  the  military 
conduct  of  Washington  and  his  favorite 
officers,  by  laudatory  accounts  of  the  tri- 
umphs of  Gates,  and  of  the  ability  of  that 
general  and  his  friends. 

The  letter  of  Washington  to  Conway, 
however,  brought  the  Avhole  intrigue  to 
an  issue ; and  Avhen  the  army  and  the 
country  shoAved  their  indignation  at  this 
attempt  to  destroy  the  character  of  the 
commander-in-chief,  there  Avas  not  one  of 
those  suspected  Avho  Avas  not  anxious  to 
clear  himself  of  all  suspicion  of  being  a 
participator  in  the  disreputable  scheme. 
On  hearing  of  Washington’s  letter  to  Con- 
Avay,  General  Gates  at  first  seemed  only 
eager  to  discover  the  person  Avho  had  be- 
trayed his  confidence  ; but  Avhen  popular 
indignation  Avas  excited,  his  subsequent 
efforts,  in  the  course  of  Avhich  he  Avrote 
several  prevaricating  and  contradictory 
letters  to  Washington,  Avere  directed  toAv- 


WILKINSON  AND  LORD  STIRLING. 


REVOLUTIONARY.J 

arJ  explaining  the  offensive  passage  quo- 
ted, which,  having  been  repeated  in  the 
course  of  conversation,  may  not  have  been 
literally  given,  though  it  is  now  general- 
ly believed  to  have  presented  the  spirit 
of  the  original  words. 

Wilkinson,  who  was  a heedless,  loqua- 
cious youth,  at  that  time,  and  much  given 
to  vaunting  his  intimacy  with  the  then 
“great  man”  of  the  day  (General  Gates), 
was  the  one  to  whom  was  traced  the 
abuse  of  confidence  of  which  Gates  so 
strongly  complained.  It  w’ill  be  recollect- 
ed that  Wilkinson  was  sent  to  Congress, 
to  present  Gates’s  report  of  his  triumph 
at  Saratoga.  In  the  course  of  his  jour- 
ney, his  progress  was  so  slow  (whether 
from  a desire  of  prolonging  the  glory  re- 
flected upon  him  by  his  message,  or  from 
the  mere  distractions  of  pleasure  natural 
to  youth),  that  when  it  was  proposed  in 
Congress,  upon  his  ai’rival,  that  a sword 
should  be  voted  him  as  the  bearer  of  such 
good  news.  Doctor  Witherspoon,  then  a 
member,  shrewdly  observed  in  his  native 
Scotch,  “ I think  ye'll  better  gie  the  ladra  pair 
o'  spurs !"  While  Wilkinson  was  leisurely 
pursuing  his  w'ay,bigwith  the  importance 
of  his  commis.sion,  he  put  up  at  Heading, 
in  Pennsylvania.  But  we  shall  let  him 
tell  his  own  story  : — 

“ I arrived,”  says  Wilkinson,  “ the  even- 
ing of  the  27th  [of  October],  and  was  vis- 
ited by  General  Mifflin,  with  whom  I had 
been  acquainted  at  the  siege  of  Boston, 
lie  wished  me  to  take  tea  with  him,  and 
I found  two  eastern  members  of  Congress 
at  his  house.  I was  minutely  questioned 
by  them  respecting  the  military  opera- 
tions in  the  North;  General  Washington’s 


615 

misfortunes  were  strictured  severely  by 
them,  and  General  Conway’s  criticisms 
again  mentioned.  General  Mifflin  ap- 
peared exceedingly  despondent,  and  ob- 
served that  he  considered  the  insurance 
of  buildings  at  Reading  against  the  dep- 
redations of  the  enemy  worthy  reflection. 

“ This  evenine;  it  betjnn  to  rain,  and  the 
next  da}'  it  fell  in  torrents.  Lord  Stir- 
ling was  confined  at  this  village  [Read- 
ing], in  consequence  of  a fall  from  his 
horse  ; and  being  myself  detained  by  the 
weather,  for  I dared  not  ride  in  the  rain, 
I consented  at  his  earnest  request  to  take 
a pot-luck  dinner  with  him,  and  was  hap- 
py to  meet  my  friend  Major  Monroe  (af- 
terward president),  in  capacity  of  aid-de- 
camp  to  his  lordship.  IVith  a noble  de- 
portment and  dignified  manners.  Lord 
Stirline:  combined  sound  education  and 
respectable  talents.  I speck  of  his  foibles 
with  reluctance,  for  he  was  an  officer  of 
conspicuous  gallantry.  Ilis  addictions 
were  notorious,  and  his  fondness  for  a 
long  set  not  the  least  remarkaljle,  for  no 
man  could  be  more  strongly  disposed  to 
fight  his  battles  over  again.  The  earl 
had  another  aid-de-camp,  by  the  name  of 
M‘Williams,  whom  I had  never  seen  be- 
fore. 

“We  dined  agreeably,  and  I did  not 
get  away  from  his  lordship  before  mid- 
night, the  rain  continuing  to  pour  down 
wdthout  intermission.  In  the  course  of 
the  day,  his  lordship  fought  over  the  bat- 
tle of  Long  island  in  detail,  and  favored 
me  with  recitals  of  all  the  affairs  in  which 
he  had  subsequently  performed  a part; 
and  I reciprocated  information  of  such 
transactions  in  the  North  as  could  inter- 


— — 1 

316  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


est  or  amuse  him.  The  conversation  was 
too  copious  and  diJfFuse  for  me  to  have 
charged  my  memory  with  particulars,  and 
from  the  circumstances  of  it  was  confi- 
dential.” 

His  lordship,  notwithstanding  his  “ad- 
dictions,” did  not  seem  on  that  occasion 
to  have  poured  down  wine  of  sufficient 
potency  to  steal  away  his  brains ; for  his 
memory  remained  in  such  full  possession, 
that  he  distinctly  recollected  that  Wilkin- 
son had  said  that  General  Gates  had  re- 
ceived a letter  in  which  were  these  words, 
written  by  Conway:  “ Heaven  has  deter- 
mined to  save  your  country,  or  a weak 
general  and  bad  counsellors  would  have 
ruined  it.”  The  earl  immediately  wrote 
the  words  down,  and  sent  them  to  Wash- 
ington, with  his  authority;  and  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, as  we  have  seen,  sent 
them  back  to  Conway,  and  thus  brought 
the  “ Conway  cahal"  (as  it  has  been  called) 
to  light,  and  subsequent  dishonor. 

Wilkinson  was  provoked  at  being  dis- 
covered as  the  cause  of  the  excitement 
which  ensued,  and  being  made  the  object 
of  the  indignation  of  his  patron.  General 
Gates.  In  the  fretting  of  his  youthful 
spirit,  he  declared,  “My  lord  shall  bleed 
for  his  conduct !”  but  he  first  determined 
that  the  blood  of  Gates  should  flow,  the 
general  having  denounced  him  in  strong 
terms  for  his  abuse  of  confidence.  A chal- 
lenge was  given  and  accepted,  and  the 
preliminaries  for  the  duello  were  all  ar- 
I’iinged,  when  Wilkinson,  according  to  his 
own  report  of  the  occurrence,  being  fully 
armed  and  accompanied  by  his  seconds, 
on  proceeding  to  the  ground,  was  called 
aside  by  Captain  Stoddert,  and  informed 


that  General  Gates  desired  to  speak  with 
him. 

“I  expressed  my  astonishment,”  says 
Wilkinson,  “ and  observed  it  was  impos- 
sible. He  replied,  with  much  agitation : 
‘ For  God’s  sake,  be  not  always  a fool ! 
Come  along,  and  see  him  !’  Struck  with 
the  manner  of  my  friend,!  inquired  where 
the  general  was.  He  answered,  ‘ In  the 
street, near  the  door.’  The  surprise  robbed 
me  of  circumspection.  I requested  Colo- 
nel Ball  [his  second]  to  halt,  and  followed 
Captain  Stoddert.  I found  General  Gates 
unarmed  and  alone,and  was  received  with 
tenderness  but  manifest  embarrassment 
He  asked  me  to  walk,  turned  into  a back 
street,  and  we  proceeded  in  silence  till 
we  passed  the  buildings,  when  he  burst 
into  tears,  took  me  by  the  hand,  and 
asked  me  how  I could  think  he  wished 
to  injure  me.  I was  too  deeply  affected 
to  speak,  and  he  relieved  my  embarrass- 
ment by  continuing:  injure  you?  It 

is  impossible  ! I should  as  soon  think  of 
injuring  my  own  child.’  This  language 
not  only  disarmed  me,  but  awakened  all 
my  confidence  and  all  my  tenderness.” 
Wilkinson  went  away  satisfied,  but  still 
bent  upon  carrying  out  his  bloody  de- 
signs against  Lord  Stirling. 

Wilkinson  wrote  a letter  to  his  lord- 
ship,  in  which  he  did  not  pretend  to  deny 
having  quoted  the  words  sent  to  Wash- 
ington, although  in  his  explanations  with 
Gates  he  appeared  to  be  entirely  uncon- 
scious of  having  done  so,  but  merely  re- 
quired from  Stirling  a statement  that  the 
conversation  he  had  published  “ passed 
in  a private  company  during  a convivial 
hour.”  The  earl  could  not  refuse  so  reu- 


r 

I ^ 

REVOLDTIONARV.]  CONWAY’S  “ CABAL.”— DUEL  WITH  CADWALLADER.  017 


sonable  a request,  and  readily  certified  to 
the  fact;  which  was  so  satisfactory,  that 
it  not  only  proved  a halm  to  the  wound 
of  Wilkinson’s  nice  sensibility,  hut  a pre- 
ventive of  the  mischief  threatening  his 
lordship. 

General  Conway  was  deemed  the  main 
instigator  of  these  disgraceful  intrigues 
against  Washington;  and  the  country 
soon  began  to  discover,  as  the  command- 
er-in-chief had  predicted,  that  he  was  “a 
secret  enemy,  or,  in  other  words,  a dan- 
gerous incendiary.”  Sustained  by  a ma- 
jority in  Congress,  Conway  enjoyed  a 
short  triumph ; hut,  as  he  became  inso- 
lent and  overhearing  in  success,  he  soon 
disgusted  even  those  who  had  been  his 
warmest  friends.  Not  satisfied  with  wri- 
ting letters  to  the  commander-in-chief, 
Avhich  the  latter  did  not  hesitate  to  term 
“ impertinent,”  demanding  the  command 
of  a division  in  the  army,  he  ventured  to 
complain  to  Congress  of  ill  treatment, 
and  to  offer  his  resignation,  in  such  terms 
of  contemptuous  disrespect,  that  even  his 
friends  did  not  oppose  the  vote  that  it 
should  be  accepted.  Conway  himself  was 
sorely  displeased  at  being  taken  at  his 
word,  and  afterward  strove,  by  letter  and 
personal  interview,  to  withdraw  his  resig- 
nation, but  without  effect.  Without  em- 
ployment, he  still  lingered  in  America, 
venting  his  spleen  upon  Washington  and 
his  army,  when  he  was  called  to  account 
by  General  Cadwallader.  A duel  was  the 
consequence ; and  Conway  received  the 
ball  of  his  antagonist,  which  passed  into 
his  mouth  and  through  the  upper  part  of 
his  neck,  in  its  course  justly  lacerating 
that  ‘‘unruly  member”  which  had  villified 
78 


the  character  and  motives  of  the  great 
chief.  He  believed  himself  to  be  a dying 
man,  and  had  the  grace  to  write  the  fol- 
lowdng  letter  to  Washington:  — 

“Sir:  I find  myself  just  able  to  hold 
the  pen  during  a few  minutes,  and  take 
this  opportunity  of  expressing  my  sincere 
grief  for  having  done,  written,  or  said  any 
thing  disagreeable  to  your  excellency. 
My  career  will  soon  be  over;  therefore 
justice  and  truth  prompt  me  to  declare 
my  last  sentiments.  You  arc,  in  my  eyes, 
the  great  and  good  man.  May  you  long  en- 
joy the  love,  veneration,  and  esteem,  of 
these  states,  whose  liberties  you  have  as- 
serted by  your  virtues. 

“ I am, 

“ With  the  greatest  respect,  &c., 

“ Thomas  Conway.” 

The  wounded  general,  hoAvever,  sur- 
vived his  injuries,  and  returned  to  France, 
his  adopted  country  ; leaving  behind  him, 
as  an  immortality  of  dishonor  in  America, 
the  ill-favored  association  of  his  name 
with  the  disreputable  “ Comvay  eahal.” 

Toward  spring,  the  aspect  of  the  Amer- 
ican camp  became  more  encouraging.  A 
committee  of  Congress  had  been  sent  to 
Valley  Forge,  to  confer  with  Washington 
upon  the  organization  of  a better  system 
for  the  army.  The  commander-in-chief, 
in  conjunction  with  his  officers,  prepared 
a document,  in  which  a plan  of  reform 
was  laid  down,  wdiich  subsequently  was 
for  the  most  part  adopted.  There  Avas 
yet  much  suffering,  before  the  new  sys- 
tem could  be  thoroughly  carried  out ; but 
already  supplies  began  to  arrive,  and  the 
troops,  if  still  deprived  of  comforts,  were 


G18  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 

no  longer  in  imminent  dread  of  frost  and 

The  brawny  Colonel  Ethan  Allen  was 

famine. 

also  restored  to  liberty,  and  was  flashing 

The  camp  was  also  enlightened  by  the 

out,in  his  stormy  eloquence, the  lightning 

arrival  of  some  distinguished  visiters. 

of  his  indignation  against  the  tyrants  of 

Mrs.  Washington  had  come  to  solace  with 

his  country.  He  found  ready  listeners, 

her  presence  the  trials  and  anxieties  of 

in  the  camp  at  Valley  Forge,  to  his  rude 

the  general,  and  was  cheerfully  submit- 

oratory  and  to  the  wondrous  story  he 

ting  to  the  rude  hospitalities  of  the  log- 

had  to  tell  of  his  strange  adventures  and 

huts  of  Valley  Forge.  General  Greene, 

daring  feats  during  his  long  captivity  and 

Lord  Stirling, and  General  Knox,likewise 

compulsory  travels.  He  was,  he  declared, 

had  their  wives  now  in  camp.  Bryan  Fair- 

ready  again  to  meet  the  foes  of  his  coun- 

fax,  his  old  Virginia  friend  and  neighbor, 

try ; and  Washington  having  obtained  for 

who,  though  still  loyal  to  his  king,  did 

him  a colonel’s  commission,  it  was  expect- 

not  fail  to  show  his  warm  attachment  to 

ed  that  he  would  still  have  remained  to 

the  American  general  by  a cordial  visit 

do  doughty  deeds,  but  he  preferred  to 

on  his  way  from  the  banks  of  the  Poto- 

return  to  his  adopted  country  (Vermont), 

mac  to  New  York,  and  a^ain  on  his  re- 

where  he  lived  to  tell  over  and  over,  in 

turn.  General  Charles  Lee,  by  an  ex- 

swelling  words,  the  history  of  his  strange 

ihano-e  for  the  British  oeneral  Prescott 

experience. 

captured  on  Rhode  island),  was  now  re- 

The  young  marquis  Lafayette  had  been 

instated  in  his  old  position  as  second  in 

temporarily  withdrawn  from  the  camp. 

command,  and,  although  still  tenacious  of 

The  new  board  of  war,  under  the  pi-esi- 

his  oddities,  was  observed  to  be  more  sub- 

deucy  of  General  Gates,  had  proposed  an 

dued  in  the  exhibition  of  them.  During 

expedition  against  Canada.  This  was 

the  later  days  of  his  captivity  he  had  had 

supposed  to  have  been  devised  for  the  es- 

little  to  complain  of  in  his  treatment.  He 

pecial  glory  of  the  “ Conway  cabal and 

enjoyed,  as  he  tells  us,  the  full  liberty  of 

an  appointment  in  the  enterprise  was  of- 

the  city  of  New  Y^ork  and  its  limits ; had 

fered  to  the  young  Frenchmau,  with  the 

horses  at  his  command,  furnished  by  Sir 

hope  of  securing  his  adhesion  to  that  fac- 

Henry  Clinton  and  General  Robertson; 

tion.  Lafayette  accepted  the  offer — not. 

and  had  lodged  with  two  of  “the  oldest 

however, until  he  had  consulted  Washing 

and  warmest  friends”  he  had  in  the  world. 

ton  — and  soon  proved  that  all  attempts 

Colonel  Butler  and  Colonel  Disney,  of  the 

upon  his  fidelity  to  the  commander-in- 

forty-second  regiment.  With  this  taste 

chief  were  futile.  His  first  rebuke,  ad- 

of  the  conventional  comforts  of  life  and 

ministered  to  the  conspirators,  was  at 

of  the  pleasures  of  society,  Lee  seemed 

Y’^orktown,  where  he  had  gone  to  receive 

temporarily  sweetened  to  a better  humor. 

from  Congress  his  instructions.  Here  he 

and  his  return  was  cordially  welcomed. 

was  welcomed  by  the  “ cabal,”  and  flat- 

He  soon  recurred,  however,  to  his  old  bit- 

tered  by  every  possible  attention.  Dining 

ttrness  of  temper. 

with  General  Gates,  who  was  surrounded 

J 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  ARRIVAL  OF  THE 

by  a circle  of  his  particular  friends  and 
admirers,  the  wine  passed  freely,  and,  as 
was  usual  in  those  days,  toasts  were  given. 
As  the  company  were  about  rising,  La- 
fayette filled  his  glass,  and,  reminding 
tho.se  at  the  table  that  they  had  forgot- 
ten one  toast,  gave  deliberately,  “ Tlie 
commander-in-chief  of  the  American  ar- 
mie.s.”  It  was  received  with  a coolness 
which  proved  what  he  had  suspected  — 
that  he  was  not  surrounded  by  the  friends 
of  Washington. 

Lafayette,  however,  jDroceeded  on  his 
journey  ; but,  on  reaching  Albany,  where 
he  had  been  led  to  believe  that  at  least 
three  thousand  men  and  a large  supply 
of  military  stores  were  in  readiness  for 
the  expedition  to  Canada,  he  met  with  a 
great  disappointment,  which  is  emphatic- 
ally described  in  his  letter  to  Washing- 
ton : “ I don’t  believe,”  he  writes,  “ I can 
find,  in  all,  twelve  hundred  men  fit  for 
duty,  and  the  greatest  part  of  these  are 
naked,  even  for  a summer  campaign.  I 
was  to  find  General  Stark,  with  a large 
body;  and,  indeed, General  Gates  told  me, 

‘ General  Stark  tvill  have  burned  the  fieet  be- 
fore your  arrival^  Well,  the  first  letter  I 
receive  in  Albany  is  from  General  Stark, 
who  wishes  to  know  what  number  of  men, 
from  where,  what  time,  and  for  what  ren- 
dezvous, I desire  him  to  raise'd 

The  young  marquis,  with  the  nice  sense 
of  ridicule  peculiar  to  a cultivated  French- 
man, was  heartily  ashamed  of  the  affair, 
and,  with  rather  unnecessary  sensitive- 
ness, was  fearful  that  he  was  disgraced  in 
the  eyes  of  the  world  for  the  failure  of 
an  expedition  so  fruitful  in  promise  but 
so  abortive  in  issue.  He  wrote  to  Wash- 


BARON  STEUBEN.  CIO 

ington,  expressing  his  anxietie.s,  and  re- 
ceived an  answer,  in  which  he  was  judi- 
ciously told  that  his  fears  respecting  his 
reputation  were  “excited  by  an  uncom- 
mon degree  of  sensibility.”  The  young 
Frenchman  soon  returned  to  the  camp  at 
Valley  Forge,  where  he  resumed  his  com- 
mand of  a division  of  the  army,  and  Ins 
frequent  intercourse  with  Washington, by 
whom  he  was  greatly  beloved. 

There  was  another  arrival  in  the  camp, 
of  more  importance  than  all.  It  was  that 
of  the  baron  Fiiedeuick  Willi.am  Augustus 
Steuben,  a distinguished  Prussian  officer. 
An  old  aid-de-camp  of  the  great  Freder- 
ick, he  had  learned  and  practised  war  un- 
der the  first  military  tactician  of  Europe, 
and  now  came  with  a singular  vicissitude 
to  impart  to  a people  struggling  for  in- 
dependence the  lessons  which  he  had  ac- 
quired in  the  service  of  the  most  arbitra- 
ry of  kings.  Steuben’s  repute  in  Europe 
was  so  high,  that  crowned  heads  competed 
for  him  as  an  officer  in  their  armies.  The 
emperor  of  Austria  and  the  king  of  Sar- 
dinia both  liberally  bid  for  his  services ; 
and  he  was  created  grand  marshal  of  the 
court  of  Prince  Hohenzollern-Heckingen, 
and  lieutenant-general  and  knight  of  the 
order  of  Fidelity  under  the  prince-mar- 
grave of  Baden,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of 
other  dignities,  with  an  emolument  which 
amounted  to  about  three  thousand  dollars 
annually,  when  he  resolved  upon  going 
to  America. 

While  visiting  Paris,  the  baron  listened 
with  interest  to  the  accounts  which  he 
heard  from  the  French  ministers  of  the 
American  cause,  and  they  succeeded  in 
persuading  him  to  join  his  fortunes  with 


620  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

it.  Franklin  and  Deane,  then  the  Ainei'i- 

“ I could  say,  moreover,  Avere  it  not  foi 

can  agents  in  France,  gladly  welcomed 

fear  of  offending  your  modesty,  that  3’our 

the  acquisition  of  the  baron,  from  whose 

excellency  is  the  only  person  under  Avhom, 

thorough  practise  as  a military  disciplina- 

after  having  served  under  the  king  of 

rian  they  expected  good  service  in  the 

Prussia,  I could  wish  to  pursue  an  art  to 

training  of  the  loosely-ordered  American 

which  1 have  wholly  given  myself  up.” 

army,  and  gave  him  strong  letters  of  rec- 

Franklin,  in  his  letter,  spoke  Avarinly 

ommendation.  The  versatile  Beaumar- 

of  the  claims  of  kSteuben.  “ He  goes  to 

chais,  the  author  of  Figaro” — by  turns 

America  with  a true  zeal  for  our  cause, 

watchmaker,  playwright,  courtier,  and 

and  a view  of  engaging  in  it,  and  render- 

financier — was  just  then,  while  perform- 

ing  it  all  the  service  in  his  power.  He 

ing  in  the  last  capacity,  under  the  aus-' 

, is  recommended  to  us  by  two  of  the  best 

pices  of  the  French  court,  supplying  the 

judges  of  military  merit  in  this  country. 

United  States  with  money  and  military 

M.  le  cointe  de  Vergennes  and  M.  le  comte 

stores.  Under  the  assumed  mercantile 

de  St.  Germain,  who  have  long  been  per- 

names  of Roderique,  Hotales,  and  Com- 

sonally  acquainted  with  him,  and  inter- 

pany,”  the  ever-active  Beaumarchais  had 

est  themselves  in  promoting  his  voyage. 

got  ready  a ship  and  a cargo  for  his  cus- 

from  the  full  persuasion  that  the  knoAvl- 

tomers  in  America,  and  he  now  offered 

edge  and  experience  he  has  acquired  by 

the  baron  Steuben  a passage.  Le  Ileureux 

twenty  years’  study  and  practice  in  the 

(for  that  was  the  well-omened  name  of 

Prussian  school  ma^’  be  of  great  use  in 

the  vessel)  made  a rough  and  dangerous 

our  armies.” 

voyage,  but  finally  landed  the  baron  in 

Steuben,  on  presenting  himself  to  Com 

safety  at  Portsmouth,  in  New  Hampshire, 

gross,  offered  his  services  as  a volunteer. 

on  the  1st  of  November,  1777.  On  his 

which  were  accepted  with  expressions  of 

arrival,  he  sent  forward  his  letters  from 

acknowledgment  for  his  generous  disin- 

Franklin  and  Deane,  with  one  from  him- 

terestedness.  He  then  proceeded  to  the 

self,  to  Washington  : — 

camp  at  Valley  Forge.  The  baron  made 

“ The  object  of  my  greatest  ambition,” 

a favorable  first  impression  upon  Wash- 

wrote  the  baron,  “ is  to  render  your  conn- 

ington,  who  thus  Avrote  : “He  appears  to 

try  all  the  service  in  my  power,  and  to 

be  much  of  a gentleman,  and,  as  far  as  I 

deserve  the  title  of  a citizen  of  America, 

have  had  an  opportunity  of  judging,  a 

by  fighting  for  the  cause  of  your  liberty. 

man  of  military  knoAvledge,  and  acquaint- 

If  the  distinguished  ranks  in  which  I have 

ed  Avith  the  Avorld.”  He  had  not  been 

served  in  Europe  should  be  an  obstacle, 

many  days  in  camp,  Avhen  Washington  so 

1 had  ratlier  serve  under  your  excellency 

highly  appreciated  his  abilities,  that  he 

as  a volunteer  than  to  be  an  object  of  dis- 

recommended  Congress  to  appoint  him 

content  among  such  deserving  officers  as 

inspector-general  of  tiie  army,  an  office  to 

have  already  distinguished  themselves 

Avhich  the  faction  had  raised  General  Con- 

among  you. 

Ava^q  but  Avho  never  fulfilled  its  duties. 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  CHAPvACTER  AND  SERVICES  OF  STEUBEN.  G21 

The  baron  Steuben  was  accordingly  ap- 
^ pointed  inspector-general  of  the 

May  j,  with  the  rank  of  major- 

quired  lists  of  the  sick,  a statement  of 
their  accommodations  and  mode  of  treat- 
ment, and  did  not  hesitate  to  visit  the 

general,  and  immediately  assumed  his 

hospitals  himself 

new  position.  Other  inspectors  were  ap- 

His  trials  may  well  be  conceived  to 

pointed,  subordinate  to  him.  Of  tliese 

have  been  severe,  with  the  rude,  inde- 

were  Ternant  and  Fleury,  both  of  whom 

pendent  material  which  he  was  striving 

were  gallant  and  efficient  officers,  who 

to  form  into  an  orderly  soldiery  ; and  on 

had  been  disciplined  in  the  armies  of 

some  occasions  his  patience  and  his  vo- 

France,  and  who,  beins-  fair  Eimlish  schol- 

cabulary  were  alike  exhausted.  “ Vihis, 

ars,  were  enabled  to  act  as  interpreters 

Wallier ; vien,  hon  ami,  curse ! G-d  d — n de 

to  the  baron,  of  whose  aid  in  tliis  respect 

gaiicherie  of  dcse  ladauts ! je  ne  puis  plus 

he  stood  greatly  in  need,  as  his  own  Eng- 

— lean  curse  dcm  no  more  T cried  out  the 

lish  vocabidary  was  as  yet  very  limited. 

baron  one  day  to  Captain  Walker,  his  nid- 

Steuben  was  also  glad  to  avail  himself  of 

de-camp,  Avhen  the  stupidity  of  some  raw 

the  assistance  of  Captain  Walker,  who  un- 

recruits  had  drawn  so  liberally  upon  his 

derstood  French,  and  whom  he  appointed 

polyglott  vocabulary  of  oaths  as  to  leave 

his  aid. 

him  destitute  of  resource. 

The  baron,  with  his  portly  form,  his 

Severe,  however,  as  Steuben  wns  as  a 

somewhat  venerable  appearance  (though 

military  disciplinarian,  he  was  the  kindest 

he  was  but  forty-eight  years  of  age),  his 

of  human  creatures.  He  was  so  charita- 

rich  uniform,  his  splendid  diamond-and- 

ble,  and  gave  away  his  money  so  freel}', 

gold  order  of  Fidelity  hanging  from  his 

that  he  never  had  a dollar  for  himself! 

neck,  and  his  military  formalities  of  man- 

Washington  said  that  if  any  specific  sum. 

ner,  made  a great  impression  upon  the 

however  large,  were  bestowed  upon  Steu- 

raw  troops  whom  he  now  undertook  to 

ben,  his  generous  heart  would  keep  him 

teach  the  tactics  of  war.  He  was  a rigid 

poor,  and  he  would  die  a beggar.  He 

disciplinarian,  and  exacted  the  most  mi- 

W'as  simple  in  his  habits,  an  early  riser. 

nute  obedience  to  orders.  His  scrutini- 

and  a moderate  man  at  the  table  ; but  he 

zing  eye  was  everywhere  along  the  line. 

was  so  socially  inclined,  that  he  always 

and  upon  each  soldier,  closely  inspecting 

kept  open  house  for  all  who  came.  He 

every  position  and  every  article  of  accou- 

was  so  generous,  that  he  Avas  known  to 

trement  and  dress.  He  required  that  the 

have  sold  his  Avatch,  to  supply  the  Avants 

musket  and  bayonet  should  exhibit  the 

of  a sick  friend ; and  his  horse,  to  enter- 

brightest  polish;  not  a spot  of  rust,  or 

tain  a guest  1 He  Avns  only  careless  of 

defect  in  any  part,  could  elude  his  vigi- 

his  own  interests ; and  Avhile  his  OAvn  ex- 

hmce.  He  was  as  severe  in  his  exactions 

chequer  Avas  empty,  and  his  accounts  m 

of  duty  from  the  officers  as  from  the  men. 

confusion,  he  Avas  so  regardful  of  the  pub- 

His  attention  was  directed  to  every  de- 

lie  property  confided  to  his  trust,  that, 

partment.  From  the  surgeons  he  re- 

Avhile  inspector-general,  only  three  mus- 

6‘22  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

kets  were  found  deficient,  and  these  ac- 

Steuben’s  services  in  organizino;  and 

counted  for  in  his  return  to  the  war  de- 

drilling  the  American  armj^  Avere  so  great, 

partinent.  Before  his  appointment,  five 

that  the  regulars  aa'Iio  had  been  formed 

thousand  muskets  were  always  the  allow- 

under  his  eye  were  said  never  to  have 

ance  made  in  the  estimate  for  loss,  in  the 

been  beaten  in  a fair  engagement  with 

number  actually  supplied. 

the  enemy. 

CHAPTER  LX.VIII. 

Occiisional  Skirmishes. — “ Light-IIorsc  Harry.” — A Successful  Defence, — Wayne  and  Pulaski. — Successful  Encounters. 

— Captain  Barry  and  his  Row-Boats. — A Prize. — Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  Danger. — The  Play  not  worth  the  Candle. — 
Fortification  of  West  Point. — Kosciusko. — The  British  Forayers. — The  Queen’s  Rangers. — Hay  and  Corn. — Sir  Henry 
Clinton  in  Command  at  Philadelphia. — He  proposes  to  retire. — Lafayette  set  to  watch  the  British. — He  is  caught  in  a 
Critical  Position. — A Skilful  Manoeuvre  and  Fortunate  Escape. — The  Enemy  return  to  Philadelphia. — A Successful 

Raid  by  the  British  over  the  Delaware. 

Few  occurrences,  of  a strictly 
military  character,  took  place  while 

spirit  of  Lee’s  men  baffled  the  enemy 
and  they  Avere  driven  off  from  the  house. 

the  two  armies  Avere  in  winter-quarters. 

They  made  an  attempt  to  carry  off  the 

There  were,  hoAvever, occasional  skirmish- 

horses,  but  they  Avere  also  forced  from 

es  between  parties  sent  out  to  forage. 

the  stables,  Avithout  being  able  to  take  a 

Captain  Henry  Lee,  as  usual,  did  good 

single  animal.  The  British  had  one  com- 

service  with  his  light-horse,  and  cheered 

missioned  officer,  a sergeant,  and  three 

the  heart  of  Washington  (who  was  so 

soldiers  Avounded,  and  three  privates  ta- 

much  attached  to  him)  by  his  frequent 

ken  prisoners.  The  Americans  lost  four 

feats  of  gallantry.  While  stationed  with 

privates,  Avho  belonged  to  the  patrol- 

his  troop  of  cavalry  as  an  advanced  guard 

guard,  and  Avho,  being  stationed  outside 

at  Derby,  Lee  Avas  attacked  by  a party 

of  the  building,  Avere  overpoAvered  while 

of  the  enemy’s  dragoons,  nearly  tAvo  him- 

struggling  manfully  against  the  AA'hole 

dred  in  number,  Avho  endeavored  to  sur- 

troop  of  dragoon.s.  A sergeant  Avas  also 

prise  him.  About  daybreak  they  made 

taken  prisoner,  and  a lieutenant  and  twr 

their  appearance.  Lee  Avas  on  the  alert. 

soldiers  wounded. 

and  manned  the  doors  and  AvindoAA’s  of 

A small  force  had  been  stationed  b_y 

the  large  stone-house  Avhere  he  Avas  qnar- 

W’^ashington  during  the  Avinter  at  Tren- 

tered.  The  British  dragoons,  trusting  to 

ton,  to  keep  in  check  the  foraging-parties 

tiieir  vast  superiority  in  numbers,  attempt 

of  the  enemy.  W’^hile  Wayne  and  Count 

ed  to  force  their  Avay  into  the  building. 

Pulaski  Avere  in  command  of  their  respect- 

The  contest  became  very  warm,  but  the 

ive  troops  in  this  quarter,  three  thousand 

i 

< 

r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  BARRY’S  EXPLOIT.— PLAN  TO  CAPTURE  CLINTON.  623 

British  crossed  the  Delaware  and  attempt- 

General  Washington  had  learned  the  ex- 

ed  to  surround  them.  The  Americans, 

act  position  of  all  the  approaches  to  the 

however,  succeeded  in  escaping,  and  har- 

dwelling,  and  even  of  the  bedchamber  of 

assed  the  enemy  severely  on  their  return 

Sir  Henry ; and  it  was  proposed  to  can  y 

across  the  ferry.  Pulaski  behaved  with 

him  off  Eight  or  ten  light  whale-boats, 

great  daring  on  the  occasion,  and  during 

manned  by  a hundred  and  fifty  Marble- 

a smart  skirmish  had  his  horse  wounded. 

head  seamen  (dressed  in  red,  that  the}’ 

After  the  British  returned  to  their  camp 

might  pass  for  British  soldiers),  were  to 

in  the  city.  General  Wayne  cro.ssed  the 

move  down  the  Hudson  with  muffled  oars 

Delaware,  laid  waste  the  forage  in  Phila- 

from  the  Highlands  to  New  York,  where 

delphia  and  Bucks  counties,  and  retired 

the  men  were  to  land  and  seize  the  Brit 

over  the  river,  driving  before  him  the 

ish  general.  Everything  was  in  readiness 

horses  and  cattle. 

for  carrying  out  the  enterprise,  which 

On  the  water,  too.  Captain  Barry,  of 

gave  every  promise  of  success,  when  Colo 

the  navy,  had  by  his  gallantry  won  a 

nel  Hamilton  took  occasion  to  ask  Wash- 

small  triumph.  Having  manned  four 

ington, ‘ffliave  you  examined  the  conse- 

boats  at  Burlington,  in  New  Jersey,  he 

quences  of  it?” — “In  what  re.spect?”  re- 

rowed  down  the  Delaware  with  muffled 

plied  the  general.  “ Why,  it  has  occurred 

oars,  and  took  two  British  transports  and 

to  me,”  rejoined  Hamilton,  “ that  we  shall 

an  armed  schooner  by  surprise.  They 

rather  lose  than  gain  by  removing  Sir 

were  from  Khode  Island,  and  bound  to 

Henry  Clinton  from  the  command  of  the 

Philadelphia.  The  transports  were  laden 

British  army,  because  we  perfectly  un- 

with  forage,  and  the  schooner  was  well 

derstaud  his  character;  and,  by  taking 

mounted  with  four- pound  cannon  and 

him  of!)  v»'e  only  make  way  for  some  oth- 

howitzers.  The  exploit  was  gallantly  ex- 

er,  perhaps  an  abler  officer,  whose  chaif- 

ecuted,  as  the  river  was  in  full  possession 

acter  and  disposition  we  may  have  to 

of  the  enemy’s  ship.s.  Barry,  in  fact,  had 

learn.”  The  good  sense  of  this  remark 

no  sooner  seized  his  prizes,  than  he  was 

was  immediately  acknowledged  by  Wash- 

obliged  to  burn  one,  to  prevent  its  being 

ington,  and  the  scheme  abandoned. 

retaken  ; and  “ I fear  the  other,”  he  wrote 

The  importance  of  holding  the  High- 

to  Washington,  “ will  share  the  same  fate 

lands  of  the  Hudson  was  never  disreg-ard- 

after  discharging  her;  but  I am  deter- 

ed ; and,  after  the  fall  of  Forts  Clinton 

mined  to  hold  the  schooner  at  all  events.” 

and  Montgomery,  it  was  determined  to 

There  was  another  affair  which  would 

select  some  other  position,  and  strongly 

probably  have  been  successful,  had  it  not 

fortify  it.  General  Putnam’s  attention 

been  concluded  that  “ the  play  was  not 

was  directed  to  this  important  matter, 

worth  the  candle.”  WhileSir  Henry  Clin- 

and  he,  together  with  the  Clintons  of  New 

ton  was  in  command  in  New  York,  he 

York,  carefully  reconnoitred  the  banks  of 

occupied  the  house  of  Captain  Kennedy, 

the  river,  with  the  view  of  selecting  a 

of  the  British  navy,  near  the  “ Battery.” 

proper  site  for  a fort.  West  Point  was 

624  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  ■ [part  n 

deemed  most  eligible  by  them,  as  well  as 
by  a committee  of  the  legislature  of  New 
York;  althoiigli  Kadifere,  the  French  en- 
gineer, did  not  approve  of  the  site.  There 
Avas  some  delay  in  constructing  the  works 
in  consequence  of  the  absence  of  General 
Putnam  from  his  command  on  the  Hud- 
son. Brigadier-General  Parsons,  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, Avho  succeeded  him  tempora- 
rily, not  feeling  authorized  to  act,  noth- 
ing  was  done  until  the  arrival  of 

Mai.  -0. 

the  command.  As  Radiere  had  objected 
to  the  site  of  West  Point,  which  it  was 
now  determined  to  fortify,  Kosciusko  was 
chosen  in  his  place ; and  the  Avorks  Avere 
begun,  and  pushed  on  Avith  great  vigor. 
The  chief  redoubt,  constructed  of  l^s 
and  embankments  of  earth,  Avas  finishecl 
before  the  month  of  May.  It  Avas  large, 
and  Avell  placed  upon  a cliff  rising  nearly 
two  hundred  feet  above  the  Avater.  Fort 
Clinton  Avas  the  name  given  to  it,  in  hon- 
or of  the  governor  of  New  York.  There 
Avere  other  redoubts  planned  and  finally 
erected  upon  the  eminences  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, Avhile  connected  Avith  the  Avorks 
Avere  barracks  and  quarters  for  nearly  six 
hundred  men.  There  Avas  also  a heavy 
chain  stretched  across  the  river,  to  pre- 
vent the  passage  of  vessels. 

Although  Sir  William  Howe  Avas  inac- 
tive Avith  the  main  body  of  the  British 
army  at  Philadelphia,  some  of  his  fora- 
ging-parties showed  great  enterprise  and 
alacrity.  Colonel  Mawhood  and  Major 
Simcoe,  Avith  the  corps  of  America  loyal- 
ists called  the  “ Queen’s  Rangers,”  made 
themselves  memorable  by  their  success- 
fid  activity  at  Salem  and  at  Quintian  and 

Hancock’s  bridges.  “ They  generally  suc- 
ceeded in  their  petty  objects,”  says  one 
of  their  OAvn  historians.  “The  fighting 

Avas  chiefly  for  hay  and  corn,  clothes  and 
blankets.” 

As  it  Avas  rumored  that  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton (who  had  taken  command  of  the  Brit- 
ish army  on  the  resignation  of  Sir  Wil- 
liam HoAve)  Avas  about  to  evacuate  Phila- 
delphia, the  young  marquis  Lafayette  Avas 
detached  with  tAventy-four  hundred  of  the 
choicest  of  the  American  troops  and  five 
fieldpieces,  “ to  move,”  as  Washington  said, 

“ between  the  Delaware  and  the  Schuyl- 
kill, for  restraining  the  enemy’s  parties 
and  procuring  intelligence,  and  to  act  as 
circumstances  may  require.” 

Lafayette  accordingly  marched  from 

headquarters,  and  took  post  at 

n r -11  1 c 

Barren  hill,  on  the  east  side  of 

the  Schuylkill  river,  about  half  Avny  be- 
tween Philadelphia  and  Valley  Forge. 
Here  his  troops  Avere  encamped  on  com- 
manding ground,  Avith  the  artillery  in 
front,  the  Schuylkill  and  rocky  precipices 
on  the  riglrt  flank,  and  Avooden  and  some 
strongly-built  stone  houses  on  the  left. 

In  advance  of  the  left  Aving  Avas  posted 
Captain  M^Lane  Avith  his  comjAany,  and 
about  fifty  Indians.  On  the  roads  lead- 
ing to  Philadelphia,  videttes  and  pickets 
Avere  stationed ; and  six  hundred  Penn- 
sylvania militia  Avere  ordei’ed  to  Avatcli 
those  Avhich  led  to  Whitemarsh.  At  a 
short  distance  from  the  left  of  the  en- 
campment Avas  a church,  Avhere  two  roads 
joined,  both  of  Avhich  led  to  Valley  Forge, 
one  by  Matson’s  ford  and  the  other  by 
Swedes’  ford,  leading  across  the  Schuyl- 
kill. 

r 

1 

REVOLUTIONAUY.]  SKILFUL  RETREAT  OF  LAFAYETTE.  625 

Early  on  the  second  mornincj; 
Way  20.  . . , i t ^ 

alter  encamping,  wliile  Lalay- 

Matson’s  ford.  This  was  his  only  chance 
of  escape,  and  this  he  availed  himself  of 

ette  w<as  conversing  with  a young  girl, 

He  first  sent  off  the  advanced  guard,  un- 

who  was  about  setting  out  for  Philadel- 

der  the  command  of  General  Poor,  and 

phia,to  collect  information,  under  the  pre- 

followed  himself  with  the  rear. 

text  of  visiting  her  relatives,  intelligence 

To  conceal  his  intention,  however,  from 

was  brought  to  him  that  some  cavalry, 

the  enemy,  who,  as  the  road  to  Matson’s 

dressed  in  red,  had  been  seen  at  White- 

ford  was  hidden  by  an  intervening  hill 

marsh.  The  marquis  was  expecting  some 

covered  with  trees,  could  not  see  the  re- 

American  dragoons;  and  at  first  he  in- 

treating  Americans,  Lafayette  now  and 

ferred  that,  as  they  were  to  come  in  that 

then  despatched  small  parties  through  the 

direction,  those  reported  to  have  been 
seen  were  his  own  men.  To  make  sure. 

woods  to^make  a demonstration,  as  if  they 
wereiheads  of  columns  marching  to  an 

however,  he  sent  out  an  officer  to  recon- 

attack.  The  enemy  were  completely  de- 

noitre,  who  soon  returned  with  the  alarm- 

ceived.  General  Grant,  who  commanded 

ino;  intellmence  that  one  column  of  the 

the  detachment  of  British  advancing  in 

enemy  was  in  full  march  from  White- 

that  direction,  halted  and  prepared  for 

■marsh  to  Swedes’  ford,  and  that  their 

action.  This  gave  the  young  marquis  an 

front  had  already  gained  the  road  which 

opportunity  of  accomplishing  his  purpose ; 

led  from  Barren  hill  to  Valley  Forge; 

and  he  succeeded  in  throwing  his  main 

while  another  column  was  approaching 

body  across  the  Schuylkill  at  Matson’s 

by  the  Philadelphia  road.  The  Pennsyl- 

ford,  without  the  least  interruption,  and 

vainia  militia,  whose  duty  it  was  to  watch 

posting  it  on  some  stony  ground  on  the 

at  Whitemarsh,  had  shifted  their  position 

opposite,  bank.  The  artillery  naturally 

without  orders,  and  thus  exposed  'Lafa}^- 

lagged  behind,  and,  before  it  could  pass 

ette  to  a surprise. 

the  river,  some  skirmishing  occurred  with 

The  young  marquis  now  found  himself 

the  enemy,  who  came  up,  undeceived,  at 

in  a critical  position;  but,  without  losing 

the  last  moment.  The  Americans  lost 

for  a moment  his  presence  of  mind,  he 

nine  killed  and  taken  prisoners,  and  the 

calmly  yet  rapidly  set  about  extricating 

British  two  or  three  in  all.  * 

himself  He  first  changed  the  front  of 

General  Grant,  finding  himself  outma- 

his  troops,  and,  having  so  disposed  them 

noeuvred,  pushed  on  toward  Swedes’ ford. 

as  to  bring  them  under  the  cover  of  the 

where  he  joined  the  other  British  detach- 

woods  and  stone-houses,  in  case  of  a sud- 

ment,  which  Sir  Henry  Clinton  himself 

den  attack  from  the  approaching  enemy. 

commanded.  They  reached  the  river. 

he  then  strove  to  seek  out  a way  of  re- 

and  took  a survey  of  the  marquis  and  his 

treat.  The  direct  road  to  Valley  Forge, 

troops  on  the  other  side;  but,  finding 

by  Swedes’  ford,  was  in  possession  of  a 

them  too  securely  posted  to  be  dislodged. 

large  force  of  the  British.  The  only  route 

they  turned  and  marched  back  to  Phila- 

left  was  the  somewhat  circuitous  one  by 
7y 

delphia. 

1 

1 

1 

— 

1 

626  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  ii. 

When  Washington  heard  the  firing,  he 

American  ve.ssels  which  had  sought  ref- 

was  in  great  anxiety  for  the  safety  of  the 

uge  in  the  shallow  part  of  the  river  above, 

marquis.  He  and  his  officers  ascended 

and  destroyed  the  storehouses  at  Borden- 

some  rising  ground  beyond  the  camp  at 

town,  on  the  New-Jersey  side. 

Valley  Forge,  and  with  their  field-glasses 

There  was  little  else  accomplished,  wor- 

watched  the  movements  of  the  troops 

thy  of  record,  until  the  beginning  of  sum- 

with  the  deepest  solicitude,  which  was  not 

mer.  There  were,  however,  other  events 

relieved  until  Lafayette  arrived  in  camp. 

occurring  in  the  meantime,  which  were 

bringing  the  I'eport  and  proof  of  his  clev- 

of  more  importance  in  their  effect  upon 

erly-inanaged  escape  from  the  eiiemy. 

the  cause  of  American  independence  than 

The  British  were  more  successful  in  a 

any  of  the  inglorious  feats  of  arms  that 

raid  which  they  made  upon  the  water. 

we  have  had  occasion  to  narrate  in  this 

A party  ascended  the  Delaware  in  flah 

chapter.  To  these  matters  let  us  now 

bottomed  boats,  and  set  fire  to  the  small 

turn  our  attention. 

CHAPTER  LXIX. 

oood  News  at  Valley  Forge. — Treaty  between  France  and  the  United  States. — Celebration. — Brilliant  Appearance  of  tne 

American  Army. — Public  Dinner. — Ilnzzas  1 — Simeon 

Deane. — Ills  Arrival  at  Yorktown. — French  Diplomacy. — 

I.ord  North’s  “ Conciliatory  Bills.” — British  Commissioners. — Free  Circulation  of  the  Bills. — Counter-Statements. — 
Warm  lleception  of  the  Bills  in  Rhode  Island. — Arrival  of  the  Commissioners. — The  ” Dandy  Carlisle.” — His  Asso- 

ciates. — Secretary  Ferguson. — Dep.arture  of  Sir  William 

Howe. — Evacuation  of  Pliiladelpliia. — Discouragement  of 

the  Inhabitants. — The  Commissioners  refused  a Passport. — British  Address  to  Congress. — No  Negotiation  without 
Independence. — Intrigue. — Attempt  at  Corruption. — Memorable  Reply  of  Reed. — Justification  of  Johnstone. — Appeal 
to  the  People. — Lafayette  challenges  Lord  Carlisle. — A Sensible  Answer. 

1778  Wednesday,  Mtiy  7th,  was  a day 

of  such  exulting  joy  in  the  camp  at 

every  observance  and  ceremonial  which 
could  fix  it  in  the  memories  of  all.  Ac- 

Valley  Foi'ge  as  tlie  most  sanguine,  du- 

cordingly,  Washington  determined  to  cel- 

ring  that  winter  of  privation  and  suffer- 

ebrate  the  auspicious  day. 

ing  which  had  just  pa.ssed,  never  ventured 

With  tliat  reverence  for  religion  which 

to  hope  for.  “ Our  independence  is  un- 

was  a strong  characteristic  of  the  com- 

doubtedly  secured  — our  country  must 

mander-in-chief  in  his  public  as  well  as 

be  free  !”  was  now  the  feelino;  which  glad- 

private  conduct,  the  first  part  of  the  day 

dened  the  hearts  of  even  the  most  de- 

set  apart  for  the  celebration  of  the  occa- 

sponding  patriots,  on  learning  that  a trea- 

sion  was  devoted  to  a grateful  acknowl- 

ty  had  been  signed  between  France  and 

edginent  of  the  Divine  goodness,  “ it  hav- 

the  United  States.  It  was  proper  that 

ing  pleased  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  the 

such  an  occasion  should  be  marked  by 

universe  to  defend  the  cause  of  the  Uni- 

REvoi.iTioNAUY.J  REJOICINGS  AT  THE 

ted  American  states,  and  finally,”  in  the 
words  of  Washington’s  order  for  the  day, 
“ to  raise  ns  up  a powerful  friend  among 
the  princes  of  the  earth,  to  establish  our 
liberty  and  independence  upon  a lasting 
roundation.”  The  brigades  were  all  as- 
sembled at  nine  o’clock  in  the 
morning ; and  the  intelligence 
of  the  treaty  having  been  communicated 
to  them  by  the  chaplains,  prayer,  thanks- 
giving, and  a “ discourse  suitable  to  the 
occasion,”  followed. 

At  halfpast  ten  o’clock,  a cannon  was 
fired,  as  a signal  for  the  men  to  be  under 
arms.  The  dress  and  accoutrements  hav- 
ing been  inspected,  the  battalions  formed, 
and,  the  order  to  load  and  ground  arms 
given,  a second  cannon  was  fired  as  a sig- 
nal to  march.  The  whole  army  then  pa- 
raded. A discharge  of  thirteen  cannon 
now  took  place,  followed  by  a feu-de-joie 
of  musketry  running  along  each  line.  A 
signal  having  been  given,  the  entire  ar- 
my burst  forth,  shouting,  ^^Long  live  the 
king  of  France !”  A second  discharge  of 
thirteen  cannon,  and  a feu-de-joie  of  mus- 
ketry, followed.  Then  another  shout — 
Long  live  the  f riendly  European  poivers !” 
Again,  a third  discharge  of  artillery  and 
musketry,  closing  with  a loud  huzza  for 
“ The  Ameriean  States !" 

The  army  made  a most  brilliant  appear- 
ance on  parade,  and  entered  with  great 
spirit  into  the  celebration.  In  the  after- 
noon, Washington  dined  in  public,  with 
all  the  officers  of  the  army,  and  attended 
’oy  a band  of  music.  “ I never  was  pres- 
ent,” wrote  one  of  the  American  officers, 
where  there  was  such  unfeigned  and 
perfect  joy  as  was  discovered  in  every 


TREATY  WITH  FRANCE.  627 

countenance.  The  entertainment  was 
concluded  with  a number  of  patriotic 
toasts,  attended  with  huzzas.  When  the 
general  took  his  leave,  there  was  a uni- 
vei’sal  clap,  with  loud  huzzas,  which  con- 
tinued till  he  had  proceeded  a quarter  of 
a mile,  during  which  time  there  were  a 
thousand  hats  tossed  in  the  air.  His  ex- 
cellency turned  round  with  his  retinue, 
and  huzzaed  several  times.” 

The  treaties  of  commerce  and  alliance 
between  France  and  the  United  States 
were  signed  as  early  as  the  6th  of  Feb- 
ruaiy.  They  were  brought  to  the  Uni- 
ted States  by  Simeon  Deane,  the  brother 
of  Silas  Deane,  one  of  the  American  com- 
missioners in  Paris.  He  ari  ived  at  Fal- 
mouth (now  Portland), in  Maine, 
on  board  the  French  frigate  Sen- 
sible.  of  thiidy-six  guns,  which  Louis  XVL 
had  expressly  ordered  to  convey  him. 
Deane  did  not  present  himself  to  Con- 
gress, at  Yorktown,  until  the  2d  of  May  ; 
and  five  days  more  pa.ssed  before  the  im- 
portant intelligence  Avhich  he  bore  was 
received  at  the  camp  at  Valley  Forge. 

The  French  government  strove  to  con- 
ceal from  England  the  fact  of  the  signing 
of  the  treaty  with  the  United  States  un- 
til it  had  made  some  progress  in  carrying 
out  its  objects.  The  British  cabinet,  how- 
ever, though  not  directly  informed,  had 
received  such  intelligence  as  to  induce 
its  members  to  believe  it,  and  act  accord- 
ingly. Lord  North,  the  prime  minister,  in 
order  to  counteract  the  French  alliance, 
immediately  introduced  his  “ conciliatory 
bills,”  which  were  rapidly  passed  through 
Parliament.  These  conceded  more  than 
was  ever  asked  by  America  as  a colony,* 


(J28  battles  of  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

and  would  have  been  thought  generous 

eral  printed  copies  of  a resolution  of  Con- 

in  1774.  In  1778,  all  concessions  offered 

gress,  offering  pardon  to  all  who  had  taken 

hy  Great  Britain  to  the  United  States 

ap  arms  against  the  United  States,  with  the 

were  considered  as  gratuitous  insults  to 

request  that  he  would  be  instrumental  in 

an  independent  nation,  and  were  thrown 

communicating  its  contents,  as  far  as  it 

back  with  indignant  contempt.  Bntish 

might  be  in  his  power,  to  the  persons  who 

ministers,  however,  were  still  hopelul ; 

were  intended  to  be  the  objects  of  its  op- 

and,  having  secured  the  passage  of  the 

erations.  “ The  benevolent  purpose  it  is 

conciliatory  bills,  they  sent  copies  of  them 

intended  to  answer,”  added  Washington, 

to  be  industriously  circulated  in  America, 

sarcastically,  “ will,  I persuade  myself,  suf- 

and  appointed  three  commissioners  to  car- 

ficiently  recommend  it  to  your  candor.” 

ry  out  their  purpose. 

The  popular  feeling  in  reference  to  the 

There  was  some  anxiety  felt  even  in 

“ conciliatory  bills”  was  in  character  with 

the  United  States  about  the  possible  ef- 

that  so  emphatically  expressed  by  the  peo- 

feet  of  these  measures  of  the  English  gov- 

pie  in  Rhode  Island,  who  seized  and  burnt 

ernment.  Lafayette  declared  he  feared 

them  under  the  gallows.  Congress,  as 

the  arrival  of  the  commissioners  more 

well  as  the  nation,  was  proof  against  the 

than  that  of  ten  thousand  men.  Wash- 

British  bills.  That  body  unanimously  re- 

ingtou  himself  was  fearful  that  Congress 

solved  “ that  these  United  States  can  not 

might  not  be  equal  to  the  emergency. 

with  propriety  hold  any  conference  or 

“ This  more  than  ever,”  said  he,  “ is  the 

treaty  with  any  commissionei's  on  the 

time  for  Congress  to  be  filled  with  the 

part  of  Great  Britain,  unless  they  shall,  as 

first  characters  from  every  state,  instead 

a preliminary  thereto,  either'^withdraw 

of  having  a thin  assembly,  and  many  states 

their  fleets  and  armies,  or  else  in  positive 

totally  unrepresented,  as  is  the  case  at 

and  express  terms  acknowledge  the  inde- 

present.” 

pendence  of  the  said  states.”  This  did 

The  British  agents  spared  no  exertions 

not  promise  very  favorably  for  the  com- 

in  distributing  copies  of  the  conciliatory 

ing  commissioners. 

bills ; and  Tryon,  the  tory  governor  of 

In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of 

New  York,  was,  as  usual,  among  the  most 

the  “conciliatory  bills,”  three  commission 

prominent  of  them.  He  sent  Washing- 

ers  were  duly  appointed,  who  arrived  a* 

ton  a supply,  impertinently  asking  him 

Philadelphia  in  the  early  part  of 

to  circulate  them  among  his  officers  and 

the  summer.  They  were  all  no- 

men.  “They  were  suffered,”  wrote  the 

table  men,  though  perhaps  not  the  best 

American  general,  in  answer,  “to  have  a 

adapted  for  such  an  embassy.  The  earl 

fi  ee  cui  rency  among  the  officers  and  men 

of  Carlisle  was  well  known  as  an  aristo- 

under  my  command,  in  whose  fidelity  to 

cratic  dandy  — or  macearoni,  as  he  would 

the  United  States  I have  the  most  perfect 

have  been  called  in  those  day.s.  No  one 

confidence.”  He  also  returned  Tryon  a 

had  fluttered  his  ruffles  more  gayly  on 

• Roland  for  his  Oliver,  in  the  shape  of  sev- 

the  mall  in  St.  James’s  park.  He  was  fresh 

. 

RKVOLUTIONATIY.]  THE  BRITISH  COMMISSIONERS  IN  PIIILADEPHIA.  629 

from  exclianging  scandal  with  Walpole  at 

and  the  Termination  of  the  Roman  Repnhlic!’ 

‘‘Arthur’s,”  imd  from  playing  hazard  at 

Ferguson  had  a most  gallant  spirit  in  a 

‘‘  Brooke’s,”  where  his  companions  may 

martial  frame  of  body,  and  was  as  well 

have  been  statesmen,  but  he  knew  them 

fitted  to  fight  battles  as  to  describe  them.* 

only  in  their  pleasures,  and  not  in  their 

When  the  commissioners  reached  Phil- 

business.  His  intimate  friend  was  George 

adelphia,  the  easy,  indulgent  Sir  William 

Selwyn,  the  man  of  fashion,  of  whom  he 

Howe  had  been  gone  a fortnight.  His 

was  a correspondent ; and  not  Charles 

departure  was  deeply  regretted,  for  he 

James  Fox,  the  statesman  and  orator,  who 

was  greatly  beloved  by  both  his  officers 

condemned  his  appointment — declaring 

and  men ; having  been,  as  is  sarcastically 

that  Governor  Johnstone  was  the  only 

observed  by  an  English  writer,  “on  all 

member  of  the  commission  “ who  could 

occasions  extremely  caref  id  of  their  lives”  and 

have  the  ear  of  the  people  in  America.”* 

attentive  to  their  comforts.  The  parting 

Johnstone,  who  had  been  governor  of 

was  tender  and  affecting.  The  bravest 

Florida,  was  prominent  in  Parliament  as 

of  the  band  are  said  to  have  shed  tears 

an  advocate  for  the  American  cause,  and 

when  the  general  stepped  into  his  barge. 

was  believed  to  be  a firm  friend  of  the 

Admiral  Lord  Howe  would  have  accom- 

colonies.  He,  however,  like  the  earl  of 

panied  his  brother  home  to  England,  but 

Chatham  and  others,  who  boldly  stood 

he  had  been  urged  to  stay  by  the  British 

forward,  at  the  be(i:inning  of  the  struggle, 

ministers,  who  anticipated  that  a French 

for  political  concessions  to  the  Americans 

war,  which  was  imminent,  would  soon  fur- 

as  colonists,  was  strenuously  opposed  to 

nish  an  occasion  for  the  active  services 

their  acknowledgment  as  an  independent 

of  him  and  his  fleet.  Although  their 

nation.  The  third  commissioner  was  Wil- 

names  were  included  in  the  commission, 

liam  Eden,  afterward  Lord  Auckland,  the 

the  Howes  resolved  not  to  act  under  the 

brother  of  the  colonial  governor  of  Ma- 

leadership  of  Lord  Carlisle,  from  some 

ryland. 

feeling  of  pique  or  jealousy  toward  him, 

The  secretary  of  the  commission  was 

or  from  discontent  with  the  conduct  of 

Doctor  Adam  Ferguson,  who  was  at  that 

the  ministers. 

time  about  fifty-five  years  of  age,  and. 

The  commissioners  were  received  by 

by  his  ''Essay  on  ihe  History  of  Civil  Sock- 

the  inhabitants  of  Philadelphia  with  ev- 

tyf  had  obtained  a high  rank,  among  the 
Humes  and  Smiths  of  his  native  Scotland, 

ery  manifestation  of  joy ; and  ^ ^ 

they  would  have  been  sanguine 

as  a philosophical  writer.  He  subsequent- 

of  the  success  of  their  emba.ssy,  had  they 

ly  became  still  more  famous  by  his  pro- 

not  found,  much  to  their  surprise  and  vex 

found  and  learned  History  of  the  Progress 

ation,  that  orders  had  been  sent  out  to 

* “ Lord  Carlisle  was  a young  man  of  pleasure  and  fash- 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  unknown  to  them,  to 

ion  ; fond  of  dress  and  gaming,  by  which  he  had  greatly  hurt 

evacuate  the  city.  Everything  was  in 

his  fortune;  was  totally  unacquainted  with  business;  and, 
though  not  void  of  ambition,  had  but  moderate  parts  and 

great  confusion  as  the  British  army  was 

less  application.” — Hok.\ce  Walpolb 

* Pictorial  History  of  England. 

630  BATTLES  OF  AIMERICA.  [part  ii. 

about  lenving;  and  thousands  of  Pliiladel- 

“ IIlCADQUARTEKS,  June  9,  1778. 

phia  tories  were  crowding  on  board  the 

‘‘Sir:  At  nine  o’clock  this  evenins:  1 

transport-ships,  as  they  did  not  care  to 

had  the  honor  to  receive  your  excellen- 

trust  their  loyalty  to  the  tender  mercies 

cy’s  letter  of  this  date.  I do  not  conceive 

of  the  patriots.  The  inhabitants,  loath 

myself  at  liberty  to  grant  the  passport 

to  leave  their  homes,  clung  to  the  com- 

you  request  for  Doctor  Ferguson,  without 

missioners  with  earnest  appeals  for  pro- 

being  previously  instructed  by  Congress 

tection.  Why  were  you  so  long  in  com- 

on  the  subject.  I shall  despatch  a copy 

ing?  Do  not  abandon  us!”  they  cried. 

of  your  letter  to  them,  and  Avill  take  the 

and  entreated  that  the  army  should  be 

earliest  opportunity  of  communicating 

retained  and  sent  against  Washington. 

their  determination. 

They  were  also  liberal  of  promises,  and 

“I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  &c., 

declared  that  twenty  thousand  men  were 

“George  Washington.” 

ready  to  arm  as  soon  as  they  were  sup- 

Without  waiting  for  the  decision  of 

plied  with  the  means  and  the  British  gen- 

Congress  upon  the  application  of  Sir  Hen- 

eral  should  take  the  field.  Johnstone  was 

ry  Clinton  for  a passport  for  Ferguson, 

inclined  to  believe  them,  and  said  after- 

the  commissioners  forwarded  their  de- 

ward  in  Parliament,  “ I am  persuaded,  if 

spatches.  Among  these  was  an  “address” 

we  had  been  at  liberty  to  have  acted  in 

to  Congress,  which  the  president  was  de- 

the  field,  our  most  sanguine  expectations 

sired  to  read  immediately.  He  began  at 

would  have  been  fulfilled.”  But  General 

once,  and  continued  reading  till  he  came 

Howe  could  have  told  them  that  the 

to  a passage  containing  strong  expres- 

American  loyalists  were  more  liberal  in 

sions  of  disrespect  to  the  king  of  France, 

promise  than  in  execution.  The  commis- 

when  he  was  interrupted  ; and  the  house. 

sioners,  however,  had  no  power  to  alter 

directing  him  to  seal  up  the  paper.s,  ad- 

the  destination  of  the  army,  as  Sir  Henry 

journed.  At  a subsequent  session,  the 

Clinton’s  orders  to  evacuate  Philadelphia 

suljject  was  resumed  ; when  Congress  or- 

were  peremptory. 

dered  a reply  to  be  sent  to  the  commis- 

The  first  act  of  the  commissioners  was 

sioners,  in  which  their  previous  resolution 

to  charge  their  secretary  with  despatches 

was  reiterated,  not  to  enter  into  negotia- 

for  Congress;  and  Sir  Henry  Clinton  ad- 

tions  with  Great  Britain  for  peace  with- 

dressed  a letter  to  Washington,  asking 

out  an  explicit  acknowledgment  of  the 

for  Ferguson  a passport  to  York  town. 

independence  of  the  United  States,  or  a 

where  that  body  was  in  session.  English 

withdrawal  of  British  tleets  and  armies. 

writers  have  declared  that  this  request 

The  commissioners,  now  giving  up  all 

was  harshly  refused.  Washington’s  let- 

hope  of  formal  negotiation,  made  a vain 

ter  on  the  occasion  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton 

effort  to  effect  by  intrigue  and  bribery 

disproves  the  charge.  Nothing  can  be 

what  they  had  failed  to  obtain  by  honest 

more  courteous  than  the  terms  in  which 

means.  Governor  Johnstone  wrote  a let- 

it  is  couched  ; — 

ter  to  Robert  Morris,  the  ‘financier,  in 

1 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  lUlITISlI  ATTEMPTS  AT  BRIBERY.  631 


which  he  said:  “I  believe  the  men  who 
have  conducted  the  affairs  of  America  in- 
copable  of  being  influenced  by  improper 
motives.  But  in  all  such  transactions 
there  is  a risk,  and  I think  that  whoever 
ventures  should  be  secured  at  the  same 
time  ; that  honor  and  emolument  should 
naturally  follow  the  fortunes  of  those  who 
have  steered  the  vessel  in  the  storm  and 
brought  her  safely  into  port.  I think 
Washington  and  the  president  [of  Con- 
gress] have  a right  to  every  favor  that 
grateful  nations  can  bestow,  if  they  could 
once  more  unite  our  interests,  and  spare 
the  miseries  and  devastations  of  war.  I 
■wish  above  all  things  to  see  you,  and  hope 
you  will  so  contrive  it.” 

Morris  was  an  acquaintance  which 
Johnstone  had  formed  while  living  in 
America  as  governor  of  West  Florida. 
Henry  Laurens,  of  South  Carolina,  who 
Avas  now  president  of  Congress,  was  an- 
other old  friend,  to  whom  a similar  epis- 
tle was  addressed.  A correspondence  also 
took  place  Avith  General  Jo.seph  Reed,  but 
a still  bolder  attempt  Avas  made  upon  his 
integrity,  as  he  stated  in  Congress,  of 
Avhich  he  Avas  a member.  A “ married 
lady  of  character,  having  connections  Avith 
the  British  army,”  intimated  to  Reed  that 
ten  thousand  pounds  in  money,  and  any 
office  in  the  colonies  Avhich  the  king  could 
bestoAA',  aAvaited  his  exertions  toAvard  the 
reconciliation  of  the  colonies  Avith  the 
mother-country.  Reed’s  memorable  an- 
swer Avas : I am  not  Avorth  purchasing  ; 
but,  such  as  I am,  the  king  of  Great  Brit- 
ain is  not  rich  enough  to  do  it.” 

It  is  but  just  to  Johnstone  to  state  that 
Adam  Ferguson,  avIio  Avas  the  soul  of 


honor  and  truth,  declared  that  Johnstone 
denied  (and  confirmed  the  assertion  by 
proofs  and  documents)  that  the  bribe 
proffered  to  Reed  Avas  authorized  by  him. 
He  could  not,  hoAvever,  deny  the  letters 
to  Laurens  aiid  Morris,  although  his  as- 
sociates in  the  commission  (Lord  Carlisle 
and  Eden)  disclaimed  all  responsibility 
for  or  even  knoAvledge  of  them,  until  (hey 
appeared  in  the  neAvspapers.  Congress 
had  declared  these  letters  of  Johnstone  to 
be  atrocious  attempts  upon  its  integrity, 
and  resolved  that  no  further  correspond- 
ence should  be  held  Avith  the  commission- 
er Avho  had  been  guilty  of  them. 

Finding  all  their  efforts  to  netrotiate 
Avith  the  members  of  Congress  in  their 
private  or  public  capacity  fruitless,  the 
commissioners  appealed  to  the  people, 
and  artfully  strove  to  bring  the  prejudice 
against  the  French,  Avhich  the  Americans 
shared  in  common  Avith  their  Eimlish  rel- 

O 

atives,  to  bear  in  opposition  to  the  alli- 
ance Avith  France.  Lafayette’s  Gallic  sen- 
sibility Avas  greatly  Avounded  by  the  at- 
tacks upon  his  native  land,  and  in  his 
youthful  ardor  he  challenged  Lord  Car- 
lisle ; but  his  lordship  coolly  ansAvered 
that  he  did  not  hold  himself  responsible 
to  any  but  his  king  and  country  for  his 
public  conduct,  and  refused  to  accept  the 
challenge.* 

* “Lord  Carlisle,  before  he  left  that  quarter  of  the  world, 
had  received  a challenge  from  the  marquis  de  Lafayette,  a 
young  Frenchman  of  quality,  married  into  the  powerful 
family  of  Noailles,  and  who,  from  enthusiasm  for  liberty, 
had  resorted  to  America  seemingly  without  the  approbation 
of  his  court,  though  certainly  with  its  connivance,  as  at  hia 
return  he  received  only  a short  exile  ten  miles  from  Paris, 
and  liad  been  very  active  in  the  service  of  the  Congress, 
This  young  adventurer  had  taken  offence  at  expres.sions 
reproachful  to  his  country  in  the  proclamation  of  the  com 
missioners,  and  very  absurdly  had  addressed  himself  to  Lord 


f 

632  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 

This  last  effort  of  the  British  comrnis- 

tempt  on  the  ptirt  of  the  American  peo- 

sioners,  however,  proved  no  less  iinsuc- 

pie  toward  them,  and  an  ill-concealed  di.s- 

cessful  than  their  previous  attempts ; and 

gust  with  themselves  for  having  engaged 

being  thus  totdly  balked,  they  finally 

in  an  embassy  that  proved  to  be  a fool’s 

left  the  country  — with  a feeling  of  con- 

errand. 

CHAPTER  LXX. 

Evacuation  of  Pliiladelpliia. — Secrecy  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton 

— Washington  in  the  Dark. — A Divided  Council. — Opinion 

of  Washiiifrton. — The  Retreat  of  the  British  to  be  harassed. — Wasliinijton  crosses  the  Delaware. — General  Lee  in  Op- 

position. — lie  gives  up  his  Command  to  Lafayette,  and 

•etreats. — Sir  Henry  Clinton  changes  his  Line  of  March.-- 

Lee  ordered  to  the  Advance. — His  March. — Washington’ 

s Eagerness. — Lee  ordered  to  attack. — Contradictory  Orders. 

— Bewilderment. — Plans. — Lee  in  High  Spirits. — General  Wayne’s  Charge. — Altercation  between  Lee  and  Lafayette. 

— Washington  summoned. — Retreat  of  Lee. — Meeting  with  Washington. — Fierce  Words. — Nothing  further  to  do.-  - 
The  Struggle  at  Monmouth. — Hot  Engagement.— Check  of  the  British. — Formation  of  the  American  Line. — The 
Enemy  beaten  back. — Fall  of  General  Monckton. — The  Day  over — Washington  sleeps  on  the  Field. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  in  pursuance 
I778#  ^ ^ 

of  his  orders  from  the  British  min- 

its  march  from  Philadelphia  (should  New 
Jersey  be  the  route)  was  submitted.  A 

istry,  was  about  evacuating  Philadelphia ; 

great  variety  of  opinion  was  entertained. 

but  so  adroitly  had  he  made  his  prepara- 

but  most  of  the  officers  considered  it  too 

tions,  that  even  on  the  very  day  of  his 

hazardous  to  make  a general  attack  ; for. 

march,  his  destination  and  route 
June  18.  , • 1 A • 

were  unknown  in  the  American 

although  the  Americans  had,  including 
the  militia, nearly  fourteen  thousand  men. 

camp.  ‘‘As  yet,”  wrote  Washington,  on 

and  the  Britl.sh  numbered  le.ss  than  ten 

the  morning  of  that  day,  “ I am  not  fully 

thousand,  the  latter  were  effective  troops. 

ascertained  [informed]  of  the  enemy’s  des- 

General  Lee  u’as  opposed  to  doing  any- 

tination ; nor  is  there  wanting  a variety 

thing  be3mnd  skirmishing  with  the  out- 

of  opinions  as  to  the  route  they  will  pur- 

guards,  and  harassing  the  enemy  as  cir- 

sue,  whether  it  will  be  by  land  or  sea,  ad- 

cumstances  would  permit.  His  influence 

mitting  it  to  be  New  York.” 

in  the  council  was  great,  and  he  carried 

On  the  previous  day  a council  of  war 

with  him  manj^  of  the  other  officers.  The 

was  held,  in  which  the  question  as  to  the 

decision  of  the  majority  was  therefore  in 

policy  of  attacking  the  British  army  on 

accordance  with  Lee’s  views. 

After  the  council  broke  up,  however. 

Carlisle  for  satisfaction.  The  latter,  in  a very  sensible  let- 
ter, told  him  that  he  did  not  at  all  think  it  became  him  to 

Generals  Greene,  Lafayette,  and  Wayne. 

answer  for  his  conduct  as  a public  minister  to  a private 

wrote  to  Washington,  explaining  more 

man,  and  that  he  thought  the  national  quarrel  would  be 
best  decided  by  Admiral  Byron  and  Comte  D’Estaing.” — 
UouAce  Walpole. 

fully  their  opinions,  which  differed  from 
those  of  the  majority.  They  did  not  de- 

r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  LEE  AND  LAFAYETTE.— THE  BRITISH  MOVING.  633 


dare  in  favor  of  pushing  the  enemy  at 
all  events  to  a general  action,  but  they 
strongly  urged  an  attack  upon  their  rear 
with  a large  detachment,  and  such  a dis- 
position of  the  main  body  of  the  army  as 
to  be  read}^  for  an  engagement  should  cir- 
cumstances seem  favorable.  Washington’s 
own  opinion  being  in  accordance  with  this 
plan,  he  determined  (if  the  Briti.sh  gave 
him  an  opportunity)  to  adopt  it.  He,  how- 
ever, as  soon  as  he  was  well  assured  of 
Sir  Henry  Clinton’s  movement  across  the 
Delaware,  sent  out  General  Maxwell  with 
his  brigade  to  co-operate  with  the  New- 
Jersey  militia  in  obstructing  the  march 
of  the  British.  In  accordance  also  with 
the  decision  of  the  council,  Washington 
ordered  a detachment  of  fifteen  hundred 
men,  under  General  Scott,  to  act  on  the 
enemy’s  left  flank  and  rear,  preliminary 
to  carrying  out  the  more  general  plan  of 
attack  which  he  anticipated,  in  further- 
ance of  his  own  views,  and  those  of  Gen- 
erals Greene,  Wayne,  and  Lafayette. 

Washington  now  broke  up  his  camp  at 
Valley  Forge,  and,  crossing  the  Delaware 
at  Coryell’s  ferry,  marched  with  his'inain 
body  to  Cranberry.  Having  here  learned 
that  the  British  were  taking  the  route 
toward  Monmouth  courthouse,  he  deter- 
mined to  carry  out  his  plan,  and  ordered 
a thousand  of  his  choicest  troops  under 
Brigadier-General  Wayne  to  advance  im- 
mediately, and,  having  formed  a junction 
with  Maxwell’s  brigade,  the  force  under 
Scott,  and  the  other  detachments  which 
had  already  been  sent  forward,  to  attack 
the  enemy’s  rear  and  flanks. 

As  General  Lee  was  second  in  rank,  the 
whole  advanced  corps  fell  under  his  com- 

8U 


niand.  Lafayette,  however,  alwaj’s  eager 
for  an  opportunity  to  distinguish  himself, 
was  glad  to  take  advantage  of  Lee’s  su])- 
posed  reluctance  to  execute  a plan  which 
he  had  so  strenuously  opposed.  Accord- 
ingly, the  young  marquis,  suggesting  to 
Washington  the  probability  of  Lee’s  em- 
barrassment, ofiei'ed  himself  as  a substi- 
tute. The  commander-iu-chief  answered 
that  such  an  arrano:ement  would  beairree- 
able  to  him,  but  that  it  was  necessary  to 
obtain  General  Lee’s  consent.  Lafav- 
ette’s  desire  met  with  no  opposition  from 
Lee,  who  immediately  resigned  the  com- 
mand to  him,  with  an  emphatic  denunci- 
ation of  the  plans  of  Washington,  which 
he  was  sure,  he  declared,  would  fail,  and 
that  he  was  therefore  glad  to  be  rid  of 
any  responsibility  in  their  execution. 

General  Lee,  on  reflection,  however, 
repented  of  the  readiness  with  which  he 
had  granted  the  request  of  Lafayette, 
and  strove  to  get  back  his  command.  He 
wrote  to  Washington,  and,  acknowledg- 
ing that  he  had  been  rash,  asked  to  have 
his  command  restored  to  him.  But  the 
commander-in-chief  declared  that  he  could 
not  reinstate  him  without  the  consent  of 
Lafayette.  Lee  appealed  to  the  young 
marquis,  who  said  that,  as  the  commaud 
had  been  yielded  to  him  freely,  he  was 
very  reluctant  to  give  it  up.  Lee,  how- 
ever, becoming  urgent,  Lafayette  finally 
consented,  provided  (as  he  was  now  on 
his  march)  he  did  not  come  up  with  the 
enemy  during  that  day. 

In  the  meantime.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  on 
marching  from  Allentown,  had  changed 
the  disposition  of  his  army,  by  jjlacing 
the  baggage  in  advance,  under  the  guard 


— 

■ 

034  BATTLES  OF  AIMERICA.  [_part  ii. 

of  Knjphausen  and  his  Hessians,  and  his 

changed  his  original  purpose  of  marching 

best  troops,  consisting  of  the  British  gren- 

his  troops  to  the  Raritan,  and  embarking 

adiers,  light-infan tiy,  and  chasseurs  of  the 

them  at  Brunswick  or  South  Amboy  foi 

line,  under  the  command  of  Earl  Cornwal- 

New  York.  He  now  turned  to  the  right. 

lis,  in  the  rear.  Washington,  on  discov- 

and  took  the  road  toward  Monmouth,  with 

ering  this,  found  it  necessary  to  strength- 

the  intention  of  proceeding  in  all  haste 

en  his  advanced  corps,  and  immediately 

to  Sandy  Hook. 

detached  Major-General  Lee,  with  two 

The  British,  being  hindered  by  their 

brigades,  to  form  a junction  with  Lafay- 

immense  baggage  and  camp-appurtenan- 

ette  at  Englishtown.  This  at  once  set- 

ces,  fagged  by  their  fatiguing  marches  in 

tied  all  difficidty  between  these  two  offi- 

the  hot  summer  weather,  and  harassed 

cers ; as  Lee,  being  the  higher  in  rank, 
on  being  ordered  to  reinforce  the  ad- 
A Jinced  troops,  necessarily  assumed  the 

by  the  skirmishing  of  the  country  militia, 

were  slow  in  their  movements. 

1 . June  27. 

ihey  encamped  m a strong  po- 

general  command.  Washington’s  object. 

sition,  with  their  right  extending  about  a 

in  sending  Lee  with  the  reinforcement. 

mile  and  a half  beyond  Monmouth  courb 

wa.s,  to  relieve  him  of  his  “ uneasiness,” 

house,  and  their  left  along  the  road  from 

which  was  “ ratlier  increasing  than  aba- 

Allentown  to  the  village  of  Monmouth. 

tinu; At  the  same  time  that  I felt  for 

Their  right  flank  lay  on  the  skirt  of  a 

General  Lee’s  distress  of  mind,”  observed 

small  wood,  while  their  left  \vas  secured 

Washington,  writing  to  Lafayette,  “ I have 

by  a very  thick  one.  There  was  a mora.ss 

had  an  eye  to  your  wishes,  and  the  deli- 

in  their  rear,  and  again  another,  together 

cacy  of  your  situation ; and  have  there- 

with  a wood,  in  their  front. 

lore  obtained  a promise  from  him  that. 

The  position  of  the  enemy  was  deemed 

when  he  gives  you  notice  of  his  approach 

too  strong  for  an  attack,  and  Washington 

and  command,  he  will  request  3^11  to 

awaited  the  moment  when  they  should 

prosecute  any  plan  you  may  have  already 

begin  to  march,  to  commence  operations. 

concerted  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  or 

He  accordingly  ordered  General  Lee  to 

otherwise  annoying  the  enemy.” 

make  his  disposition  for  the  assault  on 

Washington,  in  the  meantime, 
having  lightened  his  march  by 

the  British  rear  as  soon  as  they  should 
get  in  motion  from  their  present  ground. 

leaviny;  his  bai>;o:at;e  behind,  moved  on 

Lee  was  directed  to  keep  his  troops  con- 

with  the  rest  of  the  troops,  and  encamped 

stantly  l3'ing  upon  their  arms,  in  order  to 

within  three  miles  of  Englishtown,  where 

be  in  readiness  at  the  shortest  notice  ; for 

the  advanced  corps,  now  consisting  of  five 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  only  ten  or  twelve 

thousand  men,  under  the  command  of 

miles  to  march  in  advance,  to  reach  the 

General  Lee,  was  posted. 

heights  of  Middletown,  where  it  would  be 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  on  reaching  Allen- 

impossible  to  attempt  anything  against 

town,  found  Washington  almost  in  front; 

him  with  a pro.spect  of  success.  The  at- 

and,  not  wishing  to  hazard  a battle,  he 

tack,  to  be  made  at  all,  must  be  made  in 

■ 

RF.voLrTiONAUY.j  WASHINGTON’S  ANXIETY. — LEE’S  BEWILDEEiMENT.  635 

the  interval  of  time  between  his  march 

contrary.”  The  commander-in-chief  him- 

from  his  present  strong  ground  to  the 

self,  having  ordered  his  men  to  throw  off 

still  stronger  one  beyond.  The  greatest 

their  packs  and  blankets,  tha,t  they  miglit 

alertness  was  therefore  necessary,  to  seize 

march  with  the  greater  rapidity  and  com- 

upon  the  critical  moment.  Washington 

fort  during  that  sweltering  summer  day, 

not  only  enjoined  this  , upon  Lee,  but  took 

immediately  advanced  to  the  support  of 

care  to  secure  it  on  the  part  of  the  troops 

Lee,  to  whom  he  had  sent  due  notice  of 

under  his  immediate  command,  which  he 

his  approach. 

kept  in  reserve  at  Cranberry,  several  miles 

General  Lee,  on  receiving  Washing- 

distant,  and  was  prepared  to  bring  up  to 

ton’s  orders,  despatched  a body  of  light- 

sustain  the  advanced  corps  so  soon  as  it 

troops  in  advance  to  skirmish  with  the 

should  have  begun  its  attack  on  the  ene- 

enemy,  while  he  moved  forward  with  the 

my’s  rear. 

brigades  of  Wayne  and  Maxwell  to  sus- 

Washington  was  so  anxious  lest  the 

tain  it.  In  the  course  of  his  march,  Lee 

British  should  escape  him  by  decamping 

received  a variety  of  contradictory  re- 

unobserved  before  the  break  of  day,  that 

ports.  Now  one  aid-de-camp  rode  back 

at  midnight  he  sent  word  to  General  Lee 

with  the  intelligence  that  the  main  bodv 

to  order  out  a corps  of  observation.  The 

of  tlie  British  was  marching  to  attack 

New-Jersey  militia,  under  General  Dick- 

him ; and,  again,  another  brought  word 

inson  were  accordingly  sent  forward,  to 

that  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  moved  off  in 

lie  as  close  as  possible  to  the  enemy,  in 

precipitation,  and  left  only  a covering- 

order  to  watch  their  movements.  At  five 

party  to  protect  his  retreat!  Lee  was 

. o’clock  the  next  morning,  an  ex- 

obliged  to  manoeuvre  accordingly;  and, 

JI1116  ^ -p. . , . . 

press  irom  Dickinson  came  into 

skirmishing  as  he  went,  he  advanced  and 

Washington’s  camp,  with  the  intelligence 

retired  again  and  again.  At  one  time, 

that  Sir  Henry  Clinton’s  front  had  begun 

hoping  to  find  the  enemy  in  small  force. 

to  move.  The  day  had  no  sooner  broken. 

he  crossed  the  bridge  over  the  morass  on 

than  General  Knyphausen  marched  with 

his  route,  in  order  to  attack  them ; at  an- 

his  long  train  of  baggage  and  bat-horses, 

other,  fearing  that  their  main  body  was 

extending  ten  or  twelve  miles  along  the 

approaching,  he  rapidly  retired,  lest  he 

narrow  road.  It  was  about  eight  o’clock 

should  be  caught  in  the  dangerous  posi- 

when  Sir  Henry  Clinton  followed  with  the 

tion,  with  a morass  in  his  rear,  and  only 

rear,  composed  of  the  main  body  of  the 

a narrow  bridge  to  cross  it.  While  thus 

army  and  the  choicest  troops,  under  the 

bewildered,  Lafayette  came  up  with  the 

immediate  command  of  Lord  Cornwallis. 

main  body  of  Lee’s  division,  which,  when 

As  soon  as  he  received  intelligence  of 

united  with  the  advanced  troops,  formed 

the  enemy’s  march,  Washington  sent  one 

a force  (exclusive  of  Morgan’s  corps  and 

of  his  aids  to  General  Lee,  with  orders  to 

the  New-Jersey  militia,  then  out  skiianish- 

move  on  and  attack  them,  “ unless  there 

ing)  of  about  four  thousand  men.  Thus 

should  be  very  powerful  reasons  to  the 

reinforced,  Lee  pushed  forward  until  he 

G38  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  i:. 

reached  the  phains  of  Monmouth,  on  the 

on  cut  off  two  miles  of  distance  ; that  he 

edge -of  which,  and  within  the  cover  of  a 

expected  to  fall  in  with  them,  and  felt 

wood,  he  formed  his  line,  that  it  might 

great  certainty  of  cutting  them  off ; and 

he  concealed  from  the  view  of  the  BriL 

that  General  Wayne  and  Colonel  Butler 

ish. 

were  amusing  them  with  a few'  loose  shot 

General  Lee,  accompanied  by  Wayne, 

while  he  was  marching  to  the  attack. 

now  rode  out  to  reconnoitre ; and,  from 

As  Wayne  approached  and  prepared  to 

his  own  observations,  and  the  intelligence 

skirmish  with  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  a 

received  from  his  scouts,  he  concluded 

party  of  British  dragoons  w'ere  seen  pa- 

that  the  troops  of  the  enemy  which  he 

rading  as  though  they  w'ere  about  charg- 

saw  were  only  a covering-party,  and  that 

ing  the  American  light-horsemen  in  ad- 

there  was  a sufficient  distance  between 

•vance,  w'hen  General  Lee’s  aid-de-camp 

them  and  their  main  l)ody  to  allow  of  a 

rode  forw'ard  and  suggested  to  the  officer 

chance  to  cut  them  offi  Lee  formed  his 

in  command  of  the  latter,  to  appear  to 

plans  accordingly.  He  sent  off  Wayne, 

aw'ait  the  attack,  and  then  at  the  last 

with  seven  hundred  men  and  two  field- 

moment  to  retire  toward  General  Wayne 

pieces,  to  attack  them  in  the  rear,  but  not 

and  allow  him  to  receive  it.  This  ma- 

with  such  impetuosity  as  to  drive  them 

noeuvre  succeeded  : the  British  dragoons 

either  to  seek  safety  b}^  a junction  with 

made  the  charge,  and,  while  in  pursuit  of 

their  main  body  in  advance,  or  to  cause 

the  retreating  American  horsemen,  came 

reinforcements  to  be  sent  to  their  aid. 

within  the  fire  of  Wayne’s  troops,  when 

Lee  himself  proposed  to  take  them  with 

they  were  suddenly  compelled  to  wheel 

a strong  force  in  front,  and  strove  accord- 

round  and  gallop  back. 

iiigly  to  carry  out  his  purpose  by  leading 

General  Wayne’s  men  now  pushed  on 

his  men  along  a short  and  cross  route  by 

w'ith  fixed  bayonets,  and  charged  the  en- 

which  he  expected  to  intercept  the  en- 

emy  with  such  spirit,  that  Lee  sent  word, 

emy. 

in  order  to  check  his  impetuosity,  that  he 

Full  of  confidence  m his  plan,  the  gen- 

(Wayne)  wuis  only  to  feign  an  attack,  or 

era!  w'us  riding  at  the  head  of  his  troops. 

otherwise  he  w'ould  spoil  his  game.  Colo- 

and  hurrying  on  their  march,  when  he 

nel  Osw'ald,  in  command  of  the  artillery. 

w'as  accosted  by  an  aid-de-camp  of  Wash- 

observing  the  impression  which  Wayne’s 

ington,  who  rode  up  for  intelhgence.  Lee 

charge  had  made  upon  the  British,  be- 

was  in  high  spirits,  and  his  face  beamed 

lieved  that  they  w'ere  about  retreating. 

with  an  expression  of  confident  success, 

and  hurried  foiwvard  with  his  tw'O  field- 

while  wilh  a firm  tone  of  voice  he  told 

pieces  across  the  mora.ss  in  front,  and. 

the  aid-de-camp  to  inform  his  excellency 

planting  them  on  some  high  ground  on 

that  the  rear  of  the  enemy  w^as  composed 

the  other  side,  commenced  a cannonade. 

of  only  fifteen  hundred  or  two  thousand 

Wayne  was  disappointed  by  the  check 

men,  and  that  they  did  not  seem  to  un- 

which  he  received  in  the  orders  of  Lee, 

derstand  the  roads  ; that  the  route  he  w^as 

but  he  obeyed  them;  although,  with  his 

. 

- 

RKVOLUTIONART.]  GENERAL  LEE’S  DISGRACEFUL  RETREAT.  6n7 

usual  sanguineness  of  temper,  lie  believed 

the  same  deliberate  circumspection,  and 

that  his  obedience  had  cost  him  an  almost 

seemed  by  no  means  impatient  for  action. 

certain  victory.  He,  however,  waited  in 

While  reconnoitring,  the  enemy  were  dis- 

the  hope  that  Lee,  by  a vigorous  blow  in 

covered  to  be  in  so  much  greater  num- 

front,  would  retrieve  the  loss. 

bers  than  he  expected,  that  Lee  acknowl- 

General  Lee,  however,  was  proceeding 

edged  that  he  had  been  mistaken  in  their 

with  caution  ; and,  as  he  approached  the 

strength.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  moreover, 

British,  instead  of  coming  forward  at  once 

was  making  preparations  for  a vigorous 

with  his  whole  force  and  striking  a rapid 

attack  upon  the  Americans  in  his  rear, 

blow,  his  troops  made  their  appearance 

with  the  view  of  forcing  them  to  call  to 

emerging  from  the  woods  in  separate  de- 

their  aid  Dickinson  with  his  militia  and 

tachments.  The  enemy  were  drawn  up 

Morgan  with  his  rifle-corps,  who  were  se- 

to  receive  him,  and,  as  Lee  was  forming 

verely  harassing  the  British  van,  which 

his  line,  their  cavalry  began  to  manoeuvre 

was  marchins:  with  the  baggage.  While 

in  the  direction  of  the  American  right. 

Lee  was  cautiously  manoeuvring,  to  pre- 

Lafayette’s  ardentand  youthful  spirit  was 

pare  to  meet  the  enemy,  a confusion  took 

much  chafed  by  General  Lee’s  cautious 

place,  either  in  his  orders  or  in  the  under- 

movements,  and,  eager  for  action,  he  at 

standing  of  them  by  his  subordinate  ofi>- 

this  movement  begged  to  be  permitted 

cers : one  whole  brigade  having  retreat- 

to  try  to  get  to  the  rear  of  the  enemy. 

ed  when  it  had  been  ordered  merely  to 

“Sir,”  answered  Lee,  “you  do  not  know 

fall  back,  the  rest  of  the  troops  followed 

British  soldiers  ; we  can  not  stand  against 

in  disorder,  pursued  by  the  British. 

them ; we  shall  be  certainly  driven  back 

General  Washington,  in  the  meantime. 

at  first,  and  we  must  be  cautions.” — “It 

was  piLshing  on  to  the  support  of  Lee. 

may  be  so,  general,”  responded  the  young 

When  he  reached  the  church  at  Free- 

marquis,  “ but  British  soldiers  have  been 

hold,  where  two  roads  joined,  General 

beaten,  and  may  be  beaten  again  ; at  any 

Greene  with  the  right  wins;  took  one,  in 

rate,  I am  disposed  to  make  the  attempt.” 

order  to  prevent  a flank-movement  on  the 

Lee  so  far  yielded  to  the  desire  of  the 

part  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton;  while  Wash- 

impulsive  Frenchman  as  to  allow  him  to 

ington  led  the  rest  of  the  force  along  the 

wheel  his  column  to  the  right,  for  the 

other  directly  to  the  rear  of  General  Lee, 

purpose  of  attacking  the  enemy’s  left 

who  was  supposed  to  be  at  that  time  en- 

Hank. 

gaged  with  the  enemy.  This  disposition 

Lafayette  seems  to  have  been  so  much 

having  been  made,  the  march  had  hardly  * 

dissatisfied  with  Lee’s  conduct,  that  he 

been  resumed,  when  a countryman  was 

took  the  occasion  of  the  riding  up  of  one 

met,  with  intelligence  that  the  continen- 

of  Washington’s  aids-de-camp  to  send  back 

tal  troops  were  in  full  retreat.  Washing- 

word  to  the  commander-in-chief  that  his 

ton  could  not  believe  it,  as  he  had  re- 

■ 

presence  on  the  ground  was  absolutely 

ceived  from  Lee  such  an  encouraging  ac- 

necessary.  Lee  continued  to  act  'with 

count  of  his  prospects,  and  there  had  been 

,, 

638  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [|pat{T  ii 


no  indication  of  an  engagement,  beyond 
the  sound  of  a cannon  or  two.  Soon,  how- 
ever, others  came  up  with  the 
^ same  report  •,  and  finally  the  re- 
treating troops  themselves  followed. 

“The  conviction  that  Lee  was  a trai- 
tor,” says  Lossing,  “ and  that  this  retreat 
was  the  first  bitter  fruit  of  his  treason, 
now  flashed  upon  the  mind  of  Washing- 
ton. Already  the  belief  that  he  was  un- 
true, and  a dangerous  man  in  the  army, 
had  been  forced  upon  the  consideration 
of  many  officers;  but,  until  the  previous 
evening,  the  genero.us  heart  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief would  not  harbor  such  a 
suspicion.  Late  at  night,  the  Reverend 
David  Griffiths,  a Welshman,  and  chap- 
lain of  the  third  Virginia  regiment,  had 
repaired  to  headquarters,  and  warned  the 
chief,  in  presence  of  Hamilton,  Harrison, 
and  Fitzgerald,  not  to  employ  General 
Lee  in  commanding  the  advance  on  the 
ensuing  morning.  Washington  received 
the  warning  doubtingly ; when  the  rev- 
erend gentleman,  on  retiring,  observed,  ‘ 1 
am  not  permitted  to  say  more  at  piesent, 
bill  ijoiir  excellency  tvill  remember  my  warning 
voice  lo-morrow,  in  Ihe  bailie?  Now  that 
warning  voice,  Lee’s  opposition  to  attack- 
iim  Clinton  at  all,  and  his  chan«;efulness 
respecting  the  command  of  the  advance, 
all  combined  to  make  Washington  feel 
that  Lee  had  ordered  this  retreat  for  the 
purpose  of  marring  his  plans,  and  disgra- 
cing him  by  the  loss  of  a battle,  so  as  to 
fulfil  the  traitor’s  own  predictions  of  its 
failure.” 

Washington  accosted  each  officer  as 
he  rode  up,  ordering  him  to  halt  his  men, 
and  asking  him  for  an  explanation  of  what 


seemed  so  incomprehensible.  He  could 
get  no  satisfactory  answer,  and  therefoiai 
determined  to  seek  out  General  Lee  him- 
self Putting  spurs  to  his  horse,  he  gal- 
loped rapidly  along  the  road  until  he 
reached  an  ascent,  from  which  he  caught 
a glimpse  of  Lee,  with  the  remainder  of 
his  troops,  coming  on  in  full  retreat.  The 
commander-in-chief  was  greatly  troubled 
at  what  had  occurred,  and,  holding  Lee 
responsible,  could  not,  on  meeting  him, 
contain  his  indi«:nation. 

“ What  is  the  meaning  of  this,  sir?”  he 
demanded  of  Lee,  looking  at  him  sternly, 
and  speaking  with  angry  emphasis.  “1 
desire  to  know,  sir,  the  meaning  of  this 
disorder  and  confusion  !”  repeated  Wash- 
ington, before  the  recreant  general  could 
sufficiently  recover  himself  from  the  ef- 
fect of  being  thus  accosted,  to  reply. 

Lee  now  in  turn  gave  issue  to  his  own 
temper,  and  answered  fiercely,  while  he 
hurriedly  strove  to  justify  his  conduct, 
saying  that  he  had  not  been  disposed  to 
face  the  whole  British  army  with  such  a 
force  as  he  had. 

“I  have  certain  information,”  replied 
Washington,  “ that  it  was  only  a cover- 
ing-party.” 

“ Covering-party  or  not,”  declared  Lee, 
“ it  was  stronger  than  mine,  and  I was 
not  disposed  to  run  the  risk.” 

“ I am  very  sorry,  then,”  rejoined  Wash- 
ington,“thatyou  undertook  the  command, 
unless  you  meant  to  fight  the  enemy.” 

“ I did  not  think  it  prudent  to  bring  on 
a general  engagement,”  retorted  Lee. 

“Whatever  jour  opinion  may  have 
been,  1 e.xpected  my  orders  would  have 
been  obeyed,”  said  Washington.  During 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  BA'l'TLf]  OF 

MONMOUTH.  639 

this  brief  interview,  the  enraged  chief  is 

main  body,  and  have  them  formed  on 

said,  on  the  authority  of  Lafayette,  to 

the  next  height.” 

have  called  Lee  “a  damned  poltroon;” 

“It  is  equal  with  me  wdiere  I com- 

and  the  marquis  observed  that  this  was 

mand,”  w'as  Lee’s  reply. 

the  only  instance  in  which  he  ever  heard 

“ I expect  you  will  take  proper  meas- 

tlie  general  swear.  The  ardent  Ilamil- 

nres  for  checking  the  enemy,”  said  Wash- 

ton,  too,  who  also  remembered  the  chap- 

ington,  emphatically. 

Iain’s  warning,  here  dismounted,  and,  un- 

“ Your  orders  shall  be  obeyed,”  prompt- 

sheathing  his  sword,  addressed  Washing- 

ly  answered  Lee,  “and  I will  not  be  the 

ton  : “ Your  excellency  and  this  army  are 

first  to  leave  the  field  !” 

betrayed ; and  the  moment  has  arrived 

Washington  now  hurried  back  to  the 

when  every  true  friend  of  America  and 

main  body,  which  he  formed  on  a height. 

her  cause  must  be  ready  to  die  in  their 

with  a morass  in  front,  and  between  him 

defence  !”* 

and  Lee’s  advanced  division.  He  had 

There  was  no  time  for  further  alterca- 

hardly  gone,  when  the  British  brought 

tion,  as  the  British  were  rapidly  pressing 

up  their  artillery,  and  began  a severe  can- 

forward  in  pursuit  of  the  fugitives.  Wash- 

nonade  on  Lee’s  right,  which  w^as,  howev- 

ington  rode  off  hastily  to  the  extreme 

er,  well  returned  by  the  Americans.  At 

rear  of  the  retreating  troops.  Taking  a 

the  same  time  the  enemy  pushed  forward 

rapid  survey  of  the  ground,  and  finding 

their  light-horse,  Avhich,  making  an  im- 

it  favorable  for  forming,  the  chief  ordered 

petuous  charge,  followed  by  a large  body 

the  battalions  of  Colonel  Stewart  and 

of  light-infantry,  drove  the  battalions  of 

LieutenantrColonel  Ramsay  to  face  about 

Stewart  and  Ramsay  before  them. 

and  march  to  the  left,  where,  under  the 

The  engagement  now  became  hot  be- 

cover  of  the  wood,  they  might  be  some- 

tween  the  British  and  Varnum’s  brigade 

what  protected  from  the  enemy’s  artille- 

united  with  Livingston’s  regiment,  which 

ry,  and  also  be  enabled  to  check  their  ad- 

had  been  stationed  in  front  of  the  bridge 

vance. 

across  the  mora.ss,  in  order  to  cover  the 

General  Lee,  on  being  told  by  one  of 

retreat  of  the  artillery  and  the  advanced 

his  aids  that  Washington  had  taken  the 

troops.  They,  too,  were  obliged  to  give 

command  of  his  division,  said,  “ Then  I 

way  before  a charge  of  the  enemy,  but 

have  nothing  further  to  do  and,  turning 

retired  in  good  order.  Lee,  having  post- 

his  horse,  he  rode  back  to  where  the  com- 

ed  Colonel  Ogden  in  a wood  near  the 

mander-in-chief  was  forming  a front  out 

bridge,  ordered  him  to  defend  it  to  the 

of  the  rear  of  the  retreating  troops  to  op- 

last  extremity,  and  reniained  in  person 

pose  the  enemy’s  approach.  As  he  came 

on  the  ground  until  the  orderly  retreat 

up,  Washington  asked  : — 

of  his  whole  force  was  secured,  when  he 

“ Will  you  command  on  this  ground  or 

himself  crossed  the  bridge,  and  rode  up 

not?  If  YOU  will,  I will  return  to  the 

to  Washington.  “ Sir,”  said  Lee,  “here 

* Lussiiijj;. 

are  my  troops : how  is  it  your  pleasure 

640  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  it 


that  I .‘should  dispose  of  them  ?”  As  they 
were  jaded  by  the  day’s  work,  the  com- 

mander-in-chief  ordered  them  to 
June  28.  , ,111 

to  be  marched  to  tiie  rear,  in  tlie 

neighborhood  of  Englishtown,  that  they 
might  be  refreshed  by  repose. 

While  the  enemy  were  thus  checked 
by  Lee’s  division,  Washington  had  an  op- 
portunity of  forming  his  line,  with  care- 
ful deliberation.  Lord  Stirling  command- 
ed the  left  wing,  where  he  had  posted 
some  heavy  artillery;  and  Greene,  when 
he  discovered  Lee’s  early  retreat,  had 
changed  the  direction  of  his  march,  and 
was  now  posted  with  his  whole  force  on 
his  lordship’s  right. 

The  British  continued  to  advance  in 
front,but  Earl  Stirling  soon  checked  them 
with  his  artillery,  and  by  detachments  of 
infantry  pushed  forward  to  oppose  them. 
They  then  attempted  to  turn  his  flank, 
but  were  repulsed.  A movement  toward 
the  American  front  proved  equally  un- 
successful; for  Greene  had  advanced  a 
body  of  troops,  and  Knox  with  his  artil- 
lery, to  take  possession  of  some  rising 
ground  in  advance,  by  which  the  design 
of  the  enemy  was  checked,  and  their  en- 
tire front  enfiladed.  General  Wayne,  as 
usual,  among  the  most  active  with  his 
brigade,  having  been  posted  in  an  orchard 
close  to  the  foe,  when  Colonel  Monckton, 
of  the  British  grenadiers,  determined  to 
make  an  effort  to  drive  him  off  So,  form- 
ing his  men  in  close  ranks,  he  ordered 
them  to  charge  with  the  bayonet.  Wayne 
bade  his  men  withhold  their  fire  until  the 
enemy  should  be  close  up.  On  they  came, 
with  their  colonel  at  their  head,  waving 
his  sword,  and  shouting  to  his  men,  when 


the  Americans  opened  their  fire,  and  the 
brave  Monckton  fell  amid  heaps  of  his 
slaughtered  grenadiers. 

The  British  now  fell  back  to  the  posi- 
tion occupied  by  General  Lee  in  the 
morning.  Here  their  flanks  were  secured 
by  thick  woods  and  morasses,  while  their 
front  could  only  be  approached  through 
a narrow  pass.  Washington  was  not  dis- 
posed, however,  well  covered  as  they  a[> 
peared  to  be,  to  let  them  escape  without 
another  attempt  to  get  at  them.  He  ac- 
cordingly ordered  General  Poor,  with  his 
own  and  the  Carolina  brigade,  to  move 
toward  their  right.  General  Woodford  to 
their  left,  and  the  artillery  to  be  brought 
up  so  as  to  gall  them  in  front.  But  be- 
fore this  disposition  could  be  made,  the 
day  was  well  spent ; and  the  men  were 
so  fatigued  by  their  marching  and  coun- 
termarching in  the  sandy  Jersey  soil,  and 
so  prostrated  by  the  excessive  heat  (the 
day  being  one  of  the  most  sultry  of  the 
whole  season),  that  it  was  determined  to 

postpone  the  attack  till  the  next  , 

. June  29. 

morning.  Ihe  troops  were  ac- 
cordingly ordered  to  lie  upon  their  arms, 
in  order  to  be  ip  readiness  for  action  at 
the  earliest  moment;  while  the  general- 
in-chief  himself  wrapped  his  cloak  about 
him  and  lay  down,  with  the  young  mar- 
quis de  Lafayette  by  his  side,  at  the  foot 
of  a tree,  talking  over  the  events  of  the 
day,  until  they  both  sought,  in  a short 
night’s  sleep,  refreshment  for  the  expect- 
ed struggle  of  the  coming  morning. 

Thus  ended  the  battle  of  Monmouth, 
which  was  one  of  the  most  hotly-contest- 
ed of  the  war,  and  in  which  great  skill 
was  exhibited  on  both  sides. 


tiicvoLUTioNAUY.]  RETREAT  OE  THE  BRITISH.— LOSSES  AT  MONMOUTH. 


G41 


CHAPTER  LXXI. 

riio  Dawn  of  Mornin". — The  Enemy  gone. — Pursuit  impracticable. — Fresh  Graves. — Losses  on  Both  Sides. — Loss  of 
the  Britisli  from  Heat  and  Dcseition. — Their  March  through  New  Jersey. — Washington  moves  toward  the  North 
Kiver. — A Painful  March. — Horses  dying  in  Troops. — A Refreshing  Halt  at  Brunswick. — Court-Martial  on  General 
Lee. — His  Letter  to  Washington. — Ho  complains  of  “Cruel  Injustice.” — Washington’s  Answer. — Lee’s  Rejoinder. — 
Postponcnient  of  the  Ti  ial. — Lee’s  Skilful  Uefence. — He  is  found  guilty. — The  Verdict. — Confirmed  by  Congress. — 
Lee’s  Duel  with  Laurens. — Version  of  Lee. — His  Retirement  to  Virginia. — His  Morose  and  Secluded  Life. — His 
Eccentricity. — His  Death. — His  Singular  Will. — A Traitor? — Justification  of  Washington. 


1778. 


June  29. 


When  morniug  dawn  3(1  tlie 
Britisli  had  disappeared.  - Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  after  having  collected 
his  wounded  and  buried  some  of  his 
dead,  withdrew  his  troops  so  silently 
that  the  movement  was  unobserved 
by  the  American  outposts. 
The  excessive  heat  and  the 
peculiar  character  of  the  countrj^  made 
pursuit  impracticable.  The  British  loss 
at  the  battle  of  Monmouth  was,  con- 

* It  was  (luring  this  battle  that  Moi.l  PiTCiiEa  w’on  her 
laurels  and  secured  her  place  in  American  history.  Molly 
was  a sturdy  camp-follower  of  about  22  years  old.  She 
was  not  unused  to  the  stirring  events  of  the  battle-field, 
having  already  w'on  distinction  at  Fort  Clinton,  where  she 
fired  the  last  shot.  At  Monmouth  her  husband  com- 
manded one  of  the  field-pieces,  and  Molly  supplied  him 
with  water  from  a neighboring  spring.  Molly  was  re- 
turning from  the  spring  when  she  saw  her  husband  fall. 
There  was  no  one  to  fill  his  place  ; and  orders  were  given 
to  have  the  gun  removed.  Hearing  the  orders,  Molly 
dropped  her  bucket,  seized  the  ramrod,  and  gallantly 
held  her  post  while  the  battle  lasted.  On  the  following 
day,  covered  with  blood  and  mud,  she  was  presented  by 
General  Greene  to  Washington,  who  created  her  sergeant 
on  the  spot.  After  this  battle,  Molly  no  longer  followed 
the  army  ; but  she  continued  until  her  death  on  the  list 
of  half-pay  officers.  For  years  afterwards  she  lived  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Fort  Montgomer}^  in  the  Hudson  High- 
lands, where  she  was  familiarly  known  as  Captain  Molly, 
and  where  also  she  died.  She  was  well-known  to  the 
widow  of  General  Hamilton,  who  described  her  as  a stout, 
red-haired  young  Irish  woman,  wdth  freckled  face  and 
bright,  piercing  eyes. 

81 


sideriiig  tbe  numbers  actually  engaged, 
severe;  the  heat  and  the  exhaustion 
thereby  produced  proving  almost  as 
destructive  as  the  bullets  of  the  foe. 
Over  two  hundred  and  forty  non-com- 
missioned officers  and  privates,  and 
four  officers,  among  the  last-named 
the  gallant  Colonel  Monckton  of  the 
Grenadiers,  lay  dead  on  the  field.  Some 
of  the  dead  w’ere  found  under  trees  and 
by  the  brinks  of  rivulets,  whither  they 
had  crept  for  shade  and  water,  without 
any  outward  sign  of  injury.  x\  large 
number  of  wounded  Avere  carried  off  by 
the  British  during  the  action,  and  until 
midnight,  when,  as  Washington  said, 
“ they  stole  off  as  silent  as  the  grave.” 

The  American  loss  was,  seven  officers 
and  fifty-two  rank  and  file  killed,  and 
seventeen  officers  and  a hundred  and 
twenty  privates  wounded.  The  only 
two  important  officers  who  suffered 
were  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brumer,  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  Major  Dickinson, 
of  Virginia. 

The  British,  in  their  march  through 
New  J ersey,  suffered  a loss,  including  the 
desertions,  which  was  estimated  in  all  at 


•'  I 


342  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

about  two  thousand  men.  More  than  six 
hundred  deserters  went  back  to  Philadel- 

At  Brunswick  the  court-mar-  ^ ^ ^ 
tial  first  assembled  which  was 

pliia,  and  many  joined  the  American  ar- 

appointed  to  try  General  Lee  on  the  fol 

my.  One  of  the  German  regiments  was 

lowing  charges:  — 

considered  so  disaffected,  that  Sir  Heiny 

First.  Disobedience  of  orders,  in  not 

Clinton  did  not  venture  to  trust  it  on 

attacking  the  enemy  on  the  28th  of  June, 

land,  and  accordingly  sent  it  to  New  York 

agreeably  to  repeated  instructions. 

by  sea  from  Philadelphia,  while  he  took 

’■’■Secondly.  Misbehavior  before  the  ene- 

up  his  march  through  New  Jersey.  The 

my  on  the  same  day,  by  making  an  unne- 

British  were  now  left  almost  uninterrupt- 

cessary,  disorderly,  and  shameful  retreat 

ed  to  pursue  their  way  to  Sandy  Hook, 

’■‘■Thirdly.  Disrespect  to  the  command- 

and  thence  to  New  York,  where  they  en- 

er-in-chief,  in  two  letters,  dated  the  1st 

camped  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city. 

of  July  and  the  28th  of  June.” 

Washimj-ton,  having  left  the  New-Jer- 

O'  O 

Tlie  irascible  Lee  was  so  provoked  by 

sey  brigade,  Morgan’s  corps,  and  some 

the  angry  reprimand  of  Washington  foi 

other  light  parties  behind  him,  to  hover 

his  retreat  at  Monmonth,  that,  unable  to 

about  the  eneiuy,  in  order  to  countenance 

control  his  temper,  he  wrote  a letter  to 

desertions  from  their  ranks,  and  as  far  as 

the  commander-in-chief,  in  which  he  in- 

possible  to  prevent  depredations,  moved 

dulged  in  personal  retlections  such  as  no 

on  the  rest  of  his  army  through  New-Jer- 

superior  officer  could,  with  a proper  re- 

sey  toward  the  North  river,  with  the  in- 

gard  to  his  own  dignity,  pass  by  without 

tention  of  forming  a junction  with  Gen- 

rebuke.  ‘‘  From  the  knowledge  I have 

eral  Gates,  then  in  command  at  Fishkill. 

of  your  excellency’s  character,”  wrote 

The  march  from  Englishtown  to 
Jiiue  30.  . . 

Brunswick  was  “ inconceivably 

Lee,  “I  must  conclude  that  nothing  but 
the  misinformation  of  some  very  stupid 

distressing  to  the  troops  and  horses.”  The 

or  misrepresentation  of  some  very  wicked 

route  la;^  for  twenty  miles  through  a deep 

person  could  have  occasioned  your  ma- 

sand,  during  the  extremest  heat  of  the 

king  use  of  so  very  singular  expressions 

season,  while  there  was  but  one  shallow 

as  you  did  on  my  coming  up  to  the  ground 

stream,  throughout  the  whole  distance. 

whore  you  had  taken  post.  They  implied 

where  a drop  of  water  could  be  obtained. 

that  I was  guilty  either  of  disobedience 

Some  of  the  men  died  and  many  were  dis- 

of  orders,  want  of  conduct,  or  want  of 

abled  in  consequence,  and  the  horses  fell 

courage.  Your  excellency  will  therefore 

dead  in  troops.  Upon  the  “ airy,  open 

infinitely  oblige  me  by  letting  me  know  on 

grounds”  in  the  neighborhood  of  Bruns- 

which  of  these  three  articles  you  ground 

wick,  Wa.sliington,  though  eager  to  pur- 

your  charge,  that  I may  prepare  for  my 

sue  his  march,  now  halted  his  army  for  a 

justification,  which  1 have  the  happiness 

week,  that  his  men  might  obtain  the  re- 

to  be  confident  I can  do  to  the  army,  to 

pose  and  refreshment  they  so  greatly  re- 

the  Congress,  to  America,  and  to  the  world 

quired. 

in  general.” 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  TRIAL  AND  CONVICTION  OF  GENERAL  LEE.  Ol.t 

Lee  then,  with  his  usiuil  self-sufficiency, 

tive  servants.  I trust  that  temporary 

hiiving  not  only  justified  his  retreat,  but 

power  of  office,  and  the  tinsel  dignity  at- 

claimed  for  it  the  iherit  of  having  saved 

tending  it,  will  not  be  able,  by  all  the 

the  day,  took  occasion,  after  telling  Wash- 

mists  they  can  raise,  to  obfuscate  the 

ington  that  he  thought  him  “endowed 

bright  rays  of  truth.” 

with  many  great  and  good  qualities,”  to 

• General  Lee  was  now  arrested  and 

complain  tliat  he  had  been  “guilty  of  an 

tried.  The  court-martial  was  convened 

act  of  ci’uel  injustice  toward  a man  who 

as  early  as  the  4tli  of  July,  but  its  se.s- 

certainly  has  some  pretensions  to  the  re- 

sions  were  interrupted  by  the  movement 

gard  of  every  servant  of  this  country 

•of  the  army,  and  it  did  not  come  to  a de- 

And  1 think,  sir,”  added  Lee,  “ I have  a 

cision  until  the  12th  of  Aimust.  Lord 

O 

right  to  demand  some  rejiaration  for  the 

Stirling  was  president,  and  the  rest  of  the 

injury  committed  ; and,  unless  I can  ol> 

court  was  composed  of  a major-genei’al. 

tain  it,  I must  in  justice  to  myself,  when 

four  brigadiers,  and  eight  colonels.  Lee 

* this  campaign  is  closed,  which  I believe 

defended  himself  with  great  skill.  lie 

will  close  tlie  war,  retire  from  a service. 

contended  that,  as  his  orders  were  discre- 

at  the  head  of  which  is  placed  a man  ca- 

tionary,  he  could  not  be  justly  charged 

pable  of  offering  such  injuries.  But  at 

with  disobedience.  In  regard  to  the  re- 

the  same  time,  in  justice  to  you,  I must 

treat,  he  declared  that  he  did  not  wish  or 

repeat  that  I from  my  soul  believe  that 

give  any  orders  for  a retrograde  inanoeu- 

it  was  not  a motion  of  your  own  breast. 

vre  from  the  first  point  of  action,  adding  : 

but  instigated  by  some  of  those  dirty  ear- 

“ Even  when  I was  informed  of  our  left 

wigs,  who  will  for  ever  insinuate  them- 

being  abandoned,  the  retreat,  however 

selves  near  persons  in  high  office.” 

necessary,  was,  I am  ashamed  to  own  it. 

Washington  wrote  firmly  in  answer. 

done  contrary  to  my  orders  and  contrary 

telling  Lee  that  his  letter  was,  as  he  con- 

to  my  intentions.  He  claimed  that,  in 

ceived,  expressed  in  terms  highly  improp- 

falling  back  and  taking  the  ground  that 

er,  and  that  he  was  not  conscious  of  hav- 

he  intended  when  his  division  was  reti- 

ing  made  use  of  any  very  singular  ex- 

ring,  the  enemy  would  probably  have 

pressions  at  the  time  of  meeting  him  du- 

been  drawn  from  a good  position,  and 

ing  his  retreat.  “ What  I recollect  to  have 

the  advantage  given  to  the  American.s. 

said,”  added  Washington,  “was  dictated 

The  weak  point  in  Lee’s  conduct  was  the 

by  duty  and  warranted  by  the  occasion.” 

fact  of  his  not  having  sent  wmrd  to  Wash- 

He  closed  by  promising  him  the  oppor- 

ington  of  the  retreat  of  his  troops — by 

tunity  wdiich  he  had  asked  for  justifying 

which  neglect  the  safety  of  the  whole 

himself 

army  was  hazarded.  This  looked  either 

liee  petulantly  rejoined,  saying : “ You 

like  premeditated  injury  or  uncontrolla- 

can  not  afford  me  greater  pleasure  than 

ble  confusion. 

in  giving  me  the  opportunity  of  showing 

General  Lee  was  found  guilty  of  all 

to  America  the  sufficiency  of  her  respec- 

the  charges,  though  in  the  second  the  ex- 

C44  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  ^vaut  ii. 

pression  "shameful”  was  omitted,  and  the 

and  place  for  a hostile  meeting,  and  name 

term  “ disorderly”  mitigated  by  the  inser- 

his  weapons.” 

tion  oi‘“tnso7ne  msiances.”  The  sentence 

Lee  did  not  hesitate  to  accept  the  dial- 

was,  suspension  from  all  command  in  the 

lenge,  and,  taking  advantage  of  his  privi- 

armies  of  the  United  States  for  the  term 

lege,  as  the  challenged  party,  of  choosing 

of  twelve  months.  • 

his  weapons,  he  selected  pistols  instead 

The  findinsc  of  the  court  was  now  re- 

of  the  smallsword,  in  the  use  of  which  he 

ferred  to  Congress  for  its  action.  Lee 

was  a great  adept,  but  which  he  now  de- 

went  to  Philadelphia  at  the  time,  and  was 

dined  in  consequence  of  being  in  a some- 

not  a little  wounded  in  spirit  to  find  his 

what  weak  state  of  body,  on  account  of  a 

old  popularity  so  much  on  the  wane,  that. 

fall  from  his  horse,  and  a recent  fit  of  the 

although  he  had  still  strong  friends,  the 

gout.  His  courage  was  undoubted,  and 

majority  of  the  members  were  evidently 

Lee  bore  himself  in  the  encounter  with 

against  him.  He  strove  to  better  his 

cool  intrepidity.  His  antagonist, however. 

cause,  by  writing  a clever  defence,  which 

proved  the  better  shot,  and  wounded  him  , 

he  termed  “ General  Lee's  Vindieation  to  the 

slightly  in  the  side. 

Public.”  The  opinion  of  Congress  was. 

Lee  was  especially  envenomed  against 

Dec  5 ho"Tver,  unfavorable  ; and  in  an 

the  members  of  Congre.ss  who  were  prom- 

exceedingly  thin  house,  fifteen 

inent  in  favo-r  of  confirming  the  decision 

voted  in  the  affirmative  and  seven  in  the 

of  the  court-martial ; and  William  Henry 

negative,  thus  confirming  the  decision  of 

Drayton,  of  South  Carolina,  drew  upon 

the  court-martial. 

himself  the  most  concentrated  bitterness 

General  Lee’s  temper  was  not  improved 

of  the  wrathful  general,  who  tells  him  in 

by  these  adverse  circumstances.  He  be- 

a letter,  “ I find  that  you  are  as  malignant 

came  greatly  embittered  against  Wash- 

a scoundrel  as  you  are  universally  allo  wed 

ington,  and  took  every  occasion  to  rail  at 

to  be  a ridiculous  and  disgusting  coxcomb'.' 

him  and  his  military  conduct.  The  lat- 

Again,  he  says : " You  tell  me  the  Ameri- 

ter  remained  in  stoical  indifference ; but 

cans  are  the  most  merciful  people  on  the 

one  of  his  aids.  Colonel  Laurens,  was  hot 

face  of  the  earth.  I think  so  too ; and 

and  young  enough  to  take  up  the  quar- 

the  strongest  instance  of  it  is,  that  they 

rel,  and  wrote  to  Lee,  declaring  that,  in 

did  7iot  long  ago  haiig  you  up.,  and  every  advo- 

contempt  of  decency  and  truth,  he  had 

cate  for  the  stamp-act.  And  do  not  Hatter 

“ publicly  abused  General  Washington  in 

yourself  that  the  present  virtuous  airs  of 

the  grossest  terms,”  and  that  the  relation 

patriotism  you  may  give  yourself,  and 

in  which  he  (Laurens)  stood  to  him  for- 

your  hard-labored  letters  to  the  commi.s- 

laide  him  to  pass  such  conduct  unnoticed. 

sioners  and  the  king,  will  ever  wash  away 

He  therefore  demanded  the  satisfiiction 

the  stain.  If  you  think  the  terms  I make 

which  he  was  entitled  to;  and  desired 

use  of  harsh  or  unmerited,  my  friend  Ma- 

that,  as  soon  as  General  Lee  should  thiuk 

jor  Edwards  is  commissioned  to  point  out 

himself  at  liberty,  he  would  appoint  time 

• 

your  remedy.” 

, 

. 

. 

KEVOI.UTIONAUY.I  RETIREMENT  AND  DEATH  OF  GENERAL  LEE.  646 


Lee  was  not  indulged  in  liis  Avish  for 
anotlier  duel,  but  Avas  alloAved  to  retire 
to  his  plantation  in  Berkeley  county,  in 
Virginia,  and  there  in  solitude  nurse  his 
discontent.  But  he  nevertheless  still  ex- 
hibited his  malevolence  toAvard  Washing- 
ton, by  publishing  his  “ Queries,  Polilieal 
and MilUaryl'  in  Avhich  there  Avns  a,  labored 
attempt  to  depreciate  the  military  quali- 
fications and  conduct  of  the  commander- 
in-chief.  When  the  “ Queries”  Avere  sent 
to  the  publishers  of  the  Philadelphia  pa- 
pers, they  refused  to  publish  them ; but 
they  Avere  finally  printed  in  the  Mary- 
land Journal','  of  Baltimore.  Their  publi- 
cation caused  a storm  of  indignation,  and 
the  deeply-incensed  people  insisted  upon 
the  name  of  the  author  of  the  gross  li- 
bels. Lee  now  became  an  object  of  al- 
most universal  scorn.'^ 

The  spirit  of  the  fallen  general  contin- 
ued to  groAv  more  and  more  irritable  and 
morose.  Having  heard  a rumor  that  he 
Avas  to  be  deprived  of  his  commission  at 
the  close  of  the  term  for  Avhich  he  Avas 
suspended,  Lee,  Avithout  Avaiting  to  ascer- 
tain the  truth  or  falsity  of  the  report, 
Avrote  an  insulting  letter  to  the  president 
of  Congress,  saying:  “ Sii',  I understand 
that  it  is  in  contemplation  of  Congress, 
on  the  principle  of  economy,  to  strike  me 
out  of  their  service.  Congress  must  knoAV 
very  little  of  me,  if  they  suppose  that  I 
Avould  accept  of  their  money,  since  the  con- 
finnaiion  of  the  ivicJced  and  infamous  sentence 

* Ainong  the  “ Queries,”  twenty-five  in  number,  are  the 
followin';,  showing  the  malignant  spirit  which  animated  the 
whole;  “ AVhether  it  is  salutary  or  dangerous,  consistent 
with  or  abhorrent  from  the  spirit  and  principles  of  liberty 
and  republicanism,  to  inculcate  and  encourage  in  the  people 
an  idea  that  their  welfare,  safety,  and  glory,  depend  on  one 
man  ? AVhether  they  really  do  depend  on  one  man  1” 


ivliicJi  teas  passed  upon  me!"^'  This  Avns  re- 
ceived in  high  dudgeon  by  Congress,  and 
provoked  that  body  to  do  the  very  act 
Avhich  it  been  unjustly  suspected  of  in- 
tending: Lee  Avas  summarily  dismissed 
from  the  army.  He  noAv  hid  himself  from 
all  public  obseiwation,  slinking  aAvay  in 
his  hnlfruined  house  on  his  Virginia  es- 
tate, and  avoiding  all  companionship  but 
that  of  his  horses  and  dogs.  “His  dAvel- 
ling,”  says  his  biographer,  “ AVtis  more 
like  a btirn  than  a palace.  Glass-AvindoAVS 
and  plastering  Avould  luive  been  luxuri- 
ous extravngance,  and  his  furniture  con- 
sisted of  a very  fcAV  necessary  tirticles.” 

Without  partition.s,  the  one  apartment 
of  the  house  Avas  divided  into  parts  by 
lines  of  chalk  ; and  the  eccentric  old  cam- 
paigner, as  he  looked  upon  bis  bed  in  one 
corner,  his  guns,  Avhips,  and  saddles,  in 
another,  his  library  in  a third,  and  his 
kitchen  in  a fourth,  congratulated  him- 
self that  he  could  sit  and  oversee  the 
Avhole  Avithout  moving  from  his  chair! 
Thus  he  lived  for  several  yenrs,  until  he 
found  that  hoeing  tobacco,  as  he  termed 
it,  Avas  rapidly  bringing  him  into  debt. 
He  noAV  removed  to  Philadelphia,  Avbere 
he  took  lodgings  at  an  inn  in  Market 
street,  knoAvn  by  the  sign  o^“The  Connes- 
tijoe  Waggon."  A fcAv  days  after  his  arri- 
val, he  Avas  attacked  by  a fever,  Avbich 
proved  fatal,  and  he  died  on  the  2d  of 
October,  1782.  The  last  Avords  Avhich  the 
veteran  Avas  heard  to  ihter  in  his  delirium 
(doubtless  inspired  by  the  flickering  re- 
membrance of  his  European  campaigns) 
Avere,  Stand  hg  me,  my  brave  grenadiers 

* Subsequently,  however,  on  learning  that  the  report  wa* 
without  foundation,  he  offered  an  apology  to  Congress. 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PART  I). 


Lee  passed  away  under  a clond  wliicb 
has  perhaps  for  ever  obscured  his  charac 


GIG 

In  h is  will,  General  Lee  showed  his 
gratitude  to  those  fiiends  who  had  been 
faithful  to  him  through  all  the  vicissitudes 
of  his  strange  career.  Among  his  old  aids- 
de-camp  he  divided  his  landed  estate  and 
distributed  most  of  his  horses,  his  “ brood- 
mares and  his  fdlies,”  of  which  he  had  a 
choice  variety.  To  his  “ old  and  faithful 
servanl,or  rather  humble  friend, Guiseppi 
Minghini,”  he  bequeathed  three  hundred 
guineas,  to  his  housekeeper  one  hundred 
and  his  stock  of  cattle,  with  all  his  nec^roes 
to  be  divided  equally  between  the  two. 
He  also  took  care  to  leave  money  to  buy 
‘•'rings  of  affection”  for  this  and  that  friend 
in  V;hose  memory  he  desired  still  to  lin- 
ger. 

This  characteristic  request  closed  the 
will : “ I desire  most  earnestly  that  I may 
not  be  buried  in  any  church  or  church- 
yard, or  uithin  a mile  of  anij  Presbyterian  or 
Anabaptist  meetinghouse ; for,  since  I have 
resided  in  this  country,  I have  kept  so 
much  bad  company  when  living,  that  I do 
not  choose  to  continue  it  when  dead.* 

“I  recommend  my  soul  to  the  Creator 
of  all  worlds  and  of  all  creatures ; who 
must,  from  his  visible  attributes,  be  indif- 
ferent to  their  modes  of  worship  or  creeds 
— whether  Christians,  Mohammedans,  or 
Jews;  whether  instilled  by  education  or 
taken  up  by  reflection  ; whether  more  or 
less  absurd ; as  a weak  mortal  can  no 
more  be  answerable  for  his  persuasions, 
notions,  or  even  skepticism,  in  religion, 
than  for  the  color  of  his  skin.” 

* Notwithstanding  this  expressed  wish,  Lee  was  interred 
in  Christ  cliurcliyard,  at  Philadelphia,  with  military  honors, 
and  ill  presence  of  a large  assemblage  of  the  people,  drawn 
together  more  by  curiosity  than  veneration,  to  look  upon  the 
remains  of  one  whose  life  had  been  so  eventful 


ter  and  motives.  His  conduct  at  Mon- 
mouth has  been  differently  appreciated. 
At  the  time,  most  men  were  of  the  opin- 
ion that  it  was  actuated  by  envy  of  IVash- 
ington,  whom  he  had  hopes  of  supplant- 
ing in  the  chief  command,  if,  by  thwarting 
his  purposes,  he  could  make  it  appear 
that  the  general-in-chief  was  unequal  to 
his  position.  Others  have  not  hesitated 
to  charge  Lee  with  treasonable  designs, 
and  have  connected  with  his  conduct  at 
Monmouth  an  incident  which  occurred  a 
short  time  previously;  — 

“Soon  after  General  Lee  rejoined  the 
army  at  Valley  Forge,”  says  Sparks,  “a 
curious  incident  occurred.  By  order  of 
Congress,  Gfeneral  Washington  Avas  re- 
quired to  administer  the  oath  of  allegi- 
mice  to  the  general  officers.  The  major- 
generals  stood  around  Washington,  and 
took  hold  of  a bible  together,  according 
to  the  usual  custom  ; but  just  as  he  began 
to  administer  the  oath,  Lee  deliberately 
withdreAv  his  hand  twice.  This  move- 
ment was  so  singular,  and  was  performed 
in  so  odd  a manner,that  the  officers  smiled, 
and  Washington  inquired  the  meaning  of 
his  hesitancy.  Lee  replied  : ‘ As  to  King 
George,  I am  ready  enough  to  absolve 
myself  from  all  allegiance  to  him ; but  I 
have  some  scruples  about  the  prince  of 
Wales.’  The  strangeness  of  this  reply 
was  such,  that  the  officers  burst  into  a 
broad  laugh,  and  even  Washington  could 
not  refrain  from  a smile.  The  ceremony 
was,  of  course,  interrupted.  It  was  re- 
newed as  soon  as  a composure  was  re- 
stored proper  for  the  solemnity  of  the  oo 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY  ] CHARACTER  OF  LEE. 

—Ills  TREASON  PROVED.  647 

casion,  and  Lee  took  the  oath  with  the 
other  officers.”’-' 

While  most  men  attributed  Lee’s  con- 
duct at  Monmouth  to  envy,  and  some  to 
treason,  there  were  others  who  justified 
it,  as  the  general  himself  strove  to  do,  on 
the  score  of  its  propriety.  Even  Marshall, 
the  impartial  judge,  declares  that  the  rea- 

* A dociunent,  found  iiinong  the  papers  of  Lord  .nnd  Sir 
Williiim  Howe,  has  lately  come  into  the  possession  of  the 
New-York  Historical  Society,  which  proves  that  Lee  was 
guilty  of  an  act  of  treason  while  a prisoner  at  New  York, 
whatever  may  have  been  his  conduct  before  or  after.  This 
document  is  in  the  handwriting  of  the  general,  and  is  en- 
dorsed “ Lee’s  1’l.vn,  1777,”  by  Strachey,  the  secretary  of 
Lord  and  Sir  William  Howe.  It  contains  an  elaborate  plan 
for  a campaign  against  the  Americans,  hy  which  the  war, 
as  the  writer  of  the  document  says,  ‘‘may  be  effectually  put 
an  end  to.”  The  paper  was  evidently  drawn  np  for  the 
benefit  of  the  enemy,  and  submitted  to  tbe  Howes,  while 
Lee  was  a captive  in  New  York.  He  proposed  an  expedi- 
lion  against  New  England,  so  as  to  keep  the  inhabitants 
there  at  home,  and  make  it  an  easy  matter  for  the  British  to 
hold  possession  of  New  Yoik  and  the.Terseys.  He  suggest- 
ed that,  simultaneously  with  this  movement  eastward,  a con- 
siderable force  should  be  sent  up  the  Chesapeake  bay,  to 
land  at  and  take  possession  of  Annapolis,  and  march  into 
the  interior  of  Maryland  as  far  as  Queen  Anne  county.  An- 
other was  to  be  despatched  up  the  Potomac,  and  take  pos- 
session of  Ale.xandria,  when  the  two  invading  armies  might 
form  a junction  ; while  a third  should  ascend  the  Delaware 
and  capture  Philadelphia.  The  middle  states  would  now 
be  in  subjection,  and  New  England  and  the  southern  slates 
would  be  loo  wide  apart  to  act  in  efficient  concert.  “ These 
things  accomplished,”  adds  Mr.  Lossing,  “ and  the  system 
of  resistance  dismembered,  all  that  would  be  necessary,  to 
insure  a complete  subjagntion  of  the  revolted  states  to  the 
crown,  would  be  the  issuing  of  proclamations  of  pardon  to 
all  who  should  desert  the  republican  standard,  and  return 
to  their  allegiance  to  King  George.”  The  paper  seems  to 
have  had  its  clfect,  for  the  subsequent  southern  campaign 
of  the  British  accorded  with  the  views  set  forth  hy  Lee  in 
his  ))lan,  upon  the  success  of  which  he  emphatically  declares 
that  he  is  ready  to  stake  his  life.  With  this  document  the 
treason  of  General  Lee  is  proved  beyond  a doubt;  and  his 
conduct  at  Monmouth  was  doubtless  prompted  by  a desire 
to  throw  the  game  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  to  whose 
interest  while  at  New  York  he  had  pledged  himself.  ( This 
‘‘  plan”  of  Lee  was  discovered  at  the  close  of  1857,  among 
some  papers  said  to  have  been  brought  from  Nova  Scotia, 
and  offered  for  sale  in  New  York.  It  was  published  in  1859 
under  the  auspices  of  Professor  George  H.  Moore,  the  libra- 
rian of  the  Historical  Societv.) 

sons  given  by  Lee  for  his  retreat  were 
such  that,  ‘‘if  they  do  not  absolutely  es- 
tablish its  propriety,  they  give  it  so  ques- 
tionable a form  as  to  render  it  probable 
that  a public  exumination  never  would 
have  taken  place,  could  his  proud  spiril 
have  stooped  to  offer  explanation  instead 
of  outrage  to  the  commander-in-chief.” 

It  has  been  inferred,  from  the  fact  that 
Washington,  after  Lee’s  retreat,  and  hav- 
ing temporarily  deprived  him  of  his  com- 
mand,should  have  immediately  reinstated 
him  on  tlie  field,  that  therefore  it  was  his 
intention  to  have  overlooked  his  conduct, 
until  he  was  provoked  into  noticing  it  by 
Lee’s  insolent  letters.  This  supposition, 
however,  seems  so  to  belittle  the  motives 
of  Washington,  by  giving  them  a person- 
al cluiracter,  that  it  is  surprising  that  his- 
torians have  ventured  thus  to  dishonor 
the  great  man. 

“ I will  defy  any  person  out  of  my  own 
family,”  said  Washington  himself,  “ to  say 
that  I have  ever  mentioned  his  name,  if 
it  was  to  be  avoided  ; and  when  not,  that 

I have  studiously  declined  expressing  any 
sentiment  of  him  or  his  behavior.”  Lee 
did  his  utmost  to  provoke  recrimination, 
but  Washington  passed  by  his  malevo- 
lence without  notice,  declaring:  “I  have 
neither  the  leisure  nor  inclination  to  en- 
ter the  lists  with  him  in  a newspaper; 
and,  so  far  as  his  production  points  to 
personality,  I can  and  do  from  my  inmost 
soul  despise  it.”  Lee  having  by  will  left 
his  pajiers  in  charge  of  Mr.  Goddard,  the 
editor  of  the  '‘‘‘Maryland  Journal”  who  in 
1785  proposed  to  publish  them,  and  wrote 
to  Washington,  to  know  if  he  wished  to 
examine  them  previously  ; but  the  latter 

1 

648  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

declined,  solemnly  averring : I can  have 

reporting  favorably.  Congress  “ resolved 

no  request  to  mnke  concerning  the  work. 

that  the  colonies  zvill  indcmnifg  General  Lee 

I never  laid  a difference  with  that  gen- 

for  any  loss  of  property  lohich  he  may  sustain 

tleman  but  on  public  grounds ; and  my 

by  entering  into  their  service  ; and  that  the 

conduct  toward  him,  on  this  occasion,  was 

same  be  done  b}'  this  or  any  futui’e  Con- 

such  only  as  I felt  myself  indispensably 

gress,  as  soon  as  such  loss  is  ascertained.” 

bound  to  adopt  in  discharge  of  the  public 

This  was  in  marked  contrast  to  the  con- 

trust  reposed  in  me.  If  this  produced  in 

duct  of  Washington,  who,  though  incur- 

him  unfavorable  sentiments  of  me,  I can 

ring  a pecuniary  risk  far  greater  than  that 

never  consider  tbe conduct  I pursued  with 

of  Lee,  not  only  required  from  Congress 

respect  to  him  either  wrong  or  improper. 

no  surety  for  the  safety  of  his  private  for- 

however  I may  regret  that  it  may  have 

tune,  but  nobly  served  throughout  the 

been  differently  viewed  by  him,  and  that 

war  without  personal  reward. 

it  excited  his  anger  and  animadversions. 

General  Charles  Lee  “ must  hereafter 

Should  there  appear  in  General  Lee’s  wri- 

be  deservedly  ranked  with  Church  and 

tings  anything  injurious  or  unfriendly  to 

Arnold,  among  the  traitors  whose  deeds 

me,  the  impartial  and  dispassionate  world 

stain  the  annals  of  the  American  Revo- 

must  decide  how  far  I deserved  it,  fi'om 

lution — Reckless  and  unprincipled,  he 

tbe  general  tenor  of  my  conduct.” 

was  willing  to  be  a traitor  to  both  par- 

In  passing  judgment  upon  the  charac- 

ties;  but,  fortunately  for  the  republican 

ter  of  General  Lee,  it  must  be  borne  in 

cause,  he  was  deprived  of  opportunities 

mind  that  from  the  beginnirig  he  seems 

for  doing  mischief  at  a most  critical  time. 

to  have  acted  from  interested  and  selfish 

— As  a military  adventurer,  he  was  con- 

motives.  Thus,  when  on  the  19  th  of  July, 

tinually  aiming  to  secure  personal  advan- 

1775,  the  continental  Congress  appointed 

tages.  Pioud  of  his  abilitie.s,  and  puffed 

a committee  to  wait  upon  him  and  notify 

up  by  flatterers,  he  aspired  to  be  the  com- 

him  of  his  appointment,  they  reported 

mander-in-chief  of  the  American  armies. 

that  Lee  gave  for  answer:  “ That  he  had 

Ilis  ambition  was  checked  at  the  outset. 

tlie  highest  sense  of  the  honor  conferred 

Ilis  meteoi-ic  light  was  dimmed  by  the 

upon  him  by  the  Congress ; that  no  effort 

steady  planetary  lustre  of  a greater  than 

in  his  power  shall  be  wanting  to  serve 

he;  and,  chafed  by  disappointment,  and 

the  American  cause;  but,  before  he  en- 

hopes  deferred,  and  a jealous  spirit  of  ri- 

tered  upon  the  service,  he  desired  a con- 

valry,  he  was  ready  to  betray  the  people 

ference  with  a committee,  consist  of  one 

who  confided  in  his  honor,  and  to  seek 

delegate  from  each  of  the  associated  colonies^ 

preferment,  fame,  and  fortune,  through 

to  whom  he  desired  to  explain  some  par- 

the  dark  lanes  of  treason  and  its  abidiim 

ticulai's  respecting  his  private  fortune."  A 

infamy.”--' 

committee  having  been  appointed,  and 

* Lossing. 

REV^OLUTiONAKY.]  THE  BEAUTIFUL  VALLEY  OF  WYOMING.  049 


CHAPTER  LXXII. 


Pesoription  of  tlie  Viilc  of  Wyoming. — An  Indian  Paradise. — “ Delightful  Wyoming. ”-^A  Change. — Quarrel  of  the 
Shawneeg  and  the  Delawares. — The  Lords  of  Wyoming. — The  First  White  Man. — Count  Zinstendorf — An  Unbeliev- 
ing Audience. — A Miracle. — Conversion. — Yankee  Adventurers. — The  Susquehanna  Company. — Peace  and  Happi- 
ness.— A Sudden  Change. — Indian  Massacre. — The  Pennsylvania  Company. — The  Quarrel  with  Great  Britain. — The 
Patriots  of  the  Valley. — Wyoming  in  Danger. — Colonel  Zehulon  Butler. — T’reparations  for  Defence. — Approach  of 
the  Enemy. — The  Butler  Rangers. — Encingerachtaii. — The  Battle. — Fratricide. — Massacre. — Siid'ering. — Horror  upon 
Horror. — Surrender  of  Fort  Forty. — Savage  Orgies. — Tragic  Laughter. — Flight  of  the  Inhabitants. — Adventure  and 


Suffering. — Desolate  Wyoming. — A Metamorphosis. 

Among  the  rnountain.s  of  Penn.syl- 

I778« 

vania,  between  the  Blue  Ridge  and 
the  Alleghfinies,  lies  the  valley  of  Wyo- 
ming. Through  ti  gap  in  the  rugged  wall 
of  mountain  which  encloses  it,  the  river 
Susquehanna  bursts,  and  then  winds  in  a 
gentle  How  among  the  rolling  fields  and 
level  meadows  which,  for  more  than  a 
score  of  miles  in  length  and  three  miles 
in  breadth,  form  the  fertile  tirea  of  the 
vale.  As  the  river  turns  and  turns  in  its 
tortuous  course  through  groves  of  wil- 
low, S3^camore,  and  maple,  it  widens  here 
and  there  into  hike-like  expanses,  where 
its  waters  are  increased  by  the  flow  of 
other  and  smaller  streams,  which  gush  in 
noisy  torrents  from  the  mountains  on  all 
sides,  but  soon  subside  into  gentle  rivu- 
lets as  they  course  smoothly  through  the 
level  meads.  The  scene  of  beauty  pre- 
sented by  Wyoming  is  unsurpassed  in 
Nature.  The  mountains,  often  precipi- 
tous and  rugged,  and  jagged  here  and 
there  with  wild  ravines,  either  choked 
with  the  forest-growth  or  flooded  with 
turbulent  torrents,  increase  by  contrast 
the  gentle  beauties  of  the  valley  which 
they  enclose. 

82 


Inviting,  however,  as  is  this  beautiful 
valley  to  repo.se  and  happiness,  it  Imd 
hardly  been  the  abode  of  either  at  the 
time  of  which  we  write.  Long  before 
the  white  man,  attracted  bj'^  its  promise 
of  generous  reward  to  labor,  sought  to  (ix 
his  home  upon  its  fertile  soil,  the  Indian 
had  nuide  it  his  favorite  resort.  The  sav- 
age may  have  been  unconscious  of  the 
beauties,  but  he  was  familiar  with  the 
advantages,  of  the  valley.  Its  seclusion 
offered  comparative  security  to  his  wig- 
wam, his  squaw,  and  his  children,  hidden 
from  a vindictive  enemy  among  the  ma- 
ples on  the  river-bank,  Avhile  he  roamed 
beyond  the  mountains  in  pursuit  of  the 
elk.  The  stream  which  flowed  close  b}’’ 
his  door  was  filled  with  fishes  of  all  kinds 
— with  the  perch,  the  pike,  the  bass,  the 
catfish,  the  roach,  and  the  shad.  Small 
game,  too,  abounded  everywhere  in  the 
valley.  The  quail  whistled  in  the  mead- 
ow ; the  pheasant  rustled  in  its  leafy  cov- 
ert; the  wild-duck  reared  her  brood  and 
bent  the  reed  in  every  islet;  and  even 
the  red  deer  ventured  to  browse  upon 
the  acclivities  of  the  surrounding  hills.* 

* Miner’s  History  of  Wyoming. 


660  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


With  nothino;  but  the  rude  culture  of 
the  Indian,  the  maize  grew  abundantly 
on  the  fertile  land ; while  the  wild  plum, 
the  grape,  the  hazelnut,  and  the  butter- 
nut, yielded  a profuse  harvest,  without 
the  care  or  labor  of  man. 

Such  was  ‘‘delightful  Wyoming”  by  Na- 
ture : but  it  was  never  long  a scene  of 
peace  and  repose.  Different  tribes  of  In- 
dians came  to  build  their  villages  in  the 
valley.  There  was  plenty  of  room  for 
all.  The  Nanticokes  had  settled  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  the 
Shawnees  in  the  meadows  on  the  west; 
when  the  Delawares,  driven  away  from 
their  native  river  by  the  warlike  Iroquois, 
came  also  to  settle  in  the  valley,  on  the 
banks  of  the  first-named  stream. 

For  awhile,  peace  reigned  among  them, 
'idle  Delawares,  however,  being  away  up- 
on the  mountains,  on  a hunting-expedi- 
tion, some  of  their  squaws  with  their  chil- 
dren went  to  gather  wild  fruits  along  the 
banks  of  the  river,  when  they  came  upon 
a company  of  Shawnee  mothers  and  little 
ones.  A Shawnee  boy  (so  runs  the  tradi- 
tion) having  caught  a large  grasshopper, 
a. quarrel  arose  between  him  and  some 
o]‘  the  little  Delawares  as  to  whom  it  be- 
longed. The  mothers  now  took  part  in 
the  dispute,  and  from  words  they  came 
to  blows;  when,  after  several  had  been 
killed  in  the  strife,  the  Shawnees  were 
forced  to  take  to  their  canoes  and  paddle 
across  to  the  side  of  the  river  where  they 
belonged. 

When  the  Delaware  warriors  returned 
from  the  mountains,  and  heard  of  the 
quarrel  and  its  fatal  consequences,  they 
resolved  upon  revenge.  A fierce  conflict 


ensued,  in  which  nearly  one  hnlf  of  the 
whole  tribe  of  the  Shawnees  were  killed, 
and  the  rest  were  driven  for  ever  from 
the  valley.*  In  the  course  of  time,  the 
Delawares  became  the  sole  lords  of  Wy- 
oming. 

The  first  white  man  who  penetrated 
through  the  mountains  to  this  secluded 
valley  was  Count  Zinzendorf,  who  came 
with  pious  enthusiasm  to  convert  the  In- 
dians.-}* He  arrived  in  1742,  accompanied 
only  by  an  interpreter,  and  boldly  set  up 
his  tent  on  the  outskirts  of  the  village. 
He  told  the  Indians,  .as  they  gathered 
threateningly  about  him,  that  he  had 
crossed  the  great  waters,  and  was  a mes- 
senger from  the  Great  Spirit  sent  to  teach 
them  the  true  worship.  They  listened, 
but  did  not  believe  his  word  ; and,  think- 
ing that  his  object  w.as  to  take  their  lands 
from  him,  they  determined  to  destroy  the 
intruder.  With  the  genuine  nature  of 
Indians,  they  chose  the  night  for  the  pui- 
pose,  .and,  with  their  tomahawks  in  their 
hands,  groped  their  way  to  the  good  man’s 
tent.  As  they  lifted  its  folds,  and  were 
stealing  in  with  cautious  steps,  they  saw 

* They  migrated  to  North  Carolina,  thence  to  Oliio,  and 
were  finally  removed  to  the  “ Indian  reservation”  in  Kansas, 
where  they  now  remain,  in  chartje  of  Quakers. 

t Count  Nicholas  Louis  Zinzendorf,  the  restorer  of 
the  sect  of  Moravians,  was  born  at  Dresden,  in  1700.  He 
was  son  of  the  elector  of  Saxony’s  chamberlain  ; and  was 
educated  at  Halle  and  Wittenberg.  He  early  manifested  an 
enthusiastic  turn  of  mind  with  respect  to  religious  concerns. 
In  1721,  having  given  an  asylum  on  his  estate  to  some  of 
the  persecuted  Moravian  brethren,  he  espoused  their  doc- 
trines, and  became  the  head  of  their  church.  To  spread 
those  doctrines,  and  procure  toleration  for  the  professors  of 
them,  he  travelled  over  a large  part  of  continental  Europe, 
visited  Englatid,  and  made  two  voyages  to  America.  He 
died  in  1760.  The  Moravians,  and  their  head,  were  long 
the  subject  of  many  gross  calumnies,  from  which,  however, 
their  meritorious  conduct  has  amply  vindicated  them. — Cy- 
clopfcdia  of  Biography. 


REVOLUTIONARY.J  COUNT  ZINDENDORF. 

Zinzendorf  seated  upon  a bundle  of  reeds 
which  he  had  cut  from  the  margin  of  the 
river,  and  writino;  in  a book  before  him. 
At  that  moment  a huge  ra  ttlesnake,  which 
had  been  enlivened  by  the  warmth  of  the 
fire  that  the  count  had  lighted,  came  out 
of  the  hollow  of  a tree,  and  crawled  over 
Ills  feet, apparently  without  his  being  con- 
scious of  it.  The  deadly  purpose  of  tlie 
savages  was  at  once  arrested  ; and,  believ- 
ing that  their  visiter  was  under  the  pro- 
tection and  truly  a messenger  of  the  Great 
Spirit,  they  stole  quietly  back  to  the  vil- 
lage, and  told  of  the  wonder  which  they 
had  beheld.  This  secured  a favorable  re- 
ception for  Zinzendorf  among  the  Dela- 
wares ; and  the  Moravians  date  their  suc- 
cess as  missionaries  among  the  Indians 
from  this  event. 

Other  white  visiters,  however,  soon 
came,  with  very  different  objects  from 
those  of  the  benevolent  Zinzendorf  In 
1750,  a band  of  shrewd  New-Englanders 
crossed  the  mountains,  and,  gazing  from 
the  summits  of  the  surrounding  hills  upon 
the  fertile  valley  of  Wyoming,  were  at 
once  impressed  with  the  advantages  it 
offered  for  a profitable  enterprise.  On 
contrasting  the  rugged  hills  of  their  na- 
tive Connecticut  with  the  fat  lands  which 
had  gladdened  their  eyes  from  the  mount- 
ain-tops of  the  Susquehanna,  they  became 
dissatisfied  with  their  home,  and  deter- 
mined to  emigrate.  The  “ Susquehanna 
Company”  was  accordingly  formed,  for 
the  purpose  of  trading  with  the  Dela- 
wares for  their  beautiful  valley,  and  ma- 
king arrangements  for  the  proposed  set- 
tlement. The  Indians  were  readily  per- 
suaded to  part  with  “delightfulWyoming” 


—MASSACRE  OF  WHITES.  G5I 

for  the  sum  of  “two  thousand  pounds  of 
current  money  of  the  province  of  New 
York.” 

It  was  not,  however,  till  the  year  1762, 
after  the  close  of  the  French  War,  that 
the  New-Englanders  took  possession  of 
their  purchase,  when  some  two  hundred 
men  entered  the  valley,  and  commenced 
clearing  farms.  They  had  cut  down  the 
timber,  built  their  log-houses,  and,  before 
the  winter  frosts  set  in,  had  sown  broad 
fields  with  wheat.  They  now  concealed 
their  implements  of  husbandry,  that  they 
might  be  secure  from  the  depredations 
of  the  Indians,  wlio  still  preserved  their 
villages  in  the  valley,  and  returned  to 
pass  the  winter  in  Connecticut.  In  the 
spring  of  1763  they  came  back  with  their 
wives  and  their  children,  their  cattle  and 
their  household  furniture,  intending  to 
make  Wyoming  their  permanent  home. 

The  season  had  been  favorable ; their 
crops  had  proved  abundant,  and  the  set- 
tlers were  looking  forward  with  hope  to 
a life  of  peace  and  happiness,  when  sud- 
denly a large  party  of  their  savage  neigh- 
bors burst  upon  them  with  a loud  war- 
whoop,  and  began  an  indiscriminate  mas- 
sacre. Twenty  fell  at  the  first  attack, 
and  the  rest  of  the  wdiite  settlers  fled  in 
fright  to  the  mountains.  The  Indians, 
fearful  that  they  would  suffer  a severe 
retribution  from  the  hands  of  the  whites, 
disappeared  altogether  from  the  valley; 
when  again,  after  an  interval  of  six  years, 
another  hardy  band  of  settlers  came  from 
Connecticut.  There  w^ere  no  longer  any 
red  men  to  oppose  them,  but  some  hardly 
less  savage  whites  now  disputed  posses 
sion  of  the  valley. 


652 

A Pennsylvania  company,  in  the  mean- 
while, had  prevailed  upon  the  Indians  to 
^ell  ihcir  hnd  over  again,  and  repudiate  the 
purchase  of  the  New-Englanders.  Accord- 
ingly, when  forty  of  the  latter,  under  the 
authority  of  the  Susquehanna  Company, 
came  to  take  possession  of  Wyoming,  they 
found  a formidable  number  of  represen- 
tatives of  the  rival  association  prepared 
to  dispute  it  with  them.  A fight  ensued, 
and  the  “Yankees”  were  driven  off;  hut, 
coming  back  with  a reinforcement,  they 
finally,  after  a prolonged  struggle,succeed- 
ed  in  securing  possession  of  the  ground. 
The  dispute,  however,  still  remained  un- 
decided, when  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Revolutionary  War  diverted  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  valley  from  their  own  quarrel 
to  that  with  Great  Britain. 

The  people,  with  prompt  patriotism, 
eagerly  came  forward  to  sustain  the  cause 
of  liberty.  Tw'O  companies,  of  eightj^-two 
men  each,  were  raised  in  the  town  of 
Westmoreland,  as  the  chief  settlement  in 
the  valley  of  Wyoming  was  called.  These 
readily  obeyed  the  summons  of  Congress 
to  join  Washington,  .and  aid  in  fighting 
the  battles  of  the  country.  They  were 
with  the  continental  army  in  its  camp  at 
Brunswick,  when  their  homes  on  the  Sus- 
quehanna were  threatened  with  devasta- 
tion by  the  savage  allies  of  the  British. 
Letters  came  from  aged  fathers,  mothers, 
from  wives  and  sisters,  urging  their  nat- 
ural protectors  to  hasten  to  the  defence 
of  all  they  loved.  The  summons  was 
heard,  but  could  not  be  obeyed.  The 
men  begged  for  permission  to  leave  the 
army,  and  go  to  Wyoming,  but  were  re- 
fused. Congress  and  their  own  state  of 


[PAKI  II. 

Connecticut  were  appealed  to, but  in  vain. 
At  the  last  moment,  some  twenty  men, 
willing  to  risk  all,  deserted,  and  five  com- 
missioned officers  resigned,  and  hastened 
to  Wyoming, with  the  sad  foreboding  that 
they  might  be  too  late,  and  even  power- 
less if  in  time,  to  avert  from  their  beloved 
vale  the  impending  blow',  but  determined 
to  share  the  common  peril  with  their  kin- 
dred. 

Colonel  Zebulon  Butler,  a continental 
officer,  had  been  successful  in  his  appli- 
cation for  leave  of  absence  from  the  army, 
and,  being  chosen  leader,  now  prepared 
to  make  every  resistance  wdiich  the  val- 
ley with  its  diminished  population  was 
capable  of  On  each  side  of  the  Susque- 
hanna w’ere  several  old  forts,  rudely  con- 
structed of  logs.  The  principal  one  on 
the  w'est,  about  two  miles  above  Wilkes- 
barre,  was  “ Fort  Forty,”  so  called  from 
having  been  raised  by  the  forty  pioneers 
who  came  into  the  valley  in  1769.  This 
had  been  strengthened  when  the  Revo- 
lutionary War  began,  and  blockhouses 
w'ere  now  added  to  it,  to  shelter  the  wo- 
men and  children  when  forced  to  seek 
refuge  from  the  enemy. 

Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  now  mustered 
all  the  force  that  he  could  gather.  This 
amounted  but“totw'o  hundred  and  thirty 
enrolled  men  and  seventy  old  people  — 
boys,  civil  magistrates,  and  other  volun- 
teers.” Most  of  the  able-bodied  men  w'ere 
with  Washington’s  army,  and  those  who 
had  been  left  in  the  valle}^  were  the  few 
whose  labor  was  necessary  to  cultivate 
the  land ; while  the  rest  of  the  male  in- 
habitants were  the  aged  and  the  sick 
They  all  now  came  forward  in  the  urgen- 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


RKVOI.DTIONARY.J  WYOMING  INVADED  BY  TORIES  AND  INDIANS.  653 

cy  of  danger.  The  strong  men  abandoned 

longed  to  Wyoming  valley,  and  who,  hav- 

the  fields ; the  old  men  and  the  feeble 

ing  been  driven  away  from  their  homes, 

left  their  retreats  beneath  the  sweet 

burned  to  revenge  themselves  upon  the 

shades  of  the  honeysuckled  porch ; the 

patriots,  although  they  had  been  their  old 

boys  played  no  longer  about  (he  school- 

neighbors,  and  among  them  were  their 

house.  Age,  youth,  and  sickness,  were 

kindred. 

nerved  to  unusual  vigor;  and  every  one, 

At  the  head  of  the  valley  there  were 

with  musket  on  his  shoulder,  prepared  to 

still  some  settlers  left  who  clung  to  the 

strike  a blow  for  the  defence  of  his  home. 

tory  interests  ; and  as  soon  as  Butler  pre- 

While  the  men  were  beinir  drilled  from 

sented  himself,  his  plans  were  facilitated 

morning  till  night  at  the  fort,  the  women 

by  their  connivance.  Fort  Wintermost 

and  the  girls  cheerfully  went  forth  into 

was  in  the  control  of  a family  of  that 

the  fields  to  plant  seed,  make  hay,  or  gar- 

name,  who,  being  loyalists,  did  not  hesi- 

ner  corn.  They  also  bore  a share  in  the 

tate  to  3'ield  it  up  at  once  ; while  another 

military  preparations.  A “ pounder”  was 

fort  was  forced  to  surrender.  Butler  then 

brought  into  the  settlement;  “and  the 

sent  a summons  to  Fort  Fort}^,  which  the 

women  took  up  their  floors,  dug  out  the 

resolute  patriots  who  held  it  answered  by 

earth,  put  it  in  casks,  and  run  water 

a prompt  refusal. 

through  it  (as  ashes  are  leached);  then 

As  soon  as  the  enemy  had  entered  the 

took  ashes  in  another  cask,  and  made 

valley.  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  mustered 

lye ; mixed  the  water  from  the  earth  with 

all  his  foi'ce  at  the  fort,  where  the  settlers 

weak  lye,  boiled  it,  set  it  to  cool,  and  the 

had  fled  for  refuge.  The  summons  to  sur- 

saltpetre  rose  to  the  top.  Charcoal  and 

render  having  been  refused,  a council  was 

sulphur  were  then  used,  and  powder  pro- 

held,  to  consider  what  next  was  to  be 

duced  for  the  public  defence.”* 

done.  The  majority  were  for  marching 

The  CA'pected  foe  finally  approached. 

out  against  the  foe,  and  giving  them  bat- 

On  the  last  day  of  June,  1778,  Colonel 

tie  at  once.  Butler  and  some  of  the  old- 

John  Butler,  a tory  of  Try  on  county,  in 

er  officers  were  in  favor  of  delay,  in  the 

New  York,  an  ally  of  Sir  William  and  Sir 

hope  thatsome  reinforcements  which  they 

Guy  Johnson,  and  like  them  famous  as  a 

had  urgently  entreated  might  be  sent  to 

leader  of  the  Indians,  entered  the  head 

their  aid,  would  arrive.  The  impatience 

of  the  valley  of  Wyoming.  The  force 

of  the  rest,  however,  could  not  be  con- 

with  him  numbered  about  eleven  him- 

trolled ; and  Colonel  Butler,  though  still 

died  men,  and  was  composed  of  the  But- 

opposed  to  the  march,  mounted  his  hoi  se. 

ler  Bangers,  a detachment  of  Johnson’s 

exclaiming,  “I  tell  you  we  go  into  great 

Royal  Greens,  and  about  six  hundred  In- 

danger,  but  I can  go  as  far  as  any  of  you  !” 

dians,  led  on  by  Eiicingerachtan,  a chief  of 

and  led  forth  his  meager  band  of  “three 

the  “Turtle”  tribe  of  the  Senecas.  Among 

hundred  men,  old  men,  and  boys.”  They 

s 

Butler’s  troops  were  some  tories  who  be- 

set  out  on  their  march  at  three 

* Miner’s  History. 

o’clock  in  the  afternoon  ; and,  as 

r 

C5l  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


they  advanced  toward  the  head  of  the  val- 
ley, they  saw  Fort  Wintermost  in  flames, 
which  had  been  set  on  fire  by  the  enemy, 
to  give  the  im^oression  that  they  were  re- 
tiring. 

The  colonel  pushed  on  until  he  came 
within  sight  of  the  enem}'^,  posted  on  a 
plain  between  the  river  Susquehanna  and 
a marsh,  when,  selecting  his  ground,  he 
drew  up  his  little  force.  On  the  right  of 
“Indian  Butler”  (as  he  was  called,  to  dis- 
tinguish him  from  the  commander  of  the 
patriots)  were  his  savage  allies  and  the 
tories  of  Wyoming,  while  on  his  left  were 
his  own  Rangers  and  Johnson’s  Royal 
Greens.  The  patriot  Butler  formed  his 
line  of  the  same  extent,  directly  opposite, 
posting  his  right  near  the  river,  and  his 
left,  under  Colonel  Denison,  toward  the 
marsh. 

“Men,  yonder  is  the  enemy  i”  exclaim- 
ed the  patriot  colonel.  “We  come  out 
to  fight,  not  only  for  liberty,  but  for  life 
itself;  and,  what  is  dearer,  to  preserve 
our  homes  from  conflagration,  and  our 
women  and  children  from  the  tomahawk. 
Stand  firm  the  first  shock,  and  the  Indi- 
ans will  give  way.  Every  man  to  his 
duty!” — “Be  firm!  everything  depends 
on  re.sistingthe  firstshock,” repeated  Colo- 
nel Denison  on  the  left : and  the  whole 
line  was  ordered  to  fire,  and  at  each  dis- 
charge to  advance  a step. 

The  men  behaved  themselves  with  cool- 
ness, and  kept  up  the  fire  steadily  and 
with  such  effect,  that  at  one  moment  the 
enemy  appeared  to  waver;  but  the  Indi- 
ans now  came  to  their  rescue.  These  sav- 
ages plunged  into  the  moras.s,  to  turn  the 
left  flank  of  the  patriots  ; while  others. 


skulking  behind  the  bushes  and  the  pine- 
trees  which  grew  near  the  river,  kept  up 
a galling  fire  on  the  right.  Colonel  Deni- 
son strove  to  prevent  the  Indians  from 
outflanking  him, and  ordered  tRe  left  wing 
to  fall  back,  that  it  might  present  a front 
to  them.  His  raw  militia,  however,  mis- 
understood the  order,  and  began  to  re- 
treat. “Don’t  leave  me,  my  children,” 
cried  their  colonel,  “ and  the  victory  is 
ours!”  But  it  was  too  late.  The  great- 
est confusion  prevailed,  and  the  patriots 
finally  turned  and  fled  in  all  directions, 
with  the  savages  in  fierce  pursuit.  Few 
escaped  the  merciless  tomahawk;  no  quar- 
ter was  shown,  and  many  of  those  taken 
prisoners  were  put  to  death  with  cruel 
tortures. 

The  Indians  counted  two  hundred  and 
twenty -seven  scalps  as  their  barbarous 
trophies  of  the  day,  and  only  spared  the 
lives  of  five  of  the  captive.s,  who  were 
saved  with  the  greatest  difficulty  by  the 
interposition  of  their  white  leader,  Butler. 
Great  as  were  the  horrors  of  the  massa- 
cre, they  were  much  exaggerated  by  the 
contemporary  reports,  which  have  been 
repeated  by  most  subsequent  historians. 
Two  well-authenticated  incidents,  howev- 
er, were  of  a nature  sufficiently  terrible 
to  set  the  imagination  brooding,  until  hor- 
ror  accumulated  upon  horror. 

Several  of  the  fugitives,  having  thrown 
away  their  arms,  succeeded  in  swimming 
to  an  island  in  the  river  called  Monocko- 
nock,  and  hid  themselves  amid  the  brush- 
wood. The  enemy  were  in  hot  pursuit, 
and  followed  them  across  the  stream,  and, 
having  deliberately  wiped  their  muskets, 
which  had  been  wetted  by  the  water,  re- 


r‘ 

RKVor.uTiONARY.]  FRATRI Cl  DE.— FORT  FORTY  SURRENDERED.  655 

loaded  them,  and  began  to  beat  up  the 

until  night,  when  they  made  their  way 

island  in  search  of  the  bidden  fugitives. 

back  to  Fort  Forty.  The  two  colonels, 

One  of  the  pursuers  was  a former  tory 

being  mounted,  were  the  first  to  reach 

settler  of  Wyoming ; and  as  be  passed 

the  fort,  and  bring  the  sad  intelligence 

slowly  along,  carefully  scrutinizing  every 

of  the  day’s  disaster  to  the  defenceless 

covert,  be  suddenly  came  upon  a fugitive. 

old  men,  women,  and  children,  there  hud- 

who  proved  to  be  bis  brother ! “ So,  it 

died  together.  After  they  had  drawn  up 

is  you,  is  it  ?”  exclaimed  be  fiercely.  The 

terms  of  capitulation  to  be  offered  to  the 

poor  fellow,  finding  himself  discovered. 

enemy.  Colonel  Butler  crossed  the  river 

came  out  of  bis  hiding-place,  and,  throw- 

to  Wilkesbarre  ; and  early  next  morning, 

ing  himself  upon  bis  knees,  bogged  bis 

throwing  a feather-bed  across  his  horse. 

brother  to  spare  bis  life ; declaring  that. 

and  mounting  with  his  wife  behind  him. 

if  be  would,  be  would  live  with  him  and 

he  made  his  escape  from  the  valley,  leav- 

serve  him  as  a slave  for  the  rest  of  bis 

ing  Colonel  Denison  in  chief  command 

da3^s.  “All  this  is  mighty  good,  but  you 

of  the  fort. 

are  a d d rebel !”  was  the  onl}^  answer 

In  the  evening,  a small  reinforcement 

to  this  fraternal  appeal ; and  the  monster 

of  militia  from  the  neit>:hborintf  towns  of 

0 0 

levelled  bis  rifie,  and  shot  bis  brother 

Salem  and  Huntington  arrived  at  Fort 

dead  upon  the  spot. 

Forty,  which  somewhat  strengthened  the 

One  Elijah  Shoemaker,  while  endeav- 

garrison,  but  did  not  encourage  them  to 

oring  to  escape,  plunged  into  the  river; 

hold  out.  On  the  next  morning, 

bnt,  not  being  able  to  swim,  be  feared  to 

Colonel  John,  the  “ Indian”  But- 

venture  beyond  his  depth.  At  this  mo- 

ler,  sent  in  a summons  to  Colonel  Deni- 

ment  he  was  observed  b^'  one  of  the  ene- 

son  to  surrender,  which,  after  a short  ne- 

my,  a tory  of  the  name  of  Windecker, 

gotiation,  was  complied  with.  The  terms 

Avho  had  been  indebted  to  Shoemaker  for 

agreed  upon  were,  that  the  settlers  should 

many  an  act  of  neighborly  kindness  in 

laydown  their  arms,and  not  resume  them 

former  days.  “Come  out.  Shoemaker !” 

during  the  contest;  that  the  fort  be  de- 

hallooed  Windecker.  “ I am  afniid  3’ou 

molished  ; that  the  continental  stores  be 

will  give  me  up  to  the  Indians,”  was  the 

given  up ; that  the  British  prisoners  in 

reply.  “No,”  rejoined  Windecker,  “ I’ll 

the  fort  be  released  ; that  the  inhabitants 

save  you;  they  sba’n’t  hurt  you.”  The 

be  allowed  to  occupy  their  farms,  that 

[)Oor  fellow,  trusting  to  bis  word,  no  soon- 

their  lives  and  property  be  preserved,  and 

er  came  within  bis  reach,  than  the  per- 

that  Colonel  Butler  should  use  his  utmost 

fidious  Windecker  dashed  his  tomahawk 

influence  with  his  troops  and  Indians  in 

into  his  head,  and  sent  the  lifeless  bodj' 

securing  these  conditions.  It  was  also 

floatin<>:  down  the  stream. 

agreed  that  the  property  taken  from  “ the 

Some  fugitives  escaped  by  swimming 

people  called  tories"  should  be  made  good, 

the  liver;  others  by  crossing  the  morass 

and  that  they  should  be  allowed  to  re- 

to  the  mountains,  and  hiding  themselves 

main  in  the  peaceable  possession  of  their 

656  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


farms,  anti  unmolested  in  pursuing  a free 
trade  throngliout  the  settlement. 

Jill  5 ensuing  day,  the  gates 

of  Fort  Forty  were  thrown  open, 
and  the  tory  Butler  entered  with  hi^i  Ran- 
gers, followed  by  the  Seneca  chief  En- 
cingerachtan  and  his  Indian  warriors. 
The  arms  of  tlie  garrison  wTre  all  stacked, 
and  Butler,  pointing  to  them  as  his  sav- 
age allies  came  in,  exclaimed,  “See  what 
a present  the  Yankees  liave  made  you !” 
Dining  the  day,  the  Indians  contented 
themselves  with  skulking  about  the  set- 
tlement, and  peering  with  their  painted 
faces  tJirough  the  doors  of  the  houses; 
and.  although  they  greatly  terrified  the 
inhabitants,  they  did  not  harm  them  or 
their  property.  The  savages,  however, 
soon  gave  way  to  their  instincts  for  plun- 
der. Helping  themselves  to  the  rum  in 
the  shops  and  taverns,  they  soon  became 
so  wild  with  drink,  that  their  leader,  But- 
ler, lost  all  control  over  them.  He  was 
remonstrated  with  by  Colonel  Denison, 
for  not  e.xtending  the  protection  to  the 
inhabitants  which  had  been  guarantied 
by  the  treaty.  Butler,  however,  waved 
his  hand  significant!}^,  and  declared,  “I 
can  do  nothing  with  them.”  Without 
further  effort  to  check  their  barbarous 
propensities,  he  marched  out  of  the  val- 
ley with  his  tory  confederates,  left  the 
settlement  to  the  merctj  of  his  savage  allies. 

The  Indian.s,  in  company  with  their 
squaws,  now  went  prowling  about  from 
house  to  house,  from  barn  to  henroost,  in 
search  of  plunder.  Nothing  escaped  them. 
They  tore  the  hunting-shirts  from  the 
men’s  backs,  and  pulled  the  bonnets  from 
tlie  heads  of  the  women.  The  “ great 


chests”  were  ransacked,  and  the  stores  of 
household  linen,  so  dear  to  good  house- 
w'ives,  carried  off  by  the  filthy  hands  of 
drunken  squaws.  The  ovens  were  robbed 
of  the  last  loaf,  hefoi  e the  wistful  eyes  of 
famishing  childreji.  They  seized  upon 
the  feather-beds,  flung  out  the  feathers, 
and,  cramming  in  their  plunder,  threw 
them  upon  the  horses  stolen  from  the  sta- 
bles; and  then  decking  themselves  in  ill- 
assorted  finery,  they  paraded  in  grotesque 
triumph  throughout  the  settlement.  The 
drunken,  painted  squaw,  with  bonnets 
put  on  ;dl  awry,  and  towering  three  deep 
upon  her  head,  with  a bright  scarlet  cloak 
hanging  before  her,  a terrific  wand  in  her 
hand  strung  with  bloody  scalps,  and  jolt- 
ing upon  some  sorry  nag  along  the  road, 
presented  a horrid  picture,  yet  so  gro- 
tesque, that  it  did  not  fail,  even  in  those 
hours  of  trouble,  to  raise  a laugh  from  the 
suffering  spectators. 

Thus  the  savages  revelled  in  riot  and 
robbery  from  day  to  day  for  a week,  un- 
til they  finally  set  fire  to  all  the  houses 
in  the  settlement,  and  gave  up  the  fields 
of  grain  to  the  trampling  hoof  of  horse 
and  cattle.  Tlie  inhabitants  fled  for  ref- 
uge to  the  fort,  where  they  remained  for 
a fortnight,  living  upon  a concealed  store 
of  provisions,  which  had  fortunately  es- 
caped the  observation  of  the  Indian  rob- 
bers, who  did  not  leave  “ a hoof,  a kernel, 
or  a morsel  of  bread  or  meat,”  which  they 
could  either  cany  away  or  burn. 

As  their  provisions  were  being  raj^idly 
exhausted,  as  all  hope  of  aid  from  beyond 
the  mountains  passed  away,  and  as  the 
savages  still  prowled  about,  and  peered 
into  the  very  embrasures  of  the  fort,  and 


r 

RKVOT.UTIONATIY.]  DESOLATION  OF  WYOMING.  G57 


jeered  at  the  poor  wretches  huddled  to- 
gether with  the  cruel  threat,  ‘‘  Wild  In- 
dians come  soon  — kill  Yankee  and  eat 
’em  !”  it  Avas  determined  to  abandon  the 
ill-fated  colony.  Tlicir  work  of  devasta- 
tion accomplished,  the  savages  returned 
to  their  homes,  having  burnt  every  dwel- 
ling but  a few  near  the  fort  at  Wilkesbarre. 

A general  exodus  of  the  survivors  now 
took  place.  Some  constructed  rude  boats, 
and  risked  their  all  upon  the  dangerous 
Avaters  of  the  Susquehanna,;  some  few 
Avere  fortunate  enough  to  find  a stray 
horse  or  a pair  of  oxen,  while  the  greater 
portion  Avere  obliged  to  travel  their  Avea- 
ry  Avay  on  foot.  With  a scanty  supply 
of  provisions  to  begin  their  journey,  they 
had  exhausted  them  all  long  before  they 
reached  the  hospitable  homes  of  their 
countrymen  beyond  the  mountain.s.  In 
their  hunger  they  Avere  forced  to  feed 
Ihemselves  on  the  twigs  and  roots  of  the 
sa.ssafras  and  the  Avild  berries  Avhich  grew 
by  the  roadside.  Women  and  children 
sickened  and  died  by  the  Avay,  and  strong 
men  almost  gave  up  in  despair  Avhen  they 
found  themselves  powerless  to  save  those 
they  loved. 

In  a few  Aveeks,  however,  the  fugitives 
began  to  return,  in  order  to  secure  such 
of  their  crops  as  had  escaped  destruction. 
In  October  they  undertook  to  gather  the 
remains  of  their  comrades  Avho  had  fallen, 
and  to  give  them  decent  burial.  The 
Aveather  had  been  so  hot  and  dry,  that  the 
mutilated  corpses  Avere  shrivelled  up  and 
inoffensive.  They  could  be  recognised 
only  bj'  the  clothing  that  remained  upon 
them.  They  Avere  taken  up  with  pitch- 
forks,  and  deposited  in  a common  grave, 
83 


Avhich  remained  unmarked  for  more  than 
half  a century.  At  last  a granite  monu- 
ment Avas  erected  over  the  spot,  bearing 
appropriate  inscriptions,  and  recording 
the  names  of  those  Avho  fell  in  that  fatal 
battle. 

During  the  remainder  of  the  war,  Wy- 
oming Avas  harassed  by  prowling  bands 
of  Indians.  No  man  aa'Iio  Avent  into  the 
fields  in  the  morning  had  any  security 
that  he  Avould  not  be  Avaylaid,  shot,  and 
scalped,  before  night.  Scarcely  a month 
passed  which  was  not  marked  by  some 
murder  committed  by  the  marauding  sav- 
ages. 

Thus  Avas  the  beautiful  vale  of  Wyo- 
ming made  desolate  by  a savage  enemy. 
The  dark  niora.sses  of  the  Pocono  river, 
throimh  Avhich  the  Avretched  fimitives 

O O 

from  the  battle  lied  before  the  ruthless 
tomahawks  of  Butler’s  pursuing  Indians 
now  received  the  fitting  appellation  of 
“T/ie  Shades  of  Dcaihr  The  valley  had 
never  resembled  the  picture  which  Camp- 
bell, Avith  a poet’s  license,  had  painted  of 
its  earlier  days:  — 

“ Deliglitful  Wyoming ! beneatli  thy  skies 

Tlie  happy  shepherd-swains  had  naught  to  do 

But  feed  their  flocks  on  green  declivities, 

Or  skim  perchance  thy  lake  with  light  canoe  ” 

In  these  later  times,  there  is  but  little 
hope  of  an  Arcadian  revival,  Avith  such 
unpastoral  elements  as  a puffing  locomo- 
tive, a smoky  furnace-chimney,  or  a board- 
ed factory.  Wyoming,  Avith  all  its  attrac- 
tions, Avill  ever  owe  more  to  the  genius 
of  the  poet  for  its  picturesque  reputation 
than  to  the  rich  bounty  of  Nature  or  the 
homely  virtues  of  its  inhabitants. 


058  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  ii. 

CHAPTER  LXXIII. 

A Timely  Escape. — Arrival  of  a French  Fleet. — The  Count  D’Estaing. — Encampment  of  the  Americans. — Character  ot 

D’Estaing. — French  Hyberbole. — Arrival  of  the  French 

Minister  and  the  American  Agent. — Admiral  Lord  Howe  on 

the  Move. — Spirit  of  tlic  Britisli  Tars. — The  two  Fleets  in  Sight. — D’Estaing  prudently  sails  away. — He  arrives  at 
Newport. — Another  Cliance  lost. — Expedition  against  Rliode  Island. — Active  Preparations  hy  Washington. — John 
Hancock  in  Arms. — Plans  of  Attack. — Postponement. — Gallic  Sensibility. — An  Apology  demanded. — Appearance  of 

Lord  Howe. — O’Estaing  sails  ont  to  meet  Him. — Manoeuvres. — General  Sullivan  begins  the  Siege. — A Terrible 
Storm. — No  Appearance  of  D’Estaing. — He  arrives  at  Last. — The  Adventures  of  his  Fleet. — 'I'he  Storm. — Fight  with 

the  British. — A Drawn  Battle. — D’Estaing  goes  to  Bosto 

n to  refit. — Disappointment  of  the  Americans. — Quarrel  with 

Sullivan. — A Satirical  Order. — Complaint  of  D’Estaing 

to  Congress. — Lafayette  interposes. — The  British  Attack. — 

The  Americans  on  the  Defensive. — Retreat  of  Sullivan.— 

-New  Bedford  laid  in  Ruins. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  with  his  army 
1778#  ^ 

and  Admiral  Lord  Howe  with  his 

ring,  or  the  reverse ; but  the  substantial 
aid  be  brought  with  him,  in  the  shape  of 

ships  had  escaped  just  in  time.  They 

great  ships  and  powerful  armaments,  to- 

had  left  Phihidelphiii  and  the  Delaware 

gether  with  thousands  of  men,  were  such 

only  a few  days  before  the  formidable 

accessions  of  strength,  that  for  the  first 

French  fleet,  under  Count  D’Estaing,  ap- 

time  the  people  felt  that  they  had  such 

peared  oft*  the  mouth  of  the  riv- 
Jnlj' 8i  The  voyage  from  Toulon,  pro- 

resources  at  command  as  to  remove  all 
dread  of  being  overwhelmed  by  the  ma- 

longed  by  head  wind.s,  had  lasted  eighty- 

terial  weight  and  wealth  of  the  jiowerful 

seven  days,  and  the  French  admiral  was 

nation  against  which  they  were  bravely 

thus  balked  of  his  purpose  of  c.iging  the 

struggling. 

English  earl  within  the  Delaware.  D’Es- 

Count  Charles  Henry  d’Estainq,  the 

taing’s  fleet,  composed  of  twelve  ships-of- 

French  admiral,  was  a native  of  the  prov- 

the-line  and  six  frigates,  and  having  on 

ince  of  Auvergne,  and  had  acquired  some 

board,  in  addition  to  full  crews,  troops 

reflected  glory  while  serving  under  the 

amounting  to  over  four  thousand  men. 

great  Marshal  Saxe,  and  in  the  East  In- 

was  in  a condition  to  have  effectually 

dies  under  the  famous  native  Irishman 

checked  the  movements  of  the  British,  if 

and  naturalized  Frenchman  De  Lally. 

not,  Avith  the  co-operation  of  Washing- 

D’Estaing  had  somewhat  stained  his  gal- 

ton’s  army,  to  have  forced  both  Howe 

lantry  by  breaking  his  parole  when  a pris- 

and  Clinton  to  terms. 

oner  in  the  hands  of  the  English ; but  his 

This  practical  demonstration  of  the  ad- 

rank  and  family  influence  in  France  se- 

vantages  of  the  “French  alliance”  gave 

cured  him  promotion,  and,  although  his 

great  encouragement  to  the  Americans, 

early  career  had  been  in  the  army,  when 

and  they  warmly  Avelcomed  the  arrival 

appointed  to  the  command  of  the  fleet 

of  D’Estaing.  His  personal  reiiutation 

now  sent  to  the  succor  of  the  American 

was  not  such  as  to  be  particulaily  assu- 

cause,  he  was  among  the  most  prominent 

1 

RKVOLUTIONAKY.]  COUNT  CHARLES  HENRY  D’ESTAING.  659 

3t  the  French  naval  commanders.  On 

York,  but  seemed  to  hesitate  about  ven- 

arriving  off  the  mouth  of  the  Delaware, 

turing  into  the  bay.  Pie  remained  at  an- 

he  immediately  sent  a despatch  to  Wash- 

chor  for  eleven  days  off  Sandy  Hook  with 

ington,  which  was  characteristic  of  the 

his  formidable  fleet,  separated  only  by  a 

man,  who  had  more  than  the  usual  Gallic 

narrow  strip  of  sand  from  his  adversary. 

fondness  for  hyberbole.  He  was  charged. 

During  this  delay,  Lord  Howe  had  a good 

he  said,  with  the  glorious  task  of  giving 

opportunity  of  putting  his  ships  in  order 

his  allies,  the  United  States  of  America, 

and  recruiting  his  crews.  English  sea- 

the  most  striking  proofs  of  his  royal  mas- 

men  of  all  classes  readily  offered  their 

ter’s  affection.  His  happiness  in  perform- 

service.s.  A thousand  volunteers  were  im- 

ing  it  was  enhanced,  he  declared,  by  the 

mediately  despatched  from  the  transports 

consideration  of  serving  with  General 

to  serve  in  the  fleet;  others  were  daily 

Washington,  Avhose  talents  and  great  ac- 

coming  in,  and  among  them  masters  and 

tions“have  insured  him,  in  the  eyes  of 

mates,  who  did  not  hesitate  to  abandon 

all  Europe,  the  title  truly  sublime  of  De- 

their  traders  in  order  to  have  a brush 

liverer  of  America!' 

with  the  French.  So  many  officers  and 

The  count,  disappointed  in  his  expecta- 

soldiers  of  the  army  contended  eagerly 

tion  of  catching  Lord  Howe  in  the  Dela- 

to  serve  on  board  the  rnen-of-war  as  ma* 

ware,  now  sent  a small  vessel  to  convey 

rines,  that  it  became  necessary  to  choose 

to  Philadelphia  Monsieur  Gerard,  the  first 

them  by  lot. 

minister  from  France,  and  the  recalled 

Count  d’Estaing,  however,  had  doubts, 

American  agent,  Silas  Deane,  who  had 

strengthened  by  the  judgment  of  his  pi- 

come  passengers  with  the  fleet,  and  then 

lots,  about  the  safety  of  carrying  his  large 

went  in  pursuit  of  his  lordship. 

vessels  across  the  bar ; and,  after  his  long 

In  the  meantime.  Admiral  Howe,  hav- 

delay,  he  weighed  anchor  and  set  sail  for 

ing  heard  of  the  count’s  arrival,  prepared 

Newport.  He  again  lost  the  chance  of  a 

to  receive  him.  The  British  fleet  was 

succes.s.  A few  days  after  he  pjut  to  sea. 

lying  within  Sandy  Hook,  and,  although 

several  British  men-of-war  arrived,  wdiich 

it  was  small  compared  wdth  the  French 

belonged  to  Admiral  Byron’s  fleet,  that 

(consisting  only  of  six  ships  of  sixty-four 

had  been  scattered  in  a storm.  Within 

guns,  three  of  fifty,  two  of  forty,  and  a 

a week  after  D’Estaing’s  departure,  no 

few  small  frigates  and  sloops,  making  six 

less  than  four  vessels,  each  one  singly, 

hundred  and  fourteen  guns  in  all,  with 

came  and  anchored  inside  of  the  Hook. 

which  to  oppose  D’Estaing’s  eight  him- 

They  were  so  damaged  by  the  severe 

dred  and  fifty-four),  it  soon  showed  a very 

weather  to  which  they  had  been  exposed. 

vigorous  manifestation  of  resistance.  The 

that  they  were  little  more  than  so  many 

spirit  of  the  English  sailors  was  aroused 

wrecks,  and  were  so  incapable  of  resist- 

to  great  enthusiasm  by  the  prospect  of 

ance,  that  they  would  have  struck  inline- 

fightino;  with  their  ancient  and  heredita- 

diately  had  they  encountered  the  French 

ry  enemies.  D’Estaing  arrived  off  New 

fleet  on  their  arrival.  To  add  to  D’Es- 

4 

1 

660  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

taing’s  cliagnn,  lie  soon  learned  that,  a 

patriot  of  D’Estaing,  and  it  was  thought 

few  days  after  he  had  left  the  Delaware, 

his  presence  might  serve  to  regulate  and 

a large  convoy  of  ships  laden  with  pro- 

harmonize  the  naturally-discordant  com- 

visions  for  the  British  forces,  of  which 

bination  of  Americans  with  the  French. 

they  were  in  great  need,  had  entered  the 

General  Sullivan,  already  in  command  at 

river.  By  a neglect  on  the  part  of  the 

Providence,  was  of  course  commander-in- 

British  ministry,  these  storeshipshad  been 

chief  of  the  land-force,  which  soon  num- 

allowed  to  sail  for  Philadelphia,  although 

bered  ten  thousand  men.  Such  was  the 

orders  to  evacuate  that  city  had  been  pre- 

eagerness  to  co-operate  with  their  new 

viously  sent  out.  Count  d’Estain^  de- 

allies,  and  their  confidence  of  a triumph- 

dared,  with  an  emphatic  sacr'e^  that  the 

ant  success,  that  thousands  of  gentlemen- 

Ensrlish  had  the  devil’s  own  luck. 

volunteers  had  thronged  in  from  Boston, 

The  expedition  against  the  British  on 

Salem,  Newburyport,  and  Portsmouth,  to 

Rhode  island,  which  was  now  undertaken 

offer  their  seiwices.  John  Hancock,  who 

by  the  French  fleet,  was  suggested  by 

had  retired  from  the  presidency  of  Con- 

Washington,  who  did  his  utmost,  by  an 

gress,  had  buckled  on  his  sword  and  led 

active  co-operation,  to  secure  a successful 

the  militia  of  Ma.ssachusetts  as  their  ma- 

result.  He  urged  General  Sullivan,  then 

jor-general,  but  was  not  destined  to  gar- 

in  command  at  Providence,  to  be  on  the 

ner  from  the  field  of  battle  any  fresh  lau- 

alert,  and  make  all  possible  preparations 

rels  to  add  to  those  which  he  had  bar- 

bj^  land.  Militia  were  ordered  to  be  called 

vested  in  the  state. 

out  from  New  England  to  reinforce  the 

Count  D’Estaing  now  arrived  with  his 

regulars  in  the  proposed  enterprise,  and 

formidable  fleet  off’ Point  Judith,  , 

Washington  sent  additional  troops  from 

1 . M T Jwiy 

but  it  was  not  until  some  days 

his  own  camp  in  New  Jersey.  These  hit- 

after  that  he  moved  in  toward  the  har- 

ter,  with  their  officers,  as  far  as  possible. 

bor,  where  General  Sir  Robert  Pigott,  the 

were  selected  from  those  wdio  were  con- 

commander  of  the  British  forces,  made 

nected  with  New  England,  and  especially 

preparations  for  receiving  the  expected 

with  Rhode  Island,  in  order  that  to  the 

attack.  The  squadron,  consisting  of  four 

incentive  of  duty  there  might  be  added 

frig;ates  and  several  smaller  vessels.  Avere 

the  spur  of  interest.  The  Massachusetts 

burned  or  sunk  by  the  British ; and  Pigott 

and  Rhode  Island  brigades  of  Glover  and 

Avithdrew  all  his  troops,  amounting  to  six 

Varnum  were  accordingly  despatched; 

thousand,  from  the  various  forts  scattered 

and  General  Greene,  a Rhode-Islander,  al- 

over  Rhode  island,  Avithin  his  strong  in- 

though  he  could  be  ill  spared,  as  he  was 

trenchments,  about  three  miles froniNew- 

then  performing  the  important  functions 

port. 

of  quartermaster-general,  was  ordered  to 

D’Estaim>:,  having  concocted  Avith  Gen- 

take  command  of  one  division,. and  La- 

era!  Sullivan  the  plan  of  operations,  by 

fayette  of  the  other.  The  young  mai'quis 

Avhich  the  former  Avas  to  push  into  the  har- 

had  been  selected  because  he  was  a com- 

bor  Avith  his  fleet,  and  the  latter  should 

RKVOI.DTIONARY.]  BRITISH  AND  FRENCH  FLEETS  OFF  RHODE  ISLAND. 

cross  from  the  niiiin  over  Seacoiiiiet  chan- 

ing  process,  the  appeai’ance  of  Admiral 

nel  and  attack  the  British  intrenchments 

Lord  Howe  and  his  fleet  off  Newport  put 

by  land,  was  prepared  to  begin  his  part, 

a sudden  stop  for  the  time  being  to  all 

when  nnfortnnately  a delay  took  place. 

thought  of  an  attack  upon  the  island,  and 

Snllivan  sent  word  to  the  count  that  he 

D’Estaing  concentrated  his  attentions  np- 

was  not  ready,  in  consequence  of  the  non- 

on  his  naval  antas-onist. 

arrival  of  some  expected  troops.  The  at- 

As  soon  as  he  had  discovered  the  des- 

tack  was  therefore  postponed  until  the 

tination  of  the  French,  Lord  Howe  hast- 

10th  of  August. 

ily  refitted  the  shattered  vessels  belong- 

In  the  meantime,  the  French 
August  8.  , . , ^ . , 

admiral  took  his  neet  into  the 

ing  to  Admiral  Byron’s  squadron,  and 
with  his  fleet  thus  reinforced  sailed  from 

harbor,  under  a heavy  fire  from  the  Brit- 

New  York  in  search  of  D’Estaing.  The 

ish  batteries  (which,  however,  he  soon 

wind  blew  directly  in  for  the  harbor  of 

passed),  and  anchored  his  ships  above  the 

Newport,  but  Earl  Howe  thought  it  more 

town.  General  Sullivan  had  also  moved 

prudent  to  come  to  anchor  off  Point  Ju- 

forward  to  Tiverton,  ready  to  cross  Sea- 

dith.  The  count  was  eager  to  try  his 

connet  channel  at  the  time  agreed  upon ; 

metal  with  his  lordship,  and,  considering 

but  finding  on  arriving  there  in  the  night 

his  arrival  a challenge  to  an  encounter. 

(August  8th),  that  the  works  on  the  op- 

he  determined  to  accept  it.  The  wind 

posite  side  had  been  abandoned  in  con- 

changing,  gave  D’Estaing  an  opportunity 

sequence  of  the  withdrawal  by  the  British 

to  stand  out  with  all  his  fleet;  and  ac- 

commander  of  all  his  troops  within  his  in- 
trenchments near  Newport,  he  could  not 

cordingly,  the  next  morning,  at  ^ 
an  early  hour,  he  sailed  out  of 

resist  the  temptation  of  crossing.  Early 

Ai  "ust  9 morning,  Sullivan  ac- 

“ cordingly  threw  his  whole  force 

Newport  harbor,  sending  word  to  General 
Sullivan  before  he  left  that  on  his  return 
he  would  be  prepared  to  carry  out  the 

across  to  the  northern  part  of  Rhode  isl- 

concerted  plan  against  the  British  on  the 

and,  on  which  Newport  is  situated,  and 

island. 

thus  made  this  movement  one  day  sooner 

In  the  meantime.  Lord  Howe  weighed 

than  had  been  agreed  upon  with  D’Es- 

anchor  and  made  preparations  to  receive 

taing. 

his  antagonist;  but,  not  willing  that  the 

The  French  admiral,  who  had  not  been 

latter  should  have  the  advantage  of  the 

informed  of  the  change  in  the  plan  of  op- 

weather-gage  of  him,  the  earl  tacked  and 

erations,  felt  highly  vexed  at  this  appa- 

manoeuvred  his  fleet,  in  order  to  get  be- 

rent  want  of  respectful  consideration  for 

tween  him  and  the  wind.  D’Esfaincr  was 

O 

a man  of  his  rank  and  dignity,  and  now 

not  less  anxious  to  retain  his  position; 

refused  to  act  until  his  wounded  sensibil- 

and  the  two  squadrons,  while  thus  trying 

ity  was  relieved  by  an  explanation  or 

to  outmanoeuvre  each  other,  ran  out  to 

healed  by  an  apology.  While  the  irrita- 

sea,  and  out  of  sight  of  Rhode  island. 

ble  Frenchman  was  undergoing  the  sooth- 

General  Sullivan  had  already  advanced 

062 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  n. 


from  tlie  nortliern  point  of  the  island, 
where  he  had  landed,  to  Quaker  hill, about 
ten  miles  fi’om  the  British  lines  near  New^- 
port ; and  when  he  heard  that  his  French 
ally,  instead  of  co-operating  with  him,  had 
gone  to  give  battle  to  Admiral  Howe,  he 
was  so  vexed,  that  he  determined  to  car- 
ry out  the  enterprise  without  waiting  for 
the  impracticable  Frenchman.  Lafayette, 
with  a natural  sympathy  for  his  compa- 
triot, strongly  urged  Sullivan  not  to  be- 
gin operations  until  the  return  of  D’Es- 
taing;  but  the  American  officers  w'ere  all 
strenuously  in  favor  of  commencing  the 
siege  at  once,  without  w%aiting  for  the 
count,  w'hose  delays  and  punctilious  for- 
malities had  greatly  disgusted  them. 

All"  l‘>  siege  began ; but  little 

* ” progress  had  been  made,  howev- 

er, w'hen  a severe  storm  came  on,  which 
raged  with  the  violence  of  a tropical  hur- 
ricane, blowing  down  the  tents,  damaarino: 
the  ammunition,  and  causing  the  death 
of  s®me  of  the  soldiers  and  horses.  The 
storm  lasted  two  days.  On  the  third,  the 
sun  shone  brightly ; and  the  troops,  al- 
though somewhat  dispirited  by  their  suf- 
ferings, prepared  themselves  to  continue 
the  siege.  A day  having  been  spent  in 
drying  the  arms  and  ammunition,  and  re- 
pairing the  tents  torn  by  the  wind,  the 
soldiers  on  the  next  morning  marched 
to  Honeyman’s  hill,  Avithin  only  two  miles 
of  the  British  intrenchments.  Here  they 
took  post,  and  began  to  advance  against 
the  enemy’s  works  by  regular  approach- 
es. The  men  for  some  time  kept  spirib 
edly  to  their  duty,  encouraged  by  the 
hourly  expectation  of  the  return  of  the 
French  fleet  to  their  aid.  When,  howev- 


er, they  Avaited  in  A^ain  day  after  day, 
they  became  discouran-ed.  At 
last,  the  camp  Avas  suddenly  en- 
livened by  the  appearance  of  D’Estaing 
and  his  ships  off  the  harbor,  Avhose  adA'en- 
tures  during  his  absence  Ave  shall  now  re- 
late. 

Lord  HoAve,  having  been  unable,  Avith 
all  his  manoeuvring,  to  get  the  Aveather- 
guage  of  his  antagonist,  finally  hove  to, 
formed  his  ships  into  line  to  the  leeward, 
and  Avaited  for  the  French  fleet  to  bear 
down  upon  him.  D’Estaing,  doubtless, 
Avould  not  have  hesitated  to  accept  the 
challenge;  but  just  at  this  moment,  a fu- 
rious storm  (the  same  Avhich  had  pros- 
trated Sullivan’s  Avhole  camp)  began  to 
rage.  The  vessels  of  both  fleets  were  at 
once  dispersed,  and  all  greatly  damaged. 
The  Languedoc,  of  ninety  guns.  Count 
D’Estaing’s  flagship,  Avas  dismasted,  and 
several  others  Avere  completely  disabled. 

On  the  third  day,  Avhen  the 
storm  had  abated.  Admiral  IIoAve 
had  gathered  only  seven  of  his  scattered 
fleet,  but  he  Avas  still  disposed  for  the 
fight;  and  two  of  his  ships,  the  RenoAvn 
and  the  Preston,  falling  in  Avith  the  dis- 
masted Languedoc  and  the  Tormat,  gave 
them  a rough  handling,  and  Avould  have 
captured  them,  had  not  other  vessels  of 
the  French  come  to  their  rescue.  A day 
or  two  subsequently,  chance  brought  to- 
gether two  other  ships  Avhicli  had  suffered 
less  in  the  storm  than  any  of  their  con- 
sorts. These  Avere  the  Isis,  of  fifty  guns, 
cominanded  by  Captain  Rayner,  and  the 
Ccesar,  of  seventy-four,  commanded  by  the 
renoAvned  De  Bougainville.  They  fought 
desperately  for  an  hour  and  a half,  being 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  COUNT  D'ESTAING  AND  GENIiTlAL  SULLIVAN.  663 


for  the  greater  part  of  that  time  close 
alongside  of  each  other.  De  Bougainville, 
with  his  superior  weight  of  metal,  had 
home  down  upon  the  Isis  with  confidence 
of  victory,  but  his  guns  were  overloaded 
and  badly  served.  Finding  his  antago- 
nist too  strong  for  him,  he  made  oft'  be- 
fore the  wind,  with  his  deck  strewed  with 
seventy  men  killed  and  wounded.  Tlie 
Isis  was  so  severely  damnged  in  her  masts 
and  rigging  as  to  be  unable  to  give  chase, 
although  her  crew  had  suffered  but  little 
— one  man  only  having  been  killed  and 
three  wounded.  De  Bougainville  lost  an 
arm  and  an  eye. 

There  being  no  farther  disposition  for 
battle  between  the  shattered  fleets.  Lord 
Howe  bore  for  New  York  to  refit,  and 
D’Estaing  returned  to  Newport,  and  was 
making  for  that  harbor,  when  his  sudden 
appearance,  as  we  have  seen,  enlivened 
General  Sullivan’s  troops  with  the  pro.s- 
pect  of  assistance  and  a successful  result 
to  the  enterprise  in  which  they  were  en- 
gaged. As  soon  as  the  French  fleet  came 
to  anchor.  Generals  Greene  and  Lafayette 
pushed  off  to  visit  the  admiral.  They 
were  sadly  disappointed  to  fiftd  that  he 
had  determined  to  sail  for  Boston,  in  or- 
der to  refit  his  damaged  vessels.  They 
entreated  him  not  to  desert  them  at  the 
very  crisis  of  the  enterprise,  when  the 
British  garrison  was  so  dispirited  by  its 
disappointment  in  not  receiving  supplies 
from  Earl  Howe  and  reinforcements  from 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  at  New  York,  that  it 
would  probably  surrender  at  the  mere 
sight  of  the  return  of  the  French  fleet  to, 
the  harbor. 

D’Estaing,  however,  resisted  all  their 


entreaties,  declaring  that  he  was  disposed 
to  yield,  but  that  his  officers  unanimously 
insisted  upon  obedience  to  the  orders  of 
the  French  government,  which  had  di- 
rected that,  in  the  event  of  damage  to 
his  ve.ssels,  he  should  put  into  Boston  for 
repairs.  Greene  and  Lafayette  returned 
to  the  camp  before  Newport  with  the  un- 
welcome intelligence.  General  Sullivan 
was  very  indignant,  and  sent  a remon- 
strance to  the  French  admiral,  which  was 
signed  by  every  one  of  his  officers  except 
Lafayette.  In  this  paper,  Sullivan  pro- 
tested against  D’Estaing’s  taking  the  fleet 
to  Boston,  as  derogatory  to  the  honor  of 
France,  contrary  to  the  intention  of  his 
most  Christian  majesty  Louis  XVI.  and 
the  interests  of  the  French  nation,  de- 
structive to  the  welfare  of  the  United 
States,  and  highly  injurious  to  the  alli- 
ance formed  between  the  two  nations. 
The  remonstrance,  however,  only  served 
to  offend  the  pride  of  the  French  admiral, 
and  not  to  alter  his  resolution.  Pie  s.ailed 
with  his  fleet  to  Boston. 

Sullivan,  who  was  fluent  with  his  pen, 
and  rather  prided  himself  upon  his  skill 
in  turning  a period,  could  not  resist  the 
temptation  of  indulging  in  what  he  prob- 
ably supposed  was  a very  delicately  ex- 
pressed bit  of  satire  ; and  he  accordingly 
made  the  following  allusion  to  the  de- 
parture of  the  French  in  his  order  to  his 
troops : “ The  general  can  not  help  la- 
menting the  sudden  and  unexpected  de- 
parture of  the  French  fleet,  as  he  finds  it 
has  a tendency  to  discourage  some  who 
placed  great  dependence  upon  the  assist- 
ance of  it,  thovgh  he  can  hj  no  means  sup- 
pose  the  army  or  any  part  of  it  endangered 


f!64  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 


hU  this  movement.  lie  yet  hopes  the  event  ivitl 
prove  America  able  to  procure  that  hy  her  men 
arms  which  her  allies  refuse  to  assist  in  ohtain- 
ingr 

On  reaching  Boston,  D’Estaing  wrote 
to  Congress,  justifying  himself,  and  com- 
plaining of  the  remonstriince  of  the  Amer- 
ican officers,  and  Snllivan’s  nncourteous 
allusion  quoted  above.  It  i-equired  all 
the  prudence  of  Washington  and  the  con- 
ciliatory tact  of  Greene  to  prevent  this 
quarrel  from  putting  an  abrupt  termina- 
tion to  the  French  alliance.  The  old  anti- 
Gallican  prejudice  which  the  Americans 
had  inherited  from  En«:land  was  aroused 
to  such  an  extent,  that  the  French  officers 
in  Boston  were  hooted  in  the  streets  ; and 
in  some  of  the  seaports  riots  occurred,  in 
which  French  and  American  sailors  came 
to  blows,  that  in  several  instances  proved 
fatal. 

General  Sullivan,  though  hopeless  of 
any  aid  from  D’Estaing,  continued  the 
siege  of  Newport.  Lafayette,  however, 
trusting  to  his  iniluence  as  a fellow-coun- 
trymen, and  having  volunteered  to  pro- 
ceed to  Boston,  in  order  to  persuade  the 
French  admiral  to  return  to  Rhode  island, 
was  permitted  to  go.  The  young  mar- 
quis, nevertheless,  met  with  no  success 
beyond  an  offer  on  the  part  of  the  count, 
who  was  I'ather  more  of  a soldier  than  a 
sailor,  to  march  by  land,  with  the  French 
troops  of  his  fleet,  to  the  succor  of  Sul- 
livan. 

The  American  general,  however,  find- 
ing his  militia  deserting  him  by  whole 
regiments  at  a time,  now  gave  up  all 
hopes  of  a successful  siege  of  Newport, 
and  only  thought  of  means  of  escape. 


H is  chance  of  retreat  was  endangered  by 
the  diminution  of  his  force,  but  Sullivan 
extricated  himself  with  great  prudence 
and  skill.  Havino;  sent  off  his 

, .,1  n 26. 

heavy  artillery  and  baggage,  lie 
on  the  second  night  afterward  retired 
from  before  the  British  lines  toward  the 
north  end  of  the  i.sland,  where  he  had  first 
landed.  Here  it  was  determined  to  for- 
tify the  camp,  and  await  the  result  of  the 
mission  of  Lafayette,  who  had  gone  off 
very  sanguine  of  its  succes.s. 

Early  on  the  next  morning  after  the 
Americans  had  begun  to  retreat,  their  de- 
parture was  discovered  by  the 

• • 1 1 • T 1 Aug#  29# 

lintish,  who  iininediately  came 

out  in  pursuit  in  fidl  force.  Greene,  with 
the  regiments  of  Colonels  Livingston  and 
Lauren, s,  covered  the  Ameriean  rear,  and 
gallantly  kept  off  the  enemy  until  Sulli- 
van had  reached  the  northern  end  of  the 
Lsland.  Here  the  troops  were  drawn  up 
in  order  of  battle.  The  British  continued 
to  advance.  Greene  proposed  that  the 
Americans  should  march  to  meet  them, 
as  he  believed  that  they  were  coming  on 
in  separate  detachments,  and  that  they 
might  be  aclvantageou.sly  fought  in  detail. 
His  plan,  however,  was  rejected  as  being 
too  hazardous,  and  it  was  determined  to 
remain  on  the  defensive. 

The  enemy  were  now  close  at  hand. 
The  Americans  were  well  posted,  with 
two  redoubts  in  front  of  their  lines,  and 
waited  confidently  the  approach  of  the 
foe.  On  closing  in,  the  British  stationed 
themselves  on  Quaker  hill,  facing  the 
American  lines,  and  began  a brisk  can- 
nonade from  their  batterie.s,  which  was 
well  returned  from  the  redoubts.  The 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  SULLIVAN  RETREATS.— BRITISH  DEVASTATIONS.  665 

enemy  now  attempted  to  turn  the  Amer-  1 

off  the  pickets  and  covering-parties  in  ad- 

ican  right,  in  command  of  Greene,  who 

mirable  order.  Not  a man  was  left  be- 

gave  them  a warm  reception,  and,  being 

hind  on  the  island,  and  not  a single  ar- 

reinforced  by  troops  from  the  centre  and 

tide  lost. 

left,  was  soon  enabled  not  only  to  defeat 

General  Sullivan  had  retired  just  in 

the  manoeuvre  of  the  British,  but  to  drive 

time  from  Rhode  island  ; for  the  British 

them  back  with  great  slaughter. 

ship.s,  of  which  he  had  caught  a glimpse 

Oil  the  followino;  day,  a Brit- 

Aug.  30.  . . ° m ri 

ish  squadron  being  seen  on  the 

off  the  coast,  had  Sir  Henry  Clinton  on 
board,  with  about  four  thousand  ti'oops. 

hnrbor.  General  Sullivan  determined  not 

Finding  himself  a day  too  late.  Sir  Henry 

to  linger  any  longer  upon  the  island.  As 

put  to  sea  again,  for  New  York.  That 

the  sentries  of  both  armies  were  only  four 

his  enterprise,  however,  might  not  be 

hundred  yards  apart,  the  greatest  caution 

without  some  result,  he,  on  leaving  his 

was  necessary  lest  the  enemy  should  be- 

ships  at  New  London,  directed  General 

come  aware  of  his  purpose,  and  interfere 

Sir  Charles  Grey  (“No-flint  Grey,”  as  he 

with  the  retreat.  The  night  was  accord- 

was  called,  from  his  fondness  for  the  bay- 

iiigly  selected;  and,  during  the  day  pre- 

onet)  to  proceed  to  New  Bedford  and  ef- 

ceding,  tents  were  pitched,  and  the  men 

feet  as  much  damage  as  he  could.  Grey 

kept  at  work  on  the  intrenchments,  in  or- 

showed  his  usual  promptitude  in  devas- 

der  to  make  it  appear  that  it  w\as  intend- 

tation,  and  laid  w^aste  an  immense  quan- 

ed  to  remain  on  the  ground  and  resist  to 

tity  of  American  property.  He  burned 

the  last. 

ships  (more  than  seventy  in  number). 

The  night  came,  and  the  camp-fires  be- 

magazines,  stores,  wharves,  warehouses. 

ing  lighted,  Sullivan  began  his  retreat. 

vessels  on  the  stocks,  mills,  and  dwellings. 

without  exciting  the  suspicion  of  the  en- 

amounting;  in  value  to  hundreds  of  thou- 

emy.  It  was  near  midnight,  and  all  had 

sands  of  dollars.  After  laying  New  Bed- 

been  nearly  accomplished,  when  Lafay- 

ford  in  ruins.  General  Grey  proceeded  to 

ette  made  his  appearance,  having  ridden 

Martha’s  Vineyard,  where,  after  destroy- 

in  all  haste  from  Boston,  in  order  that  he 

ing  a few  vessels,  he  mulcted  the  inhabit- 

might  share  in  the  engagement  which  he 

ants,  by  a compulsory  levy  of  arms,  of 

knew  to  be  imminent.  He  w%as  greatly 

all  the  public  funds,  three  hundred  oxen, 

mortified  that  he  had  missed  the  fight  of 

and  ten  thousand  sheep.  He  now  re-em- 

the  preceding  day.  He  arrived,  however. 

barked  and  the  squadron  returned  to  New 

> 

in  time  to  aid  in  the  retreat,  and  brought 
84 

York,  laden  with  spoils. 

• 

66G  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


CHAPTER  LXXIV. 

Tlie  American  Naval  Force. — Difficulties  and  Casualties. — Cruise  of  the  Raleigh  and  the  Alfred. — Cruise  of  the  Ranger 
— John  Paul  Jones. — llis  Life  and  Character. — Ilis  Adventures. — A “ Hard  Man.” — Cruelty. — Abandons  his  Native 
Country. — His  Arrival  in  Virginia. — Command  of  an  American  Vessel. — Arrival  in  France. — Cruise  off  the  English 
Coast. — Attack  on  Whitehaven. — Raid  Upon  Lord  Selkirk. — The  Family  Plate. — Naval  Dignity. — Capture  of  the 
Drake. — Return  to  France. — Gallant  Exploit  of  Rathhurne — Less  Glory. — Destruction  of  Vessels  in  the  Delaware.— 
Ca[)tain  Barry. — The  Cruise  of  the  Raleigh. — Her  Fate. — Privateering. 


The  United  States  had  been  very 
1778.  . . 

nnfortiinate  in  their  early  attempts 

to  establish  a naval  force.  The  possession 
of  New  York  and  Philadelphia  by  the  en- 
emy, and  tbeir  command  of  the  Hudson 
and  the  Delaware,  had  led  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  principal  men-of-war  which 
had  been  built  by  the  Americans.  The 
few  small  vessels  which  had  succeeded  in 
getting  to  sea,  met  with  various  fortunes. 
The  Rtindolph,  a thirty-two  gun  ship,  un- 
der the  command  of  Captain  Nicholas  Bid- 
dle, a spirited  young  oificer,  had  blowm 
up  while  in  action  with  a British  vessel, 
the  Ykarmouth,  off  Barbadoes.  The  Han- 
cock, also  of  thirty-two  guns,  commanded 
by  Captain  Manly,  after  a successful  fight 
or  two,  finally  struck  to  a superior  force, 
and  was  taken  as  a prize,  by  the  British, 
into  Halifax.  The  Raleigh  and  the  Al- 
fred, commanded  by  Captain  Thompson, 
whose  gallantry  in  sailing  with  his  ship 
into  the  midst  of  a whole  squadron  of 
the  enemy  we  have  already  had  occasion 
to  describe,  having  made  their  voyage  in 
safety  to  France,  now  sailed  on  their  re- 
turn to  America.  Their  course  was  kept 
well  to  the  south,  as  was  usual  in  those 
days,  in  order  to  escape  the  large  British 
cruisers,  and  to  pick  up  small  West-India 


traders.  They  had  been  several  weeks 
at  sea,  when  the  British  ships  Ariadne 
and  Ceres  hove  in  sight  and  gave  them 
chase.  The  Raleigh  was  considerably  in 
advance  of  her  escort,  and  escajied;  but 
the  Alfred,  being  overtaken,  and  finding 
it  usele,ss  to  fight  with  the  odds  of  two 
to  one  against  her,  struck. 

The  most  memorable  cruise  of  the  year 
was  that  of  the  Ranger,  an  eighteen-gun 
ship.  Slie  is  described  as  a crank,  clum- 
sy vessel,  with  a gun-deck,  but  no  arma- 
ment above,  and  a dull  sailer.  Her  de- 
fects, however,  were  more  than  compen- 
sated by  the  excellent  nautical  qualities 
of  her  commander,  who  was  no  less  a per- 
sonage than  the  famous  Paul  Jone.s,  “ a 
short,  thick,  lithe  fellow,  about  five  feet 
eight  inches  in  height,  and  of  a dark, 
swarthy  complexion,”  as  he  is  described. 

John  Paul  was  born  on  the  6th  of  July, 
1747,  at  Arbigland,  Selkirkshire,  on  the 
frith  of  Solway,  in  Scotland.  His  father 
was  the  gardener  of  a Mr.  Craik,  a gen- 
tleman of  property  in  that  neighborhood 
The  son,  bred  up  on  the  seacoast,  natu 
rally  took  to  a sailor’s  life,  and  at  the  age 
of  twelve  years  readily  consented  to  be- 
come the  apprentice  of  a shipmaster  in 
command  of  a small  vessel  trading  with 


L 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  JOHN  PAUL  JONEfe.  G6  7 

the  American  colonies.  This  first  brought 

solved  to  quit  the  sea  for  ever,  when  the 

him  to  Virginia,  where  he  found  his  broth- 

Revolutionary  War  breaking  out,  he  be- 

er,  married  and  settled,  and  from  whom 

came  an  enthusiastic  American  patriot, 

he  acquired  an  inclination  toward  a colo- 

and  was  appointed,  in  consequence  of  his 

nial  life.  lie  was,  however,  obliged  to  re- 

well-known  abilities  as  a seaman,  a lieu- 

turn,  but  did  not  remain  long  with  his 

tenant  in  the  navy.  His  first  cruise  was 

master,  whose  bankruptcy  released  him 

in  the  Alfred,  from  which  he  was  soon 

from  his  indentures. 

transferred  to  the  Providence  as  captain. 

Young  John  Paul’s  next  transition  was 

and  again  in  a short  time  promoted  to 

to  the  forecastle  of  a slaver;  and  subse- 

the  Ranger,  the  cruise  of  which  w’e  shall 

quently,  by  the  death  of  the  captain  and 

now  relate. 

mate,  to  the  quarter-deck,  as  commander. 

Jones  had  gone  to  France,  with  the 

In  this  capacity  he  served  for  several 

expectation  of  receiving  the  command  of 

years;  and  it  may  be  supposed  that,  al- 

the  Indicn  ; but  she  had  been  given,  pi-e- 

though  he  w^as  in  a good  school  for  the 

vioLis  to  his  arrival,  as  a present  to  King 

improvement  of  his  nautical  skill  and  the 

Louis  XVI.,  and  the  and^itious  young  ca|> 

development  of  his  daring  qualitie.s,  he 

tain  had  to  content  himself  with  the  Ran- 

was  not  likely  to  have  his  sensibilities 

ger,  which  was  thought  quite  unworthy 

refined. 

of  so  gallant  a commander.  He  \vas  prom- 

The  youthful  commander  was  already 

ised  a better  ship,  but  he  had  not  the  pa- 

known  as  a “ hard  man,”  and  not  seldom 

tience  to  wait,  and  accordingly  put  into 

complaints  were  made  of  his  cruelty  by 

Brest,  to  refit  his  vessel  and  prepare  for 

his  sailors.  On  one  occasion,  he  was  called 

a cruise. 

to  account  before  a court  in  the  West  In- 

Having  completed  her  preparations. 

dies  by  Mungo  Maxwell,  one  of  his  crew. 

the  Ranger  sailed  for  the  Irish  channel, 

who  complained  of  ill  treatment.  The 

where  Jones  was  perfectly  at  ^ 

complaint  was  dismissed  as  frivolous  ; but 

home,”  and  knew  almost  every 

Mungo,  shipping  soon  after  in  another 

foot  on  the  land  and  fathom  of  the  sea. 

vessel,  died  suddenly  at  sea,  and  there 

As  he  passed  along  the  coast,  he  made 

were  not  wvanting  people  to  blame  Cap- 

several  prizes,  and  then  bore  aw'ay  for 

tain  Paul  for  his  death.  This  created  a 

Whitehaven,  England,  with  the  intention 

prejudice,  which,  together  with  the  ill  re- 

of  burning  the  colliers  crowded  into  that 

pute  of  his  occupation,  clung  to  him  so 

port.  The  weather,  how^ever,  was  unHi- 

tenaciously,  that  he  determined  to  leave 

vorable  for  the  project,  and  he  sailed  to 

his  native  country. 

the  north  until  he  reached  the  coast  of 

In  1773,  his  brother  died,  and  John 

Scotland,  where,  having  pursued  a rove- 

Paul  w'ent  to  Virginia  to  settle.  There, 

nue-vessel  wdthout  success,  he  bore  away 

changing  his  name  simultaneously  with 

for  Ireland.  While  off  Carrickfergus,  he 

his  life  and  country,  he  began  his  new 

observed  a vessel  at  anchor  in  the  roads ; 

career  as  John  Paul  Jones.  He  had  re- 

and  having  learned  from  some  fishermen. 

1 

i 

1)68  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


who  boarded  the  Ranger,  that  she  was 
the  Drake  sloop-of-war,  Jones  determined 
to  run  in  and  tiy  to  take  her. 

The  night  was  chosen  for  the  purpose ; 
and  Jones  having,  daring  the  daylight,  ac- 
curately taken  the  bearings  of  the  Drake, 
now  in  the  dark  stood  for  the  roads  where 
she  was  anchored.  His  intention  was,  to 
brino;  his  vessel  close  to  the  bows  of  his 

o 

enemy  ; but  the  anchor  was  not  let  go  in 
time,  and  she  (L  ifted  astei'n  of  the  Drake. 
Jones,  finding  his  object  defeated,  ordered 
his  cable  to  be  cut;  and,  making  sail,  he 
hauled  his  ship  by  the  wind  in  all  haste. 
A gale  coming  on,  he  barely  succeeded 
iu  weathering  the  land,  and  getting  back 
into  the  channel. 

The  wind  now  being  favorable.  Captain 
Jones  determined  to  carry  out  his  design 
upon  Whitehaven.  The  Ranger  accord- 
ingly stood  for  the  Cumberland  coast,  on 
the  English  side  of  the  channel,  and  soon 
made  the  port  which  was  the  object  of 
attack,  and  out  of  which  the  captain  had 
often  sailed  in  his  early  days  when  a tra- 
ding-skipper. He  waited  until  night,  and 
then  dividing  into  two  parties  as  many 
of  his  crew  as  could  be  spared  from  the 
ship,  lowered  his  boats  and  pulled  for  the 
shore.  As  he  was  familiar  with  the  ground, 
Jones  took  the  lead  in  command  of  one 
party,  and  his  lieutenant  Wallingford  fol- 
lowed in  charge  of  the  other.  The  forts 
were  seized,  the  guns  spiked,  and  the  sen- 
tries y-ao-ged  and  bound.  The  men  had 
been  provided  with  candles  in  lanterns, 
which  were  to  be  used  not  only  as  lights, 
but  as  torches  to  set  fire  to  the  shipping. 
There  was,  however,  some  delay,  and  the 
candles  had  all  burned  out  when  they 


were  wanted  for  the  secondary  purpose. 
The  day  was  fast  approaching,  and  there 
was  but  little  time  to  spare.  The  lieu- 
tenant and  his  party,  therefore,  giving  up 
all  hope  of  success,  took  to  their  boat  and 
pulled  back  to  the  ship,  without  effecting 
anything. 

The  resolute  captain,  however,  was  not 
to  be  thns  balked  of  his  purpose.  So  he 
sent  one  of  his  men  to  a neighboring  cot- 
tage,  and  obtained  a candle.  Thus  pro- 
vided, Jones  boarded  a large  ship  in  the 
port,  and  with  a barrel  of  tar  kindled  a 
fire  in  her  steerage,  and  soon  had  her  in 
flames.  As  the  tide  was  out,  and  the  ves- 
sel lay  high  and  dry  in  the  midst  of  a 
large  fleet  of  other  craft,  he  was  in  hopes 
that  they  would  all  take  fife,  and  his  ob- 
ject be  thus  effectually  accomplished.  The 
burning  ship  soon  alarmed  the  inhabit- 
ants, who  rushed  out  iu  numbers,  crowd- 
ing the  adjacent  heights,  and  thronging 
to  the  rescue  of  the  shipping.  Jones  and 
his  party  still  remained  ashore,  and  with 
their  drawn  hangers  presenting  a resolute 
attitude,  kept  back  the  people  till  it  was 
thought  that  the  ship  was  sufficiently  in 
flames  to  secure  a general  conflagration, 
and  then  the  captain  drew  off  his  men  to 
their  boat,  and  pulled  back  for  the  Ran- 
ger. 

The  inhabitants,  however,  succeeded  in 
extinguishing  the  fire  before  it  had  done 
much  harm  to  the  shipping ; and,  recov- 
ering somewhat  fiom  their  panic,  they 
were  enabled  ■’to  bring  a gun  or  two  to 
bear  upon  Jones’s  boat,  but  not  in  time 
to  reach  it  with  a single  shot.  The  fri  gilt 

O o 

produced  by  this  audacious  attempt  was 
such  that,  even  to  this  day,  the  name  of 


r 

I 

RKVOLUTIONARY.]  JONES  ON  THE  BRITISH  COAST.  669 


Paul  Jones  is  a,  terror  along  the  whole 
Eiii>jlish  coast. 

The  Ranger  now  stood  for  the  oppo- 
site shore  of  Solway  frith ; and  Captain 
Jones  again  took  to  his  boats,  and  landed 
a party  at  the  month  of  the  Dee,  near  to 
the  town  of  Kirkcudbright,  on  the  Scot- 
tish coast.  Jones  was  here  upon  his  na- 
tive soil,  and  knew  every  point  of  rock 
and  inch  of  ground.  He  at  once  led  his 
men  to  St.  Mary’s  isle,  where  the  earl  of 
Selkirk  had  a country-seat,  and  where 
Jones  is  said  to  have  lived  while  his  fa- 
ther was  in  his  lordship’s  service.  The 
earl  and  his  family  were  absent,  and  the 
servants  left  in  charge  were  overpowered 
and  the  mansion  plundered.  One  of  the 
officers  brought  away  with  him  a quanti- 
ty of  the  family  plate,  whereat  the  cap- 
tain was  greatly  indignant,  it  being  in  his 
opinion  an  act  quite  unbecoming  the  dig- 
nity of  a naval  officer.  He  accordingly 
determined  to  restore  it,  and,  having  paid 
his  crew  out  of  his  own  pocket  the  sum 
of  a hundred  pounds  sterling  (the  sup- 
posed value  of  the  plunder,  which  they 
claimed  as  their  piize),  he  sent  back  the 
plate,  with  a courteous  note  to  the  count- 
ess of  Selkirk,  expressive  of  his  regret 
that  it  had  been  carried  off 

Jones  fretted  to  think  that  the  Drake 
had  escaped  him,  and  it  was  a point  of 
honor  with  him  to  make  another  attempt 
at  her  capture.  He  accordingly  sailed 
ngain  for  the  Ii  ish  coast,  and  was  pleased 
to  find,  on  arriving  off  Carrickfergus,  that 
the  Drake  still  lay  in  the  roads.  The 
saucy  Ranger  was  soon  observed  from  the 
English  man-of-war,  and  a boat  sent  out 
to  discover  who  the  stranger  was,  and 


what  she  wanted.  As  soon  as  he  saw  the 
boat,  Jones  began  to  manoeuvre  his  ves- 
sel in  such  a way,  that  onl}^  her  stern 
could  be  seen.  The  British  officer  in  com- 
mand was  thus  induced  to  pull  nlongside 
the  Ranger,  which  was  just  what  Jones 
wanted,  as  it  gave  him  the  opportunity, 
of  which  he  immediately  took  advantage, 
of  seizing  the  boat, officer, and  crew.  From 
his  prisoners  he  learned  that  intelligence 
of  the  Ranger’s  audacious  proceedings  at 
Whitehaven  and  St, Mary’s  isle  had  reach- 
ed Ireland,  and  that  the  commander  of 
the  Drake  was  on  the  alert. 

Jones  expected  that  the  detention  of 
the  boat  would  bring  the  Drake  herself 
out  in  search  of  it,  and  in  this  expecta- 
tion he  was  not  disappointed.  The  Eng- 
lish ship  immediately  got  under  way  in 
the  roads,  but  soon  lay  to,  waiting  for  the 
Ranger  to  come  on.  Jones, however,stood 
off  the  land,  in  order  to  draw  his  antago- 
nist more  into  the  channel.  The  Drake, 
observing  the  manoeuvre,  began  to  work 
out  of  the  roads;  but,  as  the  tide  was 
against  her,  she  moved  slowly,  and  did 
not  succeed  in  drawing  near  the  Ranger 
until  almost  nightfall ; but  she  came  out 
defiantly,  with  her  decks  crowded  with 
volunteers,  eager  for  a brush  with  “the 
American  privateer,”  and  accompanied  by 
a number  of  small  craft  to  see  the  fight. 

As  soon  as  the  Drake  closed  in  suffi- 
ciently, she  hailed  her  antagonist,  and 
asked  her  name;  which  she  received,  with 
a challenge  to  come  on.  The  two  ships 
were  standing  on.  The  wind  was  light, 
and  such  as  to  admit  of  but  little  nianoeu- 
vrin'i.  As  the  Drake  was  somewhat  to 

o 

leeward  and  astern,  the  Ranger  put  her 


670 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[rAKT  M. 


helm  up.  The  enemy  followed  suit,  when 
Jones  poured  in  his  first  broadside.  The 
two  vessels,  now  running  free  under  easy 
canvas,  continued  to  cannonade  each  oth- 
er for  an  hour  and  four  minutes,  when  the 
Drake,  hauling  down  her  ensign,  called 
for  quarter.  She  had  suffered  severely, 
her  hull  and  rigging  being  well  cut  up, 
her  captain  and  lieutenant  wounded  mor- 
tally, and  forty  of  her  crew  killed  or  dis- 
abled. The*  Danger,  although  carrying 
fewer  guns  and  a smaller  crew,  suffered 
much  less  than  her  anta<>:onist.  Lieuten- 
ant  Wallingford  and  one  of  the  crew  were 
the  only  killed,  and  there  were  but  five 
wounded. 

Captain  Jones,  putting  a crew  on  board 
his  prize,  and  securing  his  prisoners,  sailed 
away  ti’iumphanfly,  with  the  captured 
Drake  in  company,  for  France.  He  took 
the  North  channel,  and,  although  chased 

repeatedly  on  his  round-about 

May  8.  i tj  t i i • r 

passage  by  Dntish  ships-ot-war, 

succeeded  in  reaching  Brest  in  safety 
with  his  prize. 

A gallant  little  exploit  was  achieved 
by  Captain  Rathburne,  in  command  of  the 
Providence,  a twelve-gun  sloop.  Her  met- 
al was  only  of  the  weight  of  foui-pound- 
ers,  and  she  carried  a crew  of  but  fifty 
men.  Rathburne,  however,  with  his  little 
vessel,  bore  for  New  Providence,  one  of 
the  Bahamas,  and  landed  on  the  island 
with  twenty-five  men.  Here  he  wasjoined 
by  about  thirty  Americans,  who  were  hehl 
as  prisoners  by  the  British  authorities; 
and  with  this  small  force  he  took  posses- 
sion of  the  forts  and  stores,  and  in  fact  of 
the  whole  island.  The  vessels  in  the  har- 
bor, si.x  in  number,  among  which  there 


was  a privateer  of  sixteen  guns,  fell  into 
his  hands.  The  inhabitants  attempted  to 
overpower  him,  but  Rathburne  kept  them 
in  check  by  threatening  to  set  fire  to  the 
town.  After  holding  the  place  for  two 
daj^s  (during  which  a British  sloop-ofwar 
looked  into  the  harbor,  but  finding  the 
Americans  in  possession,  she  hurried  off 
again),  Rathburne  withdrew.  On  leav- 
ing, however,  he  spiked  all  the  guns  of 
the  fort,  burned  two  of  his  prizes,  and 
took  off  with  him  all  the  ammunition  and 
the  rest  of  tb.e  vessels.  In  this  darino; 
expedition  the  Americans  did  not  lose  a 
man.  The  very  audacity  of  the  enter- 
prise filled  the  enemy  with  such  terror, 
that  they  were  not  capable  of  striking  a 
blow  in  their  defence. 

A less  glorious  fortune  than  that  of  the 
little  Providence  awaited  some  of  the  ves- 
sels lately  biiilt.  The  Virginia,  a twenty- 
eight  gun  ship,  had  just  been  launched, 
and  was  proceeding  down  the  Chesapeake 
on  her  first  cruise,  in  command  of  Captain 
Nicholson,  when  she  got  aground  during 
the  night,  and  lost  her  rudder.  Her  an- 
chor was  let  go,  and  the  next  morning, 
as  preparations  were  being  made  to  refit 
her,  two  British  vessels-of war  were  ob- 
served near  at  hand.  Captain  Nicholson 
now  thought  it  advisable  to  leave  her,  and 
went  ashore  with  his  papers,  while  the 
enemy  took  possession  of  his  ship.  Con- 
fjress,  after  investiy:atinti  the  conduct  of 
the  captain,  acquitted  him  of  all  blame, 
although  there  were  many  who  censured 
him  for  deserting  his  vessel. 

We  have  already  had  occasion,  in  speak- 
ing of  the  movements  of  the  British  while 
in  possession  of  Philadelphia,  to  allude  to 


REVor.uTiONARY.J  CRUISE  OF  CAPTAIN  BARRY  AND  THE  RALEIGH.  071 

in”:  iiimself.  The  Ralei(>:li  had  been  taken 


the  destruction  of  the  American  vessels 
on  the  Delaware.  It  is  appropriate  that  in 
this  chapter  we  should  narrate  the  facts 
more  in  detail. 

Enrly  in  May,  an  expedition,  headed 
by  Major  Maitland,  left  Philadelphia,  and 
ascended  tlie  Delaware,  in  order  to  de- 
stroy the  American  vessels  which  had  been 
taken  above  the  city  for  the  puipose  of 
escaping  the  British  men-of-war  below. 
To  the  land-force  of  a battalion  of  liglit- 
infantiy  and  two  fieldpieces  was  joined 
a flotilla,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Henrj'^  of  the  British  navj^,  consisting  of 
the  schooners  Viper  and  Pembroke,  the 
galleys  Hussar,  Cornwallis,  Ferret,  and 
Philadelphia,four  gun-boats, and  eighteen 
Habboats. 

The  expedition  succeeded  in  its  pur- 
pose, without  the  least  show  of  resistance. 
Landing  a little  above  Bristol,  the  enemy 
burnt  the  Washington,  of  thirty-two  guns, 
and  the  Effingham,  of  twenty-eight,  both 
of  which,  being  new  ships,  had  never  been 
to  sea  ; also  several  privateers,  and  a num- 
ber of  merchantmen.  Their  next  point 
was  Crosswise  creek,  where  the  Sturdy 
Beggar,  an  eighteen-gun  privateer,  and 
eight  other  ve.sseLs,  were  destroyed.  Six 
more  craft  were  set  fire  to  at  Bill’s  island  ; 
and  on  descending  the  river,  on  their  re- 
turn to  Philadelphia,  the  British  burned 
as  many  more,  among  which  were  proba- 
bly the  Hornet,  the  Sachem,  the  Independ- 
ence, and  the  Musqueto,  as  nothing  is  re- 
corded of  them  after  that  period. 

Captain  Barry,  whose  spirited  capture 
of  the  enemy’s  armed  storeships  in  the 
Delawnre  has  already  been  described,  had 
soon  another  opportunity  of  distinguish- 


from  Captain  Thompson,  in  consequence 
of  his  having  allowed  his  consort  the  Al- 
fred  to  be  captured  by  the  enemy  Avithout 
going  to  her  assistance, and  was  now"  given 
to  Barry. 

“Under  the  orders  of  this  new  com- 
mander,” says  Cooper,  of  whose  authority 
as  a naval  historian  we  have  freely  availed 
ourselves,  “ the  Raleigh  sailed  from  Bos- 
ton on  the  25th  of  September,  at  six  in 
the  morning,  having  a brig  and  a sloop 
under  convoy.  The  wind  was  fresh  at 
northwest,  and  the  frigate  ran  off  north- 
east. At  twelve,  two  strange  sail  were 
seen  to  leeward,  distant  fifteen  or  sixteen 
mile.s.  Orders  were  given  to  the  convoy 
to  haul  nearer  to  the  wind,  and  to  crowd 
all  the  sail  it  could  carry,  the  strangers  in 
chase.  After  dark  the  Raleigh  lost  sight 
of  the  enemy,  as  by  this  time  the  two 
ships  were  ascertained  to  be,  and  the  wind 
became  light  and  variable. 

“ The  Raleigh  now  cleared  for  action, 
and  kept  her  people  at  quarters  all  night, 
having  tacked  toward  the  land.  In  the 
morning  it  proved  to  be  hazj",  and  the 
strangers  were  not  to  be  seen.  The  Ra- 
leigh was  still  standing  toward  the  land, 
which  she  shortly  afterward  made  ahead, 
quite  near.  About  noon,  the  haze  clear- 
ing away,  the  enemy  were  seen  in  the 
southern  board,  and  to  windward,  crowd- 
ing sail  in  chase.  The  weather  became 
thick  again,  and  the  Raleigh  lost  sight  of 
her  two  pursuers,  when  she  hauled  off  to 
the  eastward. 

“ Finding  nothing  visible  at  six  in  the 
morning,  the  Raleigh  crowded  sail  once 
more,  and  stood  southeast  by  east.  At 


6Y2  * BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 

half-past  nine,  the  two  ships  were 

Spljl#26i  , ,,  -|  j -1. 

again  discovered  astern,  and  in 

lishman,  however,  soon  edged  away,  and 
made  an  attempt  to  rake  the  Raleigh ; 

chase.  The  Raleigh  now  hauled  close 

when  Barry,  finding  that,  with  the  lo.ss 

upon  a wind,  heading  northwest,  with  her 

of  his  spars,  he  could  not  manoeuvre  his 

larboard  tacks  aboard.  The  enemy  also 

ship  as  he  had  done  before,  bore  up  and 

came  to  the  wind,  all  three  vessels  carry- 

bringing  her  alongside  strove  to  board 

imj  hard  with  a staiygering  breeze.  The 

his  antngonist.  But  the  enemy,  having 

Raleigh  now  fairly  outsailed  the  stran- 

all  his  canvas,  and  sailing  best  in  the  light 

gers,  running  eleven  knots  two  fithoms, 

wind  then  blowing,  succeeded  in  defeat- 

on  a dragged  bowline.” 

ing  the  American’s  object. 

Unfortunately,  at  noon  the  wind  mod- 

The  Englishman’s  consort  now  draw- 

erated,  when  the  leading  vessel  of  the  en- 

ing  near,  Barry  called  a council  of  his 

emy  overhauled  the  Raleigh  quite  fast. 

officers,  when,  as  in  the  crippled  condi- 

and  even  the  ship  astern  held  way  with 

tion  of  the  ship  there  was  no  chance  of 

her.  At  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  the 

escaping  by  flight,  it  w'as  determined  to 

Raleigh  tacked  to  the  westward,  with  a 

run  her  ashore  upon  one  of  the  unknown 

view  to  discover  the  force  of  the  advanced 

islands  observed  early  in  the  afternoon, 

vessel  in  pursuit;  while  at  the  same  time 

and  which  was  now  only  a few  miles  di.s- 

she  made  several  signals,  which  were  not 

taut.  The  Raleigh  therefore  wore  round, 

recognised.  “ At  five  o’clock,  the  leading 

and  stood  directl}^  for  the  land,  with  her 

ve.ssel  of  the  enemy  having  nearly  closed, 

antagonist  close  to  her  side,  while  both 

the  Raleigh  edged  away  and  crossed  her 

ships  in  the  meantime  kept  up  a brisk  fire. 

forefoot,  brailing  her  mizzen  and  taking 

Thus  they  continued  till  midnight,  when 

in  her  staysails.”  In  pa.ssing,  the  Raleigh 

the  Englishman  hauled  ofl^  for  fear  of 

delivered  her  broadside,  which  was  re- 

grounding,  and  left  the  Raleigh  to  pursue 

turned  by  her  antagonist,  who  set  the  St. 

her  dangerous  course  alone  among  the 

George’s  ensign,  and  showed  her  force. 

islands. 

which  proved  to  be  a battery  of  fourteen 

Captain  Barry  now  began  to  bend  new 

guns  of  a side,  including  both  decks.  The 

sails,  with  the  hope  of  escaping,  as  he  was 

Englishman  now  came  up  under  the  lee 

concealed  by  the  increasing  darkness  of 

quarter  of  the  Raleigh,  and  the  two  were 

the  night.  It  was  not  long,  however,  be- 

soon  warmly  engaged  ; but  the  former, 

fore  both  of  the  enemy’s  ships  again  hove 

apparently  getting  the  worst  of  it,  shot 

in  sight,  closing  fast.  The  Raleigh  was 

ahead. 

driven  with  all  sjjeed  right  on  the  land, 

The  Raleigh  having  lost  her  fore-top- 

firing  her  stern-guns  as  she  went,  which 

mast  and  mizzen-top-gallantmast,  her  crew 

kept  off  her  pursuers  awhile.  They  nev- 

v/ere  bu.sy  in  clearing  the  wreck  ; and  an 

ertheless  soon  renewed  the  attack,  pour- 

opportunity  was  thus  given  to  the  enemy 

ing  in  their  shot,  which  Barry  gallantly 

to  get  to  the  windward,  and  fire  at  the 

returned  until  his  ship  struck  the  ground. 

disabled  vessel  from  a distance.  The  Eny;- 

O 

The  enemy  hauled  off,  to  avoid  a similar 

r 


REVOLUTIONAET.]  MOVEMENTS  OF  WASHINGTON  UP  THE  HUDSON. 


673 


fate,  and,  taking  a position  at  a safe  dis- 
tance on  the  Raleigh’s  quarter,  opened 
tlieir  broadsides  upon  her.  Barry  now 
determined  to  land,  to  burn  his  ship,  and 
defend  the  island.  He  had  got  a large 
portion  of  liis  crew  ashore,  and  was  about 
returning  for  the  rest,  when  he  found  that 
the  Raleigh,  through  the  treachery  of  one 
of  his  officers,  had  struck  to  the  enemy ! 
Barry  and  his  men  escaped  from  the  isl- 
and— which  proved  to  be  Wooden  Bell, 
one  of  the  group  of  rocky  islands  olt  the 
mouth  of  tlie  Penobscot — and  on  reach- 
ing the  mainland,  and  relating  the  ac- 
count of  their  struggle,  were  greatly  ap- 
plauded for  their  gallantry. 

The  Raleigh  was  immediately  taken 


possession  of  by  tlie  two  antagonist  ships, 
which  turned  out  to  be  the  Experiment, 
of  fifty  guns.  Captain  Wallace,  and  the 
Unicorn,  of  twenty-two.  It  was  tlie  latte 
wliich  clung  so  closely  and  so  obstinately 
to  the  Raleigh  during  the  long  engage- 
ment. She  was  well  cut  up  in  hull  and 
rigging,  and  had  ten  men  killed  and  a 
considerable  number  wounded.  The  en- 
tire loss  of  the  Americans  was  twenty- 
five  killed  and  wounded. 

Little  else,  beyond  what  has  been  nar- 
rated in  this  chapter,  was  done  or  suffered 
during  the  year  1778  by  the  navy  of  the 
United  States,  privateering  was,  howev- 
er, carried  on  with  great  spirit  and  suc- 
cess. 


CHAPTER  LXXY. 

Washington  at  White  Plains. — Strengthening  of  Forts  and  Highlands  of  the  North  River. — General  Putnam  at  West 
Point. — Small  Designs  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton. — Attack  on  Egg  Harhor. — Washington  at  Fishkill.— Lord  Ccmwallis 
plans  a Surprise.-— General  Wajme  timely  warned. — Baylor  less  fortunate.— “ No-Flint  Grey.” — Yagers  caught. — 
Cruelty  of  Grey.  —A  Worthy  Son,  Earl  Grey.— Devastation  at  Egg  Harhor. — Work  of  Death. — Indians  rooted  out. 
—A  Formidahle  Expedition.— Suffering. — Return  from  Schoharie. — A Salvo  of  Artillery. — Tories  and  Savages. — 
Butler  and  his  Rangers. — Cherry  Valley. — Massacre. — Cruel  Indians  and  Hardened  Partisans. — General  Sullivan 
sent  against  the  Indians. — Desolation. — A Severe  Lesson. — ^The  Savage  less  formidable. 


1778. 


Washington,  after  moving  his  en- 
campment from  BrunswicK  to  Pa- 
ramus,  finally  quitted  New  Jersey,  and, 
crossing  the  Hudson,  took  post  at  White 
Plains,  in  Westchester  county.  New  York. 
Here  he  remained  until  September,  when 
he  made  a different  disposition  of  his  ar- 
my, with  the  view  of  protecting  both  the 
Highlands  of  the  Hudson  and  New  Eng- 
land,either  of  which  it  was  thought  might 
be  the  object  of  the  extemsivc  pre para- 
85 


tions  being  made  b}’’  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
in  New  York.  Washington  accordingly 
strengthened  the  forts  on  the  North  river 
and  posted  General  Putnam  with  two  bri- 
gades at  West  Point.  General  Gates  with 
three  brigades,  and  General  M'Dougall 
with  two,  were  despatched  to  Danbury 
in  Connecticut;  while  Washington  him- 
self encamped  his  main  body  at  Freder- 
icksburg, on  the  borders  of  Connecticut, 
and  about  thirty  miles  distant  from  West 


1 

674  BATTLES  OF  AI^IERICA.  [part  u. 

Point,  in  order  that  he  might  be  in  readi- 

quarters,  with  his  detachment  of  light- 

ness  to  defend  either  the  Hudson  or  New 

horse,  at  Old  Tappan,  near  the  enemy. 

England,  as  the  plans  of  the  enemy  should 

Lord  Cornwallis  now  devised  a scheme 

render  necessary. 

with  Knyphausen  for  surprising  the  en- 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  however,  did  not  ap- 

tire  American  force.  The  former  was  to 

pear  to  have  any  very  extensive  military 

send  a detachment  to  take  the  Americans 

designs,  and  contented  himself  with  ap- 

under  Wayne ; while  the  latter  was  to 

parently  insignificant  forays.  He  now 

throw  across  the  river  another  detach- 

planned  an  attack  upon  Little  Egg  Har- 

ment,  to  take  those  under  Baylor.  Some 

bor,  on  the  New-Jersey  coast,  where  the 

deserters  from  Knyphausen’s  troops,  how- 

Americans  had  a number  of  privateers 

ever,  having  gone  over  to  General  Wayne, 

and  prizes,  and  some  extensive  salt-works. 

gave  him  timely  Avarning,  by  which  he 

But,  in  order  to  divert  the  attention  of 

Avas  enabled  to  defeat  the  Hessians’  part 

Washington  from  his  object,  and  at  the 

in  the  scheme. 

same  time  to  procure  a supply  of  forage 

Baylor  Avas  less  fortunate.  His  men. 

and  fresh  provisions  for  his  troops,  the 

quite  unconscious  of  the  movement,  lay 

British  general-in-chief  sent  Lord  Corn- 

unguardedly  in  barns,  Avhen  General  Sir 

wallis  with  one  detachment  to  New  Jer- 

Charles  Grey,  who  had  been  despatched 

sey,  and  General  Knyphausen  with  an- 

for  the  purpose  by  Lord  CornAvallis,  came 

other  to  the  east  side  of  the  Undson.  These 

suddenly  upon  them  in  the  middle  of  the 

two,  being  separated  only  by  the  river, 

night.  Having  cut  off  the  sergeant’s  pa- 

and  well  supplied  with  boats,  were  able  to 

trol  of  tAvelve  men  quickly,  the  enemy 

form  a junction  within  twenty-four  hours 

Avere  enabled  to  fall  upon  Baylor’s  troop- 

and  thus  with  their  combined  troops  pre- 

ers  while  they  Avere  asleep  and  unarmed. 

sent  a very  formidable  force. 

“No-Hint  Grey,”  with  his  usual  faith  in 

Washington,  on  discovering  this  move- 

cold  steel,  ordered  his  men  to  take  the 

ment,  l,>elieved  its  object  was  to  forage. 

flints  out  of  their  muskets,  that  they  might 

and  therefore  sent  General  Wayne  with 

be  confined  entirely  to  the  use  of  their 

a detachment  of  troops  to  aid  the  militia 

bayonets.  They  thus  rushed  in  upon  the 

of  New  Jersey  in  checking  the  enemy. 

helplessdragoons,Avho, finding  themselves 

In  order,  however,  to  be  ready  for  any 

unable  to  strike  a bloAV  in  their  defence, 

more  serious  attempt  which  might  be 

sued  for  quarter.  Little  quarter,  hoAvev- 

made  upon  the  forts  on  the  Hudson,  Put- 

er,  Avas  given ; and  the  merciless  enemy 

nam  was  directed  to  be  on  the  alert  at 

Avere  thrusting  their  bayonets  Avherever  - 

West  Point,  and  Washington  himself  with 

they  could  find  any  sign  of  life,  until  one 

a division  of  his  army  marched  to  Fish- 

of  the  British  officers,  less  ferocious  than 

kill. 

his  commander,  interposed  and  saved  the 

General  Wayne  had  posted  himself  at 

lives  of  forty  prisoners.  Sixty-seven,  out 

New  Tappan,  with  the  militia  ; but  Lieu- 

of  the  one  hundred  and  four  of  Baylor’s 

tenant-Colonel  Baylor  had  taken  up  his 

company,  Avere  either  killed,  wounded,  or 

, 

REVOLUTIOXART.I  BRITISH  EXPEDITION  TO  LITTLE  EGG  HARBOR.  675 

taken.  Baylor  himself  escaped  with  a 

not  being  able  to  enter  with  the  trans- 

severe  but  not  a dangerous  wound. 

ports,  the  troops  took  to  the  boats,  and 

“ It  was  a small  compensation”  for  this 

pushed  up  the  river  until  they  arrived  at 

affair,  as  Washington  said,  that  Colonel 

Chestnut  Neck,  where  they  landed.  Hei'e 

Butler,  three  or  four  days  subsequently, 

all  the  vessels,  shipyards,  store  and  dwel- 

with  a party  of  infantry  and  Major  Lee’s 

ling  houses,  and  salt-works,  were  burned. 

light-horse,  surpfised  about  a hundred 

These  were  inglorious  enterprises  for  the 

Gertnan  yagers  (riflemen)  below  Tarry- 

Britons,  but  they  inflicted  great  injury 

towii,  killed  ten  on  the  spot,  and  took  a 

upon  the  American.s,  and  especially  upon 

lieutenant  and  eighteen  men  prisoners. 

privateering,  which  had  become  a very 

The  American  public  was  greatly  in- 

effective  though  independent  branch  of 

dignant  at  the  cruelty  of  Grey,  and  did 

service.  The  purpose  of  the  enemy  was 

not  hesitate  to  term  his  action  a cold- 

to  destro}^  those  places  whei’e  the  priva- 

blooded  massacre.  Grey  made  himself 

teers  were  chiefly  built,  fitted  out,  and 

memorable  by  his  unsparing  cruelty,  but 

supplied  for  sea. 

was  considered  so  efficient  a servant  by 

On  Ferguson’s  return  to  the  ships,  h(* 

those  who  employed  him,  that  he  wais 

found  a French  captain  and  several  pri- 

Boon  after  raised  to  the  peerage,  as  a re- 

vates,  who  had  deserted  from  Count  Pu- 

ward  for  his  militaiy  services.  He  gave 

laski’s  legion,  then  stationed  in  New  Jer- 

birth  to  Earl  Grey,  the  famous  whig  min- 

sey.  They  gave  such  an  account  of  the 

ister,  who  was  as  firm  an  advocate  for  lib- 

carele.ss  manner  in  which  thi’ee  troops  of 

erty  as  his  father  was  a rigid  executioner 

horse  and  the  same  number  of  companies 

of  tyranny. 

of  infantry  were  cantoned,  at  no  great  dis- 

The  expedition  to  Little  Egg  Harbor, 

tance,  that  the  British  naval  and  military 

on  the  eastern  coast  of  New  Jersey,  was 

officers  made  up  their  minds  to  beat  up 

in  the  meantime  in  full  progress. 

Oct  8 1 o 

their  quarters.  The  ships  were  accord- 

Captain  Fergiison  was  selected 

ingly  moved  along  the  coast  to  a favora- 

to  conduct  this  enterprise,  and  he  sailed 

ble  point,  and  two  hundred  and 

A ^ A|»#  tK 

from  New  York  with  three  hundred  reg- 

fifty  men  embarked  in  boats.  Af- 

ular  troops  and  a number  of  New-Jersey 

ter  rowing  ten  miles,  the  troops  landed 

royalists.  The  people  at  Egg  Harbor, 

and  took  possession  of  an  unguarded 

having  heard  of  his  coming,  sent  out  to 

bridge,  to  which  they  were  directed  by 

sea  such  of  the  privateers  as  could  be  got 

the  deserters,  as  necessary  to  secure  their 

ready ; hauled  the  larger  vessels,  chiefly 

return  to  the  vessels.  Having  posted  a 

prizes,  to  Chestnut  Neck,  about  twenty 

guard  at  the  bridge,  the  rest  of  the  men 

miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river ; and 

pushed  on.  After  a short  march  in  the 

the  smaller  privateers  and  other  craft  still 

darkness  and  silence  of  the  night,  they 

farther.  None  but  those  which  put  to 

came  suddenly  upon  Pulaski’s  force  ; and 

sea,  however,  escaped  the  insatiable  Fer- 

the  cruel  Ferguson,  as  ruthlessly  as  “No- 

guson  On  reaching  Egg  Harbor,  and 

flint  Grey,”  bayoneted  fifty  of  them  with- 

eTe  RATTLES  OF  AIMERICA.  Lpart  ii. 


out  heeding  their  cries  for  quarter ! Two 
French  officers  were  left  among  the  dead, 
Baron  de  Bos-e  and  Lieutenant  de  la  Bor- 
lerie.  As  soon  as  Pidaski  was  aroused, 
he  brought  his  cavalry  to  the  rescue,  and 
the  enemy  were  thus  driven  away  from 
their  Avork  of  death. 

The  American  loj’alists  and  their  sav- 
age confederates  the  Indians  had,  by  their 
ruthless  depredations,  excited  so  much  in- 
dignation, that  it  was  determined  to  aL 
tack  them  in  their  haunts  and  root  them 
bnt.  Accordingly,  Colonel  William  But- 
j ler  set  out  from  Schoharie  coun- 
ty, New  York,  with  a Pennsylva- 
nia regiment,  and  some  ridemen  and  ran- 
gers to  act  as  scouts.  Having  gained  the 
head-waters  of  the  Delaware,  he  marched 
for  two  days  along  its  banks,  and  then 
crossed  the  Alleghany  mountains  to  the 
Susquehanna.  The  journey  was  toilsome 
and  dangerous.  Each  man  carried  on  his 
back  provisions  for  six  days,  and,  thus 
loaded  down,  was  forced  to  wade  through 
streams  and  to  swim  rivers.  As  the  sol- 
diers were  without  tents,  they  Avere  ex- 
posed to  the  heavy  rains  and  cold  nights 
of  that  autumnal  season.  They  reached 
their  destination,  however,  but  Avere  dis- 
appointed in  finding  that  the  Indians  and 
tory  settlers  had  by  flight  cheated  them 
of  their  revenge.  After  having  totally 
destroyed  ^very  Indian  fort  and  Aullage, 
and  laid  Avaste  the  tory  settlements,  But- 
ler led  his  men  back. 

The  hardships  of  the  return  Avere  still 
more  formidable  than  those  of  the  ad- 
vance march.  The  smaller  streams  and 
the  Susquehanna  itself  had  become  great- 
ly swollen  by  the  heaA^y  rains.  The  pa- 


triots Avere  in  an  enemy’s  countiy,  their 
provisions  Avere  nearly  consnmed,  and  it 
seemed  impracticable  for  them  to  con- 
tinue their  journey.  Butler,  nevertheless, 
overcame  every  obstacle.  He  mounted 
his  men,  one  after  another,  upon  the  few 
horses  Avhich  he  had  brought  Avith  him, 
and,  forcing  the  animals  to  swim  the  swol- 
len Avaters,  succeeded  in  getting  them  all 
over  in  safety.  On  their  arrival  in  Scho- 
harie, they  Avere  so  overjoyed  at  reaching 
their  homes,  of  AA’hich  they  had  almost 
despaired,  that  they  gave  vent  to  their 
happiness  by  firing  thirteen  round  of  can- 
non and  a feu  de  joie  of  musketry. 

The  tories  and  their  Indian  allies,  noL 
Avithstanding,  continued  as  active  in  their 
cruelties  as  ever.  Walter  Butler  (the  son 
of  Colonel  John  Butler,  who  led  the  at- 
tack against  Wyoming  in  the  preceding 
July),  having  escaped  from  his  prison  at 
Albany,  Avhere  his  neck  had  only  been 
saved  from  the  gallows  by  the  interposi- 
tion of  some  of  his  father’s  friends,  Avas 
now  thirsting  for  revenge.  The  elder 
Butler  soon  gave  his  son  the  opportunity 
Avhich  he  sought..  A detachment  of  ran- 
gers, and  the  Indians  Avith  Brant  the  fa- 
mous Mohawk  chief  as  their  leader,  Avere 
placed  under  the  command  of  young  But- 
ler, to  carry  out  an  expedition  against  the 
settlers  of  Tryon  county. 

Walter  Butler,  eager  for  the  enterprise, 
hastened  from  Niagara  with  his  rangers, 
and  formed  a junction  Avith  the  Indians 
at  Genesee.  Brant  disliked  young  But- 
ler, and  Avas  moreover  piqued  at  being 
obliged  to  serve  in  subjection  to  so  youth- 
ful a leader.  He  Avas,  hoAvever,  finally 
prevailed  upon  to  join  the  expedition, 


HEVOLUTIONARY.]  SULLIVAN  DEVASTATES  THE  INDlAxN  COUNTRY 


677 


which  now  numbered  a combined  force 
of  seven  hundred  men. 

Cherry  Valley,  situated  near  the  head- 
waters of  the  eastern  branch  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna, within  the  state  of  New  York, 
was  the  chief  object  of  the  proposed  at- 
tack, as  it  was  the  most  thriving  of  all 
the  settlements.  Colonel  Ichabod  Alden, 
with  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  was  in 
command  of  the  fort  called  by  his  name. 
Fort  Alden  was,  however,  merely  a strong 
stone  dwelling-house,  which  had  been  for- 
tified, and  surrounded  with  rude  pickets 
and  earthen  embankments.  The  colonel 
had  been  duly  informed  of  the  approach 
of  his  barbarous  enemy,  but  he  gave  no 
heed  to  the  intelligence.  The  inhabitr 
ants,  nevertheless,  were  greatly  alarmed, 
and  begged  that  they  and  their  most  val- 
uable property  might  be  received  within 
the  fort.  Alden,  ridiculing  their  fears,  re- 
fused, and  was  only  prevailed  upon  by 
their  earnest  entreaties  to  send  out  scouts 
to  gain  information,  and  to  keep  guard 
against  any  sudden  surprise. 

The  scouts  seem  to  have  shared  in  the 
confident  security  of  their  colonel;  for, 
on  being  sent  out,  they  had  not  gone  far, 
when  they  lighted  a fire,  and  laid  them- 
selves down  to  sleep.  The  enemy  caught 
them  napping  and  made  them  prisoners, 
and,  obtaining  from  them  the  intelligence 
which  they  wished,  pushed  on  and  took 
post  upon  a wooded  hill  that  overlooked 
the  settlement  of  Cherry  Valley.  Plere 
they  encamped  until  the  next  morning, 

Nov  10  rushed  into  the  vil- 

lage and  beg;an  an  indiscriminate 
slaug-hter  of  the  defenceless  innabitants. 
Whole  families  were  destroyed  by  the 


savage  invaders.  Old  men.  women,  and 
children,  appealed  equally  in  vain  to  the 
cruel  instincts  of  the  Indian  and  the  still 
more  cruel  ferocity  of  the  hardened  par- 
tisan. 

In  the  course  of  the  next  year,  Wash- 
ington determined  to  strike  a de- 

o 1779. 

cisive  blow  against  the  Indians  in 

their  homes  and  haunts.  He  accordingly 
placed  a considerable  body  of  continental 
troops  under  the  command  of  General 
Sullivan,  to  whom  was  soon  after  joined 
General  Clinton,  of  New  York,  with  one 
thousand  men.  The  Mohawks,  or  the  Six 
Nations,*  as  they  were  termed,  were  the 
principal  objects  of  the  expedition.  These 
tribes  inhabited  the  fertile  tract  of  land 
lying  between  New  England,  the  middle 
states,  and  the  province  of  Canada.  At 
the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  War. 
they  had  pledged  themselves  to  neutrali- 
ty, but  soon  proved  fiiithless  to  their  word. 
The  Oneidas,  and  a few  beside.s,  alone  re- 
mained faithful;  while  the  rest,  won  over 
by  the  Johnsons  and  the  profuse  gifts  of 
the  British  agents,  became  hostile  to  the 
Americans,  and  destroyed  their  lives  and 
property  on  every  occasion. 

The  Indians,  on  becoming  aware  of  the 
approach  of  the  Americans,  made  prepa- 

* This  confederacy  of  Indians,  first  known  as  the  “Five 
Nations,’’  was  composed  of  the  Senecas,  Cayugas,  Oneidas, 
Onondagas,  and  Mohawks;  but,  in  1713,  the  'ruscaroras, 
being  driven  out  of  the  Carolinas  by  the  whites,  migrated 
northward  and  joined  the  former  tribes,  wlio  were  thence 
called  the  “ Six  Nations.’’  After  Sullivan’s  expedition,  a 
large  portion  of  them  moved  to  Canada  (from  which  coun- 
try they  appear  to  have  been  forced  southward  at  a remote 
period  by  the  great  confederacy  of  the  Algonquins).  'I'he 
warlike  Senecas  and  others  of  the  Six  Nations,  or  Iroquois, 
as  the  French  called  them,  in  their  migrations  spread  their 
deadly  hostility  to  the  American  whites  throughout  all  the 
tribes  of  the  Northwest. 


f 


678  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  impart  ii 

rations  to  meet  them.  They  concentrated 

“ The  Americans  were  so  full  of  resenf 

their  ibrces,  selected  a good  position,  and 

ment  against  the  Indians  for  the  many  out- 

fortified  it  with  considerable  skill.  For 

rages  thej^  had  suffered  from  them,  and  so 

two  hours  they  stood  their  ground  man- 

bent  on  making  the  expedition  decisive, 

fully  against  the  whole  of  Sullivan’s  force, 

that  the  officers  and  soldiers  cheerfully 

but  were  finally  compelled  to  give  way 

agreed  to  remain  till  they  had  fully  com- 

before  his  artillery.  The  savages,  once 

pleted  the  destruction  of  the  settlement. 

driven  from  their  stronghold,  made  not 

The  supplies  obtained  in  the  country  les- 

an  effbi-t  to  rally,  but  fled  in  despair. 

sened  the  inconvenience  of  short  rations. 

Sullivan’s  avenging  troops  pursued  them 

The  ears  of  corn  were  so  remarkably 

closely,  and,  penetrating  into  the  heart  of 

large,  that  many  of  them  measured  twen 

theii’  country,  spread  desolation  every- 

^-two  inches  in  length.”  Nece.ssity  sug- 

w here.* 

gested  a novel  method  of  grinding  the 

“ Many  settlements,”  says  Eamsay,  “ in 

grains.  The  soldiers  thrust  their  bayo- 

the  form  of  towns,  were  destroyed.  All 

nets  through  the  camp-kettles,  and  thus 

their  fields  of  corn,  and  whatever  was  in 

produced  a rough  surface  upon  which 

a state  of  cultivation,  underwent  the  same 

they  rubbed  the  corn  into  a coarse  meal. 

fate.  Scarcely  anything  in  the  form  of  a 

This  severe  lesson  had  its  effect  upon 

house  was  left  standing,  nor  was  an  In- 

the  Indians,  who  became  thenceforward 

- 

dian  to  be  seen.  To  the  surprise  of  the 

less  bold  in  their  cruelties  and  depreda- 

Americans,  they  found  the  lands  about 

tions.  The  frontiers  now  enjoyed  com- 

the  Indian  towns  well  cultivated,  and  their 

parative  security  from  the  incursions  of 

houses  both  large  and  commodious.  The 

the  savages.  Brant  and  his  tory  confed- 

quantity  of  corn  destroyed  was  immense.*}* 

erates  still  fostered  their  wolfish  propen- 

Orchards,  in  which  were  several  hundred 

sities  in  their  lair  at  Niagara,  and  would 

fruitrtrees,  were  cut  down ; and  of  them 

occasionally  find  an  opportunity  to  glut 

many  appeared  to  have  been  planted  for 

them  in  the  blood  and  spoils  of  the  un- 

a long  series  of  years.  Their  gardens. 

guarded  settlers.  These  occasions,  how- 

re])lenished  with  a variety  of  useful  ve- 

ever,  after  General  Sullivan’s  successful 

getables,  were  laid  waste.J 

raid  became  known,  w'ere  availed  of  with 

* This  region  of  country,  then  known  as  Tryon  county, 

chief,  thus  addressed  President  Washington  : “Father  — 

but  now  comprising  Ciiemung  and  otiier  counties,  received. 

The  voice  of  the  Seneca  nation  speaks  to  you,  the  great 

f.-om  the  cruel  devastations  and  massacres  of  the  savages, 

counsellor,  in  whose  heart  the  wise  men  of  all  the  thirteen 

the  appellation  of  The  Dark  and  Bloody  Ground. 

fires  have  placed  their  wisdom.  It  may  be  very  small  in 

1 It  was  estimated  tliat  not  less  than  a hundred  and  sixty 

your  ears,  and  therefore  we  entreat  you  to  hearken  with  at- 

thousand  bushels  of  corn  in  the  granaries  and  fields  were 

tention,  for  we  are  about  to  speak  to  you  of  things  which  to 

thus  destroyed.  In  one  fortnight  tliis  beautiful  country  was 

us  are  very  great.  When  your  army  entered  the  country  of 

cast  back  a century  in  its  progress  toward  civilization. 

the  Six  Nations,  we  called  you  The  Town-Destroyer ; and  to 

} Washington,  wlio  had  conceived  and  planned  tliis  most 

this  da}',  wlien  that  name  is  heard,  our  wcnr.en  look  behind 

rigliteous  expedition,  and  ordered  its  rigid  execution  in  the 

them  and  turn  pale,  and  our  children  cling  close  to  the  necks 

manner  in  which  it  was  performed,  received  from  the  sav- 

of  their  mothers.  Our  counsellors  and  warriors  are  men. 

ages  the  name  of  An-na-ta-kau-les,  wmich  signifies,  in  the 

and  can  not  be  afraid  ; but  their  hearts  are  grieved  with  the 

Seneca  language,  town-destroyer.  At  a council  held  in  Phil- 

fears  of  our  women  and  children,  and  desire  that  it  may  he 

adclphia,  ia  1792,  Corn-Planter,  the  distinguished  Seneca 

buried  so  deep  that  It  may  be  heard  no  more.” 

1 

• 

r 

imvoLUTioNART.]  LAFAYETTE  PLANS  THE  CONQUEST  OF  CANADA.  679 

less  frequency  and  more  timid  caution. 

In  South  Carolina,  Generals  William- 

Nevertheless,  Brant,  with  sixty  of  his  sav- 

son  and  Pickens  carried  out  an  expedi- 

ages  and  twenty-seven  white  men  attack- 

tion  like  that  of  Sullivan,  and  with  simi- 

ed  the  Mininsink  settlement  du- 

lar  success.  The  villages  and  harvests  of 

July  23.  . , 

ring  the  same  summer  (1/79), 

the  savages  were  destroyed,  and  they 

and  burnt  ten  houses,  twelve  barns,  a fort. 

themselves  forced  to  fly  beyond  the  from 

and  tw^o  mills.  He  moreover  carried  off 

tiers.  Colonel  Broadhead,  too,  was  equal- 

several  prisoners  and  a large  quantity  of 

ly  successful  in  Pennsylvania.  The  In- 

plunder.  The  neighboring  militia  gath- 

dians  from  this  time  became  much  less 

ered  together  and  went  in  pursuit,  but 

formidable,  although  we  shall  yet  have 

were  driven  back  by  the  Indians. 

an  occasional  atrocity  to  record. 

CHAPTER  L^XVI. 

l-atayette  in  a “Guide  Sac.” — A Brilliant  Flight. — Checked  by  Washington. — Return  of  Lafayette  to  France. — Tlte 

Ship  Alliance. — The  Voyage. — A Conspiracy. — Its  Terrible  Objects. — The  Disclosure. — The  Conspiracy  put  down. 

— An  Enemy  avoided. — Arrival  at  Brest. — Lafayette  in  High  Favor. — A Formal  and  Royal  Rebuke. — His  Rereption 

by  Queen  Marie  Antoinette. — Commander  of  the  King’s  Guard. — Washington’s  Winter-Quarters. — Disposition  of  the 

Troops. — Hutting. — Washington  visits  Philadelphia. — General  Putnam  in  Trouble  with  his  'I’roops. — A Rebellion 

quelled. — Jollity  in  the  Camp. — A Christmas  Dinner. — A Holyday. — A “Splendid  Entertainment.” — Hospitality  at 

Headquarters. — Colonel  Hamilton  at  the  Dinner-Table. — 

■Visit  of  Monsieur  Gerard. — A Grand  Review. — Native  Gen- 

tlemen. — General  Gayety. — An  Occasional  Duel. — Affection  under  the  Gallows. 

Lafavette,  while  shut  up  in  a cul 

but  Washington,  who,  with  every  trust  in 

de  sac,  as  he  termed  it,  at  Bristol,  on 

the  disinterestedness  of  the  ardent  young 

a neck  of  land,  with  a bay  on  the  one  side 

marquis,  placed  little  faith  in  that  of  his 

and  a river  on  the  other  (where  General 

country,  defeated  the  wild  and  dangerous 

Sullivan  had  placed  him,  after  the  retreat 

enterprise  by  his  cautious  counsels. 

from  Rhode  island,  to  watch  the  motions 

Lafayette  proposed  to  return  to  France, 

of  the  British),  plumed  his  wings  for  a 

but  had  postponed  his  voyage  for  the  pur- 

broader  flight.  He  had  conceived  a bril- 

pose  of  furthering  his  Canadian  project. 

liiint  plan  for  an  expedition  against  Can- 

“ If  you  have  entertained  thoughts,  my 

ada.  He  would  obtain  from  his  sovereign. 

dear  marquis,”  quietly  remarks  Washing- 

Louis  XVI.,  a large  army  and  a powerful 

ton,  “ of  paying  a visit  to  your  court,  to 

fleet,  to  reduce  Halifix  and  Quebec,  while 

your  lady,  and  to  your  friends,  this  win- 

the  Americans  should  co-operate  by  the 

ter,  but  waver  on  account  of  an  expedi- 

lakes,  and  thus  wrest  every  spot  of  eiirth 

tion  into  Canada,  friendship  induces  me 

in  North  America  from  British  po.ssession’. 

to  tell  you  that  I do  not  conceive  that 

Congress  seemed  to  sanction  the  scheme  ; 

the  prospect  of  such  an  operation  is  so 

680 

favorable  at  this  time  as  to  cause  you  to 
change  your  views.”  Lafayette  now  pre- 
pared to  go  home,  and  would  have  imme- 
diately set  sail,  but  was  detained  by  a se- 
vere illness. 

The  finest  frigate  in  the  embryo  navy 
of  the  United  States,  the  Alliance,  was  or- 
dered to  convey  the  young  marquis  to 
Frau'  e.  On  his  recovery,  he  proceeded 
to  Boston  to  embark,  but  found  the  ship 
not  yet  manned.  The  government  of 
Massachusetts  went  so  far  in  its  courtesy 
to  its  distinguished  visiter  as  to  offer  to 
obtain  a crew  by  impressment.  This  was, 
however,  an  encroachment  upon  the  rights 
of  man  to  which  the  young  French  disci- 
ple of  freedom  most  positively  objected. 
Recourse  was  therefore  had,  in  manning 
the  Alliance,  to  a number  of  British  sail- 
ors, some  prisoners, and  a few  Frenchmen, 
who  were  taken  indiscriminately  from  the 
docks  of  Boston. 

The  captain  of  the  Alliance  was  Lan- 
dais,  a Frenchman  and  a gallant  officer, 
to  whom  the  command  had  been  given 
as  a compliment  to  France,  whose  friend- 
ship every  effort  was  at  that  time  made  to 
strengthen,  and  to  which  the  very  name 
of  the  ship  was  a tribute.  The  prejudice 
against  serving  under  a Frenchman  was, 
however,  one  of  the  chief  difficulties  in 
manning  the  Alliance  with  American  sail- 
ors, and  forced  Landais  to  content  him- 
self with  a motley  crew,  of  all  countries 
and  characters. 

With  this  difficulty  about  a crew,  the 

Alliance  did  not  finally  get  to  sea  until 

. , the  beginning  of  the  year  1779. 

Jail.  II.  ° ° 

ifie  passage  was  boisterous,  and 

the  frigate  lost  a topmast  and  sprang  a 


LPART  n. 

leak ; and,  when  she  had  got  within  two 
days’  sail  of  the  English  coast,  a conspi- 
racy was  discovered  among  the  crew  by 
one  of  the  sailors,  who  was  an  American 
by  birth,  but,  having  lived  a long  time  in 
Ireland,  was  supposed  by  his  English  ship- 
mates to  be  an  Irishman,  and  therefore 
taken  by  them  into  their  confidence.  It 
was  not,  however,  until  the  morning  of 
the  very  day  for  carrying  their  plans  into 
execution,  that  the  conspirators  disclosed 
them  to  the  American  sailor.  He  pre- 
tended  to  enter  into  their  views  with  his 
whole  heart,  and  thus  got  from  them  ev- 
ery detail.  He  watched  his  opportunity 
to  convey  the  intelligence  to  the  captain, 
but  was  not  able  to  do  so  until  some  time 
after  three  in  the  afternoon,  although  the 
hour  appointed  for  carrying  out  the  plot 
was  four  o’clock. 

According  to  this  American  sailor’s  ac- 
count, the  conspirators  were  mainly  com- 
posed of  Englishmen,  and  their  purpose 
was  bloody  and  determined.  By  the  ori- 
ginal plan,  the  cry  of  “ Sail  ho  !”  was  to 
be  raised  about  daylight,  which  it  was 
supposed  would  bring  all  the  officers  and 
passengers  (of  whom  there  were  several 
besides  Lafayette)  on  deck,  when  it  was 
intended  to  seize  them.  Tiie  mutineers 
had  divided  themselves  into  four  parties, 
of  which  one  was  to  get  possession  of  the 
magazine,  the  second  of  the  wardroom, 
the  third  of  the  cabin,  and  the  fourth  of 
the  upper  deck  aft.  In  case  the  officers 
should  resist,  the  four  nine-pound  guns 
on  the  forecastle  (which  one  of  the  muti- 
neers, a gunner’s  mate,  had  secretly  load- 
ed with  canister)  were  to  be  pointed  aft, 
and  thus  sweep  the  quarter-deck.  A sen 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


r 

I 

RKVOLDTTONAKY.]  LAFAYI^TTE’S  RECEPTION  IN  FRANCE.  fi81 


geant  of  marines,  who  was  also  one  of  the 
parfy,  had  privately  distributed  firearms 
and  side-weapons  among  his  associates. 

The  officers,  passengers,  and  those  who 
were  in  the  interest  of  the  ship,  were  sev- 
erally to  be  dealt  with  as  follows:  Cap- 
tain Landais,who  was  particularly  odious, 
was  to  be  heavily  ironed,  and  sent  adrift 
on  the  sea,  in  a boat,  without  food,  water, 
oars,  sails,  or  compass.  The  rnai'ine  offi- 
cer and  the  surtfeon  were  to  be  handed 
and  quartered.  The  gunner,  carpenter, 
and  boatswain,  were  to  be  killed  on  the 
spot.  The  sailing-master  was  to  be  seized, 
hanged  up  to  the  mizzen-mast,  scarified, 
cut  into  morsels,  and  thrown  overboard. 
To  each  of  the  two  lieutenants  was  to  be 
offered  the  choice  of  either  navigating  the 
ship  into  the  nearest  British  port  or  of 
walking  the  plank.”  The  passengers 
were  to  be  more  humanely  treated,  as  it 
was  intended  only  to  iron  them  and  de- 
liver them  up  in  England  as  prisoners. 
This  diabolical  conspiracy  was,  however, 
thwarted  by  the  disclosure  of  the  Ameri- 
can sailor. 

Not  a moment  was  to  be  lost;  and  ac- 
cordingly. Captain  Landais, having  armed 
his  officers  and  passengers, rushed  up  with 
them  in  a body  on  deck  just  in  time  to 
seize  the  ringleaders  of  the  mutiny  before 
the  signal  was  given  for  the  beginning 
of  operations.  Thirty  or  forty  English 
sailors  were  put  in  irons;  but,  as  at  this 
nioment  a twenty-gun  ship  of  the  enemy 
hove  in  sight,  it  was  thought  imprudent  | 
to  arrest  any  more.  Landiiis,  with  most  j 
of  his  crew  in  a state  of  mutiny,  did  not 
care  to  show  fight,  and  therefore  so  ma- 
noeuvred as  to  avoid  an  engiigement,  and, 
80 


crowdini^  on  sail,  made  his  way 

•11,,  , 1 , Feb.  6. 

with  all  haste  to  the  liarbor  of 

Brest,  where  the  Alliance  arrived  after  a 

short  passage.* 

The  young  marquis  was  greeted  on  his 
arrival  with  great  applause.  “ 1 had  the 
honor,”  he  wrote,  ‘‘  of  being  consulted  by 
all  the  ministers,  and,  wluit  was  far  better, 
embraced  by  all  the  ladies.  Those  em- 
braces lasted  but  one  day  ; but  I retained 
for  a greater  length  of  time  the  confidence 
of  the  cabinet,  and  I enjoyed  both  favor 
at  the  court  of  Versailles  and  popularity 
at  Paris.  1 was  the  theme  of  conversa- 
tion in  every  circle.” 

Louis  XVI.  deemed  it  necessary  to  vin- 
dicate his  authority  by  the  fornialit}^  of  a 
rebuke  to  the  young  marquis  for  his  for- 
mer disobedience  in  leaving  the  country 
contrary  to  orders;  but,  with  wonderful 
Erench  tact,  his  majesty  contrived  to 
sweeten  his  censure  with  a compliment. 
Lafayette  was  forbidden  to  quit  Paris  for 
some  days,  and  told  to  avoid  those  places 
in  which  the  public  might  consecrate 
his  disobedience  by  their  loud  applause.” 
Queen  Marie  Antoinette,  then  in  all  the 
pride  of  her  youthful  beauty,  and  with  no 
dread  of  days  of  terror,  received  the  rev- 
olutionary hero  with  every  mark  of  favor. 
Through  her  intercession,  Lafayette  was 
given  the  command  of  the  dragoons  of 
the  king’s  guard ; and  this  young  enthu- 
siast of  liberty  was  warmed  in  the  very 
bosom  of  despotism. 

In  the  beginning  of  December,  Wash- 
ington disposed  his  army  in  its  winter 
quarters.  The  troops  under  Gen- 
eral Putnam  were  stationed  at  Dan- 

* Cooper. 


GS2  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

bury,  in  Connecticut;  those  under  Gen- 

tisanship  of  the  public  men  by  whom  he 

eral  M‘Douo-all  in  the  Hio-hlands  of  the 

found  himself  surrounded  at  the  capital. 

Hudson ; and  the  main  body,  under  tlie 

“If  I were  called  upon,”  he  wrote,  “to 

commander-in-chief,  in  the  neighborhood 

draw  a picture  of  the  times  and  of  men. 

of  Middlebrook,  in  New  Jersey.  Here 

from  what  I have  seen,  heard,  and  in  part 

the  old  expedient  of  hutting  was  resort- 

know,  I should  in  one  word  say  that  idle,- 

ed  to;  but,  as  the  soldiers  w'ere  better 

ness,  dissipation,  and  extravagance,  seem  to 

clothed,  and  as  it  was  hoped  that  they 

have  laid  fast  hold  of  most  of  them  ; that  spec- 

would  be  better  p-o visioned,  the  prospect 

nlation,  peculation,  and  an  insatiable  thirst  for 

was  more  promising  at  Middlebi’ook  than 

riches,  seem  to  have  got  the  better  of  every  other 

during  the  previous  year  at  Valle}^  Forge. 

comideration,  and  almost  of  every  order  of 

Washington  was  urged  to  pass  the  win- 

men  ; that  patiy  disputes  and  personal  quarrels 

ter,  with  his  wife,  at  Philadelphia,  where 

are  the  great  business  of  the  day  ; tvhile  the 

General  Arnold  was  in  command,  and 

MOMENTOUS  CONCERNS  OF  AN  EMPIRE,  a great 

where  Joseph  Reed,  now  president  of 

and  accumulating  debt,  ruined  finances,  depre- 

Pennsylvania,  dwelt.  “Were  I to  give 

dated  money,  and  tvant  of  credit  ( tvhich  in  its 

in  to  private  conveniency  and  amuse- 

consequences  is  the  want  of  everything ),  are 

ment,”  he  wrote  in  answer,  “I  should  not 

but  secondary  considerations,  and  postponed 

be  able  to  resist  the  invitation  of  Tny 

from  day  to  day,  from  week  to  iveek,  as  if  oi.r 

friends  to  make  Philadelphia,  instead  of 

affairs  wore  the  most  promising  aspects 

a squeezed-up  room  or  two,  my  quarters 

By  his  personal  efforts  and  tact  in  the 

for  the  winter.  But  the  affairs  of  the 

control  of  others,  Washington  succeeded 

army  require  my  constant  atlezition  and 

in  securing  unusual  comfort  and  good  dis- 

presence,  and,  circumstanced  as  matters 

cipline  among  his  troops.  By  timely  in- 

are  at  this  time,  call  for  some  degree  of 

terpositioiijhe  prevented  what  threatened 

care  and  address  to  keep  it  from  crum- 

to  prove  a serious  mutiny  on  the  part  of 

bling.” 

tlie  officers  attached  to  the  New-Jersey 

The  commander-in-chief,  however,  vis- 

brigade  of  General  Maxwell,  who  were 

ited  Philadelphia  during  the  winter,  where 

ordered  to  join  Sullivan  in  the  expedition 

Congress  had  been  in  session  since  the 

against  the  tribes  of  the  Six  Nations.  The 

evitcuation  of  the  city  by  the  British  in 

officers  were  induced  to  withdraw  a me- 

the  previous  May.  His  object  was  to  con- 

morial  which  they  had  drawn  up  and  sent 

fer  with  the  members  of  the  government 

to  the  legislature,  in  which  they  declared 

in  regard  to  the  coming  campaign  (1779). 

that  they  would  not  march  until  their  ar- 

The  result  was,  a determination  to  pursue 

rears  of  pay  were  settled  ; and,  by  the  dis- 

at  the  North  a defensive  policy,  with  the 

creet  management  of  Washington,  they 

exception  of  the  e.xpedition  against  the 

were  prevailed  upon  to  proceed  to  their 

Indians,  which  we  have  already  related. 

duty. 

Washington’s  piitriotism  was  greatly 

General  Putnam  was  not  so  successful 

shocked  by  the  seKish  intrigues  and  par- 

with  his  division  at  Danby  The  men  did 

RF.VOT.UTIONARY.J  IIOT.YDAY  FP:.STIVITIES  IN  THE  AMERICAN  CAMP.  683 


not  get  under  cover  in  their  huts  until 

some  time  in  Jnnunry ; and  while 

1779,  . . . 

obliged  to  remain  in  their  tents  in 
the  height  of  winter,  they  suffered  greatly 
from  the  exposure  to  cold.  Provisions, 
too,  became  so  scanty,  that  for  six  or  nine 
days  together  the  soldier  was  in  want  of 
his  ration  of  bread.  A revolt  took  place 
in  consequence  in  the  brigade  under  Gen- 
eral Huntington.  Four  hundred  men  got 
under  arms  and  marched  out  of  the  camp 
to  an  advantageous  ground  in  the  neigh- 
borlmod,  where  they  took  post,  and  ex- 
pected to  be  joined  by  others.  General 
Putnam, however, finally  succeeded  in  dis- 
persing the  mutineers  and  quelling  the 
rebellion. 

Though  for  awhile  there  seemed  an 
end  to  active  campaigning,  the  dull  rou- 
tine of  camp-life  was  enlivened  by  various 
distractions.  “Military  duty  not  being 
very  urgent,”  says  a contemporary  annal- 
ist, “ our  officers  appear  disposed  to  relax 
in  their  discipline,  and  contract  a habit 
approaching  to  dissipation.”  Late  sup- 
pers, with  music  and  dancing  continued 
“ through  half  the  night,”  became  the  fa- 
vorite amusements,  particularly  of  those 
hot  bloods  the  Virginian  and  Maryland 
officers.  Brigadier-General  Muhlenberg, 
wdio  had  doffed  the  surplice  for  the  con- 
tinental uniform,  and  preached  his  fare- 
well sermon  in  sword  and  cockade,  was 
among  the  most  hospitable  of  the  military 
Amphy  trions.  We  read  of  his  table  being 
loaded  with  “ fourteen  different  dishes,” 
and  surrounded  by  “ forty-one  respecta- 
ble officers”  as  guests.  The  wine  circu- 
lated freely,  toasts  passed,  and  “ humor- 
ous and  merr}^  songs”  were  sung;  while 


the  conviviality  and  gayety  were  length- 
ened out  to  a late  hour  in  the  night  with 
military  music,  dancing,  and  punch. 

Christmas  was  not  allowed  to  pass  with- 
out its  appropriate  banqueting;  and  on 
the  opening  of  the  year,  “ Colonel  Gibson 
made  an  entertainment,and  invited  all  the 
officers  of  his  regiment  to  dine  at  his  quar- 
ters in  the  country,  a short  distance  from 
camp”  The  guests  did  not  leave  the 
“amply-furnished”  table  until  evening, 
when  they  were  invited  to  the  hospitable 
quarters  of  iho.  ci-devant  parson,  Muhlen- 
berg. “Here  we  were  introduced,”  says 
the  writer  before  quoted,  “ to  a number 
of  ladies  assembled  to  unite  with  the  gen- 
tlemen in  the  ballroom;  a very  elegant 
supper  was  provided,  and  not  one  of  the 
company  was  permitted  to  retire  till  three 
o’clock  in  the  morning.  Thus  have  the 
gallant  Virginians  commenced  the  new 
year.”* 

The  anniversary  of  the  alliance  uith 
France  affords  the  camp  an  occasion  for 
a holyday,  and  it  is  celebrated  in  “ prop- 
er style”  near  headquarters.  A “splen- 
did entertainment”  was  given  by  General 
Knox  and  the  officers  of  the  artillery. 
General  and  Mrs.  Washington,  the  prin- 
cipal officers  of  the  army  and  their  wives, 
and  a number  of  the  leading  gentry  of 
the  neighborhood,  formed  “ the  brilliant 
assembly.”  About  four  o’clock,  sixteen 
cannon  were  discharged,  and  the  guests 
collected  in  a large  public  building  to 
partake  of  the  banquet  prepared  for  the 
occasion.'  In  the  evening  fireworks  were 
let  off,  and  the  celebration  was  concluded 
“ by  a splendid  ball,  opened  by  his  excel- 

* Thacher. 


684  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n 

lency  General  Washington,  having  for  his 
pariner  the  lady  of  General  Knox.” 

The  command er-in-chief  gives  an  ex- 
ample of  hospitality  by  “ inviting  a cer- 
tain number  of  officers  to  dine  at  his  ta- 
ble every  day.”  As  his  excellency  can 
not  possibly  be  acquainted  with  every 
officer  by  name,  his  invitations  are  given 
through  the  medium  of  general  orders, 
in  which  is  mentioned  the  brigade  from 
which  the  officer  is  expected.  At  these 
dinners  the  table  is  “^elegantly  furnished 
and  the  provisions  ample,  but  not  abound- 
ing in  superfluities.”  Colonel  Hamilton, 
the  aid-de-camp  and  secretary,  does  the 
honors  at  the  head,  while  General  and 
Mrs.  Washington  sit  at  the  side  of  the 
table.  “ In  conversation,  his  excellency’s 
expressive  countenance  is  peculiarly  in- 
teresting and  pleasing;  a placid  smile  is 
frequently  observed  on  his  lips,  but  a 
loud  laugh,  it  is  said,  seldom  if  ever  es- 
capes him.  He  is  polite  and  attentive  to 
each  individual  at  table,  and  retires  after 
the  compliments  of  a few  glasses.  Mrs. 
Washington  combines  in  an  uncommon 
degree  great  dignity  of  manner  with  the 
most  pleasing  affability,  but  possesses  no 
striking  marks  of  beauty.” 

The  visit  to  the  camp  of  Monsieur  Ge- 
rard, the  French  minister,  and  Don  Juan 
de  Mirilliars,  a secret  Spanish  agent — 
whose  arrival  is  announced  by  the  firing 
of  thirteen  cannon  — was  the  occasion  for 
a grand  review  of  the  army,  Avhen  Baron 
Steuben’s  good  offices  as  a disciplinarian 
were  made  manifest. 

The  whole  of  the  army  was  paraded  in 
martial  array  in  a spacious  field,  and  a 
stiige  Avas  erected  for  the  accommodation 

of  the  spectators.  “ At  the  signal  of  thir- 
teen cannon,  the  great  and  splendid  cav- 
alcade approached  in  martial  pomp  and 
style.  A very  beautiful  troop  of  light- 
horse,  commanded  by  Major  Lee,  a Vir- 
ginian, marched  in  front ; then  folloAved 
his  excellency  the  commander-in-chief 
and  his  aids-de-camp ; next  the  foreign 
ministers  and  their  retinue ; Avhile  the 
general  officers  and  their  aids  closed  the 
procession.  Having  arrived  on  the  field 
of  parade,  the  commander-in-chief,  with 
the  foreign  ministers  and  general  officers, 
passed  in  front  of  the  line  of  the  army, 
from  right  to  left,  in  review,  and  received 
the  military  honors  due  to  their  rank: 
after  which  the  gentlemen  dismounted 
and  retiVed  to  the  stage,  and  took  seats 
Avith  Mrs.  Washington,  Mrs.  Greene,  Mrs 
Knox,  and  a number  of  other  ladies,  Avho 
had  arrived  in  their  carriages. 

“The  army  then  performed  the  field 
manoeuvres  and  evolutions,  Avith  firing  of 
cannon  and  musketry.  The  business  of 
the  day  Avas  closed  by  the  troops  deploy- 
ing and  marching  in  front  of  the  stage, 
and  paying  the  marching  salute  to  their 
excellencies.” 

Washington’s  tall  figure  and  command- 
ing air  made  him  conspicuous  above  all 
others.  “ While  mounted  on  his  noble 
bay  charger,”  continues  our  annalist,  “ his 
stature  appears  remarkable ; and,  being 
a good  horseman,  he  displays  a lofty  car- 
riage and  benign  dignity  of  demeanor.’”^ 

In  a feAV  days  more,  some  native  gen- 
tlemen present  themselves  in  the  camp, 
Avhen  Washington  treats  them  to  a re- 
vieAv.  “ His  excellency,”  says  Thacher, 

* ThiichiT. 

REVOLUTIONARY."! 


CAMP-SCENES  AT  MIDDLEBROOK. 


with  his  usu.al  dignity,  followed  by  his 
mulatto-servant  Bill,  riding  a beautifid 
gray  steed,  passed  in  front  of  the  line  and 
received  the  salute.  He  was  accompa- 
nied by  a singular  group  of  savages,whose 
appe.arance  was  beyond  description  ludi- 
crous. Their  horses  were  of  the  mean- 
est kind,  some  of  them  destitute  of  sad- 
dles, and  old  lines  were  used  for  bridles. 
Their  personal  decorations  were  equally 
farcical,  having  their  faces  painted  of  va- 
rious colors,  jewels  suspended  from  their 
ears  and  noses,  their  heads  without  cov- 
ering except  tufts  of  hair  on  the  crown, 
and  some  of  them  wore  dirty  blankets 
over  their  slioulders  waving  in  the  wind.” 

Thus  passed  the  winter  and  early  spring 
of  1779,  in  a current  of  cheerfulness,  only 
disturbed  by  an  occasional  duel  or  an  ex- 
ecution. Captain  E gives  offence  to 

Captain  H , and  is  challenged  to  mor- 
tal combat.  E refuses,  and  H 

horsewhips  him.  E now  challenges 

H ! They  fight;  but,  quaintly  ob- 

serves our  annalist,  “no  blood  is  shed, 
and  not  even  a hair  of  their  heads  in- 
jured.” Both,  however,  retire  from  the 


G8o 

ground  perfectly  satisfied  that  the  breach 
in  their  “honor”  is  made  whole  — until 
the  next  occasion  for  repair! 

Five  soldiers,  condemned  to  death  for 
desertion  and  robbery,  are  led  to  the  gal- 
lows in  a cart,  seated  on  coffins,  and  with 
halters  about  their  necks.  A detachment 
of  troops  guards  the  unhappy  criminals, 
and  a large  concourse  of  spectators  gath- 
er in  a circle  about  the  place  of  execution. 
While  these  poor  wretches  are  awaiting 
the  fatal  moment  which  is  to  end  their 
earthly  existence,  three  of  them  receive  a 
pardon  from  the  humane  commander-in- 
chief,  “ who,”  justly  remarks  the  narrator 
of  these  incidents,  “ is  always  tenderly 
disposed  to  spare  the  lives  of  his  soldiers.” 
Two  of  the  condemned,  more  culpable 
than  the  others,  are  obliged  to  submit  to 
their  fate.  One  is  accompanied  to  the 
gallows  by  his  brother.  Their  warm  ex- 
pre.ssions  of  affection  bring  tears  upon  the 
cheeks  of  every  beholder.  They  cling 
to«:ether  in  the  fondest  embrace,  kissing; 
each  other,  until  the  hangman  is  forced 
to  part  them,  and  to  perform  his  cruel 
function. 


686  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ir. 

CHAPTER 

LXX  VII. 

Tno  Tory  Plunderers  in  East  Florida. — General  Robert  Howe  marolies  ajjainst  Them. — Off  for  Georgia. — Fort  lonvon 

abandoned. — General  Ilowe  retires  to  Savannah. — Disappointment. — The  British  Expedition. — Colonel  Campbell. — 

Ilis  Ciiaracter. — llis  Arrival  in  Georgia. — He  attacks  and  beats  Howe. — Howe  tried  and  acquitted  hv  Coitrt-lMartial. 

— Hi.s  Fault. — General  Prevo.st  on  the  iMarch. — He  tak 

3s  Siinhury. — He  anives  at  Savannah. — All  Georgia  for  the 

Biitish — Howe  recalled. — General  Lincoln  appointed  to  the  Command  of  the  Americans. — His  Life  and  Character.— 

His  Arrival  in  Georgia. — Success  of  Moultrie  at  Port  Royal. — Lincoln  resolves  to  act. — General  Ashe  defeated  bv 
Campbell. — Restoration  of  Confidence  among  the  Tories. — March  of  Prevost  through  South  Carolina. — Retreat  of 
Moultrie. — Charleston  aroused. — Energy  of  Governor  Rutledge. — Gallant  Sortie  of  Count  Pulaski.  — Proposition  of 
the  Charleston  Authorities. — No  Politician.— Lincoln  advances. — Prevost  retires. 

The  tories  had  gathered  in  con- 
1778*  ^ 

siderable  force  in  East  Florida  late 

hardly  one  half  were  fit  for  duty.  The 
American  commander  therefore  resolved 

in  the  antumn,  whence  they  crossed  into 

upon  retiring,  and  returned  to  Savannah, 

Georgia,  and  plundered  and  laid  waste 

where,  upon  his  arrival,  he  gave  such  a 

the  country.  General  Robert  Howe,  who 

sorry  account  of  his  expedition  as  created 

was  chief  in  command  of  the  troops  of  tlie 

great  disappointment. 

southern  states,  now  collected  a force  of 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  apprized  of  the  ap- 

two  thousand  men  (a  few  of  whom  were 

parent  ascendency  of  the  loyalists  at  the 

continental  soldiers,  but  the  greater  por- 

South,  determined  to  strengthen  the  Brit- 

tion  South-Carolina  and  Georgia  militia). 

ish  influence  there  by  a vigorous  mani- 

and  prepared  to  advance  into  Florida  and 

festation  of  force.  Althoimh  the  larirer 

attack  the  tory  depredators  in  their  own 

portion  of  the  fleet  under  Admiral  Byron, 

haunts.  He  was  already  on  his  march, 

who  succeeded  Lord  Howe,  had  sailed  for 

when  he  learned  that  the  enemy,  with  a 

the  West  Indies  (after  looking  into  Bos- 

body  of  tories  and  Indiiins,  were  also  on 

ton  harbor,  and  finding  Count  d’Estaing 

the  move,  to  invade  Georgia.  General 

too  strongly  moored  to  be  disturbed),  a 

Howe  hastened  to  meet  them ; and,  on 

considerable  number  of  men-of-war  M'ere 

reaching  Fort  Tony  on,  situated  on  the 

still  at  New  York.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  ac- 

St.  Mary’s  river,  he  found  the  works  piir- 

cordingly  despatched  a body  of  about  two 

tially  demolished  and  abandoned  by  the 

thousand  troops  for  the  South  under  the 

enemy,  who  had  retired  as  he  advfinced. 

orders  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell, 

and  were  retreating  toward  St.  Augustine. 

in  a squadron  commanded  by  Commodore 

Dissension  now  occurred  among  Howe’s 

Hyde  Parker. 

officers,  and  the  climate  of  that  region  of 

Campbell  was  the  officer  who  had  been 

swamps  began  to  sicken  the  men.  In  a 

captured  off  Boston,  and  suffered  so  long 

short  time,  disease  and  death  had  so  di- 

an  imprisonment,  till  he  was  exchanged 

minished  and  weakened  the  troops,  that 

for  General  Lee.  He  was  possessed  of 

1 

■ 

r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  INVASION  OF  GEORGIA.— AMERICANS  DEFEATED.  687 


great  military  skill,  and  tact  in  concilia- 
ting his  enemies.  No  better  man  could 
have  been  selected  to  conduct  the  soutb- 
ern  expedition.  He  arrived  off  the  coast 
of  Georgia  near  the  close  of  the  year,  and, 
having  sailed  up  the  Tybee  for  twelve 
^ miles,  debarked  bis  troops  about 

three  miles  below  Savannah,  the 
capital  of  the  state.  General  Prevost,  who 
was  in  command  of  the  British  force  in 
Florida,  was  ordered  to  co-operate  with 
Campbell  by  marching  into  Georgia  from 
the  south. 

Major-General  Howe,  wdio  had  just  re- 
turned from  his  unfortunate  expedition 
against  the  tory  and  Indian  marauders  of 
East  Florida,  was  posted  with  one  thou- 
sand five  hundred  men  within  half  a mile 
of  Savannah.  His  ground  had  been  well 
selected.  Parallel  to  and  in  advance  of 
his  front  was  a lagoon,  over  which  the 
main  road  to  Savannah  passed  by  means 
of  a bridge,  but  which  the  American  com- 
mander destroyed,  in  order  to  prevent 
the  advance  of  the  British  from  the  town. 
H is  right  flank  was  covered  by  a morass, 
mostly  overgrown  with  a thick  wood,  with 
liere  and  there  a house,  however,  where 
some  riflemen  were  posted.  His  left  was 
protected  by  the  swamps  of  the  Savannah 
river,  which,  in  order  further  to  strength- 
en his  position,  he  had  connected  with  the 
morass  on  his  right  by  digging  a trench 
along  bis  front.  The  town  and  works  of 
Savannah  covered  his  rear.  Howe,  con- 
fident in  the  strength  of  his  ground,  calm- 
ly awaited  the  approach  of  the  enemy. 

As  the  British  van  came  up,  a skirmish 
took  place,  but  with  little  result,  beyond 
the  loss  of  a few  men  and  a brave  Eng- 


lish officer.  Lieutenant- Colonel  Camp 
bell  had  pushed  forward  with  the  first 
division  of  his  troops,  and  wms  reconnoi- 
tring Howe’s  position,  when  a negro  pre- 
sented himself,  who  undertook  to  point 
out  a by-path  that  led  through  the  swamp 
to  the  American  rear.  Campbell  gladly 
availed  himself  of  the  negro’s  information 
and  guidance,  and  instantly  made  them 
available  in  action. 

Sir  James  Baird  was  detached  with  the 
light-infantry  and  the  corps  of  New-York 
loyalists,  to  take  the  path  to  the  American 
rear  disclosed  by  the  negro  ; while  Camp- 
bell himself  remained  in  front,  arranging 
his  line  and  preparing  for  action.  He  in- 
tentionally delayed  his  attack  until  a fire 
in  the  American  rear  gave  proof  that  Sir 
Janies  had  accomplished  his  object.  The 
first  gun  was  a signal  for  general  <a.ssault. 
Campbell  pushed  on  promptly  in  front, 
while  Baird  pressed  in  toward  the  Ameri- 
can rear. 

General  Howe’s troop.s,  thus  surround- 
ed, were  broken  and  driven  in  confusion 
from  their  ground.  The  defeat  was  in- 
stantaneous and  decisive.  Never  was  a 
victory  of  such  magnitude  so  completely 
gained  with  so  little  loss,  the  British  hav- 
ing but  seven  killed  and  nineteen  wound- 
ed.* The  Americans  were  hotly  pursued 
through  Savannah,  and  Howe  was  only 
able  to  save  a small  remnant  of  his  force 
by  fleeing  up  the  river  and  escaping  into 
South  Carolina.  He  left  behind  him  five 
hundred  and  fifty  men  either  dead,  wound- 
ed, or  prisoners,  together  with  all  his  ar- 
tillery and  baggage. 

General  Howe  was  subsequently  tried 

* Lee's  Southern  V/ur. 


388  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

by  court-martial,  but  acquitted.  What- 
ever may  have  been  his  skill,  however,  in 
the  choice  of  his  ground,  and  his  gallantry 
in  awaiting  the  attack  of  a superior  ene- 
my, he  certainly  was  amenable  to  the 
charge  of  a want  of  due  circumspection, 
in  leaving  the  by-path  which  led  to  his 
rear,  open  to  the  advance  of  the  enemy. 
It  could  hardly  have  been  from  ignorance 
— for  “ how  happens  it,”  as  the  historian 
asks,  “ that  he  who  had  been  in  command 
in  that  country  for  many  months,  shoidd 
not  have  discovered  the  by-way  passing  to 
liis  rear,  when  LieutenantrColonel  Camp- 
bell contrived  to  discover  it  in  a few 
hours?”* 

Brigadier-General  Prevost  was  equally 
effective  in  accomplishing  his  part  of  the 
enterprise.  Early  in  January,  he 
rapidly  marched  northward  and  en- 
tered Georgia.  Immediately  investing 
Sunbury,  below  Savannah,  he  compelled 
it  to  surrender;  and,  having  left  a garri- 
son in  the  fort,  proc^ded  to  the  latter 
town  without  opposition.  Being  superior 
in  rank,  Prevost  assumed  the  chief  com- 
mand of  all  the  royal  forces  at  the  South, 
and  detached  his  subordinate  against  Au- 
gusta. Campbell  got  possession  of  the 
town  -without  striking  a blow.  In  the 
course  of  a short  month,  the  whole  state 
of  Georgia  was  restored  to  the  authority 
of  the  British  crown.  Nor  was  this  result 
due  more  to  the  strength  of  the  enemy’s 
arms  than  to  the  conciliatory  tact  of  the 
British  generals.  Both  Cauq:)bell  and  Pre- 
vost spared  the  property  and  protected 
the  lives  of  the  vanquished.  Tliis  pru- 
dent policy  soon  produced  its  legiiimate 

♦ Lee. 

fruits,  and  was  rewarded  with  the  affec- 
tions of  the  people,  who  now'  flocked  to 
the  British  standard. 

After  taking  possession  of  Augusta,  as 
already  mentioned.  Lieutenant- Colonel 
Hamilton  was  detached  into  the  interior 
of  Georgia,  in  order  to  crush  any  remain- 
ing resistance,  and  to  encourage  the  loy- 
alists to  come  forward  and  aid  in  com- 
pleting the  establishment  of  royal  author- 
ity in  the  state.  Colonel  Pickens,  of  South 
Carolina,  hastily  gathered  his  regiment 
of  militia,  and  marched  into  Georgia,  with 
the  view  of  thwarting  the  progress  of  Brit- 
ish influence.  Advancing  toward  Hamil- 
ton, he  was  on  the  point  of  giving  him 
battle,  when,  finding  him  too  strong,  sus- 
tained as  he  was  by  the  co-operation  of 
the  inhabitants,  he  retired.  On  his  re- 
turn, Pickens  fell  in  with  a party  of  loy 
alists,  under  Colonel  Boyd.  These  ma- 
rauders were  desolatimj  the  fi-ontier  of 
South  Carolina,  on  their  way  to  join  the 
royal  troops,  and  were  now'  encountered 

at  Kettle  creek,  within  tw’o  days’ 

1 CA  . A • Feb.  14. 

marcli  ot  Augusta.  A saimuina- 

O O 

ry  struggle  took  place,  in  which  the  tory 
leader  and  seventy  of  his  followers  hav- 
ing been  slain,  and  an  equal  number  ta- 
ken prisoners,  the  rest  fled.  This  was 
the  only  check  received  by  the  British 
during  their  invasion  of  Georgia,  Savan- 
nah being  made  the  headquarters  of  their 
army  in  the  South,  and  retained  as  such 
“until  near  the  close  of  the  contest,  in 
1782,  w'hen  every  rood  of  the  soil,  out- 
side  of  the  intrenchments  around  that 
city,  w'as  in  possession  of  the  l epublicans.” 

The  fatality  which  seemed  to  attend 
the  expeditions  of  General  Robert  Howe 

r 

1 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  BENJAMIN  LINCOLN.  (j8'j 

created  a strong  prejudice  against  him ; 
and  the  dele<j:ates  in  Congress  from  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia  clamorously  insist- 
ed upon  the  substitution  in  his  place  of  a 

General  Lincoln  reached  Charleston  in 
January,  soon  after  Howe’s  disaster  at  Sa- 
vannah, and  immediately  hurried 
into  Georgia,  where  he  gathered  the 

more  experienced  general.  At  the  same 

scattered  American  force,  and,  uniting  it 

time,  the  states  of  Virginia  and  North 

with  the  Carolina  troops,  stationed  his 

Carolina  were  urgently  appealed  to  for 

army  at  Purysburg,  on  the  Savannah  riv- 

succor.  The  latter  promptly  responded, 

er,  about  fifteen  miles  above  the  city  of 

and  sent  to  the  aid  of  her  suffering  sister- 

Savannah.  The  American  troops  were 

state  two  thousand  militia,  under  Gener- 

less  than  four  thousand  in  number,  and 

als  Ashe  and  Rutherford.  As  these  were, 

of  these  only  eleven  hundred  were  regu- 

however,  unarmed,  it  \vas  some  time  be- 

lar  soldiers,  the  rest  being  raw  militia. 

fore  they  could  be  of  effective  service.  In 

The  enemy’s  forces  amounted  to  about 

the  meantime.  Congress  appointed  Major- 

the  same  as  the  Americans;  but,  as  they 

General  Lincoln,  of  Massachusetts,  com- 

were  distributed  at  difi'erent  posts  from 

mander  of  the  southern  department,  in 

Savannah  to  Augusta,  a distnnce  of  one 

the  place  of  General  Howe,  who  joined 

hundred  miles,  they  were  not  sufficiently 

the  main  army,  under  Washington. 

concentrated  to  act  with  much  effect  on 

Benjamin  Lincoln  led  the  life  of  a farm- 

the  offensive.  The  Briti.sh  general,  more- 

er  near  Hingham,in  Massachusetts,  his  na- 

over,  was  for  the  present  contented  with 

tive  town,  until  he  was  more  than  forty 

the  possession  of  Georgia,  which  he  strove 

years  of  age.  Patriotism  made  a soldier 

to  retain  by  maintaining  his  long  line  of 

of  him,  and,  after  serving  as  an  officer  in 

defence.  Lincoln,  in  the  meanwhile,  al- 

the  militia,  he  was  appointed  in  1777  a 

though  he  held  his  force  compactly  to- 

major-general  in  the  continental  army. 

gether,  did  not  for  some  time  seem  to  be 

He  served  with  Gates  at  Saratoga,  where 

disposed  to  begin  opei-ations. 

he  was  wounded.  His  great  influence  in 

General  Prevost,  anxious  to  establish 

his  native  state  was  exercised  much  to 

a post  in  South  Cai’olina,  preparatory  to 

the  advantage  of  the  American  northern 

the  future  purposes  of  his  campaign,  de- 

campaign,  at  a time  when  the  first  tri- 

tached  two  hundred  men  by  sea  to  take 

umphs  of  Burgoyne  had  depressed  the 

possession  of  Port  Royal,  an  island  near 

hopes  of  the  eastern  patriots.  “ Upright, 

Charleston.  They  succeeded  in  making 

mild,  and  amiable,  he  was  universally  re- 

good  their  landing,  but  were  soon  ousted 

spected  and  beloved ; a truly  good  man. 

by  the  brave  Colonel  Moultrie,  who,  at  the 

and  a brave  and  prudent  but  not  consum- 

head  of  a few  hundred  militia,  drove  the 

mate  soldier,”  is  the  character  written  of 

British  from  the  island,  and  would  have 

him  by  Harry  Lee.  In  person,  he  was 

totally  destroyed  them  had  not  the  am- 

large  and  corpulent,  and  the  heaviest  offi- 

munition  given  out.  Some  well-known 

cer  in  the  army,  his  weight  at  one  time 

Carolina  name.s,  as  Barnwell,  Heyward, 

being  about  three  hundred  pounds. 

87 

Rutledge,  and  Wilkins,  were  among  those 

1 

1 

-- 

1 

GOO  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Impart  it. 


which  became  distinguished  in  the  con- 
flict of  that  day. 

General  Lincoln,  being  strengthened 
by  a large  accession  of  militia  from  the 
Carolinas,  now  resolved  upon  action.  Fif- 
teen hundred  men,  of  whom  one  hundred 
only  were  reguinrs,  were  detached,  under 
General  Ashe,  of  North  Carolina, 
’ ” ’ to  take  post  on  the  Carolina  side 
of  the  Savannah  river,  opposite  Augusta. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell,  who  was 
stationed  in  the  town,  fell  back  immedi- 
ately on  the  approach  of  the  Americans, 
and,  crossing  Biier  cieek,  encamped  at 
Hudson’s  ferry,  twenty-four  miles  above 
Ebenezer,  where  General  Prevost  had  his 
headquarters. 

Lincoln’s  object  was,  if  possible,  to  cut 
olT  the  enemy  from  the  northern  part  of 
Georgia;  and  therefore, after  securing  the 
posts  along  the  Savannah,  on  the  Carolina 
side,  he  ordered  General  Ashe  to  cross  the 
river,  with  the  view  of  keeping  the  Brit- 
ish within  the  lower  country,  along  the 
seaboard,  where  the  malaria  of  that  un- 
healthy region  would  prove  a formidable 
scourge  to  the  invaders  during  the  ensu- 
ing summer  heats.  Ashe,  in  accordance 
with  General  Lincoln’s  direction.s,  posted 
himself  behind  Brier  creek,  where  it  falls 
into  the  Savannah,  forty  miles  below  Au- 
gusta. Prevost  determined  to  dislodge 
him.  To  conceal  his  object,  the  British 
general  made  a feint  of  crossing  the  Sa- 
vannah with  his  main  body.  While  Ashe 
was  concentrating  his  attention  upon  this 
demonstration,  Prevost  marched  with  a 
strong  detachment  for  a distance  of  fifty 
miles  — forded  Brier  creek,  fifteen  miles 
above  the  American  camp  — and  fell  sud- 


denly upon  its  rear.  The  hand- 
ful of  continental  troops,  under  '^^^**®**  ^ 
Elbert,  made  a brave  though  vain  resist- 
ance; but  the  militia  wmre  driven  away 
in  confused  flight.  The  British  loss  was 
insignificant, Avhile  only  four  hundred  and 
fifty  of  the  Americans  ever  rejoined  the 
army.  Some  were  killed,  others  perished 
I in  the  morasses,  and  many  were  drowned 
in  attempting  to  cross  the  Savannah  riv- 
er. By  this  disaster,  one  fourth  part  of 
Lincoln’s  small  force  w’as  destroyed. 

The  spirit  of  loyalty  in  Georgia  to  the 
British  throne,  which  had  been  tempora- 
rily discouraged  by  the  advance  of  the 
American  troops,  and  the  retirement  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell  from  Au- 
gusta, was  now  revived  by  the  success  of 
Prevost.  But  in  the  neighboring  state 
of  South  Carolina,  the  disasters  of  the 
American  arms  in  Georgia  only  served  to 
reanimate  the  people  to  more  vigorous 
exertions  for  the  cause  of  independence. 
John  Rutledge,  being  immediately  ap- 
pointed governor,  and  invested  with  the 
powers  of  a dictator,  imparted  resolution 
to  all  by  his  wise  counsebs,  his  eloquent 
appeals,  and  firm  conduct.  The  militia 
rallied  to  the  American  standard,  and  Gen- 
eral Lincoln  (whose  force  had  now  in- 
creased to  five  thousand  men)  was  en- 
couraged in  his  efforts  to  hold  Augusta 
and  the  upper  part  of  Georgia. 

Having  left  a thousand  men,  under  the 
command  of  Moultrie,  to  defend  the  posts 
of  Purysburg  and  Black  swamp,  Lincoln 
in  the  latter  part  of  A )ril  moved  toward 
Augusta.  AVhile  he  was  marching  along 
the  right  bank  of  the  Savannah,  General 
Prevost,  aware  of  the  movement,  took  ad- 


• «EVO£.miONART.]  THE  BRITISH  APPEAR  BEFORE  CHARLESTON.  cyl 

vantage  of  the  American  commander’s 

reserve  militia,  was  in  the  interior ; Moul- 

absence,  and  crossed  the  river  to  Pnrjs- 

trie,  with  his  handful  of  men,  was  in  re- 

burg  with  two  thousand  regulars,  and  a 

treat;  the  inhabitants  of  |he  state  were 

considerable  body  of  loyalists  and  Creek 

panic-stricken,  and  many  in  their  frigh 

Indians.  After  entering  South  Carolina, 

appealed  to  the  British  for  protection. 

and  finding  Purysburg  abandoned,  the 

Prevost  might  now  have  pushed  on  and 

British  general  made  a forced  march  du- 

carried  Charleston  by  a coup  de  main.  For 

ring  the  night,  in  the  hope  of  overtaking 

some  unaccountable  reason,  however,  he 

Moultrie  at  Black  swamp.  He  wa.s,  how- 

delayed  for  two  or  three  days  on  his  march. 

ever,  three  hours  too  late. 

and  lost  his  chance. 

Moultrie,  being  joined  by  Colonel  M‘In- 

The  threatened  city,  in  the  meantime. 

tosh,  who  had  made  a timely  retreat  from 

was  aroused  from  tlie  lethargy  of  despair 

Purysburg,  took  post  at  Tulifinnee  bridge, 

to  the  activity  of  hope.  The  lieutenant- 

leaving  L ieutenant-Colonel  L aurens,  with 

governor  and  tlie  council  made  the  great- 

a small  party  of  continental  troops  and  a 

est  exertions  to  stimulate  the  energies  of 

body  of  militia,  at  Coosawhatchie  bridge ; 

the  inhabitants.  Every  effort  was  made 

which,  however,  after  a gallant  defence. 

to  fortify  the  town.  “ Masters  and  ser- 

in  which  he  was  wounded,  he  was  forced 

vants,  boys  and  girls,”  says  Lee,  “n\ixed 

to  abandon  on  the  advance  of  Prevost. 

in  the  honorable  work  of  self-defence.” 

The  British  general’s  object  was  Charles- 

All  the  houses  in  the  suburbs  were  burnt. 

ton,  by  threatening  which  he  hoped  to 

Intrenchments  and  abuttis  of  trees  were 

divert  Lincoln,  who  had  now  recrossed 

extended  from  Ashley  to  Cooper  rivers. 

the  Savannah,  from  his  Georgia  project. 

and  cannon  mounted  across  the  whole  ex- 

The  latter,  however,  thinking  Prevost’s 

tent  of  Charleston  neck.  The  militia  of 

movement  was  but  a feint,  persevered. 

the  neighborhood  thronged  in  at  the  call 

and  contented  himself  with  despatching 

of  the  lieutenant-governor. 

a party  of  three  hundred  infantry,  under 

General  Moultrie’s  retreating  troops  at 

Colonel  Harris,  to  reinforce  Moultrie,  and 

length  arrived.  Governor  Rutledge  and 

aid  him  in  opposing  the  march  of  the  Brit- 

the  militia,  with  a reinforcement  of  con- 

ish  through  South  Carolina. 

tinental  troops,  followed,  having  hurried 

May  1 General  Prevost,  nevertheless. 

forward  by  forced  marches.  On  the  10th 

proceeded  on  his  march  toward 

of  May,  all  were  in  the  town. 

Charleston.  Moultrie  continued  to  retreat 

It  was  not  until  the  next  day  that  nine 

before  him ; and,  having  no  cavalry,  he 

hundred  of  the  British  troops  crossed  the 

was  unable  to  check  the  British  advance, 

Ashley  river,  and  appeared  be- 

and  only  to  embarrass  it  by  destroying 

fore  the  town.  The  main  body,  *** 

the  bridges.  The  march  of  the  British 

with  the  baggage,  were  left  on  the  other 

commander  through  South  Carolina  was 

side.  The  spirited  Pulaski,  with  his  le- 

triumphant.  General  Lincoln  was  away 

gion  of  light-horse,  arrived  to  aid  in  the 

in  Georgia ; Governor  Rutledge,  w'ith  the 

rescue  of  Charleston  on  the  very  day  on 

692 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II 


which  the  British  presented  themselves, 
lie  strove  to  make  himself  useful  on  the 
moment.  The  English  had  hardly  arrived 
two  hours,  when  the  gallant  Pole  led  a 
body  of  horse  and  some  infantry  beyond 
the  lines,  and,  having  stationed  the  latter 
in  a valley,  behind  a small  breastwork, 
endeavored  to  draw  the  enemy  into  an 
ambuscade.  Advancing  at  the  head  of  a 
troop  of  horse,  Pulaski  provoked  an  en- 
gagement with  the  British  cavalry,  and 
then  retreated  to  the  infantry.  The  lat- 
ter, however,  in  their  eagerness  to  engage, 
had  left  their  ambush,  aud  thus  thwarted 
the  design. 

A struggle  ensued,  in  which  the  Brit- 
ish, with  their  superior  numbers,  had  the 
advantage.  Count  Pulaski,  by  personal 
activity  and  bravery,  did  all  in  his  power 
to  compensate  for  the  imprudence  of  his 
men,  but  was  finally  obliged  to  retreat 
within  the  lines. 

That  the  town  might  not  be  assaulted 
by  surprise  during  the  night,  tar-barrels 
were  lighted  up  in  front  of  the  works. 
This  precaution  gave  rise  to  an  accident 
which  was  greatly  lamented  in  South  Car- 
olina, as  it  deprived  the  state  of  one  of 
its  most  devoted  patriots.  Governor  Rut- 
ledcje,  havino;  discovered  a breach  in  the 
ahaitis,  sent  Major  Benjamin  Huger,  at  the 
head  of  a small  party,  to  repair  it.  The 
garrison,  seeing  by  the  light  of  the  tar- 
barrels  some  men  at  the  works,  and  not 
being  aware  of  their  purpose,  took  them 
for  enemie.s,  and  fired  upon  them,  killing 
Huger  and  twelve  of  his  men. 

On  the  following  day  a council  was 
held,  when,  as  there  was  little 
ti  ust  to  be  put  in  the  military 


Way  12. 


conduct  of  the  three  thousand  three  hun- 
dred troops  which  defended  the  city,  they 
being  chiefly  raw  militia;  and  as,  although 
Lincoln  was  now  marching  to  their  assist- 
ance, the  time  of  his  arrival  was  uncertain, 
it  was  determined  by  a majority  of  the 
civil  (though  not  of  the  military)  officers 
to  make  a proposition  to  the  British  gen- 
eral. 

The  proposition  was  as  follows : “ That 
South  Carolina  will  remain  in  a state  of 
neutrality  till  the  close  of  the  war,  and 
then  follow  the  fate  of  its  neighbors,  on 
condition  that  the  royal  army  will  with- 
draw.”* The  British  commander  bluntly 
rejected  this  offer,  declaring  that  he  was 
no  politician,  and  demanded  that,  as  the 
garrison  were  in  arms,  they  should  sur 
render  as  prisoners-of-war.  This  was  an- 
swered by  an  absolute  refusal. 

* “ To  gain  time,”  saj  s Simms,  “ was  of  the  utmost  con- 
■ tquenee.  A day  was  consumed  in  tendering  and  returning 
lags.  Prevost  was  deluded.  The  better  to  beguile  him,  a 
urge  hope  was  held  out  as  a lure  to  expectation.  The  com- 
missioners were  instructed  to  propose  the  neutrality  of  South 
Carolina  during  the  war,  and  that  the  future  of  the  state 
should  be  determined  by  the  event  of  the  war. 

“It  has  been  assumed,  by  certain  writers,  that  this  offer 
was  made  in  good  faith  ; and  it  was  the  policy  of  Rutledge 
that  it  should  appear  so.  Tliere  were  hundreds  of  loyalists 
in  the  city  who  found  means  to  communicate  by  night  with 
the  enemy.  It  was  necessary  that  people  and  army  should 
equally  believe  that  the  governor  and  his  council  were  in 
earnest,  in  order  that  Prevost  should  believe  it  also.  Mean- 
time, the  end  was  gained. 

“Prevost  discovered,  after  awhile,  that  the  negotiations 
did  not  include  the  army  ; that,  even  if  the  city  were  surren- 
dered, the  troops  in  it  might  all  cross  to  the  east  side  of  the 
Cooper,  and  escape;  and  that  he  should  only  possess  the 
shell  of  the  oyster.  He  demanded  to  treat  with  the  military 
commandant,  who  was  Moultrie.  When  Rutledge  referred 
the  matter  finally  to  him,  he  e.xclaimcd,  ‘I  will  save  the 
city  1’  and  his  exclamation  excited  the  people  to  enthusiasm. 
They  had  heard  of  the  negotiations.  They  were  roused  to 
mutiny,  people  and  army  ; and,  had  the  governor  and  coun- 
cil persisted,  which  we  have  no  reason  to  suppose  that  they 
designed  to  do,  they  would  have  been  torn  in  pieces.” — Hin- 
tori/  of  South  Carolina,  p.  233. 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  PREVOST  RETREATS. 

-WE.STERN"  FORTS  CAPTURED.  G93 

Provost  now  prepared  for  an  assault; 

region.  He  was  in  active  service  most 

but,  having  for  some  days  hesitated  to 

oi  the  time  till  the  close  of  the  Revolution. 

begin  operations, an  express  from  Lincoln 

Subsequently,  he  was  created  a major- 

Avas  in  the  meantime  captured.  This  slid- 

general  in  the  armies  of  France,  and  was 

denly  changed  his  plans;  for,  learning 

to  take  command  of  tlie  expedition  which 

that  the  American  general  was  rapidly 

Genet,  the  French  minister, endea  vored  to 

advancing  toward  Charleston,  he  feared 

organize  in  Kentucky  against  the  Span- 

that  he  might  be  caught  between  two 

iards  on  the  Mississippi,  but  which  failed. 

fires.  The  British  commander  noiv  pre- 

Clarke’s  operations  in  1778  Avere  in  the 

cipitately  quitted  his  ground.  lie  had 

present  states  of  Indiana  and  Illinois : the 

scarcely  crossed  the  Ashley  river,  when 

British  posts  of  Kaskaskia,  Cohokia,  and 

Lincoln  arrived  at  Dorchester,  ivithin  a 

Vincennes,  Avere  successively  captured. 

short  distance  of  Charleston.  Prevost 

In  January,  1779,  the  commander  of 

began  his  retreat,  by  means  of  the  boats 

the  enemy’s  post  at  Detroit  retook  Vin- 

at  his  command,  along  the  seacoast;  and. 

cennes.  Clarke,  Avith  one  hundred  and 

having  first  crossed  to  James’s  island,  he 

seventy-five  men,  penetrated  the  country 

finally  passed  over  to  John’s  island,  where 

from  the  Ohio,  in  February,  to  recover  it. 

he  awaited  the  reinforcements  which  he 

For  a Avhole  Aveek  they  traversed  “ the 

expected  to  receive  from  Sir  Henry  Clin- 

droAvned  lands”  of  lllinoLs,  suffering  ev- 

on  at  New  York. 

ery  privation  from  Avet,  cold,  and  hunger. 

West  of  the  Alleglianie.s,  where  pio- 

When  they  arrived  a t the  Little  Wabash, 

neers  from  the  seaboard  states  bad  plant- 

where  the  forks  of  the  streams  are  three 

ed  sparse  settlements,  the  storm  of  war 

miles  apart,  they  found  the  intervening 

was  meanwhile  sweeping.  Border  forays 

space  covered  Avith  snoA\^-water  to  the 

had  occurred  soon  after  the  war  broke 

depth  of  three  feet.  Over  a distance  of 

out;  and  finally,  in  1778,  a regular  expe- 

fiAm  miles  those  hardy  soldiers  travelled 

dition  against  the  English  frontier  posts 

through  the  chilling  flood,  in  the  deep 

northward  of  the  Ohio  had  been  led  by 

forest,  the  Avater  sometimes  up  to  their 

Major  George  Rogers  Clarke,  the  most 
active  of  the  military  commanders  of  that 

armpits.  At  last  they  appeared, 

AV'ith  their  faces  blackened  Avith 

region.  He  was  a Virginian  by  birth,  and 

gunpowder — a fearful  apparition  — be 

commanded  a company  in  Governor  Lord 

fore  the  fort  at  Vincennes.  Tavo  days 

Dunmore’s  army  in  1774.  The  following 

afterward,  the  stars  and  stripes  were  Ava- 

year  he  went  to  Kentucky,  and  became 

ving  in  triumph  over  that  little  fortress.* 

> 

the  leader  of  the  armed  settlers  in  that 

* Loosing. 

_ 

694 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


PART  1». 


CHAPTER  LXXYTTI. 

Ueneral  Lincoln  attacks  the  Enemy. — Forced  to  retire. — The  British  Policy  in  South  Carolina. — Devastation. — Plunder 
of  Property. — Nog:roes  enticed. — The  British  from  New  York  invade  Virginia. — Fall  of  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk. — 
Wanton  Devastation  and  Robbery. — Vain  Remonstrance  of  the  Assembly  of  Virginia. — Grand  Expedition  of  Sir 
Ilcrirv  Clinton. — He  takes  the  Fort  at  Stony  Point. — Verplanck’s  Point  surrendered. — The  British  Fleet  ascends  the 
Hudson. — Washington  moves  his  army  toward  West  Point. — Disposition  of  the  American  Force. — General  Wayne  on 
the  Practicability  of  retaking  Stony  Point. — British  Expedition  against  Connecticut. — Plunder  of  New  Haven. — Gov- 
ernor Tryon’s  Devastations  at  East  Haven. — Fairfield  in  Ashes. — Tryon’s  Conscience  pricked. — Loss  to  Connecticut. 
— Trvon  glorified. — Wayne  in  Readiness. — Description  of  Stony  Point. — Negro  Pompey. — Plan  and  Disposition  of  the 
Attack. — The  Guards  gagged. — Fleury  in  Advance. — The  Struggle. — Wayne  down. — He  is  carried  into  the  Fortress. — 
The  Victory. — A Characteristic.  Despatch. — The  Enemy’s  Guns  turned. — The  British  Fleet  slip  Anchors. — Stony 
Point  abandoned. — The  Works  at  West  Point 


1779. 


Prevost,  as  related  in  the  previ- 
ous chapter,  liaving  crossed  from 
Tames’s  to  John’s  island,  Genertd  Lincoln 
on  leaving  Dorchester  moved  along  the 
mainland  until  he  came  opposite  to  the 
British  encampment,  from  which  he  was 
now  only  separated  by  Stono  irdet.  Pre- 
vost having  marched  with  a body  of  his 
troops  to  the  Savannah  river,  Lincoln 
took  the  occasion  of  attacking  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Maitland,  who  Avas  left  in  com- 
mand of  the  remnant  of  the  British  force 
on  the  i.sland. 

The  attack  was  made  spirited- 
ly and  as  spiritedly  resisted.  The 
object  of  the  Americans,  however,  was  not 
gained,  and  they  were  forced  to  retreat 
to  the  mainland.  The  loss  on  both  sides 
was  about  equal. 

It  was  now  the  hottest  season  of  these 
Bouthern  latitudes,  and  all  active  hostili- 
ties ceased.  Prevost  reached  Savannah, 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Maitland, remain- 
ing in  South  Carolina,  took  post  at  Beau- 
fort, on  the  island  of  Port  Royal.  Lin- 
coln, with  his  force  diminished,  by  the  re- 


Jiiiie 20. 


turn  of  the  militia  to  their  homes,  to  about 
eight  hundred  men,  established  him.self 
at  Sheldon,  that  he  might  conveniently 
Avatch  the  movements  of  the  enemy  at 
Beaufort. 

The  British,  on  their  march  through 
South  Carolina,  did  not  pursue  the  same 
generous  policy  by  Avhich  they  had  gained 
over  the  inhabitants  of  Georgia.  The 
plantations  Avere  Avantonly  laid  Avaste,and 
the  houses  plundered  of  plate  and  jewel- 
ry. The  negroes  Avere  tempted  by  prom- 
ises of  freedom  to  abandon  their  masters, 
and  they  came  in  hundreds  to  join  the 
British,  to  Avhom  they  reA^ealed  the  hiding- 
places  of  the  planters’  property.  Three 
thousand  slaves  Avere  thus  lost  to  their 
masters ; some  Avere  enrolled  in  the  Brit- 
ish ranks,  but  not  a few  Avere  shipped  to 
to  the  West  Indies  and  sold.  South  Car- 
olina estimated  its  loss  in  labor  at  no  less 
than  tAvo  hundred  and  eighty  thousand 
dollars.* 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  still  intent  upon  his 
plan  of  detached  expeditions  to  ravage 


* Lossing. 


1 


r 


REVOLUTION-ART.]  VIKGINIA  INVADED.- 

-THE  BRITISH  UP  THE  HUDSON.  695 

and  destroy,  determined  now  to  make  a 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  for  some  time 

descent  npon  Virginia.  He  accordingly 
selected  two  thousand  troops  for 
the  purpose,  and  put  them  un- 

[)rojected  an  attack  upon  the  two  Ameri- 
f'an  posts  at  Stony  Point  and  Verplanck’s 
Point.  These  sites  on  the  Hudson  river, 

der  the  command  of  General  Matthews. 

just  below  the  Highlands,  and  a little 

Having  embarked  on  board  Sir  George 

south  of  Peekskill,  had  been  selected  for 

Collier’s  squadron,  they  reached  Hamp- 

the  erection  of  forts,  in  order  to  guard 

ton  roads  on  the  9th  of  May.  On  laud- 

the  mountain-passes  beyond,  and  King’s 

ing,  Portsmouth,  which  was  defenceless. 

ferry,  forming  the  most  convenient  com- 

and  Norfolk,  which  was  still  in  ruins,  fell 

munication  between  the  eastern  and  mid- 

at  once  into  the  possession  of  the  inva- 

die  states.  At  Verplanck’s  Point,  on  the 

ders.  The  troops  pushed  on  by  land,  and 

east  side  of  the  river,  a strong  fort  had 

destroyed  houses,  stores,  and  property  of 

already  beencompleted.and  was  now  gar- 

all  kinds,  at  Suffolk,  Kemp’s  landing,  Gos- 

risoned  by  seventy  men,  under  Captain 

port,  Tanner’s  creek,  and  elsewhere.  The 

Armstrong.  The  works  on  Stony  Point, 

British  men-of-war  were  no  less  active  in 

opposite,  were  unfinished,  and  weie  de- 

wrong  and  injury.  Within  the  fortnight 

fended  only  by  forty  soldiers. 

during  which  the  expedition  continued 

The  British  commander-in-chief  deter- 

on  the  coast,  the  damage  they  did  was 

mined  to  lead  the  expedition  in  person  ; 

enormous.  More  than  one  hundred  and 

and,  having  added  to  his  party  some  of 

thirty  vessels  of  all  kinds  (merchantmen. 

the  ma  rauders  j ust  returned  from  Virginia, 

privateers,  and  men-of-war)  were  either 
burned  or  captured.  Seventeen  British 

he  set  out  from  New  York  with  ^ 
a fleet  of  not  less  than  seventy 

prizes  and  three  thousand  hogsheads  of 

sail  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  small  boats. 

tobacco  were  seized  at  Portsmouth  and 

carrying  five  thousand  troops.  General 

carried  away. 

Vaughan,  who  commanded  the  land-force, 

The  assembly  of  Virginia  resolved  that 

debarked  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson  ; 

‘ the  governor  be  required  to  remonstrate 

while  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  advancing  far- 

to  the  British  commander  against  such  a 

ther  up  the  river,  landed  with  some  ma- 

cruel  and  unprecedented  manner  of  wa- 
ging war,  not  authorized  by  any  civilized 
nation.”  Unfortunately,  the  more  pow- 

riues  and  guns  on  the  western  bank,  and 
took  possession  of  the  unfinished 
fort  at  Stony  Point  without  op- 

erful  argument  of  men  and  arms  could 

position.  Here  cannon  and  mortars  were 

not  be  urged  ; and  the  appeals  to  their 

dragged  during  the  night  to  the  summit 

humanity  were  not  listened  to  by  the  en- 

of  the  rocky  heights.  The  next  morning. 

cmy  in  those  days  of  embittered  hostility. 

Clinton  opened  his  batteries,  and  poured 

The  British  returned  to  New  York,  after 

a storm  of  fire  upon  Verplanck’s  Point, 

an  absence  of  only  a month,  when  other 

which  was  completely  commanded  from 

sei’vice  was  found,  equally  congenial  to 

his  position.  In  the  meantime.  General 

those  heartless  depredators. 

Vaughan,  who  had  made  a long  circuit 

fiOO  BATTLI':S  OF  AMERICA.  [i-art  n 


through  the  hills,  arrived  and  invested 

the  fort  by  land.  The  garrison, 
June  I.  ./  ^ 

nnding  it  useless  to  resist,  sur- 
rendered themselves  as  prisoners-of-war. 

The  enemy  now  applied  themselves  dil- 
igently to  completing  and  strengthening 
the  works,  while  their  fleet  still  lingered 
up  the  Hudson.  Washington,  becoming 
solicitous  about  West  Point  and  the  other 
forts  above,  moved  his  army  in  that  di- 
rection. From  Middlebrook,  in  New  Jer- 
sey, he  marched  to  Smith’s  clove,  where 
he  left  the  main  bod}^  under  the  command 
of  General  Putnam,  and  established  his 
own  headquarters  at  New  Windsor,  where 
he  might  be  near  West  Point,  which  im- 
portant position  he  was  most  anxious  to 
secure.  General  M-Dougall  had  been  sub- 
stituted, ill  command  of  tins  latter  post, 
for  Putnam,  who  had  now  become  less 
efficient  from  the  effects  of  age.  Three 
brigades,  under  General  Heath,  recently 
transferred  from  Boston,  were  posted  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  river ; Nixon’s  was 
at  Constitution  island  ; Parsons’s  opposite 
to  West  Point,  with  instructions  to  send 
fatigue-parties  daily  across  the  river  to 
assist  in  constructing  the  works  yet  in 
progress ; and  Huntington’s  on  the  prin- 
cipal road  leading  to  Fishkill. 

Washington,  conscious  of  the  impor- 
tance of  the  two  posts  lately  wrested  from 
him  by  the  British,  eagerly  sought  an  op- 
portunity to  recover  them.  To  General 
Wayne,  who  was  in  command  of  the  light- 
infantry  stationed  between  the  main  ar- 
my at  Smith’s  clove  and  Fort  Montgom- 
ery, Washington  wrote:  “The  importance 
of  the  two  posts  of  Verplanck’s  Point  and 
Stony  Point  to  the  enemy  is  too  obvious 


to  need  explanation.  We  ought,  if  pos- 
sible, to  dispossess  them.” 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  returned  with 
most  of  his  troops  and  ships  to  New  York, 
with  a view  to  making  other  incursions ; 
and  Washington  thought  the  occasion 
might  be  convenient  for  the  execution 
of  his  design  upon  Stony  and  Verplanck’s 
Points.  “It  is  a matter  I have  much  at 
heart,”  he  said,  “to  make  some  attempts 
upon  these  posts  in  the  present  weak  state 
of  the  garrisons.”  Wayne  was  then  en- 
treated to  use  his  best  endeavors  to  ac- 
quire the  necessary  information,  and  to 
give  his  opinion  on  the  practicability  of 
a surprise  of  one  or  both  of  these  places, 
especially  of  Stony  Point.  Wayne’s  reply 
was  prompt  and  emphatic.  “ General,” 
ansAvered  he,  “ I ’ll  storm  h-11,  if  you  will 
only  plan  it!”  We  shall  see  hereafter 
how  ffxr  his  actions  responded  to  his  words 
in  the  lesser  attempt  upon  Stony  Point. 

Throughout  the  whole  period  of  the 
Revolution,  and  especially  during  the  lat- 
ter years  of  the  contest,  the  inhabitants 
of  Connecticut  were  among  the  greatest 
sufferers  by  the  frequent  marauding  expe- 
ditions Sent  out  from  the  enemy’s  head- 
quarters at  New  York.  Thus,  early  in  the 

present  year  (1779),  the  cruel 

1 • c m 1 . c Mar.  25. 

and  infamous  iryon,  the  last  of 

the  royal  governors  of  New  York,  marched 
into  Connecticut  from  Kingsbridge,  with 
fifteen  hundred  British  regulars  and  Hes- 
sians, to  destroy  some  salt-works  belong- 
inir  to  Americans  at  Horseneck,  and  to 
attack  a detachment  under  General  Putr 
nam,  lying  at  Greenwich.  The  republi- 
cans were  dispersed,  and  Putnam  barely 
escaped  capture  by  some  dragoons,  who 


r 

1 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  TIIYON’S  RAVAGES 

IN  CONNECTICUT.  607 

pursued  him  in  liis  flight  toward  Stam- 

once  debarked  his  troops.  One  division. 

ford.*  Ho  rallied  his  troops  at  the  latter 

commanded  by  himself,  landed  at  East 

place,  pursued  the  enemy  on  their  retreat 

Haven;  the  other,  under  General  Garth, 

through  Westchester  county,  recaptured 

at  West  Haven.  The  latter  pushed  on  to 

a quantity  of  plunder  in  their  possession. 

New  Haven,  being  somewhat  harassed  by 

and  took  thirty-eight  of  them  prisoners. 

the  militia  who  had  gathered  to  oppose 

The  British  government  having  delib- 

him.  The  town  was  delivered  up  to  pro- 

erately  determined  upon  a fresh  predar 

miscuous  plunder.  Whigs,  and  even  to- 

tory  expedition  into  Connecticut,  and  in- 

ries,  who  had  not  provided  themselves 

structed  Sir  Ileury  Clinton  to  that  effect, 

with  protection.s, suffered  greatly.  Many 

he  appointed  Governor  Tryon  to  the  con- 

of  the  inhabitants  deserted  their  honie.s. 

genial  command  of  the  marauders.  Twen- 

and  fled  with  their  wives  and  children  to 

ty-six  hundred  troops,  a large  portion  of 

East  rock,  a hill  in  the  neighborhood  of 

them  He.s.sian  mercenaries,  ernharked  on 

the  town ; and  from  its  heights,  while 

board  of  about  fifty  transports,  and,  being 

trembling  for  their  lives,  they  looked 

escorted  by  the  Camilla  and  Scorpion 

down  upon  the  marauders  who  were  pil- 

men-of-war,  sailed  from  New  York  up  the 

laging  and  destroying  their  property  in 

East  river  and  Long-island  sound  for  New 

the  town.  The  houses  were  robbed  of 

Haven.  Before  coming  to  anchor  in  the 

plate  and  money  ; and  the  hogsheads  of 

j ^ bay.  Governor  Tryon  concocted 

rum,  molasse.s,  and  sugar,  in  which  New 

with  General  Garth, his  second  in 

Haven  in  those  days  carried  on  so  large 

command,  a proclamation  to  the  inhabit- 

a trade,  were  turned  out  of  the  West- 

ants  of  Connecticut.  In  this  document, 

Indian  warehouses,  and  wantonly  broken 

the  people  were  urged  to  return  to  their 

and  wasted.  Personal  collisions  occurred 

duty  and  allegiance ; and  all,  except  the 

between  the  drunken  soldiers  and  the  in- 

civil  and  military  officers  of  the  govern- 

jured  inhabitants,  and  occasional  scenes 

ment,  should  they  remain  peaceably  at 

of  bloodshed  and  cruelty  ensued. 

1 

home,  were  promised  protection  in  per- 

On  the  following  day,  the  militia  be- 

son  and  property.  The  proclamation  was 
sent  ashore,  and  the  next  day  the  British 
fleet  came  to  anchor  in  New-Haven  bay. 

gan  to  collect  in  such  threatening  force, 
that  Garth  drew  oft'  his  troops,  ^ 

having  burned  the  storehouses 

Without  giving  the  people  an 
July  u*  « 

opportunity  to  consult  upon  the 

upon  the  wharf  before  his  departure.  At 
East  Haven,  during  the  same  day,  Tryon 

promises  offered  in  the  proclamation,  and 

not  only  plundered  but  burnt  the  houses. 

to  agree  iqjon  action.  Governor  Tryon  at 

and  destroyed  the  cattle.  He,  however. 

* “ It  was  on  this  occasion,”  observes  Mr.  Lossinj;,  “ that 

like  Garth,  was  frightened  away  from  fur- 

Putnam’s  alleged  descent  of  a flight  of  stone  steps,  on  horse- 
back, took  place.  That  he  fled  down  a steep  hill,  near  a 

ther  barbarity  by  the  threatening  aspect 

flight  of  steps  that  had  been  formed  for  the  accommodation 

of  the  provoked  inhabitants. 

of  the  neighboring  inhabitants  in  taking  a direct  way  to  a 
church  on  the  eminence,  there  can  be  no  doubt;  but,  that  he 
went  all  the  way  down  the  steps,  is  a pure  fiction.” 

88 

The  next  point  of  attack  was  Fairfield. 

On  the  fleet  coming  to  anchor  off  the 

~\ 

- 

698  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  I^p.vut  ii. 

town,  Try  on  sent  ashore  a copy  of  his 

pleasant  and  beautiful  villages,  he  boast- 

proclamation,  with  a flag  of  truce  to  Colo- 

ed  of  his  clemency,  declaring  that  the 

nel  Whitino;,  who  commanded 

existence  of  a single  house  was  a monu- 

July  7»  , ...  . , . • 1 . 

the  militia,  and  giving  liim  an 

ment  of  the  king’s  mercy!  Truly  has  it 

hour  to  consider  upon  a reply,  by  which 

been  aid  that  Tryon  was  a disgrace  to  the 

he  might  save  the  town.  Tlie  colonel  did 

British  name.  He  was  a fit  instrument 

not  Ions:  deliberate,  and  sent  back  an  an- 

for  an  infatuated  ministry ; and,  for  his 

swer  in  behalf  of  the  Connecticut  people, 

wrong  doings  in  America,  before  and  du- 

saying,  ‘‘The  flames  have  now  preceded 

ring  the  Revolution,  the  English  people 

their  answer  to  your  flag,  and  they  will 

thoroughly  disliked  him. 

persist  to  oppose  to  the  utmost  that  pow- 

The  estimated  loss  to  the  people  of 

er  which  is  exerted  against  injured  inno- 

Connecticut  by  these  depredations  was 

cence.”  This  reached  the  fleet  at  sunset. 

one  hundred  and  twelve  thousand  six 

Throimhout  that  ni^lit  and  the  ensuiny; 

hundred  and  forty-seven  dollars,  at  New 

morning,  the  British  plundered  and  de- 

Haven ; one  hundred  and  eighty-one  thou- 

stroyed,  until  the  whole  town  of  Fairfield 

sand  three  hundred  and  sixty-six  dollars. 

was  laid  in  ashes,  and  the  country  for  two 

at  Fairfield  ; and  one  hundred  and  sixty- 

miles  around  was  devastated. 

eight  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty- 

Norwalk  was  the  next  object  of  these 

eight  dollars,  at  Norwalk  — comprising  a 

ruthless  invaders,  and  its  fate  was  fully 

large  amount  in  those  days  of  limited 

as  merciless  as  that  of  Fairfield, 

means  and  simple  habits. 

Churches  were  burnt  in  common 

Tryon  was  arrested  in  the  midst  of  his 

with  the  houses.  Governor  Tryon,  feel- 

barbarous  raids  upon  Connecticut,  by  a 

ing  some  compunctions  of  conscience  for 

recall  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  to  confer 

his  conduct,  justified  the  destruction  of 

upon  an  attack  on  New  London,  which 

the  dwellings  on  the  ground  that  the  oc- 

town,  being  a great  harbor  of  refuge  for 

ciipants  fired  from  them  upon  his  troops, 

American  privateers,  it  was  determined 

and  expressed  his  regret  at  “ the  loss  of 

to  treat  with  the  utmost  severity.  Sir 

two  places  of  public  worship  at  Fairfield, 

Henry  had  been  persuaded  that  this  pet- 

which  took  fire  unintentionally  by  the 

ty  system  of  depredations  which  he  was 

flakes  from  other  buildings  ; and,”  he  add- 

now  pursuing  would,  by  striking  at  the 

ed,  “ I gave  strict  orders  for  the  preser- 

homes  and  property  of  the  people,  be 

vation  of  that  at  Norwalk.”  Neverthe- 

more  effective  than  a nobler  warfare.  Its 

less,  it  is  said  that  while  Norwalk  was  in 

effect,  however,  was  only  to  increase  the 

flames,  the  merciless  Tryon,  with  a sorry 

feeling  of  hostility,  while  it  did  not  seri- 

imitation<ifNero,seated  himself  in  a rock- 

oLisly  diminish  the  means. 

ing-chair  upon  a neighboring  eminence. 

Still,  the  government  of  Great  Britain 

and  gloated  over  the  scene  of  desolation. 

did  not  seem  dissatisfied  with  the  result; 

It  is  also  asserted  that  when  he  had  com- 

and  the  minister.  Lord  George  Germain, 

pleted  the  work  of  destruction  in  these 

wrote  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,saying : “ The 

KKVOLUTTor  ART.]  STONY  POINT.— POMPET,  THE  SHREWD  NEGRO  SPY.  C‘J9 

expeditiO'A  into  Connecticut,  upon  which 

gain  every  possible  intelligence.  To  a 

you  detached  Major-General  Trvon,  was 

faithful  negro  belonging  to  a Captain 

ably  planned  and  well  executed ; and  j^ou 

Lamb,  an  ardent  patriot  of  the  neighbor- 

will  ae(|uaint  Major-General  Tryon,  and 

hood,  Wayne  was  indebted  for  the  most 

the  otticers  that  were  under  his  cnxe^ihat 

useful  services.  Pompey,  this  shrewd  ne- 

their  conduct  has  met  with  his  majesiifs  ap- 

gro,  succeeded  in  gaining  admission  into 

probation”  His  lordship, notwitlistanding, 

the  fort,  under  the  pretence  of  selling 

had  some  misgivings  about  the  barbari- 

fruit,  and  soon  established  a traffic  by 

ties  practised,  for  he  adds : “ 1 can  not 

which  he  was  enabled  to  make  frequent 

help  lamenting,  with  you,  that  the  be- 

visits  without  exciting  suspicion.  As  the 

havior  of  the  rebels,  in  firing  from  their 

season  advanced,  Pompey  pleaded  that 

houses  upon  the  troops,  rendered  it  ne- 

his  labors  in  the  field  (it  being  ‘Gioeing- 

cessary  to  make  use  of  severities  that  are 

corn  time”)  would  prevent  his  visits  by 

ever  painful  to  British  soldiers  to  inflict.” 

day ; whereupon,  as  he  expected,  he  was 

General  Wayne  was  now  ready  for  the 

desired  to  make  them  by  night.  He  was 

attack  upon  Stony  Point,  which,  in  ac- 

accordingly  provided  with  the  countei'- 

cordance  with  the  suggestion  of  Wash- 

sign,  ^^The  fort  is  our  oivn”  in  order  that 

ington,  he  had  been  contemplating  for 

he  might  be  readily  admitted  at  all  hours 

some  time.  The  works  had  been  com- 

with  his  indispensable  supplies  for  the  re- 

pleted  by  the  British.  Standing  upon  a 

freshment  of  the  garrison.  Pompey  thus 

Jiigh  promontory  of  rock,  with  the  waters 

acquired  the  most  important  information, 

of  the  Hudson  on  three  sides,  a morass 

of  which  Wayne  ivas  glad  to  avail  him- 

(which  could  only  be  crossed  at  low  tide 

self,  «nd  chose  him  as  his  guide  in  the 

by  a narrow  causeway)  on  the  fourth,  and 

coming  assault.* 

strongly  fortified  by  art,  Stony  Point  now 

General  Wayne  was  now  stationed  at 

presented  a formidable  fortress.  Fortifica- 

Sandy  beach,  distant  about  four- 

July  I5i 

tions,  compactly  built,  crowned  the  sum- 

teen  miles  from  Stony  Point,  and 

mit;  heavy  cannon  threatened  eveiy  ap- 

here  he  was  joined  at  this  time  by  the 

proach  ; and  on  the  acclivities  were  two 

Massachusetts  infantry  under  Lieutenant 

rows  of  ahaitis.  A garrison  of  sixhundred 

Colonel  Hale.  Thus  reinforced,  ’Wayne 

choice  British  troops,  under  Lieutenant- 

marched  at  noon,  in  the  height  of  the 

Colonel  Johnson,  manned  the  works,  and 

sweltering  heat  of  the  midsummer  sun. 

several  English  gun-vessels  were  floating 

over  craggy  hills  and  through  narrow  de- 

in  the  river  within  cannon-shot. 

files  and  deep  morasses,  to  within  a mile 

Wayne  had  diligently  followed  the  ad- 

and  a half  of  the  fort.  So  difficult  and 

vice  of  Washington,  and  in  conjunction 

narrow  was  the  route,  that  for  the  great- 

with  the  brave  Major  Lee  had  examined 

est  part  of  the  way  the  troops  were  forced 

in  person  the  positioifof  the  fort.  ^Infor- 

to  move  in  single  file,  and  did  not  reach 

mation  had  been  carefully  sought  from 

their  destination  until  eight  o’clock  in  the 

deserters,  and  spies  had  been  sent  in  to 

• Lossing. 

700  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

evening.  Here,  as  they  came  i.pon  the 

m the  same  way.  Thus  the  troops,  wiln- 

ground,  Wayne  formed  his  force.  The 

out  alarming  the  enemy,  advanced  to  the 

regiments  of  Coloiiels  Febiger  and  Meigs, 

causeway,  where  they  were  detained  un- 

and  Lieutenant- Colonel  Flale’s  detach- 

til  past  midnight,  in  consequence  of  the 

mentof  Massachusetts  infantry, coitiposed 

fidlness  of  the  tide. 

the  right  column ; and  Colonel  Butler’s 

Once  acro.ss  the  causeway,  the  columns 

• regiment,  with  the  two  companies  of  Ma- 

of  the  right  and  left  advanced  to  their 

jor  Murfey,  formed  the  left.  One  hun- 

work.  Wayne  himself  headed  the  for- 

dred  and  fifty  men  volunteered  to  form 

mer,  and,  repeating  his  order  to  his  men 

the  van  of  the  right,  and  were  placed  un- 

to  rely  entirely  upon  their  bayonets,  led 

der  the  command  of  the  gallant  French- 

them  on.  The  van  had  an-ived  within 

man, Lieutenant-Colonel  Fleury.  Alum- 

pistol-shot  of  the  pickets  on  the  heights  of 

dred  men,  under  Major  Stewart,  offered 

the  promontory  before  the  guards  were 

themselves  for  the  same  position  on  the 

roused,  when  their  fire  alarmed  the  whole 

left.  Twenty  picked  men  were  selected 

garrison,  which  soon  began  to  pour  down 

as  a forlorn  hope  to  precede  each  van,  and 

a fire  of  musketry  and  grape.  The  Amer- 

to  remove  the  abattis  and  other  obstruc- 

leans,  however,  obedient  to  command,  did 

tions;  one  party  was  led  by  Lieutenant 

not  return  a shot,  but  pushed  steadily  on 

Gibbon,  and  the  other  by  Lieutenant 

with  fixed  bayonets,  and  forced  their  way 

Knox.  Three  hundred  men,  under  Gen- 

in  spite  of  every  obstacle.  Both  the  right 

eral  Muhlenberg,  were  to  remain  behind 

and  left  columns  met  in  the  centre  of  the. 

as  a reserve,  in  case  support  should  be 

enemy’s  works  almost  at  the  same  mo- 

required,  or  a retreat  become  necessary. 

ment. 

General  Wayne  now  rode  forward  with 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Fleury  was  the  first 

his  officers  to  reconnoitre,  and,  on  his  re- 

to  enter  and  strike  the  British  standard. 

turn,  prepared  to  begin  the  assault  at  half- 

closely  followed  by  Major  Posey,  his  sec- 

past  eleven  o’clock  that  night,  the  time 

ond  in  command,  who  sprang  upon  the 

fixed  upon.  Before  moving,  Wayne  ex- 

ramparts,  shooting  the  enemy’s  counter- 

horted  his  men  to  obey  his  injunctions 

sign,  “ The  fort  is  our  oivn!"  Wajme,  while 

strictly,  and  not  on  any  account  to  fire. 

advancing  iqo  the  ascent,  was  struck  on 

but  to  trust  entirely  to  their  bayonets. 

the  head  by  a musketrball,  and  brought 

Pompey’s  services  were  now  put  in  re- 

to  the  ground.  Thinking  himself  mortal- 

quisition,  and  he  led  the  way,  accompa- 

ly  wounded,  he  cried  to  his  aid-de-camp. 

nied  by  two  stout  and  active  soldiers,  dis- 

who  came  to  his  assistance,  “ Carry  me 

guised  as  farmers.  On  coming  up  to  the 

into  the  fort,  and  let  me  die  at  the  head 

first  sentry,  the  negro  repeated  the  conn- 

of  my  column !”  He  was  lifted  up  and 

tersign  ; and,  while  engaging  him  in  talk. 

borne  into  the  fortress  in  tlie  midst  of  his 

Pompey’s  stalwart  companions  suddenly 

victorious  troop.s.  His  wound  proved  less 

.sprang  upon  the  man  and  gagged  him. 

serious  than  he  had  at  first  supposed,  and 

The  next  sentinel  was  caught  and  treated 

the  general  revived  in  time  to  share  in 

EEVOLUTIONARY.J 

the  immediate  exultation  on  the  success 
of  his  enterprise. 

The  British  yielded  themselves  up  as 
prisoners-of-war;  and,  before  the  morning 
dawned,  Wayne  was  enabled  to  send  in- 
telligence of  his  victory  to  Washington,  in 
this  characteristic  despatch  : — 

“ Stony  Point,  July  16,  1779,  ) 

“ Two  o'clock,  A.  M.  J 

“ Dear  General  : The  fort  and  garrison, 
with  Colonel  Johnson,  are  ours.  Our  offi- 
cers and  men  behaved  like  men  who  are 
determined  to  be  free, 

“Yours  most  sincerely, 

“ Anthony  Wayne.” 

Next  morning,  General  Wayne  turned 
the  guns  of  the  captured  fortress  on  the 
works  ol  Fort  Lafayette  at  Verplanck’s 
Point  opposite,  and  upon  the  English  ves- 
sels in  the  river.  The  latter  were  forced 
to  slip  their  cables  and  move  down  the 
stream.  The  former  stood  fire ; for  the 
detachment  of  Americans  under  General 
Robert  Howe,  A^dlich  had  been  ordered 
to  attack  the  fort  at  Yerplanck’s  Point, 
in  co-operation  with  Wayne,  had  failed 
in  consequence  of  neglect  to  bring  with 
them  the  implements  necessary  for  the 
success  of  the  enterprise. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  amounted 
to  fifteen  killed  and  eighty-three  wound- 
ed; that  of  the  British  to  sixty-three  in 
killed,  while  the  commander  and  all  the 
garrison  (numbering  five  hundred  and 
forty-three  officers  and  men)  were  taken 
prisoners.  The  forty  gallant  men  who 
had  volunteered  to  lead  the  van  of  the 
Americans  were  the  greatest  sufferers  in 


7ui 

the  assault.  Their  daring  officers.  Lieu- 
tenants Gibbon  and  Knox,  were  especial- 
ly commended  by  Wayne  in  his  despatch 
for  “ their  distinguished  bravery.” 

On  hearing  of  the  fall  of  Stony  Point, 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  immediately  broke  up 
his  conference  at  Throgg’s  Point,  where 
in  conjunction  Avith  Tryon  he  Avas  plan- 
ning an  expedition  against  Nbav  London  ; 
and,  abandoning  that  scheme,  he  hurried 
up  the  Hudson  Avith  reinforcements.  It 
[ Avas  hoped  that  Washington  Avould  risk  a 
j battle  for  the  possession  of  Stony  Point; 
but,  finding  that  it  could  not  be  held  Avith 
Iskss  than  fifteen  hundred  men  — a force 
Avhich  he  could  ill  spare  from  his  army  — 
the  commander-in-chief  decided  to  aban- 
don it. 

The  fort,  having  been  dismantled  of  its 
cannon,  and  its  stores  removed,  was  de- 
stroyed; Avhereupon  the  enemy 
resumed  possession  of  the  site, 
and  reconstructed  fortifications  of  greater 
strength  than  ever. 

Washington,  solicitous  for  the  safety 
of  West  Point,  now  removed  his  head- 
quarters to  that  post,  and  urged  on  the 
completion  of  the  Avorks  in  progress,  un- 
der the  supervision  of  Kosciusko.  The 
army  Avas  stationed,  in  tAVO  divisions,  in 
the  Highlands  of  the  Hudson,  Avhere  it 
remained  until  going  into  Avinter-quarters 
in  December.  The  right  Aving,  consisting 
of  the  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  Vir- 
ginia troops,  Avere  on  the  Avest  side  of  the 
riA’er,  and  commanded  by  General  Put- 
nam. The  left  Aving,  made  up  of  New- 
England  troops,  under  General  Heath, 
rested  on  the  east  side. 


STONY  POINT  REOCCUPIED  BY  THE  BRITISH. 


702  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

CHAPTER  LXXIX. 

Paul  Jones  in  France. — He  Rets  a Squadron. — The  Bon  Homme  Richard. — Sailing  of  the  Ships. — Refitting  at  Brest. — 

A British  Cruiser  taken. — L’Orient. — The  Richard  all  alone. — A Hundred  American  Tars. — First-Lieutenant  Dale. — 

AFreshCriii.se — Occasional  Prizes. — Attempt  on  Leith 

. — A Gule. — The  Bon  Homme  Richard  aoandoned  by  her 

Consorts. — A Daritig  Plan. — Falls  in  with  a British  Fleet 

— The  Fight  begins. — Jones  abandoned  by  Captain  Landais. 

. — The  Serapis. — A Close  Hug. — The  Enemy  attempt  to  board. — The  Repulse. — The  Man  in  the  Tops  — An  Explo- 
sion.— Terrible  Havoc. — A Friend  turned  Enemy.' — Panic. — Treason. — Quarter. — Fierce  Oaths. — The  Fight  renewed 
— Fire. — The  Serapis  strikes  her  Flag. — The  Richard  abandoned,  and  goes  down. — Jones  hoists  his  Flag  on  boaid  the 

Serapis. — The  Blood  spilt. 

P.AUL  Jones’s  spirited  and  success- 
H79.  „ , . . , ^ ,,  T- 

lul  cruise  in  tlie  Ranger, on  the  Eng- 

room, where  he  mounted  six  old  eighteen- 
pounders,  which  had  done  service  in  the 

lish  const,  had  won  for  him  great  renown 

French  navy  for  thirt}"  years.  Her  whole  . 

in  France;  and  consequently  he  found 

armament  arnolmted  to  forty-two  guns, 

his  ambitious  projects  readily  seconded  by 

of  varying  weights,  but  generally  ratner 

the  French  government.  A small  squad- 

light. 

ron,  consisting  of  the  Dnra.s,  the  Alliance, 

The  crew  consisted  of  a motley  mix- 

the  Pallas,  the  Cerf,  and  the  Vengeance, 

ture  of  English,  Scotch,  Portuguese,  Amer- 

was  now  placed  under  his  command.  The 

icans,  Germans,  Spaniards,  Swedes,  Ital- 

Alliance  was  the  only  American-built  ship 

ians,  Malays,  and  channel-islanders.  The 

among  them,  but  they  were  all  to  carry 

officers,  however,  were  for  the  most  part 

the  American  ensign,  and  were  to  be  gov- 

Americans.  One  hundred  and  thirty-five 

erned  and  considered  in  every  respect  as 

marine.s,  hardly  less  diversified  in  their 

American  ve.sseLs. 

nationality  than  the  crew,  were  taken  on 

Benjamin  Franklin,  then  the  United 

board,  chiefly  to  assist  in  preserving  the 

States  minister  at  the  court  of  Versailles, 

discipline  of  the  ve.ssel.  The  Alliance  was 

had  rendered  effective  aid  in  obtainino; 

the  best  ship  in  the  fleet ; but,  as  related 

and  fitting  out  the  squadron ; and  Paul 

in  a previous  chapter,*  she  was  command- 

Jones  complimented  the  philosopher  by 

ed  by  Captain  Landais,  a Frenchman,  and 

changing  the  name  of  his  flag-ship,  the 

failed  under  his  handling  to  be  of  the  of- 

Dura.s,  to  the  Bon  Homme  Richard,  a free 

fective  service  that  was  expected.  All  the 

rendering  in  French  of  the  proverbial 

other  vessels,  with  the  exception  of  the 

Poor  Richard!'  This  vessel  had  been  an 

Bon  Homme  Richard,  were  likewise  under 

Indiaman,  and  was  clumsily  constructed, 
with  an  old-firshioned  poop,  which  rose 
from  the  stern  like  a tower.  She  was 
originally  a single-decked  ship,  but  Jones 

French  commanders. 

Tlie  squadron  got  under  weigh  from 
L’Orient,  and,  haviim  convoyed  , 
some  tran, sports  and  coasters  to 

caused  twelve  ports  to  be  cut  in  the  gun- 

* See  page  164. 

1 

r 

KKVOLUTIONART.]  PAUL  JONES  IN 

THE  NORTH  SEA.  V03 

their  destined  ports  in  France,  prepared 

isle  of  Groix,  off  L’Orient.  Here  the  en- 

for  a cruise.  While  lying- to,  the  Alii- 

tire  squadron  was  reunited. 

ance,  by  clumsy  management,  got  foul 

Jones  was  detained  by  the  necessary 

of  the  Richard,  losing  by  the  collision  her 

repairs  to  his  vessel,  the  session  of  a coin"' 

own  mizzen-mast,  and  carrying  away  the 

of  inquiry  appointed  to  investigate  the 

head,  cut-water,  and  jib-boom,  of  her  con- 

conduct  of  Landais  (of  the  Alliance)  in 

sort.  Tliey  were  now  forced  to  return 

running  foul  of  the  Richard,  and  other 

to  Ti’Orient  for  repairs. 

matters,  for  more  than  six  weeks.  In  the 

While  making  for  port,  the  Cerf  was 

meantime,  however,  he  had  the  good  for- 

sent  in  chase  of  a strange  sail,  and  sue- 

tune  to  gain  a very  Avelcome  accession  to 

ceeded  in  coming  up  with  what  proved 

his  crew  by  the  arrival  in  France  of  more 

to  oe  a small  English  cruiser  of  sixteen 

than  a hundred  American  sailors.  These 

guns.  After  a sharp  action  of  about  an 

were  men  who  had  been  held  as  prison- 

hour,  the  enemy  was  forced  to  strike  her 

ers  in  England,  and  were  now  exchanged. 

flag  •,  but  the  Cerf  had  to  abandon  her,  on 

They  almost  to  a man  joined  the  Ameri- 

the  appearance  of  a larger  British  vessel. 

can  squadron,  and  were  chiefly  divided 

and  made  her  way  to  L’Orient,  with  a loss 

between  the  Richard  and  the  Alliance. 

of  several  men  killed  and  wounded. 

Jones  now  counted  no  less  than  three 

The  rest  of  the  squadron,  in  the  mean- 

hundred  and  eighty  souls  on  board  his 

time,  had  caught  sight  of  three  British 

ship,  and  nearly  a hundred  of  these  were 

men-of-war,  which  bore  down  before  the 

Americans,  as  were  all  his  quarter-deck 

wind  as  if  disposed  to  engage ; but,  prob- 

officers,  with  the  exception  of  himself  and 

ably  frightened  by  the  apparent  magni- 

a midshipman.  A young  American  ofli- 

tude  of  the  Richard,  which  stood  high  out 

cer,  of  the  name  of  Richard  Dide,  who 

of  the  water,  and  looked  like  a two-decker, 

had  made  his  esc.ape  from  an  English 

they  soon  hauled  up  and  made  off  with 

prison,  and  joined  the  squadron  on  its 

all  the  sail  they  could  carry,  and  thus  es- 

first  cruise,  won  so  greatly  the  esteem  of 

caped. 

his  commander,  that  he  was  now  pro- 

'The  Richard  was  now  left  alone,  the 

moted  to  the  rank  of  first-lieutenant. 

Alliance  and  the  Pallas  having  parted 
company,  and  the  Vengeance  having  been 

The  squadron  at  length  put  to 
sea  for  the  second  time,  with  a 

sent  into  port.  Captain  Jone.s,  however. 

reinforcement  of  two  French  privateers, 

continued  to  look  out  for  an  antagonist. 

the  Monsieur  and  the  Granville.  A dis- 

_ and  soon  fell  in  with  two  British  cruisers ; 

pute  about  the  division  of  a prize  taken 

but, after  first  threatening  to  engage,  they 

a few  days  after  sidling,  however,  caused 

made  off  again,  as  if  alarmed,  like  their 

the  commander  of  the  Monsieur  to  leave. 

countrymen  on  the  previous  occasion,  by 

which  was  felt  to  be  a serious  lo.ss,  as  his 

the  lormidable  as])ect  of  the  pretentious 

ship  mounted  no  less  than  forty  guns. 

x\merican.  Jones  now  made  the  best  of 

With  various  incidents,  and  an  occasional 

Ills  way  to  his  old  anchorage,  under  the 

success  in  taking  a prize,  the  squadj-on 

704  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 


{ with  the  exception  of  the  Cerf,  which 
had  returned’  to  France)  sailed  around 
Ireland  and  Scotlnud,  until  it  came  oft 
the  frith  of  Forth 

Jones,  haviim  learned  that  a 

Sept.  13.  11+  +1 

twenty-gun  ship  and  two  or  three 

men-of-war  cutters  were  lying  off  Leith, 
the  port  of  Edinburgh,  two  miles  distant, 
determined  to  make  a descent  upon  the 
town.  He  accordingly  beat  into  the  frith 
with  the  Richard,  until  he  arrived  within 
gun-shot  of  Leith,  when  he  got  out  his 
boats  and  manned  them.  His  first-lieu- 
tenant, Dale,  who  Avas  to  command  the 
sailors  on  the  occasion,  Avas  about  receiv^- 
ing  his  last  orders,  Avhen  a sudden  squall 
struck  the  ships  and  nearly  dismasted 
them.  Jones  strove  to  keep  his  ground, 
with  the  view  of  carrying  out  his  pur- 
pose, but  the  Avind  became  too  strong,  and 
he  Avas  obliged  to  bear  up.  A severe  gale 
followed,  in  the  course  of  Avdiich  all  the 
vessels  Avere  driven  into  the  North  sea, 
and  one  of  the  prizes  foundered. 

Another  still  more  daring  enterprise 
Avas  planned  by  the  bold  commodore,  but 
his  French  subordinates  strenuously  pro- 
tested against  carrying  it  into  effect.  The 
scheme  has  never  been  explained,  but  it 
is  said  to  have  been  Avarmly  sanctioned 
by  every  officer  from  lieutenant  to  mid- 
shipman. Apparently  Avith  the  fear  that 
Jones  Avould  not  be  deterred  from  his 
project  by  the  opinions  of  his  colleagues, 

two  of  them  determined  to  tliAvart  him 

• 

by  their  acts,  and  accordingly  the  com- 
manders of  the  Pallas  and  the  Vengeance 
sailed  off  Avith  their  ships.  As  the  com- 
motlore  could  ill  spare  any  of  his  little 
squadron,  he  reluctantly  abandoned  his 


scheme,  and  sailed  to  the  south,  to  OA^er- 
take  the  absentees. 

Off  Whitby,  on  the  coast  of  Yorkshire, 
thePallas  and  the  Vengeance  again  joined 
company  Avith  the  commodore,  and  with 
the  aid  of  the  latter  he  entered  the  Hum 
ber  and  took  and  desti’oyed  a number  of 
vessels.  The  A\diole  coast  now  became 
greatly  alarmed, and  the  inhabitants  Avere 
so  frightened,  that  many  of  them  began 
to  bury  their  plate  and  money.  Wi.th 
this  general  excitement  on  shore,  Jones 
thought  it  advisable  to  keep  off  the  land, 
and  he  accordingly  bore  aAA'ay  in  the  di- 
rection of  Flamborough  head.  While 
steering  toward  the  north,  two  sails  Avere 
made,  AA’hich  turned  out  to  be  the  Alli- 
ance and  the  Pallas:  and  on  the 

, , P . , Sepl.  23 

second  day  alter  leaving  the 

mouth  of  the  Humber,  occurred  the  most 
memorable  eA^ent  in  the  career  of  Paul 
Jones. 

The  Avind  Avas  southerly  and  light,  and 
the  sea  smooth,  as  the  American  squadron 
— noAV  composed  of  the  Richard,  the  Al- 
liance, the  Pallas,  and  the  Vengeance  — 
gathered  together.  Soon  a fleet  of  more 
than  forty  sail  Avas  seen  stretching  out 
from  behind  Flamborough  head,  and  turli- 
ing  doAvn  toAvard  the  straits  of  DoA'er. 
It  AA'as  mainly  composed  of  traders  re- 
turning from  the  Baltic,  under  convoy  of 
the  Serapis  (forty-four).  Captain  Richaid 
Pearson,  and  the  Countess  of  Scarborough 
(tAventy-tAVo),  Captain  Piercy.  The  for- 
mer Avas  a neAv  ship,  Avith  a good  reputa- 
tion as  a sailer.  She  carried  fifty  guns 
tAventy  eighteen-pounders  on  the  loAvei 
gun-deck,tAventy  nine-pounders  on  the  up 
per,  and  ten  six-pounders  on  lier  quarter 


1 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  BON  HOMME  RICHARD  AND  THE  SERARIS.  705 

deck  and  forecastle,  and  was  manned  by 

example  was  also  followed  by  the  Pallas ; 

a regular  man-of-war’s  crew,  numbering 

but,  as  her  commander  conducted  himself 

three  hundred  and  twenty,  of  whom  some 

so  well  in  the  subsequent  part  of  the  ac- 

fifteen  were  Lascars.  The  Scarborough 

tion,  it  has  been  readily  allowed  tiiat  he 

was  not  a naval  vessel,  hut  had  been  armed 

"was  under  the  supposition, as  he  afterward 

and  was  now  being  temporarily  used  as 

declared,  that  the  crew  of  the  Richard 

such. 

(since  she  was  observed  heading  for  the 

Commodore  Jones,  on  discovering  the 

land)  had  mutinied,  and  were  running  off 

character  of  the  fleet,  hoisted  a signal  for 

with  her.  • 

the  rest  of  the  squadron  to  begin  a gen- 

It  was  now'  quite  dark,  and  Jones  w'as 

eral  chase,  and  crossed  royal  yards  on 

obliged  to  use  a niglit-glass  in  order  to 

board  his  own  vessel.  The  English  lieet 

follow'  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  The 

of  merchantmen  were  alai  ined  by  these 

Richard,  however,  stood  steadily  on,  and 

signs  of  hostility,  and,  hurriedly  tacking 

about  half-past  seven  she  came  up  with 

together,  firing  alarm-guns,  letting  fly 

the  Serapis,  w'hile  the  Scarborough  w'as  a 

their  top-gallant  sheets,  and  making  oth- 

short  distance  to  leeward.  The  American 

er  signals  of  the  danger  they  were  in. 

ship  W’as  to  windward,  and,  as  she  slowdy 

ran  to  leeward  or  sought  shelter  closer 

drew'  near,  Captain  Pearson  hailed  lier; 

in  with  the  land.  The  Serapis,  on  the 

“What  ship  is  that?”  The  answer  wa.s, 

contrary,  signalling  the  Scarborough  to 

“ Come  a little  nearer,  and  I’ll  tell  you.” 

follow,  hauled  boldly  out  to  sea,  until  she 

“ What  are  you  laden  w’ith  ?”  rejoined  the 

got  far  enough  to  windward,  when  she 

Englishman.  “ Round,  grape,  and  double- 

tacked  and  stood  in  shore  again,  to  cover 

headed  shot!”  w’ as  the  ready-w’itted  re- 

her  convoy.*  Captain  Pearson  had  been 

sponse  to  what  w’as  considered  by  a man- 

informed,  by  the  bailiff  of  the  town  of 

of-war  a contemptuous  demand  ; and  the 

Scarborough,  of  the  presence  of  the  Amer- 

two  sbi})s,  w'ithout  further  parley,  poured 

ican  squadron,  and  was  accordingly  on 

in  their  broadsides  almost  simultaneously. 

his  guard. 

The  discharge  proved  terribly  disas- 

The  Alliance,  being  the  fastest  sailer, 
took  the  lead  in  the  chase.  As  she  moved 
ahead.  Captain  Landais  spoke  the  Pallas, 
and  told  her  commander  that,  if  the  ene- 
my proved  to  be  a fifty-gun  ship,  there 
was  nothing  to  do  but  to  try  to  get  out 
of  his  way.  Landais  acted  accordingly; 
for  he  had  no  sooner  closed  in  sufficiently 
with  the  land  to  discover  the  size  of  the 
Serapis,  than  he  hauled  off  again.  His 

* Cooper,  whose  account  wc  follow,  as  being  the  most 
authentic  on  record. 

89 

trous  to  the  Richard  ; for  tw'O  of  the  eigh- 
teen-pounders which  Jones  had  caused  to 
be  placed  in  the  gun-room,  and  from  which 
he  had  expected  so  much  good  service, 
burst  on  the  first  fire,  killing  many  of  the 
men,  and  blow'ing  up  the  deck  above.  All 
faith  in  these  old  eighteen-pounders  be 
ing  now'  gone,  the  men  were  ordered  to 
abandon  them,  and  trust  entirely  to  their 
other  guns.  The  inequality  of  the  con- 
test W'as  in  this  way  greatly  increased,  for 
it  reduced  the  armament  of  the  Richard 

1 

706  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


to  nearly  a third  less  than  that  of  her  an- 
tagonist. 

The  Richard,  having  backed  her  top- 
sails, exchanged  several  broadsides,  when 
she  filled  again  and  shot  ahead  of  the 
SerapLs,  which  ship  luffed  across  her  stern, 
and  came  up  on  the  weather-quarter  of 
tier  antagonist,  taking  the  wind  out  of 
her  sails,  and  in  her  turn  passing  ahead. 

In  the  meantime,  while  the  two  ships 
were  engaged  closely  and  furiously,  the 
Scarborough  approached;  but  in  the  dark- 
ness of  the  night  not  being  able  to  distin- 
guish friend  from  foe,  she  edged  away, 
without  firing  a shot.  The  Scarborough, 
however,  exchanged  broadsides  with  tlie 
Alliance  at  a great  distance,  and  was  at 
l?oSt  brought  to  close  quarters  by  the  Pal- 
las, and,  after  a struggle  of  about  an  hour, 
forced  to  strike  her  flag. 

Let  us,  however,  return  to  the  two 
main  antagonists.  “ As  the  Serapis  kept 
her  luff,”  says  Cooper,  “sailing  and  work- 
imr  better  than  the  Richard,  it  was  the 
intention  of  Captain  Pearson  to  pay  broad 
off  acro.ss  the  latter’s  forefoot,  as  soon  as 
he  had  got  far  enough  ahead  ; but,  ma- 
king the  attempt,  and  finding  he  had  not 
room,  he  put  his  helm  hard  down  to  keep 
clear  of  his  adversary,  when  the  double 
movement  brought  the  two  ships  nearly 
in  a line,  the  Serapis  leading.  By  these 
uncertain  evolutions  the  English  ship  lost 
some  of  her  way ; while  the  American, 
having  kept  lier  sails  trimmed,  not  only 
closed,  but  actually  ran  aboard  of  her  an- 
tagonist, bows  on,  a little  on  her  weather- 
quarter.”  At  this  moment,  Jones  cried 
out:  “Well  done,  my  brave  lads;  we’ve 
got  her  now ! Throw  on  board  the 


grappling-irons,  and  stand  by  for  board- 
ing !” 

As,  during  these  manoeuvres,  not  a .shot 
had  been  fired  for  some  time.  Captain 
Pearson  hailed  his  antagonist, demanding, 
“ Have  you  struck  your  colors?” — I hive 
not  yet  begun  to  fglit .'”  was  Jones’s  answei. 
The  chains  of  the  grappling-irons  having 
been  cut  away,  and  the  yards  of  the  Rich- 
ard being  braced  back,  while  the  sails  of 
the  Serapis  were  filled,  the  two  vessels 
sepai’ated.  As  soon  as  she  was  at  a suffi- 
cient distance,  the  Serapis  put  her  helm 
hard  down,  laid  all  aback  forward,  shiv- 
ered her  after-sails,  and  wore  short  round 
on  her  heel,  or  was  box-hauled,  with  a 
view,  most  probably, onuffing  up  athwart 
the  bow  of  her  enemy,  iii  order  to  rake 
her.  “ In  this  position,  the  Richard  would 
have  been  fighting  her  starboard  and  the 
Serapis  her  larboard  guns ; but  Commo- 
dore Jones,  by  this  time,  was  conscious 
of  the  hopele.ssne.ss  of  succe.ss  against  so 
much  heavier  metal ; and,  after  having 
backed  astern  some  distance,  he  filled  on 
the  other  tack,  luffing  up  with  the  inten- 
tion of  meeting  the  enemy  as  he  came 
to  the  wind,  and  of  laying  him  athwart 
hawse.”* 

In  the  smoke  and  confusion  — as  the 
firing  continued  the  whole  time  from 
deck  to  main-top  — there  was  necessarily 
great  difficulty  in  manoeuvring,  and  the 
two  vessels  ran  foul  again,  the  bowsprit 
of  the  Serapis  pa.ssing  over  the  Richard’s 
poop.  As  the  weather  was  mild,  neither 
ship  had  much  headway,  and  no  damage 
was  done  by  the  collision.  Paul  Jones, 
having  now  got  the  enemy  fast,  resolved 

* Cooper. 


KKVOLUTIONART.J  THE  DESPERATE  FIGHT.  707 

not  to  let  him  go  again  ; and  accordingly^ 

working  clear  had  to  be  given  up.  Find- 

taking  some  lashings,  he  fastened  with 

ing  themselves  thus  locked  in  a fiital  em- 

his  own  hands  the  head-gear  of  the  Sera- 

brace,  the  English  strove  to  board,  but 

pis  to  the  Richard’s  mizzen-mast.  Stacey, 

were  driven  back. 

the  sailing-master,  a Yankee  skipper,  was 

The  fight  now  raged  fiercely.  The  low- 

at  Jones’s  side,  assisting  him,  and  was 

er  ports  of  the  Serapi.s,  which  had  been 

swearing  "with  all  the  energy  of  an  old 

closed  as  she  swung,  to  prevent  boarding. 

tar.  “ Mr.  Stacey,”  exclaimed  the  commo- 

were  now  blown  ofti  as  there  was  no  room 

dore,  who  was  ordinarily  not  very  honey- 

between  the  closely-jammed  hulls  to  raise 

tongued  himself,  “this  is  no  time  for  swear- 

them.  The  guns  were  actually  so  close 

ing — you  may  be  the  next  moment  in 

to  the  sides  of  the  Richard,  that  in  load- 

eternity;  but  let  us  do  our  duty.”=^ 

ing  them  the  rammers  projected  into  her 

The  Serapis,  being  before  the  wind. 

ports.  These  heavy  guns  of  the  Serapis, 

now  had  her  hull  swung  round  by  her 

with  their  muzzles  thrust  into  the  very 

after-sails,  and  the  two  ships  fell  close 

ports  of  her  enemy,  cleared  all  before 

alongside  of  each  other.  The  jib-boom. 

them ; and  the  Americans  w^ere  obliged 

however,  of  the  Serapis,  which  Jones  had 

to  forsake  their  main-deck^  and  gather 

lashed,  gave  way  in  the  strain ; but  her 

above.  Some  mounted  the  upper  deck 

spare  anchor  having  got  hooked  into  the 

and  forecastle,  while  others  got  upon  the 

quarter  of  the  Richard,  and  additional 

yards  and  into  the  tops,  whence  they  kept 

lashings  got  out,  she  became  faster  than 

up  a constant  fire  of  musketry,  and  threw 

ever. 

hand-grenades. 

Captain  Pearson,  finding  that  the  ves- 

The  enemy  was  having  the  fight  all 

sels  were  foul,  dropped  an  anchor,  with 

to  himself  below,  tearing  the  hull  of  the 

the  hope  that,  as  the  current  was  setting 

Richard  to  pieces  with  his  heavy  guns. 

strong,  his  enemy  might  drift  clear  of 

The  guns  amidships,  fi’om  the  close  con- 

him ; since,  knowing  the  superiority  of 

tact  of  the  two  vessels,  were  of  no  use. 

his  ship,  he  preferred  a regular  combat 

for  they  could  neither  be  sponged  nor 

with  his  guns  to  a close  hand-to-hand 

loaded.  Jones  could  only  bring  into  ser- 

struggle.  The  vessels,  however,  were  too 

vice  three  or  four  of  his  smaller  cannon 

fast  to  part  thus.  The  hulls  were  jammed 

on  the  quarter-deck,  one  of  which  he  had 

close  alongside ; the  3^ards  were  inter- 

dragged  over  from  the  larboard  side,  and 

locked,  so  that  the  sailors  of  the  Richard 

stood  by  it  himself — directing  its  fire  — 

could  pass  from  her  maintop  to  the  fore- 

through  the  whole  action.  The  enemy 

top  of  the  Serapis ; strong  lashings  bound 

seemed  determined  to  carry  the  day,  and 

the  ships  close  together  fore  and  aft ; and 

would  have  done  so,  but  for  the  activity 

the  mouldings  and  ornamental  woi'k  of 

and  spirit  of  the  Richard’s  men  in  the 

the  bows  and  sterns  of  the  two  had  got 

tops. 

so  inextricably  caught,  that  all  hope  of 

Jones’s  sailors  and  marines  lay  out  on 

• Analectic  Magazine,  vol.  viii.  An  eye-witness. 

the  Richard’s  main-yard  ; and,  while  some 

708  RATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 


llirew  grenades  down  upon  the  enemy’s 
deck,  others  kept  up  a constant  fire  with 

and  every  other  kind  of  firearm 
wdiich  they  could  get  hold  of.  Almost 
every  man  of  the  Serapis  was  thus  driven 
below.  They  were  not  even  safe  here. 
One  bold  fellow' had  provided  himself  with 
a bucketful  of  combustibles  and  a match, 
and  taken  his  post  on  the  extreme  end 
of  the  Richard’s  yard,  w'hence  he  dropped 
his  grenades  down  into  the  very  main- 
hatchway of  the  Serapis.  One  of  these 
grenades  probably  settled  the  day.  By 
the  carelessness  of  the  powder-boys  of 
the  Serapis,  a number  of  cartridges  had 
been  left  on  the  main-deck,  in  a line  with 
the  guns,  when  a grenade  dropped  right 
among  them,  and  in  a moment  the  whole 
exploded  in  a flash  from  main  to  mizzen 
mast ! 

The  effect  of  the  explosion  was  terrific. 
More  than  a score  of  men  were  killed  out- 
right, and  so  completely  torn  to  pieces, 
that  of  some  nothing  was  left  but  the  col- 
lars and  wristbands  of  their  shirts,  or  the 
waistbands  of  their  duck  trousers.  Thir- 
ty-eight  more  w'ere  wounded,  and  some 
so  severely,  that  there  Avas  little  hope  of 
recovery.  Nearly  sixty  of  the  Serapis’s 
crew  Avere  thus  disabled,  and  all  Avere 
greatly  disheartened  by  the  fatal  acci- 
dent. The  sufferings  and  cries  of  the  in- 
jured Avere  so  heart-rending,  that  the  peo- 
ple of  the  Serapis,  Avho  Avere  all  croAvded 
beloAv,  and  were  thus  compelled  to  Avit- 
ness  and  hear  them,  began  to  give  up  in 
despair.  Their  drooping  spirits,  hoAvever, 
Avere  suddenly  aroused  to  hope,  if  not  hy 
an  alleviation  of  their  OAvn  misery,  yet 


by  a misfortune  AA’hich  noAv  happened  to 
their  enemy. 

The  Alliance  came  bearing  doAvn,  and, 
although  the  moon  Avas  up  and  the  night 
clear,  began  to  fire  upon  both  friend  and 
foe,  her  shots  telling  more  severely  upon 
the  Richard  than  upon  the  Serapis.  Fifty- 
voices  from  the  former  at  once  hailed  her, 
to  tell  her  captain  that  he  Avas  firing  up- 
on the  Avrong  A-essel,  and  the  usual  night- 
signal  of  three  lanterns  AA-as  shoAvn  on  the 
off  side,  Avhile  Jones  ordered  Landais  to 
lay  his  ship  aboard  the  enemy.  He  Avas 
asked  if  he  understood  the  order,  and  he 
declared  that  he  did.  Landais  then  hauled 
off  to  some  distance,  but  soon  after  drcAv 
closer,  and  began  his  fire  again,  pouring 
his  broadsides  indiscriminately  into  both 
vessels.  Ten  or  tAvelve  of  the  Richard’s 
men  on  the  forecastle  fell ; and  an  officer 
of  the  name  of  Caswell,  Avho  was  killed, 
complained  during  the  last  moments  of 
his  life,  Avith  a bitterness  Avhich  added  to 
the  agony  of  death,  that  he  died  by  the 
hands  of  his  friends. 

The  Alliance  did  great  damage  to  the 
Richard.  Her  men  became  discouraured, 
and,  leaving  their  guns,  declared  that  the 
Englishmen  on  board  the  former  had  y-ot 
possession  of  the  ship.  The  Richard’s  tops 
were  cut  up,  and  her  hull  so  damaged  by 
the  fire  of  the  Alliance,  and  the  Avater 
came  in  so  freely  through  the  shot-holes, 
that  she  began  to  settle.  There  was  now 
a panic  on  board  among  the  creAV.  A ru- 
mor circulated  between-decks  that  the 
commodore  and  all  his  principal  officers 
Avere  slain,  that  the  gunners  Avere  now  in 
command,  and  that  the  ship  had  four  or 
five  feet  of  Avater  in  her  hold.  The  sail* 


— ^ 

REVOI.CTIONAI5Y.J  CAPTURE  OF 

THE  SERAPIS.  709 

ors  accordingly  delegated  the  gunner,  the 

down  your  pendant?”  The  ensign,  as  we 

carpenter,  and  the  master-at-arms,  to  go 

have  seen,  had  already  been  shot  away. 

on  deck  and  beg  quarter  of  the  enemy. 

“Haul  down  our  pendttut?”  cried  Jones. 

The  English  prisoners  belonging  to  the 

“yly,  ay  1 ivc'll  do  that  when  toe  can  fiyht  no 

prizes  which  had  been  taken,  who  num- 

longer : toe  are  tvailing  for  yours  to  come  down 

bered  about  one  hundred,  were  let  loose 

first  r 

in  the  meantime,  to  save  their  lives;  and 

The  conflict  Avas  noAV  rencAved,  Avith 

one  of  them  crept  from  the  port  of  the 

o-reater  Auo-or  than  ever,  but  was  soon  sus- 

Richard  into  that  of  the  Serapis,  and  in- 

pended  by  the  Richard  taking  fire.  The 

formed  the  British  commander  that  in  a 

ship  had  already  been  several  times  in 

few  minutes  all  would  be  over  with  his 

flames,  AA'hich  had,  hoAvever,  been  easily 

enemy. 

quenched  by  the  tub  of  Avater  in  the  fore- 

The  gunner,  in  the  meantime,  reached 

top.  The  tub,  nevertheless,  Avas  emptied 

the  main-deck,  followed  by  his  associate 

ao:ain  and  av-ain  Avithout  effect,  Avhen  at 

delegates,  and  bawling  out  aloud,  “ Quar- 

last  the  crew,  by  pulling  off  their  coats 

ter,  quarter,  for  God’s  sake  quarter!  our 

and  jackets,  and  first  smothering  the  fire, 

ship  is  sinking  1”  they  got  upon  the  .ship’s 

succeeded  in  putting  it  out.  The  English 

poop,  in  order  to  haid  down  the  colors. 

captain  now  hailed  again,  to  ask  if  Jones 

The  ensign  and  ensign-staff,  however,  had 

demanded  quarter;  and,  mistaking  the* 

long  since  been  shot  away,  and  the  three 

ansAver,  Avhich  Avas  in  the  negative,  he  o.’- 

accordingly  proceeded  to  the  quarter-deck 

dered  his  men  to  take  possession  of  the 

and  began  to  haul  at  the  pendant,  still 

prise.  lie  soon  found  out  his  mistake. 

crying,  “Quarter!” — “What  rascals  are 

hoAvever;  for  Avhen  some  of  his  crew  got 

those  ? Shoot  them — kill  them !”  fiercely 

on  the  gunwale  of  the  Richard,  they  Avere 

shouted  Jones,  who  had  now  for  the  first 

met  by  a gang  of  boarders  Avith  tbeir 

time  caught  sight  of  the  fellows,  as  he  had 

pike.s,  and  forced  to  retreat  in  haste  to 

been  away  for  a moment  on  the  forecas- 

their  OAvn  ship.  The  American  top-men 

tie.  The  carpenter  and  the  master-at-arms 

now  drove  the  creAV  of  the  Serapis  (avIio 

no  sooner  heard  that  terrible  voice,  than 

had  been  ordered  on  deck)  doAvn  beloAv 

they  skulked  below,  where  the  gunner 

again,  Avhere  they  resumed  their  position 

was  attempting  to  follow  them,  Avhen  the 

at  the  loAver  guns,  and  continued  their 

commodore  hurled  a pistol  at  his  head, 

fire  throimh  and  through  the  Richard’s 

which  knocked  him  down  at  the  foot  of 

hull. 

the  gangway,  where  he  lay  senseless  un- 

All  fighting,  hoAvever,  soon  ceased,  as 

til  the  end  of  the  battle.* 

both  ships  Avere  on  fire,  and  tlieir  crews 

Captain  Pearson,  having  heard  the  cry 

Avere  busy  in  extinguishing  the  flames; 

for  quarter,  and  listened  to  the  story  of 

Avhi]e  many  of  the  men  on  board  the  Rich- 

the  English  pri.soner,  now  hailed  his  an- 

ard  were  kept  constantly  at  the  pump.s, 

tagonist,  crying,  “Why  don’t  you  haul 

to  prevent  her  sinking.  The  Serapis  had 

* An  eye-witness.  Analectic  Majjazine. 

been  on  fire  twelve  times  during  the  ac 

,, 

1 


710 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  li. 


tion,and  her  antagonist  may  be  said  never 
to  have  ceased  burning  during  the  whole 
time.  It  was  past  midnight,  and 
'^*'****  ’ about  three  and  a half  hours 

since  the  first  gun  had  been  fired,  when 
Captain  Pearson  at  last  determined  to 
strike  to  Jones.  None  of  the  crew  could 
be  persuaded  to  mount  the  quarter-deck 
for  (he  purpose,  so  fearful  were  they  of 
a shot  from  the  Richard’s  top-men,  and 
the  British  commander  was  obliged  to 
haul  down  the  Hag  of  the  Serapis  with  his 
own  hands. 

As  soon  as  it  was  known  that  the  col- 
ors of  the  English  had  been  lowered,  Mr. 
Dale,  the  first-lieutenant,  got  upon  the 
gunwale  of  the  Richard,  and,  laying  hold 
of  her  main-brace  pendant,  he  swung  him- 
self on  board  the  Serapis.  On  her  quar- 
ter-deck he  found  Captain  Pearson, almost 
alone,  where  he  had  remained  through- 
out nearly  the  whole  action.  While  Mr. 
Dale  was  speaking  to  him,  the  first-lieu- 
tenant  of  the  Serapis  came  up  from  be- 
low, to  inquire  if  the  Richard  had  struck, 
as  her  fire  had  ceased.  He  was,  however, 
informed  that  it  was  his  own  ship  which 
was  in  that  predicament;  when  he  pro- 
posed to  go  below,  and  stop  the  firing. 
But  Dale  would  not  consent ; and  the  en- 
emy’s guns  did  not  cease  till  the  British 
captain  and  his  lieutenant  had  reached 
the  quarter-deck  of  the  Richard,  and  sur- 


Sept. 24. 


rendered  their  swords  into  the  hands  of 
Paul  Jones.* 

The  Richard,  havino;  been  so  damaired 
in  the  action,  and  being  still  on  fire,  it 
was  found  necessary  to  abandon 
her  the  next  day,  and  soon  after 
she  went  down,  head  foremost.  The  Sera- 
pis had  suftered  much  less  in  her  hull,  but 
her  mainmast  had  been  so  riddled  with 
balls  that  it  fell,  bringing  down  with  it 
the  mizzen-topmast. 

Commodore  Jones,  having  first  hoisted 
his  flag  on  board  the  captured  ship,  now 
sailed  with  the  remains  of  his  squadron 
and  his  prize  to  the  coast  of  Holland, 
where  he  put  into  the  Texel,  for  repairs. 

The  loss  of  lives  on  botli  sides  seems 
to  have  been  about  equal,  and  amounted 
to  nearly  one  half  of  all  engaged.  The 
conflict  had  lasted  nearly  four  hours,  and, 
sanguinary  as  it  had  been,  it  would  have 
proved  still  more  so,  and  far  less  protract- 
ed, had  it  not  been  for  the  fact  that  the 
crew  of  the  Serapis  were  fighting  below, 
while  the  crew  of  the  Richard  were  fight- 
ing above. 

* “ It  is  with  great  reluctance  that  I am  obliged  to  resign 
my  sword  to  a man  with  a halter  about  his  neck,”  are  the 
apocryphal  words  attributed  to  the  British  commander  on 
this  occasion,  to  which  Jones  is  said  to  have  answered  chiv- 
alrously, “ Sir,  you  have  fought  like  a hero,  and  I do  not 
doubt  but  that  your  sovereign  will  reward  you  handsomely.” 
Pearson  was  afterward  rewarded  with  the  title  of  baronet, 
when  Jones  is  again  said  to  have  remarked,  “ Tlie  next  time 
I fall  in  with  him,  I ’ll  make  a lord  of  him  !” 


1 


c 


REVOLUTIONARY.J  MAJOR  LEE’S  EXPLOIT  AT  PAULUS  HOOK. 


?1J 


CHAPTER  LXXX. 

Henry  Lee’s  Attack  on  Paiilus  Hook. — Its  Success. — A Massachusetts  Enterprise. — Great  Enthusiasm  — Extensive 
Preparations. — Military  and  Naval  Forces. — Parallels  and  Approaches. — An  Obstinate  Enemy. — Massachusetts  cives 
up  Penobscot  Bay  in  Despair — The  Fate  of  the  Massachusetts  Fleet. — The  South. — The  French  Fleet. — Its  Arrival 
otf  the  Coast  of  Georgia. — The  British  taken  by  Surprise. — Captures. — I'light. — Count  d’Estaing  in  Haste. — Too  po- 
lite and  self-confident — General  Prevost  fortifies  Savannah, — The  Spirited  Maitland. — Prevost  will  defend  Himself  to 
the  Last  Extremity. — The  Siege  begun. — Description  of  Savannah  and  its  Fortifications. — Impatience  of  D’Estaing. — 
The  Assault. — Tlie  Struggle. — Death  of  Count  Pulaski. — Defeat  of  the  Allies. — The  Loss. — Count  d’Estaing  sails 
away. — End  of  the  Southern  Campaign  of  1779. — A Clever  Ruse. — Valueless  Victories. 


1779. 


The  gallant  Major  Henry  Lee 
was  always  eager  for  action ; and, 
as  there  was  little  prospect  of  a general 
campaign,  he  took  care  to  find  out  a 
sphere  for  the  exercise  of  his  own  super- 
fluous energies.  He  was  now  stationed 
with  his  light-troops,  as  an  outpost,  on 
the  New-Jersey  side  of  the  Hudson,  a 
short  distance  behind  Hoboken.  Here 
he  was  constantly  on  the  alert,  keeping 
watch  over  the  movements  of  the  enemy, 
and,  when  occasion  offered,  pouncing  up- 
on their  foraging-parties.  Near  his  post 
was  Paul  us  Hook  (now  Jersey  City),  a 
long  and  low  peninsula,  stretching  into 
the  Hudson  river,  and  joined  to  the  main- 
land by  a marsh.  The  British  had  forti- 
fied the  position  strongly,  and  occupied  it 
with  a garrison  of  several  hundred  men, 
under  tlie  command  of  Major  Sutherland. 
The  works  were  formidable,  consistiiui:  of 
two  redoubts,  mounted  with  heavy  can- 
non, enclosed  within  breastworks,  abidtis, 
and  trenches.  A deep  ditch  was  dug 
across  the  narrow  marsh  which  separated 
the  hook  from  the  mainland,  and  a draw- 
bridge,protected  by  a barred  gate,  thrown 
over. 


While  keeping  his  watchful  eye  ./U  the 
place,  Lee  had  noticed  the  negligence  of 
the  garrison,  who,  trusting  to  the  strength 
of  their  works,  became  heedless  cf  the 
usual  precaution.s.  The  major  therefore 
determined,  if  possible,  to  take  the  hook 
by  surprise.  Washington,  on  being  con- 
sulted, at  first  considered  the  enterprise 
too  hazardous  ; but  afterward,  upon  con- 
ferring with  Lee  personally  on  the  sub- 
ject, he  gave  his  approval.  He  declared, 
however,  that  if  the  post  could  not  be 
taken  in  an  instant,  by  surprise,  the  at- 
tempt must  not  be  made. 

Thus  fortified  by  the  approbation  of 
the  commander-in-chief.  Major  Lee  stark 
ed  with  three  hundred  infantry  ^ 
soldiers  and  a troop  of  his  own  ” 
dismounted  dragoons,  to  execute  his  haL- 
ardous  enterprise.  To  deceive  those  in 
the  country  who  were  friendly  to  the  en- 
emy, Lee  took  care  to  have  it  rumored 
that  he  was  going  out  merely  to  forage^ 
and  took  a long  and  circuitous  route. 

tiis  march  through  the  country  excited 
no  suspicion,  as  these  foraging-excursions 
were  of  every-day  occurrence.  On  arri- 
ving at  the  New  bridge,  on  the  Hacken- 


— 

712  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

sack  river,  Lee  halted  his  party  till  Lord 
Stirling  should  come  up  with  his  live  hun- 
dred men,  who  Avere  to  remain  there  as 
a reserve,  in  case  their  aid  should  be  re- 
quired. When  the  night  Avas  sufficiently 
advanced,  Lee  pushed  forward  through 
the  rugged  country  betAA’een  tlie  Hack- 
ensack and  the  Hudson.  Having  crossed 
Harsimus  creek,  he  passed  over  the  draAA’- 
bridge,  and  through  the  barred  gate,  into 
the  Avorks,  Avithout  exciting  the  least  sus- 
picion. A party  of  the  enemy  Avas  fortu- 
nately out  foraging,  and  toe  Americans 
Aveie  thought  by  the  careless  guards  to 
be  their  cavu  countrymen,  and  Avere  per- 
mitted to  enter  Avithout  question. 

M.'ijor  Lee’s  purpose  Avas  effected  al- 
most Vvuthout  a bloAA'.  Major  Sutherland 
and  some  Hessians,  hoAvever,  at  the  last 
moment,  succeeded  in  escaping  into  a 
blockhouse,  after  Lee  had  secured  a hun- 
cired  and  fifty-nine  prisoners,  and  thence 
began  an  irregular  fire,  by  Avhich  two  of 
Lee’s  party  Avere  killed  and  three  Avound- 
ed.  There  Avas  no  time  to  dislodge  them, 
as  the  alarm  had  now  extended  to  the 
English  men-of-war  in  the  North  river, 
and  Avould  soon  reach  the  British  head- 
quarters opposite,  in  New  York;  Avhile, 
moreover,  Lee  had  been  strictly  enjoined 
bv  Washinjrton  not  to  risk  the  lives  of  his 
men  by  remaining  to  destroA^  barracks  or 
artillery.  In  the  assault  the  British  had 
thirty  killed.  The  American  commander 
made  good  his  retreat,  under  the  cover 
of  General  Lord  Stirling,  and  had  the  sat- 
isfaction of  being  Avelcomed  back  to  camp 
Avith  the  applause  of  every  officer  and  sol- 
dier for  his  triumphant  gallantry.  Med- 
als had  been  awarded  by  Congress  to  Gen- 

era!  Wayne  and  the  leaders  of  the  two 
divisions  in  the  storming  of  Stony  Point ; 
and  the  same  honor  Avas  noAv  conferred 
upon  Major  Lee  for  his  brave  exploit  at 
Paul  us  Hook. 

A more  pretentious  but  less  successful 
enterprise  Avas  got  up  in  Massachusetts. 
Colonel  M‘Lean,  in  command  of  the  Brit- 
ish troops  in  Nova  Scotia,  had  gone  Avith 
nearly  seven  hundred  men  and  three 
sloop.s-of-Avar  to  establish  a post  on  Penob- 
scot bajq  in  order  to  obtain  timber  from 
the  forests  of  Maine  for  the  shipyards  at 
Halifax,  and  to  check  the  incursions  of 
the  NeAA'-Englanders.  M'Lean  selected 
some  high  ground  on  a peninsula,  Avith  a 
small  bay  toAvard  the  sea,  in  Avhich  the 
three  sloops-of-Avar  noAV  rode  at  anchor, 
and  a steep  ascent  on  the  land-side.  Here 
he  commenced  the  construction  of  a fort, 
Avhich  Avas  still  incomplete  Avhen  he  re- 
ceived intelligence  of  the  setting  out  of 
a large  force  to  attack  him. 

Massachusetts  Avas  greatly  provoked 
by  this  invasion  of  its  territory,  and  the 
state  determined  to  make  a vigorous  ef- 
fort to  defend  itself  and  vindicate  its  in- 
sulted honor.  Confident  in  its  OAvn  re- 
sources, the  goATrnment  at  Boston  proud- 
ly disdained  all  aid,  and  neither  consulted 
Washington  at  West  Point  nor  General 
Gates  at  Providence,  nor  asked  them  for 
troops.  The  enterprise  Avas  got  up  on  a 
scale  that  Avas  supposed  to  insure  success, 
and  Massachusetts  Avas  resolved  to  alloAV 
none  other  to  share  in  the  expected  tri- 
umph. 

Great  military  enthusiasm  prevailed  on 
the  occasion,  and  some  three  thousand  en- 
terprising militiamen  Avere  enrolled  undei 

r 

I 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  DISASTROUS  EXPEDITION  TO  THE  PENOBSCOT.  713 


the  standard  of  Lovell,  who  wa.s  the  gen- 
eral appointed  to  the  command.  The  na- 
val preparations  were  no  less  spirited  and 
extensive.  An  embargo  was  laid  by  the 
general  court  of  Massachusetts,  for  forty 
days,  upon  all  shipping,  in  order  that  a 
full  supply  of  seamen  might  more  readily 
be  obtained.  Captain  Saltonstall,  the  state 
commodore,  now  gathered  under  his  broad 
pendant  a formidable  fleet  of  no  less  than 
twenty  armed  vessels,  brigantines  and  pri- 
vateers, in  addition  to  twenty-four  trans- 
ports for  the  conveyance  of  the  troops. 

The  fleet,  being  wind-bound  for  some 
time  in  Nantasket  roads,  at  length  made 

its  appearance  off  the  Penobscot. 
July  25,  } ,,  , , 

binding  tlie  entrance  to  the  lit- 
tle bay,  below  the  enemy’s  fort,  barred 
by  the  three  British  sloops-of-war,  which 
were  anchored  across  its  mouth,  the  Amer- 
icans sought  another  anchorage  and  more 
convenient  landing-place.  After  a delay 
of  three  days,  the  troops  finally  debarked. 
Having  climbed  up  the  steep  approach 
from  the  laud,  and  dragged  their  heavy 
cannon  after  them,  they  took  their  posi- 
tion within  seven  hundred  and  fifty  yards, 
and  in  regular  form  began  to  lay  siege  to 
the  fort. 

While  General  Lovell  was  proceeding, 
according  to  the  most  approved  military 
art,  with  his  parallels  and  approaches,  the 
British  colonel  improved  the  opportunity 
of  strengthening  his  incomplete  works, 
and  finally  became  so  confident  in  his 
means  of  resistance,  that,  after  refusing 
the  summons  to  surrender,  he  fearlessly 
scorned  all  threats  of  assault. 

Lovell  continued  the  protracted  siege, 
with  ail  occasional  attempt  at  co-opera- 
90 


tion  on  the  part  of  Commodore  Salton- 
stall, who  made  several  not  very  vigorous 
efibrts  to  enter  the  harbor,  which  were, 
however,  always  defeated  by  tbe  British 
sloop.s-of-war  on  guard  at  its  entrance. 
The  militia  now  began  to  grow  weary  of 
the  long  trial  of  their  undisciplined  pa- 
tience ; and  Lovell  was  fain  to  send  to 
General  Gates,  at  Providence,  for  a rein- 
forcement of  regular  troops,  which  were 
despatched,  but  did  not  arrive  in  time. 

After  a brisk  but  inefiectual  cannona- 
ding (which  was  returned  with  spirit  from 
the  fort)  had  continued  day  after  day  for 

a fortnight,  the  English  colonel 

® ° Aug.  14. 

was  surprised  one  morning  to 

discover  that  his  enemies  had,  during  the 

previous  night,  suddenly  abandoned  their 

camp-works  and  re-ernbarked. 

The  cause  was  soon  made  apparent  by 
the  appea  rance  off  the  bay  of  Admiral  Sir 
George  Collier,  with  a British  squadron 
of  five  formidable  men-of-war.  While  Col- 
lier lay  at  Sandy  Hook,  he  got  wind  of 
the  Mas.sachusetts  expedition, from  a com- 
municative paragraph  in  a Boston  news- 
paper, and  made  all  haste  to  the  rescue 
of  the  Penobscot  fort.  The  American  ves- 
sels, under  Commodore  Saltonstall,  pre- 
sented a threatening  aspect  on  the  arri- 
val of  Sir  George.  They  w'ere  “ drawn 
up  seemingly  with  the  view  of  disputing 
the  passage.  Their  resolution,  however, 
soon  failed,  and  an  ignominious  flight  took 
place.”*  Two  of  the  largest  armed  ves- 
sels strove  to  run  out  of  the  bay  and  get 
to  sea,  but  were  intercepted,  when  one 
was  taken,  and  the  other,  being  driven  or 
shore,  was  blown  up  by  her  own  crew. 

* Gordon. 


714  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 


The  rest  made  for  the  mouth  of  the  Pe- 
nobscot river,  where  the  sailors  and  sol- 
diers got  ashore  and  made  their  escape 
by  land,  abandoning  their  vessels  to  the 
enemy.  The  fugitives  had  a weary  jour- 
ney before  them,  being  forced  to  make 
their  way  to  their  homes  for  a hundred 
miles  through  the  forest- wilderness  of 
Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  and  did  not 
reach  Boston  until  the  latter  part  of  Sep- 
tember. Many  perished  from  hunger  and 
fatigue,  in  the  attempt.  Neither  general 
nor  commodore  escaped  the  severe  re- 
bukes of  their  state  and  fellow-citizens  for 
the  ignominious  result  of  the  great  Mas- 
sachusetts expedition  against  the  enemy 
at  Penobscot. 

Let  us  now  record  events  at  the  South, 
where  the  British  seemed  disposed  to  car- 
ry on  the  war.  The  French  fleet,  after 
being  thoroughly  refitted  at  Boston,  had 
sailed  for  the  West  Indies,  where  Count 
d’Estaing  achieved  some  small  triumphs. 
As  the  hurricane-months  were  approach- 
ing, and  an  intermission  of  active  opera- 
tions in  the  tropical  seas  must  occur,  the 
Americans  in  the  southern  states  deter- 
mined to  invoke  the  aid  of  the  French 
admiral.  Governor'  Rutledge,  of  South 
Carolina,  and  General  Lincoln,  in  com- 
mand at  Charleston,  with  the  concurrence 
of  the  French  consul  in  that  city,  wrote 
to  D’Estaing  an  earnest  appeal,  which  was 
immediately  responded  to  by  his  setting 
sail  with  his  whole  fleet  for  the  American 
coa'^t. 

The  French  admiral,  with  his  formida- 
ble fleet  of  twenty-four  ship.s-of-the-line, 
(ourteen  frigates,  and  a flock  of  small  craft, 
and  having  on  board  a land-force  of  six 


thousand  men,  appeared  so  sud- 
denly off  the  coast  of  Georgia, 
that  tlie  British  were  completely  taken 
by  surprise.  The  Experiment,  of  fifty  guns, 
under  the  command  of  Sir  James  Wallace, 
together  with  three  frigates,  were  at  once 
captured,  and  the  rest  of  the  squadron  on 
that  station  was  only  saved  by  running 
up  the  Savannah  river.  General  Prevost, 
who  held  possession  of  the  town  with  a 
small  British  force,  was  in  great  anxiety 
about  its  safety,  and  immediately  ordered 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Conger,  at  Sunbury, 
and  L ieutenant-Colonel  Maitland, who  was 
stationed  at  Beaufort,  in  South  Carolina, 
Avith  a considerable  number  of  troops,  to 
mnrch  with  all  despatch  to  his  aid. 

Count  d’Estaing,  in  the  meantime,  had 
met  GoA^ernor  Rutledge  and  General  Lin- 

o 

• 

coin  at  Charleston,  and  Avith  them  formed 
a plan  for  Avresting  Savannah  from  the 
British.  While  the  admiral  sailed  to  join 
his  fleet,  Lincoln  pushed  on  by  land  ; and 
Rutledge  promptly  seconded  the  objects 
of  both,  by  obtaining  at  Charleston  boats 
of  light  draught,  to  aid  the  former  in 
landing  his  troops,  and  enrolling  the  mi- 
litia of  South  Carolina,  and  marching  him- 
self at  their  head  to  reinforce  the  latter. 

The  admiral  Avas  the  first  to  arrive,  and, 
immediately  after  landing  his  troops  at 
Beaulieu,  he  marched  toward  Savannah, 

and  summoned  the  British  gar- 

® Sept.  13. 

rison  to  surrender  io  the  arms  of 
the  king  of  France.  Lincoln  and  Rutledge 
soon  folloAved,  and  henrd  Avith  no  little 
vexation  of  the  count’s  hasty  proceed- 
ings, and  his  eagerness  to  monopolize  for 
his  own  sovereign  the  expected  honors. 
General  Lincoln,  reminding  his  French 


REVOLUTIONARY.J  D’ESTAING  AND  LINCOLN  BESIEGE  SAVANNAH.  715 

that  the  United  States  claimed  some 

The  welcome  Maitland  arrived  in  time. 

consideration  in  the  affair,  the  count  was 

Great  were  the  obstacles  Avhich  he  had  to 

prevailed  on,  after  a little  angry  alterca- 

encounter.  Being  cut  off  by  the  French 

tion,  so  far  to  modify  his  future  action  as 

fleet  from  the  customary  route  to  Savan- 

to  acknowledge  the  Americans  as  a party 

nah,  he  was  obliged  to  take  one  which  led 

concerned.  The  combined  forces  thence- 

him  over  land  and  water,  through  deep 

forth  acted  with  amiable  co-operation. 

creeks  and  marshes,  where  his  soldiers 

The  British  general,  on  receiving  the 

were  forced  to  drag  their  boats.  With 

summons  ofD’Estaing  to  surrender,  asked 

all  these  difficulties,  Maitland,  though  ill 

for  a delay  of  twenty-four  hours,  to  con- 

with  a bilious  fever,  made  his  way  to  the 

sider  the  demand.  This  the  courteous 

Savannah  river,  where,  embarking  in  boats 

and  imprudently  self-confident  French- 

above  the  anchorage, he  entered  the  town 

man  granted.  Prevost  had  been  joined 

before  the  expiration  of  the  truce.  His 

by  Conger  from  Sunbury,  but  was  still 

arrival  “diffused  universal  joy,  not  only 

waiting  with  anxiety  for  the  accession  of 

because  he  added  ome  third  to  the  number 

Maitland’s  veteran  troops  from  Beaufort. 

of  the  garrison,  and  that  too  in  troops  of 

Having  gained  time  by  this  ruse,  the  Brit- 

the  best  quality,  but  because  he  added 

ish  general  confidently  relied  upon  the 

himself,  always  the  source  of  comfort 

arrival  of  the  spirited  Maitland,  and  in  the 

where  danger  reigned.”* 

meantime  continued  his  preparations  for 

His  purpose  gained  by  the  truce,  the 

defence.  He  had  every  soldier,  citizen. 

British  general  now  confidently  answered 

and  negro,  whom  he  could  muster,  busy 

D’Estaing’s  summons  by  declaring  that 

at  the  works,  in  which  he  was  greatly  aid- 

he  should  defend  himself  to  the  hist  ex- 

ed  by  Captain  Henry,  in  command  of  the 
small  naval  force  which  had  fled  up  the 

tremity.  The  allies,  having  com- 
. / , : U.  ® , Sepl.  23. 

pleted  their  preparations,  broke 

river  on  the  approach  of  the  French  fleet. 

ground  for  the  siege,  and  pushed  their 

The  guns  from  most  of  the  vessels  were 

approaches  with  the  greatest  diligence. 

landed  and  mounted  on  the  batteries,  and 

so  that  in  twelve  days  fifty-three  pieces 

the  sailors  and  marines  sent  ashore  to 

of  battering-cannon  and  fourteen  mortars 

work  them  and  reinforce  the  garrison. 
One  brig,  however,  was  allowed  to  retain 
her  guns,  and  was  anchored  above  Sar 

were  mounted.  They  now  opened  their 
fire,  and  with  such  terrible  effect 

1 1 /-I  1 

upon  the  town,  tliat  General  rre- 

vannah,  so  as  to  cover  the  right  of  the 

vost  sent  out  a flag,  with  the  request  that 

British  lines.  Several  vessels  were  sunk 

the  aged,  the  women,  and  the  children, 

across  the  channel  below  the  town,  in  or- 

might  be  allowed  to  remove  to  a place 

der  to  prevent  the  nearer  approach  of  the 

of  safety.  This  was,  however,  refused  by 

French  fleet ; and  others  in  like  manner 

the  confederate  commanders, probably  on 

above,  where  a boom  was  thrown  across 

the  ground  that  their  absence  would  pro- 

the  river,  to  hinder  all  attempts  by  water 
in  that  direction. 

* Henry  Lee,  who  is  always  as  candid  as  an  historian  as 
he  was  brave  as  a soldier. 

. 

716  14A FILES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  ii 

tract  the  resistance  of  the  garrison ; al- 

sorties,  more  Avith  a vieAv  to  provoke  as- 

though,  according  to  Lee,  the  request  Avas 

sault  than  to  strike  a bloAV. 

sustained  by  the  claims  of  humanity,  and 

General  Prevost  calculated  that  the 

if  granted  would  have  tended  in  no  Avay 

French  Avould  resolve  upon  storming  his 

to  the  benefit  of  the  besieged  or  the  in- 

Avorks,  knowing  the  danger  they  would 

jury  of  the  besiegers. 

consider  themselves  exposed  to  from  the 

The  British  force  was  comparatively 

approaching  autumnal  gales,  besides  the 

small,  amounting  to  less  than  tliree  thou- 

chance  of  the  arrival  of  a British  fleet. 

sand  men, even  including  Maitland’s  eight 

‘‘  He  also  counted  upon  the  impatient 

hundred  veterans.  When  D’Estaing  had 

temper  of  the  French,  identified  in  the 

first  sent  in  his  summons,  Prevost  liad 

character  of  their  commander,  not  doubt- 

hardly  a dozen  guns  mounted  ; but,  by 

ing,”  says  Henry  Lee,  “from  his  being 

immense  exertions,  he  had  succeeded,  du- 

our  voluntary  assistant,  he  Avould  take 

ring  the  protracted  operations  of  the  be- 

his  measures  from  and  for  himself  Lin- 

siegers,  in  mounting  no  less  than  a him- 

coin’s  Avisdom,  Lincoln’s  patience,  Lin- 

dred  cannon  of  all  kinds  and  calibres. 

coin’s  counsel,  Avould  be  very  limited  in 

The  British  engineer,  Moncrielf,  was  a 

its  effect.” 

marvel  of  energy,  and  full  of  resource. 

The  calculation  of  the  British  general 

He  with  great  ingenuity  strengthened  all 

Avas  Avell  founded.  D’Estaing  became  im- 

the  Aveak  parts  of  the  town  Avith  impale- 

patient,  for  he  had  already  been  delayed 

ments,  traAmrses,  ahattis,  and  redoubts,  and 

a month  by  an  enterprise  AA'liich  he  had 

in  their  construction  availed  himself  free- 

been  led  to  believe,  AA’hen  his  aid  Avas  so- 

ly  of  the  native  palmetto,  Avhich,  from  the 

licited,  could  be  readily  accomplished  in 

spongy  nature  of  the  Avood,  receives  a ball 

ten  days.  His  officers  Avere  still  more  im- 

without  a shock  or  a splinter.  The  in- 

patient  than  himself  j and,  being  anxious 

terstices  of  the  framework  formed  by  the 

for  the  safety  of  the  fleet — Avhich  they 

trees  Avere  filled  in  Avith  mud  and  sand. 

thought  Avas  imperilled  by  the  approach 

A deep  morass  and  the  river  gave  se- 

of  the  stormy  season,  and  the  probable 

curity  to  tAvo  sides  of  Savannah.  Fields 

arrival  of  a British  naval  armament — 

surrounded  the  other  parts  of  the  toAvn. 

they  remonstrated  against  further  delay. 

Here  the  allies  Avere  approachingj  and 

The  count  accordingly  declared  to  Gen- 

here  Avere  erected  tlie  enemy’s  defences. 

eral  Lincoln  that  Savannah  must  be  forth 

So  Avell  prepared  had  the  besieged  noAV 

Avith  stormed,  or  the  siege  raised. 

become,  that  they  eagerly  Avished  their 

The  cautious  American  leader  Avould 

Avorks  might  be  assaulted,  for  their  fate 

haAm  continued  his  slow  but  sure  system ; 

Avould  othei’Avise  be  certain  in  time,  un- 

nevertheless,  rather  than  abandon  the 

less  relieved  by  a British  fleet.  They  ac- 

enterprise,  he  consented  to  the  hazardous 

cordingly  did  not  Avaste  their  strength 

expedient  of  a storm.  The  9th  of  Octo- 

by  attempts  to  impede  the  advances  of 

ber  Avas  the  time  appointed  ; and  Avhen 

the  allies ; and  only  made  two  cautious 

the  day  daAvned,  the  allied  troops  moved 

, 

REVOLUTIONART.J  THE  ASSAULT  AND  REPULSE.— DEATH  OF  PULASKI. 


to  the  assault.-  The  chief  point  of  attack, 
which  was  supposed  to  be  the  most  vul- 
nerable, was  on  the  right  of  the  enemy, 
where  Prevost,  aware  of  its  weakness,  had 
posted  his  choicest  troops,  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  gallant  Maitland. 

^ The  allied  forces  were  divided 
into  three  columns.  Two,  com- 
posed of  three  thousand  five  hundred 
French  troops  and  six  hundred  continen- 
tals, were  to  make  the  main  a,s.sault,  on 
the  right;  while  the  third,  chietly  militia, 
was  to  move  upon  the  British  centre  and 
left,  to  create  if  possible  a division  of  at- 
tention in  that  direction,  or  to  act  in  re- 
serve. The  first  column,  headed  by  D’Es- 
taing  and  Lincoln  jointly,  led  the  attack ; 
and  the  second,  under  Count  Dillon,  was 
directed  to  follow.  The  approach  to  the 
right  of  the  enemy’s  works  was  along 
some  sunken  ground,  by  which  the  ad- 
vance could  be  made  almost  to  the  ditch 
without  exposure  to  fire.  Along  this  con- 
cealed way  D’Estaing  and  Lincoln  now 
pushed  on,  and,  aided  by  the  darkness  of 
the  early  morning,  got  close  to  the  re- 
doubts unob.served.  The  assailants  ad- 
vanced gallantly,  but  were  met  by  a heavy 
and  w'ell-directed  fire  from  the  batteries 
in  their  front,  and  galled  in  their  flank  by 
a sharp  cannonade  from  the  British  armed 
brig  in  the  river. 

The  first  fire  from  the  works  was  ter- 
ribly fatal,  and  thinned  the  ranks  of  the 
allies ; but  they  pushed  forward  resolute- 
ly, and,  forcing  the  abattis  there  in  ad- 
vance, succeeded  in  planting  a French 
and  an  American  standard  on  the  para- 
pet. Before  their  comrades  could  come 
to  their  support,  however,  the  English, 


111 

strengthened  at  the  point  of  attack  by  a 
reserve  force,  came  up  impetuously,  and. 
tearing  away  the  defiant  standards,  drove 
back  the  assailants  with  their  bayonets. 

Count  Dillon,  in  the  meanwhile,  had 
lost  his  way,  in  consequence  of  the  dark- 
ness of  the  morning,  and  thus  failing  to 
bring  his  column  up  in  time,  Aveakened 
the  force  of  the  assault.  To  this  misfor- 
tune Avas  added  that  of  the  death  of  the 
brave  Count  Pulaski,  at  the  head  of  his 
troop  of  tAA'o  hundred  horsemen,  Avhile  at- 
tempting to  force  his  Avay  into  the  rear 
of  the  toAvn.  On  his  fall,  his  men  retreat- 
ed, and  an  effort  Avas  thus  arrested  Avhich 
might  have  changed  the  issue  of  the  day 
The  body  and  the  banner  of  the  gallant 
Pole  Avere  borne  away  by  his  faithful  aid, 
Count  Litomiski. 

Although  the  French  and  Carolina* 
standards  had  thus  been  torn  doAvn,  yet 
important  breaches  had  been  made,  and 
another  assault  promised  a succe.ssful  re- 
sult ; but  D’Estaing  perversely  refused  to 
reneAv  the  attack.  The  indignant  Lin- 
coln concealed  his  Avrath,  and,  being  too 
Aveak  to  resume  the  siege  alone  by  regu- 
lar approaches,  he  at  length  consented  to 
abandon  it.  The  siege  Avas  rai.sed  just  as 
victory  lay  Avithin  the  grasp  of  the  allies. 
Thus  a second  time  did  the  French  admi- 
ral bitterly  disappoint  the  just  hopes  of 
the  Americans. 

After  a struggle  AA’hich  had  lasted  for 
nearly  an  hour,  the  allied  commanders 

* It  was  a point  of  honor  that  these  colors  should  not  be 
lost.  Lieutenant  Gray  was  mortally  wounded  in  attempting 
to  remove  them.  Jasper,  the  brave  man  who  replanted  the 
crescent  flag  at  Fort  Moultrie  in  1776,  bore  them  back  from 
the  bloody  heights  and  delivered  them  in  safety  to  his  com- 
rades, but  lost  his  life  in  the  chivalrous  act,  receiving  a mor- 
tal wound,  from  which  he  died  soon  after. — Simms. 


718  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [patit  ii. 


drew  off  their  troop?!,  without  an  attempt 
on  tlie  part  of  the  British  to  harass  them 
in  their  retreat,  beyond  firing  a few  shots 
from  their  cannon. 

The  loss  of  the  allies  was  heavy.  The 
French  killed  and  wounded  amounted  to 
seven  hundred  men ; the  American  reg- 
ulars to  two  hundred  and  forty,  and  the 
Charleston  auxiliaries  to  seven.  D’Es- 
taiug,  who,  with  Lincoln,  braved  every 
danger,  was  slightly  Avounded.  The  ene- 
my, being  well  protected  by  their  works, 
lost  only  one  hundred  and  twenty  killed 
and  wounded.  Their  only  officer  killed 
was  Captain  Tarves,  of  the  provincials  or 
loyalists,  who  fell  dead  at  the  gate  of  the 
redoubt,  with  his  sword  thrust  into  the 
body  of  the  third  one  of  the  assailants 
whom  he  had  slain.  A few  days  after 
the  struggle.  Colonel  Maitland  died  of 
the  fever  from  which  he  had  suffered  ever 
since  leaving  Beaufort.  Friend  and  foe 
alike  spoke  with  admiration  of  his  gal- 
lantry. 

In  about  ten  days  after  the  disastrous 
assault  upon  Savannah,  Count  d’Estaing 
re-embarked  his  troops  and  sailed  away 
with  his  ships.  They  had  hardly  got  to 
sea,  however,  Avhen  the  whole  fleet  was 
scattered  by  a gale.  The  count,  who  had 
met  with  an  almost  unbroken  succession 
of  reverses  from  his  first  arrival  on  the 
coast,  soon  took  his  farewell  of  the  Amer- 
ican continent,  and  returned  to  France. 
Lincoln’s  militia,  almost  to  a man,  w'ent 
back  to  their  homes ; and  the  commander 
himself,  left  with  a small  force  of  regulars, 
marched  into  South  Carolina  and  resumed 
his  post  at  Charleston. 

During  the  siege  of  Savannah,  a clever 


7'use  was  executed  by  Colonel  John  White, 
of  the  Georgia  line  A hundred  British 
were  posted,  under  Captain  French,  near 
the  Ogechee.  Five  small  English  vessels, 
four  of  which  were  armed, with  theircrews 
(amounting  in  all  to  about  forty  men),  lay 
at  anchor  in  the  river.  White  determined, 
with  five  other  persons,  one  of  whom  was 
his  .servant,  to  carry  off  the  whole,  soldiers 
and  arm.s,  sailors  and  .shipping.  The  colo- 
nel and  his  party  accordingly  lighted  up 
a series  of  fires  not  far  from  the  enemy, 
to  impress  them  Avith  an  idea  that  there 
AA'as  a large  encampment  in  their  neigh- 
borhood, and  then  boldly  summoned  Cap- 
tain French  to  surrender;  threatening, if 
he  failed  to  comply  instantaneousl}^,  to 
cut  to  pieces  his  Avhole  force ! The  cap- 
tain, completely  deceived,  did  not  hesi- 
tate ; and  thus  a hundred  and  forty  men, 
a hundred  and  thirty  stand  of  arms,  and 
five  British  vessels,  Avere  delivered  to  the 
American  colonel  and  his  six  associates. 
The  prisoners  Avere  safely  conducted  by 
three  of  the  captors  for  tAventy-five  miles 
to  an  American  post. 

Thus  ended  the  southern  campaign  of 
1779.  The  most  gloomy  apprehensions 
respecting  their  country  took  possession 
of  the  southern  people.*  Still,  although 
so  frequently  victorious,  the  British  could 
boast  of  little  material  advantage  from 
their  conquests.  After  overrunning  the 
Avhole  state  of  Georgia,  they  were  now 
reduced  to  the  limits  of  SaAmnnah.  Hav- 
ing been  deceived  in  their  reliance  upon 
the  co-operation  of  the  tories,  they  could 
only  secure  Avhat  they  Avere  able  to  hold 
by  military  possession. 

* Ramsay. 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  AMERICAN  CAMP  AT  MORRISTOWN.  719 

CHAPTER  LXXXI. 

W’inter-Qnarters  at  Morristown. — A Severe  Winter. — A Tremendous  Snow-Storm. — Suffering. — Wants. — No  Supplies 

— No  Money. — Valuele.ss  Paper. — Clamorous  Soldiers.- 

-Trials  of  Washington. — An  Incapable  Army. — A Winter 

Enterprise. — A Sleigh-Ride. — Failure  of  Lord  Stirling. — 

Successes  of  the  Enemy. — The  Neutral  Ground. — Sir  Henry 

Clinton  moves  to  tlie  South. — The  British  Fleet  scattered. — Disembarkation  near  Charleston. — Slight  Opposition. — 
Deliberate  Operations. — Colonel  Tarleton. — His  Life  and  Character. — General  Lincoln  at  Charleston. — Spirit  of  the 
Inhabitants. — 'I'he  Fortifications. — Description. — The  American  Squadron. — The  Disposition  of  the  Enemy’s  Ships. 

— Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  his  Parallels. — Arrival  of  Rei 

nforcements. — Governor  Rutledge  astir. — Tarleton  leading  a 

Charge. — A Run  across  the  Countrv. — A Dragonade. — 

riie  British  surround  Charleston. — The  Country  scoured. — 

An  Offer  of  Surrender. — It  is  refused. — Fire  opened. — The  Last  Blow. — Surrender  of  Charleston. — Losses. — Terms 

The  heights  of  Morristown  had 
been  selected  by  Washington  for 

and  baggage  were  nearly  buried  in  the 
snow.  We  are  greatly  favored  in  having 

the  winter-quarters  of  his  army,  where  the 

a supply  of  straw  for  bedding;  over  this 

troops  were  now  engaged  in  constructing 

we  spread  all  our  blankets,  and  with  our 

log-huts,  as  before  in  Valley  Forge.  The 

clothes  and  large  fires  at  our  feet,  while 

winter  opened  with  great  severity,  and. 

four  or  five  are  crowded  together,  pre- 

while  the  men  were  still  in  tents,  the  snow 

serve  ourselves  from  freezing.  But  the 

fell  until  it  was  nearly  six  feet  in  depth 

sufferings  of  the  poor  soldiers  can  scarce- 

upon  the  ground ! 

ly  be  described.  While  on  duty,  they  are 

“ The  weather  for  several  days,”  writes 

unavoidably  exposed  to  all  the  inclemen- 

a suffering  campaigner,  “ has  been  re- 

cy  of  storms  and  severe  cold  ; at  night. 

markably  cold  and  stormy.  On  the  3d 

they  now  have  a bed  of  straw  on  the 

of  January,  we  experienced  one  of  the 

ground,  and  a single  blanket  to  each 

most  tremendous  snow-storms  ever  re- 

man.  They  are  badly  clad,  and  some  are 

membered;  no  man  could  endure  its  vio- 

destitute  of  shoe.s.  We  have  contrived 

lence  many  minutes  without  danger  of  his 

a kind  of  stone  chimney  outside,  and  an 

life.  Several  marquees  were  torn  asun- 

opening  at  one  end  of  our  tent  gives  us 

der,  and  blown  over  the  officers’  heads  in 

the  benefit  of  the  fire  within.  The  snow 

the  night ; and  some  of  the  soldiers  were 

is  now  from  four  to  six  feet  deep,  Avhich 

actually  covered  while  in  their  tents,  and 

so  obstructs  the  roads  as  to  prevent  our 

buried  like  sheep  under  the  snow  My 

receiving  a supply  of  provisions. 

c<nnrades  and  myself  were  roused  from 

“For  the  last  ten  days,  we  have  re- 

sleep  by  the  calls  of  some  officers  for  as- 

eeived  but  two  pounds  of  meat  a man ; 

sistance;  their  marquee  had  blown  down. 

and  we  are  frequently  for  six  or  eighl 

and  they  were  almost  smothered  in  the 

days  entirely  destitute  of  meat,  and  then 

storm  before  they  could  reach  our  mar- 

as  long  without  bread.  The  consequence 

quee,  only  a few  yards,  and  their  blankets 

is,  the  soldiers  are  so  enfeebled  from  him 

. 

720  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ti. 

ger  and  cold  as  to  be  almost  unable  to 
perform  their  military  duty,  or  labor  in 
constructing  their  huts.”* 

The  commissariat  department  was,  as 
usual,  badly  managed,  and  the  financial 
embarrassment  of  the  country  increased 
the  difficulty  of  obtaining  supplies.  The 
continental  money  had  so  depreciated, 
that  a pair  of  shoes  could  not  he  purchased 
for  less  than  five  hundred  dollars  in  the  cur- 
rency which  Congress, was  vainly  striving 
to  force  upon  the  acceptance  of  the  peo- 
ple. With  no  supplies,  and  with  a treas- 
ury only  filled  with  valueless  paper,  the 
army  was  reduced  almost  to  a state  of 
s^tarvation.  The  troops  were  always  on 
short  allowance  of  food,  sometimes  with- 
out meat,  sometimes  without  bread,  and 
not  seldom  destitute  of  both.  Under  such 
trials,  the  soldiers  conducted  themselves 
so  well,  that  they  won  from  Washington 
these  words  of  praise  : They  have  borne 
their  sufferings  with  a patience  that  mer- 
its the  approbation  and  ought  to  excite 
the  sympathy  of  their  countrymen.” 

That  men  thus  half  starved  and  badly 
clothed,  however,  durintj  the  riiior  of  the 
coldest  of  winters,  should  occasionally  be- 
come clamorous,  riotous,  and  even  muti- 
nous, was  naturally  to  be  expected.  It 
was  tbe  severest  of  all  trials  to  the  forti- 
tude of  Washington  when  he  was  obliged 
to  enforce  discipline  in  a camp  where 
there  Avas  so  much  temptation  to  irregu- 
Inrity.  He  was,  nevertheless,  inflexible 
in  his  purpose  of  preserving  order  among 
his  ti'oops,  and  plunderers  as  well  as  mu- 
tineers were  punished  Avith  all  the  sever- 
ity of  military  hiAV.  The  former  Avere 

• Thac'hor. 

brought  to  the  galloAvs,and  the  latter  shot 
down  in  the  ranks. 

By  urgent  appeals  to  the  governors  of 
Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  and  forced 
contributions  from  the  inhabitants  of  the 
latter,  Washington  Avas  finally  enabled  tc 
obtain  some  alleviation  to  the  sufferings 
of  his  troops.  His  army,  hoAvever,  Avas 
never  in  a condition,  during  that  winter, 
to  be  of  effective  service.  The  number 
of  soldiers  Avas  hardly  ten  thousand,  and 
Washington  considered  these  barely  able 
to  defend  their  encampment,  and  much 
less  fit  to  carry  on  offensive  operations, 

The  excessive  rigor  of  the  Avinter  had,  by 
freezing  over  the  rivers  and  the  bay  of 
New  York,  offered  an  occasion  for  attack 
upon  the  enemy,  Avhich  it  Avas  desirable 
to  improve,  but  Avhich  the  state  of,  the 
army  rendered  almost  impossible. 

“Circumstanced  as  things  are — men 
half  starved,  imperfectly  clothed,  riotous, 
and  robbing  the  country-people  of  their 
subsistence  from  sheer  necessity  — Ithink 
it  scarcely  possible  to  embrace  any  mo- 
ment,hoAveverfavorable  in  other  respects, 
for  visiting  the  enemy  on  Staten  island ; 
and  yet,  if  this  frost  should  have  made  a 
firm  and  solid  bridge  betAveen  them  and 
us,  I .should  be  unwilling,  indeed  I can 
not  relinquish  the  idea  of  attempting  it.” 
Thus  Avrote  Washington,  at  the 
opening  of  the  year;  and,  em- 
barrassed as  he  Avas,  he  succeeded,  a few 
days  subsequently,  in  arranging  an  expe- 
dition against  the  British  troops  posted 
on  Staten  i.sland. 

Lord  Stirling  Avas  chosen  to  conduct 
the  enterprise,  and  he  set  out  from  the 
American  camp  with  tAventy-five  hundred 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  BIUTISII  AT  THE  SOUTH.  721 

troops,  conveyed  in  five  hundred  sleighs. 

had  been  long  provoked  by  the  daring  of 

Having  reached  Dehart’s  point, 
he  crossed  tlie  ice,  and  arrived 

the  ‘G’ebels”  at  Y^oung’s  house,  and  now' 
determined  to  root  them  out.  A large 

early  in  the  morning  at  Staten  island. 

force,  consisting  of  British  guards,  lies- 

On  approaching  the  British  forts,  Lord 

sians,  and  yagers,  started  out  from  Kings- 

Stirling  found  the  enemy  (who  had  re- 

bridge  in  sleighs,  in  the  night,  in  order  to 

ceived  timely  intelligence  of  the  expedi- 

surprise  the  post.  The  snow',  how’ever. 

tion)  ready  to  receive  him.  It  was  also 

was  so  deep,  that  the  soldiers  were  forced 

discovered  that  the  channel,  which  it  was 

to  abandon  the  sleighs  and  artillery,  and 

supposed  had  been  closed  by  the  ice,  was 

trudge  on  foot.  The  sun  was  up  before 

still  open  to  New  York,  whence  reinforce- 

they  arrived  at  Young’s  house,  and  the 

ments  had  reached  the  island.  The  at- 

Americans  were  on  tlieir  guard  ; but  the 

tempt  on  the  enemy’s  forts  was  therefore 

British,  notwithstanding,  pushed  forw'ard 

abandoned,  and  the  earl  marched  back  to 

to  tfie  attack,  and,  after  a spirited  resist- 

Elizabethtown,  skirmishing  during  his  re- 

ance,  succeeded  in  capturing  the  garrison. 

treat  with  the  British  in  pursuit.  Two 

Having  secured  ninety  prisoners  (among 

or  three  were  killed  on  each  side,  and  a 

whom  w'ere  many  of  the  yeomanry  of 

few  prisoners  were  carried  away  by  the 

the  country),  and  burnt  the  house,  the 

Americans.  All  suffered  greatly  from  the 

enemy  returned  to  their  lines,  boasting 

excessive  cold,  and  nearly  five  hundred 

that  they  had  lost  but  two  men  killed  and 

men  were  frost-bitten. 

twenty-three  Avounded.  Their  prisoners 

A few  days  afterward.  General  Knyp- 

Avere  thrown  into  loathsome  jails  in  Ncav 

hausen  ordered  the  British  at  Staten  isl- 

York. 

and  to  make  in  their  turn  an  incursion 

The  British, hoAvever, had  concentrated 

into  New  Jersey,  in  retaliation  for  the  at- 

^ their  energies  in  an  expedition  against 

tempt  of  Earl  Stirling.  They  succeeded 

the  southern  states.  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 

in  surprising  the  picket-guard  at  Eliza- 

finding  that  Count  d’Estaing  had  sailed 

bethtown,  wantonly  burning  the  Presby- 

a\.vay  from  the  American  coast  Avith  bis 

ferian  church,  and  carrying  off  a major 

fleet,  and  that  NeAV  York  could  be  left  in 

and  forty  privates. 

security  Avith  but  a small  number  of  Hes- 

Another  successful  attempt  was  made 

sian  and  British  troops  under  the  general 

by  the  British  outposts  upon  “ Young’s 

command  of  the  vigilant  Knyphausen,  re- 

house,”  near  White  Plains,  garrisoned  by 

solved  to  proceed  to  South  Carolina,  and 

three  hundred  Americans.  This  post  was 

there  begin  a campaign.  On  the  arrival 

on  “ The  Neutral  Ground”  as  it  Avas  called. 

of  Admiral  Arbuthnot  Avith  his  ship.s,  he 

embracing  almost  the  whole  of  Westches- 

had  the  means  of  transport,  and  a safe 

ter  county,  and  had  been  established  to 
obstruct  the  supplies  which  the  enemy  in 

convoy  ; and  he  accordingly  set 
sail  from  New'  Y^ork  Avith  about 

New-York  city  drew  from  the  country 

five  thousand  of  his  choicest  troops  and 

bordering  on  the  Hudson.  The  British 
91 

two  thousand  marines. 

f 

I 

T22  battles  of  AMERICA.  [part  n. 

The  fleet,  however,  had  hardly  got  to 

When  his  van  had  reached  the  banks  of 

sea,  when  a long  and  terrible  storm  scat- 

the  Ashley,  Colonel  William  Washington, 

tered  the  vessels,  and  drove  them  far  ont 

in  command  of  a troop  of  American  ci.v 

of  their  course.  Some  of  the  transports 

airy,  made  a successful  attack  upon  Tarle- 

w'ere  taken  by  the  American  privateers ; 

ton’s  newly-mounted  dragoons,  and  car- 

others  were  lost,  among  which  was  one, 

ried  off  a few  prisoners,  among  whom  was 

loaded  with  ordnance  and  heavy  siege- 

LieutenantrColonel  Hamilton,of  the  Ro}^- 

trains,  that  foundered ; and  all  were  more 

al  regiment  of  North  Carolina.  Again, 

or  less  damaged.  Nearly  all  the  horses 

after  passing  the  river,  the  British  van 

belonging  to  the  artillery  and  to  Colonel 

was  gallantly  attacked  by  Lieutenant- 

Tarleton’s  cavalry-legion  died  during  the 

Colonel  James,  in  command  of  a corps  of 

voyage.  It  was  not  until  the  close  of 

light-infantry  ; and  the  earl  of  Caithness, 

January,  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton  arrived 

aid-de-camp  of  Clinton,  w'as  wounded  in 

in  Tybee  bay,  on  the  Georgia  coast,  wdth 

the  skirmish. 

the  crippled  remnant  of  the  fleet.  The 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton’s  activity 

damaged  ships  having  been  refitted,  the 

in  the  southern  campaign  has  made  him 

squadron  sailed  for  North  Edisto  sound, 

memorable.  Banastiie  Takleton  was  a 

in  South  Carolina,  where  it  arrived  on  the 

thorough  soldier,  who  allowed  no  tender 

10th  of  February.  On  the  following  day 

sentiment  of  humanity  to  soften  the  hard 

Feb  11  ^I'oops  were  disembarked  on 

teachings  of  a military  life.  His  personal 

John’s  island,  within  thirty  miles 

appearance  accorded  with  his  character 

of  Charleston.  Here  the  British  general 

He  was  rather  below  the  middle  stature. 

was  reinforced  by  twelve  hundred  men. 

strong  and  heavily  made,  with  large,  mus- 

sent  by  Prevost  from  Savannah. 

cular  legs,  but  waas  uncommonly  active. 

Clinton  proceeded  with  great  deliber-^ 

His  complexion  wars  dark,  and  his  eye 

ation  in  his  movements.  After  a lont; 

small,  black,  and  piercing.*  His  oarly 

liar  30  crossed  the  Ashley  riv- 

years  had  been  spent  in  the  study  of  law 

er  on  the  south,  and  landed  on 

but  his  talents  were  evidently  better  suit- 

Charleston  neck.  He  had  been  en2:a<^ed 

ed  for  the  tragic  conflicts  of  war  than  for 

in  the  meantime  fortifying  the  interme- 

the  bloodless  wrangling  of  the  bar  ; and 

diate  posts,  in  order  to  secui'e  a commu- 

when  Tarleton  entered  the  army,  he  soon 

nication  with  Admiral  Arbuthnot’s  fleet. 

proved  himself  equal  to  its  most  cruel 

and  in  obtaining  horses  for  his  artillery. 

demands  upon  his  naturally  severe  dis- 

as  well  as  to  remount  the  dragoons  of 

position.  At  about  the  age  of  twenty-six. 

Tarleton,  who  had  been  dismounted  by 

he  came  to  America  with  Lord  Cornwal 

the  disastrous  effects  of  the  voyage  from 

lis,  and  was  highly  valued  by  that  noble- 

New  York. 

man  as  the  surest  reliance  in  his  most 

The  British  commander,  however,  did 

merciless  enterprises.  Tarleton  frankly 

not  succeed  in  making  good  his  position 

declared  that  “ severity  alone  could  ofloct 

without  some  opposition,  though  slight. 

* Wats-m. 

1 

REVOLUTIONARY.'  TARLETON.— CHARLESTON  AND  ITS  DEFENCES.  723 

the  establishment  of  regal  authority  in 

four  guns  — Avas  at  anchor  in  the  bay. 

America,”  and  did  not  fail  to  carry  out 

With  the  forts,  the  supposed  diffimdty  of 

fully  the  opinion  which  he  so  freely  pro- 

large  ships-of  war  in  passing  the  bank  of 

fessed.  In  the  course  of  the  southern 

sand,  or  bar  as  it  is  called,  and  the  Ameri- 

campaign  we  shall  have  occasion  to  re- 

can  squadron  to  dispute  the  passage,  the 

cord  the  effects  of  the  cruel  energies  of 

city  Av.as  considered  tolerably  secure  toAV- 

this  unscrupulous  soldier,  who  had  now 

ard  the  sea. 

succeeded,  by  his  forays  on  the  surround- 

Every  effort  Avas  noAv  made  to  defend 

ing  plantations,  in  mounting  himself  and 

the  approaches  by  land.  Governor  Rut- 

his  dra«:oons. 

ledge,  in  the  exercise  of  his  ample  pow- 

General  Lincoln  held  Charleston  with 

ers,  called  out  the  militia,  and  ordered 

only  fifteen  hundred  men,  but  was  ex- 

three  hundred  negroes  from  the  planta- 

pecting  the  arrival  of  the  southern  regi- 

tions  to  labor  upon  the  works.  Soon  a 

ments  sent  by  Washington  from  his  camp 

canal  Avas  dug  in  the  rear  of  the  town. 

at  Morristown.  In  the  meantime,  though 

from  the  marshy  borders  of  one  river  to 

somewhat  doubtful  of  the  policy  wdiich 

those  of  the  other.  Beyond  the  canal 

was  urged  upon  him  by  the  inhabitants. 

Avere  two  rows  of  deeply-laid  abaUis,  and 

of  attempting  to  hold  the  city,  Lincoln 

a double  picketed  ditch  ; Avhile  Avithin, 

Avas  making  every  effort  to  strengthen 

toAvard  the  main  Avorks,  deep  holes  Avere 

its  defences,  in  Avhich  he  Avas  seconded 

dug,  to  interrupt  the  march  of  the  enemy. 

by  the  spirited  co-operation  of  Governor 

strong  redoubts  and  batteries  Avere  raised 

Rutledge,  Avho  had  been  inv’ested  by  the 

on  the  right  and  left,  and  in  the  centre 

legislature  of  the  state  Avith  every  power 

Avas  an  enclosed  housework  of  masonry. 

but  that  of  life  and  death. 

forming  a kind  of  citadel.  Other  Avorks 

Charleston  stands  on  the  southern  ex- 

Avere  erected  at  every  point  Avhere  a land- 

tremity  of  a short  and  narroAV  neck  of 

ing  Avas  practicable. 

land,  Avith  the  Cooper  river  on  the  east 

The  great  object  of  the  American  squad- 

and  the  Ashley  on  the  Avest.  The  bay 

ron  Avas,  to  prevent  the  British  fleet  from 

and  harbor  is  formed  by  the  junction  of 

passing  the  bar;  but  Commodore  Whipple 

the  tAVO  streams,  Avhich,  as  they  flow  to- 

found  that,  in  consequence  of  the  shallow- 

gether  to  the  sea,  bend  in  their  curves 

ness  of  the  Avater,  he  could  not  anchor 

among  a number  of  fertile  islands,  on  one 

near  enough  to  dispute  the  passage.  The 

of  Avhich  (Sullivan’s)  Avas  Fort  Moultrie, 

ships  Avere  accordingly  moored  abreast  of 

under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colo- 

Fort  Moultrie, by  co-operation  Avith  Avhicl 

nel  Pinckney,  and  on  another  (James’s) 

it  Avas  hoped  effectual  opposition  might 

the  ruins  of  Fort  Johnson.  In  addition 

be  offered  to  the  advance  of  the  enemy’s 

to  these  defences  seaAvard,  a small  Ameri- 

fleet. 

can  squadron,  commanded  by  Commodore 

The  British  admiral  lay  Avith  his  ships 

Whipple  — consisting  of  nine  vessels,  of 

lightened  of  their  guns  outside  of  the  bar 

whiidi  the  largest  mounted  only  forty- 

• 

for  tAVO  Aveek.s,  Avaiting  for  Avind  and  tide ; 

— 

724  BATTLES  OF  AJMERTCA.  [pai^t  it. 

1 

but  he  finally  crossed  it  without 

llflr  25 

had  served  to  man  the  small  fleet  of  the 

the  least  difficulty,  and  came  to 

Americans,  Avas  transferred  to  the  city 

anchor  in  Five-Fathom  hole,  the  previous 

where  they  helped  to  swell  the  inconsid 

station  of  the  American  squadron.  Com- 

erable  numbers  of  the  garrison.  This 

modore  Whipple  now  moved  his  vessels 

force,  at  no  time,  amounted  to  four  thou 

a second  time  ; and,  fearing  lest  the  Brit- 

sand  men  ; they  Avere  required  to  defend 

i.sh  would  enter  Cooper  river,  where  they 

an  extent  of  Avorks  AAdiich  could  not  be 

might  bring  their  guns  to  bear  with  effect 

AA^ell  manned  by  less  than  ten  thousand : 

upon  the  town,  and  cut  off  the  only  com- 

yet  even  for  this  small  army  a sufficient 

munication  of  the  garrison  with  the  conn- 

quantity  of  provisions  had  not  been  fur- 

try,  he  anticipated  them  by  placing  his 

nished,  and,  before  the  siege  was  over,  the 

own  squadron  in  that  position.  Here,  af- 

citizens  AA^ere  suffering  from  starvation.”* 

ter  landing  his  guns,  to  assist  in  the  de- 

On  the  day  the  British  admiral  made 

fence  of  the  town,  he  sunk  most  of  his 

his  successful  advance  into  the  hai'bor. 

vessels,  in  order  to  obstruct  the  channel 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  Avho  Avas  proceeding 

of  the  river. 

according  to  all  the  deliberate  formalities 

Admiral  Arbuthnot  weio-hed 

of  a scientific  siege,  bad  completed  his 

iiprii  1 1*1 

anchor  again,  and,  with  a strong 

first  parallel.  He  now  demanded  the  sur- 

southerly  wind  and  on  the  flood  of  the  tide. 

render  of  the  toAvn.  General  Lincoln  re- 

passed  Fort  Moultrie,  in  spite  of  the  op- 

plied  : “Sixty  days  have  been  past  since 

position  of  Colonel  Pinckney  and  his  gar- 

it  has  been  known  that  your  intentions 

rison ; only  twenty-seven  men  were  killed 

against  the  toAvn  Avere  hostile,  in  Avhich 

or  wounded,  as  the  admiral  triumphant- 

time  has  been  afforded  to  abandon  it; 

ly  passed  and  anchored  his  eight  rnen-of- 

but  duty  and  inclination  point  to  the  pro- 

war  and  two  transports  within  the  harbor. 

priety  of  supporting  it  to  the  last  ex- 

near  the  ruins  of  Fort  Johnson,  and  out 

tremity.”  The  British  commander  iioav 

of  reach  of  all  damage  from  the  American 

rejoined  Avith  a severe  cannonade,  Avhich 

batterie.s.  The  British  sliips,  however. 

Avas  kept  up  almost  Avithout  iutermissiou. 

sustained  considerable  damage  in  passing 

The  expected  reinforcements  sent  by 

the  fort.  The  fore-topmast  of  the  Rich- 

Washington  at  length  arrived  ; and  Brig- 

mond  was  shot  away,  and  the  Acetus  run 

adier-General  Woodfoid,  having  marched 

aground  near  Haddrelfs  point,  and  was 

fiA'e  hundred  miles  in  twenty-eight  days. 

destroyed  by  her  crew,  under  a heavy  fire 

Avith  seven  hundred  men  of  the  Virginia 

from  two  fieldpieces,commanded  by  Colo- 

line,  Avas  gladly  Avelcomed  as  he  entered 

nel  Gadsden ; the  crew  escaped  in  boats. 

Charleston.  General  Lincoln  had  now 

‘•Fort  Moultrie  beino;  now  of  less  use 

only  one  communication  open  Avith  the 

than  the  men  who  manned  it,  they  were 

country  by  Avbich  to  receive  reinforce- 

in  great  part  withdrawn,  and  it  soon  fell 

ments  or  supplies;  this  was  by  the  Coop- 

into  the  hands  of  the  enem}^  Colonel 

er  river,  on  his  left,  and  on  the  east  of 

Pinckney’s  force,  together  with  that  which 

* Simms. 

• 

RKVOLUTIONART.J  TARLETON  SURPRISES  COLONEL  WASHINGTON.  V25 

the  beleagured  city.  He  strove  to  secure 

surprise  the  American  post  at  Monk’s 

it.  Governor  Rutledge,  with  one  half  of 

Corner. 

the  executive  council,  had  gone  out,  leav- 

As  Tarleton  started  out  at  night  on  his 

ing  the  other  half  and  the  lieuteniint-gov- 
ernor  to  perform  all  the  civic  functions 

concealed  expedition,  he  caught 
. , ^ ® April  13. 

siglit  ot  a negro,  skulking  near 

in  his  absence,  and  was  now  doing  his 

his  van  ; and,  having  seized  him,  he  found 

best  to  stir  up  the  militia  to  the  defence 

upon  his  person  a letter  from  one  of  Hu- 

of  the  country  between  the  Santee  and 

ger’s  officers,  from  Avhicli  information  Avas 

Cooper  rivers,  through  which  was  the  only 

obtained  about  the  American  jiosition. 

communication  to  the  besieged  in  Charles- 

O 

The  negro,  moreover,  was  readily  bribed 

ton. 

by  a piece  of  gold  to  shift  his  service  to 

Rutledge’s  success  was  menger  in  com- 

O O 

the  British,  and  he  became  their  guide. 

parison  Avith  the  fullness  of  his  dictato- 

leading  them  through  some  neglected  b}’- 

rial  powers,  and  he  was  only  able  to  en- 

paths  to  the  post.  The  Americ.ni  guards 

roll  a small  nundjer  of  militia,  which  he 

Avere  on  the  Avatcli  a mile  in  advance  of 

divided  into  two  portions,  stationing  one 

their  post,  and  Colonel  Wa.shington  had 

between  the  Cooper  and  the  Santee,  and 

his  cavalry-horses  all  bridled  and  saddled  ; 

the  other  at  the  ferry  on  the  latter  river. 

but  Tarleton  drove  in  and  folloAved  the 

Lincoln  had  despatched  Brigadier-Gen- 

videttes  Avith  such  promptitude,  that  he 

oral  Huger,  with  some  militia,  and  Lieu- 

entered  the  camp  Avith  them. 

tenant-ColonenVashington’s  corps  of  cav- 

The  assault  Avas  so  rapid  and  impetu- 

airy,  to  Monk’s  Corner,  thirty  miles  above 

ous,  that  the  American  cavalry  Av.as  rout- 

Charleston,  and  near  the  head-Avaters  of 

ed  Avithout  resistance.  General  Huger, 

the  Cooper  river.  A small  force  Avas  also 

Colonel  Washington,  and  most  of  his 

sent  to  throAv  up  Avorks  on  the  Wando,  a 

corps,  saved  themselves  by  pushing  their 

branch  of  the  Cooper,  nine  miles  above 

horses  across  the  country,  Avith  every  foot 

tlie  toAvn,  and  to  Lanprier’s  Point,  so  as 

of  Avhich  they  Avere  familiar.  Tarleton 

to  guard  the  pass  in  that  direction. 

and  his  dragoons  showed  little  mercy ; 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  Avent  on  perseve- 

and  Major  Bernie,  of  Piihaski’s  legion,  Avho 

ringly  with  his  parallels,  and,  Avhile  en- 

Avas  mangled  shockingly,  died  cursing  the 

gaged  upon  the  second,  sent  out  Lieuten- 

British  for  their  barbarity  in  having  re- 

an t-Colonel  Webster,  Avith  fifteen  hundred 

fused  quarter  after  he  had  surrendered. 

men,  to  strike  at  the  American  posts  on 

Four  captaims,  one  lieutenant,  and  two 

the  Cooper,  and  thus  complete  the  inves- 

privates,  of  the  Americans,  Aveie  killed. 

titure  of  Charleston.  The  fierce  and  en- 

and  some  seventeen  more  Avounded  or 

ergetic  Tarleton  Avith  his  dragoons,  and 

taken  prisoners.  Nearly  tAVO  hundred 

the  spirited  Ferguson,  Avith  his  ritlemen, 

horses,  and  a large  quantity  of  ammuni- 

composed  the  van  of  Webster’s  corps,  and 

tion,  baggage,  baggage-Avagons,  and  rnili- 

to  them  and  their  ferocious  folloAvers  Avas 

tary  stores,  likeAvise  fell  into  the  h.ands 

intrusted  the  enterprise  of  attacking  by 

of  the  enemy. 

BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LrART  II 


726 

Some  British  dragoons,  brutalized  by 
tlie  plentiful  supply  of  rum  which  had 
fallen  to  them  as  their  share  of  booty, 
entered  a gentleman’s  house  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, and  attempted  to  gratify  their 
lusts  upon  the  defenceless  women  of  the 
family.  The  ladies,  however,  succeeded 
in  making  their  escape,  and  were  protect- 
ed from  further  violence  by  the  interpo- 
sition of  the  Eimlish  officers.  The  dra- 
goons  themselves  were  arrested  and  ta- 
ken to  Monk’s  Corner,  where  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Patrick  Ferguson,*  Avho  Avas  as 
gallant  as  he  Avas  brave,  Avould  have  put 
them  to  instant  death.  Colonel  Webster, 
however,  Avas  opposed  to  the  exercise  of 
such  extreme  measures,  and  sent  the  vil- 
lains, under  guard,  to  the  British  head- 
quarters, Avhere  I believe,”  says  the  Eng- 
lish historian  Stedman,  they  Avere  after- 
ward tried  and  AA’hipped.” 

Colonel  Webster  Avas  noAV  enabled  to 
establish  a post  on  the  Wando,  and  thus 
secure  the  Avhole  country  betAveen  that 
river  and  the  Cooper.  General  Lincoln 
learned  with  dismay  of  this  position,  so 
fatal  to  his  only  communication  Avith  the 
country,  and  determined  to  attack  it ; but 
a council  of  Avar  being  called,  it  Avas  de- 
cided that  a sufficient  force  could  not  be 
spared  for  the  purpose.  Thus  this  post, 
held  by  ordy  six  hundred  infantry  and 
two  hundred  and  fifty  horse,  was  left  un- 
disturbed. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  now  received 
from  NeAV  York  a reinforcement 
\pril  I8t  thousand  troops,  under 

* Ferguson  was  a spirited  officer,  and  almost  as  formida- 
ble as  Tarleton  in  partisan  warfare,  but  freer  from  tlie 
charge  of  cruelty.  He  was  a famous  shot,  and  was  as  sure 
with  his  rifle  as  *116  best  of  tbe  American  marksmen. 


the  command  ofEarlCornAvallis  and  Lord 
Rawdon,  and  Avas  thus  enidded  to  throAV 
a large  force  on  the  east  side  of  Cooper 
river,  to  complete  the  Avork  of  investing 
Charleston  in  that  quarter  Avhich  was  be- 
gun by  Colonel  Webster.  As  soon  as 
CornAAudlis  presented  himself,  the  posts  at 
Lanprier’s  Point  and  on  Wando  river  Avere 
abandoned  ; and  the  British  had  almost 
free  range  of  the  country,  although  there 
Avas  still  some  show  of  opposition  on  the 
part  of  a remnant  of  Unger’s  force. 

The  American  cavalry,after  its  surprise 
at  Monk’s  Corner,  had  withdrawn  to  the 
north  of  the  Santee,  Avhere  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  White  took  the  command.  This 
officer,  discovering  that  Lord  Cornwallis 
extended  his  foraging-parties  to  the  south- 
ern banks  of  the  river  on  Avhich  he  Avas 
encamped,  determined  to  intercept  them. 
Accordingly,  upon  the  first  notice  of  the 
enemy’s  approach.  White  passed  the  San- 
tee, struck  a t the  foe,  and  captured  most 
of  the  party.  He  now  retired  Avith  his 
prisoners  to  Lenud’s  ferry,  Avhere  he  had 
ordered  boats  to  be  in  readiness,  and  Colo- 
nel Buford,  AA’ho  Avas  stationed  on  the  op- 
posite bank  of  the  river,  to  be  on  the 
alert  to  cover  the  tran.sportation  of  his 
men.  Neither  the  colonel  nor  the  boats, 
hoAvever,  Avere  to  be  found,  and  White  in- 
cautiously lingered  at  the  place. 

Tarleton,  in  the  meanwhile,  Avho  AA'as 
scouring  the  country  Avith  his  usual  activ- 
ity, having  learned  of  White’s  late  success 
and  his  present  position,  made  all  haste 
after  him.  On  reaching  Lenud’s  ferry, 
Tarleton  Avith  his  driigoons  made  one  ot 
his  habitually  rapid  and  impetuous  on- 
slaughts, and  succeeded  in  killing  and  caje 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  SIEGE  AND  FALL  OF  CHARLESTON.  727 


luring  between  thirty  and  forty  of  the 
American  cavalry.  Colonels  White,  Wash- 
ington, Jamieson,  and  the  rest  of  the  offi- 
cers and  men,  took  to  flight,  and  escaped 
by  swimming  the  river,  or  hiding  them- 
selves in  the  swamps. 

Though  the  lines  of  Charleston  were 

field-works  oidy,  the  British  commander 

made  his  advances  with  y-reat  caution. 

At  the  completion  of  his  first  parallel,  the 

. ^ town  was  summoned  to  surren- 

April  12.  , n • n . 

der ; and  its  dehnnce  was  the  sig- 
nal for  the  batteries  on  both  sides  to  open, 
which  they  did  with  great  animation. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  having  completed 
his  second  parallel,  and  entirely  invested 
the  town  (having  cut  off  the  only  com- 
munication of  the  besieged  with  the  coun- 
try), a spirited  but  ineffectual  night-sortie 
of  two  hundred  men,  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Henderson,  was  the  last  effort  of 
the  garrison,  when  a council  of  war  was 

called  by  General  Lincoln.  At 
April  26.  , . . „ 

this  time  the  flesli  provisions  ot 

the  city  were  not  sufficient  for  a week’s 
rations.  There  was  now  no  hope  of  de- 
fending the  town,  and  no  chance  of  es- 
cape by  retreat.  The  engineers  admitted 
that  the  lines  could  not  be  maintained 
ten  d.ays  longer,  and  might  be  carried  by 
assault  in  ten  minutes.  There  was  no 
prospect  of  either  supplies  or  reinforce- 
ments. It  was  therefore  determined  to 
make  an  offer  of  surrender,  on  the  con- 
dition that  the  inhabitants  should  be  se- 
cured the  safety  of  their  persons  and  prop- 
erty, and  the  garrison  allowed  to  continue 
in  arms. 

“ General  Lincoln,”  says  Simms,  “ was 
ilisposed  to  accept  Clinton’s  offer,  but  he 


was  opposed  by  the  citizens,  who  were 
required  by  Clinton  to  be  considered  as 
prisoners  on  parole.”  The  above  offer, 
made  in  council,  being  sent  out  to  the 
British  commander  with  a flag,  it  was  at 
once  rejected,  and  the  third  parallel  be- 
gun, answer  being  returned  that  hostili- 
ties should  be  renewed  at  eight  o’clock  in 
the  evening.  When  that  hour  arrived, 
the  garrison  looked  for  the  most  vigorous 
assault,  and  prepared,  with  a melancholy 
defiance,  to  meet  the  assailants  at  their 
ruined  bulwarks.  But  an  hour  elapsed 
without  a gun  being  fired.  Both  armies 
seemed  to  dread  the  consequences  of  an 
assault,  and  to  wish  for  a continuance  of 

the  truce.  At  nine  in  the  even- 

, . Aliiy  6. 

mg,  the  batteries  or  tlie  garrison 

were  reopened,  and,  being  answered  by 
those  of  the  British,  the  fight  was  resumed 
with  more  vigor  and  execution  than  had 
been  displayed  at  any  time  from  the  be- 
ginning of  the  siege.* 

The  third  parallel  having  been  com- 
pleted, Sir  Henry  and  the  British 

H I n T n Way 

admiral  now  demanded  a surren- 
der for  the  third  time.  General  Lincoln 
saw,  as  before,  that  there  was  no  hope  of 
resistance,  and  assented  at  once  to  give 
up  his  troops ; but  the  inhabitants  ear- 
nestly begged  him  to  make  an  exception 
in  their  favor.  This  exception  was  made 
accordingly  in  his  answer,  but  was  de- 
clared inadmissible  by  the  enemy. 

The  siege  was  now  renewed.  Two 
hundred  heavy  cannon  and  mortars  were 
brought  to  bear.  Ships  and  galleys,  the 
forts  on  James’s  and  John’s  islands,  on 
Wappoo,  and  the  army  on  the  neck,  uni 

* iSimms. 


f 


728  BATTLP:S  of  AMERICA.  [pakt  ii 


ted  in  cue  voluminous  discharge  of  iron 
upon  the  devoted  garrison.  Shells  and 
carcasses  were  constantly  thrown  into  the 
town,  and  at  one  time  it  was  on  fire  in 
five  different  places. 

The  batteries  of  the  third  par- 
allel  were  opened,  and,  under 
their  fire,  the  works  were  pushed  to  the 
briidc  of  the  canal.  This  was  drained  by 
sapping  the  dam.  A double  sap  was  also 
carried  under  the  ahutiis,  and  the  enemy, 
in  possession  of  the  outer  defences,  were 
close  to  the  main  works  of  the  besieged. 
The  fire  was  constant  and  severe  from  the 
llritish  batterie.s.  The  opposing  parties 
were  brought  within  speaking-distance  of 
each  other ; and  “ the  rifles  of  the  Hessian 
yager.s,”  says  Simms,  “ were  fired  at  so 
short  a distance  as  never  to  be  discharged 
without  effect.  The  defenders  could  no 
longer  show  themselves  above  the  lines 
with  safety.  A hat  raised  upon  a cane 
was  instantly  riddled  with  bullets.” 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  now  prepared 
to  strike  the  decisive  blow,  and  was  about 
to  give  orders  to  begin  the  assault,  when 
at  midnight.  General  Lincoln,  seeing  that 
further  resistance  would  be  sheer  mad- 
ne.s,s,  called  a council  of  the  civil  authori- 
ties. The  inhabitants  of  Charleston,  fear- 
ful of  the  approaching  horrors,  should  the 
city  be  taken  by  storm,  with  one  accord 
begged  Lincoln  to  waive  the  exception 
made  in  their  favor,  and  accept  the  terms 
proffered  by  the  enemy.  At  two  o’clock 

illay  12  morning,a  proposition  was 

therefore  made  for  a surrender. 
The  firing  then  ceased.  All  the  guns 
were  silent  at  daybreak,  and  at  noon  the 
continental  troops  marched  out  and  laid 


down  their  arms.  The  British  command- 
er did  not  presume  upon  the  advantage 
at  which  he  now  had  tlie  town,  but  hon- 
orably agreed  to  the  terms  which  had 
been  before  proffered  and  were  rejected. 
Charleston  was  thus  surrendered,  on  the 
12th  of  May,  six  weeks  after  Clinton  had 
sat  down  before  it  and  begun  the  siege. 

“ Lincoln  had  maintained  his  post  with 
honor,”  adds  Simms,  “ if  not  with  success  ; 
had  shown  himself  steadfast  and  firm,  if 
not  brilliant.  For  nearly  three  months, 
Avith  less  than  four  thousand  ill-fed,  ill-clad, 
and  undisciplined  militiamen, he  had  main- 
tained himself  in  walls  the  lines  of  which 
required  thrice  that  number  to  man  them, 
and  had  thus  long  baffled  fully  twelve 
thousand  of  the  best  troops  in  the  British 
service,  headed  by  their  best  generals.” 

• The  enemy  had  lost  seventy  killed,  and 
had  one  hundred  and  ninety-nine  wound- 
ed. The  whole  loss  of  the  Americans  was 
one  hundred  and  two  killed  and  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty-seven  wounded.  Lincoln’s 
force  which  surrendered  amounted  to  not 
more  than  twenty-five  hundred  ; but  the 
Briti.sh  estimated  their  prisoners  at  five 
thousand  in  all,  as  they  probably  included 
all  the  citizens  capable  of  bearing  arms. 
Nearly  four  hundred  pieces  of  ordnance 
Avere  given  up.  The  lo.ss  of  ammunition, 
stores,  and  shipping,  Avas  likewise  heavy, 
and  Avas  greatly  deplored  throughout  the 
Avhole  country.  By  the  terms  of  the  ca- 
pitulation, the  troops  of  the  garrison  Avere 
permitted  to  march  out  to  a place  desig- 
nated, Avhere  they  Avere  to  deposite  their 
arnrs.  The  drums  Avere  not  to  beat  a Brit- 
ish march,  and  the  colors  Avere  not  to  be 
uncased. 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  TARLETON  IN  PURSUIT  OF  BUFORD.  729 

CHAPTER 

LXXXII. 

Operations  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton. — I’roclamations. — Expeditions. — Proprress  of  Earl  Cornwallie. — Tarleton  in  Pursuit. — 

Speed  and  Bottom. — Colonel  Buford  surprised. — No  Quarter. — A Bloody  Massacre. — The  British  at  Camden. — Sir 

Henry  Clinton  departs  for  New  York. — Lord  Cornwallis 

in  Command  in  Carolina. — Hi.s  Lord-slnp  as  an  Administra- 

tor. — The  Tories  sutt'er. — Prostrate  Patriotism. — Thomtvs  Sumter. — His  Life  and  Character. — Francis  Marion. — His 

Life  and  Cliaracter. — Pickens. — Guerilla  Warfare. — Hard  Eiders  and  Good  Marksmen. — Success  of  Sumter. — The 
Patriots  encouraged. — The  March  of  Dc  Kalb. — General  Gates  appointed  to  the  Command  at  the  South. — Northern 

Laurels  and  Southern  Willows. 

After  the  fivll  of  Charleston,  Sir 

1780* 

Henry  Clinton,  in  order  to  confirm 

take  possession  of  Camdenpand  sent  his 
trusty  Tarleton  in  pursuit  of  the  fugitives. 

his  conquest,  issued  proclamations,  prof- 

This  famous  colonel  of  dragoons  was  at 

fering  pardon  to  those  who  should  return 

once  in  his  saddle,  at  the  head  of  his  cav- 

to  their  allegiance  to  the  British  crown. 

ally.  His  corps  had  been  strengthened 

and  sent  out  troops  to  subject  those  who 

by  the  addition  of  a hundred  mounted  in- 

were  still  in  open  resistance.  Retaining 

fantry  and  a three-pounder;  but  Tarle- 

a small  force  to  hold  the  town.  Clinton 

ton’s  impatience  would  not  allow  him  to 

despatched  the  main  body  of  his  army. 

wait  for  these  tardy  riders  : so  he  spurred 

under  Lord  Cornwallis,  toward  the  from 

on  in  advance  with  his  hundred  and  sev- 

tiers  of  South  Carolina.  One  division. 

enty  dragoons.  He  got  so  rapidly  over 

under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown,  moved 

the  ground,  that  in  fifty-four  hours  he  had 

up  the  Savannah,  to  Augusta;  another. 

made  a hundred  and  five  miles,  although 

commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bal- 

his  Carolina  horses  were  neither  remark- 

four,  marched  along  the  southern  banks 

able  for  mettle  nor  hioh  condition.  The 

O 

of  the  Wateree,  to  Ninety-Six;  and  Earl 

weather  was  hot,  and  some  of  the  animals 

Cornwallis  himself  pushed  on  with  the 

gave  out;  but  Tarleton  always  pressed 

third  toward  Camden,  where  Colonel  Bu- 

on  ahead,  followed  by  those  of  sufficient 

ford,  who  was  on  his  way  to  reinforce 

speed  and  bottom  to  keep  up  with  him. 

General  Lincoln,  had  retired  on  hearing 

When  within  twenty  miles  of  Buford, 

of  the  surrender  of  Charleston. 

who  was  hastening  to  form  a junction 

Augusta  and  Ninety-Six  yielded,  on  the 

with  a force  in  North  Carolina,  Tarleton 

approach  of  the  British,  without  a blow. 

sent  one  of  his  best-mounted  captains  for- 

Colonel  Buford  abandoned  Camden,  and 

ward,  with  a summons  to  Buford  to  sur- 

marched  precipitately  into  North  Caroli- 

render,  while  he  himself  and  his  troopers 

na.  Lord  Cornwallis,  as  he  crossed  the 

galloped  close  at  his  heels. 

Santee,  having  learned  of  Buford’s  flight. 

The  captain  overtook  Buford  on  the 

moved  with  a portion  of  his  troops  to 
92 

banks  of  the  Wexhaw  river,  and  handed 

I 

730  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  | part  ii 


nim  Tarleton’s  summons  to  surrender,  on 
the  same  terms  as  had  been  granted  to 
the  garrison  at  Charleston,  accompanied 
Avith  this  threat,  however:  “If  you  are 
rash  enough  to  reject  them,  the  blood  he 
upon  your  head  !”  Without  halting  his 
troops,  Buford  spoke  for  a moment  with 
the  British  captain,  and  then  gave  him 
this  brief  and  emphatic  answer: — 

“ Sm : I reject  your  proposal,  and  shall 
defend  myself  to  the  last  extremity. 

“Abm.  Buford. 

“ Liicuten.a.nt-*Colonkl  Tarleton, 

“ Commander  of  British  Legion." 

The  rapid  Tarleton  was  close  at  hand, 
and,  upon  receiving  Buford’s  reply,  Avas 
ready  for  an  onslaught.  The  lat- 
ter behaved  with  neither  decis- 
ion nor  prudence.  His  rear-guard  of  a 
sergeant  and  four  dragoons  having  fallen, 
Buford  Avas  thus  first  apprized  of  the  close 
approach  of  the  enemy.  He  had  barely 
time  to  draw  up  his  men  in  an  open  Avood, 
and  send  his  artillery  and  baggage  in  ad- 
vance, when  Tarleton  and  his  merciless 
dragoons,  with  draAvn  sabres,  came  dowm 
the  road  with  an  impetuous  swoop.  Lit- 
tle resistance  was  made  ; and  the  Ameri- 
cans, taken  so  suddenly  and  surrounded, 
soon  sued  for  quarter,  but  no  quarter  was 
shown. 

Tarleton,  aa'Iio  Avas  foremost  in  the  at- 
fiick,  at  the  head  of  thirty  of  his  trustiest 
troopers,  Avas  dismounted  by  a chance 
shot.  His  dragoons,  hoAvever,  did  not  lin- 
ger in  their  barbarous  Avork,  but  forced 
their  horses  on,  sabrinu;  their  unresisting: 
enemy  right  and  left.  It  soon  became  a 
bloody  massacre,  in  Avhich  no  less  tlian  a 


hundred  and  thirteen  of  the  Americans 
Avere  slaughtered,  AA-hile  a hundred  and 
fifty  Avere,  according  to  Tarleton’s  own 
account  of  the  butchery,  so  badly  man- 
gled as  to  be  incapable  of  removal  from 
the  field  of  action.  That  the  British  met 
Avith  but  feeble  resistance,  may  be  inferred 
from  the  fact  that  their  loss  amounted  to 
only  sev'en  killed  and  tw^elve  wmunded. 

Tarleton  and  his  dragoons  now  rode  to 
Camden,  carrying  Avith  them  fifty-thre^ 
American  prisoners,  the  few'Avho  had  been 
spared  in  that  merciless  attack.  Lord 
Cornwallis  received  his  cruel  officer  with 
a Avarrn  welcome,  and  bestow'ed  the  high- 
est praise  upon  him  for  his  bloody  enter- 
prise. Friend  and  foe,  however,  haA^e  not 
hesitated  to  speak  of  the  conduct  of  Tarle- 
ton as  an  outrage  upon  humanity.  Even 
in  England,  the  liberal  press  and  all  men 
of  humane  views  denounced  his  ferocity  ; 
and  his  owm  conscience  smote  him,  if  not 
to  repentance,  at  least  to  an  attempt  at 
justification,  fie  declared  that  his  men, 
on  the  one  hand,  became  exasperated  to 
revenge  upon  supposing,  when  he  Avas 
dismounted,  that  he  had  been  slain  ; and 
that,  on  the  other,  his  dragoons  had  been 
provoked  to  rage  by  the  firing  of  the 
Americans  after  they  had  suriendered 
and  begged  for  quarter.  To  the  errors 
of  Buford  may  be  ascribed  the  defeat  of 
his  party ; hut  the  effect  of  this  Avanton 
massacre  Avas  beneficial  to  the  southern 
country,  in  rousing  a proper  spii  it  of  re- 
sentment in  the  breasts  of  its  defenders. 
The  Americans  thencefortli  Avere  laimht 

O 

to  expect  no  indulgence  from  their  foes. 
The  name  and  barbarity  of  the  English 
cavalry- leader  Avere  now  synonymous 


RKVOLUTIONARY.J  THOMAS  SUMTER  AND  FRANCIS  MARION.  731 

and  even  his  mercy  was  deemed  so  piti- 
less. that  Tarleioii s quarter"  became  a 
proverbial  expression  for  cruelty : and  a 
spirit  of  revenge,  in  all  subsequent  con- 
flicts, gave  a keener  edge  to  the  military 
resentments  of  the  people  in  the  south- 
ern states. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  after  his  military 

triumph.s,  finally  believing  that  he  had 

secured  the  state  of  South  Carolina  in 

fnm  allegiance  to  the  throne,  embarked 

. , at  Charleston  for  New  York,  with 

June  5.  ...  ' . 

a portion  of  his  troops,  leaving 

Earl  Cornwallis  in  command  of  four  tlioip 
sand  regulars,  to  carry  the  war  into  North 
Carolina  and  Virginia.  Ills  lordship,  for 
a time  unopposed  by  any  active  military 
hostility,  had  an  opportunity  of  exercising 
liis  talents  as  a civil  administrator.  Hav- 
ing left  Lord  Rawdon  in  command  of  the 
division  which  Sir  Henry  had  led  up  the 
Santee  to  Camden,  he  himself  proceeded 
to  Charleston,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
administering  the  affairs  of  the  state  un- 
der its  renewed  royal  government. 

As  Cornwallis  proposed  to  make  an  in- 
cursion into  North  Carolina  as  soon  as  the 
hot  season  Avas  over,  he  was  preparing 
his  way  by  an  active  correspondence  with 
the  royalist  inhabitants.  He  urged  upon 
them  to  remain  patient  until  he  was  pre- 
pared to  enter  their  province  with  his 
troops.  But  in  .the  fullness  of  their  loy- 
alty they  could  not  avoid  making  a pre- 
mature manifestation,  and  thus  brought 
down  upon  themselves  a crushing  blow 
from  the  patriots.  Some  eight  hundred, 
however,  of  the  loyal  North-Carolinians, 
under  Colonel  Brj^an,  with  a band  of  reso- 
lute republican  militia  at  their  heels,  sue- 

ceeded  in  making  their  escape,  though  in 
a sorry  plight,  to  the  British  post  at  Che- 
raw  hill. 

Prostrate  as  South  Carolin  i wa,s,  there 
were  still  some  of  her  inhabitants  who 
clung  resolutely  to  their  arms;  and,  al- 
though forced  temporarily  to  leave  their 
own  state,  they  were  impatiently  wait- 
ing for  a favorable  opportunity  to  strike  a 
blow  against  the  invaders  of  their  homes. 
Among  these  was  Thomas  Sumter,  one  of 
the  most  gallant  of  the  southern  patriots. 
Though  past  the  meridian  of  life,  such 
were  the  fighting  qualities  and  resolute 
spirit  of  the  man,  that  he  was  popularly 
known  as  “ The  Gamecock  of  Carolina'.'  In 
his  youth  he  had  fought  against  the  Indi- 
ans, and  had  served  as  a soldier  in  Brad- 
dock’s  unfortunate  campaign.  When  the 
Revolutionary  W ar  broke  on  t.  Sum  ter  was 
among  the  earliest  in  the  field,  and  re- 
ceived the  command  of  the  South-Caro- 
lina  riflemen,  as  their  lieutenant-colonel. 

He  was  a man  of  inflexible  firmness  and 
daring  courage.  Large,  strong,  and  ac- 
tive, his  body  was  equal  to  all  the  trials 
of  endurance  to  which  his  enterprising 
spirit  constantly  subjected  it.  “Deter- 
mined to  deserve  succes.s,  he  risked  his 
own  life  and  the  lives  of  his  associates 
without  reserve.  Enchanted  with  the 
splendor  of  victory,  he  would  wade  in  tor- 
rents of  blood  to  attain  it.”*  He  trusted, 
however,  more  to  personal  prowess  than 
to  military  skill.  He  was  far  less  inclined 
to  plan  than  to  execute,  and  often  under- 
took and  succeeded  in  enterprises  which 
a more  prudent  officer  would  never  have 
hazarded. 

* Lee. 

• 

732  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

Sumter’s  home,  on  the  Santee  river, 


had  been  devastated  by  the  enemy,  his 
house  burned  to  the  ground,  and  his  wife 
and  children  driven  forth  without  shelter. 
He  now  sought  refuge  in  North  Carolina, 
where  he  soon  gathered  about  him  a band 
of  his  fellow'-exiles,Avho  chose  him  as  their 
leader,  and  determined  to  vindicate  the 
rights  of  their  country  and  avenge  their 
own  wu’ongs. 

Francis  -Marion  was  another  of  those 
dauntless  partisan  leaders,  to  whose  en- 
ercjetic  courage  the  Carolinas  were  in- 
debted  for  their  final  rescue  from  the 
thraldom  of  a triumphant  enemy.  The 
youngest  son  of  a wealthy  planter,  of 
Huguenot  extraction,  his  youth  was  en- 
couraged with  the  prospect  of  a life  of 
prosperity  and  ease,  when  his  father  be- 
coming impoverished,  he  was  suddenly 
made  conscious  that  he  w'as  to  rely  upon 
his  own  efforts  for  support.  The  youth 
did  not  hesitate,  but  promptly  sought  em- 
ployment as  a sailor.  On  his  first  voyage 
to  the  Westindies,  the  vessel  was  wrecked, 
and  young  Marion  took  to  the  boat  with 
the  rest  of  the  crew,  where  for  seven  or 
eight  days  they  subsisted  upon  the  raw 
flesh  of  a dog  which,  like  themselve.s,  had 
escaped  from  the  wreck. 

After  landing,  the  youthful  Marion  aban- 
doned the  sea,  and  took  to  farming.  In 
the  expedition  against  the  Cherokees,  he 
was  made  a lieutennnt  under  Moultrie, 
and  subsequently  served  as  a .captain  in 
a second  Indian  expedition.  When  the 
Revolutionary  War  began,  he  w-as  chosen 
captain  of  a company,  and  assisted  (hav^- 
ing  in  the  meantime  been  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  major)  in  the  gallant  and  suc- 


cessful defence  of  Fort  Moultrie,  in  June, 
1776.  In  the  late  siege  of  Charleston, 
he  commanded  a regiment  as  lieutenant- 
colonel  ; but,  having  by  accident  broken 
his  leg,  he  became  incapable  of  military 
duty.  Leaving  the  city  before  its  sur- 
render,he  fortunately  escaped  falling  with 
the  rest  of  the  garrison  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy.  He  now'  took  refuge  in  North 
Carolina,  and  sought,  like  Sumter,  an  oc- 
casion to  redeem  his  native  land. 

Marion  was  now  forty-eight  years  ot 
age.  Small  in  stature,  meager  in  frame, 
and  of  a sallow,  hard  visage,  he  had  not 
a very  martial  appearance.  He  was,  nev- 
ertheless, a man  of  great  powers  of  endu- 
rance, which  were  strengthened  by  his 
severely  abstemious  habits.  He  drank 
nothing  but  water,  and  ate  sparingly. 
“His  dress  was  like  his  address  — plain, 
regarding  comfort  and  decency  only.”=^ 
He  Avas  a reserved,  cautious  man,  and, 
though  well  informed,  seldom  disposed  to 
conversation.  Trusting  to  his  own  fer- 
tility of  expedient,  he  rarely  sought  conn 
sel  from  others,  and  his  success  as  a strat- 
egist seemed  to  justify  his  self-reliance. 
He  was  a rigid  disciplinarian,  and  he  not 
only  made  his  men  good  soldiers,  but  took 
care  of  them.  Never  avoidino;  dano-er. 
he  never  rashly  sought  it ; and,  acting 
for  all  around  him  as  he  did  for  himself, 
he  risked  the  lives  of  his  followers  only 
Avhen  it  was  necessary.  He  was  so  up- 
right, that,  “ during  the  difficult  course  of 
warfare  through  w'hich  he  passed,  calum- 
ny never  charged  him  with  violating  the 
rights  of  person,  property,  or  humanity.”^ 
Ilis  fellow'-countrymen,  knowing  him  to 

* Lee.  1 Ib. 


RRVOLUTIONARY.I  RISING  OF  THE  CAROLINA  PATRIOTS.  735 

be  without  fear  and  without  reproach,” 

in  other  states  for  (he  benefit  of  his  own. 

styled  him  “ The  Bwjard  of  the  South  but 

lie  personally  sought  the  several  authori- 

his  British  and  tory  enemies  denominated 

ties  and  people  of  North  Carolina,  Vir- 

him  “ The  Sivamp-Fox!' 

ginia,  and  finally  Congress,  and  received 

Andrew  Pickens,  though  born  in  Penn- 

liberal  promises  from  all.  \Vith  these  he 

sylvania,  and  a younger  man,  was  hardly 

returned  to  South  Carolina,  full  of  hope, 

less  effective  than  Sumter  and  Marion  in 

to  give  vigor  and  concenti-ative  energy 

the  partisan  w'arfare  of  South  Carolina. 

to  all  the  efforts  that  might  be  employed 

Governor  Rutledge,  with  a shrewd  judg- 

against  the  invader. 

luent  of  character,  had  singled  cut  these 

In  the  meanwhile.  General  Ruthei  ford 

three,  and  appointed  them  brigadier-gen- 

had  succeeded  in  raising  fifteen  hundred 

erals  in  the  militia  of  the  state. 

men,  whom  he  brought  together  at  Char- 

Marion,  Sumter,  and  Pickens,  all  made 

lotte,  in  North  Carolina,  the  well-known 

themselves  formidable  in  the  guerillawar- 

•^Hornet's  NesVf  as  this  whig  region  was 

fare  in  which  they  were  engaged,  and 

called  by  the  royalists.  This  force  was 

greatly  contributed  to  the  final  triumph 

sufficient  to  discourage  the  approacfi  of 

of  the  Americans  in  the  South.  Their 

Tarleton  in  that  quarter;  and  Lord  Raw- 

troops  were  at  first  few  in  number,  and 

don,  who  had  established  a post  at  the 

made  up  of  a miscellaneous  assortment 

Wexhaws,  now  deemed  it  prudent  to 

of  ill-dressed  and  poorly-equipped  whites 

abandon  it. 

and  blacks.  All  wmre  mounted,  and  most 

But  time  was  required  to  arouse  the 

of  them  armed  w'itli  rifles.  A few  only 

country;  and  in  the  meantime,  under  Brit- 

acted, however, as  cavalry, and  brandished 

ish  auspices,  the  loyalists  grew  active  and 

old  mill-saws  converted  into  broadswords. 

audacious.  A large  force  of  these,  raised 

or  knives  at  the  ends  of  poles,  until  they 

in  North  Carolina,  had  collected 

fillip  2*^* 

could  supply  themselves  at  the  enemy’s 

at  Ramsour’s,  under  a Colonel 

expense  with  sabres  and  lances.*  When 

Moore.  A detachment  of  General  Ruth- 

about  making  an  attack,  most  of  the  men 

erford’s  troops,  under  Colonel  Locke,  at 

dismounted,  leaving  their  horses  in  some 

tacked  and  defeated  them.  Other  par 

hidden  spot  near  by,  in  readiness  to  re- 

ties  of  loyalists  were  growing  in  both  the 

mount  for  either  pursuit  or  flight.  The 

states  ; but  they  did  not  grow  alone : their 

men  wmre  all  hard  riders  and  good  marks- 

rising  sufficed  to  give  new  spirit  to  the 

men  ; they  endured  the  longest  and  most 

patriots.  They,  too,  soon  showed  them- 

toilsome  marches  without  fatigue,  seldom 

selves  here  and  there  in  North  and  South 

feeding  more  than  once  a day,  and  were 

Carolina,  in  bodies  more  or  less  numer- 

prompt  in  action.^ 

ous,  mostly  small  and  badly  armed  at 

Governor  Rutledge  had,  fortunately. 

first,  but  full  of  eagerness,  and  perhaps 

left  Charleston  before  the  disastrous  close 

vindictive  passions.  Such  was  the  char- 

> 

of  the  siege,  the  better  to  employ  himself 

acter  of  the  small  troop  which  had  re- 

* li  ving.  f Lee. 

treated  before  the  British,  from  the  low 

1 


7;U  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

or  swnmp  regions,  as  the  latter  advanced 

gallant  leader  attacked  and  routed  a de- 

Into  the  back-country ; and,  strengthened 

tachment  of  royal  troops  posted  on  the 

by  volunteers  from  North  Carolina,  it  was 

frontier.  This  was  the  first  advantage 

now,  under  the  brave  Sumter,  returning 

gained  over  the  enemy  in  South  Carolina 

to  its  native  state  at  the  very  moment 

since  their  landing  in  the  beoinninii:  of 
o o o 

when  the  cause  of  liberty  seemed  most 

the  year. 

liopeless  to  the  inhabitants. 

The  affair  of  the  12tltof  July  took  place 

“ The  attitude  of  this  forlorn  few,”  says 

at  Williamson’s  plantation,  in  the  upper 

Simms,  “ was  no  less  melancholy  than  gal- 

part  of  the  state.  The  enemy,  consisting 

hint.  The  British  were  everywhere  tri- 

of  a large  detachment  of  British  militia 

uniphant,the  Americans  desponding ; the 

and  tories,  were  under  the  command  of 

state  without  any  domestic  government, 

Colonel  Ferguson  (not  the  one  already 

and  utterly  unable  to  furnish  supplies  to 

described,  in  the  British  army)  of  the  for- 

this  little  band,  whether  of  arms,  clothing. 

nier,  and  Captain  Houck  of  the  latter. 

or  provisions.  Never  did  patriotism  take 

The  royalists,  not  apprehending  an  ene- 

the  field  with  so  few  encouragements  or 

1113^,  were  posted  at  disadvantage  in  a lane. 

so  many  difficulties.  The  iron  tools  of 

both  ends  of  which  were  entered  at  the 

the  neighboring  farms,  the  ploughshare 

same  time  liy  the  Carolinians.  Ferguson 

and  the  saw,  were  worked  up  into  rude 

and  Houck  were  both  killed,  and  their 

weapons  of  war  by  ordinary  blacksmiths. 

men  completely  routed  and  dispersed.  At 

The  partisans  supplied  themselves  in  part 

the  fortunate  moment  in  which  the  attack 

with  bullets  by  melting  the  pewter  which 

was  made,  a number  of  prisoners  were  on 

was  given  them  by  private  housekeepers. 

their  knees,  vainly  soliciting  merej'  for 

Sometimes  they  went  into  battle  with  less 

themselves  and  families  at  the  hands  of 

than  three  rounds  to  a man  ; and  one  half 

the  British  officers.  Houck  had  become 

were  obliged  to  keep  at  a distance  until 

notorious  for  his  cruel  atrocities,  in  the 

sujiplied  by  the  fall  of  comrades  or  ene- 

very  performance  of  which  the  retributive 

mies  with  the  arms  which  might  enable 

Providence  decreed  that  he  should  be 

them  to  engage  in  the  conflict.  When 

slain.  On  this  occasion.  Colonel  Bratton 

victorious,  they  relied  upon  the  dead  for 

and  Captain  JVPClure  particularly  distin- 

the  ammunition  for  their  next  campaign. 

guished  themselves.  These  two  gallant 

The  readiness  with  which  these  bi-ave  men 

officers  had  already  made  their  mark  up- 

resorted  to  the  field,  under  such  circum- 

on  a large  body  of  marauding  British  and 

stances,  was  the  sufficient  guaranty  for 

tories,  in  an  affair  only  a month  previous, 

their  ultimate  success.” 

at  Mobley’s  meetinghouse,  in  Fairfield  dis- 

Sumter  was  the  first  of  these  partisan 

trict  (within  a few  weeks  after  the  sur- 

warriors  to  cross  the  border  into  South 

render  of  Charleston),  where  they  had 

Carolina,  and  renew  the  war  with  the  vie- 

attacked  the  enemy,  and,  after  a severe 

..  torious  British.  With  a hundred 

JtiB  12.  , , . 

and  thirty- three  followers,  this 

handling,  succeeded  in  dispersing  them. 

One  of  the  gallant  young  partisans,  in  the 

! 

r 


EVOLUTIONARY.]  EXPLOITS  OF  SUMTER  AND  CLARKE.  73.' 


(iffiiir  with  Houck  and  Fergii-son,  became 
well  known  long  afterward  as  the  distin- 
guished General  Adair.* 

Sumter’s  success  inspirited  the  inhabit- 
ants, who  came  forward  with  such  alac- 
rity to  join  his  standard,  that  in  a few 
days  his  force  was  increased  to  six  hun- 
dred. Emboldened  by  this  reinforcement, 

. iin  attack  was  made  on  the  Brit- 

Jiily  30.  . , , , , 

ish  at  Kocky  mount,  where  the 

patriots,  however,  were  less  successful ; 
and  Sumter,  finding  that,  without  artille- 
ry, he  could  make  no  impression  on  the 
enemy’s  works  of  logs  and  earth,  retired. 

Ever  active  himself,  and  feaiful  lest 
his  militia  might  disband  unle.ss  kept  on 
the  move  by  constant  enterprise,  the  dar- 
ing and  spirited  partisan  leader  attacked 
a British  regiment  (the  Prince  of 
• ugtis  • large  body  of  lo- 

ries, posted  at  a place  called  Hanging 
Rock,  eastward  of  the  Catawba. 

The  assault  was  prompt  and  effective. 
The  regiment  of  regulars  was  so  com- 
pletely cut  to  pieces,  that  there  was  left 
only  the  small  remnant  of  nine  out  of 
two  hundred  and  seventy-eight  men  ; and 
the  North-Carolina  tories,  under  Colonel 
Bryan,  who  had  been  so  impatient  to 
show  their  loyalty,  were,  after  suffering 
severely,  totally  routed  and  dispersed. 

In  July, Colonel  Clarke,  with  a hundred 
and  ninety  men,  proceeded  to  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Cedar  springs,  in  the  Spartan- 
burg district.  Here  they  were  suddenly 
warned  by  two  women  that  they  would 
soon  be  attacked  by  a large  force  of  Brit- 
ish and  torie.s,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Dunlap.  They  prepared  themselves  ac- 

* Simms. 


cordingly,  and  were  all  in  readiness  when 
the  enemy  came  on,  an  hour  before  day- 
light. It  was  almost  too  dark  to  distin- 
guish friends  from  foes ; but  the  British, 
expecting  to  surprise  the  Americans,  were 
in  some  degree  themselves  the  subject  of 
surprise.  They  were  met  firmly,  hand  to 
hand,  and  a fierce  conflict  took  place,  in 
which  they  were  defeated,  and  were  pur- 
sued for  nearly  a mile.  The  enemy  lost 
twenty-eight  dragoons  and  about  a score 
of  loyalists.  Most  of  the  wounds  given 
v>"ere  with  the  broadsword.  On  the  re- 
treat, Dunlap  was  joined  by  Colonel  Fer- 
guson, and  their  united  forces  amounted 
to  more  than  five  hundred  men.  The 
Americans  retired  without  precipitation 
or  pursuit,  and  with  the  loss  of  only  five 
killed  and  thirty  wounded. 

These  gallant  enterprises  of  Sumter  and 
others  had  tended  greatly  to  encourage 
the  desponding  Carolinians,  and  to  abate 
the  panic  which  had  been  occasioned  by 
the  fall  of  their  chief  town.  All  that  was 
wanted  by  the  scattered  bands  of  patri- 
ots were  good  weapons,  ample  munitions, 
and  an  able  military  leader,  capable  of 
showing  the  way.  Hence  the  continual 
call  upon  the  main  army  of  Washington 
for  general  officers.  The  patriots  were 
now  still  furtber  inspirited  by  learning 
that  regular  troops  were  marching  from 
the  North  to  their  succor. 

While  the  siege  of  Charleston  was  im- 
pending, some  fourteen  hundred  conti- 
nentals, consisting  of  the  Delaware  and 
Maryland  lines,  and  some  Virginia  troops, 
had  been  ordered  by  Congress  to  rein- 
force General  Lincoln  in  defence  of  the 
beleagured  city.  They  were  confided  to 


736  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Impart  n. 


the  command  of  Mnjor-General  Baron  de 
Kalb.  After  some  delay  from  embarrass- 
ment in  the  commissariat  department,  the 

brave  and  experienced  German 
April  16.  „ , . TIT  • 

set  ont  Irom  ttie  camp  at  Morris- 
town on  his  long  southern  march.  The 
journey,  by  land,  was  tolerably  expedi- 
tions for  the  first  part  of  the  route  ; but, 
lacking  means  of  transportation,  without 
cash  or  credit,  and  relying  for  facilities 
of  march  upon  states  so  thinly  settled  as 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  the  progress 
of  these  troops  had  been  too  slow  for  the 
succor  of  the  besieged  city.  They  were 
still  on  the  march  when  the  tidings  were 
I’eceived  of  the  fall  of  Charleston. 

But  the  march  was  not  arrested.  De 
Kalb  led  his  men  with  a proper  care,  and 
with  due  regard  to  their  sufferings,  which 
were  great,  through  a wild  and  almost 
uninhabited  region.  He  had  pushed  his 
progress  to  the  South  by  the  direct  route 
from  Petersburg,  in  Virginia,  for  Camden, 
^ in  South  Carolina.  When  he  had 
arrived  at  Cox’s  mills,  on  Deep 
river,  in  North  Carolina,  the  baron  was 
brought  to  a halt  for  want  of  provisions, 
and  also  by  doubt  as  to  his  future  course. 
No  supplies  could  be  obtained  from  the 
authorities  of  the  state,  and  very  little 
by  forced  contributions  from  the  inhab- 
itants. 

De  Kalb  was  obliged,  nevertheless,  to 
continue  his  march,  in  order  to  keep  his 
trcops  from  starving,  as  he  hoped  to  reach 
a part  of  the  country  where  there  might 
be  found  a better  prospect  of  subsistence, 
lie  accordingly  moved  along  the  Deep 
river,  and  encamped  near  Buffalo  ford, 
whence  he  sent  out  his  foraging-parties. 


With  all  his  activity,  however,  he  could 
hardly  obtain  a sufficient  supply  of  grain 
for  the  immediate  subsistence  of  his  army, 
and  the  only  meat  that  could  be  procured 
was  the  lean  beef  of  the  wild  cattle  which 
roamed  in  the  pine-woods  and  the  cane- 
brakes.  Major-General  Caswell,  in  com- 
mand of  the  North-Carolina  militia,  was, 
moreover,  in  advance;  and  his  hungry 
troopers  were  skinning  all  the  “ fat  of  the 
land,”  and  leaving  nothing  but  a meager 
residue  behind  them. 

The  baron  strove  to  induce  Caswell  to 
join  him,  but  he  and  his  militia  preferred 
the  independence  of  campaigning  on  their 
own  account.  De  Kalb  remonstrated,  but 
in  vain,  and  appealed  to  the  state  legisla- 
ture and  to  Congress.  While  thus  per- 
plexed, and  doubtful  of  the  future,  Gen- 
eral Gates  presented  himself  in  camp. 

Althoimh  Coimress  relied  with  coufi- 

O O 

dence  upon  the  patriotism  and  devotion 
of  Baron  de  Kalb,  it  was  deemed  best  to 
despatch  a general  commander  to  organ- 
ize a southern  army  who  was  better  known 
through  the  country,  and  the  prediyc  of 
whose  name  would  induce  the  patriots  of 
the  South  to  rally  to  his  standard.  Ear- 
ly in  the  spring,  Washington,  seeing  the 
necessity  of  more  vigorous  operations  in 
the  Carolinas,had  intended  to  recommend 
General  Greene  as  the  fittest  officer  to 
lead  the  destined  reinforcements  to  the 
aid  of  Lincoln,  and  to  take  the  general 
command  of  all  the  southern  forces;  but 
after  hearing  of  the  fall  of  Charleston  and 
the  capture  of  Lincoln,  Congress,  without 
consulting  the  commander-in-chief  in  this 
important  matter,  had  appointed  General 
Gates  to  that  momentous  service.  The 


r 

REVOLUTION  ART.]  LEE’S  PROPHETIC  WARNI-NG.— MARCH  OF  GATES.  737 

latter  was  then  enjoying  a brief  repose 

estly  consented  to  remain  in  the  subordi- 

upon  his  estate  in  Virginia,  where  he  and 

nate  command  of  the  Maryland  division. 

his  old  friend,  General  Charles  Lee,  fre- 

Gates  himself  may  have  assumed  his  new 

quently  discussed  public  affairs,  and  un- 

position  with  no  very  sanguine  hopes, 

doubtedly  in  a spirit  and  temper  most 

when  he  recalled  the  parting  words  of 

unfriendly  to  Washington. 

his  friend  Lee,  who,  on  bidding  him  fare- 

On  his  arrival,  General  Gates,  of  course. 

well  in  Virginia,  said,  ‘■‘•Beimre  that  your 

superseded  De  Kalb.  The  baron  gladly 

northern  laurels  do  not  change  to  southern  ivil- 

yielded  up  his  irksome  authority, but  mod- 

hivs !” 

CHAPTER 

m 

LXXXTII. 

General  Gates  on  the  Move. — Plenty  of  Rum  and  Rations.- 

-The  Troops  inspirited. — Precipitation. — A Suffering  Army. 

— The  Promi.sed  Land. — Hope  deferred. — Green  Corn  and  Lean  Beef. — Crossinj.5of  the  Pedee  River. — Marion  and  Ids 

Troopers. — Disappointment. — Junction  with  the  Militia.- 

—Lord  Rawdon  at  Camden. — British  Reinforcements. — Earl 

Cornwallis  to  the  Rescue. — His  Promptitude. — Order  of  Battle. — Battle  of  Camden. — Panic  of  the  Militia. — Flight. — 

Klfects  of  Diet  on  Couraf'e. — Good  Conduct  of  the  Rep 

ulars. — Victory  of  the  Brilisli. — Death  of  Baron  de  Kalb. — 

Gates  goes  with  the  Torrent. — No  Rally. — Tarleton  and 

Sumter. — A Sudden  Burst. — Pursuit. — The  Losses. — A Sad 

Train. — A Mortifying  Picture. — Gates  hiimhled. 

The  ceremonies  of  his  reception 
1780.  , . , v , , o 

being  over — the  little  park  or  ar- 

and  accordingly  began  to  move.  General 
Gates,  eager  to  signalize  his  command  by 

tillery  having  fired  a continental  salute. 

a promptitude  of  action  that  might  con- 

and  an  interchange  of  courtesies  having 

t l ast  favorably  with  the  Fabian  policy  of 

passed  between  the  polite  De  Kalb  and. 

other  commanders  whose  slowness  he  was 

his  successor — General  Gates  promptly 

Avont  so  freely  to  censure,  determined  to 

ordered  the  troops  to  be  in  readiness  to 

push  right  on,  form  a junction  with  Gen- 

move  at  a moment’s  warniiuir.  This  ere- 

eral  Caswell,  and  strike  at  the  enemy. 

ated  great  surprise  and  much  grumbling 

He  therefore  took  the  route  over  Deep 

in  the  army,  as,  from  its  long-suffering  in 

river,  by  Buffalo  ford,  leading  to  the  ad- 

consequence  of  meager  supplies,  it  was 

vanced  post  of  the  British  at  Lynch’s 

in  an  ill  condition  for  a march.  The  sol- 

creek,  on  the  road  to  Camden,  at  wliich 

diers,  however,  were  encouraged  by  their 

latter  place,  about  one  hundred  and  ten 

new  general’s  assurances  that  an  abun- 

miles  northwest  from  Charleston,  Lord 

dance  of  “rum  and  rations”  was  on  the 

Rawdon  was  posted  with  his  main  army. 

route,  and  would  soon  overtake  them. 

Colonel  Otho  Holland  Williams,  adju- 

The  troops,  inspirited  by  such 
July  27.  ^ ^ 

a prospect,  hesitated  no  longer, 

93 

tant-general,  ventured  to  expostula  te  with 
Gates  upon  “ the  seeming  precipitate  and 

f 1 

1 

jiATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PART  n 


■(88 

incoiiMflerate  step  he  was  taking.”  The 
country  through  which  he  was  about  to 
march,  Williams  declared,  was  naturally 
barren,  abounding  in  sandy  plains,  inter- 
sected by  swamps,  and  but  thinly  iidiab- 
ited  ; while  the  scant  supplies  of  provis- 
ions and  forage  produced  on  the  banks 
of  its  few  streams  had  already  been  swept 
away  by  the  devastations  of  the  enemy 
ana  the  hordes  of  tory  freebooters.  The 
colonel  advised  with  earnestness  a north- 
west route,  leading  across  tlie  Pedee,  to 
the  town  of  Salisbury,  lying  in  the  midst 
of  a fertile  country,  and  inhabited  by 
warm  friends  of  the  patriot  cause. 

Gates,  however,  was  not  to  be  diverted 
from  his  resolution,  and  persevered  in  the 
route  which  he  had  begun.  His  men 
were  already  reduced  to  the  “scraps”  in 
their  knapsacks,  as  their  only  food  ; and, 
as  they  continued  their  march,  they  found 
that  there  was  but  little  promise  of  plen- 
ty. The  country  proved  even  worse  than 
it  had  been  represented.  With  its  wide 
stretches  of  sandy  plain  and  deep  moras- 
ses, there  was  but  little  cultivation;  and 
those  rare  spots  where  the  sparse  settlers 
had  built  here  and  there  a log-house,  and 
raised  a meager  patch  of  corn,  were  found 
devastated  and  abandoned.  The  soldiers 
suflered  greatly  from  the  want  of  supplies, 
but  bore  up  manfully  with  the  prospect 
in  advance  of  reaching  the  fertile  banks 
of  the  Pedee. 

Even  here,  however,  in  the  fatter  land, 
the  sufferings  of  the  army  did  not  cease. 
'J’he  fields,  it  is  true,  were  rich  with  prom- 
ising crops;  but  the  Indian  corn  was  not 
yet  ripe,  and,  as  the  harvest  of  the  previ- 
ous year  was  exhausted,  the  soldiers  in 


their  hunger  were  forced  to  pluck  the 
green  ears.  These,  boiled  with  the  lean 
beef,  and  eaten  with  green  peaches  as  a 
substitute  for  bread,  constituted  their  on- 
ly diet,  which,  though  it  satisfied  the  ap- 
petite, did  not  fail  to  produce  severe  dys- 
enteries. The  officers  were  enabled  to 
thicken  their  soup  with  the  hair-powder 
left  in  their  toilet-bags,  and  thus  congrat- 
ulated themselves  upon  a more  whole- 
some repast. 

The  little  army,  however,  continued  to 
move  on,  and,  crossing  the  Pedee  river, 
General  Gates  was  met  on  the  g 

opposite  (western)  side  by  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel  Porterfield  and  his  small 
corps  of  Virginians,  who,  ever  since  the 
fall  of  Charleston,  had  remained  in  South 
Carolina, where  they  had  continued  roam- 
ing about  the  country,  picking  up  what 
food  they  could  get  by  foraging.  Colonel 
Marion,  too,  had  joined  the  march  with 
his  few  followers,  “ distinguished  by  small 
black  leather  caps  and  the  wretchedness 
of  their  attire.  Their  number  did  not  ex- 
ceed twenty  men  and  boys,  some  white, 
some  black,  and  all  mounted,  but  most  of 
them  miserably  equipped:  their  appear- 
ance was,  in  fact,  so  burlesque,  that  it  was 
with  much  difficulty  the  diversion  of  the 
regular  soldiery  was  restrained  by  the  of- 
ficers; and  the  general  himself  was  glad 
of  an  opportunity  of  detaching  Colonel 
Marion,  at  his  own  instance,  toward  the 
interior  of  South  Carolina,  with  orders  to 
watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy  and  fur- 
nish  intelligence.”'^  It  was  not  long,  how- 
ever, before  the  sneeriim  reijulars  would 
have  gladly  welcomed  back  Marion  and 

* W'^illiams’s  Nairative. 


REvol.uTTONARY.]  GATES  AT  CLERMONT— CORNWALLIS  AT  CAMDEN.  lau 


his  men,  to  aid  in  saving  them  from  im- 
pending destruction  on  the  fatal  field  of 
Camden. 

As  the  troops  continued  their  march, 
disappointment  met  them  at  every  step. 
On  reaching  May’s  mill,  the}'  had  expect- 
ed large  supplies;  but,  not  finding  them, 
the  men  began  to  murmur,  and  threaten 
mutiny.  The  officers,  however,  by  show- 
ing their  own  empty  canteens  and  mess- 
cases,  satisfied  the  soldiers  that  all  suffered 
alike,  and  quieted  them  for  the  time  by 
promising  that,  if  the  expected  supplies 
did  not  arrive,  detachments  should  be  al- 
lowed to  go  out  from  each  corps,  and  to 
pick  up  what  provisions  they  could  get. 

Fortunately,  a small  quantity  of  Indian 
corn  was  soon  brought  into  camp.  The 
mill  was  now  set  to  work,  and,  as  soon  as 
a mess  of  meal  was  ground,  it  was  deliv- 
ered to  a squad  of  men,  and  so  on  until 
all  were  served,  the  general  and  field  of- 
ficers taking  their  share,  and  not  the  most 
abundant,  among  the  last. 

10  In  his  impatience,  Gates  now 

“ rode  on  and  reached  General  Cas- 
well’s camp  of  militia,  about  fifteen  miles 
eastward  of  the  British  advanced  post  on 
Lynch’s  creek.  Next  day  the  army  fol- 
lowed and  formed  the  junction  with  Cas- 
well’s troops.  All  were  cheered  by  the 
event,  and  the  combined  forces  marched 

Avith  invigorated  spiilts  to  Cler- 

Au".  13>  ^ 

® mont,  about  twelve  miles  from 

Camden,  at  which  place  Lord  Rawdon,  on 
the  near  approach  of  Gates,  had  concen- 
trated all  his  troops. 

The  British  commander  was  not  dis- 
posed to  disturb  the  American  camp  until 
he  should  receive  reinfoi’cements  from 


Lord  Cornwallis  at  Charleston,  mid  in  the 
meantime  he  kept  his  troops  employed 
in  strengthening  his  defences. 

On  the  day  after  his  arrival  at  Cler- 
mont, Gates  was  reinforced  by  the  junc- 
tion of  Brigadier-General  Stevens,  with 
seven  hundred  Vkginia  militia.  Ilis  en- 
tire force  now  amounted  to  three  thou- 
sand and  fifty-two  mem  fit  for  duty,  of 
whom  a third  only  were  regular  troops. 

Earl  Cornwallis,  made  aware  that  the 
post  at  Camden  was  threatened,  hastened 
there  in  person,  followed  by  a 
small  body  of  troops.  He  now 
assumed  the  command  of  the  whole  force 
himself,  which  numbered  about  twenty- 
one  hundred  men.  These  were,  however, 
with  the  exception  of  a few  hundred  loy- 
alist militia,  choice  British  regular.s.  His 
lord.ship,  with  his  usual  promptitude,  had 
been  only  a single  day  in  camp,  ^ 
when  he  was  prepared  to  sally 
out  against  his  enemy ; and  at  ten  o’clock 
at  night  he  began  his  march  to  Clermont. 

By  a curious  coincidence,  General  Gates 
had  fixed  iq^on  nearly  the  same  moment 
to  lead  out  his  force  from  Rugely’s  mills 
toward  Camden.  Gates  had  received  a 
request  from  Sumter  for  a reinforcement 
of  regular  troops  to  aid  him  in  an  attempt 
to  cut  off  a considerable  convoy  of  British 
wagons,  which,  laden  with  clothing,  am- 
munition, and  other  stores,  and  guarded 
by  an  escort,  was  on  its  way  by  M‘Cord’s 
ferry  from  Charleston  to  the  camp  of  the 
enemy.  The  general  had  accordingly  or 
dered  a detachment  of  four  hundred  men, 
including  one  hundred  infantry  and  two 
brass  fieldpieces,  under  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Woolford,  to  join  Sumter,  In  order 


740  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [^part  n 

to  facilitate  this  enterprise  bj  a diversion, 

mainly  depend.  Lord  Cornw.illis,  on  the 

ignorant  of  the  arrival  of  Cornwallis  by 

contrary,  appears  to  have  been  accurately 

forced  marches,  and  confident  that  Lord 

informed  of  every  particular  in  relation 

Rawdon  would  retire  on  his  advance,  and 

to  the  Americans  which  it  was  important 

fall  back  upon  Charleston,  General  Gates 

for  him  to  know.  It  is  even  said  that  an 

had  taken  up  his  march  with  the  inten- 

emissary  of  the  British  commander  sue- 

tion  of  posting  himself  near  Camden. 

ceeded  in  passing  himself  upon  Gates  as 

Colonel  Armand  and  his  cavalry-legion 

a fugitive  from  Camden,  and,  having  won 

led  the  van,  flanked  by  Lieutenant-Colo- 

his  confidence,  made  his  escape  to  his 

nel  Porterfield’s  corps  of  Virginia  regidars 

British  employer.  In  a fatal  state  of  se- 

in  Indian  file  on  his  right,  and  by  Major 

curity,  the  result  of  his  own  self  delusion. 

Armstrong’s  light-infantry  of  the  North- 

the  American  general  hurried  his  troops 

Carolina  militia  in  the  same  order  on  his 

blindly  forward  to  their  doom.*- 

left.  The  main  body  followed,  with  the 

The  two  armies  thus  moved  on  in  the 

Maryland  and  Delaware  regulars  forming 

darkness  of  the  nit^ht,  without  beino;  con- 

the  front  division,  in  command  of  Baron 

scions  of  each  other’s  approach,  the  deep 

de  Kalb ; the  militia  of  North  Carolina, 

sands  muffling  the  sound  of  every  foot- 

under  General  Caswell,  next  in  order; 

step,  until  they  met,  about  two 

and  the  militia  of  Virginia,  under  Briga- 

o’clock  in  the  moining;,  at  San- 

dier  Stevens,  bringing  up  the  rear. 

ders’s  creek,seven  miles  north  of  Camden, 

General  Gates  was  in  ignorance  of  sew- 

and  nearly  midway  between  that  place 

oral  facts  which  he  might  have  known. 

and  Clermont.  A smart  interchange  of 

and  which  it  was  of  infinite  importance 

small-arms  between  the  advanced  guards 

to  his  objects  that  he  should  have  known. 

first  revealed  the  contact  of  the  hostile 

Nof  only  was  he  uninformed  of  the  rapid 

armies ; and  a heavier  fire  immediately 

march  of  Earl  Cornwallis  to  the  relief  of 

ensued. 

Rawdon,  and  thus  underrated  the  British 

Colonel  Armand’s  vanguard  of  cavalry 

strength,  but  he  had  given  himself  little 

— “ a miserable  apology  for  a legion,”  re- 

time  to  learn  anything.  He  committed 

marks  Simms,  made  up  of  the  worthless 

a variety  of  blunders.  He  undervalued 

outcasts  of  foreim  service” — wheeled  at 

O 

cavalry,  one  of  the  most  important  por- 

the  first  discharge  from  the  enemy,  and 

tions  of  every  army,  and  one  especially 

in  their  retreat  threw  the  Maryland  bri- 

so  in  a level  and  sparsely-settled  country 

gade  in  their  rear  into  confusion.  Por-  . 

like  that  through  which  he  had  to  pas.s. 

terfield,  however,  on  the  right,  with  his 

He  hurried  his  men,  when  fatigued,  with- 

Virginia  infantry,  held  his  ground;  but 

out  necessity,  and  commenced  a night- 

he  himself  was  soon  carried  off'  the  field, 

movement  with  untried  militia,  in  the 

with  liis  leg  terribly  shattered  by  a can- 

face  of  an  enemy.  In  this  march  he  ex- 

non-ball.  As  if  b}^  tacit  consent,  the  two 

hibited  none  of  that  vigilance  upon  which 

armies  recoiled, and,  bewildered  as  it  were 

the  successofall  military  enterprises  must 

1 * Simms. 

KEVOi.uTiONARY.J  BATTLE  OF  CAMDEN.  741 

by  the  sudden  encounter  in  the  darkness, 

of  the  first  line.  The  artillery  was  placed 

now  ceased  from  all  further  hostility,  and 

in  the  centre  of  the  first  line,and  the  light- 

prepared  to  await  the  dajdight  for  the 

infantry  of  the  North-Carolina  militia,  un- 

conclusion  of  the  strife. 

der  Major  Armstrong,  was  ordered  to  cov- 

Some  prisoners  having  been  taken  by 

er  a small  interval  between  the  left  wing 

the  Americans,  one  of  them  was  conduct- 

and  the  swampy  grounds  in  that  quarter. 

ed  to  the  sreneral,  who  extorted  from  him 

Each  flank  of  the  whole  line  was  protect- 

intelligence  of  the  position  and  strength 

ed  by  a marsh.  Baron  de  Kali),  the  sec- 

of  the  enemy.  When  he  thus  declared 

ond  in  command,  took  post  on  the  right. 

that  Lord  Cornwallis  was  commanding  in 

with  the  Delaware  and  second  Maryland 

person  nearly  three  thousand  troops  (as 

brigades;  while  General  Gates,  directing 

he  reported)  witliin  five  or  six  hundred 

the  whole  in  person,  placed  himself  on  the 

yards  of  the  American  lines.  Gates  was 

road  between  the  main  body  and  the  re- 

aghast ; as  he  now  discovered,  for  the  first 

serve. 

time,  the  arrival  of  Ids  lordship,  and  the 

The  British  right,  under  the  command 

considerable  strength  of  his  force. 

of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Webster,  consisted 

All  the  general  officers  were  at  once 

of  a small  corps  of  light-infantry,  and  the 

assembled  in  council,  in  rear  of  the  line. 

twenty-third  and  thirty-third  regiments; 

when  Gates,  communicating  to  them  the 

and  their  left,  under  Lord  Rawdon,  was 

unwelcome  intelligence,  asked,  “ Gentle- 

formed  by  the  volunteers  of  Ireland,  the 

men,  what  is  to  be  done?”  For  awhile 

infantry  of  the  legion,  a portion  of  Lieu 

no  one  said  a word  ; until  General  Ste- 

tenant-Colonel  Hamilton’s  Royal  North 

veils,  of  Virginia,  breaking  the  silence,  ex- 

Carolina  regiment,  and  four  fieldpieces. 

claimed,  “ Gentlemen,  is  it  not  too  late 

two  of  them  six  and  two  three  pounders. 

noi(f  to  do  anything  but  fight?” — “Then 

directed  by  Lieutenant  M‘Leod  of  the  ar- 

we  must  fight,”  rejoined  Gates.  “ Gentle- 

tillery.  The  seventy-first  regiment,  with 

men,  please  to  take  your  posts.”  Both 

a six-pounder,  composed  the  reserve,  one 

commanders  now  anxiously  waited  for  the 

battalion  being  placed  in  the  rear  of  the 

light  of  day,  and  employed  the  remainder 

right  division  and  the  other  of  the  left; 

of  the  night  in  arranging  the  order  of 

while  the  cavalry  was  stationed  in  the 

battle  for  their  troops  in  the  morning. 

rear  of  the  whole.  The  ground  upon 

The  American  army  was  ordered  to 

which  the  British  halted  was  favorable, 

form  with  the  second  Maryland  bi  igade. 

as  each  flank  rested  on  an  impervious 

including  the  Delawares,  under  Gist,  on 

swamp. 

the  right;  the  North-Carolina  militia,  un- 

At  break  of  day,  before  the  opposing 

der  Caswell,  in  the  centre ; and  that  of 

lines  were  completely  formed,  the  British 

Virginia,  under  Stevens,  on  the  left.  The 

were  observed  to  be  advancing:. 

first  Maiyland  brigade,  under  the  brave 

and,  in  the  uncertain  light,  ap- 

General  Smallwood,  was  to  be  held  in  re- 

peared  to  be  displaying  their  columns  by 

serve,  about  two  hundred  yards  in  rear 

the  right.  The  adjutant-general.  Colonel 

742  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  LrAKi-  ii. 

Williams, ordering  the  artillery  in  front  to 

Colonel  Dixon’s  regiment  held  its  ground 

open  its  fire,  immediately  galloped  to  the 

long  enough  to  fire  two  or  three  rounds 

commanding  general,  in  the  rear  of  the 

of  cartridge.  The  greater  portion  of  the 

second  line,  to  explain  to  him  the  cause 

militia,  however — which  formed  nearh* 

of  the  fire.  Gates  seemed  disposed  to 

two  thirds  of  the  whole  army — fled  iviih- 

await  events,  and  gave  no  orders  for  im- 

Old  firing  a shot,  with  Tarleton  and  his  dra- 

mediate  action.  Colonel  Williams,  how- 

goons  in  fierce  pursuit.  “It  can  not  ap- 

ever,  having  observed  that  if  the  enemj'’, 

pear  excessively  strange,”  says  an  apolo- 

while  in  the  act  of  displaying,  were  brisk- 

gist,  “ that  such  raw  militia,  could  not 

ly  attacked  by  General  Stevens’s  brigade. 

stand  before  bayonets,  when  it  is  consid- 

which  was  already  in  line  of  battle,  the 

ered  that  for  some  time  they  had  subsist- 

effect  mio^ht  be  fortunate,  and  first  im- 

ed  on  fruit  scarcely  ripe,  without  any  reg- 

pressions  were  important.  Gates  replied  : 

ular  rations  of  flesh,  flour,  or  spirituous 

‘•'Sir,  that’s  right;  let  it  be  done.” 

liquors.”^''  Another  declares  that  they 

Williams  now  hastened  to  General  Ste- 

were  weakened  by  the  effects  of  “ a hast}’’ 

vens,  who,  having  received  his  orders,  ad- 

meal  of  quick-baked  bread  and  fresh  beef, 

vanced  at  once  with  his  briarade  of  Vir- 

with  a dessert  of  molasses  mixed  with 

ginia  militia,  apparent!}^  in  fine  spirits.  It 

mush  or  dumplings.”^ 

was  too  late,  however,  to  attack  the  ene- 

The  regulars,  however,  being  now  left 

ni}’  while  they  were  in  the  act  of  display- 

to  bear  the  whole  brunt  of  the  battle,  did 

ing.  They  were  alreadj^  in  line. 

it  manfully.  The  Delaware  and  Mary- 

In  order  to  provoke  the  fire  of  the  Brit- 

land  brigades,  though  repeatedly  broken. 

i.sh  at  some  distance,  and  render  it  less 

formed  again  and  again,  and  renewed  the 

terrifying  to  the  militia,  Williams  led  for- 

attack  with  such  spirit,  that  the  result 

ward,  within  fifty  yards  of  the  enemy,  a 

seemed  for  .awhile  in  suspense.  “ The  ar- 

small  party  of  volnnteer.s.  These  posted 

tillery  was  lost;  the  cavalry  were  swal- 

themselves  behind  the  trees,  and  began 

lowed  up  in  the  woods;  and  the  regular 

their  fire,  bnt  without  effecting  the  pnr- 

infantry,  reduced  to  a mere  point  in  the 

pose  expected. 

field,  and  numbering  but  nine  hundred 

The  British  infantry  now  came  rushing 

men,  were  now  compelled  to  bear  the  un- 

on,  when  Stevens,  encouraging  his  men, 

divided  pre.ssure  of  two  thousand  veter- 

called  out  to  them,  “My  brave  fellows. 

ans.  Bnt  they  resisted  this  pressure  no- 

you  have  bayonets  as  well  as  they ; we’ll 

bly,  and,  their  bayonets  locking  with 

charge  them  !”  The  militia,  however,  ap- 

those  of  the  foe,  bore  them  back  upon  the 

palled  by  the  impetuosity  with  which  the 

field,  in  many  places  yielding  them  pri.s- 

enemy  advanced,  firing  and  huzzaing,  be- 

oners  from  the  very  heart  of  the  British 

came  panic-stricken,a;?(i,^/«co?w?y  down ilicir 

line.  This  triumph  was  momentary  only  ; 

haded  arms,  fled  in  terror  from  the  field  ! 

these  gallant  men  were  unsupported.”! 

The  North-Carolinians  soon  followed  the 

The  enemy,  having  collected  their  corps, 

base  example  of  the  Virginian.s,  although 

* Gordon.  t Williams.  J Simms. 

r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  DEFEAT  OF  GATP2S. — DEATH  OF  BARON  DE  KALB.  743 


and  directing  their  whole  force  against 
these  two  brigades,  a tremendous  fire  of 
musketry  was  kept  up  for  some  time  on 
both  sides.  Cornwallis,  however,  finding 
that  there  was  no  cavalry  to  oppose  him 
(for  Armand  and  his  horse  had  never  re- 
turned since  their  flight  during  the  night), 
pushed  forward  his  dragoons,  under  the 
ubiquitousTarleton,  who, having  returned 
from  pursuit  of  the  fugitive  militia,  and 
char2[iu«:  at  the  same  moment  as  the  in- 
fantry,put  an  end  to  the  contest,  and  com- 
pleted his  victory.* 

Never  did  men  behave  better  than  the 
continentals  ; but  they  were  now  obliged 
to  fly.  The  only  chance  that  remained 
to  avoid  a surrender  on  the  field,  and  es- 
cape from  the  sabres  of  the  dragoons,  in 
whom  the  British  were  very  strong,  was 
to  break  away  for  the  morass  in  their  rear, 
into  which  they  could  not  be  pursued  by 
cavalry.  This  was  done, and  by  this  meas- 
ure alone  did  any  portion  of  this  devoted 
corps  find  safety.  “ Although  the  royal 
army  fought  with  great  bravery,”  says 
Simms,  “ it  must  have  been  beaten  but  for 
the  flight  of  the  militia.  The  terrible  con- 
flict which  followed  with  the  continentals 
proves  Avhat  must  have  been  the  event 
had  the  former  behaved  like  men.” 

Baron  de  Kalb, •while  f]<Thtini>:  on  foot 
at  the  head  of  the  second  Maryland  bri- 
gade, fell,  mortally  wounded,  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  du  Buy.s- 
son,  his  aid-de-camp,  preserved  him  from 
instant  death  by  throwing  himself  upon 
him,  and  crying  out,  “ Save,  0 save  the 
baron  de  Kalb !”  and  thus  receiving  the 
thrusts  of  the  bayonet  intended  for  the 

* Williams. 


prostrate  general.  De  Kalb,  having  re- 
ceived eleven  wounds,  died  a few  days 
after,  and  was  buried  by  the  British  at 
Camden.  With  his  latest  breath  he  dic- 
tated a letter  expressive  of  the  warmest 
affection  for  the  officers  and  men  of  his 
division;  of  the  satisfaction  which  he  felt 
at  the  testimony  given  by  the  British  ar- 
my to  the  bravery  of  his  troops ; of  his 
being  charmed  with  the  firm  opposition 
which  they  made  to  a superior  force,  when 
abandoned  by  the  militia;  and  of  the  in- 
finite pleasure  which  he  received  from 
the  gallant  behavior  of  the  division  he 
commanded.* 

General  Gates  “ was  borne  off  the  field 
by  a torrent  of  dismayed  militia.”^  Gen- 
eral Caswell  followed  close  in  his  wake. 
When  the  two  commanders  reached  Cler- 
mont, they  attempted  to  rally  the  fugi- 
tive militia,  in  order  to  cover  the  retreat 
of  the  regulars  ; but  the  farther  the  troops 
fled,  the  more  they  scattered  : and  the 
generals,  giving  up  all  as  lost,  and  aban- 
doned by  all  but  their  aids-de-camp  and 
some  twenty  or  thirty  followers, retired  to 

* “ The  baron  de  Kalb  was  a native  of  Alsace  (a  German 
province  ceded  to  France),  and  a knight  of  the  roval  mili- 
tary order  of  merit.  He  was  educated  for  war  in  the  French 
army,  and,  having  been  there  connected  with  the  quarter- 
master-general’s department,  his  experience  was  of  much 
service  in  America.  He  had  been  in  the  colonies  toward 
the  close  of  the  French  and  Indian  War,  as  a secret  agent 
of  the  French  goTernment,  when  he  travelled  in  disguise. 
He  came  over  with  Lafayette  in  1777,  when  Congress  com- 
missioned him  a major-general,  he  having  held  the  office 
of  brigadier  in  the  French  service.  Do  Kalb  died  at  Cam- 
den three  days  after  the  battle.  He  was  buried  there,  and 
the  citizens  of  Camden  have  erected  a neat  marble  monu- 
ment to  his  memory,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  in 
1825,  by  Lafayette,  when  he  visited  the  grave  of  his  old 
friend  and  companion-in-arms.  On  the  14th  of  October 
1780,  Congress  also  resolved  to  erect  a monument  to  luf 
memory  in  Annapolis.”  — Lossino. 

t Gordon. 


744 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  n. 


Charlotte,  in  North  Carolina,  sixty  miles 
distant  from  the  field  of  battle,  and  thence 
to  Hillsborongh. 

On  Gates’s  route,  an  officer  overtook 
him  with  the  intellisrence  that  Sumter  had 

O 

succeeded  in  his  enterprise  against  Ca- 
rey’s fort  on  the  Wateree,  having  taken 
the  enemy’s  post,  and  intercepted  the  es- 
cort of  stores,  which  were  all  captured, 
together  with  forty  baggage- wagons  and 

a hundred  prisoners.  This  oc- 
Aiig.  15  1 „ 

curred  on  tlie  evening  previous 

to  the  battle  of  Camden.  The  success, 
however,  was  now  of  no  advantage  to  the 
defeated  commander,  and  merely  served 
to  add  to  the  bitterness  of  his  own  mi.s- 
fortune.  All  he  could  do  w'as  to  send  or- 
ders to  Sumter  to  retire  in  the  best  man- 
ner he  could. 

On  hearing:;  of  the  defeat  of  General 

O 


G.ite.s,  Sumter  began  his  retreat  up  the 
south  side  of  the  Wateree.  His  move- 
ments were  greatly  impeded  by  his  cap- 
tured baggage-wagons,  filled  with  booty 
of  the  very  kind  that  the  Americans  w ere 
most  in  need  of  He  w^as  encumbered, 
also,  by  three  hundred  prisoners. 

Before  Sumter  could  effect  his  escape, 
Cornwallis  had  sent  Tarleton  with  his  le- 
gion in  pursuit  of  him,  accompa- 
nied by  a detachment  of  infinity. 
This  prompt  officer  pushed  on  with  his 
usual  rapidity  ; and  finding,  before  he  had 
proceeded  far,  that  more  than  half  of  his 
horses  had  given  out  from  sheer  exhaus- 
Jon,  he  galloped  ahead  with  the  remain- 
der, consisting  of  only  one  hundred  and 
sixty. 

Sumter,  believing  himself  secure  in  his 
position  at  the  mouth  of  Fishing  creek, 


Aiig.  17. 


wdiere  he  had  halted,  became  less  cau- 
tious than  he  should  have  been.  Satis- 
fied with  the  precaution  of  posting  two 
videttes  in  advance  on  the  road,  he  al- 
lowed his  tired  men  to  relax  at  pleasure. 
They  accordingly  stacked  their  arms,  and 
began  to  indulge  themselves,  some  in  bath- 
ing, some  in  strolling,  and  others  in  sleep. 
Two  shots  w'ere  heard,  but  were  unheed- 
ed, as  they  were  only  supposed  to  be  fired 
by  some  of  the  militia  out  in  search  of 
cattle.  They  w^ere,  however,  shots  from 
the  videttes,  who  had  thus  endeavored  to 
alarm  the  camp,  and  put  Sumter  and  his 
men  on  their  guard  ; for  they  had  caught 
sight  of  Tarleton  and  his  dragoons,  who 
w'ere  rapidly  approaching. 

The  British  now  burst  suddenly  upon 
them.  Sumter  strove  to  rally  his  men  in 
defence:  but  althou«;h  here  and 
tliere  some  few  struggled  awlnle 
with  the  enemy  behind  the  wagons  and 
baggage,  there  was  soon  a general  rout. 
Nearly  four  hundred  were  struck  down, 
and  either  killed  or  wounded.  Sumter 
Ifunself  and  about  three  hundred  of  his 
men  succeeded  in  making  their  escape 
through  the  w'oods  and  river,  leaving  all 
their  baggage,  the  stores,  and  the  prison 
ers,  which  they  had  lately  taken,  in  the 
hands  of  Tarleton. 

The  loss  by  Gates’s  defeat  at  Camden 
was  heavy.  Two  hundred  and  ninety 
American  w'ounded  prisoners  were  car- 
ried by  the  enemy  into  the  town.  Of 
these,  two  Jumdred  and  sixty  were  con- 
nentals  ; eighty-two  were  North-Carolina 
militia;  and  of  the  Virginia  militia,  so  ef- 
fectual had  been  their  flight,  there  were 
only  two.  The  Americans  lost  the  whole 


RKVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  LOSSES  AT  CAMDEN.— WILLIAMS'S  SUCCESS.  745 

of  tlieir  artillery,  and  ino.st  of  their  bag- 

arms  among  them  : indeed,  four  of  Uiern  hud 

gage.  Each  corps  was  broken  in  action 

not  one  arm  among  them,  and  two  oidy  an 

and  dispersed,  and  all  the  officers  sepa- 

arm  apiece.  Each  of  them  had  one  linen 

rated  from  their  respective  commands. 

garment.  Some  of  the  Avounded  were  ni 

The  fugitives  were  pursued  for  more  than 

Avagons,some  in  litters,  and  some  on  horse- 

twenty  miles  by  Tarleton  and  his  legion; 

back,  and  their  sufferings  Avere  indescri- 

and  as  they  fled  they  left  everything  on 

bable.  The  distresses  of  the  Avomen  and 

their  route,  so  that  the  way  was  strewn 

children  Avho  fled  from  Charlotte  and  its 

with  arms,  baggage,  and  upward  of  two 

neighborhood  ; the  nakedness  of  the  In- 

hundred  wagons.  The  entire  American 

dians,  and  the  number  of  their  infants 

loss  was  about  one  thousand  in  killed, 

and  aged  persons  ; and  the  disorder  of  the 

Avounded,  and  prisoners.  The  British  loss 

Avhole  line  of  march,  conspired  to  render 

Avas  also  se\'ere,  amountino;,  according;  to 

it  a scene  too  picturesque  and  compli- 

their  oAvn  official  report,  to  three  hundred 

cated  for  description.  A just  represen- 

and  twenty-fiA'e;  though  one  of  their  histo- 

tation  Avould  exhibit  an  image  of  com- 

I'ians  states  it  at  four  hundred  and  thirty- 

pound  wretchedness;  care,  anxiety,  pain. 

four. 

poverty,  hurry,  confusion,  humiliation,  and 

General  Gates  succeeded  in  rallying 

dejection,  would  be  characteristic  traits 

about  a hundred  and  fifty  of  the  conti- 

in  the  mortifying  picture.” 

nentals  at  Charlotte,  but  the  militia  dis- 

As  a small  offset  to  the  overwhelming 

persed  rapidly  to  their  homes  in  Carolina 

defeat  at  Camden,  almost  at  the  very  mo- 

and  Virginia.  Gates  now  hastened  to 

ment  Avhen  General  Gates  found  himself 

Hillsborough,  Avhere  he  hoped,  Avith  the 

a fugitive  from  the  field  of  battle,  Wil- 

aid  of  the  general  assembly  of  North  Car- 

liams,  a bold  partisan  of  South  Carolina, 

olina,  to  devise  some  plan  for  rencAving 

assisted  by  Bratton,  Shelby,  M‘DoAval,  In- 

military  operations. 

man,  and  others,  achieved  one  of  his  hap- 

The  scattered  continentals  gathered 

piest  successes  at  Musgrove’s  mill  (Gor- 

slowly  at  Charlotte,  and  marched  thence 

don’s),  Avith  an  inferior  force  of  a hundred 

to  Salisbury.  A sad  train  moved  along 

and  fifty  men,  against  a detachment  of 

the  road.  “It  consisted,”  says  Williams, 

British  and  loyalists  Avho  numbered  three 

“ of  the  Avretched  remnants  of  tlie  late 

hundred,  one  half  of  Avhom  Avere  regulars. 

southern  army,  a great  number  of  dis- 

under  the  command  of  Colonel  Innis,  sec- 

tressed  Avhig  families,  and  the  Avhole  tribe 

onded  by  Major  Fraser.  Williams  formed 

of  Catawba  Indians  (about  three  hundred 
in  number,  some  fifty  or  sixty  of  whom 

a very  pretty  little  ambuscade  ^ 
for  his  enemy  along  the  river- 

Avcre  Avarriors,  but  indifferently  armed). 

thickets,  and  by  adroit  management  sue- 

Among  the  rest  Avere  six  soldiers  who  had 

ceeded  in  drawing  the  British  colonel  into 

left  the  hospitals  Avith  other  convales- 

it.  Innis  Avas  surrounded  by  a circular 

s 

cents;  they  had  all  suffered  in  Buford’s 

fire,  at  the  moment  he  supposed  himself 

iinfortunate  aff'air,  and  had  but  two  sound 
!)4 

to  be  riding  doAvn  a band  of  fugitive.s. 

.. 

746  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA  [part  it. 

The  sharp-shooters  of  Williams  and  his 

]y  paid  the  highest  compliTuents  to  the 

colleagues  then  poured  in  their  fire,  and 

noble  man  whom  he  had  frequentl}^  in- 

rushed  upon  the  foe.  Taken  by  surprise. 

sidted,  and  at  times  affected  to  despise.” 

confounded  by  assailants  on  every  hand, 

Conscious  that  official  disgrace  awaited 

Tunis  and  Fraser  fled  with  their  regulars, 

him  for  the  disastrous  result  of  the  south- 

breaking  through  the  fiery  circle,  but  at 

ern  campaign,  he  appealed  to  the  gene- 

jrreat  loss  of  life.  Ilis  militia  were  left 

rosity  of  Washington  in  language  which 

to  their  fate  ; and  such  of  them  as  did  not 

showed  the  real  confidence  he  felt  in  his 

bite  the  dust,  were  made  prisoners.  They 

chief’s  justice  and  magnanimity.  “If  I 

lost  nearly  ninety  men  slain,  and  one  him- 

can  yet  render  good  service  to  the  Uni- 

dred  prisoners.  Williams,  from  this  and 

ted  States,”  he  wrote,  “ it  will  be  necessa- 

other  adventures,  became  the  hero  of  the 

ry  it  should  be  seen  that  I have  the  sup- 

popular  ballad  ; fragments  of  rustic  verse 

port  of  Congress  and  of  your  excellency  ; 

yet  remain,  which  show  how  strongly  he 

otherwise,  some  men  may  think  they 

had  impressed  himself  on  the  confidence 

please  my  superiors  by  blaming  me,  and 

of  the  people.* 

thus  recommend  themselves  to  favor.  But 

But  with  the  defeat  and  dispersion  of 

you,  sir,  will  be  too  generous  to  lend  an 

Gates’s  army,  the  British  ascendency  in 

ear  to  such  men,  if  such  there  be,  and  will 

the  South  was  completely  re-established  ; 

show  your  greatness  of  soul  rather  hy  pro- 

and,  At  the  close  of  the  summer  of  1780, 

ieciing  than  slighting  the  tmfortiinate.  If,  on 

there  were  no  republicans  in  arms  in  South 

the  contrary,  I am  not  supported,  and 

Carolina, exceptMarionand  his littleband 

countenance  is  given  to  every  one  who 

of  followers,  who  took  refuge  in  the  mor- 

will  speak  disrespectful  of  me,  it  will  be 

asses  and  swamps  bordering  on  the  San- 

better  for  Congress  to  remove  me  at  once 

tee.  General  Lee’s  ominous  words  were 

from  a command  where  I sh.all  be  unable 

now  fulfilled,  and  Gates’s  “ northern  lau- 

to  render  them  any  good  service.  This, 

rels”  had  verily  changed  to  “southern 

sir,  I submit  to  your  candor  and  honor, 

willows.”  Within  the  brief  space  of  three 

and  shall  cheerfully  await  the  decision 

months  the  two  armies  of  Lincoln  and 

of  my  superiors.”  In  his  reply.  Washing- 

Gates  had  been  annihilated,  and  one  of 

ton  confessed  the  surprise  which  he  felt 

the  most  formidable  of  the  partisan  corps 

at  the  result  of  the  campaign,  but  spoke 

— that  of  Sumter — was  scattered  to  the 

highly  of  the  bravery  of  the  continental 

winds ' 

troops.  “ The  accounts,”  he  said,  “ which 

The  pride  of  Gates  had  received  an  ir- 

the  enemy  give  of  the  action,  show  that 

retrievable  blow,  and,  in  letters  addressed 

their  victory  was  dearly  bought.  Under 

to  tbe  commander-in-chief  from  Hillsbor- 

present  circumstances,  the  system  which 

ough,  in  North  Carolina,  “ he  Involuntari- 

you  are  pursuing  seems  to  be  extremely 

* Simms. 

proper.” 

i 

f 

r 


UKVOLUTIONARY.]  KNYPHAUSEN’S  RAVAGES  IN  NEW  JERSEY.  747 


CHAPTER  LXXXIV. 

ICnyphansen  in  New  Jersey. — Movements  of  British  Troops. — Mortal  Wound  of  General  Sterling. — Dayton  and  the  Militia 
--Rising  of  the  Country. — Elizabethtown  spared. — Ravage  of  Connecticut  Farms. — The  Fighting  Parson. — Murder  of 
Mrs.  Caldwell  and  Child. — A Ruined  Home. — Knyphausen  marches  to  Springfield. — He  is  checked. — Movement  of 
Washington. — Retreat  of  Knyphausen. — Arrival  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton. — A Stratagem. — General  Greene  deceived. — 
Marches  and  Countermarches. — The  Struggle  on  the  Rahway. — Strong  Post  of  Greene. — Springfield  burnt. — “ Watts 
into  them,  Boys  1” — Retreat  of  tlie  British  to  Staten  Island. 


Intelligence  of  the  success  of  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  at  Charleston  hav- 
ing retiched  New  York,  General  Knyphau- 
sen became  emnlons,  and  strove  to  signal- 
ize himself  before  the  arrival  of  his  supe- 
rior in  command.  He  accordingly  deter- 
mined to  make  a descent  into  New  Jer- 
sey. 

With  this  view, five  thousand  men  were 
thrown  over  in  two  divisions  dn- 
Jiiiie  5.  ^ night  from  Staten  isl- 

O O 

and  to  Elizabethtown  Point.  Brigadier- 

O I 

General  Sterling  led  the  first  division,  and 
succeeded  in  making  good  hishmding; 
but  he  had  not  marched  far  on  the  road, 
when  his  approach  was  dimly  perceived 
in  the  darkness  by  an  iVmerican  advance- 
guard.  Colonel  Dayton,  who  commanded 
some  Jensey  militia  atElizabethtown, hav- 
ing heard  of  the  projected  incursion  of 
the  British,  had  stationed  twelve  men  on 
the  shore  to  be  on  the  lookout.  The}" 
heard  the  tramp  of  the  troops,  and  ob- 
scurely discerned  the  moving  mass,  when 
they  challenged  the  invaders,  and,  receiv- 
ing no  answer,  fired  and  retreated.  Gen- 
eral Sterling,  riding  in  advance  of  his  col- 
umn,  received  this  random  shot  in  the 
knee;  the  wound  finally  proved  mortal. 


A short  delay  ensued,  while  the  wound- 
ed general  was  borne  back,  and  Knyphau- 
sen came  to  take  his  place.  Dayton,  in 
tlie  meantime,  mustered  his  militia,  and 
aroused  the  country.  Alarm-guns  Avere 
fired,  and  signal-fires  lighted  ; and  every 
patriot  Avho  could  bear  arms  shouldered 
his  musket  or  brandished  his  pitchfork. 
The  enemy,  however,  came  on.  A clat- 
tering squadron  of  Simcoe’s  dragoons,  Avith 
their  draAvn  sabres  and  glistening  accou- 
trcments,led  tbeA"an,folloAved  by  the  solid 
ranks  of  the  British  and  He.ssian  infantry. 
The  undisciplined  militia  and  the  miscel- 
laneous throng  gathered  from  the  neigh- 
borhood did  not  A^entAire  to  oppose  so  for- 
midable a foe,  but,  leaving  the  village  of 
ElizabethtoAvn  to  the  invaders,  pushed  in- 
to the  country,  Avhere  they  hoped  to  be 
able  to  harass  them  more  effectually,  and 
tliAvart  their  further  progress. 

Knyphausen,  satisfied  with  the  desola- 
tion he  had  made  on  a previous  occasion, 
spared  Elizabethtown  from  further  cru- 
elty, and  pressed  on  for  the  village  of 
Connecticut  Farms  fnoAV  Union),  about 
five  miles  distant.  Harassed  on  the  road 
by  the  fire  of  the  country-people  from  un- 
der cover  of  the  woods  and  stone-Avalls, 


748 

the  British  troops  finally  reached  the  vil- 
lage, where  they  met  with  a spirited  re- 
sistance from  General  Maxwell,  who  with 
his  brigade  had  joined  tiie  retreating  mi- 
litia under  Colonel  Diiyton.  Knyphan- 
sen,  however,  reinforced  l»y  his  rear  di- 
vision, commanded  by  Brigadier-General 
Matthews,  was  enabled  to  drive  away  its 
defenders,  and  take  possession  of  the 
place. 

Infuriated  by  the  opposition  they  had 
met,  the  British  and  Hessian  soldieiy  now 
wreaked  their  rage  upon  the  village  of 
Connecticut  Farms.  They  began  to  plun- 
der and  destroy,  first  gutting  the  hovises 
and  then  burning  them.  Among  those 
living  in  the  place  was  Mrs.  Caldwell,  the 
wife  of  the  Reverend  James  Caldwell,  a 
Presbyterian  clergyman.  After  his  church 
had  been  burnt  in  Elizabethtown,  he  had 
removed  to  Connecticut  Farms,  wdiere  the 
parsonage  was  occupied  by  his  family  and 
himself,  when  not  under  marching  orders, 
for  he  served  as  a chaplain  in  the  army. 
As  the  enemy  advanced,  Caldwell  retreat- 
ed with  his  regiment,  and  left  his  wife  and 
her  children  in  the  village. 

Alarmed  by  the  firing  in  the  street, 
Mrs.  Caldwell  had  retired  to  a back  room, 
and  was  sitting  on  the  bed,  holding  the 
luind  of  her  child  of  three  years  of  age  in 
her  own,  while  her  infant  of  eio;ht  months 
was  in  the  arms  of  a nurse  close  by,  wlien 
a musket  was  levelled  at  the  window  and 
discharged.  Two  balls  struck  Mrs.  Cald- 
well in  the  breast,  and  she  instantly  fell 
dead.  Her  body  w'as  allowed  to  be  re- 
moved, and  then  the  house  was  burned 
to  the  ground. 

In  the  confusion  and  riot  of  the  sack- 


[PART  II 

ing  of  the  village,  it  was  difficult  to  dis- 
cover  who  was  the  perpetrator,  and  wheth- 
er his  act  was  one  of  premeditated  cru- 
elty, or  the  result  of  reckless  barbarity 
Believed  by  the  New'-Jersey  people,  how- 
ever, to  be  the  deliberate  work  of  a Brit- 
ish soldier,  the  deed  greatly  exasperated 
them,  and  goaded  the  country  to  a fiercer 
resistance.  Caldwell,  anxious  for  the  safe 
ty  of  his  family,  and  ignorant  of  their  fate, 
returned  the  next  day,  under  the  protec- 
tion of  a flag,  to  Connecticut  Farms,  where 
he  found  his  wife  dead  and  his  home  in 
ruins.  Always  a zealous  patriot,  he  had 
never  ceased,  both  in  the  meetinghouse, 
where  he  was  noted  as  “ a rousing  gospel 
preacher,”*  and  in  the  field,  where  he  was 
no  less  famed  as  a vigorous  “ fighting  par- 
son,” to  stir  up  his  countr^unen  manfully 
to  resist  their  cruel  enemies.  With  pri 
vate  WM'ongs  now  added  to  stimulate  his 
just  indignation,  Caldwell’s  voice  and  arm 
were  raised  with  more  energy  than  ever 
in  behalf  of  the  patriot  cause.j* 

Knyphausen,  having  left  Connecticut 
Farms  in  desolation,  marched  to  Spring- 
field.  On  approaching  the  bridge  over 
the  Rahway,  at  the  entrance  of  the  towm, 
he  w'as  brought  to  a halt  by  the  retreat- 
ing troops  under  General  Maxwell  and 
Colonel  Dayton,  and  by  the  discovery 
that  Washington,  with  the  main  body  of 
his  troops,  was  posted  on  the  Short  hills, 
in  the  rear  of  Springfield,  where  he  had 
arrived  to  check  the  progress  of  the  ene- 
my in  their  march  toward  Morristown. 

* Irving. 

t By  a singular  fatality,  a little  more  than  a year  after  the 
melancholy  death  of  his  wife,  Mr.  Caldwell  himself  was  shot 
by  an  American  sentinel  near  Elizabethport,  because  he  re- 
fused to  obey  his  orders  1 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


Ri.:voLUTTO>JAnY.]  SECOND  INCURSION  OF  KNYPHAUSEN.  749 


The  He.ssiaii  general,  finding  himself 
thus  opposed,  and  disappointed  in  his  ex- 
pectation of  the  people  joining  him  (as 
he  had  been  led  to  believe  from  the  ru- 
mors in  New  York,  that  New  Jersey  was 
discontented  in  consequence  of  the  fre- 
quent impressments  and  forced  levies  of 
supplies  made  to  relieve  the  necessities 
of  the  continental  army),  was  compelled 
to  retreat.  He  found  some  difiiculty  in 
crossing  to  his  enciunpment  on  Staten 
island,  and  being  indisposed  to  return 
with  so  poor  an  account  of  his  somewhat 
pi-etentious  expedition,  he  therefore  lin- 
gered at  Elizabethtown. 

In  the  meantime,  Sir  Henry 
June  17.  1 • , 1 , 

Clinton  arrived  in  the  harbor  ot 

New  York  from  his  triumphant  southern 
expedition;  and  though,  when  he  heard 
of  General  Knyphausen’s  movement,'  he 
could  not  entirel}'  approve  of  it,  he  imme- 
diately determined,  as  the  British  troops 
were  still  in  New  Jersey,  and  as  Washing- 
ton had  left  his  encampment  at  Morris- 
town, to  attempt  bringing  him  to  action, 
and  if  possible  to  destroy  his  stores.  Sir 
Henry  first  landed  his  troops  at  Staten 
island,  as  if  to  reinforce  Knyphausen,  and 
then  re-embarked  them  almost  immedi- 
ately on  transports,  with  the  apparent  in- 
tention of  sailing  up  the  Hudson  on  an 
expedition  against  West  Point  His  ob- 
ject was,  to  divert  the  attention  of  the 
American  commander  from  Knyphausen, 
that  he  might  have  an  opportunity  of  ma- 
king another  and  it  was  hoped  a more 
successful  effort  in  New  Jersey. 

Clinton’s  stratagem  was  partially  suc- 
cessful. Washington,  thinking  it  possible 
that  the  Hudson  might  be  the  object  of 


the  British  general,  moved  with  a large 
body  of  his  troops  in  that  direction,  taking 
the  road  to  Pompton  ; though  he  took 
care  to  leave  a considerable  force,  consist- 
iim  of  the  brio-ades  of  Maxwell  and  Stark. 

O O 

Lee’s  dragoons,  and  the  New-Jersey  mili- 
tia, under  General  Greene,  posted  on  the 
Short  hills,  in  order  to  oppose  any  move- 
ment which  the  enemy  might  make  tow- 
ard Morristown,  while  he  himself  moved 
warily,  that  he  might  be  conveniently 
placed,  to  push  forward  or  return,  as  cir- 
cumstances might  require.  His  march 
had  been  intentionally  so  slow,  that  he 
had  got  only  eleven  miles  beyond  Morris- 
town, when  he  heard  of  the  second  ad- 
vance of  Knyphausen. 

General  Greene,  thoroughly  im['ressed 
with  the  idea  that  the  main  object  of  the 
enemy  was  the  North  river,  and  Knyp- 
hausen’s movement  therefore  only  a feint, 
had  with  the  greatest  persistence  urged 
the  march  of  the  army  toward  the  High- 
lands of  the  Hudson,  and  was  hardly  con- 
vinced of  his  error  until  the  last  moment, 
when  he  despatched  this  note  by  express 
to  the  commander-in-chief:  — 

“ June  23rf,  6 o'clock. 

“ The  enemy  are  out  on  their  inarch 
toward  this  place  in  full  force,  having  re- 
ceived a considerable  reinforcement  last 
night.” 

AVashington  immediately  sent  off  a de- 
tachment to  the  aid  of  Greene,  and  fell 
back  with  the  rest  of  his  troops  some  five 
or  six  miles,  in  order  to  be  near  at  hand, 
to  give  him  further  support  should  he  re- 
quire it 

The  enemy,  having  been  strengthened 


I 


1 

750  liATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  ii. 

by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  his  troops,  be- 

umn  of  the  enemy,  Avas  on  the  Vauxhall 

gan  their  march  from  Elizabethtown  at 

road,  Avhere  Major  Lee  with  great  obsti- 

five  o’clock  in  the  morning,  in 

June  23t  ° 

nncy  disputed  possession  of  the  bridge ; 

two  columns ; one  took  the  main 

which,  howevei’,  he  was  finally  obliged  to 

road,  leading  directly  to  Springfield  ; and 

yield,  as  the  British  forded  the  river  and 

the  other  the  Vauxhall  road,  which  makes 

gained  some  high  ground  which  command- 

a circuit  to  the  north,  and  joins  the  first 

ed  his  position. 

at  the  pass  through  tlie  Short  hills,  about 

Colonel  Angell,  on  the  main  l oad,  made 

a mile  to  the  west  of  the  town.  The  Kah- 

an  equally  manful  struggle  with  his  hand- 

Avay  river,  one  branch  of  Avhich  Hows  on 

Rd  of  men  against  the  British  left  division, 

the  east  and  the  other  on  the  west  of 

and  only  gave  up  the  bridge  after  a con- 

Springfield,  is  crossed  by  bridges  on  both 

test  of  more  than  forty  minutes,  Avhen  he 

roads,  but  the  stream  is  here  and  there 

retired  in  good  order  through  the  town  tc 

fordable. 

the  second  bridge,  Avhere  Colonel  Shreve 

General  Greene,  finding  the  British  ap- 

covered  his  retreat,  and  kept  the  enemy 

proaching  with  the  formidable  force  of 

at  bay  until  called  off  by  the  command- 

five  thousand  infantry,  an  imposing  body 

ing  general. 

of  cavalry,  and  fifteen  or  twenty  pieces 

Greene,  fearful  lest  the  British,  though 

of  artillery,  made  the  best  possible  dispo- 

successfully  opposed  at  the  bridge,  might 

sition  of  his  meager  supply  of  troops,  in 

ford  the  river  and  surround  his  stnall  ad- 

order  to  defend  the  village,  to  guard  his 

vanced  parties,  ordered  them  to  fall  back. 

own  flanks,  and  to  secure  a retreat. 

and  concentrated  his  whole  force  on  the 

Colonel  Angell,  with  two  hundred  men 

heights  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  Avhere 

and  a field  piece,  was  posted  at  the  bridge 

the  tAVO  roads  meet  and  lead  to  the  pass 

over  the  Rahway,  at  the  entrance  of  the 

through  the  Short  hills.  Here,  strongly 

town  on  the  east ; and  Colonel  Shreve, 

posted,  the  American  commander  awaited 

with  his  regiment,  was  stationed  at  the 

the  junction  of  the  two  columns  of  the 

bridge  over  the  branch  of  the  river  which 

enemy  and  their  combined  attack.  He, 

flows  to  the  west  and  back  of  Springfield, 

hoAvever,  Avaited  in  vain.  Sir  Henry  Clin- 

in  order  to  cover  the  retreat  of  Colonel 

ton  and  General  Knyphausen,  having  uni- 

Angell’s  advanced  party  if  it  should  be 

ted  their  force,  reconnoitred  Greene’s  po- 

driven  back.  Major  Harry  Lee,  with  his 

sition,  and  for  awhile  threatened  to  assail 

dragoons  and  a picked  guard,  was  posted 

it,  but  finally  concluded  upon  retreating 

at  the  bridge  on  the  Vauxhall  road,  Avith 

Avithout  striking  a blow'. 

Colonel  Ogden  to  support  him.  The  re- 

On  retreating  through  Springfield,  the 

niainder  of  the  brigades  of  Generals  Max- 

British  burnt  every  building  except  four 

well  and  Stark  Avas  drawn  up  on  the  high 

houses;  and,  giving  up  all  further  a ttempt 

ground  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  flanked 

to  advance  upon  Morristown  and  destroy 

by  the  militia. 

the  American  stores  and  magazines  there, 

The  first  encounter,  with  the  right  col- 

Avhich  had  been  the  chief  object  of  the 

_ 

1 

KEVOLUTIONARY.J  LAFAYETTE’S  RETURN  FROM  FRANCE,  751 

expedition,  they  continued  their  retreat 

Lee  was  also  active  with  his  dragoon.s. 

to  Elizabethtown.  As  they  went,  they 

and  picked  up  a number  of  stragglers  and 

were  closely  followed  by  the  militia,  and 

!i  large  quantity  of  stores  and  baggage. 

were  greatly  harassed.  Parson  Caldwell 

The  enemy’s  loss  was  considerably  more 

made  himself  conspicuous  in  the  pursuit. 

than  that  of  the  Americans,  who  had  but 

“The  image  of  his  murdered  wife,”  says 

twenty  killed  and  sixty  wounded  in  the 

Irving,  “was  before  his  eyes.  Finding 

various  encounters. 

the  men  in  want  of  wadding,  he  galloped 

The  British  fin.'dly  crossed  over  to  Sta- 

to  tbe  Presbyterian  church  and  brought 

ten  island,  and,  destroying  their 

June 

thence  a quantity  of  Watts’s  psalm  and 

bridge  of  boats,  apparently  gave 

hymn  books,  which  he  distributed  for  the 

up  all  further  designs  upon  the  much- 

purpose  among  the  soldiers.  ^ Nowl  cried 

vexed  territory  of  New  Jersey,  which  had 

he,  ‘ put  Watts  into  them,  hoys !’  ” 

hitherto  sufi'ered  so  much  by  the  war 

CHAPTER  LXXXV. 

Return  of  Lafayette. — His  Warm  Welcome. — Tears  of  Joy.- 

-Good  Tidings. — Dear  Americans, — The  Marquis  %velcomed 

by  Congress. — Count  de  Rochambeau. — His  Life  and  Character. — French  Aid. — Gallant  Nobles  of  France. — Recep- 
tion at  Newport. — “ Our  General”  in  Rhode  Island. — Plan  of  Combined  Attack. — Sir  Henry  Clinton  on  the  Alert. — 
Movements  and  Counter-Movements. — Lafayette’s  Troops. — 'I’he  French  Fleet  blockaded. — General  Arnold  makes 
his  Appearance. — His  Disappointment. — He  is  appointed  to  the  Command  of  West  Point. — A Significant  Request. 

1780  marquis  de  Lafayette’s  re- 

turn to  America  was  one  of  the 

“folded  him  in  his  arms  in  a truly  pater- 
nal embrace.”* 

most  encouraging  events  of  the  year. 

Lafayette  was  doubly  welcome,  for  he 

The  young  Frenchman  had  greatly  en- 

was  the  messenger  of  glad  tidings.  He 

deared  himself  to  Wa.shington  by  his 

brought  word  that  his  most  Christian  ma- 

faithful  friendship,  and  won  popular  ad- 

jesty  Louis  XVI.  was  sending  to  his  good 

miration  by  his  generous  enthusiasm  in 

allies  the  American  states  a French  fleet, 

behalf  of  the  cause  of  American  indepen- 

under  the  chevalier  de  Ternay,  and  a 

dence.  His  arrival  was  welcomed  with 

body  of  troops,  commanded  by  Count  de 

every  expression  of  delight.  Tears  of 

Rochambeau.  The  marquis  might  well 

joy  ro.se  in  the  eyes  of  Washington,  on 

feel  proud  as  the  bearer  of  this  important 

reading  Lafayette’s  letter  announcing  his 

intelligence,  which  he  was  permitted  as 

arrival  at  Boston  ; and  when  the 
April  27i  marquis  reached  head- 

yet  only  to  communicate  to  Washington 
and  to  Congress.  The  result  which  he 

quarters,  the  stately  commander-in-chief 

* Irving. 

752  liATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pakt  ii. 


announced  was  greatly  due  to  hi.s  own 
efforts  in  liis  secret  mission  to  tlie  court 
of  Versailles.  So  zealous  v.uas  be  in  be- 
half of  the  American  cause,  and  so  per- 
suasive were  bis  appeals,  that  old  Count 
de  Maiirepas,  the  French  prime  minister, 
remarked  one  day  in  council,  “ It  is  for- 
tunate for  the  king  that  Lafayette  does 
not  take  it  into  bis  bead  to  strip  Versailles 
of  its  f iirniliire,  to  send  to  his  dear  Americans, 
as  his  majesty  tvonld  he  unable  to  refuse  it 

In  addition  to  the  request  for  troops 
and  vessels-of-war  for  the  American  ser- 
vice, the  marquis  bad  also  asked  for  large 
supplies  of  clothing,  arms,  and  ammuni- 
tion, for  the  patriot  army.  But  be  did 
not  ask  more  of  others  than  be  was  wil- 
ling to  do  himself  He  purchased  on  bis 
own  account,  and  brouyebt  with  him  to 
America,  a large  quantity  of  military  equi- 
[)age,  which  be  presented  to  the  officers 
of  light- infantry  which  he  commanded 
during  the  next  campaigns. 

With  skill  and  foi'esight,  Lafiiyette  had 
likewise  planned  the  terms  of  the  milita- 
ry alliance  before  he  left  France,  so  as  to 
leave  nothing  in  point  of  courtesy  or  eti- 
quette to  be  settled  thereafter  between 
the  two  commanders-in-chief;  these  terms 
were  embodied  in  the  instructions  of  the 
French  minister  to  Count  Rocharnbeau, 
and  were  intended  to  promote  perfect 
harmony  between  the  officers  and  troops 
of  the  two  nations.  The  French  were  to 
be,  in  all  cases,  under  the  general  com- 
mand of  Washington  ; and  when  the  two 
armies  should  be  united,  thev  were  to  be 
considered  as  auxiliary  to  the  Americans, 
and  to  yield  precedence  by  taking  the  left. 

* Si);'.rks. 


The  American  officers  were  to  command 
French  officers  of  equal  rank;  and  in  all 
military  acts  and  capitulations  the  Amer 
ican  generals  were  to  be  named  first,  and 
to  sign  first.  So  judiciously  were  these 
instructions  drawn,  that  perfect  harmony 
subsisted  between  the  two  armies  from 
the  moment  of  the  arrival  of  the  French 
till  their  departure,  two  years  afterward.* 
As  a token  of  friendship  and  alliance, 
Washington  recommended  his  officers  to 
wear  a cockade  of  white  and  black  inter 
mixed,  the  American  cockade  being  black, 
and  that  of  the  French  white,  the  latter 
being  the  color  of  the  reigning  house  of 
Bourbon. 

From  headquarters,  in  New  Jersey,  La- 
fayette hastened  to  Philadelphia,  where 
he  was  welcomed  by  Congress  with  a com- 
plimentary resolution, . in  which  his  le- 
turn  to  America  was  acknowledged  as  a 
proof  of  his  disinterested  zeal,  and  the 
offer  of  his  services  accepted  with  pleas- 
ure. 

The  French  fleet,  which  sailed  from 
France  on  the  1st  of  May,  was  seen  off 
the  capes  of  Virginia  on  the  4th  of  July, 
and  at  length  safely  entered  the  harbor 
of  Newport,  in  Rhode  Island.  It 

• A , July  12. 

consisted  ot  seven  ships-oi-the  ' 
line,  several  frigates,  and  a number  of 
transports  (including  two  bomb-vessels), 
which  had  on  board  six  thousand  troop, s. 
The  land-force  was  commanded  by  Count 
de  Rocharnbeau  and  the  fleet  by  Cheva- 
lier de  Ternay.'j* 

Rocharnbeau  was  a veteran  officer,  who 
had  served  with  honor  against  the  Piais- 

* Lossiiig. 

t Ternay  died  at  Newport  while  in  command  of  the  fleet 


r 


HKVOLUTIONARY.J  COUNT  DE  ROCHAMBEAU  ARRIVES  AT  NEWPORT. 

siansivnclEn”:lisli  serving:  under  Fi’ederick 
the  Great,  in  the  Seven  Years’  War.  His 
name  was  Jean  Baptiste  Donatien  de  Vi- 
MEUR,  though  he  is  more  generally  known 
by  his  title  of  Comte  do  Rocliamheaii.  lie 
was  born  at  Vendome,  in  1725,  and  en- 
tered the  army  at  the  age  of  sixteen.  In 
1746,  he  became  aid-de-camp  to  Louis 
Philippe,  duke  of  Orleans  (the  father  of 
Philippe  EgaUle,v;\\o  was  beheaded  in  the 
Be  volution, and  grand  father  of  King  Louis 
Philippe).  Afterward  obtaining  the  com- 
mand of  the  regiment  of  La  Marche,  he 
distinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of  La- 
feldt,  where  he  was  wounded.  He  won 
fresh  laurels  at  Creveldt;  at  the  battle 
of  Minden,  where  the  French  received  a 
terrible  defeat;  and  also  at  Corbacli  and 
Clostercamp.  For  these  services  he  was 
made  lieutenant-general.* 

As  soon  as  it  became  known  that  troops 
• were  to  be  sent  to  the  United  States,  the 
young  French  nobility  zealously  sought 
to  serve  under  Washington,  who  had  been 
appointed  by  Louis  XVI.  lieutenant-gen- 
eral of  France,  and  vice-admiral  of  its 
fleet,  in  order  that,  as  before  remarked, 
the  French  officers  might  be  made  subor- 
dinate to  the  American  commander-in- 

* After  the  return  of  Count  de  Rochaiubeau  from  Amer- 
ica, he  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  marshal  by  Louis  XVI., 
and,  after  the  French  Revolution,  he  was  appointed  to  the 
command  of  the  army  of  the  north  ; but  he  was  superseded 
by  more  active  officers,  and,  being  calumniated  by  the  pop- 
ular journalists,  he  addressed  to  tlie  National  Assembly  at 
Paris  a vindication  of  his  conduct.  A decree  of  approbation 
was  consequently  passed  in  May,  1792,  and  he  retired  to  his 
estate,  near  Vendome,  with  a determination  to  interfere  no 
more  with  public  affairs,  lie  was  subsequently  arrested, 
and  narrowly  escaped  suffering  death,  under  the  tyranny  of 
Robespierre.  In  180.3,  he  was  presented  to  Napoleon,  then 
first  consul,  who  granted  him  a pension,  and  the  cioss  of 
grand  officer  of  the  Legion  of  Honor.  He  died  in  1807,  at 
the  advauced  age  of  eighty-one  years. 

95 

chief,  without  wouucliiig  their  national 
sensibility.  As  more  oflered  themselves 
for  appointments  than  the  service  re- 
quired, many  eager  solicitors  vrere  disap- 
pointed. Those  who  came  were  among 
the  noblest  and  most  galhint  youth  of 
Friuice. 

There  w<as  the  handsome,  witty,  and 
brave,  but  profligate,  duke  de  Lauzitn,  at 
the  head  of  his  legion  ; there  was  the  mar- 
quis de  Chastellux,*  a rehitive  of  Lafay- 
ette, a soldier,  courtier,  and  a man  of  let- 
ters; and  there  was  the  son  of  the  count 
de  Rochambeau,  ill  command  of  the  regi- 
ment of  Auvergne,  which  his  father  had 
often  led  to  victory.  They  had  “ bi  oiight 
out  with  them,”  said  the  count  himself, 

“ the  heroic  and  chivalrous  courage  of  the 
ancient  French  nobility.” 

The  first  impression,  on  the  arrival  of 
the  French  at  Newport,  does  not  seem  to 
have  been  encourag:ing:.  ‘‘  I landed  with 
my  stall)”  wrote  the  general,  without 
troops ; nobody  appeared  in  the  streets ; 
those  at  the  windows  looked  sad  and  de- 
pressed.” In  a short  time,  however,  there 
was  an  agreeable  change.  “ I spoke  to 
the  principal  persons  of  the  place,”  con- 
tinues the  count,  “and  told  them,  as  I 
wrote  to  General  W ashington,that  this  was 
merely  the  advanced  guard  of  a greater 
force,  and  that  the  king  was  determined 
to  support  them  with  his  whole  power. 

In  twenty-four  hours  their  spir- 

1 1 • 1 i 11  I J'fly  13. 

its  rose,  and  last  niglit  all  the 

streets,  house.s,  and  steeple.s,  were  illumi- 
nated, in  the  midst  of  flreworks  and  the 
greatest  rejoicings.” 

* Francis  John  Chastcllux,  a field-marshal,  was  the  au 
ihor  of  “ Travels  in  Norih  America,”  &e. 

I 


754  BATTLP^S  OF  AMERICA.  [pakt  u. 


General  Heath  had  been  ordered  by 


Washington  to  proceed  to  Rhode  Island, 
in  order  that  he  might  he  present  to  give 
advice  and  assistance,  as  well  as  to  do  the 
honors  suitable  'to  the  occasion.  As  soon 
as  the  French  fleet  appenred  off  the  coast, 
“our  general”’'^'  immediately  prepared  to 
cross  over  from  Providence  to  Newport; 
but  the  day  being  calm,  the  packet  did 
not  reach  the  town  until  twelve  o’clock 
at  night.  General  Rochambeau  had  gone 
on  shore  in  the  evening.  Early  the  next 
morning.  General  Heath  likewise  went 
ashore,  and  waited  on  the  count;  from 
which  moment  the  warmest  friendship 
commenced  between  “our  general,  the 
count,  and  all  the  Fremdi  officers.” 

Lafayette  also  hastened  to  greet  his 
compatriots, and  confer  with  Rochambeau 
upon  the  plans  of  a campaign  which  had 
been  concerted  with  Washington.  The 
arrival  of  the  French  was  announced  to 

the  troops  in  general  orders,  and 
July  20.  , ^ f . . . . 

tlie  commander-in-cliiet  express- 
ed the  hope  that  the  only  contention  be- 
tween the  two  armies  would  be,  to  excel 
each  other  in  good  offices  and  in  the  dis- 
play of  every  military  virtue.  He  was, 
however,  in  a state  of  great  solicitude, 
when  he  reflected  upon  the  utter  weak- 
ness of  the  American  army  at  this  time, 
from  the  want  of  supplies  of  eveiy  kind, 
and  the  miserably  deficient  state  of  the 
quartermaster’s  and  commissary’s  depart- 
ments. The  army,  in  the  plan  of  the  cam- 
paign of  1780,had  been  fixed  by  Congress 
at  thii  ty-five  thousand  two  hundred  and 
eleven  men  ;*  instead  of  which,  the  actual 

* Genenil  Heatli,  who,  as  the  reader  will  recollect,  always 
spe.aks  (d  hiinself  as  “ our  general.” 


force  in  the  field  and  under  arms,  at  the 
end  of  J line,  amounted  to  only  about  five 
thousand  five  hundred  men  ! Indeed,  the 
allied  forces  of  the  Americans  and  French 
were  still  inferior  to  those  of  the  British 
commander  at  New  York. 

The  plan  drawn  up  by  Washington, and 
nowsubmitted  by  Lafayette  totheFrench 
general  and  admiral,  was,  to  attack  New 
York  with  the  combined  foi’ces.  Wash- 
ington was  to  march  upon  the  city  by 
land,  in  conjunction  with  Rochambeau, 
Avho  was  to  debark  on  Long  island  Avith 
his  troops;  Avhile  De  Ternay  Avas  to  at- 
tack the  British  squadron,  or  blockade  it 
in  the  harbor.  The  plan,  hoAvever,  Avas 
defeated  for  the  present  by  the  arrival  of 
Admiral  Graves  at  NeAV  York  Avith  six 
ships-ofth e-line,  Avhich  gave  the  British 
the  naval  superiority.  It  was  now  re- 
solved to  postpone  the  expedition  until 
the  arrival  of  the  second  division  of  the 
French  [brce,  which  had  been  left  atBrest, 
awaiting  transports;  or  of  the  squadron 
of  the  count  de  Guichen,  Avhich  was  daily 
expected  from  the  West  Indies. 

In  the  meantime.  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
having  obtained  information  of  the  pro- 
posed project  of  the  allies,  determined  to 
thwart  it  by  attacking  the  French  at  New- 
port. He  therefore  embarked  eight  thou- 
sand men  and  sailed  up  Long-island  sound 
Avith  his  transports;  while  Admiral  Ar- 
buthnot  put  to  sea  Avith  his  squadron,  in 
order  to  co-operate. 

Washington  now  proposed  to  take  ad 
vantage  of  the  absence  of  Sir  Henry  Clin 
ton,  and  either  to  strike  a blow  at  Noav 
York,  or  to  make  such  a demonstration 
as  Avould  cause  the  British  commander  to 


J 


RKVOLUTIONAUY.]  INACTION  OF  THE  ALLIES.— GENERAL  ARNOLD.  76r. 

return  to  its  defence,  and  abandon  his  at- 

turned  with  his  land-forces  to  his  head 

tack  upon  Newport.  The  army,  which 

quarters;  while  Admiral  Arbuthnot  pro- 

was  on  the  west,  was  accordingly  thrown 

ceeded  to  blockade  the  French  fleet  in 

across  to  the  east  side  of  the  North  river. 

the  harbor  of  Newport,  and  to  endeavor 

I’lie  troops  were  ordered  to  disencumber 

to  cut  off'  the  expected  reinforcements. 

themselves  of  all  their  heavy  baggage. 

Intelligence  soon  came  that  the  second 

which,  with  the  women  mid  children,  was 

division  of  the  French  armament  was 

sent  to  West  Point.  Provisions  for  two 

blockaded  at  Brest  by  an  English  squad- 

days  were  cooked  in  advance,  the  horses 

roll,  and  that  the  count  de  Guichen  had 

of  the  baggage-wagons  were  kept  con- 

sailed  from  the  West  Indies  for  Europe. 

stantly  in  harness,  and  every  man  was 

This  compelled  the  allies  to  abandon  all 

ordered  to  be  in  readiness  to  march  at  a 

thought  of  an  attack  upon  New  York. 

moment’s  notice. 

and  forced  Rochambeau  to  continue  in- 

The  young  Lafayette  was  among  the 

active  during  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

nost  eager.  He  was  now  in  command 

The  American  army  now  recrossed  the 

of  a light-infantry  corps,  consisting  of  two 

Hudson,  leaving  a small  detachment  to 

brigades,  selected  from  the  different  regi- 

raise  some  works  and  establish  a post  at 

inents  of  the  army.  He  had  supplied  his 

Dobb’s  ferry,  on  the  eastern  side,  in  or- 

officers  and  men,  as  we  have  seen,  with 

der  to  secure  a communication  for  future 

extra  equipments,  at  his  own  expense ; 

operations  against  New  York,  if  found  to 

and  with  conscious  pride  he  displayed  his 

be  practicable.  Washington  took  post  at 

troops  in  review  before  Washington  and 

Orangetown  (or  Old  Tappan),  opposite 

his  general  officers,  by  all  of  whom  they 

Dobb’s  ferry,  ■where  he  remained  until 

were  pronounced  to  be,  in  accoutrement 

winter. 

and  bearing,  equal  to  any  soldiers  in  the 

AVhile  the  army  was  crossing  the  river 

world.  Their  uniform  was  neat,  each  man 

at  King’s  ferry  — when  the  movement 

wearing  a leathern  helmet,  with  a crest  of 

against  New  York  was  contem-  , 

horse-hair.  Both  officers  and  privates  car- 

plated,  and  Washington  was  on 

ried  swords,  which  Lafiiyette  had  himself 

horseback,  directing  the  passage  of  the 

brought  from  France  and  presented  to 

last  division  — General  Arnold  suddenly 

them.  The  marquis  was  also  anxious  to 

presented  himself  He  seemed  anxious 

prove  that  his  corps  was  no  less  effective 

to  know,  and  hurriedly  asked,  what  place 

in  the  field  than  showy  on  parade.  He 

had  been  assigned  to  him.  The  general- 

was,  however,  disappointed  in  his  martial 

in-chief  answered  that  it  was  the  left  wing, 

aspiration.s. 

which  was  the  post  of  honor,  and  which 

On  discovering  Washington’s  move- 

was  his  right  by  rank.  Arnold  made  no 

ment  across  the  Hudson,  and  his  prepa- 

response,  but  his  face  was  quickly  cloud- 

rations  for  a march  upon  New  York,  Sir 

ed  with  an  expression  of  dissatisfaction. 

Henry  Clinton  gave  up  his  part  of  the 

Washington,  deeply  engaged  in  directing 

proposed  attack  on  Rhode  island,  and  re- 

the  movement  of  liis  troops,  had  no  time 

75G  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  u 

for  further  parley,  and  dismissed  Arnold, 

ingston, however,  made  no  allusion  to  the 

with  a courteous  request  that  he  would 

fact  that  he  had  been  prompted  by  Ar- 

1 ide  to  headquarters,  where  he  would  soon 

nold  himself  to  make  this  application,  and 

see  and  speak  with  him  more  at  leisure 

left  it  to  be  inferred  by  Washington  that 

in  legnrd  to  the  matter. 

his  only  motive  was  the  suitableness  of 

On  Washington’s  return,  he  learned 

the  appointment. 

from  Colonel  Tilghman,  his  aid-de-camp. 

Recalling  to  mind  the  previous  solici- 

that  Arnold  had  been  speaking  freely 

tations  which  had  been  made,  and  now 

with  him  about  his  interview  with  the 

finding  that  Arnold  himself  was  resolute- 

commander-in-chief,  and  had  expressed 

ly  bent  iqDon  obtaining  the  appointment, 

his  disappointment  at  the  result,  declar- 

Washington  no  longer  hesitated,  but  gave 

ing  that  in  consequence  of  his  wound  he 

him  the  command  at  West  Point,  whither 

was  unfit  for  the  field,  and  that  the  only 
post  at  wliicli  he  could  do  good  service 

he  immediately  proceeded.  Ar-  ^ ^ ^ 

nold’s  headquarters  were  estab-  ^ 

was  West  Point.  Washington  seemed  to 

lished  at  the  former  residence  of  Colonel 

be  surprised,  for  this  rvas  so  unlike  the 

Beverly  Robinson,  a loyalist  in  the  ser- 

daring  Arnold,  to  prefer  the  restriction 

vice  of  Great  Britain.  The  “Robinson 

of  garrison-duty  to  the  free  action  of  the 

house,”  as  it  was  called,  is  situated  (for  it 

field  ! Still,  he  was  aware  that  Arnold 

still  exists)  on  the  eastern  and  opposite 

had  before  expressed  a desire  for  the  com- 

bank  of  the  Hudson  to  that  of  West  Point, 

maud  at  West  Point,  although  he  believed 

and  between  two  and  three  miles  below 

that  this  had  been  a mere  passing  caprice 

that  post. 

of  that  restless  officer,  and  not  the  ear- 

On  taking  leave  of  Washington  and  his 

nest  wish  of  his  heart. 

officers,  when  about  to  assume  his  com- 

General  Arnold,  however,  was  deeply 

mand.  General  Arnold  suggested  to  La- 

in  earnest,  and  had  been  so  ever  since  he 

fayette,  who  had  spies  in  his  pay  at  New 

had  solicited  the  command.  Tims,  he  had 

York,  that,  as  their  intellii^ence  iniuht 

urged  in  his  behalf  the  interposition  of  his 

sometimes  come  more  conveniently  by 

friends  in  Congress,  and  the  exercise  of 

the  way  of  West  Poilit,  it  would  be  as 

the  influence  of  General  Schuyler  and  of 

well  to  intrust  him  (Arnold)  with  their 

Mr.  Pobert  R.  Livingston,  the  member 

names,  that  intercourse  with  them  might 

from  New  York,  who  wrote  to  Washina;- 

be  thus  facilitated.  The  young  marquis 

ton,  asking  for  the  appointment  of  Arnold 

unhesitatingly  declined,  on  the  principle 

to  the  command  at  West  Point,  upon  the 

that  he  was  bound  in  honor  to  keep  the 

ground  that  he  was  not  only  an  officer  of 

names  of  the  spies  to  himself  Nothing 

tried  courage  and  ability,  but  stood  high 

more,  at  the  time,  was  thought  of  it;  but 

in  the  estimation  of  the  people  of  New 

subsequent  events  revived  its  remem- 

York,  and  w'as  popular  with  the  militia. 

brance,  and  gave  great  significance  to 

whose  services  would  be  required.  Liv- 

Arnold’s  request. 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  SCHEMES  AND  PECULxVTIONS  OF  ARNOLD  757 

CHAPTER 

LXXXVI. 

ueneral  Arnold  as  Governor  of  Pliiladelphia, — His  Restlessness. — Abortive  Schemes. — Suspicious  Conduct. — Char<ies..- 

Resignation. — Splendor  and  Expense. — The  Penn  House. — Banquets. — Coach  and-Four. — The  Marriage. — A Reign- 

ing  Toast. — The  Beautiful  Margaret  Shippen. — A Needy  Prodigal. — Verdict  of  the  Court-Martial. — Gentle  Words  of 

Washington. — A Sore  Conscience. — Desperation. — A French  Rebuke. — Good  Advice. — Contemplated  Ticason. — 

Arnold’s  Unpopularity. — Ills  Correspondence  with  Major  Andr6. — “ Gustavus.” — Life  of  Major  Andre. — A Youthful 

Adjutant. 

General  Arnold,  it  will  be  recol- 

the  various  other  projects  with  which  his 

lected,  was  appointed  military  gov- 

restle.ss  mind  teemed,  he  at  one  time  en- 

ernor  of  Philadelphia  in  May,  1778,  im- 

tertained  the  idea  of  formingi:  a vast  con- 

mediately  after  the  evacuation  of  that 

federacy  of  the  Indian  tribes,  of  which  he 

city  by  the  British  troops  under  Sir  Hen- 

might  then  become  its  great  and  power- 

ry  Clinton.  Here  he  soon  incurred  the 

ful  chief. 

dislike  of  the  inhabitants  by  his  arbitrary 

General  Arnold’s  conduct,  in  his  capaci- 

conduct,  and  their  suspicion  by  his  equiv- 

ty  as  military  commandant  of  Philadel- 

ocal  transactions.  His  restlessness  of  dis- 

phia,  at  length  became  so  suspicious,  and 

position,  or  his  desire  to  escape  from  the 

doubts  of  his  integrity  were  so  freely  ex- 

obseivation  of  those  who  regarded  him 

pressed,  that  the  council  of  Pennsylvania 

with  no  friendly  eye,  prompted  him  to 

was  forced  to  take  cognizance  of  them. 

seek  another  field  for  his  active  energies, 

An  investigation  ensued,  which  resulted 

and  a month  had  hardly  passed  when  he 

in  the  presentation  of  certain  charges, 

solicited  an  appointment  in  the  navy. 

some  of  which  imputed  criminality,  and 

Abandoning  this  design,  either  from  its 

all  implied  abuse  of  power.  These  Avere 

impracticability  or  from  his  own  caprice. 

submitted  to  Congre.ss,  and  referred  to  a 

Arnold  resolved  to  take  the  command  of 

committee  of  inquiry,  Avhich  reported  fii- 

a privateer.  This  scheme  was  in  its  turn 

vorahlv  to  Arnold.  The  authorities  of 

•/ 

also  given  up  while  preparations  were  ma- 

Pennsylvania,  however,still  clung  to  their 

king'for  its  accomplishment.  His  next 

charges,  and  insisted  that  Arnold  should 

project  was,  to  obtain  a grant  of  land  in 

he  tried  by  the  military  tribunal  to  Avhich, 

the  western  part  of  New  York,  for  the  es- 

as  an  army-officer,he  Avas  amenable.  Con- 

t 

tahlishment  of  a settlementfor  the  officers 

erress  assented,  and  it  Avas  resolved  that 

and  soldiers  who  had  served  under  him, 

the  charges  should  be  referred  to  a court- 

and  for  such  other  persons  as  might  he 

martial  for  its  decision.  The  accused  gen- 

disposed  to  join  them.  This  plan,  too. 

eral  complained  that  he  Avas  unfairly  treat- 

was  nursed  for  awhile,  and  finally  aban- 

ed,  and  sacrificed  by  Congress  to  a desire 

doned  by  its  capricious  parent.  Among 

on  its  part  to  conciliate  the  state  of  Penn- 

758 

pylvaniii.  In  the  ineanwliile,  kept  in  sus- 
pense ))y  repeated  postponements  of  his 
trial,  he  fretted  anjrrUy  under  the  impend- 
ing accusations.  Under  pretence  of  the 
wants  of  the  army,  he  liad  forbidden  the 
sliopkeepers  of  Philadelphia  ‘Ho  sell  or 
buy;  he  then  put  their  goods  at  the  dis- 
posal of  his  agents,  and  caused  them  af- 
terward to  be  resold  at  a profit.  At  one 
moment,  he  prostituted  his  authority  to 
enrich  liis  accomplices;  at  the  next,  he 
squabbled  with  them  about  the  division 
of  the  pre3^”* 

Arnold  now  resigned  his  command,  but 
remained  in  Philadelphia,  where  since  his 
first  arrival  he  had  lived  in  a style  of 
unexampled  splendor  and  expense.  lie 
took  possession  of  the  “ Penn  house,”  one 
of  the  most  imposing  in  the  city,  gave 
magnificent  banquets,  and  drove  a coach- 
and-four,with  liveried  coachman  and  lack- 
eys. When  Monsieur  Gerard,  the  French 
embassador,  first  arrived  in  Philadelphia, 
Arnold  gave  him  a grand  dinner,  and  en- 
tertained him  and  all  his  suite  in  his  house 
for  several  days. 

Ilis  marriage  with  Miss  Margaret  Ship- 
pen,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Edward  Ship- 
pen  (afterward  chief-justice  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, though  at  that  time  supposed  to 
be  favorably  inclined  toward  the  tories), 
added  still  more  to  Arnold’s  love  of  ex- 
pensive display  and  ostentation.  He  was 
forty  years  of  age,  and  a widower.  Miss 
Shippen  was  a beauty  of  eighteen,  and 
fond  of  gayety  and  public  admiration. 
She  had  been  a rely:ninir  toast  of  the  town 
while  the  British  occupied  Philadelphia, 
wd  was  one  of  the  fair  ladies  whose  su- 

* American  Register,  vol  ii.,  |>.  23,  1817. 


’ I'ART  II. 

premacy  in  “wit,  Iieauty,  and  every  ac- 
cornprishment,”  the  knights  of  the  “ Blend- 
ed Rose”  in  the  fiimous  Mkehianza  assert- 
ed by  “ deeds  of  arms”  against  all  rivals.”' 
Her  attractions  had  made -such  an  im- 
pression upon  the  British  officers,  that, 
after  leaving  Philadelphia,  no  name  was 
more  frequently  hetird  in  the  toast  and 
sentiment  which,  as  was  the  custom  in 
those  daj^s,  flavored  the  after-dinner  Ma- 
deira, than  that  of  the  beautiful  Margaret 
Shippen.  With  Andre,  the  captivating 
aid-de-camp  of  the  English  commander-in- 
chief, her  remembrance  was  kept  fresh  by 
a sentimental  correspondence,  which  was 
continued  even  after  her  marriage.j* 

The  associations  of  his  wife’s  family 
were  with  the  more  pretentious  and  tory 
people  of  Philadelphia,  and  Arnold  was 
thus  brought  in  constant  contact  with 
those  whose  habits  were  neither  calcu- 
la.ted  to  lessen  his  prodigality,  nor  their 
principles  to  increase  his  patriotism. 

* See  page  91,  of  tliis  volume. 

t “ It  was  from  one  of  the  disaffected  or  tory  families  that 
Arnold  selected  his  wife.  He  loved  her  witli  passionate 
fondness,  and  she  deserved  his  attachment,  by  her  virtues 
and  solidity  of  understanding.  In  addition  to  these  advan- 
tages, she  possessed  an  extraordinary  share  of  beauty,  dis- 
tinguishable eVen  in  a country  where  Nature  has  been  prodi- 
gal of  her  favors  to  the  sex.  A considerable  time  before 
this  marriage,  when  Philadelphia  was  still  in  the  hands  of 
the  enemy,  the  relatives  of  the  lady  had  given  an  eager  wel- 
come to  the  British  commanders.  His  marriage,  therefore, 
caused  some  surprise  ; but  he  was  pledged  to  the  yepublic 
by  so  many  services  rendered  and  benefits  received,  that  the 
alliance  gave  umbrage  to  no  one.” — American  Register,  1817. 

“ It  is  generally  believed,”  adds  Mr.  Lossing,  “ that  Ar- 
nold’s wife  was  instrumental  in  weakening  his  attachment  to 
the  American  cause.”  When  he  received  from  Washington 
the  command  at  West  Point,  ‘‘the  news  of  this  unexpected 
success  reached  Mrs  Arnold  in  the  midst  of  a large  assem- 
bly at  an  evening  party  in  'Philadelphia,  and  so  affected  her 
that  she  partly  swooned  ; yet  no  one  suspected  the  real  cause 
of  her  emotion,  and,  when  she  recovered,  they  all  congratu 
lated  her  upon  the  resolution  and  good  success  of  her  hus 
baud  !” 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 





RKVOLUTIONARY.J  TRIAL  AND  REPRIMAND  OF  ARNOLD.  /69 

Arnold,  living  in  a style  of  profuse 
splendor,  Avliich  he  had  not  the  means  to 
support,  was  soon  driven  to  the  usual  re- 
sources of  the  needy  prodigal.  He  in- 
curred debts  as  long  as  his  credit  eniibled 
him ; but  when  this  means  failed,  he  re- 
sorted to  other  expedients.  He  specula- 
ted in  privateer-risks  and  various  trading- 
projects.  When  Count  d’Estaing  with  his 
fleet  approached  New  York,  and  it  was 
supposed  that  the  British  would  be  forced 
to  evacuate  the  city,  Arnold  formed  a 
partnership  with  two  other  persons,  to 
purchase  (on  the  expected  decline  of  the 
market)  goods  to  the  amount  of  thirty 
thousand  pounds  sterling  within  the  lines 
of  the  enemy.  These  projects  of  antici- 
pated profit  failing,  Arnold,  whose  pride 
would  not  permit  him  to  diminish  his  ex- 
penditures, was  prepared  to  resort  to  any 
means  to  supply  his  reckless  prodigality. 

In  the  meantime,  the  court-martial,  ap- 
pointed more  than  a year  previous,  con- 
vened at  Morristown,  whither  Ai  iiold  re- 
paired. Having  investigated  the  charges 

against  him,  that  tribunal,  on  the 
1779i  o’  ’ 

20th  of  January,  pronounced  him 

guilty  of  two  of  them,-''  though  with  miti- 
gating circumstances,  and  sentenced  him 
to  be  reprimanded  by  Washington.  Nev- 
er was  the  sword  of  justice  more  delicate- 
ly tempered, and  a smoother  wound  given 

* Tlic  two  fliarges  wliich  were  sustained  in  part,  but  not 
so  far  as  to  imply  criminality,  were  these:  1.  That  Arnold, 
when  at  Valley  Forge,  before  the  evacuation  of  Philadel- 
phia by  the  British,  had  given  a written  protection  to  the 
commander  of  a vessel  to  proceed  to  sea  and  enter  any  port 
within  the  United  States.  The  mitigating  circumstance  was, 
that  the  vessel  was  the  property  of  persons  who  had  taken 
the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  .state  of  Pennsylvania.  2.  That 
Arnold  had  used  the  public  wagons  of  Pennsylvania  for  pri- 
vate purposes.  The  mitigating  circumstance  in  this  instance 
was,  that  their  use  was  paid  for  at  private  expense. 

to  an  irritable  conscience, than  when  wield- 
ed by  the  hand  of  the  commander-in-chief 
on  this  occa.sion.  When  Arnold  appeared 
before  him,  Washington  addressed  him 
gravely  but  kindly,  saying  : “ Our  profes- 
sion is  the  chastest  of  all.  Even  the  shad- 
ow of  a fiiult  tarnishes  the  lustre  of  our 
finest  achievements.  The  least  inadver- 
tence may  rob  us  of  the  public  favor,  so 
hard  to  be  acfpiired.  I reprimand  you 
for  having  forgotten  tlnit,  in  proportion 
as  you  had  rendered  yourself  formidable 
to  your  enemies,  you  should  have  been 
guarded  and  temperate  in  your  deport- 
m.ent  toward  your  fellow-citizens.  Ex- 
hibit anew  those  noble  qualities  which 
have  placed  you  on  the  list  of  our  most 
distinguished  commanders.  I will  furnish 
you,  as  far  as  it  may  be  in  my  power,  with 
opportunities  of  regaining  the  esteem  of 
your  country.” 

Arnold’s  conscience,  however,  like  an 
ulcerated  sore  when  exposed  to  the  pure 
air  of  heaven,  was  only  the  more  inflamed 
by  these  gentle  words  of  the  pure  and  up- 
right Washington.  He  was  maddened  to 
rage,  and  spared  no  one,  from  command- 
er-in-chief to  subaltern,  all  of  whom  he 
charged  with  envy  of  his  own  biilliant 
military  fame.  He  had  already,  under  an 
assumed  name,  opened  a correspondence 
with  the  enemy,  but  hesitated  to  take  the 
last  and  basest  step  of  overt  treason  un- 
til he  had  exhausted  every  other  resource 
for  the  supply  of  his  greedy  prodigality. 
Nearly  four  years  before  Arnold’s  defec- 
tion, Colonel  Brown,  denouncing  him  in 
a handbill,  used  these  memorable  woids: 

“ Money  is  this  man's  God,  and  to  get  enough 
of  it' he  would  sacnfice  his  country  !" 

f 

760  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

Shortly  after  his  trial,  Arnold  renewed 

tice  of  Congress,  and  the  persecuting  mal- 

a petition  to  Congress  for  a settlement  of 

ice  of  his  enemies.  He  declared  that  his 

his  accounts,  in  which  he  made  claims  for 

fortune  had  been  ruined  by  the  Avar,  and 

an  exorbitant  balance  in  his  favor.  He 

that,  tmle.ss  he  could  borroAV  sufficient 

was  pertinacious,  but  his  demands  were 

money  to  pay  his  debts,  he  Avould  be  com- 

evidently  so  unjust,  that  neither  his  ene- 

polled  to  go  into  retirement,  and  quit  a 

mies,  disgusted  with  his  effrontery,  nor 

profession  Avhich  roAvarded  him  only  Avith 

his  friends,  wearied  with  his  importunity. 

poverty.  He  finally  intimated  to  M.  de 

were  disposed  to  listen  farther  to  his  ap- 

Luzerne  that  it  Avould  be  for  the  interest 

peals. 

of  his  king  to  secure  the  attachment  of 

Yet  Arnold  was  sinned  against.  Many 

an  American  officer  so  high  in  rank,  and 

officers  were  envious  of  his  deserved  rep- 

that  it  might  be  done  for  the  amount  of 

utatiou  as  a soldier.  He  had  been  made 

the  loan  asked  !* 

to  feel  the  shafts  of  their  envy  in  many 

The  French  minister,  a man  of  great 

ways.  The  very  men  Avho  had  conspired 

honor  and  just  sentiments,  although  an 

against  Washington,  in  1777  and  1778, 

admirer  of  Arnold’s  talents,  could  not  ap- 

Avere  most  prominent  in  opposition  to  Ar- 

prove  of  such  a method  of  raising  money. 

nold ; and  the  same  faction  in  Congress 

and  in  his  reply  administered  a mild  but 

AA’ithheld  deserved  honors  from  him.  With 

firm  rebuke.  “You  desire  of  me  a ser- 

contracted  vision  he  saAV,  in  the  conduct 

vice,”  he  said,  “ Avhich  it  AAmuld  be  easy 

of  these  individuals,  the  ingratitude  of  his 

for  me  to  render,  but  Avhich  Avould  de- 

country;  and  the  resentment  Avhich  he 

grade  us  both.  When  the  envoy  of  a for- 

felt  toward  them  he  extended  to  the 

eign  poAver  gives,  or,  if  you  Avill,  lends 

cause,  and  all  engaged  in  it.  This  feel- 

money,  it  is  ordinarily  to  corrupt  those 

ing,  and  the  hope  of  large  pecuniary  re- 

Avho  receive  it,  and  to  make  them  the  crea- 

Avard,  by  Avhich  he  might  relieve  himself 

tures  of  the  sovereign  Avhom  he  serves; 

of  heavy  and  increasing  embarrassments. 

or  rather  he  corrupts  Avithout  persuading; 

seemed  'to  have  extinguished  every  spark 

he  buys,  and  does  not  secure.  But  the 

of  patriotism,  and  beckoned  him  to  the 

firm  league  entered  into  betAveen  the  king 

bad  pre-eminence  of  a mercenary  traitor* 

and  the  United  States  is  the  Avork  of  jus- 

Arnold, in  his  desperation,now  resorted 

tice  and  of  the  Avisest  policy.  It  has  for 

to  the  expedient  of  appealing  for  a loan 

its  bases  a reciprocal  interest  and  good 

of  money  to  the  French  envoy.  Monsieur 

Avill.  In  the  mission  Avith  Avhich  I am 

de  la  Luzerne  (the  succe.ssor  of  M.  Ge- 

charged,  my  true  glory  consist  in  fulfil- 

rard),  Avith  AAdioni  he  Avas  on  terms  of  so- 

ling  it  Avithout  intrigue  or  cabal,  Avithout 

cial  intimacy  in  Philadelphia.  The  gener- 

resorting  to  any  secret  practices,  and  by 

al  spoke  of  his  disinterested  services,  his 

the  force  alone  of  the  conditions  of  the 

sacrifices,  his  Avounds;  he  complained  of 

alliance.” 

the  ingratitude  of  his  country,  the  injus- 

To  this  someAvhat  formal  manifesto  of 

* Lossinji;. 

♦ Spaiks. 

— 

..  . 

MAJOR  JOHN  ANDRE. 


REVOLUTIONAUY.J 


7G1 


political  principle,  Monsieur  de  Luzerne 
freely  added  some  moral  advice.  Arnold, 
however,  “ wanted  money,  not  advice;” 
and,  not  getting  it,  from  either  America 
or  France,  he  was  determined  upon  ob- 
tainino;  it  from  Great  Britain.  He  now 
made  the  last  desperate  move,  and,  hav- 
ing lost  himself,  staked  his  country  upon 
the  issue.  He  renewed  his  correspond- 
ence with  the  enemy,  which  had  been 
opened  with  intentional  vagueness,  that 
he  might  continue  or  terminate  it,  as  cir- 
cumstances should  pi'ompt. 

The  command  of  West  Point,  which 
Ai'nold  secured,  as  we  have  seen,  gave 
him  the  means  he  sought  for  consumma- 
ting his  treason.  His  departure  from 
Philadelphia  was  not  regretted,  as  his  ar- 
bitrary temper,  his  pretentious  bearing, 
and  his  corrupt  conduct,  had  made  him 
so  much  detested  and  so  unpopular,  tlmt 
he  hardly  dared  to  show  himself  in  t^e 
streets.  On  one  occasion  he  was  assault- 
ed by  the  populace ; and,  having  com- 
plained to  Congress, he  demanded  a guard 
of  continental  troops  for  his  protection, 
saying,  “ This  request,  I presume,  will  not 
be  denied  to  a man  who  has  so  often 
fought  and  bled  in  the  defence  of  his 
country.”  Congress,  however,  did  not  or- 
der the  guard,  but  referred  him  for  pro- 
tection to  the  governor  of  Pennsylvania. 

Arnold  found,  in  the  correspondence 
of  his  wife  with  Major  Andre,  a conveni- 
ent means  of  opening  a communication 
with  the  enemy.  His  advances  to  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  were  accordingly  made 
through  this  channel.  He  wrote  his  let- 
ters in  a disguised  hand,  and  under  the 
assumed  name  of  “ Giisiavus while  his 
9G 


correspondent.  Major  Andre,  took  that  of 
‘‘‘‘John  Anderson”  To  avoid  detection,  the 
true  meaning  of  the  letters  was  disguised 
under  the  cover  of  a commercial  corre- 
spondence, in  which  mercantile  phrases 
apparently  expressed  trading-purposes. 
Arnold  warily  avoided  committing  his 
own  name  to  paper;  but  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton, from  the  beginning,  discovered  that 
his  correspondent  was  an  American  officer 
of  inlluence,  and  was  soon  convinced  that 
“ Gusfavus”  was  no  less  a personage  than 
Major-General  Benedict  Arnold. 

Adjutant-General  Major  John  Andre, 
the  British  agent  who  bore  so  important 
a part  in  this  dark  transaction,  was  born 
in  London,  in  1751,  whither  his  parents, 
who  were  Swiss,  had  removed  from  Gene- 
^va.  Originally  intended  for  a merchant, 
he  was  placed  in  early  youth  in  a London 
countinghouse,and  before  he  had  reached 
his  eighteenth  year  fell  in  fove  with  Miss 
Honora  Sneyd.  She  «eturned  his  affec- 
tion ; but  her  cautious  father,  seeing  but 
little  prospect  of  young  Andre’s  advance- 
ment in  his  career,  refused  his  consent  to 
their  marriage.  The  lover  now  sought 
a relief  for  his  disappointment  in  the  ex- 
citement of  a military  life;  while  his  “dear 
Honora”  consoled  herself  by  becoming  the 
second  wife  of  “ that  man  of  many  wives,” 
Richard  Lovell  Edgeworth,*  a young  wid- 

* Richard  Lovell  Edgeworth,  of  Ed;;e\vorthtovvn, 
Ireland,  was  born  at  Bath,  in  England,  in  1744.  Possessing 
a large  fortune,  he  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  agricultural 
iTtiprovements,  as  well  as  to  the  amelioration  of  the  exist- 
ing modes  of  education,  by  writing,  in  conjunction  with  his 
highly-gifted  daughter,  many  useful  works.  He  also  wrote 
his  own  “ Memoirs  and,  among  his  various  mechanical  in- 
ventions, was  a telegraph.  Mr.  Edgeworth  was  marrird 
three  times.  His  first  wife  was  the  mother  of  Miss  Maria 
Eilgeworth ; his  second  spouse  was  Miss  Sneyd,  Andre’s 
“ dear  Honora and  his  third  was  Elizabeth  Sneyd,  whom 


V62 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[tart  n. 


ower  of  only  twenty-six,  nnd  tlie  father  of 
the  celebrated  Miss  Edgeworth.*  Andre 
continued  to  cherish  a sentimental  affec- 
tion for  his  lost  beauty ; and  his  corre- 
spondence with  Anna  Seward,'}*  of  Litch- 
field, and  of  Johnsonian  celebrit}^,  who 
was  a bosom  friend  of  Miss  Sneyd,  was 
filled  with  tender  allusions  to  “ Ilonora,” 

lie  mnri'iod  “just  seven  months  and  twenty-five  days  after 
tlie  death  of  Honoia.”  He  died  in  1817,  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enty-two years. 

* Maria  Edgeworth,  the  celebrated  Irish  novelist, 
whose  works  have  had  great  influence  in  promoting  the 
cause  of  education  and  of  social  morality,  was  born  in  Ok- 
fordshire,  England,  in  1766.  She  commenced  her  career  as 
an  authoress  about  1800,  and  in  her  early  literary  efforts  she 
was  greatly  assisted  by  the  advice  of  her  father.  The  fa- 
mous “ Essay  on  Irish  Bulls,”  the  joint  production  of  her- 
self and  her  father,  was  published  in  1801.  Her  “Castle' 
Ilackrent”  abounds  in  admirable  sketches  of  Irish  life  and 
manners.  Her  “ Belinda,”  a novel  of  real  life  and  ordinary 
characters,  is  also  descriptive  of  some  of  the  striking  traits 
of  the  Irish  character.  In  1804,  she  published  her  “ Popu-* 
lar  Tales  and  two  years  afterward,  “ Leonora,”  a novel  in 
two  volumes.  In  1809,  she  issued  “Tales  of  Fashionable 
Life,”  of  a more  pcAverful  and  varied  east  than  any  of  her 
previous  productions.  Three  other  volumes  of  “ Fashioji- 
nble  'I'ales”  appeared  in  4^12,  and  fully  sustained  the  high 
reputation  which  she  had  now  attained.  In  1814,  her  novel 
of  “ Patronage”  was  published.  For  many  years,  indeed, 
literary  composition  formed  the  chief  business  of  her  life. 
t)ri.;inality  and  fertility  of  invention,  and  a power  of  depict- 
ing Irish  manners  unequalled  among  modern  authors,  are 
lier  chief  characteristics  as  a novelist.  She  died  in  1849,  in 
the  eighty-fourth  year  of  her  age. 

t Anna  Seward,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Seward, 
litinself  a poet,  and  the  author  of  an  edition  of  Beaumont 
and  Fletcher,  was  born  at  Eyam,  in  Derbyshire,  England, 
in  1747.  She  evinced  a poetical  taste  in  early  life.  In  1782, 
she  published  her  poetical  romance  of  “ Louisa and  she 
Bubsequently  printed  a collection  of  sonnets,  and  a “ Life 
of  Dr.  Darwin,”  in  which  she  asserted  her  claim  to  the  first 
fifty  lines  of  that  author’s  “Botanic  Garden.”  She  died 
in  1809. 


as  were  his  occasional  verses,  in  which  a 
reatly  faculty  at  turning  a rhyme  led  him 
to  indul2:e. 

Receiving  a commission  of  lieutenant 
in  the  British  army,  his  first  service  was 
in  Canada,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner, 
on  the  fill  of  St.  Johns,  in  1775,  and 
“ stripped  of  everything,”  as  he  wrote  to 
a friend,  “ except  the  picture  of  Ilonora, 
which  I concealed  in  my  moutli.” 

Being  exchanged  in  the  course  of  the 
war,  Andre  rejoined  the  army,  and  by 
merit  alone  (for  he  had  no  powerful  pa- 
tronage at  home  to  advance  his  interests) 
he  rapidly  rose  in  rank,  became  a captain, 
and  was  appointed  by  Major-General  Sir 
Charles  Gi/iy  (fither  of  Lord  Grey,  the 
distinguished  statesman)  his  aid-de-camp. 
Andre  was  a man  of  versatile  talent;  lie 
was  by  turns  soldier,  poet,  musician,  and 
painter,  and  his  qualifications  were  set  off 
'mith  tlie  advantage  of  a handsome  person 
and  amiable  manners.  After  General  Grey 
returned  to  Europe,  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
received  Andre  as  his  aid-de-camp,  and 
was  so  impressed  with  his  abilities,  that, 
upon  the  resignation  of  Lord  Rawdon,  he 
appointed  him  adjutant-general.  After 
some  reluctance  on  the  part  of  the  British 
prime  mini.ster,  avIio  objected  to  Andre’s 
youth,  he  was  finally  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  major,  and  confirmed  in  his  office 
as  adjutant,  at  the  early  age  of  twenty- 
nine. 


r 

REA  OLUTIONART.]  ARNOLD  AND  SIR 

HPINRY  CLINTON.  763 

CHAPTER 

LXXXVII. 

Treasonable  Correspondence  renewed. — General  Arnold  at  West  Point. — Major  Andre  chosen. — Failure. — A Bare  £«■ 

capo. — Wa^hin;;ton  out  of  the  Way. — An  Artful  Ruse. — 

Washington  en  Route  to  Hartford. — A Startling  Remaik. — 

Communication  with  the  British  Sloop  Vulture. — “John  Anderson.’’ — A Chanfre  of  Mind. — A Flag  of  Truce  fiied 

upon. — A Remonstrance  and  a Ruse. — Joshua  Belt  Smith. — The  White  House. — A Postponement. — Difficulties. — • 

Reluctant  Boatmen — Boarding  the  Vulture. — Interview  between  Arnold  and  Andre. — Impatience. — Unfinished  Busi 

ness. — A Startling  Reflection. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  althout^h  he 

1780.  ° 

ting  suspicion.  Arnold’s  fertility  of  craft 

studiously  kept  up  his  communica- 

was  equal  to  the  occasion. 

tioiis,  through  Major  Andre,  with  his  un- 

The  first  attempt,  nevertheless,  failed. 

declared  correspondent,  whom  he  Inid  no 

Andre,  accomp;inied  by  Colonel  Beverly 

doubt  was  General  Arnold,  was  not  iinpa- 

Robinson,  now  as  a confederate,  had  come 

tient  to  complete  his  bargain  until  the 

to  Dobbs’s  ferry,  in  order  to  meet  Arnold, 

traitor  had  something  more  valuable  to 

as  he  hiid  appointed  ; but  the  traitor  him- 

offer  than  liimself.  It  was  not,  therefore, 

self,  after  coming  dowm  the  river  in  his 

until  Arnold  was  in  command  of  West 

barge,  and  passing  the  night  at  Smith’s 

Point,  that  Clinton  cared  to  bring  to  a 

house,  neiir  King’s  ferry,  wms,  upon  at- 

final  issue  the  base  negotiation^which  had 

tempting  next  morning  to  reach  the  len- 

now  been  going  on  for  nearly  eighteen 

dezvcus  (being  unprovided  with  a flag). 

months. 

fired  upon  by  the  British  gun-boats.  His 

West  Point,  with  its  important  position. 

biU’ge  was  so  closely  pursued,  that  Arnold 

its  armament,  garrison,  find  stores,  was  an 

barely  escaped  losing  his  life  or  being  cap- 

object  worth  purchasing;  and  the  British 

tured  ; and,  after  another  unsuccessful  ef- 

commander  was  at  last  prepared  to  make 

fort  to  obtain  an  interview,  he  returned 

his  bargain  with  the  military  Judas,  who 

to  the  Robinson  house,  and  Andre  and 

Avas  eager  to  clutch  the  “ pieces  of  silver.” 

his  companion  to  New  York.  To  explain 

Arnold,  in  his  letters,  had  expressed  an 

his  passage  down  the  Hudson,  which  be- 

eiirnest  desire  to  have  ii  personal  interview 

Ciune  genenilly  known,  Arnold  took  care 

with  some  one  “ of  his  own  mensuration,” 

to  write  to  Washiimton,  stiitimj  that  his 

as  he  said,  evidently  with  the  purpose  of 

object  had  been  to  esLiblish  signals  and 

securing  the  payment  of  his  price.  Sir 

give  directions  about  the  guard-boats. 

Henry  had  thought  of  some  one  else  ; but 

As  Wa.shington  was  iibout  proceeding 

General  Arnold  Iiaving  insisted  on  Major 

to  Hartford,  to  hold  a conference  with 

Andre  being  sent,  that  young  officer  con- 

Count  de  Rochambeau  and  the  French 

sented  to  go.  The  great  difficulty  now 

officers  in  regard  to  a proposed  campaign. 

was,  to  effect  nn  interview  without  exci- 

and  would  cross  King’s  ferry  on  his  route, 

;(54  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Li-art  ii. 


Arnold  was  careful  to  put  off  any  inter- 
view until  the  coininander-in-chief  was 
out  of  the  way.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  how- 
ever, disappointed  at  the  failureof  the  sev- 
eral previous  attempts,  sent  the  sloop-of- 
war  Vulture,  with  Colonel  Eobinson  on 
board,  to  anchor  up  the  river  near  Tel- 
ler’s Point,  and  thus  be  at  hand  to  facili- 
tate a meeting.  Eobin.son  immediately 
wrote  a letter,  artfully  addressed  to  Gen- 
eral Putnam,  as  if  thinkiim  that  he  was 
in  command  at  the  Highlands,  and  asked 
for  a personal  conference  on  private  busi- 
ness. This  letter  was  enclosed  in  anoth- 
er addre.ssed  to  Arnold,  in  which  the  same 
favor  was  solicited  from  him  in  case  Put- 
nam should  be  absent.  This  artful  ruse  of 
the  two  addresses,  and  the  careful  word- 
ing of  the  letters,  removed  any  chance  of 
suspicion  in  case  they  should  fall  into  the 
hands  of  others  than  Arnold. 

These  letters  were  delivered 
Sept.  18.  , , , , . 

on  tlie  very  day  that  Washington 

had  set  out  on  his  journey  to  Hartford, 
and  Arnold  had  read  and  held  them  in 
his  pocket  at  the  time  he  was  convey- 
ing the  commander-in-chief  in  his  barge 
across  the  river  to  Verplanck’s  Point. 
The  Vulture  was  lying  in  full  view;  and 
while  Washington  was  looking  at  the  ves- 
sel, and  speaking  in  a low  tone  of  voice, 
Arnold  was  observed  to  manifest  some 
uueasines.s,  although  its  cause  was  not  sus- 
pected. As  Count  de  Guichen’s  squadron 
was  expected  daily  from  the  West  Indies, 
it  naturally  became  the  topic  of  conversa- 
tion. Lafayette,  merely  alluding  to  the 
free  communication  between  New  York 
and  West  Point,  and  frequent  opportuni- 
ties of  intelligence,  startled  Arnold  with 


the  remark,  “ General,  since  you  have  a 
correspondence  with  the  enemy, you  must 
ascertain  as  soon  as  possible  what  has  be- 
come of  Guichen.”  The  traitor,  evident- 
ly for  a moment  thrown  off  his  guard,  ab- 
ruptly demanded  what  he  meant, but  soon 
recovered  his  self-control  and  dropped  the 
subject* 

While  Arnold  was  accompanying  the 
general-in-chief  to  Peekskill,  he  showed 
him  the  letters  written  by  Colonel  Rob 
inson  ; and,  not  suspecting  their  real  pur- 
pose, Washington  recommended  A.rnold 
not  to  hold  the  proposed  conference,  as 
Robinson’s  object,  which  was  supposed  to 
have  reference  to  his  property,  was  one 
that  belonged  properly  to  the  civil  and 
not  to  the  military  jurisdiction. 

Little  did  the  commander-in-chief  sus- 
pect that  the  brave  officer  now  escorting 
him,  who  had  served  his  country  with  so 
much  zeal  and  gallantry,  and  who  at  that 
interview  handed  him  a written  opinion 
concerning  the  propriety  of  an  attack  on 
New  York,  based  upon  statements  which 
he  had  received  from  his  chiefj  of  the  con- 
dition and  prospects  of  the  American  ar- 
my, was  about  to  betray  that  army  and 
his  country,  and  to  make  use  of  that  very 
statement  as  one  of  the  instruments  of 
his  treason.  The  very  paper  containing 
this  statement,  which  Washington  had 
sent  to  Arnold  (as  to  others  of  his  general 
officers),  was  one  of  those  afterward  taken 
from  Andre’s  boot!']* 

Arnold  now  had  an  opportunity,  of 
which  he  gladly  availed  himself,  of  an 
open  communication  with  the  Vulture. 
A personal  conference  with  Colonel  Rob- 

* Sparks.  t Lossinj^. 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  ANDRE  AND  THE 

> 

SLOOP  VULTURE.  765 

inson,  however,  after  Washington’s  de- 

himself,  although  speaking  of  a third  par- 

cided  objection,  was  no  longer  thought 

ty,  intended  to  go  on  board  the  Vulture, 

of;  blit  there  was  no  difficulty  in  com- 

and  there  settle  the  terms  of  his  bargain 

municating  with  him  by  letter.  Arnold 

in  person. 

accordingly  sent  openly  to  the  Vulture, 

Andre,  arriving  at  a late  liouratDobbs’s 

by  an  officer  in  a ilag-boat,  a sealed  pack- 

ferry,  where  it  was  originally  his  inten- 

et  which  contained  three  letters,  in  the 

tion  to  have  requested  the  commander  to 

outer  one  of  which  he  stated,  in  general 

drop  down  with  his  ve.ssel,  changed  his 

terms,  that  he  liad  consulted  with  the 

mind,  and  took  a boat,  in  which  he  sailed 

commander-in-chief,  who  disapproved  of 

up  the  river  and  boarded  the  V ulture  at 

Robinson’s  jiroposition.  The  second  ex- 

seven  o’clock  in  the  evening.  Here  he 

plicitly  stated  that  on  the  night  of  the 

remained  all  night,  anxiously  expecting 

20th  of  September  he  would  send  a per- 

every  moment  the  arrival  of  Arnold  ; but. 

son  to  Dobbs’s  ferry,  or  on  board  the  V ul- 

as  the  latter  did  not  come,  he  began  to 

ture  (which  was  requested  to  be  kept 

fear  that  the  whole  project  would  fail. 

where  she  then  was),  who  would  be  fur- 

Thinking  that  Arnold,  po.ssibly  unaware 

nished  with  a boat  and  a flag  of  truce. 

of  his  having  got  on  board  the  Vulture, 

and  whose  secrecy  and  honor  might  be 

might  be  expecting  him  at  Dobb.s’s  ferr}'. 

depended  upon.  In  a postscript  he  thus 

Andre  took  an  occasion  which  accident- 

artfully  gave  the  appearance  of  public 

ally  offered  of  giving  him  information  of 

business  as  his  object,  and  information  of 

his  whereabouts.  A flag  of  truce  having 

the  time  when  Washington  intended  to 

been  shown  at  Teller’s  Point,  apparently 

return:  “I  expect  General  Washington 

inviting  a communication  with  the  ship 

to  lodge  here  on  Saturday  night  next. 

for  some  purpose  or  other,  a flag-boat  was 

and  I will  lay  before  him  any  matter  you 

sent  off;  but  as  it  approached  the  land,  it 

may  wish  to  communicate.”''’  There  was 

was  fired  upon.  The  captain  now  sent  a 

also  enclosed  a third  letter,  which  was  a 

second  boat  with  a flag,  to  remonstrate ; 

copy  of  one  previously  sent  to  ^^John  An- 

and  Andre  (in  order  that  Arnold  might 

derson”  appointing  a place  and  time  of 

infer  that  he  was  on  board  the  Vulture) 

meeting  Major  Andre  at  Dobb.s’s  ferry. 

penned  the  letter  of  remonstrance,  though 

On  the  morning  after  Sir  Henry  Clin- 

it  was  dictated  and  signed  by  Captain 

ton  received  these  letters,  which  were  im- 

Sutherland. 

mediately  despatched  to  him,  Andre  set 

Colonel  Livingston,  in  command  of  the 

off,  and  went  to  Dobb.s’s  ferry. 
Sept.  20.  ’ . . , • 1 , • , r 

receivmu:  as  Ins  last  instructions 

American  post  at  Verplanck’s  Point,  re- 
ceived the  letter,  and  handed  it 

„ 1 * 11111  Sept.  21 

to  General  Arnold,  who  liad  ar- 

from  the  British  commander,  not  to  go 

into  the  American  line,  not  to  disguise 

rived  there  just  as  the  Vulture’s  boat  was 

himself,  and  not  on  any  account  to  receive  jm- 

returning.  The  latter  recognised  Andre’s 

peri;.  It  in  fact  supposed  that  Arnold 

handwriting  at  once,  and,  making  the  in- 

* Sparks. 

ference  intended  by  the  writer,  prepared 

[ 

700  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

to  send  to  the  Vulture  on  the  coming 

Crossing  over  to  Stony  Point,  and  finding 

night. 

no  boat  there,  he  sent  an  officer  in  his 

Arnold  had  succeeded  in  securing  the 

barge  to  obtain  one  at  “ Continental  vil- 

services^of  a Mr.  Joshua  Hett  Smith,  a 

lage.”  Leaving  orders  with  Major  Kierse 

gentleman  of  reputable  standing,  and  one 

to  have  it  brought  down  to  Haverstraw 

who,  by  various  patriotic  acts,  had  given 

creek,  Arnold  in  the  meanwhile  proceed- 

proof  of  his  attachment  to  the  republican 

ed  to  Smith’s  house. 

cause.  His  residence,  the  “ White  house,” 

The  American  guard-boats  had  been 

as  it  was  called,  was  situated  on  the  west 

ordered  not  to  interfere  with  Smith,  as  he 

side  of  the  Hudson,  in  Haverstraw  bay. 

was  employed  by  the  general  to  obtain 

about  two  miles  below  Stony  Point,  and 

important  intelligence,  and  the  watch- 

was  conveniently  placed  for  Arnold’s  pro- 

w'ord  “ Congress”  was  agreed  upon  to  se- 

posed  interview  with  Andre. 

cure  the  recognition  of  his  boat.  ^Pbe  only 

Smitli  had  consented  to  board  the  Vul- 

difficulty  now  was  to  obtain  the  services 

ture  in  the  ni»:ht,  and  brin<>:  on  sliore  the 

of  a boatman.  Samuel  Colquhoun  still 

person  whom  he  would  find  tliere,  and 

refused  to  go,  as  did  likewise  his  brother. 

moreover  to  allow  his  house  (for  which 

Smith’s  appeals  were  all  in  vain;  and  even 

purpose  he  had  removed  his  family  to 

Arnold  could  not  succeed  in  overcoming 

Fishkill)  to  be  used  as  the  place  of  ren- 

their  scruples  until  he  threatened,  if  they 

dezvou.s.  Provided  by  Arnold  with  an  or- 

persisted  in  their  obstinacy,  and  refused 

der  upon  Major  Kierse,  the  quartermaster 

to  give  their  assistance  rvhen  required  for 

at  Stony  Point,  for  a boat,  the  usual  pass 

ihe  good  of  the  country,  to  arrest  them  as  dis- 

for  a flag  of  truce,  and  letters  for  the  V ul- 

affected  persons ! They  now  no  longer  re- 

ture,  Smith  was  to  liave  executed  his  com- 

sisted,  and  were  further  encouraged  in 

mission  on  the  night  of  the  20th  of  Sep- 

their  obedience  to  Arnold’s  peremptoiy 

• ternber.  Various  difficulties,  however. 

orders  by  the  promise  of  fifty  pounds  of 

were  in  the  way.  The  boat  could  not  be 

flour  to  each.* 

readily  obtained  ; and  a tenant  of  Smith, 

“ It  was  half-past  eleven  o’clock  in  tlie 

one  Samuel  Colquhoun,  who  had  been 

night,”  says  Sparks,  of  whose  careful  col- 

urged  to  go  with  him,  refused  on  account 

latiou  of  the  incidents  we  have  freely 

of  his  dread  of  the  guard-boats.  The  affliir 

availed  ourselves,  “ when  Smith  and  his 

was  accordingly  postponed. 

two  boatmen  arrived  at  the  landino;,  near 

„ ^ „ The  nextmorning, Arnold  pro- 

Sept.  21.  , , , , A 

ceeded  down  the  Hudson  to  V er- 

the  mouth  of  Haverstraw  creek,  to  which 
place  Major  Kierse  had  sent  the  boat. 

planck’s  Point,  where,  as  w^e  have  seen. 

They  muffled  the  oars  by  General  Ar- 

he  had  read  the  remonstrance  of  Captain 

nold’s  directions.  The  night  was  tran- 

Sutherland  of  the  V ulture.and  reco<rnised 

quil  and  serene,  the  stars  shone  brightly. 

the  handwriting  of  Andre.  He  now  de- 

the  water  was  unruffled  except  by  the 

termined  to  secure  the  accomplishment 

gentle  current,  which  was  hardly  percej* 

of  his  purpose  by  his  own  personal  efforts. 

* It  was  never  given. 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  MIDNIGHT  IMEET 

tible  in  that  wide  part  of  tlie  river,  and 
tlie  boat  glided  along  silently,  without 
being  discovered  or  meeting  with  any 
hinderance,  till  they  were  hailed  by  a 
hoarse  seaman’s  voice  from  the  Vulture, 
inquiring  who  they  were,  and  whither 
bound.  Smith  answered  that  they  were 
from  King’s  feny,  and  on  their  way  to 
Dobbs’s  ferry. 

“The  boat  was  immediately  ordered 
alongside;  and  a torrent  of  uncourtly 
epithets,  peculiar  (o  the  sailor’s  vocabula- 
ry, was  poured  out  upon  them  for  presu- 
ming to  approach  one  of  his  majesty’s 
ships  under  the  cover  of  darkness.” 

Smith  in  the  meantime  clambered  up 
the  sloop’s  side,  and  a boy  came  up  from 
below,  where  the  noise  had  been  heard, 
with  orders  that  he  should  be  shown  into 
the  cabin.  Smith,  upon  entering,  imme- 
diately recognised  Colonel  Beverly  Rob- 
inson, whom  he  had  known  before,  and 
gave  him  Arnold’s  letter. 

Smith  was  under  the  impression  that 
Robinson  was  the  person  whom  he  was 
to  bring  ashore ; and  accord ingl}'^,  when 
Major  Andre,  under  the  name  of  3fr.  John 
Anderson,wn.ii  presented.  Colonel  Robinson 
gave  as  his  reason  for  not  going  himself 
that  he  was  in  ill  health,  but  stated  that 
his  friend  would  answer  the  same  purpose. 
Andre,  it  would  seem,  had  insisted  upon 
going,  in  accordance  with  the  request  of 
Arnold,  although  Robinson  strenuously 
objected  to  his  trusting  himself  to  a man 
who  was  so  unprincipled  as  to  betray  his 
country.  So  eager,  however,  was  Andre 
to  accomplish  his  purpose,  that  he  seemed 
to  be  entirely  unconscious  of  all  danger 
attending  its  accomplishment. 


ING  OF  ARNOLD  AND  ANDRE.  liil 

Andre  was  so  completely  wrapped  in 
a blue  overcoat,  that  his  uniform  could 
not  be  seen  ; and  Smith  always  declared 
that  he  had  no  idea  at  that  time  that  he 
was  any  one  else  than  “ Mr.  John  Ander- 
son,” a plain  citizen,  who  was  acting  in 
behalf  of  Robinson.  Smith  and  Andre 
now  descended  into  the  boat  alongside, 
wdiere  the  boatmen  had  remained,  and 
were  rowed  in  silence  to  the  shore.  Here 
they  landed,  about  midnight,  at  the  base 
of  a mountain  called  LongClove,six  mile.s 
below  Stony  Point. 

Arnold  had  come  down  on  horseback 
from  Smith’s  house,  accompanied  by  a 
servant,  and  stood  hidden  in  a thicket 
near  the  landing,  awaiting  the  arrival  of 
the  boat.  As  soon  as  Smith  had  stepped 
ashore,  he  groped  his  way  up  the  bank 
in  search  of  Arnold,  and,  having  di.scov- 
ered  him,  came  back  to  guide  Andre  to 
the  place,  where,  being  I’equested  to  do 
so,  he  left  them. 

The  boatmen,  wearied  and  unsuspicious, 
soon  fell  asleep ; but  Smith,  anxiously  in- 
quisitive, and  disappointed  that  he  was 
not  allowed  to  be  present  at  the  inter- 
view, passed  the  tedious  midnight  hour 
in  wakeful  impatience.  His  powers  of 
endurance  finally  gave  out;  so  he  made 
his  way  through  the  bushes  to  the  busy 
plotters,  and,  reminding  them  that  the 
night  was  nearly  past,  declared  that  the 
boat  could  not  be  kept  much  longer.  Ar- 
nold, finding  that  his  work  was  not  yet 
done,  told  Smith  that  he  need  remain  no 
longer.  The  latter  accordingly  aroused 
the  boatmen,  and  proceeded  up  the  river 
with  the  boat;  while  Arnold, accompanied 
by  Andre  — who  mounted  the  servant’s 


7BR 


battlp:s  of  America. 


[part  II. 


horse  — rode  to  Smith’s  house,  three  or 
four  miles  distant.  It  was  not  until,  in 
(he  course  of  their  ride  through  Haver- 
straw  village,  on  being  challenged  in  the 
dark  by  a sentinel,  that  Andre  was  con- 


scious of  his  being  within  the  American 
lines.  For  a moment,  the  peril  of  his  po- 
sition startled  him;  but,  nerving  himself, 
he  rode  on  by  the  side  of  his  desperate 
associate. 


CHAPTER  L XX  XVIII. 

A Sudden  Cannonade. — Alarm  of  the  Conspirators. — Anxious  Watching. — Smail  Gun. — Momentous  Effect. — Negotia 
tions  continued  between  Arnold  and  AndiA. — Settlement  of  the  Price  of  Treason. — Completion  of  the  Bargain. — All 
ready. — Departure,  of  Andre. — No  Boat. — Journey  hy  Land. — His  Adventures. — The  Challenge. — An  Inquisitive 
Captain. — Fear  of  the  Cow-Bo3'S. — Two  in  a Bed. — Return  of  Cheerfulness. — A Good  Housewife. — Change  of  Route. 
— A Sudden  Surprise. — Fallen  among  Enemies. — The  Search. — “ My  God,  a Spy  !” — The  Captors. — “ Not  Ten  Thou- 
sand Guineas!" — Despair  of  Andrd. — Blunder  of  Jameson. — Arnold  on  his  Guard. 


It  was  iust  at  daybreak  when 

1 780* 

Arnold  and  Andre  pulled  up  their 
horses  at  Smith’s  house;  and  they  htid 
hardly  dismounted,  when  a severe  can- 
nonade broke  upon  the  stillness  of  the 
early  morning.  Engaged  in  a dark  and 
dangeious  business,  the  two  conspirators 
were  intensely  alive  to  the  least  alarm ; 
and,  on  discovering:  that  the  firino;  was 
against  the  sloop-of-war  Vulture,  their 
anxieties  became  fearfully  excited.  An- 
dre, from  the  window  of  the  house,  which 
commanded  a view  of  the  river,  watched 
each  new  development  of  the  scene  with 
breathless  interest.  He  continued  to  look 
on  in  silence,  and  with  an  evident  expres- 
sion of  anxiety,  which  did  not  leave  him 
until  he  saw  that  the  ship,  by  moving  far- 
ther down  the  river, was  beyond  the  reach 
of  cannon-shot. 

Colonel  Livingston,  the  commander  at 
Verplanck’s  Point,  had  discovered  on  the 
previous  day  that  the  Vulture  was  so  close 


to  Teller’s  Point  that  she  might  be  reached 
by  cannon-shot  from  the  shore,  and  had 
accordingly  sent  down  a four-pounder  to 
the  river-bank  for  that  purpose.  He  had 
asked  General  Arnold  for  heavier  guns, 
but  was  put  off  by  some  frivolous  excuse, 
and  was  obliged  to  do  his  best  with  what 
he  had.  Colonel  Lamb  had  sent  Livings- 
ton some  ammunition  for  the  occasion, 
but  could  not  forbear  saying,  as  he  grudg- 
ingly supplied  it,  “ Firing  at  a ship  with 
a four-pounder  is,  in  my  opinion,  a wast(' 
of  powder.”  Livingston’s  small  gun,  how 
ever,  had  a momentous  effect;  and  the 
Vulture,  as  we  have  seen,  was  forced  to 
weigh  her  anchor  and  move  down  the 
river. 

The  firing  having  ceased,  Andre  recov- 
ered his  usual  gay  spirits;  and,  after  par- 
taking of  breakfast,  he  and  Arnold  were 
again  left  alone  by  Smith,  in  order  to  com- 
plete their  project  of  treason.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  Arnold  first  insisted  upon  set- 


RKVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  PLOT  COMPLETED.— ANDRE  ON  HIS  RETURN.  169 

tling  the  price;  wlien  it  was  agreed  that 

ate  execution.  He  promised  so  to  dispose 

i 

lie  should  receive  ten  thousand  pounds  in 

the  garrison  as  to  weaken  the  post  as 

money,  and  the  rank  of  brigadier-general 

much  as  possible  by  the  dispersion  of  the 

in  the  British  army.  Andre  was  now  sup- 

troop.s,  and  gave  Andre  a paper  in  which 

plied  with  accurate  plans  of  West  Point, 

the  proposed  disposition  was  accurately 

and  exact  reports  of  its  strength  in  guns 

described.  Washington  had  intended  to 

and  men.  Through  the  sound  judgment 

leave  West  Point  for  Hartford  on  the  17th 

and  forethouglit  of  Washington,  and  the 

of  September,  but  he  was  detained,  and 

skill  of  French  engineers,  this  post  had 

did  not  set  out  until  the  20th.  As  he 

been  very  strongly  fortified,  and  present- 

was  expected  to  return  from  the  latter 

ed  a most  formidable  barrier  to  British 

place  and  be  at  Arnold’s  headquarters  on 

, incursions  northward  from  New  York.  A 

the  25th,  Andre  also  conceived  the  bold 

strong  garrison  was  placed  in  each  of  the 

project  of  capturing  the  American  chief 

forts,  under  the  command  of  General  Rob- 

and  his  suite  on  that  day. 

ert  Howe.  Immense  stores  and  muni- 

Before  noon,  the  whole  business  was 

tions  of  war  had  also  been  collected  there. 

arranged  between  the  conspirators.  The 

In  the  vaults  of  one  of  the  forts,  besides 
the  ammunition  for  its  own  defence,  the 

time  was  now  appointed  for  the 

1 r r .1  V f 1 25* 

delivery  ot  the  lortre.ss;  and  as 

stock  of  powder  for  the  whole  army  was 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  his  troops  already 

lodged. 

embarked,  under  the  feint  of  despatching 

After  the  trial  and  conviction  of  Ar- 

them  to  the  Chesapeake,  he  only  awaited 

nold  for  his  misdeeds  at  Philadelphia,  his 

the  rt/rurn  of  Andre,  to  sail  up  the  Hud- 

pride  would  not  allow  him  to  enter  the 

son,  and  by  the  easy  capture  of  West  Point 

British  army  as  a deserter,  and  he  there- 

to  consummate  the  deed  which  had  been 

fore  resolved  to  rejoin  that  of  Washing- 

planned  by  the  artful  Arnold. 

ton ; pretend  a forgetfulness  of  what  he 

The  great  point  now  wa.s,  for  Andre  to 

deemed  the  injustice  of  Congress  ; obtain, 

return  to  New  York.  He  insisted  that 

if  possible,  the  command  of  the  most  im- 

he  should  be  put  on  board  the  Vulture, 

portant  post  held  by  the  Americans,  and 

to  which  Arnold  agreed ; but  the  latter 

then  betray  it,  with  its  arms,  and,  garri- 

evidently  entertained  some  doubt  of  its 

sons,  and  stores,  into  the  hands  of  the  en- 

feasibility,  for,  on  quitting  Smith’s  house 

emy.  In  this  manner,  he  would  gratify 

(about  ten  o’clock  in  the  morning),  he 

his  thirst  for  revenw-e,  and  obtain  a large 

wrote  three  passports,  two  of  which  were 

personal  reward  for  his  treason.  His  sue- 

intended  for  a land-route.  The  pa-ssports 

cess  in  securing  the  desired  appointment 

were  given  to  Smith,  drawn  as  follows: 

we  have  already  related  ; and  now,  in  the 

1.  “Joshua  Smith  has  permission  tc 

absence  of  the  ever-vigilant  chief  upon 

pass  with  a boat  and  three  hands,  and  a 

his  conference  with  Count  deRochambeau 

flag,  to  Dobbs’s  feriy,  on  public  business 

at  Hartford,  the  arch-traitor 'proposed  to 

and  to  return  immediately.” 

carry  his  perfidious  scheme  into  imniedi- 
97 

2.  “Joshua  Smith  has  permission  tc 

t 1 

1 

770 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


pass  the  guards  to  the  White  Plains  and 
to  return,  he  being  on  public  business  by 
iny  direction.” 

3.  “ Permit  Mr.  John  Anderson  to  pass 
the  guards  to  the  White  Plains,  or  below 
if  he  chooses ; he  being  on  public  business 
by  my  direction.” 

Before  taking  leave  of  his  confederate, 
Arnold  strove  to  persuade  Smith  to  put 
Andre  on  board  the  Vulture.  His  efforts 
were,  however,  in  vain  ; and,  although  he 
su«:o:ested  a land-route  as  the  most  safe 
and  convenient,  he  left  Andrd  with  the 
impression  that  he  was  to  be  placed  on 
board  the  sloop.  “Arnold  quitted  me,” 
said  the  mnjor,  “ having  himself  made  me 
put  the  papers  I bore  between  my  stock- 
ings and  feet.  Whilst  he  did  it,  he  ex- 
pressed a wish,  in  case  of  any  accident  be- 
falling me,  that  they  should  be  destroyed  ; 
which  I said  Avould  of  course  be  the  case, 
as  when  I went  into  the  boat  I should 
have  them  tied  about  with  a string  and 
a stone.  Before  we  parted,  some  mention 
had  been  made  of  my  crossing  the  river 
and  going  another  route  ; but  I objected 
much  against  it,  and  thought  it  was  set- 
tled that  in  the  way  I came  I was  to  re- 
turn.” 

Andre,  however,  could  not  persuade 
Smith  to  take  him  to  the  ship,  the  latter 
subsequently  alleging,  as  his  reason  for 
the  refusal,  that  he  had  a fit  of  the  ague, 
and  his  health  would  not  allow  of  his  ex- 
pusure  in  a boat.  But  it  was,  no  doubt, 
his  fear  of  the  danger  to  his  life,  in  case 
the  Vulture  (which  had  resumed  her  for- 
mer berth  in  the  river)  should  be  fired 
upon  from  Teller’s  Point,  that  deterred 
him  from  making  the  attempt  to  board 


her.  Andrd  had  now  no  alternative  but 
to  proceed  by  land.  Smith  promised  to 
accompany  him  until  they  should  get  be- 
yond the  American  posts. 

At  a little  before  sunset  the  two  set 
out,  attended  by  a negro-servant.  Andre 
had  taken  off  his  military  coat,  and  put 
on  a citizen’s,  one  belonging  to  Smith, 
over  which,  as  before,  he  wore  his  dark- 
blue  overcoat,  with  a wide  cape,  buttoned 
close  to  the  neck.  The  young  British 
emissary  was  in  no  cheerful  mood,  as  the 
fact  of  his  being  in  disguise  within  the 
enemy’s  lines  gave  rise  to  reflections  that 
were  by  no  means  consolatory  to  the  feel- 
ings of  a brave  and  frank  soldier.  While 
his  companion  stopped  to  pass  a word  of 
greeting  with  a neighbor  on  the  road,  or 
to  join  some  acquaintances  at  the  tavern 
over  a bowl  of  punch,  Andre  would  walk 
his  horse  ahead,  and,  when  overtaken  by 
Smith,  would  barely  open  his  lips  to  talk. 

On  crossing  King’s  ferry,  and  passing 
at  dusk  through  the  works  at  Verplanck’s 
Point,  Smith  called  at  Colonel  Livings- 
ton’s tent,  and  was  invited  to  supper,  but 
Andre  and  the  servant  rode  on.  Smith, 
however,  declined  the  invitation  which 
he  received,  and  soon  overtook  his  com 
pan  ion. 

They  proceeded  on  their  route  with- 
out interruption,  until  they  were  chal- 
lenged, between  eight  and  nine  o’clock, 
by  the  sentinel  of  a patrol-guard,  near 
Crowpond,  about  eight  miles  from  Ver- 
planck’s Point.  They  were  ordered  to 
stop,  when  Smith  dismounted,  and,  giv- 
ing the  bridle  of  his  horse  to  his  negro- 
servant,  walked  forward  and  asked  who 
commanded  the  patrol.  At  this  moment 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  ADVENTURES  OF  SMITH  AND  ANDRE.  71 1 

Captain  Boyd  presented  himself,  declar- 

sible  to  move  his  companion,  who  was  un- 

j 

ing  tliat  he  was  the  commander. 

alterably  fixed  in  his  resolve  not  to  run 

1 

The  captain  was  particularly  inquisi- 

the  risk  of  a night’s  rencontre  with  the 

i 

tive,  but  Smith  answered  all  his  questions 

Cow-hoys.  The  trtivellers  accordingly,  at 

\ 

readily,  and,  saying  that  he  had  a pass 

the  recommendation  of  Ciiptain  Boyd,  re- 

\ 

1 

from  General  Arnold  requested  permis- 

traced  their  route  a short  distance,  until 

i 

sioii  to  proceed  at  once.  Boyd,  however. 

they  reached  the  cottage  of  one  Andreas 

was  not  satisfied  until  he  had  conducted 

Miller,  where  they  were  hospitably  re- 

1 

the  travellers  to  a house  near  by,  where 

ceived,  but  so  humbly  entertained,  that 

1 

{as  it  was  dark)  he  could  procure  a light 

Andre  and  Smith  were  obliged  to  content 

i 

to  examine  them  and  their  passport  more 

themselves  with  the  same  bed. 

1 

1 

( 

minutely.  Arnold’s  sign-manual  satisfied 

After  passing  a wakeful  night  within 

the  captain  that  all  was  right,  but  he  still 

the  very  embraces  of  his  enemy,  the  Brit- 

geeined  very  curious  to  know  something 

isli  major  was  up  betimes  in  the  morning, 

about  the  mysterious  business  they  were 

in  great  eagerness  to  start.  At  the  first 

upon.  Smith,  in  behalf  of  himself  and 

dawn  of  light,  he  roused  the  negro,  and 

his  fellow-traveller,  Mt\  Anderson,  respond- 

ordered  the  horses  to  be  got  ready.  After 

ed  to  the  questions  as  best  he  could,  and 

thanking  their  host,  who  refused  all  com- 

told  his  inquisitor  generally  that  their  ob- 

pensation,  they  were  soon  in  their  sad- 

ject  was  to  obtain  intelligence,  and  that 

dies,  and  riding  at  good  speed  along  the 

the  general  had  sent  them  to  White  Plains 

road  to  Pine’s  bridge. 

to  meet  a person  for  that  purpose. 

When  Andre  had  got  fairly  beyond  the 

1 

1 

1 

Boyd  now  seemed  only  anxious  for 

beat  of  the  patrol,  he  for  the  first  time 

j 

their  safety,  and  earnestly  warned  them 

on  the  journey  showed  his  natural  cheer- 

against  the  danger  of  travelling  any  far- 

fulness,  and  began  to  chat  in  the  liveliest 

ther  that  night,  as  the  Cow-boys  were  out. 

manner,  much  to  the  surprise  of  Smith,  to 

and  had  advanced  fir  up  the  country.* 

whom  he  had  hitherto  appeared  a remark- 

Smith’s  courage  was  not  proof  against  the 

ably  gloomy  and  taciturn  companion. 

chance  of  a collision  with  these  merciless 

Having  arrived  within  two  and  a half 

1 

marauders,  and  he  at  once  fell  in  with 

miles  of  Pine’s  bridge,  on  the  Croton  river, 

i 

j 

Boyd’s  proposition  to  postpone  the  con- 

they  stopped  to  breakfast  at  aDutch  farm- 

i 

tinuance  of  their  journey  until  the  next 

house  by  the  roadside.  The  good  house- 

morning.  Andre,  however,  was  not  so  ea- 

wife  had  lately  suffered  from  an  inroad 

sily  persuaded,  and  would  have  gone  on 

of  the  Cow-boys,  who  had  plundered  her 

at  all  events  had  he  not  found  it  impos- 

larder  and  depopulated  her  pastures,  but 

* The  Cow-boys  were  desperate  freebooters  who  infested 
the  “ Neutral  Ground”  of  Westchester  county,  and  were  en- 
y:aged  in  plundering  cattle,  which  they  drove  into  New  York. 
The  Cow-boys  were  tories  ; while  the  Skinners,  whose  occu- 

was  able  to  serve  her  guests  with  some 
hasty-pudding  and  milk.  After  refresh- 
ing themselve.s,Smith  divided  with  Andre 

! 

1 

1 

: 

palion  was  the  same,  and  their  character  no  better,  generally 
lived  within  the  American  lines,  and  professed  themselves 
friendly  to  the  patriot  cause. 

the  small  sum  of  money  he  had  in  conti- 
nental bills,  and  took  leave.  The  former 

.7‘i  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

rode  rapidly  back  on  his  way  to  Fishkill, 

county  on  particular  business,  and  I hope 

where  his  family  had  been  removed,  and 

you  Avill  not  detain  me  a moment;”  and, 

stopped  to  dine  as  he  passed  with  General 

to  show  that  he  Avas  of  the  importance 

Arnold,  at  the  Eobinson  house,  to  whom 

which  he  professed  to  be,  he  took  out  his 

he  reported  the  results  of  his  journey. 

Avatch,  Avhich,  being  gold,  Avas  in  those 

Having  crossed  Pine's  bridge,  Andre 

days  considered  an  evidence  of  superior 

called  to  mind  a remark  of  Captain  Boyd, 

position.* 

who,  in  order  to  put  the  travellers  on  their 

Andre  Avas  now  ordered  to  dismount. 

guard  against  danger,  had  said  that  the 

when  he  discovered  that  he  had  fallen. 

Coiv-hoys  (in  the  interest  of  “the  lower” 

not  among  friends,  as  he  had  supposed. 

party,  or  British)  had  been  fiir  up  on  the 

but  among  his  enemies.  “My  God,  I must 

Tarrytown  road.  He  therefore  resolved 

do  anj'thing  to  get  along  !”  exclaimed  the 

to  take  this  instead  of  the  White-Plains 

captive,  Avith  a forced  laugh,  as  he  sought 

route,  believing  that,  if  more  dangerous 

to  explain  aAA'ay  what  he  had  previously 

to  an  American,  it  would  probably  prove 

said,  and  thereupon  pulled  out  General 

safer  to  an  Englishman.  Accordingly,  ta- 

Arnold’s  pa.ss ; “ Permit  Mr.  John  Ander- 

king  the  Tarrytown  road,  Andre  pursued 

son  to  pass  the  guards  to  the  White  Plains, 

it  without  interruption  until  he  reached 

or  below,  if  he  chooses ; he  being  on  pub- 

a part  where  it  crosses  a brook 

lie  business  by  my  direction.” 

within  half  a mile  of  the  village. 

Andre  Avas,  hoAvever,  compelled  to  di.s- 

and  about  a dozen  miles  north  of  Kings- 

mount ; and,  as  he  found  that  his  captors 

bridge. 

Avere  disposed  to  cling  to  him,  he  said  : 

Here  the  young  officer  was  riding  along 

“ Gentlemen,  jmu  had  best  let  me  go,  or 

in  a cheerful  mood,  and  indulging  the 

you  Avill  bring  yourselves  into  trouble ; 

most  pleasant  anticipations  of  complete 

for  your  stopping  me  will  detain  the  gen- 

success  in  his  scheme,  when  three  armed 

eral’s  business”  — and  explained  that  he 

men  suddenly  sprang  out  of  the  bushes 

Avas  going  to  Dobbs’s  ferry,  to  meet  a per- 

by  the  roadside ; and  the  foremost  man. 

son  there,  and  get  intelligence  for  General 

putting  his  firelock  to  the  breast  of  An- 

Arnold.  He  Avas  told  that  he  must  not 

die,  and  ordering  liim  to  stand,  asked 

be  offended,  as  nothing  would  be  taken 

which  way  he  was  going.  “ Gentlemen,” 

from  him  ; and  that,  as  many  bad  people 

said  Andre,  “I  hope  you  belong  to  our 

Avere  going  along  the  road,  it  Avas  neces- 

party.” — “ What  party  ?”  asked  the  man. 

sary  to  examine  him. 

“ The  hioer  parti/”  ^.he  immediate  an- 

They  then  took  him  into  the  bushes, 

swer ; for  Andre,  observing  that  his  inter- 

and  ordered  him  to  pull  off  his  clothe.s. 

rogator  had  on  a British  refugee  uniform. 

Avhich  he  did  Avithout  hesitation,  but  no 

believed  that  he  was  among  his  friends. 

papers  Avere  found.  “His  boots  must  come 

The  men  then  declared  that  they  also  be- 

of  too!”  said  one;  but  Andre,  changing 

longed  to  the  lower  party ; when  Andre 

color,  objected,  saying  that  they  came  oil 

kiid,  “ I am  a British  officer,  out  of  the 

* Irving. 

- _ 

3EVOLUTIONART.]  CAPTURE  AND  EXAMINATION  OF  ANDRE.  773 

with  difficulty,  and  begged  that  he  might 
be  spared  the  trouble  and  delay.  They, 
however,  persisted.  One  boot  was  pulled 
off,  and  nothing  found  — then  the  other; 
when,  some  papers  being  felt  in  the  bot- 
tom of  his  stocking,  he  was  ordered  to 
pull  off  that,  and  three  papers  were  found 
in  it.  “My  God,  he  is  a spy!”  was  the 
exclamation  of  one  of  the  party,  as  he 
cast  his  eyes  hurriedly  over  the  papers. 

This  one  was  John  Paulding,  and  his 
companions  were  David  Williams  and 
Isaac  Van  Wart,  three  countrymen  of 
Westchester  county.  They  belonged  to 
a party  of  seven  persons,  who  had  agreed 

„ to  set  out  on  that  morning,  in 

Seoti  23t 

order  to  intercept  any  suspicious 
travellers,  or  droves  of  cattle,  with  the 
view  of  benefitting  by  a law  of  the  state 
of  New  York,  and  of  a military  custom, 
which  entitled  American  captors  to  the 
possession  of  all  property  seized  in  that 
way.  Four  of  the  seven  had  stationed 
themselves  on  a hill,  which  commanded 
a long  view  of  the  road  ; while  the  other 
three  had  taken  their  po.sition  under  the 
shelter  of  some  bushes  by  the  roadside, 
where  two  were  playing  a game  of  cards, 
and  the  third  was  standing  guard,  on  the 
lookout  for  travellers,  when  the  British 
emissary  passed  by. 

When  he  found,  by  the  exclamation  of 
Paulding,  that  his  true  character  was  dis- 
covered, Andre  was  ready  to  purchase  his 
escape  at  any  price.  Williams  asked  him 
what  he  would  give  to  be  let  go.  “Any 
sum  of  money,”  was  his  answer.  Would 
he  give  his  horse,  saddle,  bridle,  watch, 
and  one  hundred  guineas?  “Yes,  all!” 
Would  he  give  more?  “Yes,  any  quan- 

tity  of  dry-goods,  or  any  sum  of  money, 
and  bring  it  or  send  it  to  any  spot  wliicl! 
you  may  select.” — “No!  if  jjon  would  (jirc 
us  ten  thousand  guineas,  you  should  not  stir  om 
step  r resolutely  interposed  Paulding. 

Andre  now  gave  up  all  hope,  and,  beg 
ging  that  he  might  be  asked  no  more 
questions,  mounted  his  horse,  and  allowed 
himself  to  be  led  away  a prisoner  by  his 
captors,  one  of  whom  walked  in  front, 
with  his  hand  occasionally  on  the  bridle, 
and  the  others  on  either  side.  About  noon 
they  stopped  at  a farmhouse,  where  the 
family  were  at  dinner.  The  good  house- 
wife, struck  with  the  sorrowful  air  of  the 
“ poor  gentleman,”  pressed  him  kindly  to 
take  something  to  eat.  As  he  refused, say- 
ing that  he  had  no  appetite,  she,  “glan- 
cing at  his  gold-laced  crimson  coat,”  apol- 
ogized for  her  humble  fare.  “Oh,  mad- 
am,” said  Andre,  in  reply,  with  a shake 
of  the  head,  “ it  is  all  very  good  ; but,  in- 
deed, I can  not  eat.”* 

The  nearest  military  post  belonging  to 
the  Americans  being  at  North  Castle,  the 
prisoner  was  taken  there,  and, -together 
with  the  papers  found  upon  his  person, 
delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  command- 
ant, Colonel  Jameson.  The  documents, 
which  were  in  the  handwriting  of  General 
Arnold,  without  any  attempt  at  disguise. 
Jameson  despatched  to  Washington  ; but 
Andre  he  sent  under  a guard, commanded 
by  Lieutenant  Allen,  to  Arnold  himself, 
together  with  a letter,  in  which  he  stated 
that  the  prisoner  was  a certain  John  An- 
derson,\^\\o  had  been  captured  on  his  way 
to  New  York.  “ He  had  a passport,”  add- 
ed Jameson,  “signed  in  your  name;  and 

* Irving. 

BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PAUT  II 


1U 


a parcel  of  papers  taken  from  under  his 
stockings,  which  I think  of  a very  dan- 
gerous tendency,”  nnd  which  the  writer 
took  care  to  inform  Arnold  had  been  de- 
spatched to  AVashington.  The  conduct 


of  Jameson  \V!is  most  absurdly  irnitiomd. 
granting,  as  every  one  does,  that  he  was 
innocent  of  liaving  designedly  put  Arnold 
upon  his  guard  against  the  effects  of  his 
treason,  and  thus  enabled  him  to  escape 


CHAPTER  LXXXIX. 

Tlie  Astonished  T:\1Imadge. — A Diabolical  Treason. — The  Prisoner  brou<rht  hack. — The  “ Innocent”  Arnold. — Letter  of 
Major  Andre  to  \Vashin;j;ton. — A Free  Confession. — An  Aftreeahle  Pi  isoner. — The  Return  of  Wasliin^ton. — Waitin'' 
Breakfast. — Yonn<r  Men  in  Love. — Coolness  of  Arnold. — An  Abrupt  Departure. — Mrs.  Arnold  senseless. — Escape  of 
the  Traitor. — An  Act  of  Meanness. — Washinfrton  crosses  the  Hudson. — No  Salute  ! — Meetin};  with  Colonel  Hamilton. 
— An  Important  Packet. — Astoundin''  Developments. — Prompt  Action — Composure  of  Washin<jton. — A Letter  from 
Arnold.  — Sympathy  for  Mrs.  Arnold. — Her  Tears  and  Ravines. — Her  Sincerity  doubted. — Mrs.  Arnold  at  Philadel- 
phia.— She  joins  her  Husband. 


1780  ^^hen  Major  Tallmadge,who  was 
Colonel  Jameson’s  second  in  com- 
mand, returned  in  the  evening  to  the  post 
at  North  Castle,  whence  he  had  been  ab- 
sent during  the  day  on  duty,  and 
Sept.  23.  , , ^ -r  i A 

heard  of  the  capture  of  ^fJohn  An- 

derson''  and  of  tlie  disposition  which  had 
been  made  of  him, he  was  greatly  astound- 
ed at  the  conduct  of  his  superior.  Tall- 
madge  had  very  little  doubt,  as  soon  as  he 
heard  the  story,  that  a diabolical  treason 
had  been  detected,  and  that  General  Ar- 
nold was  the  chief  traitor.  He  frankly 
expressed  his  opinion  to  that  effect  to 
Jameson,  and,  iiiging  him  to  take  ener- 
getic measures  accordingly,  declared  tliat 
he  was  ready  to  assume  the  responsibil- 
ity of  such  action. 

Jameson  at  first  seemed  to  waver,  but 
finally,  refusing  to  entertain  any  suspi- 
cion of  the  guilt  of  his  commanding  gen- 
eral, would  do  nothing  which  might  indi- 
cate it  He  nevertheless  reluctantly  con- 


sented to  send  for  the  prisoner;  not,  how- 
ever, to  keep  him  out  of  the  hands  of 
Arnold,  but  to  prevent  his  being  retaken 
by  the  enemy,  of  which  there  was  some 
danger,  as  a party  of  them  were  known 
to  be  in  the  country  above.”  Jameson 
accordingly  despatched  a messenger  to 
overtake  Allen  in  all  haste,  with  a note, 
in  which  that  officer  was  recpiested  to 
bring  back  his  prisoner,  with  the  guard, 
and  send  on  a courier  ivith  the  letter  to  Arnold’s 
headquarters. 

As  soon  as  Major  Andre  was  brought 
back,  Tallmadge  was  persuaded  that  he 
was  an  officer,  from  the  manner  in  which, 
in  striding  back  and  forth  in  the  room, 
he  turned  upon  his  heel,  ana  from  his 
general  military  bearing.  Jameson,  too, 
soon  became  of  this  opinion,  but  he  still 
obstinately  persisted  in  believing  Arnold 
innocent.  As  North  (or  Lower)  Salem, 
about  nine  miles  above  North  Castle,  was 
farther  within  the  American  lines,  it  was 


RKVOLUTIONART.]  ANDRE  WRITES 

determined,  for  security’s  sake,  to  send 
the  prisoner  to  that  place. 

Major  Tallmadge  commanded  the  es- 
cort, and  conveyed  Andre  to  North  Sa- 
lem, where,  soon  after  his  arrival, finding 
that  there  was  no  prospect  of  his  being 
sent  to  Arnold,  and  conscious  that  the 
papers  found  upon  his  person  had  been 
transmitted  to  Washington,  by  which  all 
would  soon  be  revealed,  the  captive  wrote 
this  letter : — 

“Salem,  24  September,  1780. 

“Sir:  What  I have  as  yet  said  con- 
cerning myself  was  in  the  justifiable  at- 
tempt to  be  extricated;  I am  too  little 
accustomed  to  duplicity  to  have  succeed- 
ed. 

“I  beg  your  excellency  will  be  per- 
suaded that  no  alteration  in  the  temper 
of  my  mind,  or  apprehension  for  my  safe- 
ty, induces  me  to  take  the  step  of  addres- 
sing you  ; but  that  it  is  to  rescue  myself 
from  an  imputation  of  having  assumed  a 
mean  character  for  treacherous  purposes 
or  self-interest;  a conduct  incompatible 
with  the  principles  that  actuate  me  as 
well  as  with  my  condition  in  life. 

“ It  is  to  vindicate  my  fame  that  I speak, 
and  not  to  solicit  security. 

“ The  person  in  your  possession  is  Ma- 
jor John  Andre,  adjutant-general  to  the 
British  army. 

“The  influence  of  one  commander  in 
the  army  of  his  adversary  is  an  advantage 
taken  in  war.  A correspondence  for  this 
purpose  I held  ; as  confidential  (in  the 
present  instance)  with  his  excellency  Sir 
Henry  Clinton. 

“ To  favor  it,  I agreed  to  meet,  upon 
ground  not  within  the  posts  of  either  ar- 


TO  WASHINGTON.  Tit 

my,  a person,  who  was  to  give  me  intel- 
ligence; I came  up  in  the  Vulture  man- 
of-war  for  this  effect,  and  w’as  fetched  l)y 
a boat  from  the  ship  to  the  beach.  Bein<> 
there.  I was  told  that  the  approach  of  day 
would  prevent  my  return,  and  that  I must 
be  concealed  until  the  next  night.  I was 
in  my  regimentals,  and  had  fairly  risked 
my  ])erson. 

“ Against  my  stipulation,  my  intention, 
and  without  my  knowledge  beforehand, 
I was  conducted  within  one  of  your  posts. 
Your  excellency  may  conceive  my  sensa- 
tion on  this  occasion,  and  will  imagine 
bow  much  more  must  I have  been  affect- 
ed by  a refusal  to  reconduct  me  back  the 
next  niylit  as  I had  been  broimbt.  Thus 
become  a piisoner,  I bad  to  concert  my 
escape.  I quitted  my  uniform,  and  was 
passed  another  way  in  the  night,  without 
the  American  posts,  to  neutral  ground 
and  informed  I was  beyond  all  armed  par- 
ties, and  left  to  press  for  New  York.  1 
was  taken  at  Tarry  town  by  some  volun- 
teers. 

“ Thus,  as  I have  had  the  honor  to  re 
late,  was  I betrayed  (being  adjutant-gen- 
eral of  the  British  army)  into  the  vile  con- 
dition of  an  enemy  in  disguise  within  youi 
posts. 

“ Having  avowed  myself  a British  offi- 
cer, I have  nothing  to  reveal  but  what 
relates  to  myself,  which  is  true,  on  the 
honor  of  an  officer  and  a gentleman. 

“ The  request  I have  to  make  to  your 
excellency,  and  I am  conscious  I addres.« 
myself  well,  is,  that  in  any  policy  rigor 
may  dictate,  a decency  of  conduct  toward 
me  may  mark,  that,  though  unfortunate, 
I am  branded  witlT  nothing  dishonorable. 


• 



776  BATTLES  OF  AMEBICA.  [part  ii. 

as  no  motive  could  be  mine  but  the  ser- 
vice of  my  king,  and  as  I was  involunta- 
rily an  impostor. 

“ Another  request  is,  that  I may  be  per- 
mitted to  write  an  open  letter  to  Sir  Henry 
Crmton,and  another  to  afriend  for  clothes 
and  linen. 

“ I take  the  liberty  to  mention  the  con- 
dition of  some  gentlemen  at  Charleston, 
who,  being  either  on  parole  or  under  pro- 
tection, were  engaged  in  a conspiracy 
ainiinst  us.  Though  their  situation  is  not 
similar,  they  are  oly'ects  who  may  be  set 
in  exchange  for  me,  or  are  persons  whom 
the  treatment  I receive  might  aiTect. 

“ It  is  no  less,  sir,  in  a confidence  of  the 
generosity  of  your  mind,  than  on  account 
of  your  superior  station,  that  I have  cho- 
sen to  importune  you  with  this  letter. 

“ I have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  re- 
spect, sir,  your  excellency’s  most  obedient 
and  most  humble  servant, 

“John  Andre,  Adjutant-General. 

“ Ills  Excellency  General  Washington.” 

Andre  immediately  gave  this  letter  to 
Major  Tallmadge  to  read,  and,  having  as- 
sumed his  real  character,  he  regained  his 
usual  cheerfulness  of  demeanor.  Those 
about  him  found  him  not  only  social  and 
communicative,  but  even  exuberant  of 
gayety.  Having  refreshed  himself  by  a 
change  of  linen  from  the  proffered  toilet 
of  one  of  the  American  oflicers,  the  cap- 
tive felt  and  appeared  like  himself,  and, 
with  his  usual  fertility  of  resource,  con- 
tributed by  his  conversational  talents  and 
other  accomplishments  to  the  enjoyment 
of  those  who  surrounded  him.  Taking 
his  pen,  he  began  to  exercise  his  skill  at 
sketching,  and  drew  a humorous  picture 

of  himself  and  his  guard  under  march. 

To  Mr.  Benson,  a subaltern  olHcer,  whose 
apartment  he  shared,  he  presented  tlie 
drawing,  saying,  “ This  will  give  you  an 
idea  of  the  style  in  which  I have  had 
the  honor  to  be  conducted  to  my  present 
abode.” 

Washington  and  his  suite,  it  will  be  re- 
membered, had  gone  to  Hartford,  to  con- 
fer with  Count  de  Rochambeau  and  the 
French  admiral,  and  was  accordingly  ab- 
sent during  the  time  when  the  occurreu- 
ces  which  we  have  narrated  took  place. 
Having  been  unable  to  effect  anything  of 
importance  by  his  conference,  the  com- 
mander-in-chief had  hastened  back  two 
days  sooner  than  he  was  expected  by  Ar 
nold,  and,  having  clianged  his  route  on 
his  return,  reached  Fishkill,  only  eighteen 
miles  from  Arnold’s  headquarters,  on  the 
very  day  when  Sir  Henry  Clin-  ^ j 24 
ton  was  to  have  sailed  up  the 

Hudson  to  take  possession  of  West  Point. 
Washington  intended  to  have  arrived  at 
Arnold’s  quarters  (at  the  Robinson  house) 
the  same  night,  and  had  actually  set  out; 
but,  on  riding  two  or  three  miles  along 
the  road,  he  was  met  by  the  French  min- 
ister, M.  de  la  Luzerne,  who  was  on  his 
way  to  visit  Count  de  Rochambeau  ; and, 
as  he  expressed  a great  desire  to  converse 
with  the  American  chief  on  matters  of 
importance,  he  prevailed  upon  him  to  re- 
turn to  Fishkill,  where  he  spent  the  night. 

Early  on  the  following  morn- 
ing, having  sent  forward  the  bag- 
gage,  Avith  a message  to  General  Arnold 
that  they  might  be  expected  at  breakfast, 
Washington  and  liis  suite  followed  imme- 
diately on  horseback.  On  arriving  at  a 

r 

1 

REVOLUTIONART.J  ARRIVAL  OF  WASHINGTON.— ARNOLD'S  FLIGHT.  VV7 

place  opposite  to  West  Point,  and  in  the 

camp  would  mention  the  circumstance  to 

immediate  neic:hborhood  of  the  Robinson 

AYashington  on  his  arrival. 

house,  Washington  turned  his  horse  down 

As  Arnold  went  out,  he  beckoned  to 

a road  which  led  to  the  river.  “ General,” 

his  wife  to  follow  him.  He  had  no  time 

called  out  Lafayette,  ‘^you  are  going  in 

to  spare ; so  he  abruptly  told  her,  when 

a wrong  direction;  you  know  Mrs.  Arnold 

they  reached  her  apartment,  that  he  must 

is  waiting  breakfast  for  us,  and  that  road 

leave  her,  and  perhaps  for  ever,  as  his  life 

will  take  us  out  of  our  way.” — ‘‘Ah  !”  re- 

depended  upon  his  escape  at  that  mo- 

plied  AVashington,  laughingly,  “ I know 

ment.  Mrs.  Arnold  no  sooner  heard  her 

you  young  men  are  all  in  love  with  Mrs. 

husband’s  words,  than  she  fell  senseless 

Arnold,  and  wish  to  get  where  she  is  as 

Hastily  kissing  her  and  their  infant  child. 

soon  as  possible.  You  may  go  and  take 

Arnold  hurried  down  the  stairs,  and  sent 

your  breakfast  with  her,  and  tell  her  not 

to  her  assistance  the  messenger  who  had 

to  wait  for  me.  I must  ride  down  and 

brought  Jameson’s  letter,  probably  in  or 

examine  the  redoubts  on  this  side  of  the 

der  to  keep  her  away  from  the  presence 

river,  and  will  be  there  in  a short  time.” 

of  the  other  officers.* 

The  officers,  however,  remained  with 

The  traitor,  finding  the  horse  of  one  of 

AVashington,  with  the  exception  of  two 

AYashington’s  aids-de-camp  ready  at  the 

aids-de-camp,  who  were  directed  to  go  on 

door,  sprang  into  the  saddle,  and  rode 

in  advance,  and  explain  the  delay.  On 

with  all  speed  down  a steep  by-way,  since 

the  arrival  of  the  aids  at  the  Robinson 

called  “ Arnold's  Path”  to  the  landing-place 

house,  they  found  breakfast  ready,  and 

of  the  river,  where  his  barge  was  moored. 

General  Arnold  with  his  family  waiting. 

He  jumped  in,  and  ordered  his  six  oars- 

As  AYashington  was  not  coming  immedi- 

men  to  pull  with  all  their  might  into  the 

ately,  they  all  sat  down  to  the  table ; but. 

middle  of  the  stream,  telling  theui  thet 

before  tliey  had  finished,  a messenger  w'as 

he  was  going  to  the  British  sloop-of-w’ar 

announced.  He  bore  a letter  for  Arnold, 

Vulture  with  a flag,  and  wms  in  a hurry 

which  he  instantly  opened  and  read  while 

to  be  back  in  time  to  meet  General  AYash- 

at  breakfast.  The  letter  was  from  Colo- 
nel Jameson,  at  North  Castle,  written  two 

S )t  23  before,  and  contained  the 

intelligence  of  the  capture  of 

ington  on  his  arrival.  In  order  to  keep 
them  well  to  their  work,  Arnold  encour- 
aged them  with  a promise  of  two  gallons 
of  rum.  The  men  row'ed  with  energy. 

“John  Anderson^  This  was  startling  news 

and  Arnold,  holding  up  a white  handker- 

to  Arnold.  He  suddenly  turned  pale,  but 

chief  for  a flag  of  truce,  was  soon  placed 

with  wonderful  self-control  so  stifled  his 

alongside  of  the  Vulture,  which  lay  off 

emotion  as  to  excite  no  notice.  Rising 

Teller’s  Point,  a little  below  her  anchor- 

from  the  table,  the  traitor  coolly  apolo- 

age  where  Andre  left  her.  The  traitor 

gized  for  his  abrupt  departure,  by  say- 

had  no  sooner  presented  himself  to  the 

ing  that  he  was  suddenly  sent  for  across 

captain,  than  he  called  in  the  coxswain 

the  river,  and  begged  that  the  aids-de- 
98 

* Irving. 

1 

1 

1 

778 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PART  11 


i 

! 


I 

i 

I 

I 

\ 


\ 

i 

I 


j 

I 


1 


of  his  barge,  and  told  him  that  he  and 
the  rest  of  the  men  were  prisoners.  Tlie 
latter,  however,  declared  that  he  and  his 
companions  were  not  prisoners,  as  they 
had  come  out  under  the  protection  of  a 
flag.  The  captain,  who  did  not  seem  to 
approve  of  Arnold’s  act,  although  he  did 
not  interfere  with  his  orders,  told  the  cox- 
swain that  he  might  go  ashore  on  his  pa- 
role, to  obtain  some  clothing  for  himself 
and  the  others.  They  were  all  finally  re- 
leased on  the  arrival  of  the  Vulture  at 
New  York,  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  who  held 
“ in  just  contempt  such  a wanton  act  of 
meanness”  on  the  part  of  Arnold.* 

The  traitor  had  but  just  gone  when 
Washington  rode  up  with  his  suite,  and, 
learning  the  supposed  cause  of  his  ab- 
sence, hurried  through  his  breakfast,  and 
determined  to  cross  over  at  once  to  West 
Point.  Here  he  expected  to  meet  Arnold, 
as  the  latter  had  left  word  with  the  aids- 
de-camp  that  he  had  been  suddenly  sum- 
moned there.  All  Washlnorton’s  officers 

O 

accompanied  him,  with  the  exception  of 
Colonel  Hamilton,  who  remained  behind 
at  the  Eobinsou  house,  where  all  were 
expected  to  return  to  dinner. 

While  crossing  the  river,  Wasliino-ton 
remarked,  as  he  looked  upon  the  impres- 
sive scenery  of  the  Hudson,  “ Well,  gen- 
tlemen, I am  glad,  on  the  whole,  that  Gen- 
eral Arnold  has  gone  before  us,  for  we 
shall  now  have  a salute,  and  tlie  roarint; 
of  the  cannon  will  have  a fine  efifectamong 
these  mountains.”  As  they  approached 
the  fort,  however,  not  a gun  was  heard ! 
“ What !”  exclaimed  the  commander-in- 
chief, “ do  they  not  intend  to  salute  us  ?” 


Soon  an  officer  was  seen  coming  down 
the  bank  to  the  shore.  It  was  Colonel 
Lamb,  who,  when  he  recognised  the  gen- 
eral, was  greatly  surprised,  and  apolo- 
gized for  the  apparent  neglect  of  the 
usual  ceremonies,  saying  that  the  visit 
was  entirely  unexpected. 

‘‘  How  is  this,  sir ! is  not  General  Ar- 
nold here?”  abruptly  exclaimed  Washing- 
ton. “ No,  sir,”  answered  the  colonel ; “ he 
has  not  been  here  these  two  days,  and  I 
have  not  heard  from  him  during  that 
time.” — “This  is  extraordinary,”  rejoined 
Washington,  Avith  an  expression  of  sur- 
prise ; “ we  Avere  told  that  he  had  crossed 
the  river,  and  that  Ave  should  find  him 
here.  HoAvever,  we  must  not  lose  our 
visit.  Since  Ave  have  come,  Ave  Avill  look 
around,  and  see  how  things  are  Avith  you.” 

The  commander-in-chief  and  his  offi- 
cers having  spent  some  time  in  inspecting 
the  fortress  and  garrison,  crossed  the  riv- 
er ao:ain  and  returned  to  the  landing- 
place  about  four  o’clock  in  the  ^ 
afternoon,  after  an  absence  of 
several  hours.  As  they  Avent  up  the  river- 
bank  toAvard  the  Eobinson  house.  Colonel 
Hamilton  Avas  seen  to  be  coming  doAVu 
hurriedly  to  meet  them. 

He  at  once  singled  out  Wa.shington, 
and,  taking  him  aside,  spoke  to  him  in  a 
low  voice,  but  Avith  an  evident  expression 
of  earnestness.  They  noAV  hastened  to- 
gether to  the  house,  Avhere  the  papers 
Avhich  Colonel  Jameson  had  sent,  and  also 
Major  Andrd’s  letter,  had  arrived,  the  im- 
portant revelations  of  Avhich  Hamilton 
had  just  communicated  to  the  generai-in- 
chief.  The  messenger  Avhom  Jameson 
had  despatched  Avitli  the  papers  found 


* Spai'ks. 


1 

REVOLTITIONARY.]  ARNOLD’S  LETTER  TO  WASHINGTON.  -779 

1 

1 

upon  the  person  of  Andr^  had  taken  the 

general  is  absent,  let  us  sit  down  without 

•'Mower  road”  to  Hartford,  and  had  thus 

ceremony;”  and  during  the  whole  time 

i 

missed  Washington,  who,  as  may  be  rec- 

he  was  at  table  there  was  no  observable 

ollected,  returned  by  the  upper  one.  The 

change  in  his  usual  habits. 

messenger,  discovering  the  fact  in  the 

Colonel  Hamilton’s  ride  to  Verplanck’s 

course  of  his  journey,  hastened  by  the 

Po'int  was,  of  course,  of  no  avail.  Arnold, 

shortest  route  to  West  Point,  which  led 

having  left  at  ten  o’clock,  some  six  hours 

by  Colonel  Sheldon’s  post  at  North  Sa- 

before  Washington  was  cognizant  of  the 

lem,  where  he  arrived  just  in  time  to  be 

cause  of  his  absence,  was  safely  on  board 

the  bearer  of  Andrd’s  letter,  and  delivered 

the  Vulture.  In  fact,  while  Hamilton  was 

it  together  with  the  papers  of  General 

at  the  Point,  a flag  of  truce  arrived  from 

Arnold.  When  the  messenger  arrived  at 

the  sloop,  with  a letter  from  Arnold  to 

the  Robinson  house,  and  spoke  of  his 

Washington,  which  was  immediately  sent 

packet  being  of  the  greatest  importance. 

forward  to  the  chief  The  object  of  this 

Hamilton  broke  the  seal,  and  read  the 

letter  was,  to  entreat  a kind  consideration 

contents ; and  now,  on  the  return  of  the 

for  his  wife,  avIio,  Arnold  wrote,  was  “ as 

1 

commander-in-chief,  he  immediately  sub- 

good  and  as  innocent  as  an  angel,  and  in- 

i 

mitted  them  to  him. 

capable  of  doing  wrong.”  He  exonerated 

i 

Washington  acted  promptly.  He  sent 

Smith  and  his  aids-de-camp  from  all  com- 

off  Hamilton,  with  directions  to  gallop  in 

plicity  in  his  act,  Avhich,  with  a “ heart 

all  haste  to  Verplanck’s  Point,  and  order 

conscious  of  its  own  rectitude,”  he  Avould 

the  commander  of  that  post  to  intercept 

not  condescend  to  palliate,  nor  ask  any 

Arnold,  if  possible,  as  there  could  be  no 

favor  for  himself,  for  he  had  too  often  ex- 

doubt  that  he  was  going  or  had  gone  over 

perienced  the  ingratitude  of  his  country 

to  the  enemy.  In  the  meantime.  Wash- 

to  attempt  it.  The  Vulture  im-  „ 

i Sest.  25. 

ington  so  completely  retained  his  natural 

mediately  sailed  down  the  river 

I 

composure  of  manner,  that  he  bore  no  ap- 

to  New  York,  where  on  the  same  night 

i 

pearance  of  agitation.  .The  treason  which 

the  traitor  held  an  interview  with  his  neAv 

i 

1 

he  had  discovered  he  kept  as  a secret  from 

commander-in-chief.  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 

i 

1 

i 

most  of  his  officers,  and  only  disclosed  it 

and  received  the  reward  of  his  treachery ; 

i 

at  the  moment  to  General  Knox  and  La- 

but  the  design  against  West  Point,  now 

j 

fayette.  “ Whom  can  we  trust  now  ?”  he 

that  the  Americans  were  on  the  Avatch, 

1 

mournfully  exclaimed  to  the  young  mar- 

under  the  vigilant  eye  of  their  chief,  Avas 

1 

1 

quis.  This  was  the  only  indication  that 

abandoned. 

; 

the  patriot  chief  gave  of  the  feeling  with 

Washington  needed  no  letter  from  her 

{ 

which  he  contemplated  the  crime  of  Ar- 

husband  to  engage  his  sympathies  in  be- 

Hold.  The  same  calmness  marked  his  de- 

half  of  Mrs.  Arnold.  Her  position  wrought 

meaner  throughout.  On  the  announce- 

upon  every  manly  heart.  But  one  jmar 

ment  of  dinner,  he  said,  “ Come,  gentle- 

a mother,  and  not  two  a bride,  the  poor 

men,  since  Mrs.  Arnold  is  unwell,  and  the 

young  creature  had  received  a blow  of 

780  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

the  most  appalling  nature.*  “ She  for  a 
considerable  time,”  wrote  Hamilton,  ‘‘  en- 
tirely lost  herself.  The  general  went  up 
to  see  her,  and  she  upbraided  him  with 
being  in  a plot  to  murder  her  child  ! One 
moment  she  raved,  another  she  melted 
into  tears.  Sometimes  she  pressed  her 
infant  to  her  bosom,  and  lamented  its 
fate,  occasioned  by  the  imprudence  of 
its  father,  in  a manner  that  would  have 
pierced  insensibility  itself.  All  the  sweet- 
ness of  beauty,  all  the  loveliness  of  inno- 
cence, all  the  tenderness  of  a wife,  and 
all  the  fondness  of  a mother,  showed  them- 
selves in  her  appearance  and  conduct. 

We  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  she 
was  entirely  unacquainted  with  the  plan, 
and  that  the  first  knowledge  of  it  was 
when  Arnold  went  to  tell  her  he  must 
banish  himself  from  his  country  and  from 
her  for  ever.  She  instantly  fell  into  con- 
vulsions, and  he  left  her  in  that  situa- 
tion.”* 

The  tenderest  care  was  bestowed  upon 
the  unfortunate  lady  by  all  in  attendance 
at  the  Robinson  house,  and  she  was  soon 
escorted  in  safety  to  Philadelphia,  where, 
after  residincr  some  time  with  her  rela- 

O 

tives  and  friends,  she  joined  her  husband 
at  New  York. 

CHAPT 

Washington  on  his  Guard. — The  Strengthening  of  Posts. — 
Yiite. — The  Case  of  Captain  Nathan  Hale. — Civil  Treat 
pan. — Efforts  to  save  Andre. — The  Prisoner  before  the  ( 
caey. — A Spy. — Sentence  of  Death. — Letter  from  And 
Arnold. — Its  Refusal. — Unjust  Suspicion  against  General 
Paper. 

1780  Washington,  although  of  opinion 

that,  by  the  capture  of  Andre,  the 
purpose  of  General  Arnold’s  treason  had 
been  thwarted,  carefully  guarded  against 
danger  by  prudently  providing  every  se- 
curity. General  Greene,  who  had  been 
left  in  command  of  the  army  at  Old  Tap- 
pan,  in  New  Jersey,  during  the  absence 
of  the  chief  at  Hartford,  was  ordered  to 
march  the  left  wing  with  all  despatch  to 
King’s  ferry.  The  defences  of  West  Point 
were  immediately  manned,  and  put  in  the 
best  possible  condition  for  resistance ; and 

* Lossing, 

ER  XC. 

Arrests. — A Conversation  with  Major  Andre. — His  Probable 
ment. — Strong  Guards. — A Court-Martial  convened  at  Tap- 
^lourt. — His  Frank  Confession. — His  Magnanimity  and  Deli- 
•6  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton. — Offer  of  Exchange  of  Andre  for 

St.  Clair. — A Ruse. — The  Suspicion  cleared. — A Cunning 

the  commander  of  every  post  on  the  Hud- 
son was  directed  to  be  particularly  watch- 
ful. 

Washington  despatched  an  officer  to 
arrest  Joshua  Hett  Smith  (the  guide  of 
Andre  previous  to  his  capture),  nnd  at 
the  same  time  sent  orders  to  Colonel 
Jameson  to  forward  his  prisoner  under  a 

* Mrs.  Arnold  had  only  arrived  at  West  Point  ten  da  vs 
before  the  discovery  of  her  husband’s  treason,  and  there  was 
no  reason  to  suppose  that  she  was  at  all  cognizant  of  his 
purpose.  Some  have,  however  (but  upon  no  netter  author- 
ity, we  believe,  than  that  of  Aai-on  Burr),  declared  that  she 
was  throughout  well  informed  of  Arnold’s  proceedings,  and 
that  the  tears  and  convulsive  agonies  were  merely  shams  got 
up  for  the  occasion. 

REvoLUTioNARY.J  EEMOVAL  OF  ANDRE  TO  TAPPAN.  781 

strong  guard  iiiimediately  to  the  Kobin- 
son  house.  The  sununons  reached  North 
Salem  in  the  middle  of  the  night;  and 
Andre,  being  aroused  from  his  bed,  was 
hurried  off  in  the  darkness,  while  torrents 
of  rain  were  pouring  down,  to  add  to  the 
dismalness  of  the  time.  Early  the  next 

mornino:,  the  captive  arrived  at 
Sept.  26.  , „ 1 

the  Kobmson  house,  where  W ash- 

ington  declined  seeing  him.  The  same 
eveninsr  he  was  taken  across  the  river  to 
West  Point,  where  he  remained  for  two 
days,  and  was  thence  conveyed  to  the 
American  camp  at  Tappan. 

“ When  we  left  West  Point  for 
Sept.  28.  Major  Talhnadge, 

who  commanded  the  guard,  “ early  in  the 
morning,  as  we  passed  down  the  Hudson 
river  to  King’s  ferry,  I placed  Andre  by 
my  side,  on  the  after-seat  of  the  barge. 

I soon  beg.an  to  make  inquiries  about  the 
expected  capture  of  our  fortress,  then  in 
full  view,  and  begged  him  to  inform  me 
whether  he  was  to  have  taken  a part  in 
the  military  attack,  if  Arnold’s  plan  had 
succeeded.  He  instantly  replied  in  the 
affirmative,  and  pointed  me  to  a table  of 
land  on  the  west  shore,  which  he  said 
was  the  spot  where  he  should  have  land- 
ed, at  the  head  of  a select  corps.  He  then 
traversed  in  idea  the  course  up  the  mount- 
ain into  the  rear  of  Fort  Putnam,  which 
overlooks  the  whole  parade  of  West  Point. 
And  this  he  did  with  much  greater  exact- 
ness than  I could  have  done  ; and  as  Ar- 
nold had  so  disposed  of  the  garrison,  that 
little  or  no  opposition  could  be  made  by 
our  troops,  Major  Andre  supposed  he 
should  have  reached  that  commanding 
eminence  without  difficulty.  In  such 

case,  that  important  key  of  our  country 
would  have  been  theirs  [the  enemy’s'], 
and  the  glory  of  so  splendid  an  achieve- 
ment would  have  been  his. 

‘‘The  animation  with  which  he  gnve 
the  account  I recollect  perfectly  delight- 
ed me,  for  he  seemed  as  if  he  was  enter- 
ing the  fort  sword  in  hand.  To  complete 
the  climax,  I next  inquired  what  was  to 
have  been  his  reward,  if  he  had  succeed- 
ed. He  replied  that  military  glory  was 
all  he  sought;  and  that  the  thanks  of  his 
general,  and  the  approbation  of  his  king, 
were  a rich  reward  for  such  an  underta- 
king. I think  he  further  remarked  that, 
if  he  had  succeeded  (and,  with  the  aid  of 
the  opposing  general,  who  could  doubt 
success?),  he  was  to  have  been  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  brigadier-S'eneral. 

“ After  we  disembarked  at  King’s  ferry, 
near  Haverstraw,  we  took  up  our  line  of 
march,  with  a fine  body  of  horse,  for  Tap- 
pan.  Before  we  reached  the  Clove,  Majoi' 
Andre  became  very  inquisitive  to  know 
my  opinion  as  to  the  result  of  his  capture. 

In  other  words,  he  wished  me  to  give  him 
candidly  my  opinion  as  to  the  light  in 
which  he  would  be  viewed  by  General 
Washington  and  a military  tribunal,  if 
one  should  be  ordered.  This  was  the 
most  unpleasant  question  that  had  been 
propounded  to  me,  and  I endeavored  to 
evade  it,  unwilling  to  give  him  a true  an- 
swer. When  I could  no  longer  evade  his 
importunity,  or  put  off  a full  reply,  I l e- 
marked  to  him  as  follows:  — 

“ I had  a much-loved  classmate  m Y:dc 
college,  by  the  name  of  Nathan  Hale,  who 
entered  the  army  in  1775.  Immediately 
after  the  battle  of  Long  island,  General 

782 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PAUT  n 


Washington  wanted  information  respect- 
ing the  strength,  position,  and  probable 
movements,  of  the  enemy.  Captain  Hale 
tendered  his  services,  went  over  to  Brook- 
lyn, and  was  taken  just  as  he  was  passing 
the  outposts  of  the  enemy  on  his  return. 
•Said  I with  emphasis,  ‘ Do  you  remember 
the  sequel  of  this  story?’ — ‘Yes,’  said 
Amlre,  ‘he  was  hanged  .as  a spy.  But 
you  surely  do  not  consider  his  case  and 
mine  alike?’  I replied,  ‘Yes,  precisely 
similar,  and  similar  will  be  your  fate !’ 
He  endeavored  to  answer  my  remark,  but 
it  was  manifest  he  was  more  troubled  in 
spirit  than  I had  ever  seen  him  before. 

“ We  stopped  at  the  Clove  to  dine,  and 
to  let  the  horse-guard  refresh.  While 
there,  Andre  kept  reviewing  his  shabby 
dress,  .and  finally  remarked  to  me  that  he 
was  positively  ashamed  to  go  to  the  head- 
quarters of  the  American  army  in  such  a 
plight.  I called  my  servant,  and  directed 
him  to  bring  my  dragoon-cloak,  which  I 
presented  to  Major  Andre.  This  he  re- 
fused to  take  for  some  time ; but  I insist- 
ed on  it,  .and  he  fin.ally  put  it  on,  .and  rode 
in  it  to  Tappan.” 

Washington  sent  orders  that  the  c.ap- 
tlve  should  be  carefully  guarded,  but  at 
the  same  time  he  added,  “ I wish  the  room 
for  Major  Andre  to  be  a decent  one,  and 
that  he  may  be  treated  civilly.”  The  pi  is- 
oner  was  accordingly  confined  to  a single 
room  of  the  stone-house  iii  which  he  w.as 
imprisoned  (but  a short  distance  from  the 
headquarters  of  the  commander-in-chief), 
and  out  of  which  he  was  not  allowed  to 
go  on  any  prete.xt  whatever;  and,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  usual  guards,  two  officers, 
with  drawn  swords,  remained  constantly 


in  the  apartment,  while  the  others  were 
ordered  to  “ keep  walking  the  entry  and 
around  the  sentries,  to  see  that  they  are 
.alert.”  Andre  not  onlv  received  the  ci- 
vil  i ty  which  W ash  i n g ton  enjo  i ned,  b u t was 
treated  by  every  one  with  a kindness  of 
m.anner  in  accord.ance  with  the  universal 
sympathy  felt  for  the  accomplished  young 
officer  who  had  been  seduced  to  ruin  by 
that  arch-traitor  Arnold. 

The  commander-in-chief,  luaviuti;  taken 

every  possible  precaution  at  West  Point 

and  on  the  Hudson,  returned  to  the  c.amp 

at  Tappan,  and  immediately  convened  a 

board  of  fourteen  general  offi- 

1 r-K  111  Sept.  29. 

cers  in  tlie  Dutch  clmrcli  near  at 

hand,  to  investigate  the  case  of  Major 

Andre.  It  consisted  of  Major-Generals 

G reene.  Stir]  ing,St.Clair,  Lafayette,  Howe, 

.and  Steuben  ; and  of  Bi  igadiers  Parsons, 

James  Clinton,  Knox,  Glover,  Paterson, 

Hand,  Huntington,  and  Stark.  General 

Greene  w.as  pi-esident  of  the  board;  and 

Colonel  John  Lawience,  subsequently  a 

distinguished  legislator  and  jurist,  acted 

as  judge  advocate-gener.ab* 

In  the  meantime,  great  efiTorts  were  be- 
ing made  by  the  British  commander.  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  and  the  other  officers,  by 
all  of  whom  Andre  w.as  greatly  beloved, 
to  obtain  bis  release.  Sir  Henry’s  first 
communication  was  merely  a direct  re- 
quest that  his  majesty’s  adjutant-general 
might  be  permitted  to  return  immediate- 
ly to  his  orders.  This  was,  however,  ac- 
companied by  .a^  letter  from  General  Ar- 
nold, in  which  the  whole  responsibility  of 

* Colonel  Lawrence  was  a member  of  Congress  tlirongh- 
out  Presiilent  Washington’s  administration,  and  was  then 
appointed  a judge  of  the  district  court  of  New  York.  He 
wag  four  years  in  the  United  Stales  senate. 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  ANDRE  CONDEMNED.— IIIS  LETTER  TO  CLINTON.  783 


Andre’s  conduct  was  assumed  by  himself. 
He  had  sent  a flag  of  truce  to  bring  him 
on  shore;  he  had  given  him  the  papers 
written  by  himself;  he  had  directed  him 
to  assume  a feigned  name,  and  he  had 
furnished  him  with  a passport  to  go  to 
New  York  by  White  Plains.  These  were 
acts  which  Arnold  declared  he  himself 
had  not  only  done,  but,  being  in  com- 
mand, had  a right  to  do  : if  wrong,  there- 
fore, the  traitor  insisted  that  the  respon- 
sibility should  rest  with  him  and  not  with 
Major  Andre. 

The  board  assembled,  and  Andre  was 
brought  before  it.  He  was  treated  with 

every  indulojence,  and  was  not 
Sept.  29.  . T ® 

required  to  answer  any  interrog- 
atory which  might  embarrass  his  feelings. 
The  prisoner,  in  a few  words,  gave  a nar- 
rative of  the  incidents  which  had  occurred 
from  the  time  of  his  coming  on  shore  to 
his  capture ; but,  while  he  frankly  con- 
fessed everything  relating  to  himself,  he 
took  care  not  to  implicate  others.  His 
delicacy  in  this  particular  was  such,  that 
when  General  Greene  spoke  of  Smith’s 
house  as  the  place  of  meeting  with  Ar- 
nold, Andre  quickly  interposed,  “ I said  a 
house,  sir,  but  I did  not  say  whose  house.” 
— “ True,”  replied  Greene,  “ nor  have  we 
any  right  to  demand  this  of  you,  after  the 
condition  we  have  allowed.” 

When  Andre  was  asked  whether,  when 
he  came  on  shore,  he  considered  himself 
under  the  protection  of  a flag  of  truce,  he 
frankly  declared  that  “ it  was  impossible 
f )r  him  to  suppose  he  came  on  shore  un- 
der the  sanction  of  a flag ; and  added  that, 
if  he  came  on  shore  under  that  sanction,  he 
might  certainly  nave  returned  under  it.” 


Without  any  examination  of  witnesses, 
and  from  the  prisoner’s  own  confession 
alone,  the  board  reported  that  in  its  opin- 
ion Major  Andre  ought  to  be  considered 
a spy,  and  to  sufier  death  accordingly. 
When  the  decision  w.as  announced  to  the 
captive,  he  received  it  with  manly  forti- 
tude, and  remarked  to  Colonel  Hamilton, 
whose  sympathies,  with  those  of  all  the 
younger  officers,  Avere  warmly  enlisted  in 
behalf  of  the  condemned  man : “ I foresee 
my  fite,  and,  though  I pretend  not  to  play 
the  hero,  or  to  be  indifferent  about  life, 
yet  I am  reconciled  to  whatever  may  hap- 
pen ; conscious  that  misfortune,  not  guilt, 
has  brought  it  upon  me.” 

. With  a delicacycharacteristic  of  Andre, 
he  seemed  more  sensible  of  the  grief  that 
his  condemnation  might  cause  to  others 
than  of  the  fital  consequences  to  himself 
To  Sir  Henry  Clinton  he  wrote  the  fol- 
lowing letter : — ' 

“Tappan,  29  September,  1780. 

“Sir:  Your  excellency  is  doubtless  al- 
ready apprized  of  the  manner  in  which  I 
Avas  taken,  and  possibly  of  the  serious 
light  in  Avhich  my  conduct  is  considered, 
and  the  rigorous  determination  that  is  im- 
pending. 

“ Under  these  circumstances,  I have  ob- 
tained General  Washington’s  permission 
to  send  you  this  letter;  the  object  of  Avhich 
is  to  remove  from  your  breast  any  suspi- 
cion that  I could  imagine  I Avas  bound  by 
your  excellency’s  orders  to  expose  my- 
self to  Avhat  has  happened.  The  events 
of  coming  Avithin  an  enemy’s  posts,  and 
of  changing  my  dress,  Avhich  led  me  to 
my  present  situation,  Avere  conti’ary  to 
my  OAvn  intentions,  as  they  Avere  to  your 


784  BATTLES  OF  AISIERTCA.  [part  n. 


orders ; and  the  circuitous  route  which  I 
took  to  return  was  imposed  (perhaps  un- 
avoidably) without  alternative  upon  me. 
" “ I am  perfectly  tranquil  in  mind,  and 
prepared  fur  any  fate  to  which  an  honest 
zeal  for  my  king’s  service  may  have  de- 
voted me. 

“In  addressing  myself  to  your  excel- 
lency on  this  occasion,  the  force  of  all 
my  obligations  to  you,  and  of  the  attach- 
ment and  gratitude  I bear  you,  recurs  to 
me.  With  all  the  warmth  of  my  heart, 
I give  you  thanks  for  your  excellency’s 
])rofuse  kindness  to  me;  and  I send  3^11 
the  most  earnest  wishes  for  your  welfare 
which  a faithful,  affectionate,  and  respect- 
ful attendant,  can  frame. 

“ I have  a mother  and  two  sisters,  to 
whom  the  value  of  my  commission  would 
be  an  object,  as  the  loss  of  Grenada  has 
much  affected  their  income.  It  is  need- 
less to  be  more  explicit  on  this  subject; 
lam  persuaded  of  your  excellency’s  good- 
nes.s. 

“ I receive  the  greatest  attention  from 
his  excellency  General  Washington,  and 
fVom  every  person  under  whose  charge  I 
happen  to  be  placed. 

“ I have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  most 
respectful  attachment,  your  excellency’s 
most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 
“John  Andre, 

‘‘  Adjutant-  General” 

Wa.shington  sent  with  this  letter  one 
from  himself  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  in 
which  he  announced  the  decision  of  the 
board,  and  repeated  the  circumstances 
which  in  his  opinion  justified  it.  There 
was  now  but  one  hope  for  Major  Andre. 
Could  the  enemy  be  persuaded  to  deliver 


up  Arnold,  (ben  Andre  would  be  set  free. 
Washington  himself  could  hardly  venture 
to  hope  that  a proposition  to  that  effect 
could  be  entertained,  and  he  therefore 
made  no  formal  advances  for  the  purpose. 
Captain  Aaron  Ogden,  however,  was  sent 
with  an  escort  to  carry  despatches  to  the 
British  post  at  Paulus  Hook  (now  Jersey 
City)  for  Sir  Heniy  Clinton  at  New  York, 
and  at  the  same  time  was  authorized  to 
declare  that  Andre  would  be  given  in  ex- 
chanare  for  Artiold.  But  the  Eimlish  com- 

O O 

mander  would  not  listen  to  the  simares- 
tion  for  a moment. 

As  Captain  Ogden  w'as  mustering  his 
escort  to  retuiai  to  the  American  camp, 
he  found  that  the  sero-eant  was  mi.ssino;. 
Seeking  for  him  in  vain,  he  came  back 
with  the  conclusion  that  he  had  lost  the 
man  by  desertion  to  the  British.  The 
sergeant,  however,  was  playing  a part  un- 
suspected by  his  captain,  but  in  accord- 
ance with  the  direction  of  Washington, 
who  had  prevailed  upon  him  to  enter  the 
enemy’s  lines,  under  the  pretence  of  be- 
ing a deserter.  The  object  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief was,  to  obtain  information 
in  regard  to  the  truth  of  a paper  implica- 
ting General  St.  Clair  in  Arnold’s  treason, 
and  which  had  been  intercepted.  The 
sergeant  acted  his  part  succes.sfnllj^,  and 
came  back  with  the  sati.sfactory  intelli- 
gence that  there  was  no  foundation  what- 
ever for  the  imputed  trea.son ; and  it  was 
inferred  that  the  paper  was  a contrivance 
of  the  enemy,  to  cause  distrust  and  di.s- 
sension  in  the  American  army.  “ The 
treason  of  Arnold,”  says  Lossing,  “ so  un- 
expected and  so  appalling,  aroused  for  a 
moment  the  most  unjust  and  ungenerous 


r 

1 

RET  OLDTIONART.J  SUSPICION  AGAINST  ST.  CLAIR.— NO  HOPE  FOR  ANDRE.  185 

suspicions  against  many  of  the  most  faith- 

out  a solid  ground  for  belief  of  guilt ; and 

fill  republicans  in  and  out  of  the  army. 

he  employed  the  trusty  Major  Henry  Lee 

The  old  slanders  against  the  unfortunate 

(who  was  stationed  upon  the  lines  with 

St.  Clair,  propagated  after  his  retreat  from 

his  dragoons)  to  investigate  the  matter 

Ticonderoga  in  1777,  were  awakened  from 

secretly.  The  result  was,  a full  convic- 

their  slumbers;  and  these, assuming  a new 

tion  of  St.  Clair’s  innocence. 

shape,  were  put  into  active  circulation 

“Colonel  Richard  Varick  and  Major 

through  anonymous  letters  and  papers. 

Franks,  the  aids  of  Arnold,  were  also  in- 

and  other  cowardly  means.  In  them  he 

eluded  in  those  unjust  suspicions : indeed. 

was  charged  with  direct  complicity  with 

almost  every  hour  a malicious  whisper 

the  traitor.  The  mind  of  Washington 

against  the  fidelity  of  the  best  men  reach- 

was  disturbed,  yet  his  sense  of  justice 

ed  the  ear  of  the  commander-in-chief  But 

would  not  allow  him  to  condemn  any 

his  uneasiness  soon  gave  way  to  confi- 

man,  even  ))y  his  own  impressions,  with- 

dence  and  serenity ; and  the  treason  of 

out  ample  proof  of  guilt.  His  tenderness 

Arnold  served  to  make  the  true  friends 

also  would  not  allow  him  to  accuse  with- 

of  the  cause  of  freedom  more  vigilant.” 

CHAPTER  XCI. 

Ao  Hope  for  Major  Andre. — Commissioners  and  Letters. — Threats  of  Arnold. — Unsuccessful  Attempt  to  abduct  the  Trai- 

toi  from  the  Britisli  Camp. — Sergeant  Champe. — The  Halter  or  a Ball. — Affecting  Letter  of  Andr6  to  Washington. — 

Stern  Sense  of  Duty. — The  Hanging  of  Andrd. — Description  by  an  Eye-Witness. — His  Fortitude. — Sight  of  the  Gal- 

lows. — Last  Words. — A Momentary  Pang. — The  Burial.- 

-The  Remains  removed  to  England. — A Monument  in  West 

1 

minster  Abbey. — Royal  Honors. — Sympathy  of  Americans. — Monument  at  Tarrytown. — Rewards  of  the  Captors  of 
Andre. — Their  Conduct. — Incorruptible  Patriots. — Their  Graves. — Rewards  of  Arnold. — Contempt  for  Him  by  the 
English. — His  Duel. — Vicissitudes  in  the  Life  of  Mrs.  Arnold. 

There  was  now  no  hope  for  Ma- 
jor Andre.  Washington  had  ap- 

mander,  asking  for  a conference  between 
commissioners  on  the  subject,  to  be  held 

proved  the  sentence  of  the  court-martial 

at  Dobbs’s  ferry.  That  conference  was 

which  tried  and  condemned  him,  and  had 

held,  at  which  the  British  commissioners 

.signed  his  death-warrant.  The  time  ap- 

endeavored  to  prove  that  Andre  was  not 

pointed  for  his  execution  was  the  first  of 

a spy,  and  therefore  did  not  merit  the 

October,  at  five  o’clock  in  the  afternoon. 

penalty;  but  nothing  was  presented  by 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  however,  still  strove 

the  friends  of  the  prisoner  to  warrant  a 

to  save  the  unfortunate  youth ; and  the 

change  in  the  decision  of  the  court-mar- 

execution  was  delayed  one  day,  in  con- 

tial. 

sequence  of  a letter  from  the  Briti.sh  com- 
99 

General  Arnold  now  wrote  another  let- 



1 

» 

BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


786 

ter  to  Washington,  in  which,  as  before, 
he  not  only  assumed  the  responsibility 
of  Andre’s  conduct,  and  claimed  immuni- 
ty for  him,  but  threatened  retaliation  in 
case  he  should  be  executed.  “ If,  after 
this  just  and  candid  representation  of 
Major  Andre’s  case,”  said  Arnold,  at  the 
close  of  his  letter,  the  board  of  general 
officers  adhere  to  their  former  opinion,  I 
shall  suppose  it  dictated  by  passion  and 
resentment ; and  if  that  gentleman  should 
suffer  the  severity  of  their  sentence,  I 
shall  think  myself  bound  by  every  tie  of 
duty  and  honor  to  retaliate  on  such  un- 
happy  persons  of  your  army  as  may  fall 
within  my  power,  that  the  respect  due  to 
flags,  and  to  the  law  of  nations,  may  be 
better  understood  and  observed. 

‘‘  If  this  warning  should  be  disregarded, 
and  he  suffer,  I call  Heaven  and  earth  to 
witness  that  your  excellency  will  be  just- 
ly answerable  for  the  torrents  of  blood 
that  may  be  spilt  in  consequence.” 

In  the  meanwhile,  as  the  honor  of  the 
British  commander  would  not  allow  him 
to  deliver  up  Arnold  in  exchange  for  the 
captive  Andre,  a scheme  was  finally  laid 
to  abduct  the  traitor,  convey  him  to  the 
American  camp,  and  execute  him.  Spies 
in  New  York  informed  the  American  com- 
mander-in-chief of  Arnold’s  quarters,  his 
habits,  his  hours  of  privacy,  and  the  im- 
portant fiict  that  he  walked  late  every 
night  alone  in  a garden  that  led  down  to 
the  shore  of  the  Hudson.  Washington 
sent  for  Major  Henry  Lee,  a man  in  whom 
Jie  could  confide  implicitly,  and  asked  his 
aid  in  efforts  to  secure  the  traitor.  Lee 
selected  Sergeant  Champe,  of  his  legion, 
for  the  enterprise,  who  deserted  by  per- 


[PART  II. 

mission,  went  to  New  York,  enlisted  in 
Arnold’s  corps,  and  matured  a plan  for 
his  abduction  on  some  occasion  when  he 
should  be  walking  in  the  garden.  Whale- 
boats were  to  come  from  the  Jersey  shore 
at  a certain  hour,  when  the  traitor  was  to 
be  seized,  gagged  and  bound,  and  carried 
away.  On  the  very  day  when  the  scheme 
was  to  be  executed,  Arnold  and  his  corps, 
including  Sergeant  Champe,  sailed  on  a 
predatory  expedition  into  Virginia,  and 
the  plan  failed.  Some  months  afterward, 
Champe  deserted  and  rejoined  his  legion, 
then  in  North  Carolina.* 

Andre,  made  aware  of  his  fate,  showed 
neither  surprise  nor  fear.  He  calmly 
awaited  his  death,  although  he  said  that 
there  was  still  “a  choice  in  the  mode,” 
which  would  make  a material  difference 
in  his  feelings.  He  desired  that  he  might 
be  shot,  instead  of  being  hung,  as  is  usual 
in  the  case  of  spies.  To  obtain  this  favor, 
he  wrote  to  Washington: — 

“Tappan,  1 October,  1780. 

“Sir:  Buoyed  above  the  terror  of  death, 
by  the  consciousness  of  a life  devoted  to 
honorable  pursuits,  and  stained  with  no 
action  that  can  give  me  remorse,  I trust 
that  the  request  I make  to  your  excel- 
lency at  this  serious  period,  and  wdiicli  is 
to  soften  my  last  moments,  will  not  be 
rejected. 

“ Sympathy  toward  a soldier  will  sure- 
ly induce  your  excellency  and  a military 
tribunal  to  adapt  the  mode  of  my  death 
to  the  feelings  of  a man  of  honor. 

“ Let  me  hope,  sir,  that  if  aught  in  my 
character  impresses  you  with  esteem  tow- 
ard me,  if  aught  in  my  misfortunes  marks 

* Lossing. 


REVOLUTIONART.J  EXECUTION 

me  as  the  victim  of  policy  and  not  of  re- 
sentment, I shall  experience  the  opera- 
tion of  these  feelings  in  your  breast,  by 
being  informed  that  I am  not  to  die  on  a 
gibbet. 

‘‘  I have  the  honor  to  be  your  excellen- 
cy’s most  obedient  and  most  humble  ser- 

“John  Andre.” 

This  letter  could  not  fail  to  impress 
Washington,  as  it  has  done  all  who  ever 
read  it,  by  its  dignified  pathos;  but  its 
request  was  denied,  from  a stern  sense  of 
duty. 

The  hour  of  Major  Andre’s  execution 
Oct  2 fixed  at  twelve  o’clock.  An 

eye-witness  tlius  described  it: 
"The  principal  guard-officer,  who  was  con- 
stantly in  the  room  with  the  prisoner,  re- 
lates that  when  the  hour  of  his  execution 
was  announced  to  him  in  the  morning,  he 
received  it  Avithout  emotion ; and,  while 
all  present  w'ere  affected  with  silentgloom, 
he  retained  afirin countenance,  with  calm- 
ness and  composure  of  mind.  Observing 
his  servant  enter  the  room  in  tears,  he 
exclaimed,  ‘Leave  me  till  you  can  show 
yourself  more  manly !’  His  breakfast  be- 
ing sent  to  him  from  the  table  of  General 
Washington,  which  had  been  done  every 
day  of  his  confinement,  he  partook  of  it 
fis  usual ; and,  having  shaved  and  dressed 
himself,  he  placed  Ins  hat  on  the  table, 
and  cheerfully  said  to  the  guard-officers, 

I am  ready  at  any  moment,  gentlemen, 
to  wait  on  you.’ 

“ The  fatal  hour  having  arrived,  a large 
detachment  of  troops  was  paraded,  and 
an  immense  concourse  of  people  assem- 
bled , almost  all  our  general  and  field- 


OF  ANDRE.  787 

officers,  excepting  his  excellency*  and  his 
staff,  were  present  on  horseback ; melan- 
choly and  gloom  pervaded  all  ranks,  and 
the  scene  was  affectingly  awful.  I was 
so  near  during  the  solemn  march  to  the 
fatal  spot  as  to  observe  every  movement, 
<and  participate  in  every  emotion  which 
the  melancholy  scene  was  calculated  to 
produce. 

"Major  Andre  walked  from  the  stone- 
house  in  which  he  had  been  confined,  be- 
Gveen  two  of  our  subaltern  officer, s,  arm- 
in-arm.  The  eyes  of  the  immense  mul- 
titude were  fixed  on  him,  who,  rising  su- 
perior to  the  fears  of  death,  appeared  as 
if  con.scious  of  the  dignified  deportment 
which  he  di.splayed.  Pie  betrayed  no  want 
of  fortitude,  but  retained  a complacent 
smile  on  his  countenance,  and  politely 
boAved  to  several  gentlemen  aa’Iioiu  he 
kneAA",  which  Avas  respectfully  returned. 
It  Avas  his  earnest  desire  to  be  shot,  as 
being  the  mode  of  death  most  conform- 
able to  the  feelings  of  a military  man,  and 
he  had  indulged  the  hope  that  his  request 
Avould  be  granted.  At  the  moment,  there- 
fore, Avhen  suddenly  he  came  in  vieAv  of 
the  gaHoAvs,he  involuntarily  started  back- 
ward, and  made  a pause.  ‘ Why  this  emo- 
tion, sir?’  inquired  an  officer  by  his  side. 
Instantly  recovering  his  composure,  he 
said,  ‘ I am  reconciled  to  my  death,. but  I 
detest  the  mode.’ 

" While  Avaiting,  and  standing  near  the 
galloAA’s,  I observed  some  degree  of  trepi- 
dation ; placing  his  foot  on  a stone,  and 
rolling  it  over,  and  choking  in  his  throat, 
as  if  attempting  to  SAvalloAA'.  So  soon, 

* AVasliinifton  is  believed  never  to  have  seen  Andre,  or  at 
least  to  have  held  anj  direct  personal  intercourse  with  him. 


788  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ti 


however,  as  he  perceived  that  things  were 
in  readiness,  he  stepped  quickly  into  the 
wagon,  and  at  this  moment  he  appeared 
to  shrink;  but  instantly  elevating  his  head 
with  firmness  he  said,  ‘ It  will  be  but  a 
momentary  pang and,  taking  from  his 
pocket  two  white  handkerchiefs,  the  pro- 
vosbrnarshal  with  one  loosely  pinioned 
his  arms,  and  with  the  other  the  victim, 
after  taking  off  his  hat  and  stock,  band- 
aged his  own  eyes  with  perfect  firmness, 
which  melted  the  hearts  and  moistened 
the  cheeks,  not  only  of  his  servant,  but 
of  the  throng  of  spectators.  The  rope 
being  appended  to  the  gallows,  he  slipped 
the  noose  over  his  head  and  adjusted  it 
to  his  neck,  without  the  assistance  of  the 
awkward  executioner.  Colonel  Scammel 
now  informed  him  that  he  had  an  oppor- 
tunity to  speak,  if  he  desired  it.  He  raised 
the  handkerchief  from  his  eyes,  and  said, 
I pray  you  to  bear  me  witness  that  I 
meet  my  fate  like  a brave  man.’  The 
wa^on  being:  now  removed  from  under 
him,  he  was  suspended,  and  instantly  ex- 
pired ; it  proved,  indeed,  but  a momenb 
ary  pang.”* 

Thus  perished  the  brave,  amiable,  and 
accomplished  John  Andre,  at  the  early 
age  of  twenty-nine  years.  The  regiment- 
als in  which  he  was  executed  were  given 
to  his  servant.  His  body  was  interred  at 
Tappan,  near  the  place  of  execution,  and 
there  it  remained  until  1821,  when,  under 
the  auspices  of  the  duke  of  York  (the  next 
younger  brother  of  George  lY.,  and  com- 
mander-in-chief  of  the  British  army),  the 
remains  were  removed  to  England,  and 
deposited  in  Westminster  abbey. 

* Thacher. 


King  George IH.,in  order  to  wipe  away 
the  stain  of  his  mode  of  death  from  the 
fiunily,  bestowed  the  order  of  knighthood 
upon  a younger  brother,  and  ordered  a 
magnificent  monument  to  be  erected  to 
the  memory  of  Andre  in  Westminster  ab- 
bey, on  which  was  inscribed  a glowing 
epitaph. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  also  paid  the  follow- 
ing tribute  to  his  adjutant  in  his  general 
orders  to  the  army  on  the  occasion  of  liis 
death  : “ The  unfortunate  fate  of  tliis  offi- 
cer calls  upon  the  commander-in-cliief  to 
declare  that  he  ever  considered  Major  An- 
dre a gentleman  of  the  highest  integrity 
and  honor,  and  incapable  of  any  base  ac- 
tion or  unworthy  conduct.” 

Even  among  the  Americans  there  was 
a sad  feeling  of  regret  at  the  necessity 
which  existed  for  the  condemnation  of 
Andre.  “ While  every  one  acquainted 
with  the  facts,”  observes  Lossing,“  regard- 
ed the  sentence  as  just,  there  was  a uni- 
versal feeling  of  sympathy  for  the  unfor- 
tunate young  officer.  In  all  the  trying 
scenes  to  which  he  was  exposed,  his  de- 
portment was  noble  and  winning.  Death 
appeared  to  have  no  terrors  for  him,  but 
he  was  deeply  grieved  at  the  manner  in 
which  he  was  doomed  to  suffer.  He  dis- 
claimed all  intentions  to  become  a spy, 
declaring:  that  he  was  left  within  the 
American  lines  by  accident;  and  upon 
this  plea  some  have  predicated  a severe 
judgment  concerning  the  part  taken  in 
the  matter  by  Washington  and  his  gener- 
al officers.  But  the  judgment  of  military 
men,  and  those  who  have  weighed  all  the 
circumstances  disp.assionately,  is,  that  the 
sentence  was  just,  and  its  execution  expe 


> 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  CAPTORS  OF  ANDRE.— ARNOLD  IN  NEW  YORK.  Y89 

1 

dient.  Could  the  members  of  the  court- 

the  housings  of  his  saddle  and  the  cape 

martial,  with  due  regard  to  the  good  of 

of  his  coat,  to  seek  for  it;  but,  finding 

their  country,  have  made  a decision  in 

none,  one  of  the  three  exclaimed,  “ He 

con.sonance  with  their  feelings,  he  would 

may  have  it  in  his  boots!”  Andre  be- 

not  have  suffered  death.  In  the  army. 

lieved  that,  if  he  could  have  given  tliein 

and  among  the  people,  tliere  was  a strong 

a small  sum  of  money  at  first,  he  might 

desire  to  substitute  Arnold  for  Andre ; 

have  escaped.  Granting,  however,  as  is 

and  sympathy  for  the  victim  of  a villain’s 

probable,  that  the  first  object  of  the  cap- 

wiles  has  ever  been  a predominant  feeling 

tors  was  monej',  there  can  be  no  question 

in  the  breasts  of  Americans  when  consid- 

that,  when  they  discovered,  by  means  of 

ering  the  treason  of  Arnold.  That  sym- 

the  papers,  the  true  character  of  their 

pathy  found  expression  a few  years  ago, 

prisoner,  tliey  resisted  all  appeals  to  their 

when  a monument  to  the  memory  of  the 

own  interests,  and  were  constant  to  those 

unfortunate  young  officer  was  erected  up- 

of  their  country.  Their  integrity  was  cer- 

i 

on  the  spot,  at  Tarrytown,  where  he  was 

tainly  proof  against  bribeiy,  and  they  de- 

arrested  by  the  three  republicans.” 

serve  to  be  recorded  in  history  as  incur- 

The  men  who  had  captured  Andrd  — 

ruptible  patriots.  The  remains  of  Pauld- 

Paulding,  Van  Wart,and  Williams  — were 

ing  sleep  beneath  a handsome  white  mar- 

highly  applauded  for  their  noble  spirit. 

ble  monument,  in  the  burial-ground  of 

“Their  conduct,”  said  Washing- 

St.  Peter’s  church,  near  Peekskill ; those 

1 

ton,  in  a letter  to  the  president 

of  Van  Wart  are  under  a similar  moiui 

of  Congress,  “ merits  our  warmest  esteem. 

ment  in  the  Greenburg  churchyard,  near 

and  T beg  leave  to  add  that  I think  the 

the  banks  of  the  beautiful  Neparan,  in 

public  will  do  well  to  make  them  a hand- 

Westchester  county;  and  those  of  Wil- 

some  gratuity.  They  have  prevented,  in 

liains  lie  in  the  churchyard  at  Livings- 

all  probability,  our  suffering  one  of  the 

tonville,  in  Schoharie  county. 

severest  strokes  that  could  have  been 

Soon  after  the  traitor’s  arrival  in  New 

meditated  against  us.”  Congress  acted 

York,  with  the  hope  of  alluring  the  dis- 

upon  this  suggestion,  and  generously  re- 

contented  to  his  standard,  he  pulilished 

warded  each  of  the  captors  with  a pen- 

“an  address  to  the  inhabitants  of  Amer- 

sion  for  life  of  two  hundred  dollars,  and 

ica,”  in  which  he  endeavored  to  justify  his 

honored  each  with  a silver  medal,  on  one 

conduct.  This  was  followed  in  about  a 

side  of  which  was  inscribed  Fidelity,  and 

fortnight  by  a proclamation,  addressed 

on  the  other  Vincit  Amor  Patrice — “The 

“ ta  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  contii 

Love  of  Country  conquers.” 

nental  army,  who  have  the  real  interest 

Major  Andre  had  stated  that,  when 

of  their  country  at  heart,  and  who  are  de- 

these  men  first  discovered  him,  they  were 

termined  to  be  no  longer  the  tools  of  Congress 

playing  a game  of  cards;  and  that,  after 

and  of  France!’  But  these  proclamations 

they  had  captured  him,  their  sole  object 

did  not  in  the  least  produce  the  effects 

seemed  to  be  money.  They  ripped  up 

designed. 

. 

790 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II 


Arnold  reaped  the  reward  of  his  trea- 
son— the  elevated  rank  of  brigadier-gen- 
eral in  the  British  army,  and  the  hand- 
some sum  of  ten  thousand  pounds  ster- 
ling— though  it  has  been  affirmed  that 
he  obtained  only  a portion  of  the  money 
stipulated  for.  In  gaining  these,  however, 
he  lost  everything  else.  He  was  looked 
upon  with  contempt  by  those  very  per- 
sons who  had  sought  to  profit  by  his 
treachery;  and  was  taunted  with  being 
the  author  of  an  abortive  treason,  in  the 
conception  and  partial  e.xecution  of  which 
he  stood  alone,  and  as  the  only  American 
officer  who  forsook  the  cause  of  freedom, 
turned  his  sword  against  his  country,  and 
so  left  to  his  children  “ a name  of  hateful 
celebrity.”  It  is  true  he  was  employed 
subsequently  in  the  war,  in  consec^uence 
of  his  military  talents,  and  his  .acquaint- 
ance with  the  country ; and  into  the  ser- 
vice of  his  royal  purchaser  the  traitor  now 
entered  with  a ferocious  spirit  of  revenge, 
mercilessly  ravaging  the  coast  and  sea- 
port towns  of  Virginia,  and  desolating 
witli  fire  and  sword  the  property  of  his  in- 
jured countrymen  of  Connecticut  almost 
within  sight  of  his  childhood’s  home  : but 
he  never  acquired  the  confidence  of  his 
superiors,  the  friendship  of  his  equals,  nor 
the  respect  of  his  inferiors.  Indeed,  he 
was  both  hated  and  despised  by  his  new 
companions-in-arms.  The  British  officers 
‘ill mined  liis  society ; and  the  common.sol- 
diers  on  guard,  while  acknowledging  his 
official  rank  with  a salute,  would  whisper 
to  each  other  as  he  passed,  “ There  goes 
the  traitor  Arnold!” 

Thus  wrote  Colonel  Laurens,  in  a letter 
to  Washington,  concerning  the  death  of 


Andre  : “Arnold  must  undergo  a punish- 
ment comparatively  more  severe,  in  the 
permanent,  increasing  torment  of  a men- 
tal hell.”  Washington,  however,  viewed 
his  case  in  a different  light,  and  regarded 
Arnold  as  callous.  “ He  wants  feeling,” 
replied  the  chief  “ He  seems  to  have 
been  so  hackneyed  in  villany,  and  so  lost 
to  all  sense  of  honor  and  shame,  that, 
while  his  faculties  will  enable  him  to  con- 
tinue his  sordid  pursuits,  there  will  be  no 
time  for  remorse.” 

On  arriving  in  England,  after  the  close 
of  the  war,  Arnold  was  recognised  offi- 
cially as  it  were,  by  those  in  authority 
only,  while  the  rest  of  the  world  regarded 
him  with  contempt.  The  British  people, 
though  they  might  “love  the  treason,  de- 
spised the  traitor.”  On  one  occasion,  as 
Arnold  was  standing  near  the  throne, 
while  a petition  for  a bill  was  being  pre- 
sented in  the  usual  form  to  the  king,  ho 
was  observed  by  Lord  Lauderdale,  who, 
when  he  returned  to  the  house  of  peers, 
declared  that,  “ however  gracious  might 
be  the  language  he  had  heard  from  the 
throne,  his  indignation  could  not  but  be 
highly  excited  at  beholding  his  majesty 
supported  by  a traitor.”  On  another  oc- 
casion, the  earl  of  Surrey,  as  he  arose  to 
speak,  caught  a glimpse  of  Arnold  in  the 
gallery,  when  he  at  once  sat  down,  and, 
with  his  finger  pointed  at  him,  exclaimed, 
“I  will  not  speak  while  that  man  is  in 
the  house !” 

It  may  well  be  conceived  that  Arnold, 
with  his  revengeful  spirit  and  reckless 
physical  courage,  could  ill  brook  such 
contemptuous  treatment,  and  that  noth- 
ing but  their  privilege  as  peers  saved 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  CLOSING  CAREER  OF  ARNOLD.— HIS  WIFE. 


791 


them  from  being  held  amenable  to  the 
code  of  the  duelist.  One  nobleman,  how- 
ever, who  had  insulted  Arnold,  permitted 
a friend  to  accept  his  challenge  to  fight, 
d’he  next  morning,  at  the  hour  appoint- 
ed for  the  meeting,  in  a secluded  quarter 
of  London,  Arnold  appeared  promptly  on 
the  ground,  and  his  opponent  somewhat 
late.  The  parties  having  taken  their  re- 
spective positions,  and  the  word  to  fire 
about  to  be  given,  Arnold  prematurely 
discharged  his  pistol,  but  without  hitting 
his  antagonist;  upon  which  the  latter, 
raising  his  weapon  aloft,  fired  it  in  the 
air,  and  then  with  a glance  of  scorn,  cool- 
ly turned  upon  his  heel,  and  left  the  spot. 

Arnold  resided  principally  in  England 
after  the  conclusion  of  the  war;  though 
he  was  for  a while  in  Nova  Scotia,  where 
he  found  a welcome  among  the  refugee 
Ameiican  loyalists.  He  was  afterward 
in  the  West  Indies,  where  he  \^  as  taken 
prisoner  by  the  French  ; but,  making  his 
escape,  he  returned  to  England,  and  end- 
ed his  life  in  comparative  obscuiity,  in 
Gloucester  place,  London,  June  14, 
18U1. 

Aspiiit  of  avarice  seems  to  have  been 


the  ruling  trait  in  the  character  of  Ar- 
nold. When  Washington  learned  the  de- 
fection of  his  general,  he  was  almost  over- 
whelmed by  the  discovery;  but  calling 
to  mind  Arnold’s  habits  of  extravagance 
and  liis  peculations,  he  said, ‘‘I  thought 
that  a man  who  had  shed  his  blood  in 
the  cause  of  his  country  could  be  trusted, 
but  I am  convinced  now  that  those  tvho 
are  wanting  in  private  probity  are  unworthy 
of  public  confidence” 

The  unfortunate  wife  of  the  traitor 
became  an  exile  from  her  country,  and 
shared  in  a degree  the  coldness  of  pub- 
lic feeling  abroad  teward  her  husband. 
When  she  returned  to  Philadelphia,  at 
the  time  of  his  treason,  she  resolved  to 
separate  from  him  forever;  but  the  ex- 
ecutive council  of  Pennsylvania,  sus- 
pecting her  of  complicity  in  his  commu- 
nications with  Andre  (it  being  known 
that  she  had  corresponded  with  that  offi 
cer  before  her  marriage),  would  not  con- 
sent, and  ordered  her  to  leave  the  state 
within  fourteen  days,  and  not  return 
au:ain  during  the  war.  Joining  her  hus- 
band  in  New  York,  she  Avent  with  him 
to  Nova  Scotia,  and  thence  to  Englac  1. 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA 


[part  n. 


CHAPTER  XCII. 

Lord  Cornwallis  in  Camp  at  Camden. — A Savage  Proclamation. — Cruelty  to  Prisoners. — Awe  not  Subjeclion. — Manon 
in  the  Swamps. — Spirit  of  the  Patriots. — Victory  of  Britton’s  Neck. — Tarleton  “on  a Fox-Hunt.” — The  British  beaten 
at  Broail  Kiver. — Sumter  at  Black  Stocks. — Victory. — Sumter  wounded. — Ferguson  on  his  March. — The  “Mountain- 
Men  ” — An  Appeal  to  the  Loyalists. — Ferguson  posted  on  King’s  Mountain. — The  March  of  the  Mountain-Men. — 
Campbell,  of  Virginia. — His  Life  and  Character. — The  Farmers  astir — A Grim  Audience. — King’s  Mountaiti. — De- 
scription.— Older  of  Attack. — The  Struggle. — The  Fourth  Charge. — Desperate  Fight. — The  Last  Charge. — Fall  of 
Ferguson. — Victory  of  the  Patriots. — Death  of  Edmonston. — The  Results. 


Lord  Cornwallis,  triuinpliant  as 
1 7S0#  ^ ^ 

he  had  been  at  Camden  over  Gen- 

end  Gate.'t,  on  the  16th  of  August,  did  not 
immediately  pursue  his  conquests.  The 
extreme  heat  of  the  weather,  and  the 
want  of  supplie.s,  kept  him  in  his  camp  at 
Camden.  His  lordship,  how'ever,  was  ac- 
tive in  preparations  for  the  coming  cam- 
paign. He  sent  his  emissaries  into  North 
Carolina,  to  encourage  the  loyalists  there 
to  take  up  arms  and  assemble,  with  the 
promise  of  soon  marching  to  their  sup- 
port. 

In  the  meantime,  every  measure  of  rig- 
or was  adopted  which  might  be  suppo.sed 
effective  in  crushing  out  the  remnants  of 
“rebellion”  in  the  Carolinas.  A savage 
proclamation  was  issued  by  the  earl,  ac- 
cording to  which  all  those  who,  after  hav- 
ing once  submitted,  had  again  taken  up 
arms  against  the  king,  were  to  be  impris- 
oned, and  their  property  taken  from  them 
or  destroyed  ; and  every  militiaman  who 
had  once  served  with  the  British,  and  af- 
terward joined  the  American.s,  was  threat- 
ened with  immediate  hanging!  These 
cruel  threats,  however,  instead  of  effect- 
ing his  lordship’s  object  of  extinguishing 


the  “ rebellion,”  gave  the  strength  of  des- 
peration to  resistance. 

No  measure  of  Lord  Cornwallis  was 
more  odious  and  more  exasperating  than 
his  treatment  of  the  prisoners  taken  on 
the  fall  of  Charleston.  Finding  letters 
from  some  of  these  in  the  baggage  which 
had  fallen  into  his  hands  after  the  defeat 
of  Gates,  the  earl  charged  them  with  hav- 
ing broken  their  parole,  and  made  this 
accusation  a cover  for  the  greatest  severi- 
ty. Regardless  of  his  previous  promise.s, 
he  caused  many  of  the  leading  republi- 
cans of  South  Carolina,  including  Cbristo- 
pher  Gad.sden,  the  lieutenant-governor  of 
the  state.  Doctor  David  Ramsay,  the  his- 
torian of  the  war,  most  of  the  civil  and 
militia  officers,  and  a large  number  of  the 
principal  inhabitants  of  Charleston,  about 
sixty  in  all,  to  be  dragged  from 
their  beds  early  in  the  morning 
by  armed  parties ; and,  after  being  mus- 
tered at  the  public  exchange,  they  were 
hurried  on  board  a guard-ship  and  trans- 
ported to  St.  Augustine,  in  Florida,  where 
they  were  subjected  equally  to  bondage 
and  every  form  of  indignity,  and  kept  as 
so  many  hostages  for  the  good  behavior 


r 

REVOLCTIONART.]  AIMERICAN  PRISONERS  AT  ST.  AUGUSTINE.  793 

of  the  citizens.  After  Major  Andre’s  ex- 
ecution, these  hostages  were  frequently 
threatened  with  the  halter,  in  retaliation 

Of  the  prisoners  taken  at  the  battle  of 
Camden,  and  at  Sumter’s  defeat  ^ 
by  Tarleton  two  days  afterward, 

for  the  fate  of  that  officer.  The  deter- 

several  were  selected,  bound  with  cords. 

inination  of  the  British  commander  ap- 

and  carried  to  Camden,  where  they  were 

peared  to  be  to  annihilate  the  spirit  of 

hung  without  trial  as  rebels,  under  the 

independence  by  trampling  upon  the  per- 

express  order  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  In  al- 

sons  of  its  best  asserters.  On  their  arri- 

most  every  section  of  the  state,  the  prog- 

val  at  St.  Augustine,  the  prisoners  were 

ress  of  the  British  was  marked  with  blood 

offiered  paroles  to  enjoy  liberty  within  the 

and  with  other  deeds  of  equal  atrocity. 

precincts  of  the  town.  The  sturdy  pa- 

Many  of  the  militia  were  executed  on  va- 

triot  Gadsden  refused  acquiescence,  for 

rious  and  worthless  pretexts,  and  most 

he  disdained  making  further  terms  with 

unfrequently  without  even  the  form  of 

a power  that  did  not  regard  the  sanctity 

trial ; and  private  citizens  were  closely 

of  a solemn  treaty.  He  was  determined 

confined  on  board  of  prison-ships,  where 

not  to  be  deceived  a second  time.  “ Had 

they  perished  of  foul  diseases  and  with- 

the  British  commanders,”  said  the  lieu- 

out  attendance. 

tenant-governor,  “ regarded  the  terms  of 

The  spirit  of  the  patriots  was  overawed 

capitulation  at  Charleston,  I might  now, 

but  not  subdued  by  these  hansli  proceed- 

although  a prisoner,  enjoy  the  smiles  and 

ings.  Opposition  was  not  extinguished. 

consolations  of  my  family  under  my  own 

The  policy  of  the  British  commander  was 

roof;  but  even  without  a shadow  of  ac- 

short-sighted.  True  manhood  is  never 

cusation  preferred  against  me,  for  any  act 

more  resolute  than  when  it  feels  itself 

inconsistent  with  my  plighted  faith,  I am 

wronged;  and  the  Carolinians  were  nev- 

torn  from  them,  and  here,  in  a distant 

er  more  determined  for  their  liberties 

land,  invited  to  enter  into  new  engao-e- 

than  in  the  moment  of  their  greatest  de- 

ments.  I will  give  no  parole  !” — “ Think 

nial  and  disaster.*  Marion  and  Sumter, 

better  of  it,”  answered  Governor  Tonyn, 

with  their  partisan  bands,  were  watching 

who  was  in  command  ; “ a second  refusal 

from  their  fastnesses  every  opportunity 

of  it  will  fix  your  destiny : a dungeon  will 

of  striking  a blow  for  the  recovery  of 

be  your  future  habitation.” — “ Prepare  it 

their  country  and  their  homes. 

then,”  rejoined  the  inflexible  patriot.  “ I 

After  the  defeat  of  General  Gates,  Ma- 

will  give  no  parole,  so  help  me  God !” 

rion  had  left  South  Carolina  for  a short 

And  the  petty  tyrant  did  “prepare  it;” 

time,  but  soon  returned  to  the  swamps 

and  for  forty-two  weeks  that  incorrupti- 

and  defiles  below  and  along  the  Santee 

ble  old  republican  of  nearly  threescore 

river,  and  under  every  disadvantage  con- 

years  never  saw  the  cheerful  light  of  day. 

tinned  to  struggle  against  an  overwhelm- 

but  lay  immured  in  the  dungeon  of  the 

ing  enemy.  For  weeks  he  could  muster 

castle  of  St.  Augustine.* 

but  seventy  men,  and  at  one  time  this 

* Lossing. 

100 

* Simms. 

[ 1 

1 

794  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  Lpart  ii. 

number  was  reduced  to  only  twenty-five. 
With  the  saws  of  the  neighboring  mills 
turned  into  sabres  for  his  horsemen,  and 
frequently  without  ammunition,  Marion 
kept  the  hosts  of  the  enemy  at  bay. 

Hearing  that  a body  of  prisoners  taken 

All  16  defeat  of  Gates,  about  one 

hundred  and  fifty  in  number,  was 
under  march  for  Charleston,  guarded  by 
a strong  escort,  Marion  determined  upon 
the  rescue  of  the  captives.  Placing  his 
mounted  men  in  ambush,  in  one  of  the 
swamps  that  skirt  the  wood  from  Nelson’s 
ferry  to  Monk’s  Corner,  he  darted  upon 
the  escort  and  succeeded  in  capturing  the 
whole  party.  Having  put  the  arms  of 
the  British  into  the  hands  of  the  rescued 
Americans,  he  hurried  across  the  Santee, 
and  did  not  pause  until  his  prisoners  were 
safely  disposed  of  within  the  limits  of 
North  Carolina.  He  was  far  upon  his 
wa}^  beyond  the  arm  of  danger  before  the 
parties  detached  by  Cornwallis,  to  drive 
him  from  his  covert,  had  reached  the 
scene  of  his  enterprise. 

Every  scheme  was  adopted  by  the  en- 
emy to  ferret  out  Marion,  and  prevent  the 
inhabitants  of  the  surrounding  country 
from  joining  him.  A ruthless  corps  of  Brit- 
ish soldiery,  under  Major  Wemyss,  was 
detached  to  devastate  that  region.  Scores 
of  houses  were  burnt  on  the  banks  of  the 
Pedee  and  Black  rivers, but  the  patriotism 
of  the  inhabitants  was  only  stimulated  to 
greater  efforts  by  these  wanton  cruelties ; 
and,  burning  with  revenge,  they  sought  a 
home  in  the  camp  of  Marion  and  his  men. 
Here,  with  no  shelter  but  the  recesses  of 
tlie  swamps,  they  suffered  every  hardship, 
but  felt  themselves  amply  com2)ensated 

for  all  when  they  could  sally  out  under 
their  brave  leader  and  avenge  their  mani- 
fold wrongs  upon  their  cruel  enemy. 

Marion  took  care  that  his  spirited  fol- 
lowers should  not  want  opportunities  for 
action.  Always  on  the  alert,  he  pounced 
upon  a body  of  tories,  under  Major  Gai- 
ney, at  Britton’s  Neck,  and  gained  a com- 
plete victory,  without  losing  himself  a 
single  man.  Again,  in  an  hour  after,  he 
fell  upon  Captain  Barfield  and  some  loy- 
alists, a few  miles  distant,  and  put  them 
to  total  rout.  Colonel  Tarleton  was  or- 
dered by  Cornwallis  to  hunt  up  and  strive 
to  entrap  the  '■‘■Swamp-Fox but  the  indtv 
fatigable  British  dragoon,  though  always 
in  full  cry  after  him,  could  not  succeed, 
for  Marion  skilfully  turned  and  turned  in 
his  swamp-cover,  and  thus  eluded  eveiy 
effort  of  his  pursuer.  Tarleton  strove  to 
briim  him  to  action,  and  Marion  was  thus 
tempted  to  come  out,  but,  finding  his  en- 
emy overwhelmingly  strong,  he  retired 
again  to  his  secure  retreats. 

Cornwallis,  having  obtained  his  sup- 
plies, was  prepared  to  begin  a campaign. 

He  accordingly,  early  in  September,  de- 
tached Colonel  Ferguson,  the  brave  and 
efficient  leader  of  the  seventy-first  regi- 
ment, in  advance,  and  proposed  to  follow 
him  immediately  from  Charlotte,  iiiNorth 
Carolina,  whither  he  had  penetrated  after 
the  defeat  of  General  Gates  at  Camden. 
Ferguson  wuis  directed  to  visit  the  north- 
Avestern  settlements  of  the  Carolinas,  up 
to  the  Virginia  frontier,  in  order  to  en- 
courage the  loyalists  of  that  quarter  to 
vigorous  action.  He  had  under  his  com 
mand  a strong  but  disorderly  force,  con 
sisting  of  tories  and  Bi  itish,  nearly  fifteen 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  COLONEL  FERGUSON  AND  “THE  MOUNTAIN-MEN.”  795 


hundred  in  all ; and  Ids  route  through  the 
country  was  distinguished  by  every  sort 
of  atrocity  and  violence.  On  his  march, 
he  heard  of  the  unsuccessful  attack  of 
Colonel  Clarke,  with  about  five  hundred 
A.merican.s,  upon  the  British  garrison  at 
Augusta;  aud,  as  the  latter  was  now  re- 
turning: from  Geor»:ia,  Ferguson  resolved 
to  cut  him  off  This  turned  the  British 
commander  from  his  route,  and  he  there- 
fore marched  to  Gilbert-town,  a village  on 
the  frontier, toward  the  mountains.  Here, 
although  far  removed  from  the  support 
of  the  main  body  of  the  army  under  Earl 
Cornwallis,  he  felt  secure,  as  he  believed 
in  that  remote  district  there  was  not  a 
force  which  was  strono;  enou<):h  to  dare  to 
‘Hook  him  in  the  face.”  Ferguson,  how- 
ever, did  not  know  the  country  and  the 
spirit  of  its  people. 

AYestwardof  the  Alleghanies  lived  “the 
mountain-men,”  a race  of  hardy  settlers, 
who  fed  their  flocks  in  the  valleys  and  on 
the  mountain-sides.  In  the  constant  pur- 
suit of  game,  and  in  frequent  rencontres 
with  the  Creek  and  Cherokee  Indians,  in 
that  wild  country,  they  had  become  in- 
ured to  danger,  and  skilful  in  the  use  of 
firearms.  They  were,  moreover,  ardent 
patriots.  The  lively  representations  of 
those  who  had  suffered  at  the  hands  of 
the  British  marauders,  now  awakened  the 
mountaineers  to  a sense  of  their  own  dan- 
ger. Hitherto,  they  had  only  heard  of 
war  at  a distance ; aud,  in  the  peaceable 
possession  of  that  independence  for  which 
their  countrymen  along  the  seaboard  had 
been  contending,  they  had  in  a measure 
been  indifferent  to  the  issue.  But  the 
approach  of  Colonel  Ferguson  aroused 


them  from  their  apathj',  and  they  deter- 
mined to  embody  themselves  for  their 
own  defence.  Such  were  the  formidable 
opponents  wdio  gathered  their  several 
bands  from  remote  tracts  — from  the  wa- 
ters of  the  Cumberland,  in  A^irginia,  or 
from  the  Saluda  and  Savannah,  in  Caro 
lina — and  rendezvoused  in  the  valley  of 
the  AAUatauga,  to  oppose  the  British  com 
mander  and  his  troops.  They  came  — 
nearly  three  thousand  in  number — most 
of  them  on  horseback,  but  many  afoot, 
some  dre.ssed  in  the  fringed  hunting-shirt 
and  buckskin  leggiug.s,  others  in  home- 
spun,  and  bearing  on  their  shoulders  the 
long,  small-bore  rifle  of  that  da3^* 

Colonel  Ferguson,  surprised  by  such  a 
formidable  gathering,  made  an  earnest 
appeal  to  the  loyalists  of  the  country  to 
join  his  standard  : “ If  you  choose,”  said 
he,  “ to  be  trodden  upon  for  ever  and  ever 
by  a set  of  mongrel  curs,  say  so  at  once, 
and  let  women  look  out  for  real  men  to 
protect  them  ! If  you  desire  to  live,  and 
bear  the  name  of  men,  grasp  your  arms 
in  a moment,  and  run  to  camp !” 

Finding  but  few  of  the  inhabitants  di.s- 
posed  to  come  to  his  aid,  Ferguson  began 
to  retire  toward  the  main  body  of  the 
British  army,  and  sent  word  to  Cornwal- 
lis, announcing  his  movement,  and  ex- 
plaining its  cause  in  the  sudden  appeai- 
ance  of  a formidable  and  unexpected  op- 
position. His  messengers,  however,  were 
w'ere  intercepted.  In  the  meantime,  he 
crossed  the  Broad  river,  at  the  ^ 

Cherokee  ford,  in  Yorkville  dis- 
trict, with  eleven  hundred  and  twenty 

* Address  of  the  Honorable  John  S.  Preston,  Yorkville 
South  Carolina,  1855. 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


LI’art  II. 


196 


five  men^  and  took  post  on  King’s  monntr 
ain,  about  two  miles  below  the  line  that 
divides  North  and  South  Carolina,  where 
he  was  so  confident  of  the  strength  of  his 
position,  that  he  wrote  in  one  of  his  de- 
spatches, ‘‘All  the  rebels  out  of  hell  can 
not  drive  me  from  it !” 

The  “ mountain-men”  were  now  follow- 
ing in  hot  pursuit.  Being  unencumbered 
with  baggage,  their  movements  were  rap- 
id and  prompt.  “ Each  man  set  out  with 
his  blanket,  knapsack,  and  gun,  in  quest 
of  Colonel  Ferguson,  in  the  same  manner 
he  was  used  to  pursue  the  wild  beasts  of 
the  forest.  At  night  the  earth  afforded 
them  a bed,  and  the  heavens  a covering ; 
the  running  stream  quenched  their  thirst, 
while  a few  cattle  driven  in  their  rear,  to- 
gether with  the  supplies  acquired  by  their 
guns,  secured  them  provision.” 

On  reaching  Gilbert-town,  which  had 
been  evacuated  by  Ferguson,  and  fearful 
lest  he  might  escape  and  form  a junction 
with  Cornwallis,  about  nine  hundred  of 
the  strongest  mountaineers,  mounted  on 
the  swiftest  horses,  were  chosen  to  lead 
the  chase. 

Without  waiting  for  daylight,  these 
bold  riders  sped  on.  “The  night  after 
leaving  Gilbert-town,  on  a short  halt,  in 
council,  the  officers  selected  a chief  to 
act  until  they  could  receive  orders  from 
Gates.  Their  little  army  was  composed, 
then,  of  men  nearly  in  equal  numhers 
from  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  and  South 
Carolina.  Each  band  was  led,  rather  than 
commanded,  by  its  own  officer.  Sevier, 
Shelby,  Campbell,  Cleveland,  Williams, 
and  M’Dowell,  were  the  colonels,  and  had 
all  seen  hard  service,  either  in  the  Indian 


wars  or  in  this  struggle.  After  full  delib- 
eration, they  unanimously  elected  Camp- 
bell, of  Virginia,  to  command  in  the  ap- 
proaching fray.*  He  was  a man  in  the 
vigor  of  life  — not  quite  forty  years  of  age 
— of  pure  Scotch  descent,  thoroughly  ed- 
ucated in  the  classics  and  all  the  science 
of  the  day,  and  had  been  a soldier  from 
his  earliest  manhood.  He  had  married 
the  sister  of  the  famous  Patrick  Henry, 
and  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Mr.  Jeffer- 
son, and  had  joined  in  all  the  early  move- 
ments of  resistance.  Having  a large  fam- 
ily connection  in  western  Virginia,  and 
an  extensive  property,  and  that  region 
being  still  subject  to  imminent  perils  from 
the  Indians  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky, 
he  declined  commissions  tendered  him  in 
the  continental  army  and  the  Virginia 
lines,  and  accepted  the  honorable,  labori- 
ous, and  dangerous  post  of  county  lieu- 
tenant. In  this  he  succeeded  Evan  Shel- 
by, the  father  of  his  associate  in  this  ex- 
pedition. He  immediately  gave  the  care 
of  his  family  and  property  to  a kinsman, 
and  devoted  himself  to  the  cause  of  free- 
dom. 

“ His  manner  was  grave  and  dignified, 
his  person  strong  and  graceful,  his  cour- 
age of  the  most  daring  and  reckless  char- 
acter, his  patriotism  of  the  sternest  mould, 
enthusiastic  and  uncompromising,  with  a 
fierce  and  relentless  hatred  of  those  who 
refused  to  join  the  patriot  cause,  and  with- 
al a skilful,judicious,  and  practised  officer. 
He  brought  to  the  expedition  four  hun- 

* It  is  said  that  Colonel  Williams,  of  South  Carolina,  had 
Governor  Rutledge’s  commission  in  his  pocket,  as  a briga- 
dier, at  this  very  time,  but  that  he  magnanimously  suppressed 
the  fact,  fearing  perhaps  that  its  assertion  might  cause  jeal- 
ousies and  distrust.  — Simms. 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  AMERICANS  OVERTAKE  FERGUSON.  797 


dred  and  fifty  men  (many  of  them  his 
kinsmen, friends,  and  neiglibors),of  wealth 
and  position  equal  to  his  own ; and  most 
of  them  of  that  true  Scotch-Irish  breed 
whose  fathers  had  fought  for  kirk  and 
covenant,  and  among  wliose  descendants 
were  the  Clays,  Calhouns, Scotts,  and  Tay- 
lors, of  our  day.”* 

After  a hurried  council,  at  which  each 
man  sat  holding  his  own  horse,  and  squat- 
ting on  tlie  ground,  amid  the  pastures  of 
Cowpens,  Colonel  Campbell  ordered  his 
resolute  followers  to  mount.  Off  they 
went  in  the  darkness  of  the  night,  with 
their  rifles  under  their  arms,  to  protect 
them  from  the  pelting  rain.  About  day- 
light they  crossed  the  ford  at  Broad  river, 
twelve  miles  from  King’s  mountain.  Here 
they  halted  and  killed  two  beeves,  from 
which  they  made  a hurried  repast,  and, 
again  springing  to  their  saddles,  did  not 

check  a rein  until  they  arrived 

Oct#  7# 

(at  noon)  within  three  miles  of 
the  enemy.  Halting  for  a moment,  the 
order  was  given,  and  passed  rapidly  along 
from  man  to  man,  “ Tie  up  overcoats,  pick 
touch-holes,  prime  fresh,  and  be  ready  to 
fight!” 

The  neighboring  farmers,  aroused  from 
their  work  by  the  clattering  of  hoofs,  and 
the  noisy  turmoil  of  the  troopers  gather- 
ing among  their  fields,  dropped  the  han- 
dles of  their  ploughs,  and,  unloosing  their 
horses,  came  “ riding  bare-back,  with  dan- 
gling trace-chains,”  to  join  their  gallant 
countrymen.  Acquainted  with  every  foot 
of  the  land,  and  with  the  exact  position 
01  the  enemy,  these  fresh  recruits  offered 
their  services  as  guides,  and  now  under- 

* Preston. 


took  to  lead  on  the  resolute  band  to  the 
mountain  where  the  enemy  had  so  defi- 
antly posted  themselves.  Their  command- 
er,Colonel  Ferguson,  was  one  of  the  ablest 
of  the  British  light-infantry  officers.  He 
was  specially  renowned  as  a leader  of  ri- 
flemen, and  had  himself  made  considera- 
ble improvements  in  the  rifle  and  its  use. 
His  force,  as  we  have  seen,  was  a mixeu 
one,  and  composed  of  British  reguhirs  and 
loyalists.  “The  latter,”  says  Simms,  “it 
was  known,  would  fight  — they  fought 
with  halters  round  their  necks.  They, 
too,  were  expert  riflemen.” 

The  order  of  attack  was  now  hurriedly 
made  by  the  Americans.  Sevier  was  to 
form  the  right,  Cleveland  and  Williams 
together  the  left,  and  Campbell  the  cen- 
tre, with  Shelby  on  his  left.  They  had 
scarcely  mounted,  when  a captured  mes- 
senger was  brought  in.  A paper  was 
found  upon  his  person,  which  proved  to 
be  a despatch  from  Ferguson  to  Cornwal- 
lis. “ Read  it  aloud  !”  was  the  cry  of  many 
voice.s,  which  rose  from  those  who  under- 
stood and  affected  no  military  formalities. 
It  was  read  aloud  ; and,  as  they  listened 
to  its  defiant  words — “1  hold  a position 
on  Hlie  King's  mountain^  and  all  the  rebels 
out  of  hell  can  not  drive  me  from  it!”  — 
a grim  smile  for  a moment  varied  the  res- 
olute e.xpression  of  their  faces,  but  not  a 
loud  word  was  uttered,  as  they  nervously 
clutched  their  rifles.  With  a bound  they 
were  off  again,  and  in  twenty  minutes 
were  in  sight  of  the  enemy’s  camp. 

Here  the  pursuers  drew  up  along  the 
bank  of  a little  brook,  and,  dismounting 
tied  their  horses  to  the  saplings  and  the 
brandies  of  the  trees.  Leaving  a small 


798 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  li 


guard  behind  them,  the  Americans  now 
arranged  themselves  in  the  order  agreed 
upon,  and  pushed  on  to  the  attack.  The 
three  divisions  were  about  equal  in  num- 
ber, and  it  was  decided  that  all  should 
scale  the  mountain  at  the  same  moment 
from  the  various  points  of  starting,  and 
strive  to  join  each  other  at  the  British 
encampment  perched  on  the  crest  of  the 
ridge. 

King’s  mountain,  one  of  the  spurs  of 
the  Alleghanies,  rises  precipitously  above 
the  neighboring  hills,  from  which  it  is  di- 
vided by  a deep  valley  and  broken  ra- 
vines. A nai  row  ihlge  of  irregular  rock 
forms  its  summit, from  which  rugged  sides 
of  outcropping  slate  and  thick  wood  fall 
steeply  to  the  base.  Colonel  Ferguson 
had  perched  his  camp  upon  the  top,  and 
thence  looked  down  with  defiant  con- 
tempt upon  the  undisciplined  hand  which 
was  now  about  to  make  the  attempt  to 
drive  him  from  his  strong  position. 

The  three  divisions  having  taken  their 
respective  positions,  Campbell  gave  the 
signal  for  the  ascent,  and  all  began  simul- 
taneously to  climb  the  mountain.  Cleve- 
land, as  he  led  his  men  to  the  attack  on 
the  left,  addressed  them  in  these  homely 
hut  telling  words  : “ My  brave  fellows,  we 
have  heat  the  tories  already,  and  we  can 
heat  them  again.  They  aie  all  cowards. 
If  they  had  the  spirit  of  men,  they  would 
ioin  with  their  fellow-citizens  in  support- 
ing the  independence  of  their  country. 
When  engaged  with  them,  you  are  not 
to  wait  for  the  word  of  command  from 
me.  I will  show  you  by  my  example  how 
to  light.  I can  undei  take  no  more.  Ev- 
ery man  tnust  consider  himself  <as  an  olh- 


cer,  and  act  fi  om  his  own  judgment.  Fire 
as  fast  as  you  can,  and  stand  your  ground 
as  long  as  you  can.  When  you  can  do 
no  better,  get  behind  trees,  or  retreiit; 
hut  I beg  of  you  not  to  run  quite  off  If 
we  are  repulsed,  let  us  make  a point  to 
return  and  renew'  the  fight.  Perhaps  we 
may  have  better  luck  in  the  second  at- 
tempt than  the  first.  If  any  of  you  are 
afraid,  such  have  leave  to  retire,  and  ilicy 
are  requeued  immcdialcl//  to  take  themselves 
offr  This  was  a good  speech,  which  his 
men  could  understand,  and  its  effect  was 
such  as  every  commander  must  desire. 

The  action  now  commenced.  As  Colo- 
nels Cainphell  and  Shelby,  at  the  head  of 
their  men,  began  to  lead  up  the  centre, 
the  British  fired  a volley,  hut  with  little 
effect,  as  their  shots  w'eie  badly  aimed. 
The  right,  under  Sevier,  now  emerging 
suddenly  into  view  from  a wooded  hol- 
low, drew  upon  it  the  whole  attention  of 
the  enemy,  and  a severe  conflict  ensued. 
Ferguson,  how'ever,  finding  his  men  no 
match  for  the  American  riflemen,  ordered 
a charge  of  bayonets.  This  was  made 
with  the  usual  impetuosity  by  the  British 
regulars,  and  Sevier  rvas  forced  nearly  to 
the  base  of  the  mountain. 

Williams  and  Cleveland,  with  the  left, 
coming  up  at  this  moment,  began  a mur- 
derous fire  upon  the  right  flank  of  the 
enemy, by  which  they  diverted  them  from 
the  pursuitof  Sevier,a.nd  drew  upon  them- 
selves all  their  furv.  The  chary-intr  col- 
umns,  being  recalled,  were  wheeled  rap- 
idl}^  to  the  right,  and,  making  a dash  at 
Williams’s  and  Cleveland’s  men,  drove 
them  down  the  declivity  before  them,  as 
they  had  previously  driven  Sevier.  See- 


r' 

SEVOLUTIONARY.]  BATTLE  OF  KING’S  MOUNTAIN.— FERGUSON  SLAIN. 

ing  their  comrades  in  extremity,  Camp- 

they  closed  together  and  completely  sur- 

boll  and  Shelby  pushed  on  nimbly  in 

rounded  their  enemy.  The  British,  thus 

front,  and  poured  upon  the  British  such 

at  bay,  fought  desperately.  The  regulars, 

a volley,  that  they  were  forced  to  desist 

with  firm  hand,  still  clung  to  their  mus- 

from  further  pursuit,  and  retire  to  the 

kets,  and  strove  to  keep  off  their  pursu- 

summit  of  the  ridge,  which  they  did,  how'- 

ers  by  a vigorous  use  of  their  bayonets ; 

ever,  in  perfect  order. 

while  the  tory  volunteers,  with  their  long 

Ferguson  now  gathered  his  whole  force. 

hunting-knives  fastened  in  the  muzzles 

and  bore  down  with  an  impetuous  chai’ge 

of  their  guns,  showed  in  their  despair  no 

directly  upon  the  American  centre.  Be- 

less  fierceness  of  resistance. 

fore  this  irresistible  onset,  Campbell  and 

At  every  discharge  of  their  rifles,  how- 

Slielby  gave  way.  In  the  meanwhile. 

ever,  the  Americans  closed  in,  narrowing 

however,  Cleveland  and  Sevier,  having 

more  and  more  the  fatal  circle  in  whicli 

rallied  their  men,  came  to  the  rescue  with 

they  held  their  doomed  eneiny.  “Tbe 

a terrible  fire  on  either  flank  of  the  ene- 

British  ca  valry  w\as  ordered  to  mount.  It 

my,  and  brought  them  suddenly  to  a stop. 

was  the  very  thing  for  the  American  rifle. 

The  British  soldiers, with  poised  bayonets. 

as  it  raised  the  mark  clear  above  the  bush- 

hesitated  for  a moment,  and  then  retreat- 

es ; and,  as  each  man  threw  his  leg  over 

ed  up  the  hill.  The  centre  of  the  Ameri- 

the  horse,  he  fell  dead  on  the  other  side. 

vians  now  rallied,  wheeled,  and  rushed  af 

Ferguson,  with  a gallantry  which  seemed 

ter  them  with  shouts  and  huzzas,  thinking 

to  rise  with  his  desperate  condition,  rode 

that  the  battle  was  won. 

from  rank  to  rank  and  from  post  to  post. 

The  bold  Ferguson,  however,  was  not 

cheerino;,  drivino;,  and  encourao;ino;  his 

yet  disposed  to  yield  the  day.  Rapidly 

men,  until  he  found  his  army  pressed,  act- 

throwing  his  men  into  three  columns,  one 

ually  huddled  together,  on  the  ridge,  and 

facing  each  division  of  his  foe,  he  made  a 

falling  as  fast  as  the  Americans  could  load 

fourth  charge  with  the  bayonet.  But  it 

and  shoot.”  Ferguson’s  valor  was  una- 

was  too  late.  The  “ mountain-men”  now 

vailing,  and  the  success  of  his  bayonets 

brought  to  bear  with  effect  the  peculiar 

gave  him  barren  ground,  which  he  could 

warfare  in  which  they  had  acquired  skill 

only  for  a moment  retain.  Still  he  re- 

in  their  frequent  conflicts  with  the  wild 

fused  to  surrender.  His  shrill  silver  wins- 

beasts  and  the  Indian  savages  on  the  fron- 

tie  was  heard  over  all  the  cries  of  the  con- 

tiens.  From  behind  the  rocks  and  trees. 

flict,  as  he  sped  from  side  to  side. 

under  the  cover  of  which  they  loaded 

“He  determined  on  one  more  desper- 

their  never-missing  rifles,  they  sprang  for- 

ate  charge,  and,  taking  his  position  at  the 

ward  and  fired  with  such  effect  upon  the 

head  of  his  cavalry,  in  a voice  that  rose 

British,  that  they  drove  them  back  wdtli- 

loud  above  the  din  of  the  battle,  he  sum- 

in  their  lines  upon  the  ridge. 

moned  his  men  to  ‘ crush  the  d d rebels 

As  the  three  divisions  of  the  mountain- 

into  the  earth  !’ 

eers  approached  the  summit  in  pursuit, 

* Preston. 

J 

800 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


The  Aniericans  heard  the  order,  and 
silently  prepared  for  the  conflict.  Each 
man  was  ordered  to  load,  and  not  fire  a 
shot  until  the  foe  was  within  sixty  paces. 
The  command  was  faithfully  obeyed.  The 
enemy  bore  down  from  the  summit  of  the 
rid<^e  in  one  mass,  with  the  brave  Ferguson 
at  tbeir  bead.  Impetuously  and  threaten- 
ingly, however,  as  they  came,  they  were 
soon  stayed  by  tbe  close  fire  and  sure  aim 
of  tbe  Americans.  Ferguson  fell  at  the 
first  discharge,  and  his  affrighted  horse 
went  scampering  down  the  hill.  His  sec- 
ond in  command.  Captain  De  Peyster, 
when  he  found  that  his  brave  command- 
er was  no  more,  and  saw  the  fatal  havoc 
made  among  the  troops,  gave  up  all  hope 
of  further  successful  resistance,  hoisted 
(he  white  flasc  of  surrender,  and  bearjjed 
for  quarter. 

The  battle  began  about  three 
o clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  last- 
ed an  hour.  Two  hundred  and  forty  of 
the  enemy  were  killed  and  two  hundred 
wounded  ; some  seven  or  eight  hundred 
were  taken  prisoners.  Out  of  the  whole 
British  force  but  two  hundred  escaped. 
Of  the  Americans,  only  twenty-eight  were 
killed  and  sixty  wounded.  In  the  Vir- 
ginia division,  out  of  the  thirteen,  no  le.ss 
than  twelve  were  officers!  Fifteen  hun- 
dred stand  of  arms  were  captured. 

“ In  this  battle,”  says  Preston,  “ the  offi- 
cers not  only  went  before,  but  every  one, 
commander,  colonels,  captains,  all  carried 
and  used  the  rifle  in  addition  to  the  sword, 
[t  thus  becomes  known  that  the  gallant 
Williams,  seeing  Ferguson  cheering  his 
men  with  his  voice  and  famous  silver 
u'liistle,  drew  up  his  rifle  to  shoot  him; 


but,  perceiving  that  Ferguson  was  armed 
only  with  sword  and  pistols,  he  threw 
away  his  gun,  exclaiming,  ‘I  will  have  a 
single  hand-tu.ssle  with  him,  or  die  !’  He 
d.ashed  at  the  Briton,  but,  before  he  reach- 
ed him,  received  two  balls,  and  was  borne 
from  the  field  by  his  two  sons,  lads  of 
fourteen  and  sixteen.*  Williams  survived 
until  the  next  day,  and  learned  that  the 
victory  was  complete.  He  raised  his  eyes 
to  heaven,  and  said,  ‘ I thank  God  for  my 
country’s  deliverance;’  and  placingahand 
on  the  head  of  each  of  his  children,  he 
said,  ‘ God  bless  you,  my  brave  boys  1 tell 
your  mother  and  our  friends  I die  con- 
tent.’ Within  a few  month.s,  those  two 
noble  youths  were  inhumanly  butchered 
b}'^  tbe  tories  at  Hay’s  station. 

“The  pure  and  brave  Captain  Edmonds- 
ton  fell  in  front  of  his  company,  near  his 
colonel.  The  stern  Campbell  was  seen  to 
bl  ush  away  a tear  as  that  brave,  good 
friend  was  borne  back.  Edmondston  lay 
under  a tree,  with  one  hand  clutching  his 
side  to  keep  in  life  until  the  battle  was 
over.  He  heard  the  shout  of  victory,  as 
his  commander  and  friend  grasped  his 
other  hand.  He  could  not  spe.ak  then; 
he  kissed  Campbell’s  hand,  smiled,  loosed 
the  hold  which  stanched  in  life,  and  the 
Christian  and  patriot  went  to  his  reward. 
Four  Edmondstons  fell  in  this  fight,  and, 
with  them,  Craigs  and  Beatties,  Bowens 
and  Willoughbys,  Blackburns  and  Craw 
fords,  Campbells  and  Cummings.” 

* “The  tradition,”  says  Simms,  “reports  that  Williams 
and  Ferguson  perished  by  each  other’s  hands ; that,  after 
Ferguson  had  fallen  by  the  pistol  of  Williams,  and  lay 
wounded  on  the  ground,  the  latter  approached  and  offered 
him  mercy ; and  that  liis  answer  was  a fatal  bullet  from  the 
pistol  of  the  dying  man  !” 


r 


UEVOLUTIONAKY.]  VENGE ANCE.-GATES  AND  COllNWALLIS.  801 


The  bloody  conliict  of  King’s  mountain 
was  marked  by  a crowning  sacrifice  of 
vengeance.  Ten  of  the  prisoners — loy- 
alists, conspicuous  for  their  outlawries, 
and  well  known — were  tried,  condemned, 
and  hung,  by  the  conquerors,  almost  in 
the  moment  of  victory.  Thirty  were  con- 
demned, but  twenty  respited.  They  are 
all  alleged  to  have  been  nntoiious  for 
their  crimes,  the  monstrous  a.trocity  of 
which  forbade  the  plea  of  pity  in  the  ears 
of  their  captors.  They  had  long  been 
doomed,  by  a thousand  threats  of  ven- 
geance, from  as  many  outraged  enemies. 
Something,  too,  is  alleged  in  behalf  of  this 
wild  and  summary  justice,  in  the  right 
and  policy  of  retaliation  for  the  murders 
which  Cornwallis  had  committed  on  his 


captives  at  Camden,  Ninety-six,  and  Au- 
gusta. The  deed  was  supposed  to  be  justi- 
fied b}^  that  code  which  requires  eye  for 
eye,  tooth  for  tooth,  life  for  life.* 

To  this  day  the  traveller  reads  on  a 
rude  stone  at  the  foot  of  the  scene  of  bat- 
tle, and  near  the  spring  from  which  he 
quenches  his  thirst,  this  inscription  : “ Sa- 
cred to  the  memory  of  Major  William 
Chronicle,  Captain  John  Mattocks,  Wil- 
liam Robb,  and  John  Boyd,  who  were 
killed  at  this  place  on  the  7th  day  of  Oc- 
tober, 1780,  fighting  in  defence  of  Amer- 
ica.” On  the  opposite  side  of  the  stone 
is  read  : “Colonel  Ferguson,  an  officer  of 
his  Britannic  majesty,  was  defeated  and 
killed  at  this  place  on  the  7th  day  of  Oc- 
tober, 1780.” 


CHAPTER  XCIII. 

General  Gates  and  his  Wretched  Force. — Lord  Cornwallis  discouraged. — Retreat  of  the  British. — Their  Sufferings  ana 
Disasters. — The  March  to  Winnsborough. — Illness  of  Cornwallis. — Lord  Rawdon  in  Command. — Tarleton  and  Sum- 
ter.— General  Greene  supersedes  Gates. — An  Affecting  Incident  — Life  and  Character  of  Greene. — His  Age  and  Per- 
sonal Appearance. — His  Manners. — His  Fidelity,  and  Friendship  for  Washington. 


General  Gates,  having  gathered 
the  scattered  remnants  of  his  army 
at  Hillsborough,  in  North  Carolina,  found 
that  his  whole  continental  force,  exclu- 
sive of  the  militia,  did  not  exceed  fifteen 
hundred  men.  These,  moreover,  were  in 
want  of  almost  every  necessity.  En- 
camped in  the  woods  near  the  town,  the 
soldiers,  in  lieu  of  tents,  built  wigwams 
of  fence-rails,  and  rudely  thatched  them 
with  Indian-corn  sheaves.  Although  in 
101 


rags,  without  pay,  “ with  only  a half  ra- 
tion, and  never  with  a whole  one,”  the 
men  bore  up  with  w'onderful  fortitude, 
and  cheerfully  submitted  to  the  severest 
discipline. 

In  the  meantime.  Lord  Cornwallis  had 
pushed  on  as  far  as  Salisbury,  near  the 
borders  of  Virginia ; and,  in  the  expecta- 
tion of  being  able  to  reach  that  State,  a 
reinforcement  of  troops  intended  for  him 

* Simms, 


r 


802 


BATTLES  OF  AMEBICA. 


[PAKT  II. 


under  General  Leslie,  was  ordered  to  en- 
ter the  Chesapeake.  After  learning  the 
fatal  result  at  King’s  mountain,  however, 
the  earl  was  no  longer  disposed  to  pene- 
trate farther  into  a country  whence  had 
suddenly  risen  such  a formidable  band  of 
foes  as  Campbell  had  led  to  victory.  His 
lordship  now  no  longer  thought  of  ex- 
tending his  conquests  northward.  His 
ordy  care  was  to  secure  those  which  he 
had  already  made.  He  was  determined 
to  retire  to  South  Carolina,  and  there  con- 
centrate his  force,  lest  he  should  be  sur- 
rounded and  cut  off  from  that  province 
by  some  of  the  bold  and  active  “ mount- 
ain-men.” 

The  retrograde  movement  commenced 
about  the  middle  of  October.  It  was  a 
difficult  and  disastrous  retreat, as  the  Brit- 
ish  authorities  themselves  acknowledge. 
It  rained  for  several  days  wilhout  inter- 
mi.ssion,  and  the  roads  were  knee-deep  in 
mud  and  water.  The  men  had  no  tents, 
and  hardly  enough  food  to  support  life. 
At  one  time,  they  had  beef  and  no  bread  ; 
at  another,  bread  and  no  beef.  For  five 
days  their  only  sustenance  was  the  Indian 
corn  which  they  collected  as  it  stood  in 
the  fields.  They  were,  moreover,  greatly 
harassed  by  the  militia  of  the  country, 
wlio  would  come  upon  them  unawares, 
and  shoot  down  their  guards  and  cut  off 
their  foraging-parties.  Nor  could  the  ut- 
most vigilance  on  the  part  of  the  British 
general  secure  his  troops  against  these 
surprise.s.  The  militia,  being  mounted, 
and  well  acquainted  with  the  country, 
\vere  here,  there,  and  everywhere.  At 
the  most  unexpected  moment,  a rifle-shot 
from  some  covert  would  lay  low  a sentry  ; 


and,  before  the  alarm  was  fairly  given, 
the  hidden  marksman  was  again  in  bis 
saddle  and  away,  without  fear  of  pursuit 
in  that  wild  country,  where  neither  foot 
nor  horse  soldier  ventured  to  follow.  On 
the  march  from  Charlotte,  single  riflemen 
often  rode  up  within  gunshot  of  the  ene- 
my, singled  out  their  victims,  and,  having 
discharged  their  pieces,  galloped  away  in 
safety. 

After  this  long  and  trying  tramp,  the 
Briti.sh  army  reached  the  Catawba  river, 
which  they  were  obliged  to  ford  at  a part 
where  it  was  six  hundred  yards  wide,  and 
in  some  places  as  deep  as  nine  or  ten  feet. 
The  enemy  now  enearnped  at  q ^ 29 
Winnsborough,  midway  between 
the  Catawba  and  Broad  rivers,  in  Fairfield 
district.  South  Carolina.  Here  Cornwal- 
lis was  taken  ill  with  a bilious  fever,  and 
the  comiiiand  devolved  upon  the  young 
Lord  Rawdon,  who  remained  inactive, 
however,  until  an  answer  should  be  re- 
ceived fiom  General  Leslie,  who  had  ar- 
rived in  the  Chesapeake  with  a force  des- 
tined for  Virginia,  but  which  Cornwallis 
now  wished  to  eo-operate  with  him  in  the 
Carolinas.  Leslie  was  therefore  instruct- 
ed to  proceed  by  sea  to  Charleston. 

The  retreat  of  Coi-nwallis,  following 
thus  closely  upon  Ferguson’s  defeat,  and 
the  confession  of  weakness  betrayed  by 
this  retreat,  gave  new  encouragement  to 
the  Americans.  They  everywhere  began 
to  repair  in  considerable  numbers — the 
sparseness  of  population  considered — to 
the  camps  of  their  respective  command 
ers.  Of  these  there  were  large  numbers, 
captains  and  colonels,  in  the  field,  of  whom 
the  historians  say  little  j and  day  by  day 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  PAllTISAN  WAllFAllE.— DEFEAT  OF  WEMYSS.  803 


they  achieved  successes,  on  a small  scale, 
of  which  but  little  has  been  reported. 

These  parties,  with  their  leaders,  now 
befjran  to  acknowledy:e  and  to  exercise  a 
better  discipline,  and  to  become  more  effi- 
cient as  soldiers.  They  had  suffered  too 
many  disasters  from  the  neglect  of  duty 
by  the  militia  not  to  feel  the  necessity  of 
vigilance,  and  a better  observance  of  the 
duties  of  the  regular  service.  The  legis- 
lature of  North  Carolina  put  all  the  mili- 
tia of  the  state  under  General  Smallwood, 
of  the  continental  army.  Generals  Sum- 
ner and  Davidson  had  likewise  large  com- 
mands of  militia,  and  were  good  officers. 
Major  Davie  was  also  an  active  and  effi- 
cient partisan  of  that  state,  .as  were  Shel- 
by,Sevier,M‘Dowell,  and  Lock.  Georgia 
contributed  several  able  officers,  in  Colo- 
nels Clark, M‘Call,  Jackson,  and  Twiggs; 
and  there  was  not  a precinct  in  South 
Carolina  that  had  not  some  body  of  troops 
in  the  field,  under  a favorite  leader,  Ham- 
mond, the  Hamptons,  Harden,  Cleveland, 
as  well  as  Marion,  Sumter,  and  Pickens. 

It  was  one  of  the  mistakes  of  the  Brit- 
ish to  suppose  that  the  spirit  of  the  courv 
try,  thus  excited  and  active,  could  be  sub- 
dued by  cruelty  and  terror.  Cornwallis 
issued  his  orders  to  hang,  and  burn,  and 
oppress  the  ‘‘  rebels,”  in  every  possible 
way ; and  his  lieutenants,  such  as  Tarle- 
ton,  Wemyss,  and  others,  were  not  unwil- 
ling to  follow  out  his  decrees  to  the  ful- 
lest extent  of  privilege  and  persecution 
which  they  allowed.* 

The  active  Biitish  cavalry-leader,  find- 
ing all  attempts  to  surprise  the  ever-vigi- 
lant  Marion  futile,  now  directed  his  elibrts 
* SimtQS. 


.against  the  audacious  Sumter.  This  gal- 
lant partisan-leader,  .after  the  surprise  of 
his  band,  had  soon  collected  an-  ^ 
other,  composed  of  the  remnant 
of  his  old  corps  and  some  fresh  volunteers 
from  among  the  people  of  York  district, 
a section  of  the  state  which  had  never 
m.ade  any  concessions  to  the  invaders. 
Though  unsupported  by  .any  continental 
force,  Sumter  was  enabled  to  keep  the 
field.  Varying  his  position  .about  the  En- 
oree.  Broad,  and  Tiger  rivers,  he  made 
frequent  att.acks  upon  the  British.  He 
beat  up  their  quarters,  cut  off  their  con- 
voys, and  kept  them  in  a constant  state 
of  alarm  and  disquietude.  Having  re- 
cruited his  command  to  an  imposing  force, 
he  advanced  within  twenty-eight  miles 
of  the  British  camp  at  Winnsborough. 

This  audacity  suggested  to  Cornwallis 
a plan  of  surprising  him  in  his  encamp- 
ment. Such  importance  was  attached  to 
securing  his  individual  person,  that  an 
officer,  with  five  dragoons,  h.ad  it  special- 
ly in  charge  to  force  their  way  to  his  tent 
and  take  him,  dead  or  alive.  “ The  Game- 
Cock”  as  Sumter  was  called  by  the  Caro- 
linians, was,  in  the  language  of  his  lord- 
ship,  the  greatest  trouble  which  the  Brit- 
ish had  encountered  in  the  country. 

The  conduct  of  this  enterprise  was  in- 
trusted to  Major  Wemyss,  who,  with  a con- 
siderable force  of  cavalry  and  infantry, 
approached  the  encampment  of  the  par- 
tisan leader  at  Broad  river  with  equal 
promptitude  and  caution.  Fortunately, 
Sumter  had  given  unusual  strength  to  his 
advanced  guard.  His  force  had  lain  so 
long  in  its  position,  that  he  naturally  ex- 
pected attack  Colonel  Taylor,  by  whom 


the  advanced  guard  was  commanded,  had 
taken  particular  precautions.  Fires  had 
been  liarlited  in  front  of  his  line,  and  his 
men  were  ordered,  in  case  of  alarm,  to 
form  so  far  in  the  rear  of  the  fires  as  to 
be  concealed,  while  the  approaching  ene- 
my would  be  conspicuous  in  their  light. 
^ The  videttes  and  pickets  did 

their  duty,  and  the  guard  was 
ready  to  receive  the  attack.  A murder- 
ous discharge  prostrated  twenty-three  of 
the  British  as  they  reached  the  fires.  The 
rest  recoiled,  then  retreated  for  a hundred 
yards  before  they  rallied.  They  were 
brought  again  steadily  to  the  attack,  and 
a close  conflict  followed ; but  the  well- 
directed  fire  of  the  Americans  completed 
what  their  advanced  guard  had  so  well 
begun.  The  British  were  driven  from  the 
field,  and  found  safety  only  in  the  dark- 
ness of  the  night.  Wemyss  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Americans,  being  wounded 
through  both  thighs,  and  deserted  by  his 
n\en  in  the  precipitation  of  their  flight. 

After  this  affair,  Sumter  changed  his 
position  ; and  Tarleton,  having  given  up 
his  vain  pursuit  of  i\larion,  now  turned 
in  headlong  chase  after  the  former,  whom 
he  overtook  at  Blackstock’s,near 
Tiger  river,  and  had  no  difficulty 
in  bringino:  him  to  action.  Blackstock’s 
house,  situated  on  the  southwest  bank  of 
the  stream,  consisted  of  a large  van,  built 
of  logs,  the  apertures  of  which  formed 
capital  loopholes  for  marksmen.  It  af- 
forded a favorable  position  for  the  em- 
ployment of  a small  force  in  battle,  and 
Sumter  stationed  his  troops  so  as  to  avail 
himself  of  all  its  advantages.  On  this  oc- 
c.asion,  he  had  with  him  Clarke,  Twiy:(i:s, 

' 7 OO  / 


1 

[part  II. 

and  Colonels 

Thomas,  Bratton,  and  Majors  McCall  and 
Samuel  Hammond,  of  South  Carolina,  who 
had  joined  forces  w’ith  his  some  ten  days 
before.  Not  doubting  that  Tarleton’s  en- 
tire force  was  upon  him,  he  resolved  to 
maintain  his  ground  during  the  day,  and, 
under  cover  of  the  night,  escape  across 
the  river. 

Tarleton’s  command  consisted  of  his  le- 
gion, a battalion  of  the  seventy-first  regi- 
ment,a  detachment  of  the  sixty-third,  and 
a lieutenant’s  command  of  the  royal  ar- 
tillery, with  one  fieldpiece.  But,  of  this 
force,  only  four  hundred  mounted  men 
had  yet  come  up  with  the  Americans. 

As  soon  as  Sumter  made  this  discovery, 
his  plans  were  changed  ; and  he  resolved 
to  commence  the  attack,  and  cut  up  his 
enemy  in  detail.  Tarleton, supposing  that 
he  had  the  game  in  his  own  hands,  had, 
immediately  on  arriving,  secured  an  ele- 
vated piece  of  ground  in  fi-ont  of  Sumter’s 
position,  and,  dismounting  his  men  to  re- 
lieve themselves  and  horses,  prepared  to 
await  the  arrival  of  his  infantry  and  ar- 
tillery. 

But  the  assault  of  Sumter  compelled 
him  to  take  to  his  arms.  The  Americans 
descended  from  their  heights,  and  poured 
in  a well-directed  fire  upon  the  enemy. 
They  were  met  by  the  bayonet,  and,  be- 
ing armed  only  with  rifles,  were  obliged 
to  retire.  The  British  now  advanced, but 
were  met  by  a reserve  of  rifles,  which  pros- 
trated many  and  repulsed  the  rest.  As 
he  beheld  his  danger,  Tarleton  ordered 
a second  and  desperate  charge,  directly 
up  the  hill ; but  the  Americans  stood  firin 
and  received  him  with  their  rifles,  under 


804  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


and  Chandler,  of  Georgia; 


KicvoMTioNAiiY.]  TAIILETON’S  DEFEAT.- 

-REMOVAL  OF  GxVFES.  805 

the  united  fii  e of  which  his  men  could  not 

which  we  give  in  the  words  of  an  eye- 

be  made  to  stand.  Drawing  off  his  whole 

witness:  “I  found  him,”  says  the  narra- 

force,  he  now  wheeled  upon  Sumter’s  left, 

tor,  “ traversing  the  fipartment  which  he 

where  the  ground  was  less  precipitous. 

occupied,  under  the  influence  of  high  ex- 

Tarleton  was  here  met  by  a little  corps 

citement.  His  agitation  was  excessive: 

of  Georgians,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 

every  feature  of  his  countenance,  every 

in  number,  who  displayed  the  courage  of 

gesture,  betrayed  it.  Official  despatches. 

veterans.  Clarke  and  Ilamitiond,  espe- 

informing  him  that  he  was  superseded. 

cially,  distinguished  themselves  in  this 

and  that  the  command  of  the  southern 

action.  But  the  pressure  of  the  whole 

army  had  been  transferred  to  General 

British  force  was  too  much  for  them  to 

Greene,  had  just  been  received  and  pe- 

contend  against.  They  yielded,  after  a 

rused  by  him.  His  countenance,  however. 

noble  resistance,  and  gave  way ; but  the 

betrayed  no  expression  of  irritation  oi‘  re- 

timely  interposition  of  the  I’eserve,  under 

sentment;  it  was  sensibility  alone  that 

Colonel  Winn,  and  the  fire  of  a company 

caused  his  emotion.  An  open  letter,  which 

stationed  at  the  house,  determined  the 

he  held  in  his  hand,  was  often  raised  to 

issue.  Tarleton  fled,  leaving  nearly  two 

his  lips  and  kissed  with  devotion,  while 

hundred  men  upon  the  field  of  conflict. 

the  exclamation  repeatedly  escaped  them 

The  lo.ss  of  the  Americans  was  trifling,  but 

— ‘Great  man!’  ‘Noble,  generous  pioce- 

their  brave  commander  received  a severe 

dure  !’  When  the  tumult  of  his  mind  had 

wound  in  the  breast,  which  kept  him  for 

subsided,  and  his  thoughts  found  utter- 

several  months  from  active  service.  On 

ance,  he  with  strong  expre.ssion  of  feeling 

being  disabled.  Colonel  Twiggs  succeeded 

exclaimed:  ‘I  have  received  this  d:iy  a 

to  the  command.* 

communication  from  the  commander-in- 

Lord  Cornwallis  having  retired  to  the 

chief,  which  has  conveyed  more  consola- 

south.  General  Gates  moved  his  force  and 

tion  to  my  bosom,  more  ineffable  delight 

took  post  at  Charlotte,  soon  after  its  evac- 

to  my  heart,  than  I had  believed  it  pos- 

nation  by  the  enemy,  in  the  latter  part 

sible  for  it  ever  to  have  felt  again.  With 

of  October,  with  the  view  of  making  it 

affectionate  tenderness  he  sympathizes 

his  winter-quarters.  While  here.  Gates 

with  me  in  my  domestic  misfortunes,  and 

was  overwdielmed  with  misfortune.  First 

condoles  with  me  on  the  loss  I have  sus- 

came  the  sad  intelligence  of  the  death  of 

tained  by  the  recent  death  of  an  only  son ; 

his  only  son  ; and  next  followed  a de- 

and  then,  with  peculiar  delicacy,  lament- 

spatch  informing  him  that  he  had  been 

ing  my  misfortune  in  battle,  assures  me 

superseded  in  the  command  of  the  south- 

that  his  confidence  in  my  zeal  and  capa- 

ern  department  by  General  Greene. 

city  is  so  little  impaired,  that  the  com- 

Heavy,  however,  as  were  these  blows. 

inand  of  the  right  wing  of  the  army  will 

General  Gates’s  sensibility  was  still  moie 

be  bestowed  on  me  as  soon  as  I can  make 

wrought  upon  by  an  affecting  incident 

it  convenient  to  join  him.’”* 

® Simms 

^ Thacher. 

J 

806 


J5ATTLES  OF  AMEPJCA. 


[PAIiT  11 


General  Greene  now  arrived  at  Char- 
lotte, to  assume  the  command  of 
the  southern  army.  As  we  are 
about  to  narrate  the  history  of  a cam- 
paign in  which  this  Revolutionary  hero, 
although  heretofore  among  the  most  con- 
spicuous  of  Washington’s  generals,  won 
his  most  signal  triumphs,  it  seems  appro- 
priate that  we  should  here  briefly  record 
the  early  incidents  of  his  life. 

N.vi’haniel  Greene  was  born  at  Warwick, 
in  Rhode  Island,  May  27,  1742,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Potonhornmeth,  where  his 
father,  a blacksmith  by  trade,  worked  a 
mill  and  forge.  The  elder  Greene  was  a 
rigid  Quaker,  and  frequently  held  forth 
at  the  “ meeting,”  where  he  was  noted  as 
among  the  soundest  and  most  forcible  of 

o 

the  preachers.  The  son  was  brought  up 
in  the  strictest  piiuciples  of  the  sect,  but 
early  exhibited  a desire  to  give  his  mind 
a freer  scope  than  was  conformable  with 
the  restricted  views  of  his  somewhat  as- 
cetic father.  With  a strong  passion  for 
books,  the  young  Greene  was  resolved 
upon  pursuing  a course  of  more  liberal 
study  than  could  be  taught  by  the  well- 
thumbed  family  bible  and  the  old  homi- 
lies on  the  paternal  book-shelf  He  re- 
ceived no  encouragement  in  this  pursuit 
from  his  father,  who  looked  suspiciously 
upon  any  wanderings  in  the  fields  of  “pro- 
fane” literature.  The  youth,  however,  suc- 
ceeded hy  his  own  efforts  in  buying  books 
and  reading  them,  in  spite  of  the  paternal 
protest.  The  father,  at  last  finding  how 
resolute  his  son  was  in  the  pursuit  of 
learning, ceased  to  thwart  him,  and  final- 
ly allowed  him  to  provide  himself  with  a 
teacher,  who  wuis  able  to  impart  to  the 


earnest  student  of  fortune  the  elements 
of  Latin  and  mathematics.  The  black- 
smith’s son  at  (he  same  time  was  no  less 
busy  at  his  father’s  forge  ; and,  while  his 
mind  was  ripening  with  study,  his  body 
was  daily  grow'ing  in  strength.  The  fa- 
ther, moreover,  finding  that  the  youth's 
ardor  for  learning  did  not  lessen  his  labor 
or  diminish  its  profits,  ceased  to  oppose, 
though  he  continued  to  regret,  the  world- 
ly tastes  of  his  son. 

The  severity  of  the  Quaker  was,  how- 
ever, too  rigid  to  relax  when  he  found 
that  his  son  was  not  only  devoted  to  “pro- 
fane” studies,  but  was  likewise  given  to 
“ profane”  amusements.  The  youth,  now' 
over  eighteen,  was  tempted  by  the  charms 
of  the  gay  daughters  of  the  neighborhood 
to  indulge  in  the  pleasures  of  the  dance. 
But  these  were  only  to  be  enjoyed  secretr 
ly  ; and  the  young  man  w'ould  steal  aw'ay 
at  night,  when  the  whole  house  was  quiet 
in  sleep,  and,  after  taking  his  fill  of  th<‘ 
forbidden  enjoyment,  return  cautiouslj' 
to  his  bed  again  without  disturbing  the 
repose  or  agitating  the  principles  of  the 
slumbering  Quaker.  He  was  not  always, 
however,  equally  lucky. 

There  was  a great  ball  in  the  neighbor 
hood,  to  which  young  Greene  had  been 
secretly  invited.  In  the  night,  watching 
his  opportunity,  he  made  his  escape  by 
the  usual  window,  and  after  dancing,  the 
gayest  of  the  gay,  until  midnight,  groped 
his  way  homewaird.  Arriving  near  the 
house,  his  eye  caught  a glimpse  of  his  fa- 
ther, standing,  with  a whip  in  his  hand, 
below  the  window  tlirough  which  .alone 
he  could  gain  entrance.  “There  was  no 
means  of  escaping  him.  The  stern  old 


r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  NATHANIEL  GREENE.  807 


Quaker  was  one  of  that  class  of  people 
who  are  apt  to  unite  the  word  and  blow 
together,  the  latter  being  quite  likely  to 
make  itself  felt  before  the  other.  In  this 
emergency,  conscious  that  there  was  no 
remedy  against  or  rescue  from  the  rod, 
young  Greene  promptly  conceived  an 
idea  which  suggests  a ready  capacity  for 
military  resource.  A pile  of  shingles  lay 
at  hand  ; and,  before  he  supposed  his  hi- 
ther to  behold  his  apjiroach,  he  insinuated 
beneath  his  jacket  a sufficient  number  of 
thin  layers  of  shingle  to  shield  his  back 
and  shoulders  from  the  thong.  With  this 
secret  corslet  he  approached  and  received 
his  punishment  with  the  most  exemplary 
fortitude.”-^ 

Greene,  however,  never  allowed  his 
love  of  pleasure  to  master  his  habits  of 
industry  and  stud3^  He  pursued  his  busi- 
ness so  steadily,  and  so  much  to  the  sat- 
isfaction of  his  father,  that  in  his  increas- 
ing prosperity  he  made  him  his  partner, 
and  manager  of  a new  mill  which  he  erect- 
ed at  Coventry.  The  son,  in  the  mean- 
time, added  to  his  libraiy,  and  increased 
his  acquirements.  Young  Greene  soon 
became  a noticeable  person  from  his  ac- 
complishments, and,  as  he  sympathized 
with  the  popular  sentiment  in  political 
affairs  which  were  at  that  time  agitated 
by  the  quarrels  with  the  mother-country, 
lie  soon  became  prominent  as  a revolu- 
tionist. When,  however,  on  the  prospect 
of  war,  he  began  to  add  the  works  of  mil- 
itary authors  to  his  library,  and  to  carry 
out  their  principles  in  actively  organizing 
the  militia  of  the  neighborhood,  his  peace- 
ful fellow-Quakers  hrst  rebuked,  and,  at 

c Life  of  General  Greene,  by  W.  Gilmore  Simms. 


last,  when  they  found  him  pertinacious, 
‘‘  read  him  out  of  meeting.” 

In  1770,  Greene  was  elected  a member 
of  the  general  assembly  of  the  colony  of 
Rhode  Island.  In  1774,  he  enrolled  him- 
self in  the  ranks  of  the  “Kentish  Guards;” 
and  in  the  same  year  he  married  Cathe- 
rine Littlefield. whose  attractions  had  first 
led  him  to  those  forbidden  balls.  After 
the  battle  of  Lexington,  in  April,  177-5, 
he  w'as  raised  to  the  command  of  the  mi- 
litia of  Rhode  Island,  with  the  rank  of 
major-general.  Ilis  subsequent  career,  till 
his  appointment  to  the  head  of  the  soutli- 
ern  armies,  has  been  already  fully  nar- 
rated in  the  course  of  this  history. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary 
War,  Greene  was  thirty- three  years  of 
age.  Ills  personal  appearance  at  this  pe- 
riod was  impressive.  In  height  he  was 
about  five  feet  and  ten  or  eleven  inches. 
His  figure  was  stout  and  muscular.  His 
face,  though  somewhat  disfigured  by  a 
blemish  in  one  of  his  eyes  from  the  effects 
of  small-pox,  was  pleasing  from  the  fresh- 
ness of  its  complexion  and  the  elevation 
of  its  expression.  His  air  was  that  of  a 
calm  and  thoughtful  person,  rather  than 
of  an  impulsive  man  of  action.  He  was, 
however,  elastic  in  Ins  movements, though 
his  right  leg  was  slightly  lame  from  the 
effects  of  his  severe  labors  in  early  life. 
His  manners  were  quiet,  but  courteous ; 
and  General  Greene,  notwithstanding  the 
rude  experiences  of  his  youth,  was  notice- 
able as  among  the  most  gentlemanly  as 
well  as  accomplished  of  the  American  of- 
ficers. He  was  greatly  beloved  by  Wash- 
ington, and  was  held  in  such  general  es- 
teem, that  it  was  common  to  speak  of  him 


808 


r.ATTLE.'^  OF  AMERICA. 


[l-ART  II. 


as  the  probable  successor  to  the  coininund- 
er-in-chief,  should  any  misfortune  have  de- 
prived the  country  of  his  great  services. 
Washington  always  relied  upon  him  in 
his  severest  trials.  On  the  discovery  of 
Arnold’s  treason  while  the  chief  hardly 


knew  whom  to  trust,  he  did  not  hesitate 
to  confide  the  command  of  West  Point  to 
General  Greene ; and  iiguin,  when  the 
southern  country  in  its  despair  called  foi 
succor,  it  was  Greene  whom  Washington 
sent  to  raise  it  from  its  despondency.* 


CHAPTER  XCIV. 

Interview  between  Generabs  Greene  and  Gates. — Generous  Friendsliip  of  Greene. — Retirement  of  Gates. —Gratitude  ot 
Virginia. — Greene  and  his  Troops. — Good  Feeling  and  Good  Service.  — State  of  the  Country.— Success  of  Morgan. — 
'I'he  Rugelys  surrender — An  Unlucky  Colonel. — Greene  on  the  Pedee. — Earl  Cornwallis  for  North  Carolina. — ^'I'arle- 
ton  pushing  .ahead. — Pursuit  of  Morgan. — Morgan  at  Cowpens — Tactics.— Disposition  of  'I’roops. — Morgan  to  his 
Men. — the  Battle.  — American  Victory. — Colonel  Washington. — The  Resolute  Tarleton. — Washington  and  Tarleton. 
— Personal  Conflict — Losses. — Lord  Cornwallis  on  a March. — Lightening  the  Troops. — Quick  Pursuit. — Morgan  for 
the  Catawba. 


The  interview  between  Generals 
Greene  and  Gates  at  Charlotte  was 
marked  by  every  manifestation  of  cour- 
tesy. The  former  was  modest  in  assu- 
ming, while  the  latter  Avas  digni- 
fied in  resigning,  the  command. 
General  Greene  was  announced  to  the 
army  as  commanding  officer ; and  on  the 
same  day  the  ne\\  general  addressed  the 
troops,  and  paid  his  predecessor  the  com- 
pliment of  confirming  all  his  standing  or- 
ders. 

Directions  had  been  given  that  a court 
of  inquiry  should  be  instituted  by  Greene 
oil  his  arrival,  to  investigate  the  conduct 
of  Gates  at  Camden  ; but,  as  Baron  Steu- 
ben had  been  left  in  command  in  Virginia, 
there  was  no  major-general  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy in  the  number  requisite  to  consti- 
tute the  court.  The  investigation  was 
accordingly  postponed  ; and  Greene,  who 
looked  with  great  indulgence  upon  his  un- 


fortunate predecessor,  pleaded  his  cause 
so  successfully,  that  Congress  was  finally 
induced  to  rescind  its  resolution,  and  to 
restore  Gates  to  his  old  command  in  the 
northern  army.  The  unhappy  general, 
subdued  by  private  griefs  and  public  mis- 
fortune, started  on  his  way  to  the 
North  the  day  after  Greene’s  ar- 
rival  at  Charlotte,  and  in  the  meanwhile 
retired  to  his  ^^Traveller's  Best”  as  his  es- 
tate was  called,  in  Virginia.  The  general 
assembly  of  his  adopted  state  generously 
consoled  the  feelings  of  the  fallen  officer 
by  appointing  a committee  to  wait  upon 
him,  and  assure  him  of  the  high  regard 
and  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by  its 
members,  and  that  their  remembrance  of 
his  former  glorious  services  was  never  to 
be  obliterated  by  any  reverse  of  fortune 

® At  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  General  Greene  returned 
to  Rhode  Island.  In  1785,  he  removed  with  his  family  to 
Georgia,  where  he  died  suddenly  in  June  of  the  following 
year,  in  the  forty-fourth  year  of  his  age. 


RKVOLUTIONAUY.J  ARRIVAL  OF  GREENE.— RETIREMENT  OF  GATES. 


809 


Ever  luiiidrul  of  liis  great  merit,  they  de- 
clared tliat  tliey  woidd  omit  no  opportu- 
nity of  testifying  to  the  world  the  grati- 
tude which  Virginia,  as  a member  of  the 
American  Union,  owed  to  him  in  his  mili- 
tary character.* 

* III  tlie  neighborhood  of  Leetown,  in  Jefferson  (formerly 
Berkeley)  county,  Virginia — not  far  beyond  the  Blue  Ridge 
and  the  Shenandoah,  but  nearer  still  to  the  Opequan,  anoth- 
er stream  which  has  had  the  good  fortune  to  retain  its  musi- 
cal Indian  name — are  the  ancient  and  dilapidated  residences 
of  three  distinguished  generals  of  the  Revolution.  Here, 
within  a radius  of  a mile  or  two,  lived,  long  and  weary  years, 
Chaulbs  Lee,  the  sinister  hero  of  Monmouth  ; Hokatio 
Gates,  loser  of  the  battle  of  Camden,  and  of  the  southern 
campaign  : Adam  Stephen,  the  early  friend  of  Washington, 
but  whose  irregular  habits  induced  Congress  to  remove  him 
from  his  command  of  a division  and  to  bestow  it  upon  the 
marquis  Lafayette  ; and  William  Dakke,  a hero  of  the 
frontier,  and  the  victor  in  a hundred  personal  combats  with 
the  savages.  In  this  little  valley,  beneath  the  shadow  of  the 
great  forests,  remote  from  camps  and  the  flashing  world, 
whose  light  and  noise  never  penetrated  the  remote  depths  of 
their  retirement,  these  first-named  warriors  rusted  out  long 
ye.'irs  of  vigorous  manhood  in  inglorious  repose,  their  swords 
in  moth-eaten  scabbards,  their  hearts  in  the  great  struggle 
which  approached  its  termination,  but  their  bodies  far  away 
from  it.  The  eccentric  career  and  death  of  General  Lee 
have  already  been  detailed. 

Somewhat  removed  from  the  county  road,  and  between 
the  little  villages  of  Kerneysville  and  Leetown,  stood,  and 
still  stands,  the  house  of  “Traveller’s  Rest,”  to  which  Gates 
retired  after  the  disastrous  day  of  Camden.  The  only  pecu- 
liarity perhaps  worth  noting  in  the  dwelling,  is  the  appear- 
ance of  one  of  the  apartments.  It  is  a large  room  in  one 
wing  of  the  house,  with  three  windows,  singularly  arranged. 
The  origin  of  so  eccentric  an  arrangement  was,  that  some  of 
General  Gates’s  family  in  England  sent  him,  while  the  man- 
sion was  in  process  of  construction,  three  large  damask  cur- 
tains, of  resplendent  color — then  a great  luxury.  The  win- 
dows of  the  great  dining  room  were  made  to  fit  these  cur- 
tains, and  they  duly  took  their  place.  'I'he  house  is  going 
to  ruin.  ’I'his  banqueting-room  was  lately  used  as  a corn- 
crib  by  the  owner  of  the  estate.  Alas  for  human  pride,  and 
the  glory  of  the  world  which  passes  away  ! 

Gates  went  to  Mount  Vernon  to  see  VV'ashington  imme- 
diately upon  his  arrival  from  England  ; and  here  he  met 
with  Lee,  an  old  friend  and  companion  in-arms.  As  yet  the 
three  men  thus  assembled  were  as  brothers,  consulting  upon 
the  safety  of  the  republic.  But  when  the  Revolution  broke 
out.  and  Washington  was  made  its  chief,  both  Lee  and  Gates 
had  their  partisans,  who  advocated  a change  of  h'adership, 
the  deposition  of  Washington,  and  the  substitution  of  one  or 
the  other  of  the  successful  Englishmen.  Gates  was  known 
102 


Generiil  Greene  found  himself  in  com- 
mand of  the  mere  shadow  of  an  army. 
He  brought  with  him  no  troops,  and  but 
a single  aid-de-camp.  The  returns  of  the 
whole  force,  made  six  days  after 
he  joined  the  army  at  Charlotte, 
gave  but  nine  hundred  and  seventy  con- 
tinentals and  eleven  hundred  and  thirteen 
militia.  The  soldiers,  moreover,  were  des- 
titute of  pay,  tents,  or  blankets,  only  half 
clothed,  and  were  but  scantily  supplied 
with  food  and  ammunition.  Greene  felt 
the  difficulties  of  his  position.  “ Good 
feeding,”  he  says,  “ is  the  first  principle 
of  good  service.  It  is  impossible  to  pre- 
serve discipline  where  troops  are  in  want 
of  everything ; to  attempt  severity  will 

to  desire  it,  and  to  work  for  the  result.  His  attempt  to  cor- 
rupt the  inflexible  Morgan  is  well  known,  and  the  great  sol- 
dier’s noble  reply;  “I  have  onefovor  to  ask  of  you,  which  is, 
never  to  mention  that  detestable  subject  to  me  again  ; for 
under  no  other  man  than  Washington,  as  commander-in- 
chief, will  I ever  serve  !” 

The  battle  of  Camden  came ; and  Gates,  the  conqueror  of 
Burgoyne,  the  rival  of  Washington,  came  here  to  this  house 
of  the  “Traveller’s  Rest’  ’ unattended  and  alone.  Alas,  how 
fallen  from  his  high  estate!  So  ended  the  military  career  of 
this  man  (who  had  shone  as  the  king  of  the  camp)  as  the  ca- 
reer of  Lee  had  ended.  Gates  did  not  die  as  unhappily  as 
his  old  companion,  however.  He  removed,  finally,  to  New 
York  ; served  in  the  legislature  there  in  1800;  and  died  in 
April,  1806  (in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age),  in  his 
house  on  Rose  hill,  near  what  is  now  the  corner  of  Twenty- 
third  street  and  Second  avenue.  Washington  had  been  dead 
for  nearly  seven  years,  but  “still  lived’  ’ a more  enduring  life 
than  before.  But  Gates  had  died  nearly  a generation  before, 
on  the  day  of  Camden  ! 

Gates  always  preserved  a bland  and  courteous  carriage, 
with  no  little  dignity  of  tone  and  address,  as  may  be  seen  in 
his  correspondence,  even  when  laboring  under  the  severest 
public  odium.  Personally,  the  contrast  with  his  friend  Lee 
was  very  striking.  The  former  was  tall,  thin,  rude  in  his 
manners,  and  slovenly  in  his  apparel.  Gates  was  full-faced, 
with  a florid  complexion,  and  inclined  to  corpulency.  His 
manners  were  those  of  a courtier — iusinuating,  mild,  and 
specious,  producing  in  all  the  impression  that  he  was  famil- 
iar with  “public  offices  and  ante-chambers,”  and  that  he 
would  flatter  and  wheedle  gentleman  or  commoner  to  gain 
his  ends. — Harper's  Magazine,  September,  1858. 


only  thin  the  ranks  by  a more  hasty  de- 
sertion.” 

The  southern  country,  too,  with  its  ex- 
tensive territory,  its  feeble  administration 
of  government,  and  its  dissensions,  was  in 
a condition  unfavorable  for  a campaign. 
The  whigs  and  tories  were  pursuing  each 
other  with  the  most  barbarous  rage  ; and 
the  interior  was  so  disaffected,  that  it  was 
impossible  to  send  out  a wagon  with  the 
smallest  load  of  stores  without  a guard. 
The  very  face  of  the  country,  seamed  with 
deep  rivers  and  impassable  creeks,  and 
with  morasses,  rendered  every  military 
manoeuvre  liable  to  the  most  fatal  chances. 
Greene,  however,  who  was  “ capable  of 
doing  much  with  little,”  met  every  diffi- 
culty with  a manly  resistance,  and  by  his 
energetic  perseverance  effected  such  a tri- 
umph over  natural  and  artificial  obstacles 
as  secured  him  final  success. 

The  British  regular  army  at  this  time, 
in  South  Carolina,  numbered  five  thou- 
sand men,  exclusive  of  loyalists,  and  were 
so  stationed  as  to  cover  the  most  impor- 
tant precincts  in  the  state.  They  were 
thus  enabled  to  overawe  the  populous  set- 
tlements. The  garrison  at  Winnsborough 
(which  was  now  the  headquarters  of  Earl 
Cornwallis)  completed  a chain  of  posts 
which  the  enemy  had  established,  from 
Georgetown  to  Augusta,  in  a circle,  the 
centre  of  which,  equidistant  from  Charles- 
ton and  Savannah,  would  have  been  Beau- 
fort, in  South  Carolina.  These  posts  con- 
sisted of  Georgetown,  Camden,  Winnsbor- 
ough, Ninety-six,  and  Augusta.  ATithin 
this  circle  was  another  chain  of  posts,  con- 
sisting of  Fort  Watson,  on  the  road  to 
Camden j Motte’.':  house;  and  Granby, on 


[PAKT  II. 

Dorchester,  Orangeburg, 
Monk’s  Corner,  and  other  places,  were  for- 
tified as  posts  of  rest,  deposite,  and  com- 
munication. These  stations  were  all  ju- 
diciously chosen,  as  well  for  procuring 
subsistence  as  for  covering  the  country. 

At  this  period  there  were  three  distinct 
commands  of  the  South-Carolina  militia: 
Marion,  in  the  low  country ; Sumter,  in 
the  middle;  AVilliams, in  the  upper;  and, 
after  his  death,  Pickens, ^assisted  or  sec- 
onded by  Colonels  Clarke  and  Twiggs,  of 
Georgia.* 

AVhile  General  Gates  was  still  in  com- 
mand of  the  remnant  of  the  defeated  ar- 
my at  Hillsborough,  in  North  Carolina,  he 
had  detached  Brigadier-General  Morgan, 
early  in  October,  with  three  hundred  Del- 
aware and  Maryland  continental  troops, 
and  some  eighty  dragoons,  under  Colonel 
William  Washington,  to  assist  the  patriots 
in  the  counties  of  Mecklenburg  and  Row- 
an. Passing  over  the  border  into  South 
Carolina,  this  force  now  occupied  the  very 
ground  which  had  witnessed  the  defeat 
of  Gates. 

On  the  very  day  of  Greene’s  arrival  at 
Charlotte,  General  Morgan,  who  had  been 
sent  into  the  country  toward  Camden  on 
a forao;ino:-excursion,  returned  with  no 
cattle  or  grain,  it  is  true,  but  with  the  re- 
port of  a small  triumph  over  the  enemy, 
which  was  hailed  by  the  troops  as  a hap- 
py omen  of  prosperity  under  their  new 
leader.  A Mr.  Rugely,  proprietor  of  the 
estate  of  Clermont,  near  Camden,  and  a 
devoted  loyalist,  had  been  raised  to  the 
rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  of  militia,  and 
his  son-in-law  to  that  of  major,  in  the  ene- 

• Simms. 


810  LATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


the  Congaree. 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  RUGELY  CAITUKED.-MOVEMENT  OF  GREENE.  811 

my’s  service.  Fortifying  a large  log-barn 
with  intrenchinents  and  ahattis,  the  Ruge- 
lys  garrisoned  it  with  about  a hundred 
troops,  regulars  and  volunteers.  Morgan, 
on  his  return  from  his  unsuccessful  fora- 
ging-expedition, ordered  Colonel  Wash- 
ington with  his  troop  of  cavalry  to  go  and 
reconnoitre  the  post.  The  colonel,  find- 
ing on  his  approach  that  the  garrison  was 
evidently  in  a state  of  alarm,  determined 
to  profit  by  it.  Being  without  artillery, 
and  as  it  was  useless  to  attempt  to  carry 
the  stockade  by  a cavalry-charge,  Wash- 
ington resorted  to  a stratagem,  in  the  ab- 
sence of  the  proper  materials  of  war.  lie 
accordingly  dismounted  his  men,  in  order 
that  they  might  appear  as  infantry.  A 
pine-log,  ingeniously  hewn  so  as  to  resem- 
ble a fieldpiece,  and  mounted  upon  a pair 
of  wagon-wheels,  was  brought  up  with 
due  formalities  and  pointed  tow- 
ard the  fort.  This  innocent  piece 
of  timber,  thus  brought  to  bear  upon  the 
eyes  of  the  garrison,  if  not  upon  its  works, 
was  invested  by  the  militiamen  with  such 
formidable  power,  that  when  a corporal  of 
dragoons  was  sent  to  summon  the  Ruge- 
lys  to  surrender,  they  were  exceedingly 
glad  to  find  a prompt  acceptance  of  their 
submission.  They  did  not  hesitate  a mo- 
ment in  complying,  and  the  whole  garri- 
son marched  out  prisoners-of-war.  But 
the  surrender  was  fatal  to  Colonel  Ruge- 
ly,  as  a hero  and  militar}’  man.  His  hope 
of  promotion  was  for  ever  cut  ofi'  by  his 
too  ready  recognition  of  this  new  instru- 
ment of  warfare.  “Rugely  will  not  be 
made  a brigadier-general,”  was  the  signifi- 
cant comment  of  Lord  Cornwallis  when 
he  was  informed  of  this  ludicrous  event. 

The  unlucky  colonel  did  not  again  appear 
in  arms.* 

General  Greene  now  moved  his  arn.y 
from  Charlotte.  The  division  under  the 
command  of  Brigadier-General  Morgan, 
and  composed  of  four  hundred  continen- 
tal infantry,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Howard,  of  the  Maryland  line,  two  com- 
panies of  Virginia  militia,  under  Captains 
Triplett  and  Tait,  and  a troop  of  a hun- 
dred dragoons,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Washington,  numbering  in  all  about  one 
thousand  men,  was  ordered  to  pass  the 
Catawba.  Morgan  was  directed  to  add 
to  his  ranks  from  the  militia  on  his  route, 
and  take  post  near  the  junction  of  Broad 
and  Pacolet  rivers,  toward  the  station  of 
Ninety-six,  in  Union  District,  South  Caro- 
lina, and  some  fifty  miles  to  the  left  of 
Lord  Cornwallis,  at  Winnsborough. 

The  general-in-chief  marched  the  mam 
body  down  the  Pedee,  and  encamped  on 
its  eastern  bank,  at  the  junction  of  Hick’s 
creek,  nearly  opposite  to  Cheraw  hill,  and 
about  seventy  miles  to  the  right  of  Corn- 
wallis. “ I am  here,”  wrote  Greene,  “ in 
my  camp  of  repose,  improving 
the  discipline  and  spirits  of  my 
men,  and  the  opportunity  for  looking 
about  me.  I am  well  satisfied  with  this 
movement,  for  it  has  answered  thus  far 
all  the  purposes  for  which  I intended  it. 

It  makes  the  most  of  my  inferior  force,  for 
it  compels  my  adversary  to  divide  his,  and 
holds  him  in  doubt  as  to  his  own  line  of 
conduct.  He  can  not  leave  Morgan  be- 
hind him  to  come  at  me,  or  his  posts  o^ 

N ine  ty-six  and  A ug usta  would  be  exposed. 

And  he  can  not  chase  Morgan  far,  or  pros- 

* li  ving. 

812  BATTLES  OF  AMEBICA.  [part  ii. 

1 

ecute  his  views  upon  Virginia,  while  I am 

which  had  a sort  of  Masonic  value  in  the 

here,  with  the  whole  country  open  before 

estimation  of  his  followers,  which  amply 

lue.” 

compensated  for  all  its  privations  and  fa- 

Greene  had  now  stationed  himself  in 

tigues.  Constantly  active,  it  would  be  im- 

a fertile  region  near  the  head  of  boat-nav- 

possible  for  the  pen  of  the  historian  to  fol- 

igation  on  the  Pedee,  which  had  not  yet 

low  the  progress  of  the  little  corps.” 

been  traversed  by  an  army  of  any  mag- 

After  surprising  Major  Gainey  and  his 

nitude.  From  this  point  he  despatched 

large  band  of  tories  which  he  had  collect 

his  engineers  to  explore  the  country.  The 

ed  between  the  Great  and  Little  Pedee, 

routes  in  all  directions  were  carefully  set 

Marion  defeated  a second  party  of  tories 

down  ; and,  with  Governor  Rutledge,  of 

at  Shepherd’s  ferry,  near  Black  Mingo 

South  Carolina,  in  his  camp,  he  was  not 

swamp.  The  loyalists  were  well  posted 

suffered  to  remain  in  ignorance  of  any 

to  receive  the  attack,  and  a desperate  c on- 

matters  which  he  deemed  essential  to  his 

flict  ensued.  The  parties  were  so  near 

contemplated  invasion  of  the  state. 

each  other,  during  the  greater  part  of  the 

While  Generals  Gates  and  Greene  had 

light,  that  the  wadding  of  their  guns  con- 

been  busy  in  the  accumulation  of  an  army. 

tinually  struck  on  each  side.  Neither 

it  must  not  be  supposed  that  the  little 

party  had  bayonets,  and  buckshot  was 

bands  under  Marion  and  other  partisan 

quite  as  frequently  used  as  ball. 

commanders  had  been  inactive.  Marion, 

This  victory  increased  the  “ brigade” 

whose  mode  of  warfare  had  acquired  for 

to  nearly  four  hundred  men,  with  which 

him  the  nom  de guerre  of  Swamp-Fox” 

Marion  marched  upon  Colonel  Tynes,  who 

was  never  inactive.  “ Hundreds  of  little 

had  raised  a large  force  of  loyalists  upon 

successes,”  says  Simms,  “ that  do  not  prop- 

Black  river.  Tynes  was  surprised,  several 

erly  belong  to  the  main  stream  of  regular 

of  his  men  slain,  and  his  force  dispersed. 

history,yet  concurred  to  render  his  career 

while  Marion  lost  not  a man.  In  all  these 

memorable,  and  to  influence  equally  the 

marches  and  conflicts,  the  partisans  lived 

hopes  of  his  countrymen  and  the  hostility 

entirely  in  the  swamps,  with  no  shelter 

of  the  enemy.  His  command  was  a pe- 

but  the  forest,  almost  without  blankets  or 

culiar  one,  being  chiefly  formed  from  the 

clothing,  commonly  with  no  food  but  po- 

little  and  insulated  section  of  country  in 

tatoes,  and  meat  without  salt.  Marion 

which  he  lived.  His  warriors  were  his 

himself,  for  a long  time,  had  neither  hat 

neighbors  and  friends,  and  the  tie  that 

nor  blanket! 

bound  them  together  brought  into  equal 

The  arrival  of  General  Greene  abridged 

activity  the  duty  of  the  soldier  and  the 

the  independence  of  Marion’s  movements. 

affections  of  the  comrade.  ‘ Marion’s  bri- 

His  brigade  constituted  a portion  of  the 

gade’  was  tbe  extra-military  epithet  which 

men  of  the  state,  and  was  necessarily  com- 

distiimuished  his  command.  It  mii^ht  con- 

prised  within  the  command  of  that  officer. 

sist  of  live  or  five  hundred  — it  was  still 

The  activity,  courage,  and  successful  con- 

‘Marion’s  brigade’ — a membership  in 

duct  of  Marion,  indicated  him  to  Greene 

- . 

. 

] 

REVOLUTIOXAIIY.]  THE  EIUTISII  OFFICER. 

DINING  WITH  MARTOX.  813 

as  one  well  calculated,  by  his  knowledge 

After  the  repulse  of  Marion  at  George- 

of  the  country,  for  active  employment; 

town,  he  marched  up  the  country  to  the 

and  Colonel  Henry  Lee  being  joined  to 

confluence  of  Lynch’s  creek  and  the  Pe- 

his  “ brigade,”  a combined  attempt  was 

dee,  and  formed  a stationary  camp  upon 

made  to  surprise  the  strong  British  post 

Snow’s  island,  which  consisted  cliiefly  of 

at  Georgetown,  on  Winyaw  bay,  for  the 

high-river  swamp,  dry,  and  covered  with 

purpose  of  obtaining  supplies.  This  was 

a heavy  forest  abounding  in  game.  He 

a more  serious  business  than  Marion  had 

fortified  it  as  well  as  his  means  would  al- 

yet  undertaken.  The  town  was  entered. 

low ; and  from  that  almost  inaccessible  re- 

and  many  were  killed  and  taken  ; but  the 

treat  he  led  and  sent  out  detachments,  as 

garrison  was  on  the  alert,  and,  after  a se- 

circumstances  required,  for  many  weeks, 

vere  skirmish  with  a large  party  of  Brit- 

which  accomplished  wonderful  results  in 

ish  and  tories  near  the  town,  he  was  re- 

harassing  the  superior  foe,  cutting  off  his 

pulsed  with  loss.  The  failure  of  the  as- 

convoys, orbreaking  up, before  they  could 

sailants  is  ascribed  to  various  causes  ; but 

well  embody,  the  gathering  and  undisci- 

the  alarm  of  the  guides,  who  missed  their 

plined  lojnilists.  It  was  while  encamped 

wav,  and  thus  defeated  the  plan 

upon  this  island,  toward  the  close  of  1780, 

of  co-operation  between  the  sev- 

thatan  eventoccurred  which, insignificant 

eral  parties,  is  a sufficient  reason.  With 

in  itself,  is  peculiarly  illustrative  of  the 

this  afl'air.  General  Greene  opened  the 

heroism  displayed  by  the  xVmericans  at 

campaign  of  1781. 

that  period,  under  the  greatest  privations. 

This  failure,  however,  was  more  than 

A young  British  officer  was  sent  from  the 

compensated  by  a brilliant  event  which 

post  at  Georgetown  to  Marion’s  swamp- 

happened  a few  days  before  in  the  west- 

camp,  to  effect  an  exchange  of  prisoners. 

ern  extremity  of  the  state,  to  which  Gen- 

He  had  never  seen  Marion, and  was  great- 

eral  Greene  had  detached  Morgan  with  a 

ly  astonished  at  finding  such  a noted  man 

strong  force,  in  order  to  restrain  the  bru- 

so  diminutive  iii  size,  especially  when  com- 

tal  passions  of  the  loyalists  in  that  quar- 

pared  with  the  British  generals  then  in 

ter.  Shortly  after  his  arrival,  Morgan  sent 

the  field,  whose  averao-e  weight,  it  is  said, 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Washington,  with  a 

exceeded  two  hundred  pounds.  Having 

I'egiment  of  foot  and  two  hundred  horse. 

finished  their  business,  the  young  officer 

to  attack  a body  of  tories  who  had  been 

prepared  to  depart,  but  was  invited  by 

plundering  the  whig  inhabitants.  Wash- 

Marion  to  stop  and  dine.  The  invitation 

ington  came  up  with  them  near  Ham- 

was  accepted,  and  the  entertainment  was 

mond’s  store,  charged  them  vigorously, 

served  up  on  pieces  of  bark.  It  consisted 

and  defeated  them.  General  Cunning- 

entirely  of  roasted  potatoes,  of  which  the 

ham,  with  a detachment  of  one  hundred 

general  ate  heartily,  and  requested  his 

and  fifty  Biltish  militia,  was  also  dispersed 

guest  to  do  the  same,  adding, “ Hunger  is 

by  a party  of  Americans  under  Cornet 

the  best  sauce.” — “But  surely,  general,” 

Simons,  of  Washington’s  command. 

said  the  astonished  Briton.  “ this  can  not 

. J 

814  BA'ri'LES  OF  AMElilCA.  [pakt  ii. 

be  your  ordinaiu'  fare?” — “Indeed,  sir,  it 

sire  to  encounter  either  of  them,  the  Brit- 

is,”  replied  Marion,  “ and  we  are  fortunate 

ish  commanders  do  not  for  a moment  ap- 

on  this  occasion, entertaining  company, to 

pear  to  have  suspected. 

ha  ve  more  than  our  usual  allowance.”  It 

Tarleton  was  not  the  man  to  lincjer, 

O ’ » 

is  said  that  the  young  officer, on  returning 

and  was  at  once  in  his  saddle,  in  eatjer 

to  his  post,  threw  up  his  commission,  de- 
claring that  men  who  could  contentedly 

pursuit  of  his  foe.  The  brave  ^ 
old  Morgan, “ahvays  accustomed 

endure  such  privations  were  not  to  be 

to  fight  and  conquer,”  instead  of  wishing 

subdued.'*' 

to  avoid,  was  no  less  desirous  of  a collis- 

In  accordance  with  the  orders  of  Lord 

ion  than  the  redoubtable  British  dragoon. 

Cornwallis,  Major-General  Leslie  gave  up 

He  wmuld  have  stood  his  ground  and  of- 

his  expedition  to  Vircrinia,  and 
[toe.  13»  ^ 

proceeded  to  Charleston,  whence 

fered  him  immediate  battle:  but  findinu; 
that  Cornwallis,  simultaneously  with  the 

he  marched  with  fifteen  hundred  of  his 

advance  of  Tarleton,  had  moved  forward, 

three  thousand  troops  to  reinforce  the 

ready  to  co-operate,  and  fearful  lest  he 

main  army  of  the  British  at  Winnsbor- 

might  be  surrounded  by  an  overwhelm- 

ough.  While  waiting  for  this  accession 

ing  force,  Morgan,  though  at  first  inclined 

to  his  force,  the  earl  determined  to  clear 

to  dispute  the  passage  of  the  Pacolet  (a 

the  way  for  his  intended  invasion  of  North 

small  river,  which  is  foialable  in  many 

(.'arolina.  It  would  not  do  to  leave  Mor- 

places),  found  it  advisable  to  cross  that 

gan  in  his  rea.r,  who  wuas  now  only  fifty 
miles  from  him,  and  threatening  the  post 
of  Ninety-Six.  He  therefore  ordered  his 
faithful  Tarleton  to  proceed  with  eleven 
hundred  men — five  hundred  of  whom 

were  the  formidable  leiJrion  which 
1781.  ^ 

had  been  carrying  terror  and  con- 
quest through  every  quarter  of  the  state 

stream,  and  retire  towuird  Broad  river. 

After  a severe  march  of  several  days 
through  a wild  and  rugged  country,  the 
British  commander  came  upon  the  traces 
of  his  enemy,  and  passed  through  the  de- 
serted American  camp,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Pacolet,  which,  with  its  fires  ^ 
still  burning,  and  the  half-cooked 

for  so  long  a time,  and  the  remainder  in- 

provisions  scattered  about,  showed  that 

fantry,  supported  by  some  fieldpieces — 

Morgan  had  but  just  left.  Having  cap- 

and  push  the  daring  Morgan  “ to  the  ut- 

tured  two  of  the  videttes,  Tarleton  learn- 

most.”  That  there  should  be  no  chance 

ed  that  his  antagonist  had  halted  at  a 

for  the  escape  of  his  prey,  who  lay  on  the 

place  among  the  Thicketty  mountains. 

west  side  of  Broad  river,  it  was  concerted 

in  Spartanburg  district,  called  the  Cow- 

that  the  earl  himself,  with  his  main  body, 

pens,  not  far  in  front  of  him,  and  about 

should  move  deliberately  northward  as 

six  miles  from  Broad  river;  and  in  the 

far  as  King’s  mountain,  that  Morgan’s  re- 

middle  of  the  night,  w’ithout  taking  a mo- 

treat  might  be  cut  off,  and  he  compelled 

ment’s  rest,  and  leaving  his  baggage  be- 

to  fight.  ThatMorgan  himself  should  de- 

hind,  he  hurried  on  to  overtake  him.  The 

“ Life  ol  General  Marion,  by  W.  Gilmore  Simms. 

zealous  British  dragoon  hoped  to  catch 

i 

r 

■ . 

KEvoLUTioNAny.J  UATTLE  OF  COWFENS.  815 

his  foe  off  his  guard,  and  in  the  midst  of 

knew  that  the  dread  of  Tarleton’s  caval- 

a confuseil  flight. 

ry  would  give  due  weight  to  the  protec- 

Morgan,  however,  was  determined  to 

tion  of  my  bayonets,  and  keep  my  troops 

stand  his  ground,  and  had  no  thoughts  of 

from  breaking,  as  Buford’s  regiment  did.” 

further  retreat.  Ilis  officers  entreated 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  different 

him  to  cross  Broad  river ; but  he  was  not 

opinions  in  regard  to  Morgan’s  choice  of 

to  be  moved  from  his  position  on  the 

ground,  all  agreed  that  the  disposition  of 

heights  of  Cowpens,  an  eminence  which 

his  troops  was  masterly.  At  daybreak. 

ascended  gently  for  about  three  hundred 

finding  his  enemy  at  hand,  the  ^ 

and  fifty  yards.  It  is  true  that  the  open 

American  commanderformed  his 

woods  which  covered  this  eminence  af- 

men  in  order  of  battle.  He  advanced  two 

forded  a good  field  for  the  action  of  cav- 

parties  of  picked  riflemen  — three  him- 

airy,  of  Avhich  he  knew  his  enemy  had 

dred  in  all  — under  Colonel  Cunningham 

much  the  greater  strength.  His  flanks. 

of  Georgia  and  Major  M‘Dowell  of  South 

moreover,  were  unprotected ; and  Broad 

Carolina,  about  a hundred  and  fifty  yards 

river,  flowing  parallel  to  his  rear,  cut  off 

in  front  of  the  heights.  Scattered  loosely 

all  chances  of  retreat.  He  was,  however. 

along  the  whole  line,  they  had  orders 

resolved  that  his  men  should  fight;  and. 

to  feel  the  enemy  as  they  approached. 

with  the  invincible  Morgan,  to  fight  was 

and,  while  keeping  up  a desultory  but 

to  conquer.  He  characteristically  justi- 

well-aimed  fire,  to  retire  to  the  front  line. 

fied  his  position  against  all  the  arguments 

coitiposed  of  the  main  body  of  the  militia. 

of  the  tacticians,  by  declaring  that,  if  he 

led  by  the  brave  partisan.  Colonel  Pick- 

crossed  the  river,  one  half  of  the  militia 

ens,  who,  with  his  force  of  three  hundred 

would  abandon  him.  The  old  rifleman. 

practised  riflemen,  had  joined  Morgan 

in  his  rough  way,  thus  vindicated  his  judg- 

on  his  march.  The  continental  infantry 

ment  in  after-years:  “I  would  not  have 

and  two  companies  of  Virginia  militia. 

had  a swamp  in  view  of  my  militia  on  any 

most  of  whom  had  already  served  as  reg- 

consideration  ; they  would  have  made  for 

ulars,  under  Captains  Triplett  and  Tait, 

it,  and  nothing  could  have  detained  them 

were  stationed  on  the  slope  of  the  ad- 

from  it.  As  to  cover  ing  my  wings,  I knew 

vanced  height,  at  some  distance  in  the 

my  adversary,  and  was  perfectly  sure  I 

rear,  and  composed  the  second  line,  un- 

should  have  nothing  but  downright  fight- 

der  the  general  command  of  Lieutenant- 

ing.  As  to  retreat,  it  was  the  very  thing 

Colonel  Howard,  whose  whole  force  num- 

I wished  to  cut  off  all  hope  of  I ivoiild 

bered  four  hundred  men.  Lieutenant- 

have  ihanhed  Tarleion  had  he  surrounded  me 

Colonel  Washington,  with  his  dragoons, 

tvilh  his  cavalry.  It  would  have  been  bet- 

reinforced  by  a company  of  mounted  mi- 

ter  than  placing  my  own  men  in  the  rear 

litia,  armed  with  sabres,  and  commanded 

to  shoot  down  those  who  broke  from  the 

by  Major  M‘Call  (one  hundred  and  tweiv 

ranks.  When  men  are  forced  to  fight. 

ty-five  in  all),  held  the  reserve,  and  took 

they  will  sell  their  lives  dearly ; and  I 

post  on  the  acclivity  of  the  second  of  the 

1 

J 

816  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 


two  heights,  which  were  about  eighty 
yards  distant  from  each  other,  and  formed 
the  main  ground  upon  which  the  Ameri- 
can commander  awaited  battle.  By  this 
disposition,  the  militia,  in  whom  there  was 
less  trust, but  who  were  skilful  marksmen, 
were  thrust  forward  in  sight,  to  distract 
the  enemy,  while  the  regular  troops  were 
held  back  in  concealment,  ready  to  push 
forward  with  their  firm  and  well-ordered 
ranks  in  the  crisis  of  the  eno:ao:ement. 

Morgan  now  rode  along  the  lines,  and 
exhorted  his  men  to  duty.  First  addres- 
sing himself  to  the  militia,  ‘‘he  extolled 
the  zeal  and  braver}^  so  often  displayed 
by  them,  when  unsupported  with  the  bay- 
onet or  sword ; and  declared  his  confi- 
dence that  they  could  not  fixil  in  main- 
taining their  reputation,  when  supported 
by  chosen  bodies  of  horse  and  foot,  and 
conducted  by  himself  Nor  did  he  forget 
to  glance  at  his  unvarying  fortune,  and 
superior  experience;  or  to  mention  how 
often,  with  his  corps  of  riflemen,  he  had 
brought  British  troops,  equal  to  those  be- 
fore him,  to  submission.  He  described 
the  deep  regret  he  had  already  experi- 
enced in  being  obliged,  fi'om  prudential 
considerations,  to  retire  before  an  enemy 
always  in  his  power;  exhorted  the  line  to 
be  firm  and  steady;  to  fire  with  good  aim; 
and  if  they  would  pour  in  but  two  volleys, 
at  killing  distance,  he  would  take  upon 
himself  to  secure  victory.  To  the  conti- 
nental.>  he  was  very  brief  He  reminded 
them  of  the  confidence  he  had  always  re- 
posed in  their  skill  and  courage ; assured 
them  that  victory  was  certain  if  they  act- 
ed well  their  part ; and  desired  them  not 
to  be  discouraged  by  the  sudden  retreat 


of  the  militia,  ihat  being  part  of  his  ))lan 
and  orders.  Then,  taking  post  with  this 
line,  he  waited  in  stern  silence  for  the 
enemy.”*  His  troops,  refreshed  by  the 
night’s  repose  and  the  morning  breakfast, 
were  eager  and  in  good  condition  for  the 
fight. 

Tarleton,  with  his  usual  impetuosity, 
finding  that  Morgan  was  prepared  to  give 
him  battle,  hastened  into  action.  His 
troops,  without  being  allowed  a moment 
for  rest  or  refreshment,  jaded  as  they 
were  by  their  long  and  rapid  march,  were 
quickly  formed.  Hurrying  his  infantry 
into  line,  witli  two  fieldpieces  in  the  cen- 
tre and  a troop  of  dragoons  on  either 
flank,  and  ordering  the  seventy-first  regi- 
ment under  M‘Arthur,  and  the  rest  of  the 
reserve  cavalry,  to  hold  themselves  in  re 
serve,  Tarleton  in  person  recklessly  led 
on  the  advance  column  before  his  whole 
force  had  completely  formed. 

The  light  parties  of  militia  soon  gave 
way,  and  ranged  themselves  with  the  first 
line,  under  Colonel  Pickens.  Tarleton 
and  his  men  pushed  on  with  a shout,  but 
were  met  by  a close  and  effective  fire  from 
the  militia  mark.smen.  The  British  suf- 
fered severely,  but  continued  to  advance 
with  fixed  bayonets,  forcing  the  front  line 
back  upon  the  second.  Here  the  conti- 
nentals and  the  experienced  Virginia  mi- 
litia, under  Colonel  Howard,  firmly  stood 
their  ground,  and  gave  the  British  ad- 
vance such  a spirited  reception,  that  their 
commander  was  obliged  to  order  up  his 
reserve.  With  this  increase  of  force,  the 
enemy  outstretched  the  American  front, 
and  their  cavalry  threatened  to  turn  its 

Lee. 


RETOLUTIONAUT.]  TARLETON  AND  COLONEL  WASHINGTON. 


8i7 


right  fliuik.  Howard,  seeing  the  danger, 
immediately  ordered  his  I'ight  company 
to  change  its  front.  Ilis  men,  however, 
mistaking  the  order,  fell  back,  and  the 
whole  line  followed,  threatening  total  con- 
fusion. But  at  this  inomentMorgan  rode 
forward,  and  ordered  them  to  retire  to  the 
second  height,  where  Colonel  Washington 
was  ready  to  sustain  them  with  the  re- 
serve. The  continentals, strengthened  by 
this  support,  and  cheered  by  a rapid  mes- 
sage from  Washington, “ Give  them  a fire, 
and  I will  charge  them,”  fell  back  in  ad- 
mirable order. 

The  British,  in  the  meantime,  seeing 
this  backward  movement,  and  believing 
that  it  was  a flit'ht,  came  on  in  a hurried 
and  confused  pursuit.  At  this  moment. 
Colonel  Howard  ordered  his  continentals 
to  face  about;  when  they  wheeled  on  the 
instant,  and  poured  upon  the  enemy  a 
close  and  murderous  hre.  The  British 
recoiled  ; and  Howard,  seizing  the  hivor- 
able  opportunity,  followed  his  advantage 
Avith  a charge  of  bayonets.  In  this  crisis 
of  the  battle.  Colonel  Washington  encoun- 
tered the  cavalry  of  Tarleton  in  a success- 
ful charge.  Tlie  militia  recovered,  and, 
forming  a new  reserve,  were  ready  to  obey 
the  command  of  Morgan  “ to  give  them 
but  one  more  tire,  and  make  the  victory 
secure  !”  The  onset  of  Howard’s  conti- 
nentals, whose  bayonets  were  interlocked 
with  those  of  the  enemy,  was  irresistible. 
Tiiej^  drove  their  antagonists  before  them, 
and  the  day  was  won. 

The  concei  ted  action  of  Morgan’s  whole 
force  at  this  most  important  moment  was 
the  certain  guaranty  of  victory.  The  en- 
emy were  within  thirty  yards,  tumultu- 
103 


ously  shouting  and  advancing,  when  the 
final  fire  of  the  Americans  was  given  : the 
survivors  of  the  terrible  discharge  threw 
down  their  weapons  and  fell  upon  their 
faces.=*^ 

During  the  heat  of  the  action,  some  of 
Tarleton’s  cavalry  gained  the  rear  and  fell 
upon  the  militia,  who,  after  retiring,  had 
sought  their  horses,  which, as  was  custom- 
ary with  them  on  going  into  battle,  had 
been  picketed  near  by.  Colonel  Wash- 
ington, however,  coming  to  the  rescue, 
drove  off  the  English  troopers,  and  joined 
in  the  general  and  vigorous  pursuit  of  the 
enemy,  who  fled  in  confusion. 

Tarleton  strove  to  bring  up  the  cavalry 
left  in  reserve,  with  the  hope  of  rallying 
his  whole  force  ; but,  struck  with  panic, 
they  refused  to  obey  his  call.  He  him- 
self, with  a few  officers  and  a handful  Oi 
brave  men,  struggled  on  with  resolute 
courage  to  the  last,  and  were  left  almost 
alone  on  the  field. 

The  fugitive  British  dragoons  were  pur- 
sued by  Colonel  Washington  for  several 
miles,  but  most  of  them  escaped.  Excited 
by  the  prospect  of  capturing  the  formi- 
dable cavalry-leader  whose  successes  had 
hitherto  been  so  uniform  and  so  produc- 
tive of  disaster  to  the  Carolinas,  the  stal- 
wart Washington,  who  was  a bold  rider 
and  reckless  of  danger,  had  in  the  eager- 
ness  of  his  pursuit  advanced  nearly  thirty 
yards  in  front  of  his  regiment.  Three 
British  dragoon-officers,  observing  him, 
wheeled  their  horses  about,  and  sprang 
at  him  to  cut  him  down.  The  officer  on 
the  left  had  raised  his  sabre,  and  was 
about  striking  a fatal  blow,  when  Ser- 

* Simms. 


1 


818 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  n 


geant-Major  Perry,  who  had  galloped  for- 
ward to  the  rescue  of  his  colonel,  Avith  a 
rapid  and  timely  movement  smote  the 
Englishman’s  sword-arm,  and  it  fell  pow- 
erless to  his  side.  But  the  officer  on  the 
right  supplied  the  place  of  his  disabled 
comrade,  and  crossed  swords  ivith  Wash- 
ington. The  blade  of  the  latter,  being  of 
inferior  temper,  broke  in  the  encounter, 
and  left  him  at  the  mercy  of  the  foe.  At 
this  moment,  when  a second  blow  would 
have  brought  him  to  the  ground,  a little 
henchman,  or  page,  not  fourteen  years 
of  age,  who  was  devoted  to  his  master, 
and  carried  no  other  w'eapon  than  a pis- 
tol at  his  saddle-bow,  seasonably  rode  up, 
and  by  a fortunate  aim  discharged  its  con- 
tents into  the  shoulder  of  the  assailant, 
whose  arm  dropped  nerveless  at  his  side. 
The  colonel  in  the  meantime  was  engaged 
in  front  with  the  third  officer,  Avho  was 
no  less  a personage  than  the  formidable 
Tarleton  himself  Washington  was  ready 
for  him,  and  with  his  broken  w^eapon  skil- 
fully parried  every  sword-thrust;  but  his 
antagonist,  hacking  his  horse  a few  paces, 
drew  a pistol,  and  firing,  wmunded  him  in 
the  knee,  and  brought  the  noble  steed 
which  bore  him  to  the  ground. 

The  fortunate  approach  of  the  Ameri- 
cans arrested  the  further  attempts  of  the 
Briton  upon  their  leader.  The  moment 
was  lost, and  his  flight  was  resumed.  “The 
British  dragoons  of  Tarleton,”  observes 
Simms,  “ had  really  never  fought  well. 
They  had  repeatedly  hacked  to  pieces  a 
fugitive  or  supplicating  militia;  but  nei- 
ther at  Blackstock’s,  where  they  encoun- 
tered Sumter,  nor  at  Cowpens,  where  they 
met  with  Washington,  did  they  maintain 


the  high  renown  which  they  had  hitherto 
acquired  rather  from  good  fortune  than 
desert.  The  star  of  Tarleton  Avaned  from 
this  moment.  His  operations  grcAv  lim- 
ited in  extent  and  small  in  importance. 
His  defeat  on  this  occasion,  with  that  of 
Ferguson  at  King’s  mountain,  were  the 
first  links  in  a grand  chain  of  causes  Avhich 
drew  doAvn  ruin  on  the  British  interest  in 
South  Carolina.” 

The  Avhole  loss  of  the  Americans  at  the 
important  engagement  of  Cowpens  was 
seventy  men,  of  Avhom,  strange  ^ ^ 
to  say,  only  tAvelve  Avere  killed. 

One  hundred  of  the  British,  including  ten 
officers,  Avere  killed,  and  nearly  two  hun- 
dred Avounded  ; twenty-three  officers  and 
five  hundred  privates  Avere  taken  prison- 
ers. “ Mark  the  epaulette  men  !”  was  the 
significant  Avhisper  of  Pickens’s  riflemen 
to  each  other  on  the  first  advance  of  the 
British  column  ; and  the  large  number 
killed  or  disabled  in  the  action  shows  the 
heed  given  to  the  suggestion  by  these 
sharpshooters,  many  of  Avhom  Avere  burn-' 
ing  Avith  a keen  sense  of  personal  injury. 

Two  fieldpieces,  two  standards,  eight 
hundred  muskets,  thirty-five  bfiggage- 
Avagons,  Avith  a large  amount  of  ammunl- 

0 7 O 

tion,  one  hundred  dragoon-horses,  a trav- 
elling-forge, seventy  negroes,  and  all  the 
music,  Avere  the  spoils  taken  by  the  vic- 
torious Morgan,  Avhose  services  on  that 
day  Avere  highly  lauded  throughout  the 
country.  Congress  presented  him  Avith 
a gold  medal,  commemorative  of  his  auc- 
tory;  to  Colonel  Pickens  Avas  given  a 
SAVord,  to  Lieutenant- Colonels  IIoAvard 
and  Washington  each  a silver  medal,  and 
to  Captain  Triplett  a sword. 


(• 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  MORGAN’S  RETREAT.— ARNOLD  IN  VIRGINIA. 


Lord  Cornwallis,  in  his  camp  on  Turkey 
creek,  within  twenty-five  miles  of  Cow- 
pens,  and  whither  he  had  marched  to  fol- 
low np  the  presumed  success  of  Tarleton, 
now  heard  with  dismay  of  the  defeat  of 
his  trusty  dragoon.  This  failure,  like  that 
of  the  capable  Ferguson,  seemed  to  be  a 
fatal  omen  to  the  proposed  North-Caro- 
lina  campaign.  His  lordship  had  been 
sanguine  of  success  now  as  then,  and  in 
both  instances  the  result  had  been  equal- 
ly disastrous.  The  earl,  however,  spirit- 
edly strove  to  repair  his  past  losses  by 
the  most  vigorous  efforts  to  secure  suc- 
cess for  the  future. 

In  order  to  quicken  his  movements  — 
for  he  found  that  nothing  could  be  done 
in  that  rough  country,  and  against  liis 


819 

alert  enemy,  without  light  troops — his 
lordship  determined  to  sacrifice  his  bag- 
gage. Everything  was  destroyed  except 
a small  supply  of  clothing,  and  a sufficient 
number  of  wagons  for  the  conveyance  of 
hospital-stores,  of  salt,  of  ammunition,  and 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  sick  and 
wounded.  The  earl,  showing  the  exam- 
ple, by  first  destroying  his  own  baggage, 
his  officers  and  men  cheerfully  followed, 
and  every  superfluity  was  given  up. 

Thus  lightened,  and  being  reinforced 
by  fifteen  hundred  troops  from  Charles- 
ton,under  General  Leslie,  Cornwallis  con- 
centrated his  forces  and  hastened  in  pur- 
suit of  the  victorious  Morgan,  who,  imme- 
diately after  liis  triumph,  crossed  Broad 
river,  and  pushed  on  to  the  Catawba. 


CHAPTER  XCV. 

General  Arnold  bids  for  Traitors. — Chafing  for  Action. — Expedition  to  Virginia. — Debarkation  of  Arnold. — The  Fight  at 
Richmond. — Escape  of  Jefferson. — Ruthless  Devastations. — Richmond  burnt. — Jefferson  to  the  Rescue. — Retreat  of 
Arnold  to  Portsmouth. — Discontent  of  the  American  Troops. — Mutiny  of  the  Pennsylvanians. — General  Wayne  in- 
terposes.— March  of  the  Mutineers. — Appeal  from  the  Enemy. — Mutiny  not  Treason. — Agitation  in  Philadelphia. — ■ 
Reed  to  the  Rescue. — Fate  of  the  British  Emissaries. — Revolt  of  the  New-Jersey  Troops. — Quelled  by  General  Howe. 
— The  Ringleaders  shot. — A Sad  Execution. — Desperate  Tampering  with  Patriotism. — Strength  of  the  American 
Cause. — The  Good  Results  following  the  Mutinies. 


Arnold,  now  a brigadier-general 
in  the  British  army,  finding  his  ef- 
forts to  justify  his  crime  in  his  “address 
to  the  inhabitants  of  America”  as  futile 
as  was  his  “proclamation”  to  induce  the 
American  officers  and  soldiers  to  follow 
his  example  of  treason,  burned  with  ma- 
licious spite  to  revenge  his  disappoint- 
ment upon  his  country,  which  he  had  so 
basely  striven  to  ^uin.  Chafing,  too,  at 


the  undisguised  contempt  of  those  to 
whose  corrupt  service  he  had  sold  his 
honor,  he  sought  relief  from  the  scorn  of 
others, and  perhaps  from  his  own  remorse, 
in  the  excitement  of  action. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  soon  gave  Arnold 
the  opportunity  he  sought  of  staining  his 
sword  with  the  blood  of  his  countrymen. 
The  troops  under  General  Leslie  having 
been  diverted  to  South  Carolina,  it  was 


820 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


rAKT  n. 


determined  to  send  another  expedition  to 
Virginia.  A miscellaneous  detachment 
of  seventeen  hundred  men,  consisting  of 
British  regulars,  refugees,  and  German 
mercenaries,  was  accordingly  despatched 
on  this  service.  The  renegade  Arnold 
was  given  the  cluef  command,  although 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  naturally  distrustful 
of  his  new  ally,  took  care  to  associate  with 
him  Colonels  Dundas  and  Simcoe,  men  of 
well-triedfidelity,whom  Arnold  was  strict- 
ly ordered  to  consult,  and  without  Avhose 
concurrence  he  was  forbidden  to  take  a 
single  step  of  importance. 

Dec  15  object  of  the  expedition, 

which  was  one  of  plunder  and 
devastation,  suited  well  the  present  tem- 
per of  the  arch-traitor ; and,  as  he  sailed 
away  from  the  harbor  of  New  York,  with 
his  troops  on  board  some  fifty  small  ves- 
sels, he  uttered  the  malignant  boast  that 
he  would  give  the  Americans  a blow  that 
would  “make  the  whole  continent  shake.” 
The  fleet  had  hardly  sailed,  when  a severe 
storm  arose,  which  scattered  the  ships ; 
and,  to  keep  them  from  foundering,  one 
half  of  the  cavalry-horses  and  several  of 
the  large  guns  had  to  be  thrown  over- 
board. The  half  wrecked  vessels,  with  the 
exception  of  three  transports  and  a man- 
ofwar,  at  last  gathered  together  off  the 

Dec  30  Chesapeake,  and  en- 

tered Hampton  roads.  The  mis- 
sing ships  did  not  arrive  until  four  days 
afterward. 

With  his  usual  promptitude  of 
action,  Arnold  immediately  seized 
upon  some  small  boats,  put  nine  hundred 
men  on  board,  and,  like  a pirate,  sailed  up 
Tames  river,  plundering  and  ravaging  as 


1781. 


Jau.  4 


he  went,  and  Anally  landed  at 
Westover,  the  ancient  seat  of  the 
Byrd  Aunily,only  twenty-five  miles  below 
Richmond,  the  capital  of  Virginia. 

Thomas  J efferson,  then  governor  of  the 
state,  immediately  called  out  the  militia; 
but  so  few  obeyed  the  summons,  that  Jef 
ferson  was  forced  to  give  up  all  hope  of 
defending  Richmond.  Some  of  the  pub- 
lic property  was  hastily  removed  to  the 
country ; and  the  governor  and  the  state 
officers,  finding  that  the  rapid  Arnold  had 
already  reached  Four-mile  creek,  only 
twelve  miles  below  Richmond,  speedily 
followed.  Jefferson  fled  durin(>:  the  ni«T)t. 
Early  next  morning,  Arnold  was  in  pos- 
session of  the  capital,  where  he  had  hoped 
to  catch  the  governor;  but  he  had  made 
his  escape  just  in  time.  Thus  foiled  in 
his  effort  to  capture  the  illustrious  author 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  the 
traitor  sent  a deputation  of  the  citizens 
of  Richmond  to  him,  with  the  declaration 
that  he  would  not  destroy  the  city  if  the 
British  vessels  were  allowed  to  come  up 
without  interruption  to  the  docks,  and 
load  with  the  tobacco.  This  proposition 
was,  however,  scornfully  rejected  by  Jef 
ferson. 

Arnold  now  no  longer  withheld  his  de- 
vastating hand.  He  despatched  Colonel 
Simcoe,  with  four  hundred  men, 
to  destroy  the  storehouses  and 
foundries  at  W^rotham.  Arnold’s  coadju- 
tor faithfully  did  his  bidding,  and  not  oril}' 
destroyed  the  property  of  the  state,  but 
also  some  of  the  public  documents  and 
archives  which  had  been  conveyed  there 
for  security.  Simcoe  returned  to  Rich 
mond  without  having  received  the  least 


Jau.  C. 


RKVOI.UTIONART.J  SUFFERING  IN  THE  AMERICAN  ARMY.  821 


hinderance  in  his  ruthless  expedition,  and 
joined  Arnold  in  his  destruction  of  that 
city.  All  the  public  buildings  were  set 
on  fire,  as  well  as  the  tobacco-warehouses ; 
and,  leaving an  atmosphere  that  smelt 
as  if  a million  of  pipes  and  a million  of 
ciijrars  were  smokinar  toscether,”  the  rene- 
gade  quitted  the  capital  and  encamped 
at  Four-mile  creek. 

Ian  8 following  day,  Arnold 

descended  James  river  to  West- 
over,  where  he  had  first  landed.  In  the 
meantime.  Governor  Jefferson  returned  to 
the  ruins  of  Richmond,  and,  by  another 
effort  succeeded  in  bringing  a small  mili- 
tia-force into  the  field,  which  made  an  oc- 
casional resistance  to  the  marauders,  but 
without  much  effect.  Arnold,  finding  that 
Baron  Steuben,  who  was  in  command  in 
Virginia,  was  preparing  to  cut  him  off, 
and  Jefferson  having  offered  a reward  of 
five  thousand  guineas  for  his  capture,  now 
hastened  to  his  boats  and  proceeded  down 
^ the  stream  to  Portsmouth,  oppo- 
site  Norfolk,  on  Elizabeth  river, 
where,  being  reinforced  by  the  arrival  of 
more  troops  from  New  York,  he  fortified 
and  prepared  to  hold  the  town. 

Arnold’s  “ proclamation”  to  the  officers 
and  soldiers  of  the  American  army,  which 
he  had  issued  at  New  York  immediately 
after  the  detection  of  his  treason,  and  two 
months  before  his  marauding  expedition 
to  Virginia,  was  artfully  addressed  at  the 
most  opportune  period  for  his  malignant 
purpose.  The  Americah  soldiers  were 
discontented.  “ Poorly  clothed,  badly  fed, 
and  worse  paid,  some  of  them  not  having 
received  a paper  dollar  for  nearly  twelve 
months;  exposed  to  winter’s  piercing  cold. 


to  drifting  snow,  and  chilling  blasts,  with 
no  protection  but  old  worn-out  co.ats,  tat- 
tered linen  overalls,  and  but  one  blanket 
between  three  men.  The  officers  in  gen- 
eral, as  well  as  myself,  find  it  nece.ssaiy 
to  stand  for  hours  every  day,  exposed  to 
wind  and  weather,  among  these  poor  na- 
ked fellows,  while  they  are  working  at 
their  huts  and  redoubts,  often  a.ssisting 
with  our  own  hands,  in  order  to  procure 
a conviction  to  their  minds  that  we  share, 
and  more  than  share,  every  vici.ssitude  in 
common  with  them  — sometimes  askitig 
to  pai  ticipate  in  their  bread  and  water.” 
Such  is  the  relation,  by  their  commander, 
Wayne,  of  the  sufferings  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania troops  of  the  line,  while  in  theii 
winter -quarters  at  Morristown.  These 
consisted  of  six  regiments  (about  two 
thou.sand  men),  who  were  exposed  to  ev- 
ery privation  and  hardship.  Their  mis- 
ery was  the  misery  of  all  the  troops  com- 
posing the  northern  army  at  the  close  of 
the  year  1780  ; and  such  was  the  general 
discontent,  that  universal  mutiny  seemed 
not  improbable.  The  Pennsylvania  I'egi- 
ments,  however,  were  those  to  show  the 
example.  They  were  excellent  soldiers, 
and,  although  mostly  natives  of  Ireland, 
of  undoubted  fidelity  to  the  cause  of  their 
adopted  country.  But  they  were  char- 
acteristically excitable,  and  more  readily 
led  into  sudden  bursts  of  passionate  ex- 
cess ; while  apart  from  the  common  in- 
citement to  revolt,  there  was  an  additional 
grievance  to  stir  their  indignation.  The 
promises  which  had  been  often  made  by 
Congress  had  been  as  often  unfulfilled  ; 
and  now  the  expression  in  their  enlist- 
ment agreement,  to  “serve for  three  ye.ars, 


822 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


'pari  II 


or  during  the  war,”  which  was  intended 
for  less  than  three  years  if  ihe  ivar  should 
sooner  end,  was  ungenerously  interpreted 
to  mean  nniil  the  end  of  the  luar,  if  it  should 
last  longer.  This  interpretation  was  nat- 
urally regarded  by  them  as  chicanery,  at 
which  they  felt  greatly  exasperated.  In 
common  with  others,  they  had  suffered 
year  after  year  from  lack  of  money,  cloth- 
iiiiz:,  and  sometimes  food.  The  little  conti- 
nental  money  which  they  had  been  receiv- 
ing: wiis  now  worthless,  and  hitherto  there 
had  been  a continued  loss  upon  it  by  de- 
jireciation ; and  the  pay  of  both  officers 
and  men  was  greatly  in  arrears.  Still,  up 
to  the  close  of  1780,  these  troops  had  ex- 
hibited nothing  beyond  the  usual  signs 
of  discontent. 

The  three  years’  enlistment  of  most  of 
the  Pennsylvanians  expired  at  the  begin- 
Jan  I new  year;  and  they 

had  the  mortification  of  seeing 
a bounty  of  about  twenty-five  dollars  of- 
fered to  raw  recruits,  while  they,  the  vet- 
erans of  three  years,  whose  wages  yet  re- 
mained unsettled,  were  offered  no  more. 
All  these  grievances  combined  formed  a 
serious  cause  for  complaint.  The  officers 
had  already  murmured  some ; and  the 
common  soldiers,  encouraged  b}^  their  ex- 
ample, acted  with  boldness.  According- 
ly, on  the  night  of  the  first  of  January, 
Avhen  inflamed  with  the  drink  and  excite- 
ment of  the  new-year  holyday,  they  sud- 
denly broke  out  into  open  revolt. 

On  a signal  being  given,  the  non-com- 
missioned officers  as  well  as  the  privates 
of  three  regiments  of  the  Pennsylvania 
line,  who  considered  their  terms  of  en- 
listment as  expired,  and  numbering  in  all 


thirteen  hundred  men,  turned  out  under 
arms,and  declared  that  they  would  march 
to  Philadelphia,  and  either  obtain  a re- 
dress of  their  grievances  from  Congress 
or  serve  no  longer.  The  officers  of  the 
line  collected  those  who  remained,  and 
with  these  strove  to  quell  the  mutiny,  and 
arrest  the  march  of  the  insurgents,  but  a 
captain  was  killed  and  three  other  officers 
wounded  in  the  vain  attempt.  The  mu- 
tineers then  forced  the  minority  to  join 
them,  under  a threat  of  instant  death  if 
they  should  refuse. 

Their  commander,  General  Wayne,  in- 
terposed, and  strove  to  appease  them  with 
words,  but  the  excited'soluiery  would  not 
listen  to  what  he  had  to  say.  He  then 
drew  his  pistols,  and  advanced  upon  them 
as  if  to  fire.  Presenting  their  bayonets 
to  his  breast,  they  exclaimed  : ‘‘We  love 
and  respect  you ; but,  if  you  fire,  you  are 
a dead  man!  We  are  not  going  to  the 
enemy.  On  the  contrary,  if  they  were 
now  to  come  out,  you  should  see  us  fight 
under  your  orders  with  as  much  alacrity 
as  ever ; but  we  will  no  longer  be  amused. 
We  are  determined  on  obtaining  what  is 
our  just  due.’J 

Electing  temporary  officers  from  their 
own  body,  and  giving  a sergeant-major 
(who  was  a former  deserter  from  the  Brit- 
ish army)  the  chief  command,  with  the 
title  of  major-general,  the  mutineers  pro- 
ceeded to  the  magazines,  and  supplied 
tliemselves  with  ammunition,  and  provis- 
ions for  immediate  use ; seized  six  field- 
pieces,  and  horses  from  Wayne’s  stables 
to  drag  them;  and  then  set  out  on  their 
march  to  Princeton.  General  Wayne,  in 
order  that  theirnecessitiesmisjjht  notforce 


r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  REVOLT  OF  THE  PENNSYLVANIA  LINE.  823 


them  to  make  depreciations  on  private 
property,  sent  them  supplies  of  provis- 
ions, and  soon  after  followed  in  company 
with  Colonels  Butler  and  Stewart,  whom 
they  highly  esteemed,  that  he  might  ex- 
ercise the  moral  influence  which  he  still 
possessed  in  guiding  their  movements  and 
checking  their  excesses.  lie  at  the  same 
time  despatched  two  officers  to  Philadel- 
phia, to  warn  Congress  of  their  approach. 
The  mutineers  received  their  commander 
with  respect,  but  still  insisted  upon  the 
redress  of  their  grievances  as  the  condi- 
tion of  a return  to  duty. 

When  Washington,  who  was  then  at 
New  Windsor,  on  the  Hudson,  heard  of 
the  revolt,  he  advised  General  Wayne  not 
to  employ  force,  for  the  number  of  the 
insurgents  was  too  great  and  their  com- 
plaints too  just  to  risk  the  hazard  of  such 
a step.  Besides,  he  was  not  sorry  to  see 
the  derelict  Congress  aroused  by  bayonets 
to  a proper  sense  of  its  duty  toward  the 
suffering  army.  The  commander-in-chief 
had  great  confidence  in  Wayne,  and  rec- 
ommended him  to  get  from  the  revolters 
a statement  of  their  grievances,  which  he 
promised  in  a candid  spirit  to  lay  before 
Congress  and  the  general  assembly  of 
Pennsylvania.  Accordingly,  on  halting 
at  Princeton,  the  mutineers  presented  a 
written  programme  of  their  demands  to 
Wayne,  who  immediately  forwarded  it  to 
Congress. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  received  news  of  the 
revolt  of  the  American  troops  simultane- 
ously with  Washington,  and,  thinking  the 
opportunity  favorable  for  gaining  over 
the  mutineers  to  the  British  cause,  sent 
two  emissaries  to  Princeton  to  treat  with 


them.  At  the  same  time,  musterino:  his 
troops  and  ships  at  New  York,  he  pre- 
pared to  take  advantage  of  the  auspicious 
result  which  he  anticipated.  The  emis- 
saries (a  British  sergeant  and  one  Ogden, 
a tory  of  New  Jersey)  presented  them- 
selves with  a document,  in  which  Sir  Hen- 
ry promised  the  insurgents  their  arrenrs 
of  pay,  including  the  amount  of  the  de 
preciation  of  the  continental  currency  in 
their  possession,  in  gold,  good  clotliing,  a 
free  pardon  for  all  past  offences,  and  the 
protection  of  the  British  government,  if 
they  would  lay  down  their  arms  and 
march  to  New  York,  where  no  military 
service,  unless  voluntary,  would  be  re 
quired  of  them.  This  proposition  was  re- 
jected by  the  Pennsylvania  line  to  a man, 
with  scorn,  and  the  document  delivered 
up  to  Wayne.  The  British  emissaries, 
however,  were  retained  by  the  revolters 
until  their  demands  should  have  a hear- 
ing from  the  state. 

Philadelphia  was  in  a state  of  great  agi- 
tation when  the  two  officers  despatched 
by  General  Wayne  galloped  into  the  city 
with  news  of  the  revolt.  Joseph  Reed, 
the  president  of  Pennsylvania,  accompa- 
nied by  some  of  the  civil  officers  and  a 
committee  of  Congress,  and  escorted  by 
a mounted  guard,  hastened  forward  to 
meet  the  disaffected  troops.  It  was,  how- 
ever, thought  inexpedient  to  trust  them- 
selves among  them ; and  Reed  halted  at 
Trenton,  whence  he  wrote  to  Wayne, 
that,  after  the  treatment  of  the  marquis 
Lafayette  and  General  St.  Clair,  who  had 
been  peremptorily  ordered  away  from  the 
rebellious  camp,  whither  they  had  gone 
to  interpose  their  good  offices,  he  could 


( 

824  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

not  venture  to  put  himself  in  the  power 

however  loose  in  discipline,  were  firm  in 

of  the  excited  soldiery. 

patriotism.  He  might  have  spared  his 

This  letter  was  read  aloud  by  Wayne 

attempts  at  corruption,  had  he  called  to 

to  the  troops,  and  evidently  with  a favor- 

mind  the  total  fiiilure  of  the  proclamation 

able  effect.  Thronging  about  the  mes- 

of  Arnold,  who  was  in  every  respect  his 

senger  who  had  brought  it,  the  men  anx- 

master  in  the  art. 

iously  inquired  if  the  president  wms  un- 

But  the  fidelity  of  these  soldiers  did 

friendly  to  them ; while  some  did  not  hesi- 

not  stop  Avith  the  seizure  of  the  einissa- 

tate  to  express  their  aversion  to  the  affair 

ries.  When  the  reward  of  fifty  guineas 

in  which  they  were  engaged. 

each,  which  had  been  offered  by  General 

Finding,  however,  that  the  mutineers 

Wayne  for  the  apprehension  of  the  British 

had  rejected  the  wily  proffers  of  Sir  Hen- 

agents,  was  proffered  to  the  two  sergeants 

ry  Clinton,  and  trusting  to  their  patriot- 

who  brought  them  to  the  commander. 

ism,  Reed  no  longer  hesitated  to  meet 

they  refused  it,  saying,  “ Necessity  wrung 

them.  “ I have  but  one  life  to  lose,”  he 

from  us  the  act  of  demanding  justice  from 

wrote  to  the  executive  council  of  Penn- 

Congress,  but  we  desire  no  reward  for  do- 

sylvania,  “ and  m}^  country  has  the  first 

ing  our  duty  to  our  adopted  country!” 

claim  to  it.”  But  no  such  sacrifice  was 

The  ill  example  of  the  Pennsylvanians 

exacted  from  the  patriotic  president. 

w'as  soon  followed  by  some  of  the  New- 

On  approaching  Princeton,  Reed  was 
received  with  all  the  military  honors : the 

Jersey  troops.  In  the  middle  of 
the  night,  a portion  of  the  line, 

mutineers  were  drawn  up  in  full  array, 

nearly  three  hundred  in  number,  then  sta- 

with  arms  presented ; and  the  artillery 

tioned  at  Pompton,  revolted,  claiming  the 

would  have  fired  a jubilant  salute,  had  it 

same  privileges  which  had  been  conceded 

not  been  prevented,  lest  it  might  alarm 

to  the  Pennsylvanians,  whose  success  was 

the  country.  A conference  ensued,  when 

Avell  calculated  to  encourage  the  same 

terms  were  agreed  upon,  by  which  the 

conduct  in  others.  Washington,  howev- 

revolters,  having  been  guarantied  a re- 

er,  who  justly  feared  the  effect  of  the  in- 

dressof  theirgrievances, returned  to  duty. 

diligent  treatment  of  the  first  mutineers. 

The  emissaries  of  the  British  command- 

was  resolved  to  act  more  summarily  with 

er  were  now  brought  forward  and  deliv- 

the  New-Jersey  troops.  He  accordingly 

ered  up  to  Generaf  Wayne.  “ See,  com- 

despatched  General  Robert  Howe,  at  the 

rades,”  exclaimed  one  of  the  leaders  in  the 

head  of  five  hundred  men  of  the  Massa- 

mutiny,  “ Clinton  takes  us  for  traitors ! 

chusetts  line,  to  force  the  malcontents  to 

Let  us  show  him  that  the  Amei’ican  army 

unconditional  submission. 

can  furnish  but  owq  Arnold,  and  that  Amer- 

At  dawn  of  day.  General  Howe  halted 

ica  has  no  truer  friends  than  we.”  The 

within  sight  of  the  mutinous  camp  at 

emissaries  were  subsequently  tried,  con- 
demned as  spies,  and  hung.  Sir  Henry 

Pompton.  Here,  with  some  anx- 
iety  lest  his  men,  fraternizing 

thus  found  that  the  American  soldier.s, 

with  their  rebellious  comrades,  should  re- 

r 


REVOLDTIONART.J  EXECUTION  OF  MUTINEERS  AT  POMPTON.  825 


fuse  to  comply,  he  ordered  his  troops  to 
load.  Each  soldier  obeyed  with  alacrity, 
when  Howe  harangued  his  troops,  and  de- 
clared to  them  that  the  mutineers  were 
to  be  brought  to  unconditional  submis- 
sion. Two  fieldpieces  were  then  drawn 
forward,  and  the  men  ordered  to  surround 
the  huts  in  which  the  revolters  had  their 
winter  encampment,  and  where  they  were 
mostly  asleep  at  that  early  hour. 

The  general  now  sent  his  aid-de-camp 
to  summon  the  mutineers  to  appear  on 
parade  unarmed,  in  front  of  their  huts, 
within  five  minutes.  The  time  passed, 
and  none  showed  themselves.  Another 
messenger  was  sent  to  repeat  the  order. 
It  was  instantaneously  obeyed.  Every 
man  presented  himself  as  he  had  been 
ordered,  unarmed  and  without  the  least 
show  of  resistance.  Three  of  the  ring- 
leaders were  at  once  singled  out,  and,  be- 
ing tried  by  the  court-martial,  standing 
grim  and  cold  on  the  spot,  covered  deep 
with  snow,  were  condemned  to  be  imme- 
diately shot.  Twelve  of  the  most  guilty 
of  their  comrades  were  selected  to  be  the 
executioners ; and,  when  ordered  to  load 
their  muskets,  they  burst  into  an  agony 
of  tears,  at  the  dreadful  office  to  which 
they  had  been  condemned. 

The  first  criminal  was  a sergeant,  and 
an  old  offender.  He  was  led  a few  yards 
distant,  and  placed  on  his  knees.  Six  of 
the  twelve  executioners  fired  at  the  fii-st 
signal,  three  aiming  at  the  head  and  three 
at  the  breast.  Their  shots  were  ineffect- 
ual ; when  the  other  six,  who  had  been 
reserved  for  such  an  emergency,  fired  and 
put  an  end  to  the  sufferings  of  the  vic- 
tim. The  second  culprit  was  killed  in- 
104 


stantaneously  by  the  first  fire;  and  the 
third,  in  the  moment  of  expected  death, 
was  pardoned  by  the  intercession  of  his 
officers. 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  had,  in  this  instance, 
made  another  desperate  effort  to  tamper 
with  the  patriotism  of  the  mutineers,  but 
found  his  last  attempt  no  less  futile  than 
his  previous  ones.  Thus  ended  the  mem- 
orable mutiny  of  1781  in  the  American 
army,  which  so  greatly  alarmed  the  fears 
of  the  patriots  and  so  greatly  encouraged 
the  hopes  of  their  enemies.  The  result, 
however,  served  to  prove  more  than  ever 
the  strength  of  tlie  cause  of  America,  for 
it  exhibited  the  most  unruly  and  discon- 
tented of  her  people  firm  and  constant 
in  loyalty  to  their  country 

These  events,  moreover,  aroused  the 
people  and  Congress  to  more  vigorous 
action  ; and  efforts  hitherto  unprecedenU 
ed  were  made  to  raise  money  and  supply 
the  wants  of  the  army.  Taxes  were  im- 
posed, and  cheerfully  acquiesced  in  ; and 
during  the  year(  1 781)  the  '■‘•Bank  of  North 
America'^  was  established  at  Philadelphia, 
under  the  supervision  of  Robert  Morris, 
a wealthy  merchant  of  that  city,  to  whose 
superintendence  Congress  had  recently 
intrusted  the  national  treasury.  There 
can  be  little  doubt  that  it  was  principally 
owing  to  the  financial  operations  of  this 
distinguished  patriot  that  the  American 
army  was  not  disbanded  by  its  own  act, 
and  that  Congress  was  enabled  to  com- 
mence offensive  operations  on  the  open- 
ing of  the  spring  campaign  for  this  year. 
He  assumed  the  collection  of  taxes,  and 
the  supply  of  the  army  with  flour;  and 
he  likewise  used  his  private  fortune  and 


826  BATTLP^S  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n. 


liis  personal  credit,  without  stint,  to  sus- 
tain the  government.* 

Efforts  had  previously  been  made  to 
negotiate  loans  of  money  and  obtain  mili- 
tary supplies  in  different  parts  of  Europe. 
Spain  had  loaned  only  fourteen  thousand 
dollars,  when  neaily  half  a million  was 
the  amount  asked ; and  France  seemed 
to  feel  that  she  had  done  quite  enough 
in  sending  her  fleets  and  armies  to  Amer- 
ica. Colonel  John  Laurens,  son  of  the 
ex-president  of  Congress,  was,  in  this  ex- 


tremity, sent,  on  a special  commissicn  to 
France ; and,  contrary  to  usual  etiquette, 
he  presented  his  memorial  in  person  to 
the  king.  He  succeeded  in  obtaining  a 
subsidy  of  six  millions  of  livres  (one  mil- 
lion two  hundred  thousand  dollars),  w'ith 
a further  sum  by  way  of  loan,  and  guar- 
anty for  a Dutch  loan  of  five  millions  of 
guilders  (two  millions  of  dollars).  This 
was  intimated  as  being  the  very  last  pe- 
cuniary aid  that  could  be  granted  to  the 
United  States.* 


CHAPTER  XCVI. 

Jjord  Cornwallis  on  the  Heels  of  Morgan. — Ills  Escape. — Interposition  of  Providence. — General  Greene  to  the  Reliei. — 
Promptitude  in  Business. — A Hard  Gallop. — Greene  on  the  Catawba. — Hope  in  Misery. — Cornwallis  crosses  the  River. 
— A Dangerous  Ford. — The  British  in  the  Dark. — The  American  Riflemen. — A Bare  Escape. — A Noble  Charger. — 
Tarleton  in  Pursuit. — A Parthian  Shot. — Greene  in  Danger. — At  Steele’s  Tavern. — Penniless  and  hungry. — Generos- 
ity of  a Female  Patriot. — Flight  and  Pursuit. — The  British  brought  to  a Halt. — The  Yadkin. — Greene  at  Guilford 
Courthouse. — His  Tactics. 


Lord  Cornwallis,  having  disen- 
1781  ’ ® 

cumbered  himself  of  his  baggage, 

as  already  related,  was  able  to  push  for- 
ward in  pursuit  of  General  Morgan  with 
great  rapidity.  He  was,  however,  so  bent 
upon  coming  up  with  his  energetic  ene- 
my, that,  quickly  as  his  whole  army  was 
moving,  he  yet  detached  a body  of  light- 
troops  to  hasten  on  in  advance.  Not  a 
moment  was  lost;  and,  by  forced  marches 
night  and  dtiy,  the  detachment  succeeded 
in  making  such  rapid  progress,  that  it  was 
soon  at  the  heels,  with  every  prospect  of 
immediately  overtaking,  Morgan  and  his 
men. 

The  American  general,  too,  was  spar- 

* Lossing. 


ing  no  effort  to  escape  from  his  formida- 
ble pursuers ; but,  encumbered  as  he  was 
with  the  wounded,  the  prisoners,  and  the 
captured  baggage,  his  progress  was  neces- 
sarily slower  than  that  of  his  adversary. 
Nevertheless,  rapid  as  had  been  the  move- 
ments of  Cornwallis,  his  lordship,  in  de- 
stroying his  heavy  baggage  and  making 
other  preparations  for  the  pursuit  had 
consumed  two  days,  which  excited  the 
censure  of  the  more  active  Tarleton,  and 
gave  Morgan  so  much  the  start.  The  lat- 
ter finally  reached  and  crossed  the  great 
Catawba  river,  at  Gowan’s  ford,  thirty 
miles  north  from  the  boundary  of  South 
Carolina.  The  British  came  up  in  hot  pur 

* Sparks. 


r 


UEVOLUTIOXNAUY.]  CROSSING  THE  CATxA.WBA. 


suit  just  two  hours  after  he  had  touched 
the  opposite  bank  of  the  stream.  It  be- 

^ inff  late  at  nifirht,  and  feelino;  con- 
Jan.  23i  ° o ’ o 

fident  of  his  prey,  as  he  had  been 

at  Trenton  more  than  four  years  before, 
the  earl  deferred  his  passage  until  morn- 
ing. But  during  the  night  the  river  had 
so  swollen  by  a sudden  and  heavy  rain, 
that  it  was  impassable.  Morgan  was  safe, 
and  with  pious  enthusiasm  gratefully  ac- 
knowledged that  his  escape  was  due  to  a 
special  interposition  of  Providence. 

The  waters  of  the  rivers  continuing  to 
overflow  for  two  days,  gave  Morgan  an 
opportunity  of  sending  off  the  prisoners 
toward  Virginia  which  he  had  taken  at 
Cowpens,  and  mustering  the  North-Caro- 
lina  militia  of  the  neighborhood  to  defend 
the  fords  of  the  Catawba. 

General  Greene,  at  his  camp  on  the 
Great  Pedee,  heard  of  the  " glorious  ac- 
tion” at  Cowpens,  and  soon  afterward  of 
the  rapid  movements  of  Lord  Cornwallis. 
Finding  Morgan  hard  pushed,  he  deter- 
mined to  hasten  to  his  l elief  Business 
pressed  in  upon  him  at  the  moment  of 
departure,  but  the  prompt  and  energetic 
Greene  was  equal  to  every  emergency. 
Word  came  that  a British  squadron  had 
entered  the  Cape-Fear  river,  and  landed 
troops  at  Wilmington,  in  North  Carolina. 
Their  object  was  doubtless  to  co-operate 
with  Earl  Cornwallis,  and  measures  were 
taken  to  prevent  it.  The  southern  states 
were  to  be  called  to  duty  in  the  crisis ; 
and  accordingly  despatches  were  written 
and  sent  forward  to  the  governors  of  Vir- 
ginia and  the  Carolinas,  urgently  entreat- 
ing them  DO  furnish  aid  in  men,  money, 
and  provisions.  Baron  Steuben,  who  was 


827 

in  Virginia,  pursuing  Arnold  toward  the 
seaboard,  was  urged  by  letter  to  hasten 
forward  his  recruits  for  the  southern  army. 
The  mountaineers,  who  had  been  led  to 
victory  by  Campbell  at  King’s  mountain, 
were  besought  to  rally  again  from  their 
homes  beyond  the  Alleghanies  to  the  res- 
cue of  their  country.  The  Virginia  mili- 
tia were  quickly  put  in  marching  trim, 
and  sent  forward  to  take  charge  of  Mor- 
gan’s prisoners  and  conduct  them  to  their 
own  state,  whither  they  themselves  were 
about  to  return,  as  their  term  of  service 
would  soon  expire.  Provisions  were  col- 
lected, magazines  established,  stores  re- 
moved to  places  of  safe  deposite,  detach- 
ments called  in,  and  all  the  complicated 
details  of  preparation  for  a campaign, 
promptly  but  efficiently  accomplished  by 
the  resolute  Greene. 

In  his  impatience  to  be  with  Morgan, 
Greene  did  not  await  the  marching  of  his 
troops,  but  hurried  on  in  advance,  leaving 
General  Huger,  of  South  Carolina,  in  com- 
mand, with  orders  to  proceed  by  forced 
marches  to  Salisbury,  which  was  agreed 
upon  as  the  rendezvous  for  the  whole  ar- 
my. The  general-in-chief,  accompanied 
only  by  an  aid-de-camp,  a guide,  and  a ser- 
geant’s guard  of  dr.igoons,  rode  on  in  all 

haste  to  ioin  Morgan,  whom  he  , 

, n o,  ° . Jan.  31. 

reached  at  Sherrard's  lord,  alter 

a hard  gallop  of  a hundred  miles  through 
a rough  country  from  his  encampment  op- 
posite Cheraw,  a little  below  the  bound- 
ary-line  between  the  Carolinas. 

General  Greene  found  but  seventeen 
hundred  men,  including  the  militia,  mus- 
tered under  Morgan;  while  Cornwallis, 
now  come  up  with  his  main  body,  was  only 


828  r,ATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

hindered  by  the  still  swollen  waters  from 

in  the  evening  Avith  the  main  body,  and 

crossing  the  Catawba,  and  bringing  into 

make  all  speed  away,  while  he  himself 

action  his  much  more  formidable  force  of 

remained  behind  to  superintend  the  op- 

twenty-five  hundred.  The  condition  of 

orations  at  the  river.  Two  hundred  o^ 

the  American  troops  was  not  encoura- 

the  militia  Avere  distributed  at  the  vari- 

ging.  “ More  than  half  our  numbers,” 

ous  fords ; Avhile  the  rest,  some  three  him- 

wrote  Greene,  “ are  in  a manner  naked  ; 

dred  in  number,  skilful  riflemen,  under 

so  much  so,  that  we  can  not  put  them  on 

General  Davidson,  were  stationed  along 

the  least  kind  of  duty.  Indeed,  there  is  a 

the  banks  of  the  stream,  in  order  to  Avatch 

ijreat  number  that  have  not  a rag  of  clothes  on 

the  movement  of  the  enemy,  and  harass 

them,  except  a little  piece  of  blanket,  in  the  la- 

them  Avhenever  and  wherever  they  should 

dian  form,  around  their  icaists'.'  Yet  such 

cross. 

Avas  the  undaunted  spirit  of  their  com- 

CornAvallis  Avisely  chose  the  night  for 

inander,  that  almost  at  the  same  moment 

making  the  passage  ; and,  in  order  to  de- 

he  could  thus  cheerfully  express  himself 

ceive  the  Americans,  he  sent  a detach- 

in  regard  to  the  future  : ‘‘  I am  not  with- 

ment,  under  Colonels  Webster  and  Tarle- 

out  hopes  of  ruining  Lord  Cornwallis,  if 

ton,  to  cross  without  concealment  at  Beat- 

he  persists  in  his  mad  scheme  of  pushing 

tie’s  ford,  as  if  this  Avere  the  chosen  route, 

through  the  country.”  His  lordship  was 

Avhile  he  should  throw  his  main  body  si- 

pursuing  a course  similar  to  that  of  Bur- 

lently  over  at  Gowan’s.  Hoping  to  find 

goyne,  in  1777 ; and  what  the  action  at 

this  unfrequented  ford  without  guard,  his 

Bennington  had  been  to  the  latter,  the 

van  began  to  cross  at  one  o’clock  in  the 

battle  of  Cowpens  was  likely  to  prove  to 

morniny;.  The  niMit  was  exces- 

® i. 

the  former. 

sively  daik  and  rainy.  General 

The  Catawba  was  falling  first,  and  the 

Davidson,  hoAvever,  not  deceived  by  the 

enemy  were  eagerly  Avatching  for  an  op- 

earl’s  manoeuvre,  Avas  on  the  alert,  on  the 

portunity  to  cross.  Greene  did  not  pro- 

opposite  bank  of  the  river,  with  his  rifle- 

pose  to  dispute  the  passage,  but  deter- 

men  hid  under  the  cover  of  the  Avood.s, 

mined  to  retard  it  Avith  a few  militia,  in 

ready  to  meet  the  enemy  Avith  their  fatal 

order  to  give  his  main  body  an  opportu- 

and  unexpected  fire. 

nity  of  securing  a safe  retreat.  His  only 

The  British  troops  found  they  could 

policy,  with  his  meager  and  ill-conditioned 

not  move  Avith  the  ease  and  rapidity  that 

force,  was  to  retire  before  his  formidable 

they  expected.  The  approach  to  the  ford 

antagonist  until  he  could  form  a junction 

was  through  a Avoody  swamp ; and  the 

Avlth  the  rest  of  his  troopson  their  march 

wheels  sank  so  deeply  into  the  marsh. 

to  Salisbury. 

that  great  delay  Avas  occasioned  in  geb 

, ...  The  river  having  now  become 

ting  the  artillery-carriages  forward.  The 

fordable,  both  armies  made  ar- 

van  of  the  troop.s,  however,  passed  on  into 

rangenients  to  move  accordingly.  The 

the  river,  followed  immediately  by  Corn- 

general-in-chief  ordered  Morgan  to  march 

1 Avallis  in  person,  as  it  was  feared  that  the 

UEVOLUTIONAUY.]  TAULETON  AFTER  THE  FUGITIVES.  829 

Btreaiii  might  again  become  so  swollen  by 

for  a rifle-ball  wounded  his  horse  in  the 

the  rain  which  was  falling  as  to  render  it 

midst  of  the  stream,  although  the  spirited 

unfordable. 

animal  bore  his  rider  safely  to  the  shore. 

The  Catawba  at  this  point  was  about 

and  then  fell  dead. 

five  hundred  yards  in  width;  and  the  cur- 

General  Davidson  now  shifted  his  po- 

rent  was  so  rapid,  and  the  bed  of  the  river 

sition,  in  order  to  give  his  men  a more 

so  rough  with  loose  stones,  that  the  men 

direct  aim;  but,in  making  the  movement, 

were  obliged  to  support  each  other  by 

he  was  broufflit  between  the  li^ht  of  his 

keeping  in  close  ranks,  lest  they  should 

own  fires  and  the  advancing  columns  of 

be  thrown  down  and  swept  away  by  the 

the  British,  who  had  landed  in  numbers. 

stream.  The  noisy  turbulence  of  the  wa- 

Before  he  could  form,  the  enemy  pressed 

ters,  and  the  exceeding  darkness  of  the 

forward,  and,  having  killed  or  wounded 

night,  prevented  their  approach  from  be- 

about  forty  of  the  Arnerican.s,  put  the  re- 

ing  discovered  until  they  had  proceeded 

mainder  to  flight.  Da  vidson  himself  was 

nearly  halfway  across, when  an  American 

shot  dead  while  mounting  his  horse  to 

sentry,  having  first  challenged  them  three 

follow  his  little  band  of  riflemen. 

times,  fired. 

No  sooner  had  Cornwallis  cro.ssed  the 

The  guide,  hearing  the  whistling  of  the 

Catawba,  than  he  ordered  Tarleton  in  pur- 

balls,  and  finding  that  the  ford  was  guard- 

suit  of  the  fugitive.s.  This  bold  colonel  of 

ed,  suddenly  became  alarmed  and  fled. 

dragoons  was  immediately  in  his  saddle, 

leaving  the  troops  to  find  their  way  over 

and,  pushing  on  with  full  speed  at  the 

by  themselves.  Colonel  Hale,  who  led 

head  of  his  trooper.^,  soon  came  upon  the 

ihe  van  at  the  head  of  the  grenadiers. 

traces  of  those  whom  he  sought.  About 

forbidding  his  men  to  fire  till  they  should 

a hundred  of  the  militia,  having  reached 

land,  immediately  pushed  on ; and,  not 

a tavern  some  ten  miles  from  the  river,  in- 

knowing  the  direction  of  the  ford,  which 

cautiously  tarried  there  to  refresh  them- 

crossed  diagonally,  he  followed  a straight 

selves.  Suddenly  the  videttes  came  gal- 

course,  by  which  his  men,  though  obliged 

loping  in,  Avith  the  cry,  “Tarleton  is  upon 

to  flounder  through  much  deeper  water. 

us  !”  The  militia  hurried  to  their  horses, 

succeeded  in  crossing  in  safety,  and  land- 

and  had  scarcely  mounted,  when,  surely 

ing  at  a point  where  they  were  unexpect- 

enough,  the  British  dragoons  were  seen 

ed  by  Davidson  and  his  militia.  The  Bi  it- 

hastening  down  the  road.  The  American 

ish  were  thus  saved  from  meeting  the  fire 

riflemen,  checking  their  steeds  a moment, 

of  the  American  riflemen,  and  its  effect 

rose  in  their  stirrups,  and,  turning  upon 

was  accordingly  much  less  disastrous,  al- 

their  enemy,  fired  one  volley  from  their 

tliough  three  of  the  enemy  were  killed 

never-missing  rifles,  and  then  galloped  ofl 

and"  thirty-six  wounded  by  the  first  vol- 

at  fidl  speed.  Tarleton,  angered  by  this 

ley.  Colonel  Hale  was  shot  down  as  his 

Parthian  shot,  by  which  seven  of  his  dra- 

horse  was  springing  to  the  bank.  Lord 

goons  and  twenty  horses  had  fallen,  now 

Cornwallis  himself  had  a narrow  escape. 

quickened  his  pace, and  succeeded  in  com 

J 

830 


r.ATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


ing  up  with  some  of  the  laggards  in  the 
rear,  who  were  badly  mounted,  and  cut- 
ting down  about  a score  of  them. 

General  Greene  himself,  accompanied 
only  by  his  suite  of  officers,  was  but  seven 
miles  farther  on  the  road,  where  Tarleton 
could  have  readily  captured  him  had  he 
known  of  his  whereabouts.  The  Ameri- 
can commander  awaited  the  arrival  of  Da- 
vidson and  his  men,  but  waited  in  vain, 
until  midnight,  when  finally,  with  a heavy 
heart,  he  rode  on  to  Salisbury. 

“As  Greene  made  his  appearance  at 
Steele’s  tavern,”  saj^s  his  biographer,  who 
describes  the  incident,  “ the  disordered 
state  of  his  garments,  the  stiffness  of  his 
limbs,  the  languor  of  his  movements,  the 
dejection  of  his  mood  and  manner,became 
painfully  apparent  to  every  eye.  Ap- 
proaching him,  as  he  alighted  from  his 
horse,  his  friend  Doctor  Read  addressed 
him  with  inquiries  of  most  anxious  solici- 
tude; to  which  he  replied,  not  able  to  re- 
press his  anguish,  that  he  came  alone,  ex- 
hausted, penniless,  and  hungry.  The  re- 
ply did  not  escape  the  ears  of  the  excel- 
lent landlady.  His  breakfast  was  soon 
prepared  and  smoking;  and  he  had  scarce- 
ly finished  it,  when  she  presented  herself; 
closed  the  door  of  the  apartment,  and, 
producing  a small  bag  of  specie  in  each 
hand,  she  forced  them  upon  him. 

“‘Take  them,’  said  the  noble  woman; 
‘you  will  need,  and  I can  do  without  the 
money.’ 

“Never  did  help  come  at  a better  sea- 
son. An  acquisition  so  impoi  tant  to  the 
public  service  was  not  to  be  rejected 
through  scruples  of  mere  delicacy;  and 
Greene  rose  from  the  breakfast-table,  no 


longer  penniless — no  longer  succumbing 
to  the  condition  which  had  made  him  feel 
himself  so  utterly  alone.”* 

From  Salisbury,  Greene  (having  first 
sent  word  to  General  Huger  to  hasten  on 
with  his  division  of  the  army  to  Guilford 
courthouse)  rode  forward  to  join  Morgan, 
whom  he  overtook  in  the  even- 
ing, just  as  he  was  about  crossing  ‘ 
the  Yadkin.  Lord  Cornwallis  was  push- 
ing on  close  after  him ; and  an  advance 
detachment,  under  General  O’Hara,  came 
up  so  rapidly,  that  it  overtook  the  rear  of 
the  Americans,  with  whom  it  had  a brisk 
skirmish  as  they  were  crossing  the  river. 
Greene  having,  by  a happy  foresight,  se- 
cured all  the  boats  and  “ fiats,”  and  the 
rains  in  the  meanwhile  having  flooded  the 
stream  so  as  to  render  it  unfordable,  the 
British  had  the  provocation,  as  previously 
at  tlie  Catawba,  of  beholding  their  enemy 
passing  over  during  the  night  and  earlj' 
the  next  morning,  without  being  able  to 
follow^  or  harass  them.  General  O’Hara, 
however,  succeeded  in  capturing  a few 
baggage-w'agons,  which  the  Americans 
were  unable  to  take  across  before  he  ar- 
rived. 

Earl  Cornw'allis,  on  coming  up  to  the 
western  bank  of  the  Yadkin,  and  finding 
it  impracticable  to  cross  at  that 
point,  marched  along  the  shore 
for  a distance  of  twenty-five  miles,  until 
he  reached  the  upper  fords,  which  still 
remained  passable.  He  now  crossed  the 
river,  and  commenced  a rapid  pursuit  o^ 
the  Americans,  determined  to  force  them 
to  fight  before  they  could  get  reinforce- 
ments from  Virginia.  His  lordship’s  d?- 

* Siiums. 


i 


r‘ 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  TIIP]  FLIGHT  ACKOSS  THE  DAN.  831 

lay  enabled  Greene  and  Morgan  to  reach 
p ^ Guilford  courthouse  aud  refresh 
their  troops,  where  two  days  af 

be  exhausted,  and  the  inhabitants  would 
rise  in  resistance.  Thus,  the  American 
commander  halted  at  the  Catawba  until 

terward  they  were  joined  by  General  Hu- 

the  British  were  able  to  march;  and  then. 

ger  with  his  division,  whose  march  from 

again,  he  lingered  on  the  banks  of  the 

• 

the  Pedee  had  been  one  of  great  trial  and 

Yadkin.  Cornwallis,  having  forded  the 

suffering. 

river,  encamped  at  Salem,  on  the  same 

General  Greene’s  object  was  not  mere- 

side  of  the  Yadkin  with  the  Americans. 

ly  to  escape  from  Cornw\allis,  but  also  to 

and  about  twenty-five  miles  from  Guil- 

entice  him  forward  in  pursuit,  with  the 

ford  courthouse,  then  the  capital  of  Guil- 

hope  of  getting  him  into  the  interior  of 

ford  county.  North  Carolina,  where  Gen- 

the  country,  where  his  resources  would 

eral  Greene  had  halted  with  liis  army. 

CHAPTER  XCVII. 

T 0 fight,  or  not  to  fight? — Retreat  of  General  Greene  continued. — Across  the  Dan — The  Light-Corps. — Ingenious  Ruse 

— Good  Service — Otho  Williams. — Suffering  from  Cold  — 

-Blood  oil  the  Ground. — Cornwallis  retires  to  Hillsborough. 

— A Patriotic  Woman. — Watching  the  Enemy. — Greene 

reerosses  the  Dan — A Campaign  in  North  Carolina  —Pick- 

ens  and  Lee  after  Tarleton. — Attempt  at  a Surprise. — The  Enemy  gone  ! — Another  Attempt. — Enemies  for  Friends. 

— Success. — A Bloody  Conflict. — No  Mercy. 

The  self  reliant  Greene,  with  un- 
1781#  ^ 

usual  deference  to  the  opinion  of 

Greene’s  purpose  was  now  with  the  ut- 
most despatch  to  reach  the  river  Dan, 

others,  called  a council  of  war,  and  sub- 

which,  rising  in  the  mountains  of  Virginia, 

mitted  to  his  officers  the  question  wheth- 

flows  in  its  winding  course  into  North 

er  it  was  expedient  to  fight  the  enemy. 

Carolina,  and  thence  back  again  into  the 

The  Americans  numbered  but  two  thou- 

former  state.  He  hoped,  by  crossing  this 

sand  and  thirty-six  men  fit  for  duty.  The 

stream,  and  putting  its  waters  between 

British  were  three  thousand.  The  latter 

him  and  his  pursuers,  to  gain  sufficient 

were  all  well-disciplined  regulars,  fully 

time  to  gather  such  reinforcements  as 

supplied  with  provisions,  clothing,  and 

would  enable  him  to  stem  the  progress  of. 

ammunition,  and  in  perfect  fighting  or- 

and  perhaps  drive  back,  the  formidable 

der.  About  five  hundred  of  the  former 

Cornwallis.  The  American  commander, 

were  militia,  and  all  were  but  half  clothed. 

with  his  usual  foresight,  had  made  pro- 

half  fed,  and  much  discouraged  by  their 

vision  for  a supply  of  boats,  and  was  thus 

long  flight.  The  council,  with  one  mind. 

enabled  to  direct  his  course  over  the  low- 

agreed  that  it  was  expedient  to  continue 

er  aud  deeper  part  of  the  Dan ; while  his 

the  retreat  to  Virginia. 

enemy,  unconscious  of  his  resources,  be- 

J 

832 


BA'riXES  OF  AMEIJICA. 


[pa  in  11. 


lieved  that  his  only  practicable  route  was 
across  the  upper  fords,  which  alone  were 
passable  in  that  season  of  freshet. 

To  piotect  his  retreat,  and  to  conceal 
its  direction  from  the  enemy.  General 
Greene  formed  a light-corps  ofseven  hun- 
dred men,  made  up  of  some  of  the  choicest 
infantry  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  How- 
ard ; of  Lee’s  legion,  which  had  joined 
Huger  on  his  march  to  Guilford  court- 
house; of  the  cavalry  of  Colonel  Wash- 
ington ; and  of  a few  mounted  militia  ri- 
flemen, While  Greene  hurried  forward 
with  the  main  body  to  the  Dan,  the  light- 
corps  was  ordered  to  keep  between  him 
and  Cornwallis,  and  so  to  direct  its  move- 
ments as  to  give  the  enemy  the  idea  that 
it  composed  the  rear  of  the  army,  and 
was  pursuing  the  same  route,  while  its 
course  should  be  devious,  and  tending  as 
it  weie  to  the  upper  fords  of  the  river. 
The  command  of  this  corps  was  offered 
to  General  Morgan,  but  he  refused  it,  as 
he  had  determined  to  retire  from  the  ar- 
my, in  consequence  of  illness.*  Colonel 
Otho  Williams,  of  Maryland,  was  then  ap- 
pointed. 

The  service  of  these  troops,  under  their 
spirited  and  skilful  commander,  was  of 
signal  benefit.  Lord  Cornwallis  was  de- 
luded by  thejudicious  manoeuvres  of  Wil- 
liams. While  the  light-corps  was  now  here 
and  now  there — at  one  time  halting  for 
a skirmish  with  the  British  vanguard,  and 
again  retiring  before  the  approach  of  the 
main  body — his  lordship  believed  that 

“ Morgan  soon  after  resigned  his  commission.  In  1794, 
he  cuinmaiided  the  militia  of  Virginia,  called  out  to  aid  in 
suppressing  the  whiskey  insurrection  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
continued  in  the  service  until  the  following  year.  He  was 
afterward  elected  to  a seat  in  Congress  He  died  in  1799. 


he  had  the  whole  American  army  before 
him,  and  concentrated  all  his  attention 
upon  Colonel  Williams  and  his  seven  hun- 
dred men. 

Greene,  in  the  meantime,  was  pursuing 
his  route  to  the  river  Dan,  without  the 
least  obstruction  from  the  enemy.  Other 
difficulties,  however,  beset  him  on  his  toil- 
some and  painful  march.  The  cold  had 
become  intense,  and  the  rough  roads  fro- 
zen so  hard,  that  the  soldiers,  who  were 
generally  barefoot,  left  the  tracks  of  iheir 
bruised  feet  in  blood  upon  the  ground ! 
Clothing  was  so  scarce,  that  few  of  the 
men  had  coats  to  their  backs ; and  in  the 
best-supplied  corps  a single  blanket  was 
the  allowance  of  covering  during  those 
nights  of  winter  for  four  men.  But  the 
troops  bore  up  manfully  against  everv 
trial,  and  after  a weary  march  of  four 
days  they  reached  Irwin’s  ferry,  ^ 
on  the  river  Dan,  seventy  miles 
from  Guilford.  Here  boats  were  found 
in  readiness,  and  General  Greene  imme- 
diately threw  his  army  across  the  river; 
while  he  sent  word  to  Williams  to  come 
up  with  his  light  detachment.  With  con- 
summate skill  and  daring,  this  brave  sol- 
dier had  kept  his  handful  of  troops  far  in 
the  rear  of  his  commander,  and  almost  in 
the  very  grasp  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  He 
had  now  a march  of  forty  miles  to  make, 
with  the  whole  British  army  after  him, 
before  he  could  reach  the  western  bank 
of  the  Dan. 

These  forty  miles,  along  a deep  and 
broken  road,  incrusted  with  ice,  Williams 
accomplished  in  four-and-twenty  hours. 
Lee,  who  brought  up  the  rear  of  the  de- 
tachment, crossed  the  ferry  (Boyd’s)  with 


r 

1 

BEvoLCTioNARY.]  GENERAL  GREENE 

RECROSSES  THE  DAN.  833 

. , , , his  last  troop  of  horse,  at  nine 
Feb.  14.  , , , t , , , , , 

o c!lock  at  night,  and  landed  on 

In  the  meanwhile,  Gener.al  Greene  w.as 
refreshing  and  strengthening  his  wearied 

the  eastern  bank,  as  the  British  dragoons 

army  in  the  fertile  county  of  Halifax,  in 

in  advance  rode  down  to  the  shore  which 

Virginia,  and  in  the  midst  of  a friemlly 

he  had  just  left!  ‘‘So  tangible  was  the 

population.  Apprized  of  the  movement 

hand  of  Providence  in  this,”  says  Lossing, 

of  Cornwallis,  by  means  of  a white  hand- 

that  it  was  regarded  throughout  the 

kerchief,  which  a patriotic  woman  dis- 

whole  country  as  a mark  of  special  favor 

phayed  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Dan, 

to  the  American  cause,  and  in  no  small 

according  to  her  promise,  showing  the 

degree  strengthened  the  hopes  of  the  re- 

departure  of  the  enemy,  Greene  now  de- 

publicans.  During  this  retreat  of  nearly 

spatched  across  the  river  a body  of  light- 

two  hundred  miles,  not  a single  man  de- 

troops,  under  Pickens  and  Lee,  to  watch 

serted  from  the  American  ranks.  This 
fact  is  well  established  by  official  reports. 

their  manoeuvres.  Soon  after,  he 
himself  followed  with  his  whole 

yet  a late  British  writer  has  asserted  that 

armj^,  anxious  to  counteract,  if  possible. 

‘ the  militia  had  nearly  all  deserted  Gen- 

by  a show  of  force,  the  influence  which 

era!  Greene’  when  he  reached  the  Dan.” 

Cornwallis,  accoi’ding  to  an  exag-gerated 

Lord  Cornwallis  thus  foiled  in  his  at- 

rumor,  was  exercising  upon  the  inhabit- 

tempt  to  overtake  Greene,  and  finding  it 

ants  of  North  Carolina,  to  whom  even  the 

neither  easy  nor  safe  to  follow  him  into 

patriots  were  disposed  to  submit  while 

Virginia,  sullenly  retired  southward  from 

there  was  no  army  in  the  state  to  sustain 

the  banks  of  the  Dan  to  Hillsborough,  in 

their  cause. 

North  Carolina.  Here  he  established  a 

Pickens  and  Lee  had  been  ordered  to 

camp,  raised  the  royal  standard,  and  by 

gain  the  fiont  of  Cornw.allis;  to  place 

proclamation  invited  the  inhabitants  to 

themselves  as  close  to  him  .as  safety  would 

repair  to  it.  The  loyalists  of  Hillsbor- 

permit;  to  interrupt  his  communication 

ough  and  its  neighborhood  did  not  come 

with  the  country;  to  repress  the  medi- 

forward  to  enroll  themselves  as  freely  as 

tated  rising  of  the  loy.alists ; and,  at  all 

was  expected.  “ Hundreds,”  wrote  Colo- 

events,  to  intercept  any  party  of  them 

nel  Tarleton,  “ rode  into  the  camp  to  talk 

which  might  attempt  to  join  the  enemy. 

over  the  proclamation,  inquire  the  news 

Greene  was  so  anxious  that  his  plans 

of  the  day,  and  take  a view  of  the  king’s 

should  be  faithfully  executed,  that,  re- 

troops.  Some  of  the  more  zealous  prom- 

gardless  of  danger  and  fatigue,  he  crossed 

ised  to  raise  companies,  and  even  regi- 

the  Dan  in  advance  of  his  army,  accom- 

ments,  but  their  followers  and  depend- 

panied  only  by  a small  escort  of  cavalry. 

auls  were  slow  to  enlist.”  His  lordship 

and  rode  on  until  he  overtook  Pickens 

.accordingly  sent  Tarleton,  with  five  hun- 

and  Lee,  with  whom  he  passed  the  night 

dred  troops,  to  beat  up  the  country  be- 

in  busy  consultation.  Early  the  next  day 

tween  Haw  and  Deep  Rivers,  for  loyal 

he  was  again  across  the  river,  preparing 

recruits. 

to  move  his  army  from  its  comfortable 

105 

— • 1 

1 

834  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

([iiarters  in  Virginia,  and  once  more  ex- 
pose them  to  the  trials  and  uncertainties  . 
of  a campaign  in  North  Carolina. 

In  the  meantime,  Pickens  and  Lee,  on 
the  alert  for  service,  eagerly  caught  at 
the  news,  brought  in  by  a scout,  that 
Tarleton  was  out  with  horse,  foot,  and  ar- 
tillery, and  was  moving  toward  the  Haw. 
Pickens  and  Lee  resolved  on  an  attempt 
at  a surprise,  and  hastened  to  the  river, 
which  they  forded  on  hearing  that  Tarle- 
ton had  already  crossed.  A countryman 
was  overtaken  at  noon  by  the  roadside, 
from  whom  it  was  learned  that  the  British 
colonel  was  encamped  only  three  miles  in 
advance,  where,  with  his  horses  unsaddled, 
he  was  apparently  resting  in  confident  se- 
curity. Lee  and  Pickens  were  now  hope- 
ful of  success,  and,  immediately  disposing 
their  troops  in  order  for  attack,  cautiously 
moved  through  the  woods  to  the  place 
where  they  expected  to  pounce  upon  an 
unsuspecting  enemy. 

The  movement  was  conducted  prompt- 
ly and  carefully, and  without  an  untoward 
occurrence  they  soon  came  in  sight  of  the 
1‘arm  and  farmhouse,  the  “ expected  thea- 
tre of  glory,”  when,  lo  and  behold  ! the 
enemy  had  gone.  Two  of  Tarleton’s  stafi- 
ollicers,  however,  who  had  remained  be- 
hind to  settle  for  provisions,  were  taken 
prisoners ; and  from  them  it  was  learned 
that  their  commander  would  not  proceed 
more  than  six  miles  firther.  It  was  de- 
termined therefore  to  follow  at  once,  and 
make  another  effort  to  entrap  the  wily 
colonel  of  dragoons. 

In  order  to  give  success  to  this  second 
attempt,  it  was  resolved,  if  possible,  to 
pass  as  a reinforcement  sent  from  Hills- 

borough  to  the  aid  of  Tarleton.  The  two 
British  officers  who  had  been  captured 
were  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  cavalry, 
and  ordered  to  give  color  to  the  decep- 
tion ; while  the  sergeant  in  charge  was 
directed  to  shoot  them  down  at  once,  in 
case  of  the  least  demonstration  to  the  con- 
trary. The  country-people,  though  famil- 
iar with  the  sight  of  the  British  troops, 
were  less  likely  to  detect  the  stratagem, 
since  Lee’s  legion, both  cavalry  and  infan- 
try, with  their  short  green  coats  and  their 
accoutrements,  had  very  much  the  look 
of  the  enemy’s  lightrcorps. 

The  effect  of  the  ruse  was  soon  mani- 
fest Two  young  Carolina  loyalists  came 
riding  up  the  road,  and,  being  accosted  by 
the  horsemen  in  advance, in  their  assumed 
character  of  British  officers,  expressed 
their  joy  at  the  meeting,  and  freely  de- 
clared that  they  had  been  sent  forward  to 
find  out  Tarleton’s  encampment  by  Colo- 
nel Pyle,  who  was  on  his  way  with  four 
hundred  loyalists  to  join  that  officer. 

While  the  two  young  men  were  being 
conducted  to  LieutenanhColonel  Lee, 
Pickens  was  requested  to  keep  his  rifle- 
men on  the  left  flank,  well  concealed  in 
the  woods,  as  the  green  twigs  in  their 
hats  (which  the  southern  patriot  militia 
always  wore  as  a distinguishing  mark) 
would  cause  them  to  be  recognised,  and 
defeat  the  stratagem. 

Lee  so  skilfully  kept  up  the  deception, 
that  the  youths  took  him  for  Tarletoii 
himself  One  of  them  was  now  sent  back 
with  the  compliments  of  the  pretended 
British  colonel,  and  a request  to  Colonel 
Pyle  that  he  would  draw  out  his  troops 
along  the  margin  of  ihe  road,  in  order  to 

EKVOLUTIONAKY.J  LEE’S  RUSE.— SLAUGHTER  OF  THE  LOYALISTS.  835 


give  room  for  the  expected  British  force 
to  pass  at  once  without  delay.  The  oth- 
er tory  was  kept  by  the  side  of  Lee  him- 
self as  a guide;  and,  as  they  rode  on  to- 
gether, the  youthful  loyalist  was  profuse 
in  his  expression  of  respectful  devotion 
to  the  fictitious  Tarleton,  and  fidl  of  glee 
at  the  prospect  of  the  junction  with  Colo- 
nel Pyle.  In  the  meantime,  his  comrade, 
who  had  but  a short  distance  to  go,  gal- 
loped back,  after  having  successfully  ac- 
complished his  errand.  He  brought  word 
from  the  tory  commander  that  he  would 
“ be  happy  to  comply  with  the  wishes  of 
Colonel  Tarleton.” 

Colonel  Pyle  and  his  loyalists  were  now 
soon  in  sight,  on  the  right  of  the  road, 
drawn  up  as  had  been  requested  by  the 
pretended  Tarleton.  Lee  had  concluded, 
as  he  himself  states,  “ to  make  known  to 
the  colonel  his  real  character  as  soon  as 
he  should  confront  him,  with  a solemn  as- 
surance of  his  and  his  associates’  perfect 
exemption  from  injury,  with  the  choice 
of  returnino;  to  their  homes,  or  of  takino; 
a more  generous  part,  by  uniting  with  the 
defenders  of  their  common  country  against 
the  common  foe.”  But,  unfortunately  for 
Pyle,  the  position  of  his  troops,  on  the 
right  side  of  the  road,  made  it  necessary 
for  Lee  to  pass  along  the  whole  line  of 
the  loyalists  before  he  could  reach  him  at 
the  head  of  his  men. 

The  loyalists  presented  a fair  array  of 
sturdy  yeomen,  mounted  on  good,  ser- 
viceable nags,  and  with  their  rifies  and 
fowling-pieces  slung  across  their  right 
shoulders.  They  were  advantageously 
placed  for  the  republicans,  in  the  event 
of  a sudden  discovery  of  the  ruse;  for  the 


muzzles  of  their  pieces  being  in  an  oppo- 
site direction  to  the  approach  of  Lee’s  cav- 
alry, they  could  not  fire  without  a change 
in  their  position,  which  was  not  very  easy 
to  be  effected,  with  a body  of  dragoons, 
with  drawn  swords,  “ close  in  with  their 
horses’  heads.” 

“I  passed  along  the  line,”  writes  Lee, 
“at  the  head  of  the  column,  with  a smi- 
ling countenance,  dropping  occasional!}^ 
expressions  complimentary  to  the  good 
looks  and  commendable  conduct  of  my 
loyalist  friends.  At  length  I reached  Colo- 
nel Pyle,  when  the  customary  civilities 
were  promptly  interchanged.  Grasping 
Pyle  by  the  hand,  I was  in  the  act  of  con- 
summating my  plan,  when  the  enemy’s 
left,  discovering  Pickens’s  militia,  not  suf- 
ficiently concealed,  began  to  fire  upon  the 
rearof  the  cavalry  commanded  by  Captain 
Eggleston.  This  officer  instantly  turned 
upon  the  foe,  as  did  immediately  after  the 
whole  column. 

“ The  conflict  was  quickly  decided,  and 
bloody  on  one  side  only.  Ninety  of  the 
royalists  were  killed,  and  most  of  the  sur- 
vivors wounded.  Dispersing  in  every  di- 
rection, not  being  pursued,  these  escaped. 
During  this  sudden  rencontre,  in  some 
parts  of  the  line  the  cry  of  ‘ Mercy  !’  was 
heard,  coupled  with  the  assurance  of  be- 
ing our  best  friends ; but  no  expostulation 
could  be  admitted  in  a conjuncture  so  criti- 
cal. Humanity  even  forbade  it,  as  its  first 
injunction  is  to  care  for  your  own;  and 
our  safety  was  not  compatible  with  that 
of  the  supplicants,  until  disabled  to  oflend. 
Pyle,  falling  under  many  wounds,  was  left 
on  the  field  as  dying,  and  yet  he  survived. 
We  lost  not  a man,  and  only  one  horse.” 


836  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [parth. 


CHAPTER  XCVIII. 

Lee  and  Pickens  up  with  Tavleton. — His  Escape.— Lord  Cornwallis  thwarted. — He  shifts  his  Quarters. — General  Greene 
in  Pursuit. — Success  of  the  Guerilla  Leaders. — Williams  pursued.— Greene  reinforced. — Repose. — Policy  of  the  'I’ories. 
— Greene  at  Guilford  Courthouse. — He  awaits  Battle.— Cornwallis  accepts  the  Challenge. — Tarleton  put  to  Flight. — 
Renewal  of  the  Engagement. — Order  of  Battle. — First  Success  of  the  British. — Charge  of  Colonel  Washington.— A 
Desperate  Manoeuvre  of  Cornwallis. — Friends  and  Foes. — Hard-earned  Victory  of  the  Enemy. — Orderly  Retreat  of  the 
Americans. — The  Losses. — A Terrible  Night. 


Lee’s  troopers,  while  their  sabres 
were  dripping  with  the  blood  of 
Colonel  Pyle’s  loyalists,  were  again  on  the 
road,  led  by  their  spirited  commander, 
still  panting  for  action.  Tarleton,  whom 
Lee  was  always  most  eager  to  meet,  was 
within  a few  miles  of  him ; and  he  now 
hastened  to  overtake  him.  A short  ride 
brought  the  leading  horseman  in  sight  of 
the  British  camp.  As  soon  as  Pickens 
came  up  with  his  militia,  the  two  com- 
manders consulted  anxiously  together. 

The  sun  was  setting,  and  for  awhile 
Lee  and  Pickens  hesitated  whether  im- 
mediate action,  even  at  that  late  hour, 
was  not  the  most  eligible.  The  troops, 
however,  being  fatigued,  and  the  night 
fast  approaching,  it  was  determined  to  put 
off  the  attack  until  the  next  day.  Sev- 
eral hours  before  dawn,  Lee  and  his  le- 
gion were  in  their  saddles,  and,  lighted 
by  flaming  pine-torches,  advanced  along 
the  road  to  reconnoitre. 

Tarleton  was  equally  on  the  alert.  He 
and  his  officers, having  supped  gay ly,  were 
anxiously  longing  for  the  dawn  of  day, 
that  they  might  revenge  themselves  for 
the  slaughter  of  Pyle’s  tories,  when  a mes- 
senger rode  in  haste  from  Lord  Cornwal- 
lis, with  orders  for  Tarleton  to  recross  the 


Haw  without  delay.  Soon  after,  came 
two  other  hurried  riders,  on  the  same 
mission,  so  fearful  was  his  lordship  (who 
had  heard  of  Greene’s  return  to  North 
Carolina,  and  of  the  movements  of  Lee 
and  Pickens)  lest  his  indispensable  colo- 
nel of  dragoons  should  be  surprised  and 
cut  off  with  all  his  force.  Tarleton  now, 
in  obedience  to  orders,  thought  only  of 
escape,  and  by  a prompt  movement  suc- 
ceeded in  crossing  the  Haw  before  Lee 
and  Pickens  could  come  up  with  him.  He 
then  rejoined  in  safety  the  main  body  of 
the  British,  under  Cornwallis. 

The  earl  was  so  thwarted  in  his  plans 
by  the  return  of  Greene  to  Carolina,  and 
the  terror  produced  in  the  country  by 
the  bloody  catastrophe  of  the  royalists 
under  Pyle,  that  he  was  forced  to  change 
his  tactics.  The  tories,  moreover,  were 
so  discouraged,  that  few  were  now  wil- 
ling to  serve  ; and  many,  who  had  already 
come  out  to  join  his  lordship,  returned  to 
their  homes,  prudently  to  await  the  i.ssue 
of  events.  Finding  himself,  as  he  Avrote, 
“among  timid  friends,  and  adjoining  to 
inveterate  rebels,”  at  Hillsborough,  he  i c- 
solved  to  shift  his  quarters, ‘and  march  in- 
to a neighborhood  where  he  hoped  to  find 
strom>’er  and  more  sT'^uerous  adherents  of 

o 


j 


UEVOLUTIONARY.]  GREENE  REINFORCED. 

—PRELIMINARY  MOVEMENTS.  837 

the  royal  cause.  Accordino-ly, 
Fcl).  26.  , ^ . . , , ° 

tlie  iintish  commander  crossed 

the  Ilaw  with  his  army,  and  took  a posi- 
tion near  Allamance  creek. 

General  Greene,  following  the  move  of 
Lord  Cornwallis,  crossed  the  Haw  near 
its  source,  and  encamped  between  Trou- 
blesome creek  and  Reedy  fork,  about  fif- 
teen miles  above  the  British  position.  At 
the  same  time,  the  American  commander 
threw  out  his  light-corps  under  Colonel 
Williams,  aided  by  Pickens  and  Lee,  to 
hover  near  the  enemy.  These  active  gue- 
rilla leaders  met  with  their  usual  success. 
Rapidly  moving  here  and  there  about  the 
foe,  they  harassed  him  in  every  possible 
matmer — cutting  off  his  supplies,  inter- 
cepting his  messengers,  capturing  his  for- 
aging-parties, skirmishing  with  his  ad- 
vanced troops,  embarrassing  his  marches, 
and  exhausting  not  only  his  resources, 
but  his  spirit  and  patience.  Ilis  lordship, 
tired  of  this  annoyance,  strove  to  surpi  ise 
Williams’s  force,  and  by  a sudden  blow  to 
crush  it  at  once  while  too  remote  to  de- 
rive any  support  from  the  main  body  un- 
der Greene  ; or  to  steal  a march  upon  the 
former,  and,  interposing  himself  between 
the  two,  force  the  latter  into  action  in  de- 
fence of  the  advanced  detachment. 

Williams,  though  uninformed  of  this 
movement  of  Cornwallis,  was  so  vigilant- 
ly o-uarded,  that  the  approach  of 
Ilarch  6.  ^ ^ 

* his  lordship  was  discovered  when 

within  two  miles  of  the  camp.  A rapid 
;hase  ensued  across  Reedy  fork  to  Wet- 
zel’s  mills.  Williams,  however,  with  his 
start  ahead,  succeeded  in  distancing  his 
competitor,  and,  gaining  the  opposite  side 
of  the  stream,  strove  to  hold  his  ground. 

but  was  obliged  to  give  way  before  the 
superior  numbers  of  the  British.  In  the 
meanwhile,  General  Greene,  having  been 
informed,  by  a timely  message  from  Wil- 
liams, of  the  approach  of  Cornwallis,  had 
retreated  across  the  Ilaw,  where  he  was 
soon  joined  by  Williams,  whom  the  enemy 
had  ceased  to  pursue. 

General  Greene  encamped  on  Trouble- 
some creek,  and  awaited  reinforcements 
Soon  came  in  Lieutenant-Colonel  Greene, 
with  his  new  levies  ; Brigadier-General 
Lawson,  with  the  Virginia  militia  ; Camp- 
bell, Preston,  and  Lynch,  with  their  corps 
six  hundred  strong;  followed  by  the  mi- 
litia of  North  Carolina,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Briii-adier-Generals  Butler  and 

O 

Eaton.  Thus  was  mustered  a force  ol 
four  thousand  five  hundred  in  all,  horse, 
foot,  a>id  artillery,  of  which  sixteen  hun- 
dred men  were  regulars,  though  mostly 
raw  recruits.  Greene,  glad  of  the  oppor- 
tunity given  him  by  the  temporary  inac- 
tivity of  Cornwallis,  gave  his  troops  I'e- 
pose,  and  sought  to  drill  and  organize  his 
new  levies  for  the  conflict,  which  he  did 
not  care  long  to  postpone,  now  that  he 
was  reinforced,  and  well  supplied  with 
stores  and  provisions. 

Hitherto,  the  fluctuations  in  numbers, 
of  Greene’s  little  army,  caused  by  the  in- 
stability of  the  militia,  who  were  chiefly 
volunteers — and  who,  the  general  said, 
“after  every  little  skirmish,  went  home 
to  tell  the  news” — had  led  him  to  be  ex- 
ceedingly cautious  and  circumspect,  and 
to  employ  the  Fabian  policy  of  warfare 
which  he  had  learned  from  Washington  ; 
but, now  that  he  had  substantial  reinforce- 
ments, in  regular  recruits  from  Virginia 

838  BATTLES  OF  x\MERICA.  [part  ii. 

and  North  Carolina,  lie  felt  stron>>’  enoug-li 

he  calmly  awaited  the  coming  up  of  the 

1 

to  cope  with  Cornwallis,  and  earnestly  de- 

earl. 

sired  an  engai^enient. 

O O 

Lord  Cornwallis  did  not  hesitate  to  ac- 

His  lordship,  failing  in  his  attempt  to 

cept  the  challenge  which  was  so  distinctly 

interpose  himself  between  Williams  and 

proffered  by  this  close  advance  of  Greene. 

Greene,  and  thus  force  the  latter  to  a dis- 
advantageous conflict,  retired  to  Bell’s 

The  whole  British  force  was  j. 

the  move  at  break  of  day,  and 

mill,  on  Deep  river,  where,  in  the  repose 

before  sunrise  the  advance-guards  of  both 

of  the  camp,  he  sought  to  refresh  his 

armies  came  into  collision.  Tarleton  led 

troo[)s,  until  an  opportunity  should  offer 

the  one,  Lee  headed  the  other.  With  the 

to  try  his  strength  with  his  energetic  an- 

British  colonel  were  his  troopers,  a corps 

tagonist.  The  British  army  under  his 

of  light-infantry,  and  the  Hessian  yagers. 

iininediate  command  now  amounted  to 

“Lighhliorse  Harry”  was  at  the  head  of 

only  two  thousand  four  hundred  men,  a 

his  famous  legion  of  horse  and  foot,  to- 

force  too  small  to  be  frittered  away  by 

gether  with  some  mountaineers  and  Vir- 

1 

skirmishing,  while  there  was  no  imme- 

ginia  militia.  Tarleton  came  riding  up 

diate  prospect  of  reinforcements.  His 

leisurely  with  his  troop;  and  Lee,  per- 

1 

lordship  could  oidy  afford  to  expend  his 

ceivinghis  approach,  turned  his  force  with 

i 

f 

strength  in  a decisive  blow.  The  loyal- 

a rapid  wheel,  to  get  closer  to  the  camp. 

ists  of  the  country  held  back  their  aid,  in 

The  British  took  this  sudden  movement 

timid  anxiety  about  the  result.  ‘‘They 

for  a retreat,  and,  firing  their  pistols,  came 

determined  to  repress  their  zeal,  and  to 

on  at  a quick  pace,  and  with  a loud  shout 

wait  in  quietude  until  the  British  superi- 

charged. 

ority  should  be  manifested  by  signal  sue- 

At  this  moment,  Lee  brought  his  dra- 

cess.” 

goons  to  the  right  about,  and  fell  with  thfe 

Greene  was  now  prepared,  and  reso- 

whole  weight  of  his  column  upon  the  en- 

lutely  bent  upon  meeting  his  antagonist. 

emy.  Tarleton  sounded  a retreat  on  the 

who  had  so  long  striveri  to  provoke  him 

instant  he  discovered  that  the  supposed 

to  battle.  Calling  in  his  detachment  of 

fugitives  had  turned  upon  him.  Before 

dragoons  (which,  under  Colonel  Lee,  had 

he  could  escape,  however,  many  of  his 

been  sticking  close  to  the  British  camp, 

troopers  were  dismounted,  some  of  them 

much  to  the  annoyance  of  Cornwallis,  in- 

killed,  and  others  made  prisoners,  while 

tercepting  his  messengers  and  darting  up- 

their  horses  were  thrown  to  the  ground. 

on  his  foraging-jjarties),  and  leaving  his 

The  strong,  active,  and  high-conditioned 

hea  vy  baggage  ai  the  iron-works  on  Trou- 

chargers,  with  the  skilful  horsemanship 

blesoine  creek,  the  American  commander 

of  their  Virginia  riders,  bred  to  the  sad- 

now  moved  his  whole  army  ten  miles  in 

die,  gave  Lee’s  legion  much  the  superior- 

ad  Vance,  to  Guilford  courthouse. 
■Rar.  U.  „ , . , . . . . , . 

Here,  taking  Ins  position  within 

ity  in  every  contest  with  the  cavalry  of 
Tarleton,  who  was  forced  to  content  him- 

1 

twelve  miles  of  the  camp  of  the  enemy. 

self  wiLh  any  sorry  animal  that  he  could 

i 

- 

r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  BATfLE  OF  GUILFORD  COURTHOUSE.  839 


pick  up,  while  his  troopers  knew  nothing 
of  riding  but  what  they  had  learned  in 
the  barrack-school.  Not  a single  Ameri- 
can soldier  or  horse  was  injured  in  the 
encounter. 

Tarleton  fled  with  rapidity, hard  pressed 
by  Lee,  who  continued  in  pursuit  until  he 
caught  sight  of  the  British  guards  coining 
up,  when  he  ordered  his  cavalry  to  retire. 
The  legion  infantry,  however,  supported 
by  some  Virginia  riflemen,  coming  to  his 
rescue,  Lee  soon  came  to  a stand,  and, 
after  a sharp  action  with  the  guards  (as 
he  found  Cornwallis  approaching),  again 
withdrew  toward  the  main  body. 

In  the  meanwhile,  Greene  had  drawn 
up  his  army  in  three  lines  on  a wooded 
height  near  Guilford  courthouse.  The 
first,  composed  of  the  North-Carolina  mi- 
litia, under  Generals  Butler  and  Eaton, 
was  posted  behind  a rail-fence,  with  a long 
and  narrow  open  field  in  front,  and  woods 
in  the  rear  and  on  either  side.  At  some 
distance  in  advance  of  the  militia,  on  the 
road  along  which  the  enemy  were  expect- 
ed to  approach,  stood  two  six-pounders, 
under  Captain  Singleton.  Three  hundred 
yards  behind  the  first  line,across  the  road, 
and  under  the  cover  of  a deep  wood,  was 
j)laced  the  second,  composed  of  the  Vir- 
ginia militia,  under  Generals  Stevens  and 
Lawson.  The  third  line,  made  up  of  the 
four  regiments  of  regulars,  was  thrown 
back  several  hundred  yards  to  the  rear 
of  the  second,  and  posted  in  a field  on 
the  right  of  the  road.  The  two  Virginia 
regiments  formed  the  right  wing,  under 
the  command  of  Huger,  aud  the  two  Ma- 
ryland the  left,  under  Williains.  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Washington  with  his  cav- 


alry, Captain  Kirkwood  with  the  Dela- 
ware company,  and  Colonel  Lynch  with  a 
battalion  of  Virginia  militia,  covered  (he 
right  flank;  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Lee 
with  his  legion,  together  with  some  Vir- 
ginia riflemen  under  Colonel  Campbell, 
covered  the  left.  In  the  rear  of  the  whole 
was  stationed  a small  park  of  artillery. 

As  the  head  of  the  British  came  up  the 
road.  Captain  Singleton  opened  a fire  from 
his  two  six-pounders  in  front  of  the  Ameri- 
can lines,  which  was  briskly  returned  by 
a cannonade  from  the  enemy’s  artillery. 
Cornwallis  came  spiritedly  to  the  attack, 
rapidly  forming  his  whole  force  as  he  ap- 
proached into  one  line.  The  seventy-first 
Bi  itish  regiment, with  the  Hessian  ofBoxe, 
were  on  the  right,  commanded  by  General 
Leslie,  and  covered  by  the  first  battalion 
of  the  guards,  under  Colonel  Norton.  The 
left,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Webster,  was  composed  of  the 
twentj'-third  and  thirty-third  regiments, 
and  covered  by  General  O’Hara  with  his 
grenadiers  and  the  second  battalion  of  the 
guards.  The  artillery,  supported  by  the 
light-infantry  of  the  guards,  and  the  yagers 
(German  riflemen),  moved  along  the  road 
in  the  centre ; and  the  cavalry  in  column, 
under  Tarleton,  formed  a corps  of  obser- 
vation and  reserve  behind. 

As  the  British  regulars  came  steadily 
up,  their  undaunted  look  and  confident 
shouts  struck  terror  to  the  hearts  of  the 
inexperienced  North  Carolina  militia,who, 
after  firing,  contrary  to  orders,  some  dis- 
tant shots,  turned  and  fled.  The  officers 
strove  to  rally  them,  but  all  in  vain,  al- 
though not  a man  had  been  touched  by 
the  enemy’s  shots ! Like  a torrent  they 


840  BATl'LES  OF  AMEIMCA.  [paut  ii. 


rushed  lieudlong  through  the  neighboring 
woods,  throwing  awiiy  their  aruis,  knap- 
sacks, and  even  canteens!  The  British 
advance  was,  however,  checked  awhile  by 
Lee’s  legion,  which  came  up  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  front. 

The  second  line,  composed  of  the  Vir- 
ginia militia,  stood  their  ground  manful- 
ly. Their  commander.  General  Stevens, 
had  taken  the  precaution  to  station  sen- 
tinels behind  them,  with  orders  to  shoot 
down  the  first  man  that  flinched.  Open- 
ing their  ranks  to  allow  the  fugitives  of 
the  first  line  to  make  their  way  in  their 
fright  to  the  rear,  the  Virginians  closed 
again,  and  presented  such  a firm  front  to 
the  enemy,  that  they  were  forced  to  bring 
up  a part  of  their  reserve.  The  Virgin- 
ians were,  however,  finally  compelled  to 
) ield  before  the  British  bayonets  and  the 
charge  of  their  cavalry  ; but  not  until  the 
brave  General  Stevens,  who  had  hitherto 
kept  his  men  so  well  to  their  work,  was 
wounded  in  the  thigh,  and  while  being 
carried  off  the  field,  ordered  a retreat. 
Supported  by  Colonel  Lee’s  legion  and 
Campbell’s  riflemen,  the  spirited  Virgin- 
ians were  able  to  retire  in  good  order  to 
the  third  line,  where  the  regulars  were 
now  prepared  to  bear  the  brunt  of  the 
battle. 

The  British  troops,  inspirited  by  their 
success  in  their  attack  on  the  front  lines, 
came  down  upon  the  American  regulars 
in  the  rear  with  great  impetuosity.  Colo- 
nel Webster,  however,  who  led  the  left 
wing  of  the  enemy,  was  so  stonily  met  by 
the  first  regiment  of  Marylanders  on  the 
American  right,  that  he  was  forced  to  fall 
back  beyond  a ravine  in  his  rear,  and  take 


post  on  a height,  until  the  rest  of  the  Brit- 
ish line  came  up.  The  second  regiment 
of  Marylanders,  who  were  mostly  raw  re- 
cruits, held  their  ground  less  firmly,  and 
gave  way  before  Stewart,  leading  on  the 
British  guards. 

The  veterans  of  the  first  regiment  of 
Marylanders,  however,  who  had  just  driv- 
en back  Webster,  came  to  the  rescue  of 
their  flying  comrades,  and  began  a ter- 
rific onslaught  with  fixed  bayonets  upon 
their  pursuers.  The  enemy,  nevertheless, 
fought  desperately,  and  the  issue  seemed 
uncertain ; when  Colonel  Washington,  ma- 
king a charge  with  his  cavalry,  gave  the 
Americans  manifestly  the  advantage.  In 
the  ensuing  struggle,  the  guards,  having 
lost  their  commander  (Stewart),  turned 
and  fled. 

At  this  moment,  Lord  Cornwallis  re 
sorted  to  a desperate  manoeuvre  to  save 
the  fortunes  of  the  day.  He  brought  up 
his  artillery,  and  opened  a fire  indiscrimi- 
nately upon  friends  and  foes  1 Brigadier 
O’Hara,  among  the  bravest  of  the  brave, 
ventured  to  remonstrate,  declaring  that 
it  was  suicidal.  “True,”  replied  his  lord- 
ship  ; “ but  it  is  a necessary  evil,  which 
we  must  endure,  to  arrest  impending  de- 
struction.” The  fire  was  renewed,  and 
every  ball  discharged  at  the  Americans 
endangered  the  life  of  a British  soldier. 
Both  friend  and  foe  suffered  terribly;  but 
Cornwallis,  by  this  desperate  expedient, 
saved  the  day.  The  guards  had  a chance 
to  rally,  as  their  pursuers  were  checked 
by  the  cannonade  ; and  Colonel  Webster, 
returning  in  the  meanwhile  to  the  attack, 
came  up  in  time  to  throw  his  whole  weight 
in  their  favor,  and  thus  to  gain  at  last  the 


r 


REvoLOTiONAKi.  I LOSSES  AND  RESUTjTS  OF  TIIP]  CONFLICT.  841 


Imid-earned  victory.  Tarleton,  in  com- 
iiiand  of  the  cavalry  in  reserve,  made  a 
flint  show  of  pursuit,  but  Cornwallis  soon 
recalled  his  wearied  troops.  Greene  was 
enabled  to  draw  off  his  force  in  good  or- 
der to  the  bank  of  the  Reedy  fork  (the 
small  stream  which  ran  in  the  rear  of 
his  position);  and  detached  parties  here 
and  there,  under  the  cover  of  the  woods, 
as  they  retired  from  the  field,  still  kept 
up  a skirmishing  fire,  by  which  tlm  ene- 
my suffered  severely. 

The  conflict,  which  lasted  nearly  two 
hours,  was  one  of  the  severest  of  the  war. 

Although  the  enemy  remained  masters 
of  the  field,  they  were  too  much  crippled 
to  follow  up  the  victory.  Their  soldiers, 
as  usual,  fought  with  great  bravery;  and, 
as  Marshall  justly  observe.s,  “ no  battle  in 
the  course  of  the  war  reflects  more  honor 
on  the  courage  of  the  British  troops  than 
that  of  Guilford.”  A large  part  of  Gen- 
eral Greene’s  force  was,  as  we  have  seen, 
unti'ied  militia;  not  one  thousand  of  his 
men  had  ever  seen  service ; and  the  vet- 
eran volunteers  under  Pickens  had,  some 
days  previously,  been  despatched  to  South 
Carolina,  where  they  were  imperatively 
demanded  to  meet  the  “black  brigades” 
which  the  British  were  seeking  to  em- 
body in  that  quarter  during  the  absence 
of  the  American  army. 

The  havoc  in  both  armies  was  great. 
Of  the  British,  ninety-three  were  killed 
in  the  action,  four  hundred  and  thirteen 
wounded,  and  twenty-six  were  missing. 
Their  officers,  as  usual,  suffered  greatly. 
The  Honorable  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stew- 
art, of  tho  guards,  and  four  other  officers, 
loa 


were  killed.  Brigadier-Geiiei  als  O’Hara 
and  Howard  (the  latter  a volunteer), Lieu 
tenant-Colonels  Webster  and  Taileton 
nine  captain.s,  four  lieutenants,  five  en- 
signs, and  two  adjutants,  one  of  whom  was 
a younger  brother  of  the  great  Charles 
James  Fox,  were  among  the  wounded. 
Webster’s  wound  proved  mortal,  and  Gen 
eral  O’Hara’s  recovery  from  his  injuries 
was  long  doubtful. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  more 
than  four  hundred  killed  and  wounded, 
and  eight  or  nine  hundred  mi.ssing;  the 
latter  were  principally  the  North-Carolina 
militia,  who  had  so  disgracefully  fled  at 
the  beginning  of  the  action. 

Although  the  Briti.sh  claimed  the  vic- 
tory, it  proved  a barren  one,  and  they  de- 
plored its  results  as  much  as  if  it  had  been 
a defeat.  “Another  such  would  ruin  the 
British  army,”  said  Fox,  in  the  house  of 
commons.  Frightful  was  the  amount  of 
human  suffering,  as  the  English  them- 
selves admitted,  by  which  they  had  ob- 
tained their  triumph.  The  wounded  were 
collected  as  expeditiously  as  po.ssible;  but 
as  they  were  scattered  over  the  great  ex- 
tent of  wild  ground  which  composed  the 
field  of  battle,  many  perished  before  they 
could  be  reached.  The  army  was  also 
destitute  of  tents ; and  there  was  not  a 
sufficient  number  of  houses,  in  that  mea- 
gerly-settled  country,  to  receive  the  suf- 
ferers. The  night  which  followed  was  in- 
tensely dark,  the  rain  poured  down  in  tor- 
rents, and  the  cries  of  the  wounded  and 
dying,  sounding  dismally  from  the  field 
of  conflict  throughout  every  hour,  struck 
each  human  heart  with  terror. 


' I 


842 


UATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  ij. 


CHAPTER  XCIX. 


General  Greene  still  hopeful. — Retreat  of  a Conqueror. — Colonel  Lee  hangs  on  the  Rear  of  Lord  Cornwallis. — Greene 
again  in  Pur.-iuit. — A Precipitate  Flight. — Greene  in  South  Carolina. — Cornwallis  at  Wilmington. — Another  Cam- 
paign.— The  Earl  goes  to  Virginia. — Strike  the  Traitor. — Expedition  against  Arnold. — Lafayette  on  the  Move. — 
Movements  of  the  French  Fleet. — Action  with  the  British. — Disputed  Victory. — General  Phillips  in  Virginia. — York- 
town  taken. — Fire  and  Devastation. — Success  of  Lafayette. — The  British  at  Mount  Vernon. — Terms. — Rebuke  of 
Washington. — Movements  of  Cornwallis  in  Virginia.— His  Exultation. — His  Contempt  of  Lafayette. — Charley. — Les- 
sons of  Washington. — Cautious  System  of  Tactics. — Tarleton  on  the  Alert. 


G ENERAL  G REENE  WaS  WOITI  ill  bod  V 

1781 

by  the  fatigues  and  anxieties  of  the 
bard  stru^ale  at  Guilford  courthouse,  but 
bis  resolute  spirit  was  undismayed.  From 
the  field  of  battle,  where  fate  litid  decided 
against  him, he  retreated  to  the  iron-works 
on  Troublesome  creek.  Here  he  tarried 
two  days,  in  order  to  call  in  his  scattered 
forces,  and  while  awaiting  the  manoeu- 
vres of  the  British  commander,  to  make 
ready  to  meet  or  thwart  him.  “Lord 
Cornwallis,”  wrote  Greene,  “ will  not  give 
up  this  country,  without  being  soundly 
beaten.  I wish  our  force  w'as  more  com- 
petent to  the  business.”  lie  added,  how- 
ever, more  cheerfully,  “But  I am  in  hopes, 
by  little  and  little,  to  reduce  him  in  time.” 

Cornwallis  was  in  no  disposition  to  fol- 
low up  his  dearly-bought  triumph  at  Guil- 
ford courthouse  with  any  immediate  at- 
tempt at  another  such  victory.  With 
nearly  a third  of  his  force  slain,  many  of 
his  best  officers  killed  or  wounded,  and 
not  a single  benefit  gained,  he  resolved, 
conqueror  as  he  was,  to  abandon  western 
Carolina  to  the  possession  of  the  Ameri- 
cau.s,  and  retreat  toward  the  seaboard. 
Accordingly,  three  days  after  his  success 
{ Laving  first  issued  an  exultant  but  inef- 


fectual proclamation,  in  which  he  boasted 
of  victory,  called  upon  all  good  citizens  to 
join  his  standard,  and  offered  pardon  to 
all  “rebels”  who  should  lay  down  their 
arms),  his  lordship  destroyed  all  his  bag- 
gage, left  his  hospital  and  seventy  of  his 
wounded  to  the  vanquished  foe, 
and  set  out  by  slow  marches,  as 
befitted  the  condition  of  his  maimed  ar- 
my, toward  Cross  creek. 

Greene  was  on  the  alert,  and  followed 
the  retreating  march  of  Cornwalli.s,  and 
would  have  hastened  to  overtake  and  give 


him  battle  had  he  not  been  delayed  by 
the  want  of  ammunition.  Lee,  with  his 
legion,  and  a militia-corps  of  riflemen, 
however,  being  sent  in  advance,  hovered 
about  the  lagging  march  of  the  British 
army,  which  was  still  so  prostrated  by  its 
disastrous  victory,  that  hardly  an  attempt 
was  made  to  drive  off  the  pertinacious 
American  skiiTnishers. 

At  length,  obtaining  the  necessary  sup- 
plies of  ammunition,  Greene  again  moved 
on  in  pursuit,  and  reached  Ram- 
say’s mills,  on  the  Deep  river,  in 
Chatham  county,  just  after  Cornwallis  had 
crossed  the  stream.  So  precipitately  had 
his  lordship  decamped,  that  some  of  his 


I»Iar.  28. 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  OPERATIONS 

dead  lay  on  the  ground  unburied ; and  a 
welcome  supply  of  fresh  beef  had  been 
left  behind,  upon  which  the  famishing  pa- 
triot soldiers  fed  voraciously.  Here  the 
American  commander  was  stayed  by  the 
conduct  of  the  militia,  who,  worn  out  by 
their  march  through  a rough  country, 
stripped  of  its  meager  supplies  by  the  en- 
emy in  advance,  now  insisted  ujDon  their 
discharge,  <as  their  term  of  service  had  ex- 
pired. Greene  w^as  compelled  to  forego 
his  eager  desire  to  overtake  the  earl,  and, 
after  a short  repose  at  Ramsay’s  mills, 
found  it  expedient  to  shift  the  scene  of 
action  to  the  southward.  Accordingly, 
with  only  a handful  of  continental  troops 
left,  he  marched  toward  Camden, 
April  5.  South  Carolina,  where  he  ex- 
pected the  co-operation  of  those  active 
partisans  Sumter,  Pickens,  and  Marion. 

Cornwallis,  though  among  staunch  loy- 
alists in  the  Highland-Scotch  settlements 
on  Cross  creek,  finding  that  the  country 
was  too  poor  to  support  his  troops,  con- 
tinued his  march  to  Wilmington,  at  the 
mouth  of  Cape-Fear  river,  where  Major 
Craig  had  been  established  with  a small 
British  force,  and  a large  supply  of  stores 
and  provision.s. 

The  earl  had  no  sooner  arrived 
' at  Wilmington,  and  refreshed  his 
sufiering  troops,  than  he  began,  with  his 
usual  prompt  energy,  to  make  ready  for 
another  campaign.  Hearing  of  General 
Greene’s  movement  to  South  Carolina,  he 
would  have  gone  to  the  aid  of  Lord  Raw- 
don,  at  Camden,  to  whose  danger  he  was 
fearfully  alive.  It  was  too  late,  however, 
to  succor  him  now.  To  remain  at  Wil- 
mington was  useless.  Ilis  lordship  there- 


IN  VIRGINIA.  843 

fore  determined  to  march  his  small  force 
(now  consisting  of  only  fourteen  hundred 
and  thirty-five  men,  so  fatal  had  been  the 
victory  at  Guilford  courthouse  and  the 
subsequent  retreat)  through  North  Caro- 
lina to  Virginia,  and  there  form  a junction 
with  Generals  Phillips  and  Arnold. 

Arnold’s  destructive  foray  into  Virgin- 
ia, and  his  threatening  attitude  at  Ports- 
mouth, caused  every  American  eagerly 
to  desire  to  crush  the  traitor.  To  extin- 
guish the  malevolent  power  which  the 
ability  of  the  man  rendered  him  so  capa- 
ble of  exercising,  was  not  the  only  motive, 
however.  To  punish  the  betrayer  of  his 
country  was  the  desire  of  every  patriotic 
heart.  When,  therefore,  the  French  fleet 
was  released  from  the  harbor  of  Newport, 
in  Rhode  Island,  by  a furious  storm  which 
scattered  the  English  blockading  squad- 
ron, the  opportunity  of  striking  a blow  at 
Arnold  was  gladly  welcomed. 

The  chevalier  de  Ternay  having  died 
at  Newport,  M.  Destouches,  his  successor, 
agreed  to  send  a portion  of  his  naval  force 
to  sail  up  the  Chesapeake  and  blockade 
Arnold  in  Portsmouth,  while  Washington 
should  despatch  a detachment  fi’om  his 
army,  under  the  command  of  Lafayette, 
to  enclose  the  traitor  by  land.  Washing- 
ton subsequently  urged  the  French  ad- 
miral to  proceed  with  his  whole  fleet  and 
a thousand  troops  (the  French  infantry 
had  been  placed  in  winter-quartersatNew- 
port  in  November,  and  the  cavalry,  de- 
tached from  the  legion  of  the  duke  de 
Lauzuu,  were  sent  to  the  barracks  con- 
structed at  Lebanon,  in  Connecticut)  to 
the  coast  of  Virginia;  but  M.  Destouches 
had  already  sent  M.  de  Tilly  to  sea  with 


644  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA  [part  ii. 

1 

one  ship  of  the  line  and  two  fri^- 
Fcl).  9.  ^ ° 

ates,  and  was  now  unable,  as  the 

to  join  and  welcome  them.  Leaving  his 
troops  at  Annapolis,  in  Maryhand,  he  sailed 

British  were  again  ofl'Newport,  to  get  any 

down  Chesapeake  bay  in  an  open  boat  to 

more  ships  out  of  port. 

Virginia.  Having  paid  a flying  visit  to 

Lafayette,  with  twelve  hundred  men, 

Steuben  at  York,  where  the  veteran  was 

followed  De  Tilly,  marching  by  land  to 

stirring  up  the  whole  population  to  arms. 

form  a i unction  with  the  baron 

Feb*  20« 

Steuben,  who  then  commanded 

the  young  marquis  pressed  forward  to  Pe- 
tersburg, where  he  learned  that  a fleet 

in  Virginia.  " You  are  to  do  no  act  what- 

had  indeed  arrived  in  Hampton  roads,  but 

ever  with  Arnold,”  said  Washington,  in  his 

that  the  British  admiral  Arbuthnot,  and 

instructions  to  the  young  marquis,  “that 

not  the  chevalier  Destouches, commanded 

directly  or  by  implication  may  screen  him 

it!  Lafayette  now  turned  back  with  his 

from  the  punishment  due  to  his  treason 

troops,  until,  receiving  orders  from  Wash- 

and  desertion,  which,  if  he  should  fall  into 

ington,  he  once  more  took  up  his  march 

your  hands,  you  will  execute  in  the  most 

for  Virginia. 

summary  manner.” 

The  French  fleet  had  sailed  from  New- 

The  ardent  Lafayette  set  out  with  san- 
guine hopes  of  success,  which  were,  how- 

port  two  days  after  the  interview  ^ 

between  the  allied  commanders. 

ever,  dashed  on  his  march  by  intelligence 

The  English  squadron,  under  Arbuthnot, 

of  the  failure  of  M.  de  Tilly,  who  found 

followed  in  pursuit  on  the  10th,  and  on 

on  his  arrival  off  Portsmouth  that  the 

the  16th  the  two  fleets  came  together  off 

wary  Arnold  had  cautiously  moored  his 

Cape  Henry,  .and  had  a sharp  but  brief 

vessels  out  of  harm’s  way,  up  Elizabeth 

action,  which  lasted  about  an  hour.  The 

river.  The  Frenchman,  in  attempting  to 

English  admiral  gained  his  purpose  by 

follow  him,  ran  one  of  his  frigates  aground 

driving  the  French  ships  away,  and  flying 

and  was  obliged  to  give  up  the  pursuit. 

his  flag  in  triumph  in  the  Chesapeake; 

He  now  returned  to  Newport,  having  the 

although  M.  Destouches,  forced  as  he  was 

good  luck  on  the  southern  coast  to  fall  in 

to  return  to  Newport,  claimed  the  glory 

with  the  Romulus,  a British  fifty-gun  ship. 

of  the  victory. 

which  he  captured. 

Major-General  Phillips,  who  w.as  among 

„ ^ In  the  meantime,  Washinerton, 

Ilarch  6.  , . ’ . ® ’ 

during  a personal  interview  at 

the  officers  captured  at  Saratog.a,  on  the 

surrender  of  Burgoyne,  having 

. , T..,  ,1  War.  26. 

arrived  at  Portsmouth  with  a re- 

Newport  with  the  French  commanders, 

had  prevailed  upon  them  to  send  their 

inforcernent  of  more  than  two  thousand 

whole  fleet  and  eleven  hundred  men,  un- 

men,  .assumed  the  cliief  command.  Up 

(Icr  Baron  de  Viouienil,  to  attack  Arnold 

to  that  time,  1 he  traitor  Arnold  had  shared 

.It  Portsmouth.  Lafayette’s  hopes  were 

neither  the  honors  nor  the  booty  won  by 

again  in  the  ascendant  when  he  heard  of 

his  marauding  exploits  in  Virginia. 

the  grand  demonstration  which  was  to 

The  British  were  now  in  such  force  as 

be  made  by  his  countrymen,  and  hastened 

to  justify  an  inroad  into  the  interior  of 

. 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  BRITISH  AT 

MOUNT  VERNON.  845 

the  state.  After  remaining  several  weeks 

posted  in  the  city  with  two  thousand  reg* 

at  Portsmouth,  to  strengthen  the  fortifi- 

ulars  and  militia,  and  a company  of  dra- 

cations,  General  Phillips  accordingly  em- 

goons.  Phillips  thereupon  gave  up  bis 

barked  some  twenty-five  hundred  men  in 

design  against  Richmond  ; and,  after  de- 

small  armed  vessels,  and,  accompanied  by 

stroying  the  stores  and  a great  rpjantity 

Arnold  (who  was  now  subordinate  in  com- 

of  tobacco  at  Manchester,  he  and  Arnold 

niiind),  ascended  James  river.  Williams- 

retraced  their  devastating  steps  to  Ber- 

burg  was  taken,  and  all  the  public  prop- 

muda  Hundred.  They  soon  afterward 

erty  in  it  destroyed.  Yorktown  was  also 

re-embarked  their  troops  and  proceeded 

captured,  and  its  shipyard,  together  with 

down  the  river,  when  Lord  Cornwallis, 

some  armed  vessels  and  stores,  burned. 

who  was  then  at  Wilmington,  gave  them 

The  whole  country  about,  villages  and 

notice  that  he  was  about  marching  into 

plantations,  were  laid  waste.  Phillips  and 

Virginia.  The  two  commanders  then  re- 

Arnold  next  advanced  againstPetersburg, 

turned  to  Petersburg,  where  they  await- 

and,  after  a spirited  but  ineffectual  resist- 

ed  the  arrival  of  his  lordship  from  North 

ance  on  the  part  of  the  militia 

Carolina. 

April  li  command  of  General 

It  was  during  these  marauds  of  the 

i\luhlenburg,  destroyed  its  tobacco  and 

British  along  the  rivers  of  Virginia,  that 

public  warehouses. 

an  English  cruiser  sailed  up  the  Potomac, 

Dividing  their  forces  at  Petersburg, 

burning  the  dwellings,  laying  waste  the 

Phillips  marched  to  Chesterfield  court- 

plantations,  and  exacting  supplies  from 

house,  where  he  destroyed  the  barracks 

the  inhabitants.  On  coming  to  anchor  of! 

and  stores.  Arnold,  in  the  meanwhile, 

Mount  Vernon,  a party  of  marines  was 

went  to  Osbrunes,  where  he  destroyed  the 

sent  ashore  to  make  a levy  (with  a threat 

tobacco ; and  thence  proceeded  to  War- 

of  destruction  if  resisted)  upon  Washing- 

wick,  where  he  opened  a fire  from  the 

ton’s  estate;  when  Mr.  Lund  Washington, 

bank  of  James  river  upon  a flotilla  of 

who,  in  the  general’s  absence,  acted  as  his 

American  armed  vessels,  which  caused 

airent,  went  on  board  the  frirate  with  a 

their  crews  to  scuttle  them  and  fly  to  the 

supply  of  provisions,  conciliated  the  com- 

opposite  shore. 

mander,  and  saved  the  property.  When 

Phillips  and  Arnold,  again  joining  their 

General  Washington  heard  of  the  tnins- 

forces,  now  marched  to  Manchester,  a vil- 

action,  he  sternly  rebuked  his  kinsman 

lage  opposite  to  Richmond,  with  the  view 

Lund  for  making  terms  “with  a parcel  of 

of  crossing  James  river  to  the  latter  place. 

plundering  scoundrels,”  and  declared,  in 

They  had  previously  driven  the  baron 

his  letter  to  him,  “ It  would  have  been  a 

Steuben,  with  his  little  army  of  a thou- 

less  painful  circumstance  to  me,  to  have 

sand  militia,  across  the  Appomattox.  The 

heard  that,  in  consequence  of  your  non- 

energetic  Lafayette,  however,  had  antici- 

compliance  with  their  request,  they  had 

pated  the  invaders,  having  arrived  just 

burnt  my  house  and  laid  my  plantation 

the  night  before,  and  was  now  strongly 

in  ruins.” 

_ J 

846 


BATTLES  OF  xVMEPJCA. 


[pAia  j 


In  consequence  of  tlie  death 
May  13.  General  Phillips,  three  days 
after  his  a nival  at  Petersburg,  Arnold 
ai^ain  succeeded  to  the  chief  command  of 
the  enemy’s  forces  in  Virginia.* 

Lord  Cornwallis,  although  his  march 
was  a,  long  and  laborious  one  from  North 
Carolina,  succeeded  in  completing  it  al- 
most without  opposition,  and  in  less  than 
d month.  His  journey  had  been  greatly 
facilitated  by  two  boats  mounted  on  car- 
riages, which  were  carried  along  with  the 
baggage  of  the  army.  Ilis  lordship,  on 

marchin”:  into  Petersbur<;,  was  in 

i»I:«y  20.  , , . .T- 

a state  ot  limb  exultation.  His 

O 

anxiety  for  the  safety  of  the  royal  forces 
in  South  Carolina  was  relieved  by  the  in- 
telligence of  Lord  Rawdon’s  successful  re- 
sistance to  General  Greene;  and  now  that 
he  had  succeeded  in  forming  a junction, 
he  believed  his  army  sufficiently  strong 
to  secure  him  the  possession  of  Virginia. 
Of  the  opposition  of  Lafayette  and  his 
force  he  spoke  with  contempt.  “ The  boy 
can  nut  escape  me,”  wrote  the  earl  in  his 
despatch  to  the  British  government. 

Cornwallis,  relieving  Arnold  (who  re- 
turned to  New  York)  of  his  command, 
with  his  usual  promptitude,  dchiyed  but 
a few  days  at  Petersburg,  and  then  set  out 
in  pursuit  of  the  young  marquis.  Cros- 
sing James  river,  he  entered  Richmond, 

which  Lafayette,  with  his  inferi- 
illay  27.  . 

or  force,  was  obliged  to  evacuate. 
The  earl  now  directed  his  march  through 

* It  is  saiJ  that,  while  on  this  expedition,  Arnold  in- 
qnireil  of  an  Aineiiean  Ciiptain,  whom  he  had  taken  piison- 
er,  what  the  Americans  w(nild  do  with  him,  if  he  should 
fall  into  their  hands.  ’1  he  officer  replied  that  they  would 
cut  olf  his  lame  leg,  and  bury  it  with  the  honors  of  war, 
and  hang  the  rcjiiainder  of  his  body  on  a gibbet. 


Hanover  county,  closely  watched  by  his 
youthful  antagonist,  though  at  a guarded 
distance.  While  the  two  generals  were 
on  the  same  side  of  James  river,  Cornwal- 
lis formed  a plan  for  taking  the  3 ’oung 
Frenchman  by  surprise,  but  was  diverted 
from  his  intention  by  an  American  whom 
Lafayette  had  sent  into  the  British  camp 
as  a spy,  to  obtain  intelligence.  Gordon 
tells  the  story: — 

“ The  marquis  was  very  desirous  of  ob- 
taining full  intelligence  concerning  his 
lordship;  and  concluded  upon  prevailing, 
if  possible,  upon  one  Charles  (generally 
called  Charley)  Morgan,  a Jersey  soldier, 
of  whom  he  had  entertained  a favorable 
opinion,  to  turn  deserter,  and  go  over  to 
the  British  army,  in  order  to  his  execu- 
ting the  business  of  a spy  more  effectu- 
all}^  Cbarley  was  sent  for,  and  agreed 
to  undertake  the  hazardous  employ;  but 
insisted  that,  in  case  he  should  be  discov- 
ered and  hanged,  the  marquis,  to  secure 
his  reputation,  should  liave  it  inserted  in 
the  Jerse\'  paper  that  he  was  sent  upon 
the  service  b}^  his  commander. 

“ Charley  deserted,  and,  when  he  had 
reached  the  I’oyal  army,  was  carried  be- 
fore his  lordship,  who  inquired  into  the 
reason  of  his  deserting,  and  received  for 
answer — ‘I  have  been,  my  lord,  with  the 
American  arnn^  from  the  beginning,  and 
while  under  General  Washington  was  sat- 
isfied ; but,  being  put  under  a Frenchman, 
I do  not  like  it,  and  have  left  the  service.* 
His  lordship  commended  and  rewarded 
his  conduct.  Charley  was  very  diligent 
of  his  militaiy  dutj^,  and  was  not  in  the 
least  suspected,  but  at  the  same  time  care- 
fully observed  all  that  passed.  One  da}", 


r 

► 

BEvoLUTioNARY.J  CORNWALLIS  AND 

CHARLEY  MORGAN.  847 

while  on  particular  duty  with  his  com- 

back?’ — ‘Yes,  and  please  your  excellency, 

rades,  Cornwallis,  in  close  conversation 

and  have  brought  seven  more  with  me,’ 

with  some  officers,  called  Charley  to  him. 

was  the  answer.  When  Charley  had  re- 

and  said,  ‘ How  long  will  it  take  the  mar- 

lated  the  reason  of  his  returning,  and  the 

quis  to  cross  James  river?’  Charley  paused 

observations  he  had  made,  the  marquis 

a moment  and  answered,  ^ Three  hours. 

offered  him  money;  but  he  declined  ac- 

my  lord.’  His  lordship  exclaimed,  ‘ Three 

cepting  it,  and  only  desired  to  have  his 

hours ! why,  it  will  take  three  days.’ — 

gun  again.  The  marquis  then  proposed 

•'  No,  my  lord,’  said  Charley;  ‘ the  marquis 

to  promote  him  to  the  rank  of  a corporal 

has  so  many  boats,  and  each  boat  will  car- 

or  a sergeant.  To  this  Morgan  replied  : 

I’y  so  many  men.  If  your  lordship  will 

‘ I will  not  have  any  promotion.  I have 

be  at  the  trouble  of  calculating,  you  will 

abilities  for  a common  soldier,  and  have 

find  he  can  cross  in  three  hours.’  His 

a good  character;  should  I be  promoted, 

lordship  turned  to  the  officers,  and  in  the 

my  abilities  may  not  answer,  and  I may 

hearing  of  Charley  remarked, ‘The  scheme 

lose  my  character.’  He,  however,  nobly 

will  not  do.’ 

requested  for  his  fellow-soldiers,  who  were 

“ Charley  concluded  that  this  was  the 

not  so  well  supplied  with  shoes,  stockings, 

moment  for  his  returning  to  the  marquis. 

and  clothing,  as  himself,  that  the  marquis 

He  as  soon  as  possible  plied  his  comrades 

would  promise  to  do  what  he  could  to  re- 

with  grog  till  they  were  well  warmed,  and 

lieve  their  distresses,  which  he  easily  ob- 

then  opened  his  masked  battery.  He  com- 

tained.” 

plained  of  the  wants  that  prevailed  in  the 

Cornwallis  strove  in  vain  to  force  the 

British  camp,  commended  the  supplies 

young  marquis  to  action,  who,  under  the 

with  which  tbe  Americans  abounded,  ex- 

teachings  and  example  of  Washington, 

pressed  his  inclination  to  return,  and  then 

had  learned  to  repress  his  youthful  ardor, 

asked,  ‘ What  say  you,  will  you  go  with 

and  was  now  prudently  carrying  out  a 

me  ?’  They  agreed.  It  was  left  with  him 

cautious  system  of  tactics.  Lafayette’s 

to  manage  as  to  tbe  sentries.  To  the  first 

force,  moreover,  was  small ; and,  before 

he  offered,  in  a very  friendly  manner,  the 

attempting  any  offensive  operations,  he 

takiim  of  a draimlit  out  of  his  canteen. 

desired  to  unite  with  General  Wayne,  who. 

While  the  fellow  was  drinking,  Charley 

sent  by  Washington,  was  now  on  his  way 

secured  his  arms,  and  then  proposed  his 

with  eight  hundred  troops  of  the  Penn- 

deserting  with  them,  to  which  he  consent- 

sylvania  line,  to  form  ji  junction  with  the 

ed  through  necessity.  The  second  was 

southern  army.  The  whole  force  of  the 

served  in  like  manner.  Charley  Morgan, 

marquis  hardly  amounted  to  three  thou- 

by  his  management,  carried  oft' seven  de- 

sand  men,  of  whom  two  thirds  were  mi- 

sorters  with  him.  When  he  had  reached 

litia. 

the  American  army,  and  was  brought  to 

Lord  Cornwallis,  on  the  contrary,  rem- 

headquarters,  the  marquis,  upon  seeing 

forced  by  a detachment  of  troops  from 

him,  cried  out,  ‘ Ha  ! Charley,  are  you  got 

New  York,  now  led  an  army  of  four  thou 

• 

848 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PAUT  II. 


sand  regulars,  of  whom  eight  hundred 
were  cavalry,  and  many  of  them  mounted 
on  the  choicest  horses  from  the  stables 
of  the  rich  Virginia  planters.  Tarleton’s 
troopers  were  never  before  in  such  fine 


condition  for  service,  and  that  renowned 
colonel  was  ready  to  make  a dash  here, 
there,  and  everywhere,  against  the  con- 
tumacious “ rebels,”  at  the  quick  bidding 
of  his  prompt  commander. 


CHAPTER  C. 

Colonel  Tnrleton  in  Full  Activity. — Beating  up  the  Governor. — Pouncing  upon  the  Assembly. — Bare  Escape  of  Jefferson. 
— Kespect  for  Literature. — A sup  of  Good  Wine — Destruction  of  Stores. — Junction  with  Colonel  Simcoe. — Steuben 
deluded. — Lafayette  reinforced. — “The  Boy"  not  easily  caught. — Increased  respect  for  the  Marquis. — Lord  Cornwal- 
lis retreats  to  Port.sinouth. — A Drawn  Battle. — Stratagem  of  Cornwallis. — Impetuosity  of  General  Wayne.— Success  of 
his  Lordship  — Losses. — Alarm  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton — Orders  and  Counter-Orders.  — Lafayette  in  Credit. — Scheme  of 
General  Greene. — Its  Dangers. — Cornwallis  in  Straits. — Greene  before  Camden. — Tory  Information. — Camden  unas- 
sailable.— Greene  strives  to  provoke  Earl  ftiwdoii  to  Battle. — ^Lee  and  Marion.  — A Fighting-Pen. — Mayham’s  'lower. 
— The  Enemy  forced  to  capitulate. — His  Lordship  resolved  on  an  engagement. — 'I'he  Americans  at  Hobkirk’s  Hill  — 
They  are  reinforced  and  supplied. — Battle  of  Hobkirk's  Hill. — The  Order  of  Battle. — 'I’he  Struggle. — Gunby’s  Veter- 
ans.— An  Error. — Victory  of  the  British. — 'i'he  Pursuit  checked. — 'I'he  Losses. 


Lord  Cornwallis  found  active ser- 

1781# 

vice  for  the  bold  Colonel  Tarleton. 
He  was  detached,  with  one  hundred  and 
eigh  ty  of  his  dragoons  and  seventy  mount- 
ed infantry,  to  beat  up  Governor  Jeffer- 
son and  the  members  of  the  state  assem- 
bly, who  had  removed  from  Richmond  to 
Charlottesvile,  to  be  out  of  harm’s  way. 
Tarleton  and  his  men,  with  their  Virginia 
racehorses,  made  a rapid  stride  across  the 
country  from  the  capital;  destroyed  a 
quantity  of  supplies  for  the  American  ar- 
my on  the  way ; dashed  through  the  Ri- 
vanna,  a branch  of  James  river,  that  wash- 
•es  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  which  Charlottes- 
ville stands;  dispersed  a rniliti.a-guard  on 
the  opposite  bank ; spurred  up  the  hill 
into  the  town,  and  suddenly  pounced  up- 
on the  assembly.  Seven  only  of  the  mem- 
bers, however,  were  captured,  the  rest  hav- 
ing made  their  escape  on  fresh  horses, 


which  Tarleton’s  cavalry,  blown  by  their 
hard  day’s  run,  could  not  overtake.  Gov- 
ernor Jefferson  had  hardly  been  gone  ten 
minutes,  when  some  of  Tarleton’s  men 
entered  the  dwelling  from  which  he  had 
made  his  escape  on  a fleet  horse,  by  a 
narrow  lane  leading  across  the  country 
from  the  rear  of  his  house  at  Monticello. 
The  books  and  papers  of  the  governor 
were  not  hai  med,  but  the  thirsty  troop- 
ers made  fiee  with  his  wine.  After  de- 
stroying one  thousand  new  firelocks,  four 
hundred  barrels  of  gunpowder,  aquantity 
of  military  stores,  and  many  hogsheads  of 
tobacco,  Tarleton  quitted  Charlottesville, 
and  led  his  force  down  the  river,  to  join 
Colonel  Simcoe,  who  had  been  detached 
with  five  hundred  infantry  to  destroy  the 
military  stores  at  the  Point  of  York,  fifty 
miles  above  Richmond,  where  the  Rivan- 
na  and  the  Fluvanna  join  their  waters. 


r 

KEVOLUTIONAKY.]  COHN  WALLIS  RETIRES  TO  THE  SEABOARD.  849 

Biiron  Steuben,  however,  was  on  the 

Richmond,  and  subsequently  down  the 

alert;  and  when  the  British  arrived  on 
one  side  of  the  stream,  they  found  that 

peninsula,  across  the  Chickaho- 
miny,  until  he  arrived  at  Wil- 

he  had  moved  the  stores  and  all  his  force 

liamsburg.  Here  his  lordship,  four  days 

but  a small  guard  to  the  other.  Simcoe, 

afterward,  received  a despatch  from  Sir 

notwithstanding,  who  was  as  cunning  as 

Henry  Clinton,  with  orders  to  take  post 

a fox,  by  extending  his  encampment,  sue- 

near  the  seashore,  and  to  send  a portion 

ceeded  in  giving  the  veteran  Steuben  the 

of  his  troops  to  New  York,  as  there  was 

impression  that  the  whole  British  army 

great  alarm  felt  by  the  British  command- 

■was  before  him.  The  baron,  thus  deluded. 

er-in-chief  at  the  discovery  that  Washing- 

felt  compelled  to  fly  during  the  following 

ton,  together  with  Count  de  Rochambeau 

night,  and  in  such  haste  and  confusion. 

and  the  French  fleet,  designed  a joint  aL 

that  he  left  behind  him  his  arms  and  mil- 

tack  upon  that  city. 

itary  stores.  A small  patrol,  however,  re- 

Followed  so  closely  as  he  was  by  the 

mained  to  watch  the  enemy;  but  the  next 

young  marquis,  whose  force  now  num- 

morning  a detachment  of  Simeoe’s  force 

bered  about  four  thousand  men,  Cornwal- 

crossed  the  river  in  canoes,  and,  dispersing 

lis  felt  that  he  could  not  prudently  re- 

the  patrol,  destroyed  the  stores. 

main  at  Williamsburg,  with  a diminished 

Steuben  now  hastened  to  join  Lafay- 

force,  and  he  consequently  determined 

ette,  who  was  on  a rapid  march  to  meet 

to  seek  the  cover  of  Portsmouth,  protect- 

June  7 Wayne.  The  junction 

with  Wayne  and  Steuben  being 

ed  by  the  fleet  and  fortifications.  While 
preparing  to  move,  he  sent  out  Colonel 

effected,  in  the  valley  of  the  Rappahan- 

Simcoe  and  his  rangers  to  destroy  some 

nock,  the  marquis  was  enabled  to  turn 

stores  on  the  Chickahominy  river,  and  to 

and  face  the  enemy.  Lord  Cornwallis 

drive  in  the  cattle  from  the  neighboring 

had  succeeded  in  getting  between  him 

plantations.  Lafayette  resolved  to  inter- 

and  a large  deposit  of  military  stores  at 

cept  them,  and  for  that  puiqiose  detached 

Albemarle  Old  courthouse,  at  which  his 

a skirmishing-party  under  the  command 

lordship  was  now  aiming.  The  marquis. 

of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Butler  and  Major 

however,  was  able  to  steal  a march  upon 

M‘Pherson.  A struggle  ensued,  in  which 

his  antagonist  by  taking  a cross-road,  and 

both  parties  fought  spiritedly,  but  with 

strongly  posted  himself  at  the  place  sev- 

such  equal  results,  that  neither  could  just- 

eral  hours  before  the  earl  made  his  ap- 

ly  claim  the  victory. 

pearance.  Cornwallis,  finding  that  “the 

Having  completed  their  preparations 

boy”  was  not  so  easily  caught,  began  to 

for  departure,  the  British  now  marched 

entertain  a greater  respect  for  his  youth- 
ful adversary.  He  now  evinced  his  in- 

from  Williamsburg  to  the  ford 

ITT  . T 

at  old  Jamestown,  across  James 

creased  good  opinion  of  him  by  declining 

river.  Here  Cornwallis  cunningly  made 

to  accept  his  challenge  to  battle,  and  re- 

a feint  of  passing  over  his  whole  army  ; 

treated  (while  followed  by  Lafayette)  to 
107 

while,  witli  a great  show  of  bustle,  his 

- 

850  ILVTTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 


lordship  merely  sent  across  a vanguard. 
On  the  following  day  the  wheel-carriages 
were  transported,  and  on  the  6th  the  bat- 
horses  and  baggage  were  all  passed  over. 

The  object  of  the  earl  was,  to  deceive 
Lafixyette,  who  had  now  followed  within 
nine  miles,  and  was  watching  the  oppor- 
tunity to  fall  upon  the  British  rear-guard 
after  the  main  body  had  crossed.  To 
give  further  efficacy  to  the  stratagem, 
Tarleton  instructed  one  of  his  dragoons 
and  a negro  to  pretend  to  be  deserters, 
and,  throwing  themselves  in  the  way  of 
the  American  sentinels,  to  give  out  that 
the  main  bodj^  of  the  British  army  had 
passed  the  river. 

July  6 stratagem  was  successful. 

General  Wayne  and  his  force  of 
eight  hundred  Pennsylvanians  were  de- 
spatched in  advance,  to  make  the  first  at- 
tack, while  Lafayette  held  back  in  reserve 
to  sustain  them.  As  the  Americans  came 
up,  the  British  pickets  were  ordered  to 
allow  themselves  to  be  driven  in,  in  or- 
der to  farther  still  more  the  deception. 
Wayne  continued  to  push  on  xvith  his 
usual  impetuosity,  until  he  found  himself 
confronted  by  the  whole  British  army ! 
Even  now,  with  reckless  valor,  he  ordered 
his  men  to  chary-e,  and  was  soon  eimao-ed 
in  a desperate  encounter  with  an  over- 
whelming force.  Lafayette,  now  discov- 
ering Wayne’s  danger,  rode  up  and  or- 
dered him  to  retire,  which  he  did  ivi  tol- 
erable order,  under  cover  of  the  militia, 
though  he  was  obliged  to  leave  his  can- 
non behind  him.  Night  was  now  closin'^ 
and  the  British  commander  did  not  pur- 
sue. The  conllict,  though  brief,  had  been 
bloody.  The  English  lost  five  officers  and 


seventy-five  privates.  The  American  loss 
in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  amount- 
ed to  one  hundred  and  eighteen  in  all,  in- 
cluding ten  officers. 

On  the  same  evening,  Cornwallis,  hav- 
ing called  in  all  his  detachments,  passed 
over  to  Jamestown  island.  A few  ^ ^ 
days  afterward,  he  crossed  James 
river  with  his  whole  force,  and  proceeded 
leisurely  by  land  toward  the  seaboard. 
After  a march  of  a little  over  two  weeks, 
his  lordship  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  oppo- 
site Norfolk,  where  he  embarked  ^ 

the  portion  of  his  troops  which  * 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  in  his  fears  for  New 
York,  had  called  for.  Before  the  trans- 
ports had  set  sail,  however,  a counter-or- 
der was  received,  as  Sir  Henry  found  that 
New  York  was  no  longer  in  danger,  since 
Washington  and  his  French  allies  had 
changed  their  plans. 

Lafayette,  after  the  struggle,  retired 
up  James  river  to  Green  springs,  where 
he  halted  to  refresh  his  troops  and  await 
events.  In  the  meantime,  he  congratu- 
lated himself  with  the  reflection  that  his 
Virginia  campaign  had  not  been  inglori- 
oui^,  as  he  had  succeeded  in  inflicting  upon 
“ his  lordship  the  disgrace  of  a retreat.” 
He  did  not  fail,  however,  to  acknowledge 
that  Washino:ton’s  tactics,  in  drawino;  the 
attention  of  the  enemy  to  New  York,  and 
thus  weakening  Earl  Cornwallis, had  been 
more  effective  than  his  own  military  ma- 
noeuvres. The  young  marquis,  neverthe- 
less, earned  great  credit  for  the  prudence 
(hardly  to  be  expected  from  so  ardent  a 
youth)  with  which  he  had  conducted  the 
campaign.  Moreover,  in  consideration  of 
the  great  military  talents  which  he  had 


JtEvoixTioKMn.]  DEVASTATIOXS.— MURDEIJ  OF  COLONEL  GREENE.  851 


displayed  during  this  short  campaign  in 
Virginia,  King  Louis  XVI.  commanded 
the  French  minister  of  war  to  express  to 
the  marquis  his  approbation,  and  assure 
him  that  he  should  be  raised  to  the  rank 
of  a field-marshal  of  France  as  soon  as  the 
American  war  should  terminate. 

The  whole  British  force  in  Virginia  at 
this  time  amounted  to  about  seven  thou- 
sand men.  In  the  bold  and  rapid  march 
of  Cornwallis  into  the  state  from  North 
Carolina,  which  we  have  detailed,  a vast 
amc/unt  of  public  and  private  property 
was  laid  waste.  The  growing  crops  were 
destroyed  upon  the  ground,  the  barns 
were  burned,  and  all  the  fences  and  land- 
marks of  the  plantations  were  scattered 
to  the  winds.  It  is  estimated  that  in  the 
course  of  the  several  invasions  of  Collier, 
Leslie,  Arnold,  Phillips,  and  Cornwallis, 
about  thirty  thousand  slaves  were  carried 
off  from  Virginia,  and  property  destroyed 
to  the  amount  of  fifteen  millions  of  dol- 
lars ! Cornwallis  suffered  d welling-hoiises 
to  be  plundered  of  everything;  and  it  Avas 
well  known  that  his  lordship’s  table  was 
furnished  with  plate  thus  obtained  from 
private  families.  His  march  was  more 
frequently  that  of  a marauder  than  of  an 
honorable  general. 

While  these  operations  Avere  in  prog- 
ress at  the  South,  Washington  Avas  com- 
pelled to  remain  comparatively  inactive, 
so  far  as  military  movements  Avere  con- 
cerned, because  of  the  Aveakness  of  his 
army.  According  to  the  resolves  of  Con- 
gress, there  Avas  to  have  been  a little  more 
than  thirty-seven  thousand  men  under 
arms  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  1781 ; 
yet,  in  May,  Washington’s  Avhole  force  in 


camp,  on  the  Hudson,  amounted  to  only 
a little  more  than  four  thousand  effective 
men ! 

At  that  time,  clouds  of  danger  appeared 
upon  the  northern  frontier,  and  among 
the  Six  Nations;  and  Colonel  Delancey 
and  other  tory  leaders  were  making  fierce 
forays  upon  American  outposts  in  West- 
chester county,  Ncav  York.  In  one  of 
these.  Colonel  Christopher  Gi-eene,  the  he- 
roic folloAver  of  Arnold  through  the  Avil- 
derness  of  Maine,  the  brave  soldier  at  Que- 
bec, the  admirable  defender  of  Fort  Mer- 
cer, on  the  DelaAvare,  and  the  humane 
friend  of  his  opponent,  the  dying  Count 
Donop,  Avas  barbarously  murdered,  with 
several  of  his  comrades,  by  a portion  of 
Delancey’s  corp.s.  Colonel  Greene  was 
beloA'ed  by  Washington,  and  this  coAvard- 
ly  assassination  aroused  the  chief’s  hot- 
test indignation.  Greene  Avas  carried  to 
headquart(M's,  and  interred  Avith  military 
honors ; and  Washington  Avould  have  de- 
spatched a sufficient  force  to  chastise  the 
Westchester  marauders,  had  not  his  atten- 
tion at  this  time  been  called  to  more  im- 
portant concerns.’^ 

Let  us  now  turn  our  attention  to  the 
events  transpiring  in  the  far  South.  Du- 
ring the  operations  of  the  contending  ar- 
mies in  North  Carolina,  the  republicans 
in  South  Carolina  Avere  everywhere  gath- 
ering in  ariiLS.  The  absence  of  Cornwal- 
lis had  Avithdrawn  from  the  state  that  su- 
perior body  by  Avhich  he  had  held  it  in 
subjection.  Picken.s,  Avith  his  brigade,  Avas 
operating  between  Ninety-Six  and  Augus- 
ta; and  Lee,  Avith  his  legion,  and  a por- 
tion of  the  second  Maryland  regiment,  Avas 

♦ Lossinj;. 


852 


BATTLES  OF  AMEIIICA. 


[part  If. 


now  advancing  to  co-operate  with  Gen- 
eral Marion  on  the  Santee. 

General  Sumter,  though  not  yet  fully 
recovered  of  his  wounds  received  at  Black- 
stock’s,  had  drawn  his  men  to  a head,  and 
had  penetrated  to  the  Congaree,  which  he 
crossed  earl}^  in  February,  and  appeared 
before  Fort  Granby.  Such  was  the  vigor 
with  which  he  pressed  the  fort,  that  his 
marksmen,  mounted  upon  a temporary 
structure  of  rails,  had  reduced  the  garri- 
son to  the  last  straits,  when  it  was  relieved 
by  the  unexpected  approach  of  succor,  un- 
der Lord  Rawdon,  who  appeared  on  the 
opposite  bank  of  the  river. 

Unable  to  contend  with  the  superior 
force  of  the  British,  Sumter  made  a sud- 
den retreat;  and,  two  days  after, he  cap- 
tured an  escort  of  British  regulars,  going 
from  Charleston  to  Camden  with  stores, 
in  wagons,  which  yielded  a booty  equally 
necessary  to  both  parties.  Thirteen  of 
the  British  were  slain,  and  sixty-six  made 
prisoners.  The  wagons,  containing  a pro- 
fusion of  provisions,  clothing,  arms,  and 
ammunition,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
victors. 

Proceeding  with  his  accustomed  rapidi- 
ty, Sumter  swam  the  Santee  river,  with 
three  hundred  men,  and  appeared  next 
before  Fort  Watson.  From  this  point  he 
was  again  driven  by  Lord  Rawdon,  who 
marched  to  its  relief.  He  then  retired  to 
the  swamps  on  Black  river,  where  he  re- 
mained for  awhile  to  recruit,  though  not 
inactive. 

Emerging  from  this  retreat,  the  parti- 
san general  was  attacked,  near  Camden, 
by  Major  Fraser,  at  the  head  of  a consid- 
erable force  of  regulars  and  tory  militia; 


but  the  major  was  defeated,  after  a severe 
handling,  in  which  twenty  of  his  follow- 
ers were  slain.  After  this  event,  Sumter 
retired  to  the  borders  of  North  Carolina, 
where  he  contrived  to  increase  his  force 
to  three  small  regiments  of  state  troops. 
His  return,  with  that  of  tbe  continental 
army,  renewed  the  war  in  South  Carolina 
with  more  regularity  and  vigor. 

Marion  had  been  as  busy  in  his  fast- 
nesses as  his  great  contemporary  Sumter  ; 
and  while  General  Greene  and  the  conti- 
nentals gave  full  employment  to  the  reg- 
ular British  army,  his  little  brigade  had 
met  the  loyalists  in  a spirit  not  unlike 
their  own.  Their  savage  murders,  wan- 
ton excesses,  and  bitter  cruelties — their 
house-breaking  and  house-burning,  their 
blasphemies, impieties,  and  horrors  — had 
put  them  completely  out  of  the  pale  of 
military  civilization.  No  quarter  to  the 
tories  r became  the  cry  of  the  brigade, 
when  going  into  battle  : and  with  this 
spirit,  and  guided  by  the  skill  and  intelli- 
gence of  their  leader,  the  career  of  the 
partisans  was  as  sleepless  and  rapid  as 
its  temper  was  now  unsparing  and  vin- 
dictive. To  conquer,  merely,  was  not  to 
complete  the  purpose  for  which  Marion’s 
men  fought — to  destroy  was  their  object 
also;  and  so  resolute  had  they  shown 
themselves,  and  so  active  and  vigilant, 
that  to  root  them  out  was  as  difficult  as 
it  had  become  desirable. 

A new  and  well-concerted  attempt  to 
annihilate  this  body  was  now  arranged  be- 
tween Colonels  Watson  and  Doyle.  The 
former  was  to  move  down  from  Camden, 
along  the  Santee ; and  the  latter  was  to 
cross  Lynch’s  creek,  and  follow  its  course 


REvoLUTioNAKY.]  MARION"  AND  COLONEL  WATSON.  853 


oil  the  eastern  bank.  They  were  to  unite 
their  forces  near  Snow’s  island,  which  was 
tlie  favorite  liiding-place  of  the  ‘‘brigiide.” 

Marion  heard  first  of  tlie  approach  of 
Watson,  and  went  out  with  all  his  force 
to  meet  him.  At  Taucaw  swamp,  nearly 
opposite  to  the  mouth  of  the  present  San- 
tee canal,  he  laid  an  ambush  for  his  ene- 
my, whicii  he  placed  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  llorry.  At  this  time,  he  had 
but  a few  rounds  of  ammunition  for  each 
man.  Ilis  orders  to  Iloriy  were,  to  give 
two  fires  and  retreat. 

A second  ambush  was  placed  in  a con- 
tiguous situation,  which  promised  certain 
advantages.  This  was  a party  of  cavidry, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Conyers. 
Horry’s  ambuscade  gave  its  fires  with 
great  effect,  but  was  compelled  to  retire. 
Watson,  having  made  good  his  passage 
of  the  swamp,  sent  a detachment  of  cav- 
alry, under  Major  Harrison,  in  pursuit  of 
Horry.  This  party  was  encountered  by 
Conyers,  who  slew  Harrison  with  his  own 
hand.  His  detachment  was  dispersed,  af- 
ter suffering  severe  loss  from  the  charge 
of  Conyers. 

Marion,  too  feeble  to  assail  his  oppo- 
nent openly,  continued  in  this  way  to  em- 
barrass his  progress  and  weaken  his  force, 
until  they  had  reached  nearly  to  the  low- 
er bridge  on  Black  river,  seven  miles  be- 
low King’s  tree.  Here  Watson  made  a 
feint  of  taking  the  road  to  Georgetown. 
Too  weak  to  detach  a party  to  the  bridge, 
Marion  look  an  advantageous  position  on 
that  road. 

Suddenly  wheeling,  Watson  changed 
his  course,  and  gained  possession  of  the 
bridge  on  the  western  side.  This  gave 


him  the  opening  to  a very  important  pass, 
leading  into  the  heart  of  Williamsburg 
district  and  to  Snow’s  island.  The  river, 
on  the  west,  runs  under  a high  bluff ; the 
grounds  on  the  east  side  are'low,  and  the 
stream,  though  generally  fordable,  was  at 
that  time  swollen  by  freshets,  so  as  near- 
ly to  reach  the  summit  of  the  opposite 
shore.  This  prospect  seemed  to  appal  the 
British  colonel.  AVhile  he  hesitated,  the 
less  wary  partisan  led  the  way  for  his 
troop, plunged  in,  and,  siifely  reaching  the 
opposite  bank,  marched  forward  to  occu- 
py the  eastern  end  of  the  bridge.  Ma- 
rion now  detached  Major  James,  with  for- 
ty musketeers,  and  thirty  riflemen,  under 
M‘Cottry,  to  burn  the  bridge. 

The  riflemen  were  posted  to  advan- 
tage, and  under  cover,  on  the  river-bank. 
The  attempt  of  the  musketeers  to  burn 
the  bridge  drew  upon  them  the  fire  of 
Watson’s  artillery.  Against  this  Marion 
had  provided,  and  the  artillerists  of  the 
enemy  were  picked  off  by  M‘Cottry’s  ri- 
fles as  fist  as  they  approached  to  apply 
their  matches  to  the  gun.  The  bridge 
was  fired  and  consumed  in  the  face  of 
the  enemy,  who,  baffled  and  harassed  at 
all  points,  turned  from  the  pursuit  of  the 
wary  partisan,  and  proceeded  by  forced 
marches  to  Georgetown. 

But  the  British  commander  was  not 
suffered  to  leave  behind  him  the  foe  whom 
his  pursuit  had  seemed  only  to  awaken. 
Marion  hung  upon  his  progress — now  uj> 
on  his  flanks,  now  in  front,  and  now  in  the 
rear — while  his  rifles  exacted  heavy  toll 
from  the  enemy  at  every  mile  in  their 
journey.  Watson,  at  last,  reached  George 
town  in  safety;  but  the  implacable  rifle- 


854 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  I] 


I 


men  had  followed  his  flying  footsteps  till 
the  latest  inoinent.  Never  had  man  been 
more  harassed  ; and  the  complaint  of  the 
Ilritish  colonel,  that  Marion  would  not 
“ fight  like  a Chrislian  and  a genllcmanl'  has 
passed,  from  its  ludicrous  solemnity,  into 
a proverbial  phrase  of  merriment  in  the 
South. 

Colonel  Doyle,  the  coadjutor  of  Wat- 
son, was  encountered  in  like  manner,  and 
with  similar  results.  A single  conflict 
drove  him  back  to  Camden,  with  a con- 
siderable loss  in  men  and  a greater  loss 
in  bafro’age. 

COO 

This  afliiir  was  followed,  on  the  part  of 
the  brigade,  by  a shaip  rencontre  with  a 
body  of  tories.  These  were  routed,  and 
their  captain  slain.  A nephew  of  Marion 
also  fell  in  the  conflict.  A second  descent 
which  Marion  made  upon  Georgetown, 
about  this  time,  was  more  successful  than 
the  first.  It  fell  into  his  hands,  but  was 
aftei  ward  set  on  fire  by  an  armed  j)arty 
from  a British  vessel,  and  upward  of  forty 
houses  were  reduced  to  ashes. 

After  the  return  of  the  commander-in- 
chief of  the  southern  department  into  the 
state  from  his  pursuit  of  Lord  Cornwallis, 
Marion  ceased  to  act  independently;  and 
the  exploits  of  his  brigade,  no  longer  act- 
ing by  itself,  became  merged  in  those  of 
the  liberating  army.* 

General  Greene’s  resolution  to  carry 
the  war  into  South  Carolina  had  not  been 
taken  without  a consciousness  of  its  haz- 
ards. “The  manoeuvre  will  be  critical 
and  dangerous,”  he  wrote  to  Washington, 

* many  interesting  details  cnnnected  aitli  tlie  guer- 
illa warfaie  in  the  Carolinas,  dui  ing  the  cam|]aigns  of  1780 
and  1781.  we  are  indebted  to  Simms's  admirable  Hisiory 
of  South  Carolina,”  revised  edition,  1659. 


“ but  necessity  obliges  me  to  commit  my 
self  to  chance.  The  troops  will  be  ex 
posed  to  every  hardship  ; but  I shall  share 
it  with  them.”  The  scheme  was  bold  and 
full  of  peril,  but  its  apparent  temerity  was 
not  without  justification.  Those  active 
partisans,  Sumter,  Marion,  and  Pickens, 
hiid,  by  their  successful  guerilla  warfare, 
as  we  have  already  shown,  prepared  the 
way,  and  Greene  knew  that  he  could  al- 
ways calculate  upon  their  energetic  co- 
operation. It  is  true,  he  was  turning  his 
back  upon  a weakened  enemy;  but  Lord 
Cornwallis  was  in  such  a position,  that, 
move  as  he  might,  he  could  hardly  win 
his  game.  If  he  followed  the  American 
general  into  South  Carolina,  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina  would  be  relieved  froiij 
the  pressure  of  British  influence;  and  il 
he  carried  the  war  into  the  latter  states, 
his  possession  of  the  first  was  endangered. 

General  Greene,  accordingly, 

, , , . ’ April  5. 

broke  up  his  encampment  on  tlie 

Deep  river,  in  Chatham  county.  North 
Carolina,  where  he  had  given  over  the 
pursuit  of  the  British  army,  and,  after  a 
tedious  march  for  one  hundred  and  thir- 
ty miles  through  an  exhausted  and  hos- 
tile country,  at  length  arrived  . 
before  Camden.  Pie  had  hoped  ^ 
to  take  the  place  by  surprise.  While  he 
was  detained,  however,  for  several  days 
on  the  banks  of  the  Pedee,  for  want  of 
boats,  the  active  tory  emissaries  took  care 
to  carry  information  of  his  approach  to 
Lord  Rawdon  at  Camden.  This  is  a beau- 
tiful village,  situated  on  a plain  covered 
on  the  south  and  east  sides  by  the  Wa- 
teree,  and  a creek  which  empties  itself 
into  that  river.  On  the  western  and  north- 


r- 

RMVOLUTIONARY.]  MAKION  AND  LEE  CAPTURE  FORT  WATSON.  856 

ern  sides  it  was  guarded  by  six  strong  re- 

One  of  the  first  efforts  made  to  subdue 

doubts,  and  Earl  Rawdoii’s  garrison  num- 

the  fort  was  by  cutting  off  the  garrison 

bered  about  nine  hundred  choice  troops. 

from  Scott’s  lake,  by  which  it  was  supplied 

His  lordship,  now  on  the  alert,  placed 

with  water.  From  this  danger  M‘Kay  re- 

Camden  in  such  a posture  of  defence,  that 

lieved  himself  by  sinking  a well  within 

General  Greene  found  it  futile  to  attempt 

the  stockade.  Thus  foiled,  and  without 

to  assault  it.  He  accordingly  took  post 

cannon,  the  besiegers  must  finally  have 

on  the  Wexhaw  road,  within  half  a mile 

been  baffled,  but  for  one  of  those  ingeni- 

of  the  British  lines,  with  the  hope  of  pro- 

ous  devices  which  are  perhaps  more  read- 

yoking  the  earl  from  his  stronghold.  The 

ily  found  by  a primitive  than  by  an  edu- 

challenge,  however,  was  not  accepted,  and 

cated  people. 

the  American  general  thereupon  moved 

At  a short  distance  from  the  fort  there 

his  troops  to  Hobkirk’s  hill,  a mile  and  a 

grew  a small  wood,  which  suggested  the 

quarter  farther  away  from  Camden. 

proper  means  of  annoyance.  From  this, 

On  his  march  from  North  Carolina,  Gen- 

Major  Mayham,  of  South  Carolina,  sug- 

eral  Greene  had  detached  Colonel  Henry 

gested  that  they  should  “ cut  down  a num- 

Lee,  with  his  legion,  to  join  Marion,  and 

ber  of  suitable  trees,  and  with  them  erect 

co-operate  with  that  partisan  in  an  expe- 
dition against  the  British  post  of  Fort 
Watson,  on  the  Santee.  Lee  having,  with 
^ no  little  difficulty,  succeeded  in 

finding  Marion — “the  Swamp- 

a large,  strong,  oblong  pen,  to  be  covered 
on  the  top  with  a floor  of  logs,  and  pro- 
tected on  the  side  oq^posite  to  the  fort 
with  a breastwork  of  light  timber.”  The 
expedient  was  adopted,  and  the  “pen” 

fox” — amid  the  cover  of  the  morasses  of 

forthwith  constructed  during  the  night, 

Black  river,  started  out  with  him  on  the 

within  a proper  distance  of  the  fort,  and 

proposed  enterprise.  The  enemy  were 

dignified  with  the  appellation  of  “May- 

posted  in  a stockade  fort,  erected  on  one 

ham’s  tower.”  This  enabled  the  assail- 

of  the  largest  of  the  old  Indian  mounds 

ants  to  command  the  fort.  At  earliest 

which  skirt  the  Santee.  It  was  elevated 
about  forty  feet  above  the  level  of  the 

dawn  the  next  morning,  a party 
^ April  23. 

of  rulemen  took  post  in  the  tow- 

plain,  and  far  from  any  eminence  which 

er;  and  a detachment  of  musketeers,  un- 

could  command  it.  Its  garrison  consisted 

der  the  cover  of  the  riflemen,  advanced  to 

of  about  eighty  regulars  and  forty  loyal- 

make  a lodgment  in  the  enemy’s  ditch, 

ists,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  MTvay  of 

supported  by  the  infantry  of  Lee’s  legion 

the  regular  troo[)s.  Unprovided  as  were 

with  fixed  bayonets.  When  the  light  en- 

Marion  and  Lee  \vith  artillery  and  in- 

abled  the  riflemen  from  their  lofty  tower, 

trenching-tools,  it  was  impregnable  to  the 

which  overlooked  the  fort,  to  single  out 

besiegers,  wdio  despaired  of  a successful 

their  victims,  a shower  of  bullets  drove 

assault,  since  the  steep  sides  and  strong 

the  enemy  fiom  their  works.  Lieutenant 

palisades  of  the  eminence  discouraged  any 

M‘Kay,  being  destitute  of  artillery,  was 

attempt  to  storm  it. 

soon  forced  to  capitulate ; and  Marion, 

856  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


pushing  his  prisoners  before  him,  hurried 
forward  to  join  Greene.  Thus  a contri- 
vatice  which  the  lion-hearted  Richard  had 
used  with  such  effect  against  the  Saracens 
at  the  siege  of  Acre,  in  the  days  of  the 
crusades,  proved  no  less  effective  in  the 
hands  of  those  equally  chivalrous  modern 
soldiers,  Marion  and  Lee. 

Colonel  Watson,  while  on  his  march  to 
succor  the  fort  of  his  name,  had  been  re- 
called to  Camden  by  Lord  Rawdon,  who 
could  ill  spare  any  of  his  small  force,  now 
that  he  was  threatened  by  the  energetic 
Greene.  Lee  and  Marion  were  on  the 
watch,  and  so  manoeuvred  that  they  them- 
selves were  in  a position  to  form  a junc- 
tion with  Greene  long  before  Watson 
could  effect  one  with  Rawdon.  His  lord- 
ship,  thus  discovering  that  delay  would 
probably  benefit  his  enemy  more  than 
himself,  determined  to  give  battle  to  the 
American  commander. 

Hobkirk’s  hill,  where  General  Greene 
had  taken  post,  was  about  a mile  and  a 
half  in  advance  of  the  British  redoubts. 
It  is  a narrow  sand-ridge,  of  little  eleva- 
tion, which  divides  the  head-springs  of 
two  small  streams,  the  one  emptying  into 
the  Wateree  river,  the  other  into  Pine- 
tree  creek. 

A deserter  having  come  in  during  the 

o o 

. night,  with  exact  information  of 

April  24.  , / . . . , 

the  American  position  on  Hob- 
kirk’s hill,  and  also  with  intelligence  that 
the  expected  aiTillery  had  not  yet  arrived 
in  the  American  camp,  the  British  com- 
mander decided  upon  immediate  action 
on  the  coming  day. 

Accordingly,  at  nine  o’clock  the  next 
morning.  Lord  Rawdon,  having  left  Cam- 

den  in  charge  of  his  convalescents,  led  out 
his  nine  hundred  men  (which  was  all  the 
effective  force  he  could  muster)  to  the  at- 
tack. The  American  camp  was 
cheered  that  morning  by  the  ar- 
rival  of  abundant  supplies,  and  of  the  ar- 
tillery, upon  the  absence  of  which  his 
lordship  was  so  greatly  calculating.  Pro- 
visions had  been  scarce,  and  now  being 
plentifully  distributed,  most  of  the  troops 
were  busy  in  cooking  or  feasting;  some 
were  washing  their  clothes,  and  others 
were  cleaning  their  muskets.  General 
Greene  himself  was  breakfasting;  and  al- 
though, in  the  well-ordered  camp,  there 
were  all  the  usual  precautions  against 
surprise,  there  was  no  suspicion  of  the 
approach  of  the  enemy  (who  had  begun 
their  march  at  dawn,  and  silently  pushed 
on  toward  the  American  position  by  a cir- 
cuitous way,  under  the  cover  of  a swamp- 
forest),  until  the  British  vanguard  fell  up- 
on the  republican  pickets.  These  acted 
with  the  utmost  coolness,  gathering  in  the 
videttes,  and  forming  with  great  deliber- 
ation  under  Colonel  Kirkwood’s  Delaware 
command.  His  position  formed  the  Amer- 
ican advance,  and  met  the  first  shock  of 
the  enemy’s  charge.  Here  the  conllict 
was  maintained  for  a while  with  singular 
obstinacy ; and  this  little  squad  retired 
slowly,  fighting  with  resolute  determina- 
tion, step  by  step,  as  they  receded  before 
the  accumulating  pressure  of  the  foe. 

The  noise  of  the  firing  aroused  the  en- 
tire American  camp.  The  drums  beat  to 
arms,  and  Greene  sprang  to  his  saddle, 
and  rapidly  formed  his  army.  The  Vir- 
ginia brigade,  with  General  Huger  at  its 
head,  having  under  him  LieutenantrColo- 

r 

1 

iiKvoLtTioNAKY.]  BATTLE  OF  IIOBKIRK’S  HILL.  857 

nels  Campbell  and  Hawes,  was  posted  on 

narrow  front  it  presented  ; and,  gratified 

the  right  of  the  road  ; the  first  regiment, 

as  he  was  with  the  opportunity, so  unex- 

under  the  former,  composing  the  extreme 

pectedly  offered,  of  completing  by  one 

right.  The  Maryland  brigade,led  by  Colo- 

blow  his  first  object,  he  determined  to 

nel  Otho  Williams,  seconded  by  Colonel 

avail  himself  of  the  advantage  given  by 

Gimby  and  Lieutenant-Colonels  Ford  and 

the  mode  of  attack. 

Howard,  took  the  left.  The  three  field- 

“ He  directed  the  lieutenant-colonels 

pieces,  conducted  by  Colonel  Harrison, 

Campbell  and  Ford  to  turn  the  enemy’s 

were  placed  in  the  centre ; and  the  cav- 

flanks ; he  ordered  the  centre  regiments 

airy,  under  Colonel  Washington,  together 

to  advance  upon  him, ascending  the  height 

with  two  hundred  and  fifty  North  Carolina 

(Hobkirk’s  hill,  upon  which  Greene  was 

militia,  under  Colonel  Reade,  were  held 

posted);  and  detached  Lieutenant-Colo- 

back  as  a reserve. 

nel  Washington  with  his  cavalry  to  gain 

LordRawdon  advanced  with  the  royal 

his  rear.  Rawdon  no  sooner  cast  his  eyes 

American  regiment  on  his  right,  the  New- 

on  our  disposition,  than  he  perceived  the 

York  volunteers  in  his  centre,  and  the 

danger  to  which  his  unequal  front  ex- 

sixty-third  regiment  on  his  left.  His  right 

posed  him,  and,  bringing  up  the  volun- 

wing  was  supported  by  Robertson’s  corps. 

teers  of  Ireland  into  line,  he  remedied  the 

and  his  left  by  the  volunteers  of  Ireland. 

defect  seized  by  Greene  in  time  to  avert 

The  reserve  consisted  of  the  tory  regi- 

the  expected  con.sequences. 

ment  raised  in  South  Carolina,  with  a few 

“ The  battle  opened  from  right  to  left 

dragoons,  who  composed  all  the  cavalry. 

with  a vigor  which  promised  a keen  and 

Neither  force  was  large,  but  Greene’s  jDre- 

sanguinary  contest;  but  the  superiority 

ponderated,  and  the  Americans  felt  con- 

of  our  fire,  augmented  by  that  of  our  well- 

fident  of  victory^  The  number  of  Euro- 

served  artillery,  must  have  borne  down 

pean  troops  engaged  in  this  conflict  was 

all  opposition,  had  the  American  lino 

very  small.  Most  of  Rawdon’s  army  was 

maintained  itself  with  becoming  firmness. 

composed  of  Americans  by  birth  or  im- 

On  the  right.  Huger  evidently  gained 

mig  ration.  The  front  which  he  advanced 

O 

ground;  Washington  was  carrying  every- 

was  comparatively  small,  nearly  one  half 

thing  before  him  in  the  rear;  and  Lieu- 

of  his  troops  being  in  reserve.  He  had. 

tenantrColonel  Hawes,  with  fixed  bayo- 

besides,  taken  a lesson  from  the  American 

nets,  conformable  to  order,  was  descend- 

leaders,  and  employed  flanking-parties  of 

ing  the  hill,  ready  to  fall  upon  the  New- 

picked  tory  riflemen,  who  moved  abreast 

York  volunteers. 

of  his  wing  among  the  trees,  and  did  much 

“In  this  flattering  moment, the  veteran 

toward  deciding  the  issue  of  the  day. 

regiment  of  Gunby,  having  first  joined  in 

“Greene,”  to  use  the  words  of  Lee,  aii 

the  fire,  in  violation  of  orders,  paused,  its 

historian  as  well  as  hero  of  the  southern 

right  falling  back.  Gunby  unlbrtunately 

campaign,  “ examining  attentively  the 

directed  the  disordered  battalion  to  rally 

British  disposition,  discovered  the  very 
108 

by  retiring  to  its  right  company.  Retro- 

1 

1 

858  liATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [p^rt  n. 


grade  being  the  consequence  of  this  order, 
the  British  line,  giving  a shout,  pressed 
forward  with  redoubled  ardor;  and  the 
rcijiment  of  Gunbv,  considered  as  the  bul- 
walk  of  the  army,  never  recovered  from 
the  panic  with  w liich  it  was  unaccounta- 
bly seized.” 

In  forming  his  line,  before  the  engage- 
ment, Greene,  conjecturing  that  the  ene- 
my knew  nothing  of  his  having  artillery, 
had  closed  the  two  centre  regiments,  so 
that  it  was  completely  masked.  “The 
effect  may  well  be  imagined,”  observes 
Simms,  “ when  these  two  regiments,  sud- 
denly retiring  from  the  centre,  left  them 
free  to  vomit  their  showers  of  grape  upon 
the  dense  ranks  of  the  enemy  preparing 
for  the  charge. 

“ The  confusion  and  dismay  were  con- 
spicuous. The  British  squadrons  sank, 
and  wheeled,  and  fled,  beneath  the  terri- 
ble discharge  ; and  nothing  more  seemed 
to  be  necessary  than  to  give  the  command 
to  close  upon  their  flanks  with  the  regi- 
ments right  and  left,  and  cut  them  off 
fi-om  escape.  The  order  was  given  : ‘ Let 
the  cavalry  make  for  their  rear ; Colonel 
Campbell  will  wheel  upon  their  left;  Colo- 
nel Ford  upon  their  right;  the  whole  cen- 
tre will  charge — charge  with  trailed  arms  ? 

“ Such  were  the  commands  of  Greene, 
which  his  aids  rushed  to  convey  to  the 
several  subordinate  officers.  The  roll  of 
the  drums  announced  their  tenor ; and 
Washington,  at  the  head  of  his  cavalry, 
disappeared  among  the  trees  which  lay 
between  his  troop  and  the  rear  of  the 
enemy. 

“The  American  general  already  be- 
lieved his  victory  to  be  secure.  But  he 


had  no  ordinary  adversary  in  Bawdon. 
With  the  quickness  of  instinct,  this  com- 
mander threw  outhis  supporting  columns; 
and  the  Americans,  but  a moment  before 
in  the  fullest  conviction  that  they  had  out- 
flanked the  enemy,  were  themselves  out- 
flanked. Their  wings  were  enfiladed  and 
their  rear  threatened. 

“At  this  crisis,  when  everything  de- 
pended upon  the  greatest  coolness,  and  a 
composure  which  might  look  undaunted 
upon  the  scene,  the  first  Maryland  regi- 
ment, by  excellence  esteemed,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  Roman  eulogium,  ieiiih  legion 
of  the  American  army  — that  band  to 
which  all  eyes  were  turned  for  example; 
which  had  conquered  the  British  with 
their  own  weapon,  the  bayonet,  at  the 
noble  passage  of  valor  at  the  Cowpens ; 
which  alone  had  fought  half  of  the  battle 
at  Guilford,  and  obtained  more  than  half 
of  the  triumph  of  that  no  less  bloody  day 
— now  unaccountably  shrank  away  from 
the  issue,  in  a panic  which  could  not  be 
overcome ! 

“Greene,  at  this  moment,  was  leading 
on  the  Virginia  regiment  of  Campbell  in 
person,  on  the  extreme  right,  when  he 
was  called  away  by  the  confusion  of  the 
centre.  Vainly,  b}^  voice  and  gesture,  did 
he  seek  to  restore  their  confidence,  and 
bring  them  once  more  into  the  action. 
They  heard,  and  halted;  but  the  day  was 
already  lost.  They  were  already  at  the 
bottom  of  the  hill,  and  the  cheers  and 
clamors  of  the  enemy  now  commanded 
his  attention  in  another  quarter.  Urging 
his  horse  up  the  eminence,  he  saw  for  the 
first  time  the  utmost  extent  ot  his  mis- 
fortune. But  a single  regiment  remained 


IIEVOUJTIONARY.]  THE  DEFEAT. — EXPLOIT  OF  COLONEL  WASIIINGTON. 


859 


entire.  His  artillery  was  uncovered  on 
the  summit  of  the  hill.  To  brint?  his 
troops  off  in  order,  and  to  save  the  artil- 
lery, were  the  only  remaining  objects; 
and,  amid  a shower  of  bullets,  the  Ameri- 
can general  delivered  his  commands  with 
composure,  to  draw  off  the  right  and  left 
regiments  and  form  them  on  that  of  Gun- 
hy,  which  was  now  rallied ; while  their 
retreat  should  be  covered  by  the  second 
Virginia. 

“This  order,  well  executed,  left  to 
Greene  the  choice  of  deliberate  retreat 
or  a renewal  of  the  battle.  During  its 
execution,  the  main  efforts  of  the  British 
were  to  secure  possession  of  the  artiller3^ 
Horse  and  foot  were  ascending  the  hill, 
and  the  matrosses  were  about  to  fly, 
when  the  American  general  applied  his 
own  hand  to  the  drag-ropes.  This  ex- 
ample was  not  to  be  withstood.  A little 
band  rallied  to  their  rescue,  bearing  their 
loaded  muskets  in  one  hand  while  apply- 
ing the  other  to  the  ropes.  The  fight 
was  renewed  in  this  endeavor. 

“ A British  corps  appeared  on  the  hill, 
moving  to  the  charge.  Dropping  the 
ropes,  the  little  troop,  forming  in  the  rear 
of  the  artillery,  met  them  with  a fire 
which,  repeated  with  deliberate  resolu- 
tion until  escape  was  impossible,  was  ter- 
ribly destructive.  Thrice  was  the  attempt 
renewed,  and  with  the  same  effect.  The 
assailants  were  driven  off  with  loss,  until 
an  overpowering  force  of  infantiy  and  ri- 
flemen came  to  their  assistance,  and  eveiy 
man  of  this  gallant  little  band,  but  forty- 
five  in  number,  was  either  killed  or  ta- 
ken. The  artillery  now  seemed  lost;  but 
at  this  crisis,  Colonel  Washington  charged 


in  upon  the  road,  and  put  an  end  to  the 
strife  around  it. 

“This  officer,  in  addition  to  the  rescue 
of  the  artiller}',  captured  more  than  two 
hundred  prisoners.  His  humanity  is  al- 
leged by  the  British  to  have  been  detri- 
mental to  his  objects.  A severe  militarj^ 
judgment  insists  that  he  should  have  cut 
down  instead  of  making  captives.”  This 
would  have  been  the  course  of  the  mer- 
ciless Tarleton  under  like  circumstances. 
Washington’s  prisoners  encumbered  his 
movements,  and  the  time  lost  in  takino- 
them  might  have  been  of  lasting  benefit 
if  it  had  been  employed  unsparingly  upon 
the  British  rear. 

Lord  Rawdon  was  not  in  a condition 
to  pursue  the  Americans  far.  The  latter 
halted  at  a distance  of  two  miles,  in  order 
to  recover  stragglers  and  take  re- 
freshment. At  noon,  the  retreat  ^1^*^** 
was  resumed,  and  the  army  finallj’'  en 
camped  at  Saunders’s  creek,  about  foiir 
miles  from  the  scene  of  action,  to  which 
place  Colonel  Washington  was  ordered 
back  to  reconnoitre.  As  he  proceeded  in 
obedience  to  this  command,  he  Avas  told 
that  Earl  Rawdon  had  returned  to  Cam- 
den, leaving  Captain  Coffin  with  his  cav- 
alry and  a body  of  mounted  infantry  in 
charge  of  the  field  of  battle. 

This  intelligence  suggested  to  Colonel 
Washington  the  prospect  of  anew  achieve- 
ment. Retiring  with  his  cavalry  into  a 
thicket  on  the  roadside,  he  pushed  for- 
ward a small  detachment,  with  orders  to 
approach  under  covert  till  within  a short 
distance  of  the  enemy’s  position.  His 
stratagem  produced  the  desired  effect: 
Coffin’s  whole  troop  pursued,  and  fell  into 


/ 

860  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pakt 

the  ambuscade.  Washington  rose  from 

action,  was  somewhat  greater ; it  amoun^ 

his  hiding-place  as  they  reached  it,  and 

ed  to  nearly  three  hundred  each.  Two 

tlie  entire  party  were  either  cut  to  pieces 

of  the  bravest  of  the  American  officers, 

or  compelled  to  save  themselves  by  flight. 

Colonel  Ford  and  Captain  Beattie,  were 

The  field  of  Hobkiik  thus  actually  re- 

killed  in  the  beginning  of  the  fight,  and 

mained  in  possession  of  the  Americans.* 

their  fall  was  a principal  cause  of  the  un- 

The  loss  of  the  two  armies  in  the  main 

fortunate  disorder  which  followed  among 

battle  was  about  equal,  although  that  of 

the  troops.  The  British  escaped  without 

the  British,  by  reason  of  the  field-pieces 

the  death  of  a single  officer  of  note,  but 

which  the  Americans  brought  into  the 

six  were  taken  prisoners. 

CHAPTER  Cl. 

General  Greene  disappointed,  but  not  discouraged. — Junction  of  Colonel  Watson  with  Lord  Eawdon. — Greene  retires.  - 

Hot  pursuit  by  Rawdon. — His  Lordship  checked.  — Partisan  warfare  again. — Back  to  the  Mountains. — A Gloomy  In- 

terview. — Good  News  — Rawdon  evacuates  Camden. — Its  Destruction.— Miserable  Fate  of  the  Loyalist  Inhabitants. — 

Vigor  of  the  Partisan  Leaders — Fall  of  Posts. — Lee  and 

Pickens  take  Fort  Griesson. — Desperate  Struggle — Honor- 

able  Capitulation. — Death  of  Griesson. — Reward  otfered 

— Greene  at  Ninety-Six. — New- York  Loyalists — Judicious 

Defences. — Kosciusko’s  Parallels. — The  Star- Fort. — A Sally. — Its  Success. — Greene  more  cautious. — Arrival  of  Lee. 

— 'I'he  Summons  to  surrender. — Defiant  Answer  of  Cruger. — Fire  opened. — Picking  off  the  Gunners. — Night-Sal- 

lies. — Desperate  Position  of  the  Enemy. — Naked  Negroes. — Flaming  Arrows — Attempts  to  fire.— Renewed  Hope. — 

A Despatch  from  Earl  Eawdon. — His  Lordship  to  the  Rescue. — Three  Alternatives. — Storming. — The  Assault. — The 

Ever-ready  Cruger. — Desperate  Fighting. — Greene  withdraws  from  Ninety-Six. 

General  Greene,  after  his  unex- 

Lee,  and  Sumter,  who  were  beating  the 

1 1 

pected  defeat  at  Hobkirk’s  hill,  re- 

country  around,  and  of  Greene  himself. 

tired  sadly  disappointed,  though  not  dis- 

who,  from  his  camp  on  the  Wateree,  was 

couraged.  Ever  ready  to  act  as  the  oc- 

eagerly  on  the  watch. 

casion  demanded,  he  had  hardly  gathered 

Very  soon  after  the  battle  of  Hobkirk. 

his  scattered  troop.s,  when  he  prepared  to 

Greene  detached  a reinforcement  to  Ma- 

thwart  the  manoeuvres  of  his  young  and 

rion  on  the  Nelson’s-ferry  road ; 

spirited  antagonist,  and  to  deprive  him  of 

and  he  now  crossed  the  Wateree 

the  benefits  of  his  victory. 

with  his  main  body,  and  took  such  posi- 

Another  disappointment  soon  came  to 

tions  as  would  enable  him  to  prevent  sue- 

the  American  general,  however,  in  news 

cors  from  going  into  Camden  from  that 

of  the  successful  junction  of  Colonel  Wat- 

quarter. 

son  and  his  force  with  Lord  Rawdon,  at 

Earl  Rawdon,  being  thus  strengthened 

Camden.  This  union  had  been  effected 

by  Watson  and  his  four  hundred  men, 

notwithstanding  the  vii^ilance  of  Marion, 

O O 7 

was  emboldened  to  challenge  the  Ameri- 

* Simms. 

cans  to  another  battle.  General  Greene, 

KEVOLUTIONAKY.]  LORD  RAWDOX  EVACUATES  AND  BURNS  CAMDEN.  861 

however, disappointed  in  not  receiving  his 

will  dispute  every  inch  of  ground  in  the 

expected  reinforcements  from  Virginia, 

best  manner  we  can ; but  Rawdon  will 

and  finding  his  troops  fagged  and  discour- 

push  me  back  to  the  mountains.  Lord 

aged,  thought  it  more  expedient  to  retire 

Cornwallis  will  establish  a chain  of  posts 

before  the  enemy.  He  accord- 

along  James  river;  and  the  southern  states, 

Miy  8 

ingly  moved  several  miles  far- 

thus  cut  off,  ivill  die  like  the  tail  of  a snake  P' 

tlier  into  the  country.  His  impetuous 

After  this  gloomy  interview.  Colonel 

young  antagonist,  nevertheless,  seemed 

Davie,  at  the  request  of  Greene,  retired 

determined  to  provoke  an  engagement. 

to  write  to  some  of  his  friends  in  Phila- 

and,  forcing  the  American  pickets,  pressed 

delphia,  who  were  members  of  Congress, 

on  to  strike  Greene  in  his  encampment. 

and  inform  them  of  the  imminent  danger 

The  earl,  however,  finding  his  enemy  too 

of  the  army  and  its  pressing  needs.  At 

firmly  posted  to  be  dislodged,  prudently 

daylight,  the  next  morning,  the  colonel. 

withdrew  at  the  last  moment. 

who  had  been  up  all  night  writing  his  let- 

The  boldly  offensive  attitude  of  Lord 

ters,  was  summoned  to  headquarters,  when 

Rawdon,  now  that  he  was  reinforced, gave 

General  Greene  met  him  with  a beaming 

the  American  commander  great  anxiety. 

fiice  and  these  encouraging  words : “ I 

conscious  as  he  was  of  the  weakness  of 

have  sent  to  inform  you  that  Rawdon  is 

his  own  troops.  On  the  evening  of  the 

preparing  to  evacuate  Camden  ! That 

day  followino^  his  lordship’s  dar- 
Wt}'  9 o i 

place  was  the  key  of  the  enemy’s  line  of 

ing  demonstration,  as  the  patriot 

posts.  They  will  now  all  fall,  or  be  evac- 

general  sat  at  the  table  with  a map  be- 

uated.  All  will  go  Avell.  Burn  your  let- 

fore  him.  Colonel  Davte  entered.  “ You 

ters.  I shall  march  immediately  to  the 

see,”  exclaimed  Greene, that  we  must 

Congaree !” 

again  resume  the  partisan  war.  Rawdon 

Lord  Rawdon,  finding  that  there  was 

has  now  a decided  superiority  of  force. 

no  hope  of  aid  fiom  Cornwallis,  of  whose 

He  has  pushed  us  to  a sufficient  distance 

march  to  Virginia  he  had  just  received 

to  leave  him  free  to  act  on  any  object 

intelligence  — that  his  supplies  were  fail- 

within  his  reach.  He  will  strike  at  Lee 

ing  daily,  and  that  his  force  was  too  small 

and  Marion,  reinforce  himself  by  all  the 

to  allow  of  his  detaching  any  portion  of 

troops  that  can  be  spared  from  the  sev- 

it  to  strengthen  the  weaker  posts  — de- 

eral  garrisons,  and  push  me  back  to  the 

termined  to  retire  toward  Charleston,  in 

mountains You  observe  our  dangerous 

order  to  secure  his  communication  with 

and  critical  .-situation.  The  regular  troops 

that  city.  Camden  was  evacu- 

are  now  reduced  to  a handful,  and  I am 

ated,  and  the  jail,  mills,  and  pri- 

without  militia  to  perform  the  convoy  or 

vate  dwellings  of  the  town,  were  burned. 

detachment  service,  or  any  prospect  of 

A great  deal  of  the  baggage  of  the  army 

receiving  any  reinforcement We  must 

was  also  consumed  in  the  flames,  that  his 

always  calculate  on  the  maxim  that  your 

lordship  might  move  with  greater  celeri- 

enemy  will  do  what  he  ought  to  do.  We 

ty.  “ The  British  commander,”  remarks 

862  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [i>aut  n. 

Siinius,  “baflled  and  disappointed,  wreak- 

whom  they  had  sacrificed  the  ties  of  so- 

eii  his  vengeance  upon  the  town  which 

ciety  and  all  the  first  claims  of  country. 

he  had  so  long  garrisoned,  but  which  he 

The  victims  equally  of  disease  and  want, 

felt  himself  no  longer  able  to  maintain. 

they  died,  to  use  the  emphatic  language 

Camden  was  reduced  to  ashes,  and  amid 

of  that  time,  like  ‘ rotten  sheep,’  upon  the 

the  shrieks  of  its  people,  and  the  ‘ curses, 

suburbs.” 

not  loud,  but  deep,’  of  the  loyalists  whom 

In  the  meantime,  the  American  parti- 

he  could  no  longer  protect.  Lord  Rawdon 

sail  leaders  were  active.  British  post 

prepai'ed  to  descend  the  country.  The 

after  post  fell  rapidly  before  them,  and 

fall  of  Fort  Watson  had  broken  the  chain 

completed  the  recovery  of  the  state  to 

of  communication  with  Charleston,  and 

within  thirty  miles  of  the  sea.  General 

Marion  was  even  now  busy  in  the  leaguer 

Greene,  concluding,  after  the  evacuation 

of  Fort  Motte.  Having  devastated  the 

of  Camden  by  Lord  Rawdon,  that  it  would 

country,  it  no  longer  yielded  support  to 

be  the  earl’s  object  to  withdraw  his  posts 

Kawdon’s  troops.  These  the  British  com- 

on  the  Congaree,  and  concentrate  them 

! 

mander  resolved  to  save,  though  by  the 

below  the  Santee,  despatched  expresses 

loss  of  the  post  and  the  confidence  of  the 

to  Marion  and  Sumter  to  prepare  them- 

i 

1 

tories.  These  miserable  people,  whose  sav- 

selves  for  such  an  event.  He  himself,  or- 

i 

1 

age  fury  had  so  long  hunted  their  conn- 

dering  the  army  to  proceed  by  the  Cam- 

tiyinen  with  fire  and  sword, no  longer  pro- 

den  road  for  the  Congai  ee,  took  an  escort 

tected  from  their  vengeance  by  the  arms 

of  cavalry  and  moved  down  in  person 

of  the  British,  were  compelled  to  abandon 

toward  Fort  Motte. 

their  homes  and  follow  the  fortunes  of  the 

On  reaching  McCord’s  ferry,  Greene  re- 

enemy.  They  dared  not  await  the  jus- 

ceived  the  tidings  of  the  capitulation  of 

tice  of  the  Americans.  Hundredsfollowed 

Fort  Motte.  This  post  lay  above  the  fork 

his  lordship,scorned  and  despised  by  their 

on  the  south  side  of  the  Congaree.  The 

allies,  and  hated  by  their  countrymen. 

works  of  the  British  were  built  around 

Their  history  may  be  dismissed  in  this 

the  mansion-house  of  the  lady  whose  name 

place.  After  sharing  all  the  vicissitudes 

it  bore,  and  from  which,  in  their  savage 

of  an  army  retiring  before  a pursuing  foe. 

recklessness  of  shame,  the  British  officers 

they  reached  Charleston,  and  built  for 

had  expelled  her.  It  was  a noble  dwel- 

themselves  a settlement  of  huts  without 

ling,  of  considerable  value,  but  not  of  so 

the  lines.  This  hamlet,  by  a miserable 

much  worth  as  to  abridge  the  patriotism 

mockery,  was  called  ^Raivdontown'  Here 

of  the  high-spirited  owner.  Defended  by 

men,  women,  and  children,  were  crowded 

a stroll":  "jarrison,  under  a resolute  com- 

together  in  a wretched  condition  of  pov- 

mandei’,  the  foi  t promised  to  baffle  for  a 

erty  and  shame.  They  had  dwelt  hap- 

long  time  the  progress  of  the  besiegers. 

pily  on  their  firms  near  Camden;  and 

Under  these  circumstances,  Mrs.  Motte, 

perished  in  the  utmost  destitution,  utter- 

who  had  been  driven  for  shelter  to  a neigh- 

1 

ly  unnoticed  and  unassisted  by  those  for 

boring  hovel,  produced  an  Indian  bow, 

1 

1 

1 

i 

r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  CAPTURE  OF  BRITISH  FORTS.  863 

which,  with  a quiver  of  arrows,  she  pre- 

era!  concessions  which  he  made  to  the 

sented  to  the  American  general.  “ Take 
these,”  she  said,  “ and  expel  the  enemy. 
These  will  enable  you  to  fire  the  house.” 
Her  earnest  plea  that  this  course  might 
be  adopted,  prevailed  with  the  reluctant 
Marion.  Combustibles  were  fastened  to 
the  arrows,  which  were  shot  into 
iWay  12.  dwelling ; and  the 

garrison ; but  he  has  incurred  the  re- 
proach of  hastening  the  capitulation,  in 
order  to  anticipate  the  arrival  of  General 
Sumter  and  the  main  army.  The  siege 
had  been  begun  some  time  previously  by 
Sumter,  who  had  left  Colonel  Taylor,  with 
a strong  party,  to  maintain  his  position 
while  he  himself  made  a sudden  descent 

patriotic  woman  rejoiced  in  the  destine- 

upon  the  enemy’s  post  at  Orangeburg,  on 

tion  of  her  property,  when  it  secured  the 

the  North  Edisto,  in  which  he  w^as  thor- 

triumph  of  her  countrymen. 

oughly  successful.  Sumter  himself  con- 

Driven  out  from  their  place  of  shelter. 

ceived  that  he  had  suffered  injury  by  the 

the  garrison  at  Fort  Motte  was  forced  to 

capitulation,  in  which  nothing  was  gained 

surrender;  and  the  force  under  Marion 

but  the  earlier  possession  of  a post  which 

was  ready  for  operation  in  other  quarters. 

could  not  have  been  held  many  days  long- 

A portion  of  it,  under  Colonel  Lee,  was 

er,  and  must  have  fallen,  without  condi- 

immediately  despatched  by  Greene,  as  the 

tious  and  with  all  its  spoils,  into  the  hands 

van  of  the  army,  for  the  reduction  of  Fort 

of  the  Americans.  It  was  with  bitter  feel- 

Granby,  situated  near  the  present  city  of 

inn’s  that  the  whin;  militia  beheld  the  cov- 

Columbia,  and  at  about  the  centre  of  the 

ered  wagons  of  the  enemy  — drawn  by 

state. 

their  own  horses,  and  which  they  knew 

The  fall  of  Fort  Motte  increased  the 

to  be  filled  with  the  plunder  of  their  farms 

panic  of  the  British ; and,  two  days  after 

and  dwellings  — driven  off  before  their 

that  event,  they  evacuated  their 
post  at  Nelson’s  ferry,  blew  up 

eyes.-^ 

On  the  day  after  the  evacuation  of 

the  defensive  works,  and  destroyed  their 

Camden,  the  garrison  at  Orange- 

? ° May  11. 

burg,  numbering  about  one  bun- 

stores. 

Fort  Granby,  after  a brief  conllict,  was 

dred  men,  with  all  their  stores  and  a large 

surrendered,  with  all  its  garrison,  consist- 

supply  of  provisions,  surrendered  to  Gen- 

ing  of  nearly  four  hundred  men. 
‘*^y  qqje  terms  of  capitulation  gianted 

by  Colonel  Lee  were  greatly  complained 

eral  Sumter,  after  a spirited  assault,  A 
little  later.  Colonel  Lee  sent  a 
detachment  of  his  legion,  under 

of  by  tbe  Carolinians.  These  terms  gave 

the  command  of  Major  Rudolph,  which 

the  enemy  the  privilege  of  carrying  off 

reduced  the  British  post  at  Silver  Blufls. 

their  baoriiai'e,  in  which  was  included  an 

The  task  of  holding  Lord  Rawdon  in 

immense  quantity  of  plunder.  The  ap- 

check  m Charleston  was  confided  to  Ma- 

proach  of  Lord  Rawdoii,  with  his  whole 

rion  and  Sumter.  In  the  execution  of 

army,  is  said  to  have  hastened  the  opera- 

this  duty,  they  closed  in  upon  him,  until 

tious  of  Lee,  and  to  have  led  to  the  lib- 

* Siimus, 

1 

8G4  PRATTLES  OF 

_ _ — 

he  established  a line  of  fortified  posts,  ex- 
tending from  Georgetown,  by  the  way  of 
Monk’s  Corner,  Dorchester,  &c.,  to  Coo- 
sawhatchie.  The  Britisli  were  frequent- 
ly harassed  by  the  partisans,  who  made 
incursions  within  this  line;  but  the  force 
of  the  assailants  was  not  adequate  to  any 
serious  attack  upon  any  one  of  them,  that 
of  Georgetown  alone  excepted.  This  sta- 
tion, on  Winyaw  bay,  having  been  left 
with  a small  garrison,  and  being  separated 
from  the  rest  of  the  line  by  swamps  and 
water-courses  of  such  magnitude  as  to 
prevent  any  sudden  relief  from  reaching 
it,  was  attacked  and  carried  by 
Jiiuc  o.  qqjg  Bi  itish  fled  to  their 

galleys;  while  the  American  leader  de- 
libeiately  moved  all  the  military  stores 
and  public  property  up  the  Pedee,  demol- 
ished the  fortifications, and  returned  with- 
out loss  to  his  position  in  St.  Stephens. 

Thus  in  the  space  of  about  three  wmeks, 
the  British  lost  six  posts,  and  abandoned 
all  the  northe.astern  extremity  of  South 
Carolina.  The  station  at  Ninety-Six,  and 
Forts  Cornwallis  and  Griesson,  however, 
at  Augusta,  in  Georgia,  still  held  out. 

From  Fort  Granby,  Lee  was  detached 
to  join  General  Pickens,  and  lay  siege  to 

ifl-ylS  5 three  days  after 

the  fall  of  the  former  post,  his 
legion  w^as  arrayed  before  the  walls  of 
the  latter.  General  Greene  reserved  the 
enemy’s  post  at  Ninety-Six  for  himself, 
against  which  he  now  marched  with  his 
main  body. 

Lee  and  Pickens  were  successful  at  Au- 
gusta, but  met  with  a desperate  resist- 
ance. The  garrison,”  says  Ramsay,  “ bu- 
ried themselves  in  a great  measure  imder 


AMEPICA. 


[PART^  II. 


June  5, 


ground  and  obstinately  refused  to  capitu- 
late, till  the  necessity  was  so  pressing, 
that  every  man  who  attempted  to  fire  on 
the  besiegers  was  immediately  shot  down. 
At  length,  when  further  resistance  would 
have  been  madness,  the  fort,  with  about 
three  hundred  men,  surrendered 
on  honorable  terms  of  capitula- 
tion.” Durinoi;  the  sieije,  the  Americans 
lost  about  forty  men.  After  the  surren- 
der, Lieutenant-Colonel  Griesson,  of  the 
British  militia,  w'as  killed  by  an  American, 
who  forced  his  horse  into  the  house  where 
the  prisoner  was  kept,  and,  without  dis- 
mounting, shot  him  dead,  and  escaped  be- 
fore he  could  be  arrested.  A reward  of 
a hundred  pounds  sterling  was  offered  for 
the  discovery  of  the  perpetrator  of  the 
deed,  but  without  avail. 

In  the  meanwhile,  General  Greene  had 
encamped  within  cannon-shot  of  the  fort 
of  Ninety-Six.  The  reduction  of  ^ 
this  formidable  station  w'as  an  ob- 
ject of  the  greatest  interest.  The  village 
of  Cambridge  (or,  as  it  was  called  in  that 
day,  the  post  of  Ninety-Six)  was  at  this 
time  the  pivot  of  very  extensive  opera- 
tions. To  possess  it,  therefore,  was  to  give 
the  finishinur  blow  to  the  British  strength 

O O 


in  the  interior  of  the  state. 

Greene’s  whole  force  consisted  of  one 
thousand  men.  The  enemy  were  but  five 
hundred  and  fifty  strong,  three  hundred 
and  fifty  of  whom  were  royal  Americans 
from  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  who  had 
enlisted  at  an  early  period  of  the  wa.i 
and  were  considered  among  the  best  sol- 
diers in  the  British  army.  The  remain- 
ing two  hundred  were  volunteer  tory  ri- 
flemen recruited  from  the  neighborhood. 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  AMERICANS  BESIEGE  FORT  NINETY-SIX.  8G5 

These  latter  were  men  desperate  from 
their  social  position,  and  skilful  marks- 
men, who  were  conspicuous  in  the  suc- 
cessful defence  of  the  place.  The  whole 
were  under  the  command  of  Lieutenants 
Colonel  Cruger,  a brave  and  zealous  New- 
York  loyalist. 

The  fortifications  of  Ninety-Six  were 
old  works  which  had  been  erected  at  the 
commencement  of  the  Revolution,  as  a 
protection  against  the  incursions  of  the 
Indians,  whose  settlements  were  then  in 
its  near  neighborhood.  The  place  was 
remarkable  as  being  the  scene  of  the  first 
conflict  in  the  southern  war ; for  here,  in 
1775,  began  that  sanguinary  hostility  be- 
tween the  whigs  and  tories  which  subse- 
quently desolated  the  beautiful  country 
around  it. 

During  the  invasion  of  the  state  by 
the  British,  the  works  at  Ninety-Six  had 
been  reconstructed,  according  to  all  the 
rules  of  military  art,  by  some  of  the  ablest 
of  the  engineers  in  the  army  of  Cornwal- 
lis. On  the  approach  of  Greene,  Cruger 
had  still  further  strengthened  them  by 
judicious  additions  and  improvements. 
The  principal  work  was  the  star-redoubt, 
with  sixteen  salient  and  returning  angles, 
a ditch,  frieze,  and  abattis.  This  star-bat- 
tery was  defended  by  three  pieces  of  ar- 
tillery, on  wheel-carriages,  which  could 
be  moved  readily  from  one  point  to  an- 
other. There  was  also  a stockade-fort, 
strongly  built  on  high  ground,  at  conve- 
nient distances  within  which  were  erect- 
ed blockhouses  of  notched  logs,  that  com- 
municated with  the  star-redoubt ; while 
Cruger  and  his  garrison  had,  by  the  most 
laborious  efforts,  succeeded  in  throwing 
109 

up  parapets  of  earth,  making  traverses, 
and  in  otherwise  increasing  and  strength- 
ening the  works.  On  the  north  of  the 
village  extends  a valley,  through  which 
flows  a rivulet  that  supplied  the  garrison 
with  water.  The  county  jail,  lying  near, 
was  fortified,  and  commanded  the  valley 
on  the  side  next  the  village  ; its  fire  also 
reached  to  the  strong  stockade-fort,  with 
its  two  blockhouses,  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  valley,  which  covered  the  commu- 
nication with  the  rivulet  from  that  quar 
ter.  A covert  way  led  from  the  town  to 
the  rivulet.  Thus  secured,  the  enemy 
were  bold  and  defiant. 

General  Greene,  when  he  beheld  the 
strength  of  the  place,  apprehended  the 
failure  of  his  enterprise ; but  this  doubt 
did  not  discourage  him  from  his  design, 
and  he  accordingly  broke  ground  on  the 
day  after  his  arrival.  Koscius- 
ko, the  skilful  Polish  engineer,  ^ 

had  hardly  marked  out  his  first  parallel, 
and  the  Americans  commenced  opera- 
tions before  the  formidable  star-fort,  which 
was  the  first  object  of  attack,  than  Cruger 
prepared  to  interrupt  them.  He  threw 
out  a platform  in  one  of  the  angles  of  the 
fort,  mounted  it  with  his  three  pieces  of 
artillery,  and  manned  it  with  infantry. 
Thus  prepared,  he  began  a brisk  fire  of 
cannon  and  musketry,  under  the  cover  of 
which  a party  sallied  out  of  the  fort  with 
fixed  bayonets,and,  making  an  impetuous 
rush  upon  the  American  guards  and  work 
ing-parties,  drove  all  before  them,  demol- 
ished their  works,  and  returned  loaded 
with  their  intrenching-tools.  The  only 
loss  of  the  enemy  was  the  death  of  the 
gallant  lieutenant  who  led  them.  Gen- 

866  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

eral  Greene  sent  a detachment  to  sustain 

and  he  was  further  aided  from  without 

Kosciusko  and  his  working-party,  but  it 

by  a marauding  force  under  William  Cun- 

arrived  too  late  upon  the  ground  to  give 

ningham,  which  materially  interfered  with 

succor. 

the  supplies,  the  recruits,  and  the  general 

Greene  now  found  it  necessary  to  be 

intelligence,  of  the  Americans. 

more  cautious.  He  therefore  ordered  the 

The  three  fieldpiecesfrom  the  platform 

approaches  to  be  commenced  at  a more 

of  the  star-redoubt  were  plied  by  the  foe 

respectful  distance,  and  under  the  cover 

day  and  night.  Greene  built  lofty  tow- 

of  a ravine.  Tlie  star-redoubt  was  still 

ers  of  roughly-hewn  logs,  mounted  them 

the  sole  object  of  the  besiegers,  until  the 

with  riflemen,  and,  by  picking  off  the  ar- 

the  arrival  (on  the  8th  of  June)  of  Colonel 

tilleiymen,  succeeded  in  silencing  theii 

Lee,  who,  after  his  triumph  at  Augusta, 

guns  by  day,  although  they  still  kept  up 

had  hastened  to  co-operate  with  Greene. 

a nightly  discharge,  and  strove  by  red- 

After  the  completion  of  the  first  parallel. 

hot  balls  to  set  fire  to  the  wooden  struc- 

a mine,  directed  against  the  star-fort,  had 

tures  which  were  proving  so  formidable. 

been  begun,  under  the  cover  of  a battery 

The  enemy,  however,  finding  that  these 

erected  on  the  enemy’s  right.  The  work 

attempts  were  ineffective,  from  the  uncer- 

w^as  prosecuted  by  the  besiegers  day  and 

tainty  of  the  aim  of  the  artillerymen  in 

night  without  intermission.  The  troops 

the  darkness  of  the  ni.Q:ht,  and  the  incom- 

labored  alternately  in  the  ditches,  some 

bustible  nature  of  the  screen  wood  of 

on  guard  while  others  toiled,  and  even 

which  the  towers  were  constructed,  final- 

sleeping  on  their  arms,  to  repel  the  sal- 

ly  ceased  to  throw  hot  shot. 

lies  of  the  besieged,  which  were  bold  and 

On  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Lee,  that  of- 

frequent,  and  resulted  in  long  and  spirited 

ficer  was  immediately  ordered  to 

1 

i 

conflicts.  The  American  works  steadily 

begin  regular  approaches  against 

! 

1 

advanced,  however,  in  spite  of  these  sal- 

the  stockade-fort  on  the  enemy’s  left.  His 

1 

lies;  but  a fierce  strife  followed  every 

ditch  was  soon  ready,  his  battery  erected 

step  in  their  progress,  and  not  a night 

and  mounted  with  a six-pounder,  and  his 

passed  without  the  loss  of  lives  on  both 

advances  under  their  cover  rapidly  made. 

sides. 

Cruger  still  continued  his  nightly  sallies 

The  second  parallel  having  been  fin- 

with  undiminished  spirit,  striving  to  pos- 

ished,  the  garrison  was  summoned  to  sur- 

sess  himself  of  the  trenches  of  the  besieg- 

1 

1 

June  3 Cruger  defiantly  reject- 

ers,  and  to  “ destroy  with  the  spade  what 

i 

\ 

ed  the  demand,  and  continued 

ever  he  might  gain  by  the  bayonet.”  He 

1 

1 

his  daring  but  ineffective  sallies.  The 

was,  however,  constantly  foiled  by  the  ac- 

1 

third  parallel  was  then  begun,  when  the 

tivity  and  vigilance  of  Greene,  who  was 

1 

resolute  enemy  became  still  more  active 

ever  on  the  alert. 

1 

1 

and  pertinacious  in  defence.  Cruger  had. 

The  works  of  the  besiegers  were  now 

1 

moreover,  with  timely  prudence,  incorpo- 

so  near  completion,  that  a further  defence 

i 

i 

rated  with  his  army  his  negro  laborers ; 

' 

of  the  place  was  limited  to  four  days.  Bo- 

I 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  STUBBORN  DEFENCE.— APPROACH  OF  RAWDON. 


sides  the  towers  before  spoken  of,  one  of 
wliich  was  Avithin  thirty  yards  of  the  ene- 
my’s ditch,  the  besiegers  had  several  bat- 
teries of  cannon  within  a hundred  and 
forty  yards.  One  of  these  so  completely 
commanded  the  star-fort,  that  the  garri- 
son were  compelled  to  shelter  themselves 
behind  bags  of  sand,  which  increased  its 
elevation  by  three  feet.  Through  these 
sand-bags,  apertures  were  left  for  the  use 
of  small-arms  by  day,  and  the  withdrawal 
of  the  sand-bags  left  embrasures  for  the 
employment  of  the  cannon  by  night. 

Thus,  for  ten  days,  the  besiegers  and 
besieged  lay  watching  each  other.  Du- 
ring this  time,  not  a man  could  show  his 
head  on  either  side  without  incurring  the 
shot  of  the  riflemen.  Cruger’s  position, 
however,  as  his  besiegers  closed  hourly 
upon  him,  was  becoming  desperate.  His 
water,  too,  was  in  danger  of  being  cut  off 
by  Lee’s  approach  to  the  stockade-fort, 
that  defended  the  rivulet  from  which  the 
supply  of  the  garrison  was  obtained.  Tlie 
men  were  already  forced  to  resort  to  the 
expedient  of  sending  out  naked  negroes 
in  the  night  to  procure  the  water,  trust- 
ing that,  by  the  duskiness  of  the  one  and 
the  darkne.ss  of  the  other,  they  would  es- 
cape the  aim  of  the  American  marksmen. 
Lee,  conscious  of  the  importance  of  po.s- 
sessing  or  destroying  the  stockade-fort, 
oy  which  alone  the  enemy  were  able  to 
command  the  stream,  became  impatient 
of  the  slow  siege-operations,  and,  follow- 
ing the  example  of  Marion  in  the  capture 
of  Fort  Motte,  strove  to  set  fire  to  it  with 
flaming  arrows.  The  enemy,  however, 
unrO()fed  their  buildings,  and  averted  the 
catastrophe. 


8G7 

Lee  now  sent  a sergeant  with  nine  pri- 
vates of  the  legion,  loaded  with  combus- 
tibles, to  burn  the  fort,  under  the  covei 
of  a dark  storm  which  was  threatening. 
The  brave  men  obeyed  the  order  with 
alacrity.  They  approached  for  awhile, 
liidden  by  the  nature  of  the  ground  ; but 
when  it  became  more  open,  they  were 
foi’ced  to  move  along  on  their  bellies,  to 
avoid  being  seen.  The  sergeant,  witli 
three  of  his  men,  succeeded  in  reaching 
the  ditch,  the  rest  of  the  party  being  close 
behind  them,  and  Avas  in  the  act  of  ap- 
plying the  fire  to  the  stockade-fort,  Avhen 
he  Avas  discovered.  In  a moment,  hun- 
dreds of  muskets  Avere  aimed  and  fired. 
The  sergeant  and  five  of  his  gallant  band 
Avere  shot  dead.  Four  escaped  unhurt, 
and,  amid  a shoAver  of  musket-balls,  re- 
tired to  the  camp. 

Notwithstanding  the  stubborn  resist- 
ance of  Colonel  Cruger  and  his  loyalist 
garrison,  there  seemed  little  prospect  of 
their  holding  out  much  longer,  Avhen  an 
event  occurred  Avhich  at  once  aroused 
their  energies  afresh  and  reneAved  their 
hopes : — 

“ In  the  evening,”  says  Lee,  Avho  de- 
scribes the  incident,  of  Avhich  he  Avas  an 
eye-Avitness,  “a  countryman  Avas  seen  ri- 
ding along  our  lines  south  of  the  toAvn, 
coiiA^ersing  familiarly  Avith  the  officers  and 
soldiers  on  duty.  He  Avas  not  regarded, 
as  from  the  beoinning  of  the  siege  our 

o o o 

friends  in  the  country  Avere  in  the  habit 
of  visiting  camp,  and  Avere  permitted  to 
go  Avherever  their  curiosity  led  them,  one 
of  Avhom  this  man  Avas  presumed  to  be. 
At  length  he  reached  the  great  road  lead- 
ing directly  to  the  tOAvn,  in  which  quarter 


868  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n 


were  oii]3’  some  batteries  thrown  up  for 
the  protection  of  the  guards.  Putting 
spur  to  his  horse,  he  rushed  with  full 
speed  into  town,  receiving  the  ineffectual 
fire  of  our  sentinels  and  guards  nearest 
to  him,  and  holding  up  a letter  in  his 
hand  as  soon  as  he  cleared  himself  of  our 
fire.  Tlie  propitious  signal  gave  joy  to 
the  garrison,  who,  running  to  meet  their 
friend,  ojDened  the  gate,  welcoming  his 
arrival  with  loud  expressions  of  delight. 
He  was  the  bearer  of  a despatch  from 
Rawdon  to  Cruger,  communicating  his  ar- 
rival at  Orangeburg  in  adequate  force, 
and  informino;  him  that  he  was  hastenino* 
to  his  relief  This  intelligence  infused 
new  vigor  into  the  intrepid  leader  and 
his  brave  companions.” 

Simms  gives  the  following  explanation 
of  this  curious  incident : “ A woman  was 
the  instrument  emplo^^ed  by  the  British 
for  encouraging  Cruger  to  protract  the 
siege.  Residing  in  the  neighborhood,  she 
had  visited  the  camp  of  Greene,  under 
some  pretence  of  little  moment.  The 
daughter  of  one  tried  patriot  and  the  sis- 
ter of  another,  she  had  been  received  at 
the  general’s  table,and  permitted  the  free- 
dom of  the  encampment.  But  she  had 
formed  a matrimonial  connection  with  a 
British  officer,  and  the  ties  of  love  had 
proved  stronger  than  those  of  any  other 
relationship.  In  the  opportunities  thus 
afforded  her,  she  contrived  to  apprize  the 
garrison  that  she  had  a communication 
from  Lord  Rawdon.  A young  loyalist  re- 
ceived it  from  her  lips,  at  a farmhouse  in 

Jnnc  17  the 

fires  of  the  sentinels,  dashing  suc- 
cessfully and  at  full  speed  by  the  pickets, 


he  was  admitted  with  hurrahs  into  the 
garrison.” 

General  Greene  had  for  several  days 
been  aware  of  the  approach  of  Lord  Raw- 
don, who,  after  waiting  Avith  anxious  iin 
patience  at  Charleston  for  expected  rein- 
forcements, Avas  finally  rejoiced  by  the 
arrival  of  three  regiments  from  Ireland. 
Conscious  of  the  dano:eraAvaitincr  Cruirer. 
at  Ninety-Six,  his  lordship  at  the  head  of 
twenty-five  hundred  men  hastened  for- 
Avard  by  forced  marches  to  the  relief  of 
his  subordimite.  Greene  strove  to  delay 
his  approach,  ordering  General  Sumter 
(to  Avhose  aid  he  had  sent  Lieutenanb 
Colonel  Washington  Avith  his  cavalry  and 
Pickens  Avith  his  militia)  to  keep  in  the 
eaiTs  front,  and  check  his  .advance.  Ma- 
rion, too,  Avas  directed  to  be  on  the  .alert, 
.and  h.asten  from  the  low  country  as  soon 
.as  it  shovdd  become  apparent  that  Raw- 
don Av.as  m.arching  to  Ninety-Six.  This 
prospect  of  succor  had,  however,  by  the 
vigilance  of  the  Americans,  been  carefully 
kept  from  the  knowledge  of  Cruger,  Avho 
kneAV  nothing  of  it  until  the  bold  push  of 
the  countryman  into  the  fort  at  this  late 
moment.  Lord  RaAvdon  had,  moreover, 
succeeded  in  outmanoeuvring  Sumter,  and 
ffettino;  between  him  and  Greene.  Ilis 
approach  Avas  hourly  expected  ; and  the 
American  commander,  therefore,  had  to 
choose  at  once  betAveen  assailing  the  fort, 
meeting  his  lordship,  or  retiring. 

Greene  decided  upon  storming  the  for- 
tress Avithout  delay.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Campbell,  of  the  first  Virginia  regiment, 
Avith  a detachment  from  the  Maryland 
and  Virginia  brigades,  Av.as  to  lead  the 
assault  on  the  left,  and  Lieutenant-Colo- 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  ASSAULT  AND  REPULSE  AT  NINETY-SIX.  869 

nel  Lee  with  the  legion  infantry,  and  Cap- 
tain Kirkwood  with  the  remains  of  the 
Delaware  regiment,  on  the  right.  Lieu- 
tenant Duval,  with  a company  of  Mary- 
landers, and  Lieutenant  Selden,  with  an- 
other of  Virginians,  led  the  forlorn  hope 
of  Campbell ; and  Major  Rudolph,  of  the 
legion,  that  of  Lee,  which  was  directed 
.igainst  the  stockade-fort.  Fascines  were 
made  ready  to  fill  in  the  ditches,  and  long 
poles,  with  hooks,  to  pull  down  the  sand- 
bngs  with  which  the  enemy  had  increased 
the  height  of  their  parapets.  The  third 
parallel  having  been  manned,  and  the 
sharpshooters  stationed  on  the  lofty  tow- 
er in  front  of  the  star-fort,  with  orders  to 
clear  the  parapets  of  the  garrison  previ- 
ous to  the  advance  of  the  storming-party, 
the  first  signal  was  given,  wdien  the  as- 
sailants entered  the  trenches,  with  every 
manifestation  of  eagerness  to  begin  the 
attack. 

At  noon,  the  second  cannon  was  fired. 

, Campbell  and  Lee  rushed  to  the 

June  18.  u I 

assault.  “ Cruger,  always  pre- 
pared,” says  Lee,  who  was  on  the  spot, 
and  relates  his  own  experience,  “ received 
tliem  with  his  accustomed  firmness.  The 
parapets  were  manned  with  spike  and  bay- 
onet; and  the  riflemen,  fixed  at  the  sand- 
bag apertures,  maintained  a steady  and 
destructive  fire.  Duval  and  Selden  en- 
tered the  enemy’sditch  at  different  points, 
and  Campbell  stood  prepared  to  support 
them,  in  the  rear  of  the  party  furnished 
with  hooks  to  pull  down  the  sand-bags. 
Tliis  party  had  also  entered  the  enemy’s 
ditch,  and  began  to  apply  the  hook.  Un- 
covering the  parapet  now  would  have 
given  us  victory ; and  such  was  the  vig- 

orous  support  afforded  by  the  musketry 
from  the  third  parallel,  from  the  riflemen 
in  the  tower,andfrom  the  artillery  mount- 
ed in  battery,  that  sanguine  anticipation.'- 
of  this  happy  issue  were  universally  in 
dulffed.  The  moment  the  bao-s  in  front 
were  pulled  down,  Campbell  would  have 
mounted  the  parapet,  where  the  struggle 
could  not  have  been  long  maintained. 
Cruger  had  prepared  an  intermediate  bat- 
tery with  his  three  pieces,  which  he  oc- 
casionally applied  to  right  and  left.  At 
first,  it  was  directed  against  Lee’s  left; 
but  very  soon  every  piece  was  applied 
upon  Campbell’s  right,  which  was  very 
injurious  to  his  column. 

‘‘Major  Greene,  commanding  ii  the 
star- redoubt,  sensible  of  the  danger  to 
which  he  was  exposed,  if  the  attempted 
lodgment  upon  his  front  curtain  succeed- 
ed, determined  to  try  the  bayonet  in  his 
ditch  as  well  as  on  his  parapet.  To  Cap- 
tains Campbell  and  French  was  commit- 
ted this  bold  effort.  Entering  into  the 
ditch  through  a sally-port  in  the  rear  of 
the  ‘star,’  they  took  opposite  directions, 
and  soon  came  in  contact,  the  one  with 
Duval,  the  other  with  Selden.  Here  en- 
sued a desperate  conflict.  The  Americans, 
not  only  fighting  with  the  enemy  in  front 
but  with  the  eneni}^  overhead,  sustained 
gallantly  the  unequal  contest, until  Duval 
and  Selden  became  disabled  by  wounds, 
when  they  yielded,  and  were  driven  back 
with  great  loss  to  the  point  of  entry.  The 
few  surviving  escaped  with  the  hookmen 
to  our  trenches,  where  yet  remained  Colo- 
nel Campbell,  the  sand-bags  not  being  re- 
moved. 

“ On  the  left,  the  issue  was  very  difier- 

870 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


{part  ii, 


ent.  Rudolph  gained  the  enemy’s  ditch, 
nnd,  followed  by  the  column,  soon  opened 
his  way  into  the  fort,  from  which  the  en- 
emy, giving  their  last  lire,  precipitately 
retreated.  Measures  were  in  train,  on  the 
part  of  Lee,  to  follow  up  his  blow,  by  pas- 
sing the  rivulet,  entering  the  town,  and 
forcing  the  fortified  prison,  whence  the 
left  might  have  yielded  substantial  aid  to 
the  attack  upon  the  star,  by  compelling 
Cruger  to  struggle  for  the  town, or  forcing 
him  with  all  his  troops  to  take  refuge  in 
the  star;  a situation  not  long  to  be  held, 
crowded  as  he  must  have  been,  and  desti- 
tute of  water.” 

General  Greene,  however,  at  this  mo- 
ment, sent  orders  to  Campbell  to  with- 
draw, as  his  brave  men  were  being  sacri- 
ficed without  apparent  advantage;  and 
Lee  was  commanded  to  hold  the  stock- 
ade-fort, but  to  cease  advancing.  Nearly 
two  thirds  of  the  assailants  were  struck 
down  in  the  attack  on  the  star-battery, 
yet  the  strife  was  maintained  for  almost 
three  quarters  of  an  hour ; and  in  their 
retreat,  though  still  under  a galling  fire 
from  the  garrison,  the  survivors  brought 
off  the  greater  number  of  their  wounded 
comrades.  One  hundred  and  eighty  were 
(lie  killed  and  wounded  on  the  side  of  the 
Americans,  and  eighty-five  on  that  of  the 
enemy. 


The  attempt  to  carry  the  works  of  the 
foe  by  assault  was  thus  shown  to  be  fruit- 
less. Moreover,  intelligence  soon  came 
that  Lord  Rawdon,  with  his  twenty-five 
hundred  men,  having  broken  through  the 
obstructions  offered  by  the  partisan  forces 
under  General  Marion,  had  appeared  in 
the  neighborhood,  and  was  now  rapidly 
approaching,  to  give  his  promised  succor 
to  the  beleagured  loyalists.  Under  these 
circumstances,  with  a far  inferior  force, 
and  his  troops  dispirited  by  their  repulse, 
there  was  nothing  left  to  the  American 
commander  but  immediate  retreat.  As 
soon,  as  the  night  closed  in,  ac- 
cordingly,  Lee  was  ordered  to 
abandon  the  stockade-fort  which  he  had 
so  gallantly  taken,  and  Greene  withdrew 
from  Ninety-Six  with  his  whole  force. 

“ Had  a few  days’  time  been  allowed  to 
Greene’s  approaches  on  Ninety-Six,”  ob- 
serves Simms,  “ or  had  the  supplies  of  mi- 
litia promised  from  Virginia  reached  him, 
the  prize  for  which  he  struggled  must 
have  been  in  his  possession.  Now,  baf- 
fled, if  not  beaten,  he  fell  back  slowly  and 
sullenly  before  the  pursuit  of  Rawdon, 
until  the  latter,  weary  of  a chase  which 
promised  to  be  hopeless,  and  warned  by 
circumstances  which  called  him  elsewhere, 
abandoned  equally  the  pursuit  and  the 
country.” 


REVOLUTIONARY. J RAWDON  ABANDONS  NINETY-SIX.— THE  LOIAEioIo.  871 


CHAPTER  CII. 


.fortification  o General  Greene. — He  resolves  to  conquer  the  Country,  or  die. — His  Retreat. — Lord  Rawdon  m Rursuit 
— His  Lordship  b.ack  again  at  Niuety-Si-x. — Retirement  of  Rawdon. — Desertion  of  the  Loyalist  Inliahitants. — Greene 
faces  about. — Pursuit. — Challenge  to  Battle. — Bold  Stroke  of  Colonel  Lee. — Hurry  of  Rawdon. — Arrival  at  Granbv 

— Orangeburg. — Mutinous  Soldiers. — Another  Challenge. — Greene  among  the  High  Hills  of  the  Santee. Ilis  Camp 

of  Repose. — Sumter’s  Expedition. — Thundering  at  the  Gates  of  Charleston. — Rapid  Movements. — Fall  of  Dorehcstcr. 

— Wade  Hampton  before  the  Walls  of  Charleston. — Fright  of  the  Itihabitants. — Stolen  Thunder. — Junction. The 

Enemy  abandon  Monk’s  Corner. — Coates  surprised. — Fight  at  the  Bridge. — Bold  Leap. — Success  of  Coates. Prepara- 
tion for  Sumter. — Another  Conflict. — Discord  among  the  Americans. — Their  Retirement. — Earl  Rawdon  departs  for 

Europe. — Inaction. — Civil  Strife. — Blood  and  Slaughter. — Execution  of  Colonel  Isaac  Hayne. — Inhuman  Insult. 

Want  of  Reinforcements  by  the  Americans. — Victory  or  Ruin. — Services  of  the  Partisan  Leaders. — General  Greene 
marches  to  meet  the  Enemy. — Ready  for  Battle. 


It  was  exceedingly  mortifying  to 
General  Greene  that,  after  an  ardu- 
ous siege  of  twenty-eight  days,  he  should 
be  obliged  to  leave  Ninety-Six,  defeated 
in  his  object,  at  the  very  moment  that  a 
triumph  was  about  to  crown  his  labors. 
Some  of  his  friends  Avere  so  disheartened 
at  the  result,  and  so  distrustful  of  the  fu- 
ture in  South  Carolina,  that  they  urged 
him  to  quit  the  state,  and  retire  with  his 
small  force  to  Virginia.  “ No,”  answered 
Greene,  resolutely ; recover  the  coiin- 

tri/,  or  die  in  the  attempt !”  He  thus  began 
his  retreat,  vanquished  for  the  moment, 

J lue  20  hopeful.  On  the  second 

day  after  his  repulse  at  Ninety- 
Six,  he  crossed  the  Saluda.  On  the  24th 
he  arrived  on  the  banks  of  the  Guorree, 
and  did  not  come  to  a halt  until  he  had 
crossed  that  river,  as  also  the  Tiger  and 
the  Broad. 

Lord  Rawdon  pursued  the  retreating 
Americans  until  he  reached  the  banks  of 
the  Guorree,  when,  finding  it  impossible 
to  come  up  with  Greene,  he  returned  to 
Ninety-Six.  His  march  had  served  only 


to  extricate  Cruger  from  his  immediate 
difficulty.  He  now  determined  to  aban- 
don tliat  post,  as  it  was  too  remote  to  be 
readily  supported  ; and  tlie  proofs  Avere 
convincing,  nil  around  him,  that  the  day 
had  gone  by  Avhen  a foreign  foe  could 
maintain  itself  amono;  the  recoveriiur  in- 
habitants.  The  famous  post  of  Ninety- 
Six,  in  defence  of  Avhich  so  much  blood 
had  been  already  shed,  Avas  accordingly 
evacuated,  and  left  in  possession  of  the 
patriots,  from  Avhom  it  had  been  so  lately 
rescued.  The  neighboring  loj’alists,  avIio 
had  so  bravely  fought  for  the  royal  cause, 
claimed  all  the  sympathy  of  the  English 
earl,  and  he  so  far  provided  for  their  safe 
ty  as  to  leave  Colonel  Cruger,  Avith  one 
half  his  force,  to  escort  them,  when  ready- 
to  Charleston;  Avhile  he  himself  pushed 
on,  Avith  eight  hundred  infantry  and  sixt} 
horsemen,  toAvard  the  Congaree  river. 

Piteous,  indeed,  Avas  the  misery  of  th'j 
Avretched  loyalist.s,  Avhom  this  abandon^ 
ment  of  Ninety-Six  virtually  surrendered 
to  the  rage  of  the  long-persecuted  patri- 
ots. A fearful  day  of  retribution  was  at 


872 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


fPAltT  II. 


h/indjY/hich  they  did  not  venture  to  await. 
At  c,  season  when  their  farms  were  most 
lovely  in  the  promise  of  a plenteous  har- 
vest, they  were  compelled  to  surrender 
them  and  fly. 

Vainly  did  their  chiefs  expostulate  with 
the  British  chief  against  his  desertion  of 
those  who,  to  serve  the  cause  of  their 
sovereign,  had  incurred  the  enduring  hos- 
tility of  their  countrymen.  But  the  ne- 
cessity was  not  less  pressing  upon  Lord 
Eawdon  than  upon  his  wretched  allies ; 
and,  with  a last  look  upon  their  homes, 
a mournful  cavalcade  of  men,  women,  and 
children,  prepared  to  abandon  the  fields 
of  equal  beauty  and  plenty  which  their 
treachery  to  their  country  had  richly  for- 
feited, but  for  which  they  were  still  wil- 
ling to  perish  rather  than  depart. 

Sullenly  the  strong  men  led  the  way, 
while,  with  eyes  that  streamed  and  still 
looked  backward,  the  women  and  chil- 
dren followed  reluctantly,  and  with  souls 
full  of  wretchedness  and  grief  How  bit- 
terly in  their  ears,  at  such  a moment,  must 
have  sounded  the  notes  of  that  drum  and 
trumpet  which  had  beguiled  them  from 
the  banners  of  their  country  to  those  of 
its  invader ! What  a pang  to  the  bosoms 
of  the  fathers ! what  a lesson  to  the  sons, 
guiltless  of  the  offence,  yet  condemned  to 
share  in  its  penalties  !* 

On  discovering  the  retrograde  move- 
n.ent  of  Lord  Rawdon,  and  the  division 
of  his  force.  General  Greene  immediately 
faced  about,  to  pursue  in  his  turn,  and 
provoke  his  lordship  to  battle.  The  ac- 
tive Lee  was  sent  in  advance,  with  his 
cavalry,  to  hover  about  the  British,  and 

* Sinimj. 


to  harass  them  in  tlieir  retreat,  should 
they  refuse  to  stand  their  ground  and  to 
accept  the  challenge  which  Greene  was 
proffering  them.  The  earl,  however,  had 
no  disposition  to  lose  a moment  by  the 
way,  as  his  object  was  to  hasten  to  Gran- 
by, where  he  had  summoned  Colonel  Stew- 
art to  meet  him  with  a small  detachment 
of  troops  from  Charleston. 

In  the  advance  which  Greene  contin- 
ued to  make  upon  the  retreating  foe,  an 
opportunity  offered  to  Lee  of  striking  a 
blow  at  his  cavalry.  Rawdon  had  with 
him  but  a small  number  of  dragoons,  his 
chief  strength  in  this  description  of  troops 
being  engaged  in  distant  operations. 

Mnjor  Eggleston,  with  a strong  body 
of  the  American  cavalry,  throwing  him- 
self in  advance  of  the  enemy,  placed  an 
ambush  in  reserve,  and  presented  himself 
with  a small  number  in  view  of  the  Brit- 
ish. This  drew  upon  him,  as  was  antici- 
pated, an  attack  of  the  whole  hostile  cav- 
alry. His  flight  enticed  them  to  the  thick- 
et wheie  the  rest  of  the  troop  was  con- 
cealed, and  their  joint  charges  completely 
overwhelmed  the  foe.  Many  were  slain, 
and  forty-five  men  and  horses,  with  sev- 
eral commissioned  officers,  within  a mile 
of  the  whole  British  army,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Americans. 

This  bold  stroke  of  Lee’s  le<>:ion,tocreth- 
er  with  the  accumulating  numbers  and  au- 
dacity of  the  Americans,  greatly  alarmed 
Earl  Rawdon,  and  gave  increased  speed 
to  his  flight.  Indeed,  so  urgently  did  he 
press  on  his  men  in  their  march,  that  no 
less  than  fifty  fell  dead  by  the  roadside, 
from  fatigue,  priva  ion,  and  the  excessive 
heat  of  the  weather!  His  lordship  thus 


r 

kb;volutionaut.]  EXPEDITION  TO  THE  LOW  COUNTRY.  873 

succeeded,  by  his  unwonted  efforts,  in 

In  the  meanwhile.  General  Pickens  and 

reaching  Granby  before  General  Greene 

his  militia  had  been  equally  unsuccessful 

could  come  up.  The  expected  reinforce- 

in  preventing  the  junction  of  Cruger  with 

ments  from  Charleston,  however,  not  hav- 

Earl  Rawdon,  which  so  strength- 

ing  arrived,  the  earl  sought  safety  by  re- 

ened  his  lordship,  that  he  would 

tiring  to  Orangeburg,  where  he  posted 

now  have  gladly  gone  out  with  his  pow- 

liimself  on  strong  ground,  and  waited  for 

erfid  force  against  the  Americans ; but, 

the  junction  of  Colonels  Stewart  and  Cru- 

by  his  timely  and  prudent  retreat  on  the 

ger.  Here  he  could  give  a breathing-time 

previous  day,  Greene  had  placed  himself 

to  his  hard-pressed  troops,  whose  powers 

out  of  reach  beyond  the  Congaree. 

of  endurance  had  been  at  last  so  exhaust- 

Wliile  the  American  general  was  thus 

ed,that  they  were  ready  to  lay  down  their 

in  his  “ camp  of  repose,”  he  was  not  the 

arms  in  mutinous  disobedience  if  ordered 

less  active  in  preparing  means  for  driving 

to  continue  their  march. 

out  the  enemy  from  South  Carolina.  The 

Greene,  with  the  aid  of  Marion,  strove 

evacuation  of  Camden  having  been  effect- 

in  vain  to  prevent  the  junction  of  Stew- 

ed  by  striking  at  the  posts  below  it,  it 

art  with  Rawdon.  After  this  disappoint- 

was  now  proposed  to  try  the  same  plan 

ment.  he  moved  forward  and  encamped 

to  force  the  British  from  Orangeburg.  An 

within  five  miles  of  Orangebur«:.  Here 

expedition  to  the  low  country  was  imme- 

he  endeavored  to  provoke  his  lordship  to 

diately  set  on  foot  for  this  purpose,  con- 

battle.  The  earl,  however,  refused  to  be 

sisting  of  about  a thousand  men,  most  of 

drawn  from  his  strong  ground,  and  the 

whom  belonged  to  the  Carolinas, although 

American  general  was  too  feeble  to  justi- 

Lee  with  his  legion,  and  a small  artillery- 

fy  an  attack  upon  him  in  his  works.  Sev- 

force  with  one  fieldpiece,  were  added. 

eral  efforts  which  he  made  with  his  cav- 

This  w'as  the  famous  “ raid  of  the  dog 

airy,  to  arrest  the  approach  of  supplies 

days.”  It  took  place  in  midsummer,  when 

to  the  British,  having  proved  abortive. 

the  continentals  dared  not  march.  The 

and  tidiims  having  reached  him  of  the 

chief  command  of  the  expedition  was  giv- 

advance  of  Cruger  with  fifteen  hundred 

en  to  Sumter,  with  whom  were  united  Ma- 

men  to  the  relief  of  Rawdon,  compelled 

lion,  Lee,  the  two  Hamptons, Taylor,  Hor- 

General  Greene  to  retire  from  a position 

ry,  Maham,  and  Lacy,  all  gallant  officers 

which  he  could  not  have  retained  after 

of  the  South.  General  Greene  well  knew 

this  accession  of  strength  to  his  antago- 

the  men  whom  he  had  intrusted  with  this 

nist.  Finding  it  thus  imprudent  to  strike 

a blow,  the  American  command- 

July  5.  a 1 . c 

er  withdrew  to  a camp  ot  repose 

enterprise,  and  spoke  to  them  in  sympa- 
thy with  their  adventurous  and  energetic 
spirit.  “ There  is  no  time  to  be  lost,”  wrote 

among  the  “High  hills”  of  the  Santee, 

Greene,  in  his  orders  to  Sumter.  “Push 

while  he  meditated  upon  other  modes  for 

your  operations  night  and  day.  Keep  a 

the  expulsion  of  the  enemy  from  their 

party  to  watch  the  enemy’s  motions  at 

strong  position  on  the  Edisto. 

110 

Orangeburg,  as  they  move  down.  Should 

1 

1 

874 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


they  move  in  any  other  direction,  I will 
advise  you.  Keep  Colonel  Lee  and  Gen- 
eral Marion  advised  of  all  matters  from 
above,  and  tell  Colonel  Lee  to  thunder 
even  at  the  gates  of  Charleston !” 

These  gallant  men  eagerly  strove  to 
obey  the  spirited  instructions  of  their 
commander.  Sumter  at  once  moved  r.ap- 
idly  down  with  his  main  body  along  the 
south  side  of  the  Congaree.  Lee,  with 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Wade  Hampton,  was 
despatched  to  attack  the  British  post  at 
Dorchester.  Colonel  Henry  Hampton  was 
stationed  at  Orangeburg,  to  keep  a watch 
on  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  ; and  all 
were  to  reunite  at  Monk’s  Corner,  and  at- 
tack its  strong  works,  which  were  held  by 
Colonel  Coates. 

On  his  march,  Lee  took  all  the  wagons 
and  wagon-horses  belonging  to  a convoy 
of  provisions.  He  then  advanced  to  Dor- 
chester, Avhich  fell  at  once.  The  garrison, 
which  had  been  much  reduced,  and  was 
in  a state  of  mutiny,  no  sooner  discovered 
the  approach  of  the  small  party  which  had 
been  sent  by  Lee,  under  Wade  Hampton, 
to  tlie  bridge  at  Goose  creek,  in  order  to 
cut  off  the  communication  with  Monk’s 
Corner,  than  it  precipitately  abandoned 
the  post. 

While  Lee  was  collecting  the  spoils  at 
Dorchester,  consisting  of  about  two  hun- 
dred horses  and  a large  supply  of  ammu- 
nition, Colonel  Wade  Plampton  dashed 
down  the  road  to  Charleston,  captured  a 
party  of  fifty  dragoons  by  the  way,  and 
suddenly  appeared  so  close  to  the  walls 
of  the  town,  that  the  inhabitants,  in  their 
terror, believed  the  whole  American  army 
had  come.  The  bells  of  the  churches  were 


rung,  the  alarm-guns  fired,  and  every  man 
was  up  ill  arms.  Hampton  had  thus  sto- 
len a march  upon  Lee,  and  robbed  him 
of  the  “ thunder”  with  which  Greene  had 
bidden  him  knock  at  the  gates  of  Charles- 
ton. Lee  arrived  next  day,  but  too  late 
to  win  any  laurels.* 

In  this  foray,  Hampton  also  burnt  four 
vessels,  laden  with  valuable  stores  for  the 
British  army.  Lee  and  Hampton  now 
hastened  to  join  Sumter,  and  unite  with 
him  in  the  contemplated  attack  upon  Colo- 
nel Coates  at  Monk’s  Corner. 

Meanwhile  a detachment  of  Marion’s 
men,  under  Colonel  Maham,  passing  the 
head  of  Cooper  river  and  Wadboo  creek, 
penetrated  below  to  the  eastward  of  Big- 
gin church,  to  obstruct  the  retreat  of  the 
garrison  at  the  church,  by  destroying  the 
Wadboo  bridge. 

The  church  near  Bio:o:in  bridge  was  a 
strong  brick  building,  about  a mile  from 
Monk’s  Corner,  where  the  British  had  u 
redoubt.  The  church  covered  the  bridge, 
and  secured  the  retreat  at  that  point  by 
way  of  the  corner.  It  was  strongly  gar- 
risoned by  a British  force  of  nearly  seven 
hundred  men  j and  the  detachment  under 
Maham  did  not  dare  to  advance  with 
any  confidence  while  unsupported  by  the 
main  force  of  the  Americans. 

Lee  and  Hampton  having  effected  a 
junction  with  General  Sumter,  the  latter 
advanced  to  support  Maham  j j jg 
his  attempt  upon  the  bridge.  Ke- 
inforcing  his  troop  with  a detachment  un- 
der Colonel  Peter  Horry,  the  command 
devolved  upon  that  officer,  who  at  once 
proceeded  to  the  destruction  of  the  bridge. 

* Irving. 


REVOLUTIONAIIY.] 


FIGHT  AT  QUINBY  BRIDGE. 


875 


Tlie  cavalry  of  the  enemy  now  advanced 
boldly  to  defeat  his  purpose,  but  were  re- 
ceived by  the  mounted  American  riflemen, 
who  broke  entirely  through  them,  killing 
some,  and  taking  a number  of  prisoners. 

This  defeat  drew  out  the  British  in  such 
force,  that  the  party  engaged  in  destroy- 
ing the  bridge  was  compelled  to  fall  back 
upon  the  main  body.  Sumter,  believing 
that  the  enemy  had  marched  out  to  give 
him  battle,  retired  behind  a defile  at  a 
little  distance  in  the  rear,  and  prepared 
to  receive  the  attack  in  the  most  advan- 
tageous position. 

But  the  British  colonel  had  no  such 
purpose.  In  proportion  as  the  confidence 
of  the  Americans  rose  in  the  conflict,  that 
of  the  invaders  invariably  fell.  The  de- 
sign of  Coates  was  simply  to  wear  out  the 
day.  With  the  approach  of  evening,  he 
accumulated  the  stores  of  the  garrison 
within  the  church,  and  then  set  them  on 
fire,  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  hands 
of  the  Americans.  During  the  night,  the 
British  decamped,  taking  the  road  to  the 
eastward  by  Wad  boo  and  Quinby. 
j As  soon  as  the  flames  were  ob- 

served bursting  through  the  roof 
of  the  sacred  edifice,  and  Sumter  had  thus 
discovered  the  departure  of  the  enemy, 
he  led  out  his  troops  in  pursuit;  but,  un- 
fortunately, Lieutenant  Singleton,  Avith  a 
piece  of  artillery,  was  ordered  to  remain 
upon  the  ground,  that  he  might  not  de- 
lay the  movements  of  the  infantry.  Lee 
and  his  legion,  with  Colonel  Hampton, 
Avere  in  advance,  until,  having  passed  the 
WadboOjthey  discovered  that  tlie  cavali-y 
of  the  enemy  had  separated  from  the  in- 
fantry, and  had  taken  the  route  to  the 


right.  Hampton  accordingly  diverged  in 
this  direction,  urging  his  panting  horses  to 
the  utmost,  in  the  hope  of  overtaking  the 
dragoons  before  they  could  effect  their 
passage  of  the  river.  In  this  he  Avas  un 
successful,  and  only  returned  to  Avitness 
the  equally  fortunate  e.scape  of  the  ene- 
my’s infantiy,  the  only  remaining  object 
of  pursuit. 

Marion’s  cavalry  had  in  the  meantime 
joined  that  of  Lee,  and,  after  a quick  run 
of  eighteen  miles,  they  came  up,  about  a 
mile  to  the  north  of  Quinby  creek,  Avith 
the  rear-guard  of  the  retreating  army, 
consisting  of  one  hundred  men.  These, 
being  composed  of  raAV  recruits,  Avere  so 
frightened  at  the  approach  of  the  cavalry 
in  furious  onset,  as  to  be  almost  incapable 
of  the  power  of  resistance.  They  threw 
doAvn  their  arms  Avithout  firing  a gun,  and 
begged  for  quarter,  Avhich  was  granted 
them. 

Colonel  Coates,  having  crossed  Quinby 
bridge  Avith  his  main  body,  had  already 
commenced  its  demolition,  and  Avas  only 
aAvaiting  the  passage  of  the  rear-guard  and 
his  baggage  to  complete  its  destruction. 
The  planks  Avhich  covered  the  bridge  were 
loosened  from  their  sleepers,  and  a ho\A^- 
itzer,  at  its  opposite  extremity,  Ava,s  so 
placed  as  to  protect  the  party  engaged 
in  throwing  them  off  At  this  moment. 
Captain  Armstrong,  Avith  the  advance  sec- 
tion of  Lee’s  horse  came  dashing  up.  As 
the  rear-guard  had  been  overcome  with- 
out any  fight,  no  alarm -gun  had  been 
fired,  and  no  express  had  been  sent  to  ap- 
prize the  British  commander  of  l.is  dan- 
ger. Thus  taken  by  surprise,  he  Avas  al- 
j most  Avholly  unprepared  for  defence.  The 


876  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ir. 

1 

panic  oy  which  he  had  lost  one  important 

the  rush  of  their  horses,  Armstrong  and 

part  of  his  force,  had  nearly  involved  the 

his  troopers  had  displaced  some  of  the 

destruction  of  the  remainder. 

loose  planks  of  the  bridge.  This  left  a 

He  happened,  however,  fortunately  for 

gap,  over  which  Lieutenant  Carrington 

himself,  to  be  at  the  bridge  w'hen  the  cav- 

and  the  second  section  of  Lee’s  dragoons 

airy  of  the  Americans  came  rushing  into 

were  obliged  to  leap,  as  they  spurred  on 

view.  His  main  body  was  at  this  moment 

to  the  succor  of  their  comrades.  Colonel 

partly  on  the  causeway,  on  the  south  side 

Lee  himself  now  came  up  with  his  third 

of  the  bridge,  and  partly  pressed  into  a 

section  ; but,  as  the  gap  had  been  much 

lane  beyond  it.  Thus  crowded,  they  were 

enlarged,  the  horses  faltered,  and  refused 

wholly  disabled  for  immediate  action ; but 

to  take  it.  Maham,  however,  at  the  head 

Coates  nevertheless  coolly  prepared  him- 

of  Marion’s  men,  feeling  the  halt,  charged 

self,  as  well  as  he  might,  to  remedy  the 

by  the  legionary  cavalry;  but  the  death 

difficulties  of  his  situation,  and  make  his 

of  his  steed  arrested  his  progress.  Cap- 

resistance  as  effectual  as  possible.  Orders 

tain  McCauley,  who  led  his  front  section, 

were  despatched  to  his  troops  on  the  ad- 

pressed  on,  passed  over  the  fearful  chasm. 

vance  to  halt,  form,  and  march  up,  while 

and  joined  in  the  fierce  hand-to-hand  melee 

the  artillerists  were  called  to  the  howit- 

that  was  going  on  upon  the  causeway  be- 

zer,  and  the  fatigue-party  to  the  renewal 

yond.  The  stream  was  too  deep  and  the 

of  their  labors  for  the  destruction  of  the 

banks  too  muddy  to  attempt  to  ford,  and 

bridge. 

Lee  was  obliged  to  retire,  while  Carring- 

If  the  situation  of  the  British  was  thus 

ton,  Armstrong,  and  McCauley,  wmre  thus 

perilous,  that  of  the  pursuing  Americans 

bravely  struggling  with  the  enemy  within 

for  a time  became  scarcely  less  so.  The 

his  sight  on  the  opposite  side. 

planks  sliding  into  the  water,  and  the 

The  narrow  causew.ay  was  now  crowd- 

open  jaws  of  the  howitzer,  ready  to  send 

ed,  and  a confused  and  desperate  encoun- 

destruction  into  their  crowded  ranks,  left 

ter  ensued.  Some  of  the  wmrking-party, 

them  little  time  for  deliberation.  Pres- 

snatching  up  their  guns,  delivered  a sin- 

sing  upon  each  other,  a dense  mass  upon 

gle  fire,  and  then  fled.  Two  of  Lee’s  dra- 

a narrow  causew^ay,  they  felt  that  the 

goons  fell  dead  at  the  mouth  of  the  how- 

withdrawal  of  the  enemy’s  fatigue-party 

itzer,  and  several  were  badly  wmunded. 

from  the  bridge  would  be  the  signal  for 

Still,  the  others  remained  unhurt.  Colo- 

applying  the  lighted  port-fire  to  the  how- 

nel  Coates,  with  his  officers,  covered  by  a 

itzer.  A moment  longer,  and  the  iron 

wagon,  opposed  them  with  their  swords; 

hail  would  have  mowed  down  their  col- 

while  the  British  infantry,  having  formed, 

\imns ! 

hastened  forward  to  find  an  opening  in 

Armstronsr  saw  the  danger,  and  availed 

which  they  might  display. 

himself  of  the  single  moment  that  was 

In  the  meanwhile,  some  of  Lee’s  men 

left  him.  Dashing  across  the  bridge,  he 

were  eima^ed  with  Maham  and  Doctor  Ir- 

O O 

drove  the  artillerists  from  their  gun.  In 

ving,  his  surgeon,  in  replacing  the  planks 

REVOLUTIONAUY.J  CONFLICT  AT  SHUBRICK’S  PLANTATION.  877 


upon  the  bridge,  so  as  to  enable  the  rest 
of  the  force  to  cross  to  the  relief  of  the 
few  brave  men  who  bad  already  effected 
tbeir  passage. 

At  this  moment,  Armstrong,  Carring- 
ton,and  M‘Cauley,found  tbemselvesalone. 
Tlieir  men  bad  failed  to  cross  the  bridge 
while  the  passage  was  available,  and,  of 
the  few  by  whom  they  bad  been  followed, 
but  a single  soldier  was  left.  Coates  and 
bis  officers  occupied  the  causeway,  pro- 
tected by  a wagon  in  front,  and,  until  the 
planks  which  be  bad  succeeded  in  casting 
from  the  sleepers  could  be  restored,  they 
could  hope  for  no  assistance  from  tbeir 
countrymen.  Had  they  been  promptly 
followed,  the  enemy  might  have  been  cut 
in  pieces.  Now,  they  beheld  nothing  but 
the  seeming  certainty  of  tbeir  own  fate. 

The  resolution  of  these  brave  men,  in 
this  predicament,  was  equally  prompt  and 
decided  with  that  by  which  they  bad  be- 
come involved  in  it,  and  they  saw  that 
tbeir  only  hope  of  escape  was  in  instant 
flight.  They  knew  that  they  should  be 
safe  from  the  fire  of  the  enemy  in  front 
as  long  as  Coates  and  his  officers  were  in 
the  rear.  Accordingly,  putting  spurs  to 
their  horses,  they  dashed  through  the  con- 
fused throng  still  flying  along  the  cause- 
way, rapidly  passed  over  it,  gained  the 
shelter  of  the  woods,  and,  wheeling  to  the 
left,  made  their  w'ay  along  the  bank  of 
the  stream,  until  they  reached  a ford,  by 
which  they  succeeded  in  returning  safely 
to  the  opposite  side. 

Colonel  Coates  now  completed  the  de- 
struction of  the  bridge,  and  pressed  for- 
ward v/ith  his  whole  force  to  the  neigh- 
boring plantation  of  Shubrick.  Here,  in 


the  dwellinghouse,  outhouses,  negro  huts, 
and  behind  the  fences,  he  stationed  his 
men,  and  awaited  the  detachment  under 
I Sumter.  The  Americans,  being  obliged 
I to  make  a long  circuit  before  reaching  a 
i ford,  did  not  come  up  until  three  o’clock 

I ^ ^ 

I in  the  afternoon.  Sumter  found 
I , , , July  17. 

tlie  enemy  drawn  up  and  ready 

] to  receive  him.  As  the  American  force 
consisted  chiefly  of  riflemen  and  cavalry, 
and  very  few  had  bayonets,  it  would  have 
been  madness  to  advance  directly  to  the 
attack.  The  precedent  of  King’s  mount- 
ain furnished  the  partisan  with  his  order 
of  battle.  Accordingly,  on  reaching  the 
ground,  he  formed  his  men  into  three  di- 
visions, his  own  brigade  composing  the 
one,  and  Marion’s  (at  that  time  much  re- 
duced) the  other  two.  Tlie  former,  led 
by  Colonels  Middleton,  Polk,  Taylor,  and 
Lacy,  was  ordered  to  advance  under  cover 
of  a range  of  negro-huts,  and  take  posses- 
sion of  them;  and  the  latter  to  the  right, 
and  within  short  gunshot  of  the  building 
which  the  British  occupied  in  force,  and 
there  was  no  shelter  against  their  fire 
except  the  open  rail-fences.  The  cavalry 
of  Lee  was  held  back  as  a reserve,  and  to 
cover  the  retreat  should  it  be  nece.ssary. 

The  several  parties  moved  to  the  attack 
with  alacrity.  Sumter’s  men  soon  gained 
their  object,  took  possession  of  the  negro- 
huts,  and  under  their  cover,  were  enabled 
to  keep  up  a secure  and  efiective  fire  with 
their  rifles.  Colonel  Taylor,  with  a small 
command  of  foi  ty-five  men,  pressed  for- 
ward to  the  fences  on  the  enemy’s  left, 
whence  he  poured  in  a volley.  This  drew 
upon  him  the  British  bayonet,  which  com- 
pelled him  to  retire 


878 


BATTLES  OF  AIMERICA. 


[part  ]I. 


Marion’s  brigade  had  much  harder  and 
more  perilous  work  before  it.  As  the 
men  advanced  to  the  rescue  of  Taylor’s 
command,  under  none  but  the  slight  cov- 
er of  the  rail-fences,  they  were  greatly 
exposed,  but  kept  pushing  on  spiritedly, 
until  the  enemy  were  driven  into  the  va- 
rious buildings.  From  within  these,  and 
from  a picketed  garden,  the  Bi'itish  tnain- 
tained  the  conflict  till  the  sun  was  down. 
The  Americans,  having  no  artillery  with 
them,  and  finding  their  ammunition  al- 
most entirely  exhausted,  were  obliged  to 
retire,  after  a contest  of  three  hours,  in 
which  they  lost  forty  men  in  killed  and 
wounded.  All  those  killed  in  the  action 
were  of  Marion’s  men.  The  British  loss 
was  seventy  killed.  Their  force  nearly 
doubled  that  of  the  Americans,  and  was 
composed  chiefly  of  Irish  troops,  but  for 
whose  inexperience  in  the  use  of  firearms 
the  loss  of  Marion’s  men  must  have  been 
far  more  severe  than  it  was. 

Sumter  drew  off  his  force  in  excellent 
order,  and,  having  repaired  the  bridge  at 
Quinby,  sent  for  his  artillery  and  a supply 
of  ammunition,  with  the  view  of  return- 
ing to  the  attack.  In  the  meantime,  the 
men  of  Marion’s  brigade,  finding  that  they 
iiad  been  the  chief  losers  in  the  conflict, 
began  to  complain  loudly  that  the  brunt 
of  the  battle  had  been  imposed  upon  them, 
while  Sumter  had  favored  his  own  men 
by  placing  them  under  shelter.  This  gave 
rise  to  such  discontent,  that  the  separate 
divisions  refused  to  act  any  longer  togeth- 
er, and  Sumter  ihus  found  his  command 
entirely  disorganized.  He  would,  never- 
theless, have  again  sought  the  enemy  at 
Shubrick’s  jjlantation,  but  he  was  not  only 


still  short  of  ammunition,  but  also  feared 
the  approach  of  Lord  Rawdon,  who  was 
reported  to  be  advancing  from  Orange- 
burg. He  therefore  made  his  way,  with 
all  speed,  to  the  camp  of  General  Greene, 
on  the  “ High  hills”  of  the  Santee,  where 
Colonel  Lee  had  gone  in  advance  of  him. 

The  British  lost,  in  the  several  en(ra<>'e- 
ments  of  the  expedition,  apart  from  the 
slain  and  wounded  (the  numbers  of  whom 
could  never  be  accurately  known),  nearly 
two  hundred  prisoners,  including  nine 
commissioned  officers,  a large  quantity  of 
valuable  stores,  wagons,  and  horses,  and 
— a prize  no  less  rare  than  valuable  in  the 
eyes  of  the  starving  Americans — seven 
hundred  and  twenty  guineas,  taken  in  the 
paymaster’s  chest,  with  the  baggage,  at 
Quinby  bridge. 

The  expedition  of  Sumter,  though  not 
as  successful  as  it  might  have  been  — for 
Coates’s  entire  command  mighthave  been 
captured  — was  of  the  highest  service,  as 
it  inspired  the  country  with  a wholesome 
confidence  in  its  native  valor.  The  troops 
actually  engaged  in  the  attack  on  Colo- 
nel Coates  were  almost  exclusively  South- 
Carolina  militia,  and  they  displayed,  with 
the  vivacious  audacity  of  the  partisan,  the 
firm,collected  resolution  of  the  drilled  vet- 
eran.* 

While  General  Greene  lay  at  the  hills, 
a large  portion  of  his  men  were  on  the 
sick-list,  and  repose  was  therefore  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  their  recovery.  But 
this  repose  did  not  imply  idleness.  To 
discipline  his  troops,  no  less  than  to  re- 
store the  sick,  was  a leading  object  of  the 
commander.  His  mind  was  occupied  with 

♦ Simms. 


! 


r 

REVOLCTIONART.I  DEPARTURE  OF 

LORD  RAWDON.  870 

the  necessity  ofgrappling, on  better  terms 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Stewart  succeeded 

of  equality,  with  the  two  able  British  gen- 

his  lordship  in  the  command  at  Orange- 

erals  with  whom  he  had  already  tried  his 

burg,  but  toward  the  close  of  July  shifted 

strength.  His  earnest  desire  was  to  drive 

his  post  to  the  south  side  of  the  Congaree, 

Lord  Rawdon  to  Cliarles'ton,  and  confine 

near  its  junction  with  the  Wateree.  Thus 

him  within  the  limits  of  that  city.  This 

the  two  armies  were  only  fifteen  miles 

would  enable  him  to  turn  his  arms  against 

apait,  and  within  sight  of  each  other’s 

Cornwallis,  or  at  least  contribute  to  the 

watch-fires  ; but  two  rivers  and  innurr.cr- 

detention  of  that  formidable  commander 

able  swamps  intervened,  and  the  ex.es- 

in  Virginia.  But  the  business  pressing 

sive  heat  during  the  height  of  the  sum- 

on  the  hands  of  Greene  proved  too  vari- 

mer  served  to  prevent  immediate  hcstil- 

ous,  and  his  resources  too  few,  for  the  ac- 

ities. 

complishment  of  his  designs;  and,  fortu- 

Though  the  regular  soldier  was  repo- 

nately  for  the  cause  of  American  liberty. 

sing  for  awhile  on  his  anus,  blood  was  still 

Cornwallis  found  other  foes,  too  numer- 

flowing  freely.  “ The  whole  country,” 

ous  for  his  safety  or  escape,  in  the  state 

wrote  General  Greene,  “ is  one  continued 

which  he  had  invaded. 

scene  of  blood  and  slaughter.”  The  civil 

In  the  meantime,  Marion,  with  his  bri- 

strife  among  the  patriots  and  the  royal- 

gade,  returning  to  his  old  field  of  opera- 

ists  raged  with  unwonted  fuiy.  Houses 

tions,  traversed  the  borders  of  the  Santee 

were  burnt,  property  destroyed,  and  even 

with  a success  and  an  activity  that  did 

the  women  and  children  were  not  spared. 

not  suffer  diminution  because  of  the  in- 

while  the  strong  men  were  engaged  in 

tense  heats  of  August.  lie  was  still  the 

their  fierce  partisan  conflicts.  “No  Ian- 

same  cautious  but  enterprising,  bold,  yet 

guage,”  says  Simms,  “can  do  justice  to. 

vigilant  captain  — always  in  motion,  and 

and  visit  with  proper  execration,  the  do- 

always  successful  — that  he  had  shown 

ings  of  that  dismal  civil  war,  which  deso- 

himself  from  the  first.  His  contempora- 

lated  the  fair  fields  of  Carolina,  and  del- 

ry,  Sumter,  at  the  same  time,  with  equal 

ug-ed  her  dwelling’s  with  the  tears  and 

activity,  returned  to  the  Ninety-Six  dis- 

blood  of  her  children In  the  single  dis- 

trict,  where  the  sanguinary  war  of  whig 

trict  of  Ninety-Six  there  were  no  less  than 

and  tory  had  been  renewed  among  the 

fourteen  hundred  ividows  and  orphans  made 

inhabitants  with  great  ferocity. 

by  this  savage  ivarfare !” 

Sumter’s  incursion  into  the  low  coun- 

The  animosity  which  prevailed  was  ex- 

try  induced  Lord  Rawdon  to  give  up  his 

cited  to  a still  greater  degree  by  the  cruel 

command  in  the  field,  and  proceed  rap- 

execution  of  Colonel  Isaac  Hayne,an  emi- 

idly  to  Charleston,  where  he  only  stayed 

nent  and  beloved  citizen  of  South  Caro- 

long  enough  to  sully  his  military  honors 

lina,  a planter  of  good  family  and  educa- 

by  many  shameful  and  sanguinary  acts. 

tion,  and  highly  esteemed  for  his  amiable 

and  then,  taking  his  final  departure  from 

manners  and  unblemished  character.  At 

South  Carolina,  sailed  for  Europe. 

the  siege  of  Charleston,  he  commanded  a 

— 

88Q  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

troop  of  horse,  and  served  ineanwliile  as 
a senator  in  the  state  legislature.  Ilis 
corps  of  cavalry,  which  operated  in  the 
rear  of  the  British  army,  and  not  within 
the  city,  did  not  share  in  the  general  cap- 
tivity of  the  citizens  in  the  fall  of  Charles- 
ton, but  was  supposed  to  be  included  in 
its  terms  of  capitulation.  His  men  being 
disbanded,  Hajme  returned  with  his  fam- 
ily to  the  privacy  of  his  plantation.  The 
British  traversed  the  state,  and  declared 
it  to  be  conquered.  In  the  meantime,  a 
military  government  was  established  over 
it,  and  successive  commandants  were  ap- 
pointed for  the  administration  of  its  af- 
fairs, who,  under  Governor  Bull,  exercised 
dictatorial  powers.  Among  the  most  con- 
spicuous of  these  was  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Balfour,  the  commandant  of  Charleston, 
a vain  man,  proud  of  his  authority,  and 
solicitous  of  its  exercise  — a sycophant  to 
the  great,  and  a tyrant  to  the  humble. 

Under  the  despotic  system  of  govern- 
ment thus  inaugurated,  there  was  only 
one  mode  left  for  safety  to  those  unhap- 
py Carolinians  who,  still  devoted  to  their 
country’s  liberties,  were  yet  liable  to  be 
torn  and  tortured  through  the  bosom  of 
their  exposed  and  suffering  familie.s.  This 
was  to  accept  of  the  protection  of  British 
power  against  the  aggravated  excesses  of 
their  own  infatuated  countrymen.  This 
protection  was  granted  only  to  those  who 
claimed  it  as  British  subjects. 

To  this  wretched  necessity  w'as  Colonel 
Ilayne  soon  reduced.  A mean  artifice 
of  a British  officer  seduced  him  from  his 
plantation  to  the  city,  where  he  was  close- 
ly imprisoned,  and  olitained  his  release 
from  this  duress,  at  the  call  of  his  dying 

wife  and  of  bis  children,  only  by  subscri- 
bing a declaration  to  the  British  crown. 
This  he  did,  though  not  without  expres.sly 
excepting  to  that  clause  which  required 
him  with  his  arms  to  support  the  royal 
government ; and  he  received  a verbal  as- 
surance that  such  services  would  never 
be  required  at  his  hand.s.  “ When  the 
regular  forces  of  his  majesty,”  w'ere  the 
words  of  the  British  officers,  “ need  the 
aid  of  the  inhabitants  for  the  defence  of 
the  province,  it  will  be  high  time  for  them 
to  leave  it.”  But,  owing  to  the  various 
successes  of  the  Americans,  they  required 
this  aid  much  sooner  than  they  imagined. 

Hayne,  having  made  his  peace  with  the 
British  government  on  the  only  terms 
which  it  would  admit,  had  scarcely  re- 
turned to  his  plantation,  where  he  received 
the  last  breath  of  a dying  wife,  and  buried 
a second  one  of  his  children,  when  he  was 
peremptorily  required  to  join  the  royal 
standard  ! 

Ills  resolution  was  that  of  the  patriot. 
Forced  to  draw  the  sword,  he  drew  it  in 
behalf  of  his  country.  He  repaired  to  the 
American  camp,  recruited  his  troop,  and 
commenced  a career  which  was  destined 
to  be  as  short  as  it  was  spirited.  By  a 
sudden  dash  which  he  made  upon  the 
quarterhouse,  an  outpost  of  the  enemy  in 
the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Charles- 
ton, he  succeeded  in  making  General  Wil- 
liamson a prisoner. 

This  man  was  a traitor  to  the  state,  and 
his  life  was  forfeited  to  the  gallows.  To 
rescue  him  from  this  probable  fate,  the 
British  commandant  in  the  city  ordered 
out  his  whole  cavalry,  which  succeeded 
in  overtaking  Hayne’s  party,  dispersed  it, 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  EXECUTION  OF  COLONEL  IIAYNE.  881 


and  rescued  Williamson.  Unfortunately, 
Colonel  Hayne  also  fell  into  their  hands. 

He  was  carried  to  Charleston,  and  kept 
in  close  custody  until  Earl  Rawdon,  leav- 
ing Stewart  at  Orangeburg,  arrived  in  the 
city.  Hayne  was  then  brought  before  a 
court  of  inquiry.  The  members  of  the 
court  upon  this  examination  were  not 
sworn,  nor  were  the  witnesses;  yet,in  con- 
sequence of  this  examination, “Lord  Raw- 
don and  the  commandant,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Nesbitt  Balfour, resolved  upon  his 
execution,  for  having  been  found  under 
arms,  and  employed  in  raising  a regiment 
to  oppose  the  British  government,  though 
he  had  become  a subject,  and  accepted 
the  protection  of  that  government  after 
the  reduction  of  Charleston.” 

Such  were  the  terms  and  reasons  for 
this  decision,  which  was  ordered  to  be  car- 
ried into  effect  two  days  after.  This  sud- 
den, unlooked-for,  and  unjust  sentence, 
was  equally  unexpected  by  the  prisoner 
himself  and  by  the  citizens.  It  was  not 
supposed  that  a mere  court  of  inquiry 
could  be  resolved  into  one  of  final  trial 
and  condemnation.  The  men  of  the  city, 
including  many  British  and  loyalist  resi- 
dents, with  Governor  Bull  at  their  head, 
pleaded  in  his  behalf;  the  women  peti- 
tioned in  person,  and  with  his  little  chil- 
dren implored  on  bended  knees  for  remis- 
sion of  the  sentence ; but  Rawdon  and 
Balfour  were  inexorable.  It  has  likewise 
been  suggested  that  Hayne  was  only  a 
chosen  sacrifice  to  the  manes  of  the  vic- 
tim of  Arnold’s  treachery.  Balfour  en- 
dorsed one  of  the  petitions,  offered  in  be- 
half of  Hayne,  with  the  two  words,  Major 
Andrei  The  unhappy  man  was  less  moved 
111 


than  his  fellow-citizens  and  friends.  He 
expressed  no  alarm  at  the  event,  and  only 
requested  the  existing  authorities  to  ac- 
commodate the  mode  of  his  execution  to 
a soldier’s  feelings ; but  this  was  denied 
him,  and  he  perished  on  the  scaffold. 

The  proceedings  in  his  case  were  obvi- 
ously parallel  to  those  of  Andre.  Attend- 
ed by  thousands  ofspectators, gloomy  and 
sad  as  by  an  impending  calamity  to  them- 
selves, he  walked  to  the  place  of  doom. 
His  carriage  was  firm,  manly,  and  unos- 
tentatious. To  his  eldest  son,  a lad  about 
thirteen  years  of  age,  on  the  morning  of 
the  fatal  day,  he  delivered  all  the  papers 
which  were  connected  with  his  fate,  and 
gave  his  final  instructions  as  to  the  dis- 
position of  his  remains.  Ascending  the 
scaffold,  he  parted  from  his  friends  with 
the  simple  assurance  that  he  would  en- 
deavor to  show  them  “ how  an  American 
should  die  ;”  and,  with  that  unshaken  res- 
olution which  had  distinguished  his  de- 
portment throughout  the  painful  scene, 
he  himself  gave  the  signal  which  hurried 
him  into  eternity. 

The  execution  of  Hayne  greatly  an- 
gered the  whole  country.  General  Greene 
himself  determined  to  revenge  the  out- 
rage, and  wrote:  “It  is  my  intention  to 
demand  the  reasons  of  the  colonel’s  beimj 
put  to  death  ; and  if  they  are  unsatisfac- 
tory, as  I expect  they  will  be,  to  publish 
my  intention  of  giving  no  quarters  to 
British  officers,  of  any  rank,  that  fall  into 
our  hands.” 

Unsatisfied  by  the  explanations  which 
were  offered  by  the  British  commander, 
Greene  subsequently  issued  a proclama- 
tion, in  which  he  declared  it  to  be  his  res- 


882 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PAKT  H. 


olute  purpose  “ to  in<ake  reprisals  for  all 
such  inhuman  insults  as  often  as  they 
take  place.”  This  proclamation  was  in- 
duced by  the  voluntary  self-devotion  of 
all  the  officers  of  the  southern  army,  who 
met  together  and  addressed  a memorial 
to  the  general-in-chief,  in  which,  after  de- 
claring what  had  reached  their  ears  of  the 
enormous  cruelties  practised  by  the  Brit- 
ish, and  of  the  bloody  execution  which 
has  just  been  recorded,  they  recommend 
measures  of  immediate  retaliation  by  a 
similar  treatment  of  all  British  subjects ; 
avowing  their  perfect  readiness  to  abide 
by  a recommendation  which, in  the  event 
of  capture,  at  once  placed  themselves  en- 
tirely without  the  pale  of  mercy  from  the 
enemy.  “ But,”  concludes  this  noble  doc- 
ument, “ we  had  rather  commit  ourselves 
to  the  most  desperate  situations  than  pros- 
ecute this  just  and  necessary  war  upon 
terms  so  dishonorable.” 

Fortunately  for  the  cause  of  humanity, 
but  a little  time  elapsed  after  this  when 
the  policy  of  the  war  rendered  unneces- 
sary the  adoption  of  such  rigorous  meas- 
ures. Still,  the  American  general  wore 
the  countenance  of  one  who  was  inflexible 
in  his  determination.  A very  few  days 
after  the  execution  of  Hayne,  Marion’s 
cavalry  captured  three  British  officers 
with  an  enemy’s  party;  and  the  affair  of 
the  Eutaw  placed  in  the  hands  of  Greene 
a prisoner  sufficiently  distinguished  to 
awaken  all  the  apprehensions  of  Balfour 
for  his  safety.* 

General  Greene  was  disappointed  of  his 
expected  reinforcements.  Wayne,  with 
bis  Pennsylvanians,  had  been  held  back 

* Siraius. 


by  Washington,  who  reserved  him  for  the 
more  important  field  of  action  at  York- 
town.  Only  five  hundred  of  the  three 
thousand  five  hundred  North-Carolinians 
promised  had  come  forward,  and  these 
were  without  arms.  The  seven  hundred 
mountaineers  from  beyond  the  Allegha- 
nies,  under  Colonel  Shelby,  of  Virginia, 
had  turned  back,  under  the  supposition 
that  Greene  was  too  strong  to  need  them. 
General  Sumter,  being  ill  and  displeased, 
had  retired  from  the  service,  leaving  but 
a small  remnant  of  his  band,  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Henderson.  The 
patience  of  Greene  was  exhausted.  ‘‘We 
must  have  victory  or  ruin !”  was  the  em- 
phatic expression  of  his  eagerness  to  be 
on  the  move. 

The  partisan  corps,  however,  had  not 
been  idle  during  this  repose  of  the  main 
body  upon  the  “ benign”  hills  of  the  San- 
tee. Colonel  Washington  had  been  doing 
effective  service  in  the  country  bordering 
on  the  lower  Santee,  in  which  be  cap- 
tured two  bodies  of  the  enemy’s  horse. 
Colonels  Lee  and  Henderson, crossing  the 
Congaree  with  their  cavalry,  penetrated 
between  the  main  body  of  the  British  ar- 
my and  the  post  at  Orangeburg,  and,  in 
sight  of  the  latter  place,  drove  in,  dis- 
persed, and  captured,  several  of  their  de- 
tachments. Equally  active  with  these  of- 
ficers were  Marion  and  Maham,  together 
with  Harden  and  his  mounted  militia, 
in  covering  the  low  country  beyond  the 
Edisto. 

Greene,  speaking  of  his  cavalry  in  these 
expeditions,  asserts  it  to  be  unexcelled  by 
an}^  in  the  world.  In  this  guerilla  ser 
vice  the  Americans  soon  proved  their  su 


1 

'i«:voLCTiONART._  MOVEMENTS  OF  GREENE  AND  STEWART.  88-3 

perior  activity.  Colonel  Stewart,  having 

a want  of  confidence  in  the  American  com 

i 

1 

his  communications  with  the  interior  thus 

mander,  encouraged  tlie  British.  Halting 

constantly  interrupted,  and  his  provisions 

upon  his  ground  at  Eutaw,  Stewart  pre- 

cut  off,  was  confined  to  the  sole  resource 

pared  to  meet  and  fight  his  enemy.  Hav- 

i 

of  getting  his  supplies  from  Charleston, 

ing  withdrawn  his  garrison  at  Orangeburg 

and  this  became  everyday  more  and  more 

(which  he  established  atFairlawn),  he  re- 

precarious.  For  every  wagon-load  of  pro- 

called  to  his  aid  that  which  had  been  sta- 

visions  he  paid  the  price  in  blood. 

tioned  at  the  latter  post  as  a foil  to  Ma- 

General  Greene,  having  resolved  upon 

rion.  This  movement  he  was  enabled  to 

^ action,  broke  up  his  camp  on  the 
Aiig.  22.  Santee,  crossed  the 

make  in  consequence  of  the  disappear- 
ance of  the  “ Swamp-Fox,”  who,  in  one  of 

Wateree  near  Camden,  then  the  Conga- 

his  secret  expeditions,  had  rapidly  crossed 

ree,  and,  moving  along  its  southern  bank. 

the  country  to  Pon-Pon,  where  Colonel 

finally  reached  Howell’s  ferry,  on  the  lat- 

Harden  was  closely  pressed  by  a British 

^ ter  river.  While  the  American 

force  of  five  hundred  men. 

! 

i 

general,  in  consequence  of  the 

To  pass  through  both  lines  of  the  ene- 

swollen  swamps  and  water-courses,  was 

my’s  communication  with  Charleston ; to 

obliged  to  make  this  extensive  circuit  of 

surprise,  defeat,  and  disperse  this  force. 

more  than  seventy  miles,  Stewart  took 

under  Major  Fraser,  numerically  superior 

the  occasion  to  fall  back  to  Eutaw  springs. 

to  his  own ; to  return  by  the  same  route, 

some  forty  miles  from  his  late  post,  and 

pass  the  Santee,  put  his  prisoners  in  safe- 

wdthin  about  sixty  of  Charleston,  in  order 

ty,  and  then  to  advance  upon  the  Eutaw, 

to  secure  a junction  with  some  reinforce- 
ments and  provisions  on  their  route  from 

where  he  effected  a junction  with 
the  main  army,  was  but  the  work 

that  city. 

of  a few  days  and  of  ordinary  effort  with 

The  British  commander  was  followed 

this  able  warrior. 

by  Colonel  Lee,  who  was  pushed  forward 

At  Lamson’s  place,  the  point  of  junc- 

to  watch  his  movements;  while  General 

tion  with  Marion,  General  Greene  left  be- 

Pickens,  with  the  state  militia,  and  Colo- 

hind  his  baggage  and  tents,  and  pushed 

nel  Henderson,  with  the  remnant  of  Sum- 
ter’s brigade,  advanced  with  a similar  ob- 

on  witli  greater  rapidity  until  he 
arrived  at  Burdell’s  tavern,  with- 

1 

ject  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  enemy’s 

in  seven  miles  of  the  enemy,  with  whom 

post  at  Orangeburg.  These  various  corps 

he  determined  to  try  liis  strength  on  the 

joined  the  main  army  of  the  Americans 

coming  morning. 

as  it  moved  slowly  down  the  south  bank 

The  general-in-chief,  with  his  usual  read- 

of  the  Congaree,  toward  the  old  post  at 

iness  to  share  the  hardshqis  of  the  com- 

Motte’s,  wliere  Greene,  having  resolved 

moil  soldier,  lay  down  that  night  upon  the 

upon  a discontinuance  of  the  pursuit,  de- 

bare  ground,  with  his  head  resting  upon 

lermined  to  await  the  progress  of  events. 

the  protruding  root  of  an  “ ancient  China- 

This  resolution,  as  it  seemed  to  indicate 

tree.” 

884  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  | part  it. 

1 

CHAPTER  CIII. 

Battle  of  Eutaw  Springs. — Comparative  Numbers. — Order  of  Battle. — The  Attack  begins. — The  British  Line. — The  tie- 

serve. — The  Struggle. — The  Militia  give  way. — Spirit  of  the  North-Carolinians. — A Fierce  Charge.— The  Marylanders 
and  Virginians. — Fixed  Bayonets. — Desperate  Resistance  of  the  Enem}'. — Colonel  Washington  and  his  Troopers  suf- 
fer.— Washington  receives  a Wound. — Heaps  of  Dead  and  Wounded. — The  Militia  at  the  Rum-Casks. — Sally  of  the 
Enemy. — General  Greene  in  Possession  of  the  Field  of  Battle. — A Disputed  Victory. — Death  of  Colonel  Campbell. — 

“I  die  content.” — The  Prisoners. — Major  Barry. — An  Undignified  Lift. — “The  Very  Man.” — Colonel  Stewart  at 
Monk’s  Corner. — Greene  on  the  Hills  of  the  Santee. — Close  of  the  Campaign  in  Carolina. 

Next  morning,  at  the  early  hour 
I78li  ^ 

of  four,  the  American  troops  Avere 

Avas  unsuspected.  The  only  patrol  had 
been  enptured  during  the  night;  and  so 

on  the  march  to  attack  the  enemy.  Gen- 

entirely  secure  did  Stewart  esteem  him- 

eral  Greene’s  force  was  small,  amounting 

self  in  his  position,  that  an  unarmed  par- 

to  only  two  thousand  men.  That  of  the 

ty  of  a hundred  men  had  been  sent  out 

British  numbered  twenty-three  hundred. 

to  gather  sweet  potatoes. 

The  former  had  the  superiority  in  cavtd- 

Two  deserters  from  Greene’s  army  con- 

ry,  the  latter  in  general  discipline  as  well 

veyed  to  the  British  commander  the  first 

as  in  numbers. 

Greene  led  on  his  troops  in 
Sept.  8.  columns.  The  first,  com- 

intelligence  of  the  approach  of  the  Amer- 
icans ; and  Captain  Coffin,  at  the  head  of 
his  cavalry,  Avas  sent  out,  as  Avell  to  recall 

posed  of  the  militia  of  North  and  South 

the  “potato-rooting”  party,  as  to  recon- 

Carolina,  Avas  commanded  by  Marion  and 

noitre  the  Americans  and  cover  the  par- 

Pickens,  and  Colonel  de  Malmedy.  The 

ty.  When  the  American  advance  had  ar- 

second,  comprising  the  continental  troops 

rived  Avithin  four  miles  of  the  enemy’s 

from  North  Carolina,  Virginia,  and  Mary- 

camp,  it  Avas  encountered  by  the  detach- 

land,  AA’ere  led  on  by  General  Sumner, 

ment  of  horse  and  foot,  about  tAvo  hundred 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell,  and  Colo- 

strong,  under  Coffin,  Avho  charged  it  at 

nel  Otho  Williams.  Lee,  Avith  his  legion, 

once  Avith  a confidence  Avhich  shoAved  his 

covered  the  right  flank  ; and  Henderson, 

ignorance  of  its  strength,  and  of  the  great- 

with  the  troops  of  Sumter,  the  left.  Colo- 

er  force  of  which  it  Avas  the  precursor. 

nel  Washington,  Avith  his  cavalry,  and  Cap- 

He  Avas  quickly  repulsed  by  the  Ameri- 

tain  Kirkwood,  with  the  DelaAvares,  com- 

cans,  who  charged  briskly  in  turn,  killed 

posed  the  reserve.  Two  pieces  of  artil- 

several,  took  forty  prisoners,  and  put  the 

lery  moved  at  the  head  of  each  column. 

rest  to  flight.  The  firing  alarmed  the  po- 

So  completely  had  the  detached  par- 

tato-diggers,  Avho  all  fell  into  the  hands 

ties  of  the  Americans  cut  off  those  of  the 

of  the  Americans. 

British,  that  the  advance  of  their  army 

In  the  meantime,  Stewart  pushed  for 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  BATTLE  OF  EUTAW  SPRINGS.  885 


ward  a detachment  of  infantry,  in  order 
to  keep  the  Americans  employed  while 
he  prepared  for  battle.  But  Greene,  per- 
suaded by  the  audacity  of  Coffin  that  his 
party  formed  the  van  of  the  British,  im- 
mediately halted  and  formed  his  troops 
for  action,  in  two  lines,  which  was  readily 
effected  fi  om  the  line  of  march.  The  col- 
umn of  militia,  when  displayed,  composed 
the  first;  the  South-Caroliuians,  in  equal 
divisions,  being  on  the  right  and  left,  and 
the  North-Caroliniaiis  in  the  centre.  Ma- 
rion commanded  the  right,  Pickens  the 
left,  and  Colonel  de  Malmedy  the  centre. 
The  continentals  formed  the  second  line, 
with  the  Virginian, s,  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Campbell,  on  the  right;  the  Ma- 
rylanders, under  Williams  and  Howard, 
on  the  left;  and  the  North-Carolinians, 
under  Sumner,  in  the  centre.  Lee  and 
his  legion  covered  the  right  flank ; and 
Colonel  Henderson,  with  the  state  troop.s, 
including  Sumter’s  brigade,  the  left.  Colo- 
nel Washington,  with  his  cavalry,  and  the 
Delawares  of  Kirkwood,  under  cover  of 
the  adjoining  woods,  formed  the  reserve. 
Two  three-pounders  were  posted  in  front 
of  the  first  line,  and  two  sixes  in  the  same 
position  in  the  second. 

Thus  formed,  the  troops  marched  for- 
ward, but  slowly,  as  the  ground  was  cov- 
ered with  wood,  until  within  a mile  of 
the  enemy’s  camp,  when  they  encount- 
ered a strong  detachment  of  infantry. 
The  American  van,  however,  spiritedly 
attacked  this  advanced  body,  and  drove 
it  back  to  the  British  line,  which  Stewart 
in  tlie  meanwhile  had  drawn  up  for  bat- 
tle about  two  hundred  rods  west  of  the 
Eutaw  springs. 


The  Briti.sh  troops  Avere  arrayed  in  a 
single  line,  in  a wood.  Their  right  was 
composed  of  the  third  regiment  (“the 
Buffs”),  resting  on  the  Eutaw  creek  ; the 
remnant  of  Cruger’s  brave  royalists  was 
posted  in  the  centre  ; and  the  left,  formed 
of  the  veteran  sixty-third  and  sixty-fourth 
regiments, extended  acro.ss  the  Charleston 
road.  Major  Marjoribanks,  with  three  hun- 
dred choice  light-infantry,  was  posted  ir 
the  thickets  which  bordered  the  Eutaw 
creek,  so  as  to  cover  the  right,  and  watch 
the  flank  of  the  Americans,  should  it  be 
opened  at  any  time  to  attack.  The  ar- 
tillery was  distributed  along  the  line; 
and  a corps  of  reserve,  consisting  of  Cof- 
fin’s cavalry  and  a detachment  of  infanti  y, 
Avas  so  posted,  under  cover  of  the  Avood, 
as  to  support  the  left  and  command  the 
Charleston  road. 

At  a few  hundred  paces  in  the  rear  of 
the  line  Avere  some  cleared  fields,  Avhere 
the  tents  of  the  British  encampment  still 
remained  standing,  and  bounded  on  the 
north  by  the  creek  flowing  from  Eutaw 
spring.s.  This  creek  is  a bold  one,  having 
a high  bank,  thickly  bordered  Avith  brush 
and  undergrowth.  From  the  dAvelling 
house  on  the  premises  to  this  bank  ran  a 
garden  enclosed  Avith  palisades ; and  the 
AvindoAvs  of  the  house,  which  Avas  two  sto- 
ries high,  Avith  garret-rooms,  commanded 
the  entire  adjoining  fields.  The  house 
Avas  strongly  built  of  brick,  and  surround- 
ed Avith  the  usual  tenements  of  stables, 
outhouses,  and  barn,  the  latter  standimi- 
at  a short  distance  to  the  southeast  of  the 
dwelling. 

Tlie  Americans  approached  from  the 
west.  Their  large  superiority  in  cavalry 


J 


886 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PART  11. 


made  the  house  a point  of  great  impor- 
tance to  the  British  commander,  who  ac- 
cordingly gave  orders  to  Major  Sheridan 
to  occupy  it  at  the  first  symptom  of  de- 
feat, and  to  cover  the  army  from  tlie  up- 
per windows. 

The  American  front  line  pressed  on 
with  loud  shouts  after  the  enemy’s  re- 
tiring detachment  which  it  had  first  met, 
until  it  found  itself  engaged  with  the  en- 
tire British  line.  The  day  was  fair,  and 
intensely  hot;  but  the  action  opened  in 
a wood,  the  shade  of  which  afforded  some 
relief  to  the  combatants. 

The  battle  was  begun  with  great  spirit, 
and  the  carnage  was  severe.  The  field- 
pieces  on  both  sides  were  dismounted  ; 
and  the  struggle  was  manfully  sustained 
by  the  militia,  whose  valor  and  unflinch- 
ing perseverance,  amid  the  continued  fal- 
ling of  their  comrades  around  them,  won 
the  admiration  of  both  armies.  Unfalter- 
ingly they  stood  their  ground  until  they 
had  discharged  seventeen  rounds,  when 
they  gave  way  before  a general  move- 
ment of  the  enemy  in  advance. 

General  Sumner  now  came  up  with  the 
North  Carolina  regulars  of  the  second  line, 
who  made  such  an  impre.ssion  by  their 
spirited  onset  upon  the  enemy,  that  Colo- 
nel Stewart  was  compelled  to  bring  up 
the  infantry  of  his  reserve  on  his  left. 
The  engagement  between  these  two  fresh 
corps  now  became  hot.  At  length,  Sum- 
ner’s brigade,  after  sustaining  the  conflict 
with  numbers  far  superior  to  its  own,  also 
fell  back. 

Elated  at  this  result,  and  conceiving 
the  victory  to  be  sure,  the  British  rushed 
forward  in  pursuit,  and  their  line  in  con- 


sequence became  deranged.  At  this  im- 
portant crisi.s,  the  American  commander 
ordered  up  Williams  and  Campbell,  with 
the  Marylanders  and  Virginians,  to  the 
rescue,  and  to  sweep  the  field  with  their 
bayonets.  This  order  was  obeyed  Avith 
promptness ; the  two  brigades  received 
it  with  a shout,  and  advanced  with  a de- 
gree of  impatience  which  scarcely  heeded 
the  deliberate  and  measured  guidance  of 
their  officers.  When  within  thirty  yards 
of  the  enemy,  they  delivered  a destruc- 
tive fire,  and  the  whole  body,  with  trailed 
arms,  rushed  forward  to  the  charge,  ap- 
parently unmoved  bj^  the  stream  of  fire 
that  blazed  incessantly  before  them. 

Nothing  could  surpass  the  intrepidity 
of  both  officers  and  men  on  the  occasion. 
They  continued  to  press  firmly  on  with- 
out flinching  through  a heavy  shower  of 
cannon  and  musket  balls,  until  they  bore 
down  all  before  them.  The  enemy’s  ad- 
vanced left  recoiled  beneath  the  de.sper- 
ate  resolution  of  this  charge.  Their  dis- 
order became  visible,  and  Avas  confirmed 
by  the  prompt  movement  of  Colonel  Lee. 
Wheeling  the  legion  infantry  round  from 
its  position  on  the  extreme  right  flank,  he 
poured  in  upon  the  British  left  and  rear 
a close  enfilading  fire,  and  their  confusion 
became  irretrievable. 

Colonel  Henderson  was  Avounded  early 
in  the  action,  and,Avhile  the  command  Avas 
being  shifted  to  Colonel  Hampton,  the 
state  troops  became  momentarily  disor- 
dered, but  soon  recovered  themselves  and 
made  a spirited  charge,  in  Avhich  they 
took  a hundred  prisoners. 

The  British  troops  on  the  left  Avere 
now  put  to  total  rout,  and,  as  their  officers 


r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  AN  UNEXPECTED  REVERSE.  887 


strove  to  rally  them,  Colonel  Washington 
brought  np  his  reserve  and  prevented 
their  efforts  to  reform.  The  centre  and 
right  of  the  enemy  still  remained  much 
more  numerous  than  the  American,  and 
awaited  the  threatened  charge  with  a con- 
stancy that  seemed  unshaken.  But  the 
disorder  and  flight  of  the  left  had  its  ef- 
fect upon  the  other  divisions  of  the  army ; 
and  the  pressure  of  the  fugitives  from  the 
left  upon  the  centre,  imparted  a portion 
of  their  panic  to  the  rest  of  their  compan- 
ions. The  advance  of  the  Marylanders, 
at  this  lucky  moment,  helped  to  increase 
the  confusion  of  the  foe.  The  former  de- 
livered their  fire  with  deliberation  and 
fatal  effect,  and  the  enemy  yielded  along 
their  whole  front. 

Completely  triumphant,  as  they  now 
supposed  themselves,  the  Americans  pur- 
sued the  enemy  back  through  the  open 
fields,  and  strove  to  cut  them  off  from  the 
brick  house,  to  which  the  fugitives  natu- 
rally turned  their  eyes.  Successful  in  this, 
the  victory  would  have  been  complete;  for 
the  great  loss  which  the  foe  had  sustained 
must  have  compelled  his  surrender,  unless 
he  could  secure  this  shelter,  which  was 
now  his  object.  It  was  in  striving  to  de- 
feat this  object  that  the  Americans  su.s- 
tained  their  greatest  loss;  and  the  affiir, 
which  so  far  had  promised  a glorious  vic- 
tory, ended  in  the  complete  disappoint- 
ment of  the  conquering  army,  and  the 
temporary  defeat  of  its  proudest  hopes. 

At  this  stage  of  the  battle.  Major  Mar- 
joribanks,  from  the  cover  of  the  thickets 
on  the  borders  of  the  creek,  still  showed 
fight,  and  kept  up  a harassing  fire  upon 
the  Americans.  General  Greene  saw  that 


he  must  be  dislodged  from  this  position, 
and  despatched  Colonel  Washington  to 
perform  the  duty ; but  his  cavalry  got  so 
entangled  and  separated  in  the  woods, 
that  it  was  impossible  for  it  to  charge,  and 
each  horseman  was  thus  left  to  defend 
himself  apart  from  his  comrades  against 
the  whole  corps  of  infantry.  An  attempt 
to  gain  the  enemy’s  rear  was  still  more 
disastrous.  This  unequal  struggle  soon 
proved  fatal  to  Wa.shington  and  his  dra- 
goons. The  colonel  himself  received  the 
thrust  of  a bayonet,  and  would  have  been 
slain,  had  he  not  been  saved  by  a British 
officer  and  taken  prisoner.  Hardly  one 
of  Washington’s  officers  escaped  death  or 
a wound  ; while  the  ground  was  strewn 
with  the  horses  and  troopers,  either  dead 
or  struggling  in  the  last  agonies.  Mar- 
joribanks  still  held  his  ground,  although 
Hampton  had  come  up  to  the  rescue  of 
the  cavalry.  Kirkwood’s  Delawares  now 
made  an  impetuous  laish  with  the  bayo- 
net, to  revenge  their  fixllen  companions, 
and  succeeded  in  expelling  the  British 
from  this  strong  position.  But  Marjori- 
banks  retired  slowly,  still  holding  on  to 
the  thickets,  and  making  for  a new  posi- 
tion, of  nearly  equal  strength,  behind  the 
palisades  of  the  garden. 

Here  the  British  army  had  partly  ral- 
lied, though  nothing  could  well  exceed 
the  terror  in  its  encampment.  Every- 
thing was  given  up  for  lost.  The  com- 
missaries destroyed  their  stores ; and  the 
numerous  retainers  of  the  army,  mostly 
loyalists  and  deserters,  who  dreaded  fal- 
ling into  the  hands  of  the  American,  seiz- 
ing the  horses  wherever  they  might  be 
found,  fled  in  terror,  carrying  consterna^ 


888  BA'ITLES  OF  AMERICA.  [i-art  ii. 


tion  where  they  went,  even  down  to  the 
gates  of  Charleston.  Their  alarm  might 
not  have  been  groundless,  had  it  not  been 
for  the  misfortunes  of  the  Americans,  in 
the  losses  of  Washington’s  cavalry,  and 
the  ra.sh  pursuit,  by  the  infantry,  of  the 
disordered  British. 

By  the  time  that  Marjoribanks  had 
gained  the  palisades.  Major  Sheridan  had 
thrown  his  troops  into  the  house ; and 
some  of  the  routed  companies  from  the 
British  left  had  made  good  their  retreat 
into  the  picketed  garden,  from  the  inter- 
vals of  which  they  could  fire  with  secu- 
rity and  effect. 

The  whole  British  line  was  now  in  full 
flight  before  the  American  bayonet.  The 
retreat  of  the  enemy  lay  directly  through 
their  own  encampment,  where  their  tents 
were  all  standing,  and  a thousand  objects 
scattered  around  in  gratefid  profusion, 
which,  to  the  famished  troops  of  Greene, 
were  too  tempting  to  be  withstood.  Fa- 
tigued, and  almost  naked,  panting  with 
heat,  and  suffering  from  thirst — at  the 
same  time  believing  their  victory  to  be 
secure  — the  pursuing  Americans  fell  in- 
to acts  of  insubordination,  to  which  the 
fire  of  the  British  from  the  contiguous 
buildings  eminently  contributed.  The 
shelter  of  the  tents  from  this  fire  became 
an  excuse  of  which  these  brave  men  did 
not  scruple  to  avail  themselves : and  here 
happened  one  of  those  miserable  reverses 
which  so  often  baffle  equally  the  calcula- 
tions of  wusdom  and  the  deeds  of  valor ; 
here  the  American  line  got  into  irretriev- 
able confusion.  Its  officers,  nearly  aban- 
doned by  their  soldiers,  became  conspic- 
uous marks  for  the  British  in  the  house. 


who  now  poured  their  fire  with  deadly 
aim  from  its  windows.  In  vain  did  they 
seek  to  rescue  their  men  from  the  bane- 
ful consequences  which  had  followed  their 
entrance  into  the  encampment : they  had 
dispersed  without  order  among  the  tents, 
had  broken  open  the  casks  of  rum,  and 
drunk  so  freely,  that  they  became  lost  to 
all  sense  of  discipline,  and  utterly  unman- 
ageable. 

The  British  officers  promptly  availed 
themselves  of  this  miserable  condition  of 
things.  Marjoribanks  and  Coffin  made 
simultaneous  movements;  the  one  from 
his  thicket  on  the  left,  the  other  with  his 
dragoons  from  the  wmod  on  the  right  of 
the  American  line.  General  Greene  saw 
the  danger  which  threatened  him,  and 
strove  to  avert  it  by  ordering  Lee  to  fall 
upon  Coffin.  That  officer,  however,  not 
being  within  reach,  having  probably  dis- 
appeared in  pursuit  of  fugitives,  his  subor- 
dinate, Major  Eggleston,  hurried  up  with 
a few  troopers  of  the  legion,  and  made 
an  onset  upon  the  enemy’s  cavalry ; but 
his  force  Avas  too  small  to  make  the  de- 
sired impression,  and  he  was  driven  back 
by  Coffin,  who  immediately  after  hastened 
to  charge  the  rear  of  the  Americans,  now 
dispersed  among  the  tents.  Here,  how- 
ever, he  encountered  Hampton,  who  was 
advancing  to  the  relief  of  Eggleston,  and 
by  him  was  successfully  charged  and  beat- 
en in  turn.  After  a severe  struggle,  the 
British  cavalry  was  forced  back  to  its  cov- 
er within  the  wood. 

A moment  after,  the  command  of  Colo- 
nel Hampton  was  almost  annihilated  by  a 
fire  from  the  picketed  garden,  where  Mar- 
joribanks had  concealed  bimself  This 


1 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  RESULTS  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  EUTAW.  889 

skilful  officer,  to  wlioni  the  British  army 

ever,  in  settling  the  question  of  dispute 

chiefly  owed  its  safety,  having  dispersed 

betw'een  them  : the  advantage  remained 

the  cavalry  of  Hampton,  proceeded  to  the 

with  the  patriots.  The  British  were  driven 

performance  of  another  movement,  which 

from  the  field  of  battle  at  the  point  of 

was  decisive  of  the  strife. 

the  bayonet,  and  took  refuge  in  a fortress. 

The  British  artillery,  which  had  been 

So  closely  had  they  been  pressed,  and  so 

captured  by  the  Americans  when  they 

narrow  was  their  escape,  that  a foinvard 

swept  the  field,  had  been  brought  up  and 

party  of  the  Americans  w'as  only  prevent- 

opened  upon  the  brick  house,  where  the 

ed  from  entering  with  them  by  a sudden 

enemy  were  strongly  sheltered.  Unfor- 

closing  of  the  doors  in  the  face  of  some 

tunately,  in  the  hurry  of  the  fight,  the 

of  their  own  officers  and  men,  wdio  were 

pieces  had  been  brought  too  near  the 

taken  prisoners  in  consequence,  and  inter- 

house,  and  were  commanded  by  its  fire. 

posed  by  the  captors  as  shields  for  the 

which  very  soon  killed  or  disabled  all  the 

protection  of  their  persons  wdiile  retreat- 

artillerists.  As  soon  as  Marjoribanks  had 

ing  under  the  mouths  of  the  musketry 

scattered  Hampton’s  cavalry,  he  sallied 

which  lined  the  window's.  The  results  of 

into  the  field,  recaptured  the  pieces,  and 

the  action  are  undoubtedly  as  we  have 

hurried  them  under  cover.  Then,  being 

given  them,  but  the  details  are  subjects 

reinforced  by  parties  from  the  house  and 

of  coiLsiderable  question.  “ The  partisans 

garden,  he  charged  the  Americans,  scat- 

of  the  South,”  says  Simms,  “were  espe- 

tered  among  the  tents,  drove  them  before 

cially  dissatisfied  with  the  reports  of  the 

him,  and  bayoneted  some  of  the  soldiers 

affair.  That  they  did  their  duty  w'ell  is 

who  w^ere  still  clinging  to  the  rum-casks 

undeniable.  The}^  make,  however,  an  un- 

Ij’ing  about.  The  fugitives  found  safety 

favorable  report  of  the  performances  of 

only  in  the  cover  of  the  wood,  w here  the 

other  parties  of  wdiom  the  official  report 

army  of  Greene  had  rallied  ; and  the  Brit- 

speaks  favorably.  It  is  very  certain  that. 

ish,too  much  crippled  to  venture  into  con- 

in  the  management  of  the  conflict,  there 

flict  beyond  the  shelter  of  the  house  and 

w'ere  many  mistakes,  if  not  much  bun- 

outbuildings,  slowly  fell  back  upon  their 

gling.” 

position. 

The  loss  on  both  sides  w'as  very  heavy. 

General  Greene, having  possessed  him- 

The  Americans  lost  about  five  hundred 

self  of  the  field  of  battle,  left  a strong 

(a  fourth  of  their  whole  force),  including 

picket-guard  there,  and  withdrew  with 

sixty  officers ! Among  the  killed  was  the 

the  rest  of  his  troops  to  the  encampment 

brave  Colonel  Campbell,  of  Virginia,  who 

(since  there  was  no  nearer  place  to  find 

fell  as  he  w'as  leading  on  his  brigade. 

water),  some  seven  miles  distant,  whence 

Like  the  great  Wolfe  at  Quebec,  under 

he  marched  in  the  morning. 

similar  circumstances,  he  asked  with  his 

Thus  ended  the  severe  engagement  of 

expiring  breath,  “Who  flies?”  and  when 

the  Eutaw,  in  which  both  parties  claimed 

told  that  the  British  w'ere  giving  w'ay,  Inj 

the  victory.  There  is  no  difficulty,  how'- 
112 

exclaimed,  “ 1 die  content 

1 

890  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n 


The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  about  eleven 
hundred,  comprising  nearly  one  half  of 
their  entire  foi’ce ! The  loss  of  British 
officers  was  also  very  severe,  but  not  so 
great  as  that  of  the  Americans.  Colonel 
Stewart  himself  was  wounded,  and  Major 
Marjoribanks,  who  had  so  highly  distin- 
guished himself  during  the  day,  died  of 
fever  during;  the  march  to  Charleston. 
The  spot  where  he  lies  buried  is  still 
shown  by  the  roadside.  To  the  descend- 
ants of  his  enemies  he  is  indebted  for  a 
tomb  covering  his  remains. 

General  Greene  carried  off  no  less  than 
four  hundred  and  fifty  British  prisoners. 
Among  these  was  Major  Barry,  “ a dapper 
little  gallant,”  and  the  secretary  of  Bal- 
four, the  commandant  of  Charleston.  His 
capture  is  thus  humorously  related  by  the 
biographer  of  Greene:  — 

‘‘  Barry  fell  into  the  hands  of  Lieuten- 
ant Manning,  of  Lee’s  legion.  Manning, 
finding  the  upper  windows  [of  the  brick 
house]  to  be  full  of  British  musketeers, 
about  to  measure  his  person  with  their 
muzzles,  did  not  scruple  to  seize  Barry, 
and,  before  the  astonished  Briton  could 
conceive  his  purpose,  to  hoist  him  upon 
his  shoulders.  Thus  covered  with  the 
scarlet  of  a British  uniform,  with  the  per- 
son of  one  of  their  officers  completely  cov- 
ering his  own,  the  lieutenant  reasonably 
calculated  that  he  should  interpose  a suf- 
ficient physical  as  well  as  moral  reason 
Avhy  he  should  not  incur  the  penalty  of 
a shower  of  British  bullets.  It  was  in 
vain  that  Barry  interposed  in  the  lan- 
guage of  offended  dignity  : ‘ Sir !’  said  he, 
‘sir,  I am  Henry  Barry;  I am  deputy- 
adjutant  of  the  British  army;  captain  in 


his  majesty’s  fifty-second  regiment;  sec- 
retary to  the  commandant  of  Charleston,’ 
&c. ; ‘ major  of,’  &c. — ‘ The  very  man,  I um 
in  search  of  I answered  Manning.  ‘I  am 
delighted  to  make  your  acquaintance ! 
Fear  nothing.  Adjutant  Barry,  fear  noth- 
ing. It  is  my  policy  to  take  care  of  you, 
and  I am  determined  you  shall  take  care 
of  me  : we  must,  in  times  like  these,  take 
care  of  each  other.’  And  so  saying,  the 
stalwart  lieutenant  strode  off  with  his 
captive  to  the  American  line.”* 

If  further  pi-oof  were  needed  to  estab- 
lish the  claim  of  the  Americans  to  victo- 
ry, it  was  found  in  the  events  of 
the  day  succeeding  the  engage- 
ment.  Colonel  Stewart,  leaving  his  dead 
unburied,  and  seventy  of  his  wounded  to 
the  humanity  of  General  Greene,  break- 
ing the  stocks  of  one  thousand  muskets, 
and  destroying  his  stores,  abandoned  his 
position,  and  retreated  with  precipitation 
before  his  enemy. 

The  Americans  advanced  within  five 
miles  of  him  to  Ferguson’s  swamp,  where 
he  made  his  first  halt.  It  was  Greene’s 
intention  to  have  renewed  the  action  the 
next  day  ; and  he  despatched  Marion  and 
Lee  to  watch  the  line  of  communication 
between  the  Eutaws  and  Fairlawn,  where 
the  British  had  a strong  force,  under  Colo- 
nel M‘Artiiur,  so  as  to  prevent  the  junc- 
tion of  this  body  with  the  enemy’s  main 
army.  The  simultaneous  movement  of 
the  two  corps  of  Stewart  and  M‘Arthur 
enabled  them  to  meet  at  mid-distance, and 
to  outnumber  the  American  detachment. 
By  this  movement,  their  junction  was  se- 
cured on  the  evening  of  the  day  after  the 

* Simms. 


EVOLDTIONARY.]  GREENE  PURSUES.— THE  BRITISH  AGAIN  ADVANCE. 


891 


battle,  and  their  retreat  iininediatelj  con- 
tinued. 

General  Greene  pressed  the  pursuit  du- 
ring the  whole  of  one  day,  but  without 

Sept  10  escape  of  Stewart 

w^as  secured  for  the  time,  and 
the  American  general  was  compelled  to 
forego  his  object,  and  yield  his  earnest 
attention  to  the  prisoners  and  wounded 
in  his  hands. 

, The  British  wounded  narrowly  escaped 
capture  by  Marion.  This  vigilant  parti- 
san, learning  that  they  had  been  shipped 
at  Fairlawn  for  Charleston,  descended  the 
country  rapidly  by  night,  and  would  have 
intercepted  them,  but  for  a slave  of  one 
of  the  plantations,  who  gave  intelligence 
of  his  movements  to  the  British.  This 
brought  out  a strong  detachment  against 
him  from  the  camp,  and  he  was  obliged 
in  turn  to  steal  away  and  avoid  intercep- 
tion. 

Returning  from  the  pursuit  of  Colonel 
Stewart,  Greene  recrossed  the  Santee,  and 
resumed  his  position  at  the  hills.  His  mi- 
litia soon  left  him.  Only  one  hundred  of 
the  North-Carolinians  now  remained,  and 
their  term  of  service  had  nearly  expired. 
Marion,  Pickens,  and  Hampton,  with  the 
South-Carolina  militia,  were  necessarily 
detached  to  cover  the  country  ; and  with 
his  continentals  alone  he  had  to  perform 
all  the  painful  and  fatiguing  services  re- 
quired by  six  hundred  wounded,  half  of 
•whom  were  prisoners.  Tliere  w’as  also 

much  sickness  in  camp  ; and  ten 
Sept.  18.  , ^ , , , ’ 

days  alter  the  battle  ol  Hutaw 

the  American  general  would  have  found 

it  impossible  to  muster,  at  headquarters, 

a thousand  men  lit  for  action. 


In  the  meanwhile,  intelligence  readied 
the  South  that  Cornwallis  contemplated 
a return  from  Virginia  to  the  Carolinas 
by  land  ; and  Colonel  Stewart,  having  re- 
cruited his  army  from  below,  and  made 
his  cavalry  far  superior  to  that  of  his  op- 
ponents, once  more  advanced  to  the  Eu- 
taws,  driving  Marion  and  Hampton  across 
the  Santee.  But  in  this  movement  the 
enemy  exhibited  little  vigor,  and  the  de- 
tachments of  the  patriots  soon  presented 
themselves  tauntingly  before  their  posts, 
but  failed  to  bring  them  forth.  Subse- 
quently, while  the  British  lay  at  Monk’s 
Corner,  Captain  Maham,  of  Marion’s  bri- 
gade, captured  one  of  their  positions,  and 
took  eighty  prisoners,  in  the  face  of  their 
whole  army. 

During  the  illness  of  Colonel  Stew-art, 
who  was  still  suffering  from  his  w’ound  re- 
ceived at  Eutaw,  the  command  devolved 
upon  Major  Doyle  (afterward  a general 
in  the  British  service  in  India),  who  took 
post  at  Fludd’s  plantation,  three  miles 
above  Nelson’s  ferry,  with  more  than  two 
thousand  men,  exclusive  of  the  three  hun- 
dred under  McArthur  at  Fairlawn.  This 
force,  so  superior  to  that  of  Greene,  gave 
to  the  enemy  the  undivided  command  of 
the  country  to  the  south  of  the  Santee 
and  Congaree,and  westward  to  theEdisto. 

But  this  superiority  did  not  long  con- 
tinue. Greene’s  army  was  recruited  by 
Colonels  Shelby  and  Sevier  wdth  five  hun- 
dred riflemen  from  the  mountain  region, 
and  a hundred  and  sixty  infantry  came 
from  North  Carolin-ia.  The  artillery  de- 
stroyed at  Eutaw  had  been  replaced  from 
Virginia,  and  the  cavalry  (so  essential  in 
such  a country)  was  greatly  augmented. 


892  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  it. 


In  two  months  from  the  battle  of  Eutaw, 
the  American  general  was  in  a capacity 
to  act.  Marion,  with  Sevier,  Shelby,  Hor- 
ry, and  Maham,  was  ordered  to  operate 
between  the  Santee  and  Charleston;  Sum- 
ter, with  his  brigade  of  state  troops,  and 
some  companies  of  militia,  was  ordered  to 
take  post  at  Orangeburg,  and  defend  the 
country  against  the  loyalists  from  the 
city;  while  Pickens,  with  two  regiments, 
maintained  the  frontier  from  the  Indians, 
and  covered  it  against  the  predatory  war- 
fare still  raging  in  that  quarter. 

In  the  beginning  of  November,  Sumter 
and  Marion  crossed  the  rivers  and  moved 
against  the  enemy.  The  former  soon  en- 
countered a strong  body  of  tories,  under 
General  Cunningham,  who  had  advanced 
upon  Orangeburg ; and  one  of  his  officers, 
a Major  Morris,  fell  into  an  ambuscade,  in 
which  he  sustained  some  loss.  The  forces 
of  Sumter  and  Cunningham,  being  nearly 
equal,  operated  as  mutual  checks  upon 
each  other.  The  latter,  who  had  issued 
from  Charleston  on  a predatory  expedi- 
tion into  the  country,  was  obstructed  in 
his  progress;  while  the  former,  to  con- 
tinue this  restraint  upon  his  enemy,  and 
secure  himself,  fell  back  for  the  present 
upon  a strong  and  well-selected  position. 

About  this  period  a foray  was  under- 
taken by  William  Cunningham,  who,  by 
his  .savage  ferocities,  had  acquired  the  nom 
dc  guerre  Bloody  Bill”  which  is  gener- 
ally known  in  Carolina  tradition  as  The 
Bloody  Scout”  Cunningham,  with  two  or 
three  hundred  men,  made  his  way  from 
Charleston  to  the  interior.  Rendezvous- 
ing at  Rogues'  ford,  on  the  Edisto,  his  fol- 
lowers spread  themselves  on  every  hand. 


and  committed  the  most  horrible  excess 
ses  against  persons  and  property.  In  most 
cases,  they  found  only  defenceless  people 
in  their  houses.  No  mercy  to  age  or  sex 
was  shown  by  these  wretches.  The  men 
were  commonly  shot  or  cut  down ; the 
women  experienced  various  brutalities ; 
boys  of  fifteen  were  hewn  to  pieces ; the 
horses  and  all  moveable  property  carried 
off,  and,  Avhen  not  moveable,  burnt.  “ The 
horrid  massacre.‘^,  on  Cloud’s  creek,  of  Tur- 
ner’s troop,”  saj's  Simms,  from  whom  we 
gather  the  closing  details  of  the  southern 
campaign,  “ at  Edgehill,  of  Ilaye.s’  party, 
where  scores  of  men  were  butchered  at 
the  same  moment  after  capture,  are  still 
reported  with  shuddering  by  the  people 
of  the  regions  where  these  terrible  atro- 
cities were  committed The  detailed 

crimes  of  this  ‘ bloody  scout,’  as  still  dwelt 
upon  by  the  preserving  tradition,  would 
crowd  a volume.”  But  his  banditti  was 
finally  dispersed  and  destroyed,  few  es- 
caping the  red  hand  of  the  avenger.  The 
misci  eant  leader  survived  the  war,  and  re- 
turned to  Europe ; but,  in  all  the  region 
of  country  thus  ravaged,  he  remains  to 
this  day  the  proverbial  monster.  Ilis  atro- 
cious deeds  were  indignantly  repudiated 
by  the  British  General  Le.slie,  and  also  by 
General  Cunningham,  the  representative 
of  a remote  branch  of  the  same  family. 

In  the  meanwhile.  Colonel  Stewart  was 
busy  ravaging  the  low  country,  laying  in 
provisions  for  sustaining  a siege  inCharle.s- 
ton,  and  accnmulating  that  plunder  with 
which  the  enemy’s  fleet  of  three  hundred 
sail  was  laden  when  they  afterward  took 
flight  from  the  waters  of  Cooper  river.  In 
the  space  of  a few  week.s.  Major  Doyle 


REVoiATTTONARY.]  GREENE  MOVES  TOWARD  THE  SEABOARD.  89,3 


had  succeeded  in  stripping  the  country  on 
tlie  Santee  and  Congaree  of  every  negro, 
and  of  almost  everything  else  in  the  shape 
of  property  that  could  be  carried  away, 
and  would  have  extended  his  ravages  be- 
yond those  rivers,  but  that  Marion  and 
Ha  nipton  guarded  their  opposite  banks. 

The  intelligence  of  the  surrender  of 
Yorktown  reached  Greene’s  headquarters 
about  the  last  of  October,  and  the  day 
was  observed  as  a jubilee  in  the  camp, 
and  the  grateful  tidings  increased  the  de- 
sire of  the  American  general  to  cross  the 
rivers  which  separated  him  from  the  ene- 
my, and  drive  them  down  to  the  sea. 

The  camp  at  the  High  hills  of 
Nov.  18.  , ^ ^ . 

the  Santee  was  at  lemyth  broken 

O 

up,  and  the  American  army  again  put  in 
motion.  As  the  route  led  away  from  the 
support  of  Marion,  who  was  to  guard  the 
left  wingon  the  march, Captain  Eggleston, 
with  the  legion  and  a detachment  of  Vir- 
ginians, was  sent  to  strengthen  him.  The 
main  army  proceeded  by  the  way  of  Sim- 
mons’s and  M‘Cord’s  ferries,  through  Or- 
angeburg, to  Riddlespurger’s ; thence  by 
the  Indianfield  road  to  Ferguson’s  mill, 
where  that  road  crosses  the  Edisto  — the 
intention  of  Greene  being  apparently  to 
gain  a position  on  Four  Holes,  in  order  to 
cover  the  eountry  beyond  him,  and  con- 
trol the  movements  of  the  enemy  on  his 
right.  Another  object  was  to  intercept 
the  flight  of  the  British  to  Savannah,  in- 
telligence having  been  received  by  Mari- 
on, from  Charleston,  that  such  was  their 
design. 

About  this  time,  to  the  astonishment 
of  all,  the  mountaineers,  in  the  absence 
of  Colonel  Shelby,  deserted  the  camp,  af- 


ter a service  of  only  three  weeks.  They 
had  been  placed  under  the  command  of 
Marion,  who  sought  to  give  them  suffi- 
cient employment;  but,  thcugh  his  num- 
bers were  much  inferior,  he  found  it  im- 
possible to  bring  the  British  into  the  op(m 
field.  Detachments  of  about  two  hundred 
of  the  mountain-men,  however,  suppoiMed 
by  Maham’s  cavalry,  had  moved  against 
the  redoubts  at  Wappetaw,  winch  were 
abandoned  at  tneir  approach.  The  same 
body  attacked  Fairlawn,  while  the  enemy 
lay  at  Wantoot.  In  passing  fhe  latter 
post,  Marion  showed  himself,  but  did  not 
succeed  in  decoyicg  the  British  cavalry 
into  the  field.  At  lairlawn,  the  attack  by 
Colonel  Shelby  was  successfid  : the  place 
surrendered  at  discretion  ; and  the  whole 
garrison,  with  some  three  hundred  stand 
of  arms,  stores,  and  provisions,  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  Americans.  The  house 
with  its  contents,and  thea^«;'i'w,  were  com- 
mitted to  the  flames. 

The  sudden  desertion  of  the  mountain- 
eers greatly  weakened  the  army  of  Gen- 
eral Greene,  but  he  had  advanced  too  far 
to  recede  ; Marion  had  passed  the  Santee, 
and  any  disaster  to  him  would  have  com- 
pelled an  immediate  retreat.  Greene  re- 
solved to  act  with  boldness,  and  if  possi- 
ble force  the  British  commander  to  retire 
into  Charleston.  With  this  object,  he  left 
the  army,  on  its  march,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Williams,  of  Maryland  ; 
and,  at  the  head  of  two  hundred  cavalry, 
and  as  many  infantry,  moved  briskly  tow- 
ard Dorchester.  The  cavalry  consisted 
of  Lee’s  and  Washington’s,  and  one  hun- 
dred men  drawn  from  the  command  of 
Sumter.  The  infantry  were  those  of  the 


894 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II 


lei’-ion,  !iii(1  some  of  the  Virginia  and  Ma- 
ryland  troops.  The  command  of  this  de- 
tachment was  given  to  Colonel  Hampton. 

Greene  flattered  himself  that  he  should 
bo  able  to  surprise  the  post  at  Dorchester; 
but  the  enemy,  hearing  of  his  approach, 
lay  upon  their  arms  all  night.  A party 
which  had  been  sent  out  to  obtain  intel- 
ligence was  cut  to  pieces  by  Hampton’s 
advanced  guard,  and  the  survivors  hotly 
pursued  close  to  the  enemy’s  post.  The 
whole  British  cavalry  and  a strong  force 
of  infantry  now  i.ssued  forth  to  charge  the 
pursuers,  and  Greene  with  pleasure  saw 
their  approach;  but  they  recoiled  and  fled 
fi  om  the  fierce  onset  of  Hampton’s  horse. 
Twenty  or  thirty  were  slain,  wounded,  or 
captured  ; and  such  an  alarm  did  the  pres- 
ence of  Greene  in  person  inspire  among 
them,  under  the  belief  that  his  whole  ar- 
m}’  was  at  hand,  that  the  garrison  at  Dor- 
chester destroyed  everything  during  the 
niglit,  threw  their  cannon  into  the  river, 
and  made  a rapid  retreat  to  Charleston. 
The  panic  of  the  enemy  increased,  their 
outposts  were  all  abandoned,  and  their 
whole  force  concentrated  at  the  quarter- 
house,  six  miles  from  the  city.  At  this 
point,  where  the  isthmus  is  narrow,  the 
fugitives  halted,  and  were  joined  by  Colo- 
nel Stewart,  who  meantime  had  been  hur- 
r3dng  toward  the  town  by  another  route. 

General  Leslie  now  succeeded  Stewart, 
and  prepared  for  immediate  attack.  His 
force  was  neai'ly  five  thousand  men, exclu- 
sive of  the  negroes  which  he  embodied  in 
regiments,  while  Greene  could  not  mus- 
ter in  all  more  than  eio;ht  hundred,  but 
the  fears  of  the  fugitives  had  magnified 
fiis  force  to  more  than  three  thousand. 


Thus  driven  in  from  all  their  outposts, 
the  British  were  confined  in  their  opera- 
tions to  the  city,  the  neck,  and  the  neigh- 
boring i.slands.  The  object  of  General 
Greene,  and  all  that  he  could  effect,  in  the 
feeble  condition  of  his  army,  was  attained; 

and  in  January,  after  an  interre(»:- 

r 1 f p 

num  ot  nearl}'  two  3'ears,  Governor 

Rutledge  convened  the  le<>i.slature  of  the 

O O 


state  at  Jacksonborough,  a little  village 
on  the  Edisto  river,  about  twenty  miles 
from  the  sea,  and  thirty  fi'om  Charleston. 
The  army,  in  the  meantime,  took  post  at 
the  plantation  of  Colonel  Skirving,  some 
six  miles  below  Jacksonborough,  and  on 
the  road  leading  to  the  city. 

But  few  militaiy  movements  occurred 
during  the  season.  A vain  attempt  was 
made  to  dislodge  the  British  from  John’s 
island.  In  a skirmish  on  the  Combahee, 
the  brave  Colonel  John  Laurens 
fell.  He  was  succeeded  in  the 
command  of  the  light-troops  near  Charles- 
ton by  Kosciusko.*  General  Wayne  had 
been  sent  into  Georgia,  where  he  forced 
the  British  to  abandon  their  outposts,  and 


* After  ttie  American  war,  this  illustrious  Pole  returned 
to  his  native  country,  where  he  lived  in  retirement  till  1789, 
when  the  diet  appointed  him  a major-;,miieral.  In  the  brief 
strugfrle  of  1792  he  behaved  with  distinguished  valor;  but 
as  soon  as  the  fate  ol  Poland  was  sealed,  he  retired  into  vol- 
untary exile.  He  kept  up,  however,  a correspondence  with 
the  friends  of  liberty  in  his  native  land;  and  when,  ir.  1794, 
the  Poles  resolved  to  make  one  more  effort  to  break  their 
chains,  they  placed  Kosciusko  at  their  head.  He  began  Ids 
career  by  defeating  the  Russian  general,  Denisoff,  at  Rasla- 
vice.  Hut  the  enemy  ))oured  ir.  on  all  sides,  and  at  length, 
afier  having  for  six  months  delayed  the  fill  of  Poland,  he 
was  wouiided  and  taken  prisoner,  on  the  4th  of  October,  at 
the  battle  of  Maceiowice.  He  was  sent  to  St.  Petersburg, 
and  incarcerated  until  the  accession  of  the  emperor  Paul,  who 
visited  him  in  prison,  embraced  him,  and  set  him  at  liberty. 
His  latter  years  were  spent  in  America,  France,  and  Swit- 
zerland, but  chiefly  in  France.  He  died  at  Soleuro,  in  Swit- 
zerland, October  17,  1817,  aged  seventy-one  years 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  EVACUATION  OF  CHAELESTON.  895 

finally  to  evacuate  Savannah,  the  garrison 

At  the  sound  of  the  morning  gun,  the 

retiring  to  Charleston.  In  September,  Sir 

two  parties  were  put  in  motion,  at  <an  as- 

Samuel  Hood  arrived,  with  a convoying 

signed  distance  asunder  of  two  hundred 

fleet,  to  cover  the  departure  of  the  British. 

yard.s.  They  moved  down  the  King-street 

Meanwhile,  General  Le.slie  pre.ssed  his 

road,  till  they  had  pa.ssed  the  line.s,  when 

preparations  for  the  final  evacuation  of 

the  British  filed  off  to  Gadsden’s  wharf, 

Charleston.  Greatly  constrained  by  the 

where  they  embarked  in  ho.ats  that  await- 

cordon  which  the  American  general  had 

ed  them.  “It  was  a grand  and  pleasing 

contrived  to  maintain  around  his  foe,  Le.s- 

sight,”  says  General  Moultrie  in  his  me- 

lie,  in  order  to  eke  out  his  provisions,  suf 

nioirs,  “to  see  the  enemy’s  fleet,  upward 

fered  numerous  loyalists  to  leave  the  city 

of  three  hundred  sail,  lying  at  anchor  from 

and  make  their  peace  with  their  country- 

Fort  Johnson  to  Five-Fathom  Hole,  in  a 

men,  a privilege  of  which  hundreds  readi- 

curve-line,  as  the  current  runs;  and  what 

ly  availed  themselves.  He  also  expelled 

made  it  more  agreeable,  they  were  ready 

from  the  town  all  those  who  were  alleged 

to  depart.” 

to  favor  the  American  cause. 

The  reluctance  of  the  one  party  to  leave, 

Having  levelled  the  walls  of  the  town 

and  the  impatience  of  the  other  to  succeed 

and  of  Fort  Johnson,  the  Briti.sh  command- 

them  in  the  possession  of  the  city,  led  the 

er  opened  a communication  with  General 

British,  now-and-then  during  the  march. 

Greene,  apprizing  him  of  the  intended 

to  cry  aloud  to  General  Wayne  that  he 

evacuation,  and  proposing  terms,  in  order 

Avas  pressing  too  rapidly  upon  them  — a 

that  his  departure  might  be  a peaceable 

proceeding  highly  characteristic  of  “JAn/ 

one.  An  arrangement  accordingly  fol- 

Aiiihowj"  who  fully  sympathized  with  the 

lowed,  by  which  the  Americans  were  to 

natui  al  impatience  of  the  Carolinians  to 

take  possession  as  the  enelny’s  rear-guard 

behold  those  dear  homes  from  which  they 

retired ; the  former  pledging  themselves 

had  been  so  long  exiled.*  Wayne  moved 

to  forbear  all  hostile  attempts  upon  the 

forward,  and  halted  on  the  south  side  of 

movements  of  the  British,  on  condition 

Broad  street,  nearly  opposite  to  Church. 

that  they  should  do  no  injury  to  the  city. 

Next  to  the  American  advance  came  Gov- 

On  Saturday,  the  14th  of  December, 

ernor  Rutledge  and  General  Greene,  e.s- 

1782,  this  event  took  place.  The  morn- 
ino;  o;un  was  the  signal  for  the  British  rear- 
guard  to  abandon  its  advanced  redoubts. 
General  Wayne,  at  the  head  of  three  hun- 
dred infantry,  the  cavalry  of  the  legion, 
and  a detachment  of  artillery,  with  two 
six-pounders,  having  been  sent  from  the 
American  army,  had  crossed  Ashley  river 
the  previous  night,  and  was  stationed  in 
readiness  to  follow  up  the  enemy. 

corted  by  two  hundred  cavalry,  and  fol- 
lowed by  the  council  and  long  troops  of 
officers  and  citizens  on  horseback,  amid 
the  acclamations  of  the  populace.f 

* At  the  close  of  the  war,  General  Wayne  retired  to  his 
native  state  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1787,  he  was  a nieinbei  of 
the  state  convention  which  ratified  the  constitution  of  ilie 
United  States.  In  1792,  he  succeeded  to  the  command  i f 
the  western  army  on  the  defeat  of  St  Clair,  and  {rained  a 
comalcte  victory  over  the  savages  at  the  battle  of  the  Mi. 
amis,  in  1794.  He  died  in  1796,  at  the  age  of  fiftv-ono. 

f Simms. 

1 

896 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[PAUT  II. 


CHAPTER  CIV. 

Lord  Cornwallis  from  Portsmouth  to  Yorhtown. — Description  of  Yorktown. — Its  Defences. — Confidence  of  his  Lordship. 
— A Change. — Arrival  of  a French  Fleet. — Skilful  Manceuvres  of  Lafayette — Contemptuous  Indifference  of  Cornwal- 
lis.— Arrival  of  Count  de  Grasse. — Landing  of  Troops. — Junction  with  Lafiryette. — Cornwallis  shut  up  by  Sea  and 
Land. — A Desperate  F.xpedient. — Hopeful  of  Aid. — Washington’s  Plans. — Proposed  Attack  upon  New  York. — The 
Scheme  abandoned. — A Huse. — The  March  to  Virginia. — The  British  at  New  York  kept  in  the  Dark. — Mareh  of  the 
Allies. — Entrance  into  Philadelphia. — Appearance  of  the  American  Troops. — The  “Gay  and  Glorious”  French. — 
Admiration  of  the  Ladies. — A Grand  Review. — The  French  Minister. — A Public  Dinner. — Good  News. — “Long  live 
Louis  XVI.  I” — The  Grumbling  Americans. — Out  of  Pocket. — A Windfall. — Progress  of  the  March  southward. — 
Arrival  at  the  Head  of  the  Elk. — Washington  at  Mount  Vernon. — Old  Virginian  Hospitality. — Washington  at  Wil- 
liamsburg.— The  Allies  before  Yorktown. 


Lord  Cornwallis  having,  iii  ac- 
1781.  . 

cordance  with  the  instructions  of 

Sir  Henry  Clinton,  again  landed  at  Ports- 
mouth the  detachment  of  troops  about  to 
sail  for  New  York,  moved  his  whole  force, 
consisting  of  about  seven  thousand  men, 

to  Yorktown.  This  small  place, 

Aii^.  22.  . ^ 

situated  on  York  river,  was  se- 
lected as  a good  defensive  post,  and  one 
capable  of  affording  protection  to  ships- 
of-the-line.  Sir  Henry,  with  this  purpose 
in  view,  had  suggested  Yorktown,  or  Old 
Point  Comfort,  as  a 'pouTt  d'appiii  for  the 
coming  campaign  in  Virginia.  By  the 
advice  of  his  naval  officers  and  engineers, 
the  earl  chose  the  former.  On  the  north 
and  opposite  side  of  the  river,  which  was 
a mile  wide,  and  of  sufficient  depth  for 
large  vessels.  Was  Gloucester  Point,  which, 
like  Yorktown,  had  a high  and  command- 
ing position.  His  lordship  now  proceed- 
ed to  fortify  both  places  (at  the  former 
of  which  w as  stationed  Colonel  Tarleton 
and  a part  of  his  legion),  and  with  such 
satisfactory  progress,  that,  confident  of 
his  security,  he  soon  wuote  to  Sir  Henry 


Clinton,  offering  to  send  a detachment  of 
a thousand  men  to  the  aid  of  New  York, 
then  threatened,  as  ivas  supposed,  by  an 
attack  from  Washington. 

Earl  Cornw’allis  was,however,suddenly 
aroused  from  his  sense  of  security  by  the 
arrival  in  the  Chesapeake  of  Ad- 
miral Count  de  Grasse,  with  a 
French  fleet  of  twenty-eight  sail-of-the- 
line  and  several  frigates,  having  upw’ard 
of  three  thousand  troops  on  hoard.  The 
young  marquis  Lafayette,aware  of  Wash- 
ington’s designs  against  the  enemy  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  prepai'ed  by  early  intelligence 
for  this  arrival  of  his  countrymen,  had  in 
the  meantime  skilfully  manoeuvred  to  co- 
operate wdth  them.  His  object  was  to 
cut  off  the  escape  of  Cornwallis  by  land, 
while  the  French  fleet  should  close  up 
his  egress  by  sea. 

Lafayette  had  made  every  disposition 
of  his  force  necessary  to  his  piu’pose  with- 
out exciting  the  suspicion  of  Cornwalli.s, 
who,  intent  upon  his  fortifications,  regard- 
ed his  young  antagonist  almost  w'ith  con 
temptuous  indiflerence.  Having  s'^nt  the 


f 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  ARRIVAL  OF  COUNT  DE  GRASSE.  897 

Pennsylvania  troops, commanded  by  Gen- 
eral Wayne,  to  the  south  side  of  James 
river,  under  the  feint  of  attacking  Ports- 
mouth, and  collected  a large  militia- force, 
the  marquis  himself  marched  to  Williams- 
burg, in  order  to  form  a junction  with  the 
French  troops  as  soon  as  they  should  land. 

On  the  arrival  of  Count  de  Grasse,  he 
was  met  ofl'  Cape  Henry  by  an  officer  de- 
spatched by  Lafayette  to  inform  him  of 
the  exact  state  of  affairs  in  Virginia.  De 
Grasse,  guided  by  this  information,  imme- 
diately sent  four  ships-of-the-line  to  block- 
ade York  river,  and  to  convey  the  land- 
troops  to  James  river,  where  Lafayette 
was  awaitino;  them.  Nothin^;  occurred  to 
mar  these  designs  so  skilfully  laid.  Corn- 
wallis found  himself  shut  up  by  sea,  and 
obstructed  on  land  by  the  combined  forces 
of  Lafayette  and  the  marquis  de  St.  Si- 
mon, who,  taking  post  at  Williamsburg, 
kept  close  watch  upon  his  lordship.  The 
earl  was  at  last  conscious  of  his  danger, 
and  would  have  striven  to  break  through 
the  toils  which  had  been  so  artfully  woven, 
and  to  force  his  way  into  North  Carolina, 
had  he  not  hoped  that  such  aid  would 
soon  reach  him  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
as  to  render  so  desperate  an  expedient 
unnecessary.  In  the  meantime,  Washing- 
ton, in  his  camp  in  New  Jersey,  was  seal- 
ing the  fate  of  his  unconscious  lordship. 
Let  us  now  turn  to  the  North. 

When  intelligence  was  first  received  of 
the  intention  of  Count  de  Grasse  to  sail 
from  the  West  Indies  to  the  United  States 
with  his  powerful  fleet.  Count  de  Rocham- 
beau,  who  had  also  received  despatches 
from  the  French  court,  requested  a per- 
sonal interview  with  Washington,  to  con- 
113 

cert  a plan  of  action  for  the  approaching 
campaign.  The  latter  suggested  Weath- 
ersfield,  in  Connecticut,  as  the  place  of 
meeting,  and  the  22d  of  May  as  the  time 
Accordingly,  the  commander-in-chief  set 
out  from  headquarters,  at  New 

Windsor,  accompanied  by  Gen-s 
erals  Knox  and  Du  Portail,  and  met  Ro- 
chambeau  and  the  marquis  de  Chastellux 
at  the  time  agreed  upon.  A French  frig- 
ate had  recently  arrived  at  Boston,  hav- 
ing on  board  the  count  de  Barra.s,  who 
was  appointed  to  succeed  the  deceased 
Admiral  de  Ternay  in  the  command  of 
the  French  fleet  at  Newport,  and  he  was 
expected  to  join  the  conference  atWeath- 
ersfield,  but  the  appearance  of  a British 
squadron  off  Block  island  prevented  his 
attendance. 

At  that  interview,  the  respective  com 
manders,  being  as  yet  ignorant  of  the  in- 
vasion of  Virginia  by  Lord  Cornwallis, 
discussed  the  propriety  of  a joint  •expe- 
dition to  the  Carolinas.  The  difficulties 
of  such  an  expedition,  at  that  time  of  the 
year,  when  the  sickly  season  was  about 
to  set  in  at  the  South,  were  fully  consid- 
ered, and  it  was  agreed  that  an  effective 
blow  might  be  made  by  the  combined  ar- 
mies for  the  recovery  of  the  city  of  New 
York,  which  would  at  the  same  time  re- 
lieve the  southern  states.  It  was  finally 
determined,  as  a preliminary  step  toward 
opening  the  campaign,  that  the  entire 
land-force  of  the  French  (whose  infantry 
had  remained  in  repose  at  Newport  for 
nine  months),  with  the  exception  of  about 
two  hundred,  who  were  to  be  left  as  a 
guard  over  their  heavy  baggage  at  Provi- 
dence, should  march  with  all  despatch  to 

> 

898  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pakt  ii. 

join  Washington’s  army  at  the  Highlands 

panied  by  one  or  two  officers,  crossed  to 

of  the  Hudson,  and  at  a proper  time  the 

Fort  Lee,  on  the  western  bank  of  the 

united  force  was  to  move  toward  New 

Hudson,  to  reconnoitre  Fort  Washington 

York. 

from  the  cliffs  of  the  Palisades,  when  he 

The  commander-in  chief  at  once  sent 

discovered  a British  encampment  on  the 

letters  to  Governor  Livingston,  of  New- 

upper  end  of  the  island,  and  a vessel-of- 

Jersey,  and  the  executive  authorities  of 

war  lying  in  the  river,  off  Spuyten-devil 

New  England,  urging  them  to  provide 

creek.  He  at  once  saw  that  a surprisal 

immediately  the  quotas  of  men  and  sup- 

of  the  enemy’s  forts  was  impossible ; and, 

plies  which  had  been  voted  by  their  re- 

accordingly,  landing  his  troops,  he  todk 

spective  states.  General  Rochambeau,  in 

possession  of  the  high  grounds  lying  to 

the  meanwhile,  despatched  a messenger 

the  northeast  of  Harlem  river,  with  the 

to  the  West  Indies,  to  inform  the  count 

intention  of  offering  aid  to  the  duke  de 

de  Grasse  of  the  proposed  attack  upon 

Lauzun. 

New  York,  and  to  solicit  the  co-operation 

In  this  position,  Lincoln  was  attacked 

of  his  fleet. 

by  a foraging-party,  numbering  about  fif- 

Townrd  the  close  of  June,  while  the 

teen  hundred  men.  A desultoiy  skirmish 

French  troops  were  moving  through  the 

followed  ; and  De  Lauzun,  who  had  just 

western  part  of  Connecticut,  on  their  way 

arrived  at  Eastchester,  hearing  the  sound 

to  the  Hudson,  Washiimton  made  strono; 

of  cannon,  hastened  forward  to  meet  his 

preparations  to  oppose  the  British  on  York 

American  ally.  Washington  likewise  ad- 

ishind  and  in  Westchester  county.  He 

vanced,  and  the  British,  believing  that 

planned  a joint  expedition  against  Colo- 

the  whole  force  of  the  Americans  was  ap- 

nel  Delancey’s  corps  of  loyalists  stationed 

preaching,  fled  to  their  boats,  and  retired 

at  Morrisania,  and  the  military  works  on 

in  haste  to  their  camp.  The  surprise  of 

the  upper  end  of  the  island.  The  duke 
de  Lauzun,  w'ith  his  fine  cavalry-legion. 

Delancey’s  corps  being  regarded 
as  improbable,  Washington  with- 

was  to  conduct  the  former;  and  General 

drew  to  Dobbs’s  ferry,  at  which  place  he 

Lincoln,  with  detachments  from  the  main 

was  joined  by  General  Rochambeau. 

army,  had  charge  of  the  latter.  But  the 

The  American  and  French  forces  now 

enemy  were  on  the  alert. 

Lincoln,  with  a force  of  eight  hundred 
July  1 went  down  from  the  camp 

at  Peekskill,  in  boats  propelled 

encamped  among  the  verdant  and  beau- 
tiful hills  of  Greenburg,  near  Tarrytown, 
about  thirty  miles  from  New  York.  The 
former,  who  lay  in  two  lines,  had  their 

by  muffled  oars.  At  the  same  time,  leav- 

right  Testing  on  Dobbs’s  ferry,  and  ex- 

ing  his  baggage,  Washington  followed  on 

tending  eastward  toward  the  Neparan  or 

land  with  the  main  army,  and  encamped 

Sawmill  river;  and  the  latter  encamped 

at  Phillipsburg,  near  Dobbs’s  ferry,  nearly 

in  a single  line  upon  the  hills  still  farther 

July  4 miles  from  the  north  end 

of  York  island.  Lincoln,  accom- 

to  the  east,  with  their  left  resting  on  the 
river  Bronx.  In  this  position  they  re- 

REVOI  UTIONART.J  MOVEMENTS  OF  THE  ALLIES  NEAR  NEW  YORK.  899 

While  the  British  were  held  in  check 
by  this  strong  force,  Washington  and  Bo- 


inained  upward  of  three  weeks,  without 
making  any  movement  of  importance. 

In  the  meantime,  the  invasion  of  Vir- 
ginia by  Lord  Cornwallis  had  caused  great 
alarm  throughout  that  and  the  adjoining 
states  ; and  the  American  chief  received 
urgent  letters,  earnestly  imploring  him  to 
advance  southward  with  a powerful  force, 
and  expel  the  earl  and  his  followers.  The 
time  for  such  an  expedition,  however,  had 
not  yet  come. 

Wa.shington,  accompanied  by  Rocham- 
beau  and  other  French  officers,  now  pro- 

sades,  for  the  purpose  of  recon- 
noitring the  British  posts  on  the  north 
end  of  York  island.  On  the  following 
day,  they  took  a view  of  those  at  Kings- 
bridge ; and  it  was  resolved  that  a force 
of  five  thousand  Americans  and  French, 
commanded  by  Generals.Lincoln  and  De 
Chastellux,  should  occupy  a line  across 
the  entire  county  of  Westchester  from  the 
Hudson  to  the  East  river,  in  order  to  cover 
an  extended  reconnoissance,  break  up  the 
haunts  of  the  tories,  and  confine  Colonel 
Delancey’s  corps  of  marauders  within  the 
British  lines. 

This  important  movement  was  begun 

with  great  secresy  on  the  evening  of  the 

21st,  the  three  separate  columns  moving 

simultaneously  toward  York  island,  while 

detachments  of  infantry  scoured  the  fields 

between  the  lines  of  march.  Before  day- 

. . break  the  entire  force  confront- 
July  22.  , , ^ , 

ed  the  British  on  the  upper  end 

of  the  island.  The  flashing  of  the  arms 
of  the  allies  in  the  beams  of  the  morning 
sun  was  the  first  intimation  which  the 
enemy  had  of  the  movement. 


chambeau,  with  their  respective  attend- 
ants, effected  a complete  reconnoissance 
from  the  Hudson  to  Long-island  sound  ; 
and  in  the  meantime  the  American  light- 
troops,  and  De  Lauzun’s  lancers,  broke  up 
every  post  of  the  loyalists  and  refugees. 
Having  made  a thorough  and'  scientific 
reconnoissance  of  the  whole  ground,  the 
allied  troops  returned  to  their  respective 
encampments  among  the  Greenburg  hills 

Sir  Henry  Clinton  became  alarmed  at 
this  movement, and  despatched  a me.ssiige 
to  Lord  Cornwallis,directing  him  to  order 
three  of  the  regiments  in  South  Carolina 
to  sail  immediately  for  New  York,  and  to 
hold  a portion  of  his  own  troops  in  readi- 
ness for  the  same  destination.  On  hear- 
ing of  this  requisition,  Washington  made 
the  following  comment  in  a let- 
ter to  Lafayette:  “I  think  w^e 
have  already  effected  one  part  of  the  plan 
of  the  campaign  settled  at  Weathersfield  ; 
that  is,  giving  a substantial  relief  to  the 
southern  states,  by  obliging  the  enemy  to 
recall  a considerable  part  of  their  forces 
from  thence.” 

With  great  anxiety,  and  some  degree 

of  impatience,  the  commander-in-chief 

had  waited  for  the  recruits  and  supplies 

which  had  been  voted  by  several  of  the 

state  leo-islatures ; and  again  he  , 

, , , . , , , August  2. 

addressed  a circular  letter  to  the 

governments  of  the  New-England  states, 
imploring  them  in  the  most  urgent  man- 
ner to  be  prompt  and  generous  in  send- 
ing on  the  required  aid,  for  wdthout  it  the 
enemy  must  triumph,  and  the  allies  be- 
come disappointed  and  disgusted.  “It 


900 

will  be  no  small  degree  of  triumph  to  our 
enemies,”  added  Washington,  “ and  will 
have  a very  pernicious  influence  upon  our 
friends  in  Europe,  should  they  find  such 
a failure  of  resource,  or  such  a want  of 
energy  to  draw  it  out,  that  our  boasted 
and  expensive  preparation  end  only  in 
idle  parade.” 

About  this  time,  intelligence  was  re- 
ceived from  Lafayette  that  “ thirty  trans- 
port-ship.s,  full  of  troop.s,  most  of  them 
red-coats,  and  eight  or  ten  brigs  with  cav- 
airy  on  board,”  bad  arrived  in  Hampton 
roads.  A despatch  was  also  received  from 
Admiral  Count  de  Grasse,  stating  that  he 
expected  to  sail  from  St.  Domingo  on  the 
3d  of  August,  with  nearly  thirty  ships-of- 
the-line  and  a considerable  land-force,  di- 
rectly for  Chesapeake  bay,  and  that  his 
stay  must  be  short. 

On  receiving  this  information,  Wash- 
ington changed  his  plans.  The  scheme 
against  New  York  was  abandoned,  as  be- 
ing too  perilous  without  the  aid  of  the 
expected  French  fleet  and  troops.  Be- 
sides this,  early  in  the  month, 

* Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  received 
a reinforcement  of  nearly  three  thousand 
troops,  British  and  Hessians.  Strength- 
ened by  this  arrival,  the  baronet,  as  we 
have  seen,  countermanded  his  orders  for 
Lord  Cornwallis  to  send  a portion  of  the 
southern  troops  northward,  as  he  deemed 
his  own  force  amply  sufficient  for  the  de- 
fence of  New  York. 

It  was  therefore  resolved  by  Washing- 
ton and  Eochambeau  to  concur  with  the 
plans  of  De  Grasse,  and,  proceeding  with 
the  allied  armies  southward,  strike  a blow 
against  the  British  in  Virginia.  Robert 


[PART  u 

Morri.s,  the  great  financier,  and  Richard 
Peters,  the  active  secretary  of  war,  were 
at  headquarters  at  the  time.  Af- 
ter informing  them  of  his  re.so- 
lution,  Washington  turned  to  Peters,  and 
a.sked,  “ What  can  you  do  for  me  in  aid 
of  this  expedition  ? I may  want,”  he  add- 
ed, a month’s  pay  in  advance  for  some 
of  the  troop.s.” — “ With  money,  everything — 
without  it,  nothing','  quickly  replied  Peter, s, 
at  the  same  time  casting  a significant 
glance  at  Robert  Morri.s.  The  financier 
comprehended  the  meaning  of  that  look, 
and  said,  “Let  me  know  the  sum  you 
desire.”  AVashington  soon  completed  his 
estimates;  and  when  the  troops  pa.ssed 
through  Philadelphia,  not  long  afterward, 
Morris,  upon  his  own  responsibility,  bor- 
rowed twenty  thousand  dollars  in  specie 
from  Rochambeau, promising  to  replace  it 
by  the  first  of  October.  With  assurance 
of  aid,  the  commander-in-chief  prepared 
immediately  for  the  southward  march.* 
This  change  of  purpose  was,  however, 
carefully  concealed  from  the  enemy;  and, 
to  keep  up  the  idea  that  New  York  was 
still  his  object, AVashington  wrote  mi.slead- 
ing  letters,  which  he  intended  should  be 
intercepted  ; had  ovens  built,  fuel  collect- 
ed, and  a large. encampment  marked  out 
for  his  army  in  New  Jersey,  near  Amboy, 
and  opposite  to  Staten  island.  In  the 
meantime,  the  allied  armie.s,  having  com- 
pleted their  preparations  to  move  to  Vir- 
ginia, began  their  march.  The 

^ f ^ r 1 XT  19- 

pretence  ot  an  attack  upon  New 

York  was  kept  up  to  the  last  moment. 

Reconnoitring  and  pioneer  parties  were 

sent  forward  to  examine  and  clear  the 

* Lossing. 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  THE  ALLIED  TROOPS  IN  PIIILADEPIIIA.  901 

roads  from  the  encampment  at  the  Green- 
burg  hills  toward  Kingsbridge  ; and  when 
the  troops  were  paraded  for  the  march, 
they  faced  in  that  direction.  They  were, 
however,  much  to  the  surprise  and  per- 
plexity of  their  own  officers,  who  were  in 
ignorance  of  the  chief’s  design.s,  immedi- 
ately ordered  to  the  right  about,  and  pro- 
ceeded up  the  Hudson  to  King’s  ferry  at 
Verplanck’s  Point,  where  they  crossed  to 
New  Jersey. 

The  secret  of  Washington’s  design  was 
kept  as  strictly  from  his  own  army  as 
from  the  enemy.  “ Our  destination,”  as 
Thacher  records,  “ has  been  for  some  time 
matter  of  perplexing  doubt  and  uncer- 
tainty. Bets  have  run  high,  on  one  side, 
that  we  were  to  occupy  the  ground  mark- 
ed out  on  the  Jersey  shore,  to  aid  in  the 
siege  of  New  York;  and,  on  the  other, 
that  we  are  stearm<>:  a march  on  the  ene- 
my,  and  are  actually  destined  to  Virginia, 
in  pursuit  of  the  army  under  Lord  Corn- 
wallis.” Seven  years  later,  Washington 
wrote  a letter  to  Noah  Webster,  in  which, 
after  admitting  the  finesse  employed  to 
“ misguide  and  bewilder  Sir  Henry,”  he 
added,  “ Nor  were  less  pains  taken  to  de- 
ceive our  own  army,  for  I had  always  con- 
ceived when  the  imposition  does  not  com- 
pletely take  place  at  home,  it  \xould  never 
sufficiently  succeed  abroad.” 

Leaving  General  Heath  in  command 
of  a sufficient  guard  for  the  posts  in  the 
Highlands,  the  allied  armies  began  their 
movement  across  New  Jersey,  under  the 
general  charge  of  Lincoln,  the'American 
troops  marching  one  day  in  ad- 
vance  ot  tlie  L rench.  1 liey  pro- 
ceeded by  different  route.s,  and  were  far 

on  their  way  in  rapid  march  toward  the 
Delaware  before  Sir  Henry  Clinton  sus- 
pected their  destination  to  be  other  than 
Staten  island  and  New  York. 

On  the  seventh  d.ay  after  leaving  the 
Hudson,  the  Americans  crossed  the  Dela- 
ware, and  entered  Philadelphia,  followed 
on  the  next  day  by  the  French. 

“ The  streets  being  extremely 
dirty,”  says  Thacher,  “and  the  weather 
Avarm  and  dry,  we  raised  a dust  like  a 
smothering  snowstorm,  blinding  our  eyes 
and  covering  our  bodies  with  it.  This 
was  not  a little  mortifying,  as  the  ladies 
were  viewing  us  from  the  open  windows 
of  every  house  as  we  passed  through  this 
splendid  city Our  line  of  march,  inclu- 

ding appendages  and  attendants,  extend- 
ed nearly  two  miles.  The  general  officers 
and  their  aids,  in  rich  military  uniform, 
mounted  on  noble  steeds  elegantly  capari- 
soned, were  followed  by  their  servants 
and  baggage.  In  the  rear  of  every  bri- 
gade were  several  fieldpieces,  accompa- 
nied by  ammunition-carriages.  The  sol- 
diers marched  with  slow  and  solemn  step, 
regulated  by  the  drum  and  fife.  In  the 
rear  followed  a great  number  of  wagons, 
loaded  with  tents,  provisions,  and  other 
baggage,  such  as  a few  soldiers’  wives  and 
children  ; though  a very  small  number  of 
these  are  allowed  to  encumber  us  on  this 
occasion.” 

The  entry  of  the  French  troops  was 
characteristically  gay  and  glorious.  Hav- 
ing halted  a short  distance  from  the  city, 
in  order  to  furbish  up  their  uniforms  “ of 
white  broadcloth,  faced  with  green”  (the 
colors  of  the  old  house  of  Bourbon),  they 
marched  in,  with  a full  band  of  music  pre- 

902  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [pa-RT  ii. 

ceding  them,  to  the  manifest  admiration 

of  France,  shouting,  “Long  live  Louis 

of  the  people  who  crowded  the  streets, 

XVI. !” 

and  of  the  ladies  who  ‘^appeared  at  the 

The  American  army,  however,  did  not 

windows  in  their  most  brilliant  attire.” 

A grand  review  took  place  on 
Sept.  4.  following  day,  when  “ at  least 

share  fully  in  this  gay  enthusiasm.  The 
New-England  troops  grumbled  at  being 
marched  at  such  a distance  to  the  South 

twenty  thousand  persons,  and  a vast  num- 

while  their  pay  was  in  arrears.  As  be- 

her  of  carriages,  remarkable  for  their  ligh  t- 

fore  related,  a loan  of  twenty  thousand 

ness  and  elegance,  added  to  the  lustre  of 

dollars  was  obtained  from  Eocbambeau’s 

this  exhibition  — which  was  still  height- 

military  chest,  on  a promise  of  repayment 

ened,”  adds  the  ardent  Frenchman*  who 

on  the  first  of  October,  which  gave  tern- 

describes  the  scene,  “ by  the  pleasantness 

porary  relief  Fortunately,  at  this  mo- 

of  the  situation  and  the  remarkable  se- 

ment.  Colonel  John  Laurens,  who  had 

renity  of  the  day.” 

been  sent  to  France  as  American  agent 

The  day  “ was  destined  for  favorable 

to  solicit  a loan,  returned  with  abundant 

omens,”  continues  the  same  warm  color- 

supplies  and  half  a million  of  dollars  in 

ist.  “ M.  le  chevalier  de  la  Luzerne,  Avho 

specie.  Moreover,  he  brought  intelligence 

on  this  occasion  received  his  countrymen 

of  a successful  negotiation  Avith  France 

with  the  dignity  and  generosity  of  the 

and  Holland  for  a large  sum  in  addition. 

representative  of  a great  monarch,  and 

The  zeal  and  ability  with  which  the  ne- 

the  frankness  and  cordiality  of  an  indi- 

gotiation  was  conducted  by  the  American 

vidual,  after  the  review  invited  all  the 

envoy  deserve  more  than  a passing  allu- 

officers  to  dine  with  him.  Hardly  were 

sion. 

we  seated  at  the  table,  when  an  express 

Colonel  John  Laurens,  a son  of  Henry 

arrived.  A disquieting  silence  immedi- 

Laurens  (ex-president  of  Congress,  who 

ately  seized  every  guest ; our  eyes  were 

was  long  confined  in  the  ToAver  of  Lon- 

fixed  on  the  chevalier  de  la  Luzerne,  ev- 

don),  Avas  made  a prisoner  on  the  surren- 

ery  one  endeavoring  to  guess  what  the 

der  of  Charleston  to  the  British,  and  re- 

message  would  turn  out  to  be.  ‘ Thirty- 

leased  on  parole.  He  arrived  in  Paris  in 

six  ships-of  the-line,’  said  he,  ‘ commanded 

the  spring  of  1781,  and  immediately  en- 

by  Monsieur  le  comte  de  Grasse,  are  ar- 

tered  upon  the  dudes  of  his  mi.ssion  Avith 

rived  in  Chesapeake  bay,  and  three  thou- 

all  the  ardor  of  his  nature.  He  soon  be- 

sand  men  have  landed,  and  opened  a com- 

came  impatient  of  the  delays  Avhich  he 

munication  with  the  marquis  de  Lafay- 

experienced  on  the  part  of  the  French 

ette.’  Joy  and  good  humor  immediately 

ministry.  In  earnestly  pressing  his  suit 

resumed  their  place  on  every  counte- 

one  day  with  Count  de  Vergeunes,  that 

nance.”  The  news  soon  spread  through- 

adroit  diplomat  reminded  him  that  per- 

out  the  city,  and  the  people  huriied  in 

haps  he  had  forgotten  that  he  Avas  not  de- 

crowds  to  the  residence  of  the  minister 

liverino-  the  orders  of  his  commander-in- 

* Quoted  ’)v  Tliacher. 

chief,  but  addressing  the  minister  of  a 

r 

REVOLUTioNARY.J  WASHINGTON  VISITS  MOUNT  VERNON.  908 

monarch  who  had  every  disposition  to  fa- 

into  the  interior.  The  French  minister 

vor  his  country.  Laurens  withdrew  to 

had  as  yet  received  no  intelligence  of  the 

the  opposite  side  of  the  room,  and  replied 

count  de  Grasse,  and  Washington  in  con- 

with  emphasis : “ Favor,  sir ! The  respect 

sequence  felt  much  anxiety.  Yet  he  did 

• 

which  I owe  to  my  country  will  not  ad- 

not  hesitate  to  advance.  Both 

mit  the  term.  Say  that  the  obligation  is 

armies  left  Philadelphia  in  the 

mutual,  and  I cheerfully  subscribe  to  the 

morning,  for  the  Head  of  Elk.  Toward 

obligation.  But,  as  the  last  argument  I 

evening  Washington  was  met  by  a cou- 

shall  offer  to  your  excellency,  the  sword 

rier,  bringing  the  glad  tidings  that  the 

which  I now  wear  in  defence  of  France, 

French  admiral  with  his  great  armament 

as  well  as  of  my  own  country,  unless  the 

had  arrived  in  the  Chesapeake.  The  mes- 

succor  I solicit  is  immediately  accorded, 

senger  reached  the  chevalier  de  Luzerne, 

I may  be  compelled  ivilhin  a short  lime  to  dratv 
agaimt  France,  as  a British  subject  1 I must 
now  inform  your  excellency  that  my  next 
memorial  will  be  presented  to  his  majesty 
in  person.”  This  bold  reply  had  a great 
effect  upon  Vergennes,  for  the  reconcilia- 
tion of  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States 

at  Philadelphia  the  same  evening,  as  be- 
fore related,  while  his  guests  were  at  the 
banquet- table. 

The  commander-in-chief  arrived  at  the 
Head  of  Elk  (the  narrow,  upper  end  of 

Chesapeake  bay,  which  is  called 

, Sept.  6. 

Elk  river)  m tlie  evening,  with 

was  an  event  he  most  dreaded.  True  to 

the  intention  of  embarking  the  troops,  ord- 

his  promise,  Laurens  attended  at  the  au- 

nance,  and  stores,  at  that  point,  and  send- 

dience-chamber  of  the  king  the  next  day, 

ing  them  down  the  bay.  There  was  a 

and  presented  his  memorial  in  person  to 

great  lack  of  transports  for  the  purpose. 

his  majesty.  It  was  banded  to  Count  Se- 

and  the  troops  were  therefore  brought  to 

gur,  and  on  the  following  day  Laurens 

a halt.  While  the  armies  Avere  thus  de- 

was  officially  informed  that  the  required 

layed,  Washington  improved  the  oppor- 

aid  should  be  given.  That  succor,  as  we 

tunity  of  making  a flying  visit  to  Mount 

have  seen,  now  came  to  hand  at  a most 

Vernon.  Accordingly,  attended  by  Ro- 

important  crisis,  and  in  two  short  months, 
by  the  aid  of  French  funds,  and  French 

chambeau,  he  rode  to  Baltimore,  ^ g 

where  the  two  chiefs  were  greet- 

soldiers  and  seamen.  Lord  Cornwallis  was 

ed  with  a public  address,  and  honored  by 

to  be  captured,  and  the  death-blow  given 

bonfires  and  illuminations  in  the  evening. 

to  British  power  in  America.* 

Early  the  next  morning,  Washington 

While  in  Philadelphia,  Washington  re- 

set  out  for  Mount  Vernon  with  a single 

ceived  despatches  from  Lafayette, inform- 

aid-de-camp  (Colonel  Humphreys),  with 

im;  him  of  the  destination  of  Cornwallis’s 

the  determination  of  reaching  his  home 

flotilla  seen  in  Hampton  roads,  with  the 

that  night,  fur  upward  of  six  years  had 

1 

assurance  that  he  should  make  every  ex- 

passed  since  be  had  been  beneath  its  roof. 

ertion  to  prevent  the  earl  from  moving 

“The  journey  was  accomplished,”  writes 

* Los^in};. 

Lossing,  “ and  great  was  the  joy  at  Mount 

r 

904  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [fart  n. 

Vernon  when  the  news  spread  over  the 

ing  day,  and  by  the  count  de  Rochambeau 

estate  that  the  master  had  come  home. 

in  the  evening.  General  Chastellux  and 

The  servants  flocked  in  from  the  fields 

his  aid.s-de-camp  arrived  there  on  the  11th, 

to  see  him,  and  among  them  came  Bish- 

and  Mount  Vernon  was  now  crowded  with 

op,  the  venerable  bodj-servant,  who  had 

guests,  who  were  all  entertained  in  the 

lived  with  Washington  since  the  bloody 

ample  style  of  old  Virginian  hospitidity. 

battle  of  the  Monongahela,  twenty-six 

On  the  12th,  tearing  himself  away  once 

years  before,  but  who  was  now,  at  the  age 

more  from  the  home  of  his  heart,  Wa,sh- 

of  almost  fourscore  years,  too  decrepid  to 
follow  his  master  to  the  field.” 

Sept  9 ^ hour,”  says  Ir- 

ving, “when  Washington  arrived 

ington  with  his  military  a.ssociates  contin- 
ued onward  to  join  Lafayette  at  Williams- 
burg.” On  this  occasion  he  was  attend- 
ed by  Mrs.  Washington’s  son,  John  Parke 

at  Mount  Vernon  ; where  he  was  joined 

Custis,  who  now  for  the  first  time  went 

by  his  suite  at  dinner-time  on  the  follow- 

to  the  field, -as  one  of  the  chief’s  aids. 

CHAPTER  CV. 

IToodwinking  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton. — Aroused  too  late. — Fair  Promises. — Arrival  of  Sir  Samuel  Hood, — A British  Fleet. 

— Arrival  off  the  Capes  of  Virginia. — Sight  of  the  French  Ships. — Eagerness  of  the  Count  de  Grasse. — Admiral  Graves 
gives  Battle. — Manojuvring. — De  Grasse  returns  to  the  Chesapeake,  and  Graves  to  New  York. — Diversion  by  Sir  Henry 
Clinton. — Expedition  against  New  London,  in  Connecticut. — General  Arnold  in  Command, — Fort  Griswold. — Colonel 
Ledyard. — Spirited  but  Vain  Resistance. — Fall  of  the  Fort. — No  Mercy. — Massacre. — Murder  of  Ledyard. — Losses. 

— New  London  in  Ashes, — Last  Act  of  Arnold. — His  Departure  for  England. — Impatience  of  De  Grasse. — Magna- 
nimity of  Lafayette. — Arrival  of  Washington. — The  Ville  de  Paris. — Meeting  of  the  Allied  Commanders. — Arrival  of 
the  Combined  Troops  at  Williamsburg. — Their  Orderly  March. — A New  and  Threatening  Danger. — De  Grasse  is  in 

duced  to  remain. — The  Siege  of  Yorktown  commenced. 

Washington,  bv  his  skilful  ma- 
1781*  ? 

noeuvring,  had  succeeded  in  so  com- 

Jersey,  he  believed  that  this  move  was 
only  a feint  to  divert  him  from  their  real 

pletely  hoodwinking  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 

purpose.  When  he  Avas  fairly  conscious 

th.'it  the  combined  armies,  as  previously 

of  the  truth,  it  Avas  too  late  for  him  to 

shown,  had  proceeded  on  their  march  ns 

send  the  desired  assistance  to  ConiAvallis, 

fill’  as  the  Delaware  before  he  was  per- 

although  at  the  last  moment  he  Avrote  to 

suaded  thatEiirl  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown 

his  lordship,  declaring  that  he  Avould  do 

was  their  object.  Sir  Henry,  in  fact,  had 

his  utmost  for  his  relief 

been  so  impressed  with  the  delu.sion  that 

A prospect  of  aid  Avas,  hoAvever,  pre- 

an  attack  upon  New  York  was  intended. 

sented  by  the  arrival  of  Sir  Samuel  Hood 

that  even  after  Washington  and  Rocham- 

at  New  Yoi'k  from  the  West  Indies,  Avith 

beau  had  crotised  the  Hudson  into  New 

fourteen  ship.'^-ofth e-line.  Hood  was  noAV 

1 

r 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  GRAVES  AND  DE  GRASSE. — ARNOLD  IN  CONNECTICUT.  905 
joined  by  five  .sliip.s  then  lying  in  the  har- 


bor, under  Admiral  Graves,  who, being  the 
senior  officer,  assumed  the  general  com- 
mand, and  bore  away  without 
Aug.  31.  with  the  intention  of  first 

intercepting  the  count  de  Barras,  with 
the  French  squadron  from  Newport,  and 
then  attacking  Admiral  de  Grasse,  in  the 
Chesa[)eake.  As  Graves  sailed  down  the 
southern  coast,  he  first  looked  into  the 
Delaware,  but,  finding  no  enemy  there, 
continued  his  course  to  the  capes  of  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  discovered  the  French 
fleet,  lying  just  witliin  Lynn-Haven  bay. 
Count  de  Grasse,  slipping  and  even  cut- 
ting his  cables,  in  his  eagerness,  came  out 
at  once  ; and  when  his  fleet  of  twenty-four 
ships  showed  itself.  Graves,  who  had  only 
nineteen  vessels  to  oppose  him,  and  knew 
that  De  Barras  could  not  be  far  off  with 
tJie  wport  squadron,  became  nervou.sly 
anxioi,  s.  The  Engli.sh  admiral,  however, 
gave  the  signal  for  battle,  and  his  ships 
stretched  in  ; but  when  his  rear  was  near- 
ly even  with  the  enemy’s  van,  he  made 
the  signal  for  the  whole  fleet  to  wear,  by 
which  he  got  upon  the  same  tack  with 
his  antagonist,  and  to  windward  almost 
parallel  with  him.  The  two  fleets  now 
steered  to  the  eastward,  and,  as  they  got 
clear  of  the  capes  of  Virginia,  Graves  bore 
down  upon  De  Grasse.  At  four 
Sept.  5.  afternoon,  the  ac- 

tion commenced,  but  did  not  become  gen- 
eral, as  only  a few  of  the  vessels  were  en- 
gaged, and  at  night  the  fleets  separated. 
The  French,  whose  advance-ships  had  suf- 
fered considerably,  bore  away  to  get  in  a 
line  with  their  centre.  Graves  kept  the 
weather-gage  during  the  night;  but,  as 
114 


some  of  his  ships  had  been  severely  dam- 
aged, he  was  obliged  to  lay  to  for  repairs. 
The  Terrible,  of  seventy-four  gun.s,  leaked 
so  badly,  that  in  a day  or  two  after  she 
was  abandoned  and  burnt.  It  was  also 
with  great  difficulty  that  the  Ajax  was 
kept  afloat,  as  she  made  water  rapidly. 

The  two  fleets  remained  at  sea  for  five 
day.s,  without  renewing  the  action,  when 
De  Gra.s.se  again  bore  away  for  the  Ches- 
apeake, taking  two  English  frigates  on  his 
return,  and  having  the  satisfaction  on  ar- 
riving at  his  old  anchorage  to  find  Count 
de  Barras  safely  moored  there  with  his 
Newport  squadron  of  seven  ship.s-ofthe- 
line  and  fourteen  transports,  laden  with 
artillery  and  stores.  Graves  looked  into 
the  bay,  and, seeing  the  increased  strength 
of  his  enemy,  returned  with  his  crippled 
fleet  to  New  York,  for  he  feared  the  equi- 
noctial gale.s,  that  might  be  daily  expect- 
ed, more  than  the  guns  of  his  powerful 
adversary.  In  this  action,  the  loss  of  the 
French  was  two  hundred  and  twenty  men, 
and  that  of  the  En(>;lish  three  hundred 
and  thirty. 

When  Sir  Henry  Clinton  discovered  thf 
real  intentions  of  Washington,  he  strove 
to  divert  him  from 'his  purpose  by  an  at- 
tack upon  New  London,  in  Connecticut. 
Two  British  regiments,  a battalion  of  loy- 
alist volunteers  from  New  Jersey,  and  a 
detachment  of  Hessian  riflemen  (yagers), 
numbering  about  twenty-three  hundred 
in  all,  were  embarked  at  New  York  for 
the  service  ; and  the  command  of  this  ma- 
rauding expedition  against  the  state  which 
had  given  him  birth  was  intrusted  to  the 
arch-traitor,  Benedict  Arnold,  as  being  an 
enterprise  not  oidy  suited  to  his  military 


— 1 

906  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  n 


genius,  but  also  to  the  malevolence  of  bis 
heart. 

Arnold  accordingly  sailed  up  the  river 
Thames,  and  appeared  off  New  London, 
only  fourteen  miles  south  of  Norwich,  the 
birthplace  of  the  traitor.  Here,  dividing 
his  forces,  he  debarked  one  division,  un- 
der Lieutenant-Colonel  Eyre,  to 
Sept.  6.  , _ ^ . , , , . 

attack  hoiT  Cri  iswold,  on  the  eiist 

side  of  the  harbor;  and  landed  with  the 
other,  under  his  own  command,  on  the 
west  side,  where  stood  Fort  Trumbull,  a 
redoubt,  and,  three  miles  below,  the  town 
of  New  London  itself.  The  fort  and  re- 
doubt were  abandoned,  on  the  first  ap- 
proach of  Arnold,  by  the  few  militiamen 
in  them,  who  crossed  the  I’iver  to  Fort 
Griswold,  on  Groton  hill.  Tlie  renegade 
pushed  on,  and  quickly  posse.ssed  himself 
of  the  town,  being  opposed  only  by  a scat- 
tered fire  here  and  there  from  snudl  par- 
ties of  the  inhabitants  who  were  hastily 
collected  in  defence  of  their  homes. 

Fort  Griswold,  which  was  a strongly- 
built,  square  fortification,  with  all  the  ac- 
cessories of  a regular  work,  and  contained 
a garrison  of  nearly  two  hundred  men, 
commanded  by  the  spirited  Colonel  Wil- 
liam Ledyard,  offered  a resistance  which 
was  not  so  easily  overcome.  The  defend- 
ers were  inexperienced  militiamen,  who 
had  been  so  hastily  mustered,  that  many 
of  them  were  unprovided  with  firearms. 
But,  under  the  inspiration  of  their  brave 
leader,  they  fought  with  great  resolution. 
Colonel  Eyre,  however,  led  on  his  regu- 
lars and  loyalists  to  the  assault  on  three 
sides  with  a determination  to  carry  the 
works  at  any  sacrifice.  Ilis  men  were  for 
u time  staggered  by  the  persistent  cour- 


age of  the  gallant  little  garrison.  Eyre 
himself  was  mortally  wounded  ; but  Ma- 
jor Montgomery,  his  second  in  command, 
continued  the  assault  with  equal  resolu- 
tion. His  men  thronged  into  the  ditch, 
scrambled  over  the  ramparts,  and  made 
their  way  through  the  embi  asures,  until, 
by  the  force  of  numbers,  they  can  ied  the 
woiks,  though  not  without  a lieavy  cost. 
Montgomery  was  shot  dead  as  he  was  en- 
tering one  of  the  embrasures,  and  the  loss 
of  the  enemy  amounted  in  all  to  forty-six 
killed  and  one  hundred  and  forty-three 
wounded. 

The  Americans  had  only  about  half  a 
dozen  killed  when  the  enemy  thronged 
into  the  fort.  The  assailants,  exasperated 
by  the  obstinate  resistance  which  they  had 
encountered,  and  their  heavy  loss,  now 
showed  little  mercy.  Major  Bromfield,  a 
New-Jersey  loyalist, who  succeeded  to  tlie 
command  on  tlie  death  of  Eyre  and  Mont- 
gomery, on  entering  the  fort,  asked  fierce- 
ly, “ Who  commands  ?”  Colonel  Ledyard 
replied,  “ I did,  sir,  but  you  do  now,”  giv- 
ing up  his  sword  as  he  spoke,  which  Brom- 
field took,  and  with  it  ran  him  through 
and  killed  him  ! The  Hessians  and  tories, 
following  the  example  of  their  miscreant 
leader,  immediately  began  an  indiscrimi- 
nate massacre  of  the  disarmed  garrison, 
and  the  slaughter  which  ensued  increased 
the  American  loss  to  eighty-five  killed  and 
sixty  wounded.  Seventy  only  were  taken 
prisoners.  This  horrible  butchery  justly 
excited  the  indignation  of  the  republicans 
throughout  the  land,  and  disgusted  the 
more  conservative  and  humane  portion 
of  the  loyalists. 

Arnold,  on  reaching  New  London,  re- 


RKVOI.CTIONAP.T.  1 NEW  LONDON  BURNT.— WASHINGTON  IN  VIRGINIA.  907 

cluced  the  town  to  ashes.  Several  vessels 

treason  had  thrown  over  his  name.  He 

in  the  harbor  were  also  burnt,  while  the 

soon  went  to  England,*  and  quitted  the 

rest  escaped  up  the  Thames.  Large  sup- 

United  States  for  ever,  where  his  memory 

plies  of  West-India  produce,  together  with 

will  probably  outlive  that  of  good  men; 

an  immense  quantity  of  military  stores. 

for  nations,  like  individuals,  are  more  con- 

were  consumed  in  the  general  conflagra- 

stant  in  hate  than  in  love. 

tion,  which  not  only  ruined  most  of  the 

The  maraudiug  expedition  to  Connect- 

inhabitants,  but  proved  a serious  loss  to 

icut,  howevei',  as  we  have  seen,  utterly 

the  public. 

failed  in  its  object,  since  Washington  was 

In  its  spirit  and  execution,  the  whole 

not  for  a moment  stayed  in  his  course  by 

expedition  was  unworthy  of  Sir  Henry 

these  outrages,  but  pressed  forward  to 

Clinton,  but  entirel}'’  in  consonance  with 

Virginia. 

the  character  of  the  traitor-knave  who 

On  the  return  of  Admii-al  Graves  from 

conducted  it.  “It  has  been  said,”  writes 

the  coast  of  Virginia  to  New  York,  Count 

his  biographer,  “ that  Arnold,  while  New 

de  Barras,  at  the  i-equest  of  Lafayette,  de- 

London  was  in  flames,  stood  in  the  belfry 

spafched  transports  up  the  Chesapeake  to 

of  a steeple,  and  witnessed  the  conflagra- 

bring  down  the  allied  troops  which,  it  will 

tion  ; thus,  like  Nero,  delighted  with  the 

be  remembei'ed,  were  detained  at  Annap- 

ruin  he  had  caused,  the  distresses  he  had 

olis  and  the  Head  of  Elk  for  the  want  of 

inflicted,  the  blood  of  his  slaughtered  coun- 
trymen, the  anguish  of  the  expiring  pa- 

vessels.  Meanwhile,  in  the  even- 
ing, Washington  and  Kocham- 

triot,  the  widow’s  tears,  and  the  orphan’s 

beau,  with  their  respective  attendants,  on 

cries.  And  what  adds  to  the  enormity 

their  way  from  Mount  Vernon,  arrived  at 

is,  that  he  stood  almost  in  sight  of  the 

the  quarters  of  Lafayette,  at  Williams- 

spot  where  he  drew  his  first  breath  ; tluit 

burg,  twelve  miles  above  Yorktown. 

every  object  around  was  associated  with 

Admiral  De  Grasse  had  been  so  impa- 

the  years  of  his  childhood  and  youth,  and 

tient  of  delay,  that,  with  St.  Simon,  who 

revived  those  images  of  the  past  which 

commanded  his  land-force,  he  urged  La- 

kindle  emotions  of  tenderness  in  all  but 

fayette  to  co-operate  with  him  in  an  at- 

hearts  of  stone.”* 

tack  on  Lord  Cornwallis  before  the  arid- 

Arnold,  having  gratified  his  malignant 

val  of  Washington  and  Rochambeau,  and 

spirit,  and  committed  all  the  evil  which 

thus  secure  a victory  for  the  republicans 

lay  in  his  power,  returned  with  his  Van- 

and  imperishable  renown  for  himself  But 

dal  mercenaries  to  New  York.  It  was, 

the  young  marquis,  with  a generous  and 

fortunately,  one  of  the  closing  acts  of  his 

humane  spirit,  repressed  his  natural  ardor 

career  in  America,  being  the  last  military 

for  glory,  and  declined  tlie  proposition  ot 

service  of  any  consequence  in  which  he 
was  employed  ; and  it  served  only  to  ren- 

the  count;  for  he  saw  that  such  an  at- 

der  still  darker  the  shades  which  his  foul 

* Set;  page  274  of  this  volume.  “ To  Arnold,”  s.ays  Hor- 
ace Walpole,  “no  countenance  was  denied  by  the  king  or 

* Sparks. 

ministers.  The  public,  more  equitable,  despised  him.” 

908  BATTLES  OF  A]\I ERICA.  [part  ii. 


tempt,  even  if  successful,  would  involve 
a great  sacrifice  of  life.  He  perceived, 
moreover,  that  a victory  at  this  crisis  of 
the  war  would  in  all  probability  give  a 
finishing  blow  to  the  contest.  Yet,  with 
characteristic  magnanimity,  he  resolved 
to  leave  that  victory  to  be  achieved  and 
all  honors  to  be  won  by  Washington ! 

As  soon,  however,  as  the  commanders- 

in-chief  of  the  allied  land-forces  arrived. 

Count  de  Grasse  solicited  an  interview. 

Washington,  therefore,  accompanied  by 

Rochambeau,  Chastellux,  Gener- 
Sept.  17.  , „ 1 M •,  1 

als  Knox  and  Du  rortail,  sailed 

from  Williamsburg  in  the  Queen  Char- 
lotte for  the  Ville  de  Paris,  the  magnifi- 
cent flag-ship  of  De  Grasse,  then  lying  in 
Lynn-Haven  bay.  They  were  received 
on  board  at  noon  the  next  day,  when  the 
admiral,  a tall,  fine-looking  man,  heartily 
embraced  Washington,  with  the  exclama- 
tion, in  broken  English,  “31^  dear  Utile  gen- 
eral!” This  adjective,  applied  to  the  stal- 
wart form  of  Washington  (who  was  over 
six  feet  in  height,  and  weighed  at  this  pe- 
riod upward  of  two  hundred  pounds),  was 
quite  ludicrous ; and,  while  the  polite  and 
courteous  Frenchmen  concealed  their  feel- 
ings, the  fat  sides  of  jolly  Knox,  it  is  said, 
shook  with  his  laughter.* 

^ A council  of  war  was  now  held 

on  board  the  flag-ship,  and  meas- 
ures were  immediately  concerted  for  re- 
ducing Earl  Cornwallis  in  Yorktown  with 
the  utmost  promptness,  on  the  arrival  of 
the  allied  army,  as  the  French  admiral 
declared  that  he  could  not  remain  long 
or  the  station.  All  the  arrangements  hav- 
ing been  completed  in  a satisfactory  man- 

* Custis’s  Recollections  of  Washington 


ner,  Washington  .and  his  companions  re- 
turned to  Williamsburg. 

The  last  division  of  the  .allies  finally 
reached  the  general  rendezvous 
at  Yfilliamsburg.  The  march  of 
this  army  through  a fertile  country,  from 
the  banks  of  the  Hudson  to  central  Vir- 
ginia, a distance  of  more  than  flve  hun- 
dred miles,  was  remarkable  for  its  order 
and  discipline.  “It  was  at  a season,”  re- 
marks Ramsiiy,  “ when  the  most  delicious 
productions  of  nature,  growing  on  and 
near  the  public  highways,  presented  both 
opportunity  and  temptation  to  gratify  the 
appetite.  Yet  so  complete  was  its  disci- 
pline, that  in  this  long  m.arch  scarcely  an 
instance  could  be  produced  of  an  apple  or 
a peach  being  taken  without  the  consent 
of  the  inhabitants.”  The  French  were 
particularly  scrupulous.  At  Rhode  island, 
“ the  Indians,”  writes  De  Rochambeau,  in 
his  narrative,  “ expressed  their  astonish- 
ment at  nothing  but  to  see  still  laden  with 
fruit  the  trees  that  overhung  the  tents 
which  the  soldiers  had  occupied  for  three 
months.” 

In  the  meantime,  news  arrived  which 
threatened  to  frustrate  all  W.ashington’s 
plans.  Gr.aves.at  New  York  had  been  re- 
inforced by  Admiral  Digby,with  sixships- 
of-the-line.  De  Gnisse,  confident  that  ev- 
ery effort  would  now  be  nuule  for  the  re- 
lief of  Cornwallis,  and  that  the  combined 
fleet  might  soon  be  expected  off  the  Ches- 
apeake, wrote  to  W.ashington  that,  in  or- 
der to  meet  Gr.aves  and  Digby,  he  should 
put  to  sea  with  all  his  fleet,  excepting  a 
few  fri<>:ates  which  he  would  leave  behind 
to  blockade  York  river.  Fearful  lest  in 
the  absence  of  the  French,  the  Englisli 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  SIEGE  OF  YORK'l'OWN. 


909 


might  slip  into  their  phices,{in(l  thus  wrest 
Eiirl  Cornwallis  from  his  grasp,  Washing- 
ton earnestly  besought  De  Grasse  not  to 
leave  the  Chesapeake.  The  French  ad- 


miral, hy  the  joint  entreaties  of  the  Amer- 
ican chief  and  Lafayette,  was  finally  per- 
suaded to  remain,  and  the  siege  of  York 
town  was  begun  without  delay. 


CHAPTER  CVI. 


Advance  of  the  Allied  Force. — Washington  and  De  Rochumbean  before  Yorkfown. — A Bivouac. — Po‘;ition  of  the  Amen 
can*. — Position  of  the  French. — Despatch  from  Sir  Henrv  Clinton. — Concentration  of  the  British  Force. — Confidence 
of  Lord  Cornwallis. — Litbor  on  the  Works. — Description  of  the  Defetices. — 'I’he  Besiegers  take  Possession  of  the. Out 
works. — A Skirmish — Death  of  Colonel  Scammel. — li)c  Lauzun’s  Legion. — Conflict  with  Colonel  Tarleton. — Scareitv 
of  Forao-e. — Dead  Horses. — 'I'arleton  unhorsed. — His  Retreat. — Investment  of  Yorktown. — 'I'he  French. — Their  Troops 
and  Position. — The  Americans  and  their  Position. — Governor  Nelson’s  Patriotism. — Coolness  of  W’^ashington. — 'I’lie 
Breaking  Ground. — The  First  Parallel. — Gener  1 Lincoln  has  the  Honor. — Opening  Fire. — Washington  at  the  Guns. — 
The  Cannonade. — First  Salutation  to  Cornwallis. — Hot  Shot. — h'ire  among  the  Ships. — A Sublime  Spectacle. — The 
Second  Parallel. — Redoubled  Furv. — Assault  on  the  Redoubts. — Rivalry  of  the  French  and  Americans. — Colonel  Al- 
exander Hamilton  in  the  Van. — Fall  of  the  Redoubts. — “ D’Auvergne  sans  Tache.” — The  British  Fire. — Washington 
in  Danger. — “ Billy,  my  Horse!” — Desperate  Situation  of  Cornwallis. — No  Relief. — Sortie  of  the  Gutirds — Bold  klx- 
pedient  of  his  Lordship. — Its  Failure. — Propositions  to  surrender. — Capitulation  of  Yorktown. — Close  of  the  War. 


At  leno-th,  the  combined  armies, 
* ’ numbering  Gvelve  thousand  strong, 

under  Washington  and  De  Eochambeau, 
moved  by  different  roads  from  their  en- 
campment near  Williamsburg.  General 
de  Choise,  with  the  duke  de  Lauzun  and 
his  leirion,  the  marines  from  De  Barras’s 
fleet,  and  a brigade  of  Virginia 
Sept.  28.  under  General  Weedon, 

proceeded  to  invest  Gloucester ; and  the 
main  allied  forces,  marching  to  the  right, 
posted  themselves  toward  evening  with- 
in two  miles  of  the  outer  works  <it  York- 
town. Washington  remained  upon  the 
ground  with  his  staff  during  the  whole 
night,  sleeping  under  the  cover  of  a mul- 
berry-tree, and  resting  his  head  upon  its 
root  for  a pillow. 

Earh  the  next  morning,  the  besiegers 
cautiously  closed  in  toward  the  outer 


works:  the  Americans,  forming  the  right 
Aving,  tfiking  their  post  on  the  east  side  ; 
and  the  French,  forming  the  left,  takino; 
theirs  on  the  west.  The  British  pickets 
and  some  squads  of  horse  slowly  retired 
as  they  approached,  but  not  a gun  was 
fired. 

In  the  evening,  an  express  arrived  in 

the  Briti.sh  camp  with  despatch- 

f Q-  TJ  nr  I f\T 
es  from  oir Henry  LlintonatiN'ew 

York,  dated  on  the  24th  of  September,  in- 
forming Lord  CornwiiHis  that,  at  a coun- 
cil of  war  held  that  day,  it  was  resolved 
to  send  upward  of  five  thousiind  troop.s, 
with  a fleet,  to  the  relief  of  his  lordship; 
and  that,  as  Admiral  Digby  had  just  ar- 
lived  at  New  York  with  a squadron  of 
twenty-three  ships,  the  reinforcements  for 
Y^orktown  might  be  expected  to  sail  by 
the  5th  of  October.  That  night,  the  earl 


910  BATTLES  OF  A:\IERTCA.  [part  ii. 

i 


witlidrew  liis  army  from  (lie  outer  works, 
and  concentrated  it  within  his  fortifica- 
tions nearer  the  town,Avhere  he  confident- 
ly awaited  the  issue  of  the  siege.  lu  his 
reply  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  he  boastfully 
declares : “I  have  ventured,  these  last  two 
days,  to  look  General  Washington’s  whole 
force  in  the  face  in  the  position  on  the 
outside  of  my  works,  and  have  the  ])leas- 
ure  to  assure  your  excellency  that  there 
is  but  one  wish  Ihroiighout  the  armg,  u'hich  is, 

that  the  eneinj  ivonld  advance I shall  i-e- 

treat  this  night  within  the  works ; and 
have  no  doubt,  if  relief  arrives  in  any  rea- 
sonable time,  York  and  Gloucester  will  be 
both  in  possession  of  his  majesty’s  troops.” 

Lord  Cornwallis  had  been  diligent  in 
the  construction  of  his  works,  which  were 
extensive,  though  not  entirely  complete. 
Seven  redoubts  and  six  batteries,  connect- 
ed by  intrenchments,  surrounded  York- 
town  on  the  laud-side  while  field-works 
stretched  beyond,  with  redoubts  and  abat- 
tis  along  the  ravines,  the  creeks,  and  the 
York  river.  Gloucester  Point,  situated  on 
the  tonfjue  of  laud  on  the  northern  and 
opposite  side  to  Yorktown,  was  also  forti- 
fied, and  occupied  by  Colonel  Tarleton 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Dundas,  with  a 
detachment  of  six  or  seven  hundred  men. 
The  communication  between  the  two  posts 
was  commanded  by  batteries  on  either 
side,  and  also  by  the  small  British  squad- 
ro!i  at  anchor,  under  the  land-guns,  in  the 
river,  which,  although  only  a mile  wide 
at  this  point,  was  of  sufficient  depth  for 
the  largest  vessels. 

^ ^ Next  morning,  the  besiegers 

Sept.  30.  , , , ? 

hastened  to  possess  themselves 

of  the  outworks,  which  had  been  impru- 


dently al)audoue<1  by  his  lordship,  accord- 
ing to  some  military  critics ; but,  in  his 
own  opinion,  tl  e fortifications  were  too 
extensive  and  too  weak  to  be  held  by  his 
comparatively  small  force  of  little  more 
than  seven  thousand  men.  As  a detach- 
ment of  American  light-infantry,  Avith  a 
few  French  troops,  Avere  proceeding  to 
take  possession  of  the  abandoned  field- 
Avorks,  Colonel  Alexander  Scammel  ad- 
vanced to  reconnoitre,  and  Avas  attacked 
by  a small  party  of  Hessians.  Finding 
himself  outnuml)ered,  he  surrendered,  hut 
Avas  shot,  though  not  instantly  killed,  and 
carried  into  Yorktown,  Avhence  he  Avas  al- 
lowed, at  the  request  of  Washington,  to 
be  conveyed  to  Williamsburg,  Avliere  he 
died.  An  active  and  spiiited  officer,  his 
loss  was  universally  mourned  by  his  com- 
rades, and  particularly  by  the  command- 
er-in-chief, Avhorn  he  had  served  as  an  aid- 
de-cam  p. 

While  the  main  body  of  the  allies  Avas 
investing  YorktoAvn,  the  forces  under  the 
duke  de  Lauzun  and  General  de  Choise 
had  proceeded  across  the  river,  to  keep 
Avatch  on  Dundas  and  Tarleton  at  Glou- 
cester Point.  A collision  soon  occurred. 
Forage  had  become  so  scarce  Avith  the  en- 
emy, that  they  Avere  obliged  to  kill  their 
horses  in  great  numhers,  the  carcasses  of 
which  Avere  “almost  coipinually  floatii'.g 
down  the  river.”  Dundas  determined,  in 
spite  of  the  vigilance  of  his  enemy,  to 
make  a bold  push  for  relief'  and  accoi'd- 
ingly  sallied  out  Avith  a part  of  his  garri- 
son to  forage  the  country  adjoining.  He 
had  succeeded  in  gathering  a good  sup- 
pi}^  of  Indian  coi'n,  and  Ava,s  returning  to 
the  post  Avith  his  Avagons  and  horses  laden 


r 


RKVOLUTiONAiiv.J  DE  LAUZUN  AND  TARLETON.— GOVERNOR  NELSON.  911 


with  the  spoil,  when  De  Lnuzun  and  a 
party  of  Fieneli  hussars  suddenly  sprang 
upon  him.  Colonel  Tarleton,  with  his  dra- 
goons, formed  the  rear-guard  of  the  Brit- 
ish, and,  coming  to  the  rescue,  a sevei-e 
struggle  ensued,  in  which  the  loss  of  the 
French  was  two  officers  and  fourteen  pri- 
vates, and  that  of  the  enemy  one  officer 
and  eleven  men.  Tarleton  was  unhorsed 
in  the  engagement,  and  obliged  to  sound 
•I  retreat,  hut  soon  mounted  again,  and 
renewed  the  conllict;  when,  seeing  De 
Choise  coming  up  with  a reinforcement, 
he  retired  within  his  works  at  Gloucester. 

Yorktown  was  now  comi^lete- 
Sept.  30.  , . . , , , 

ly  invested  liy  the  allies,  whose 

lines,  with  the  French  on  the  left  and  the 
Americans  on  the  right,  extended  around 
the  southern  and  land-side  of  the  town  in 
a semicircle,  at  a distance  of  nearly  two 
miles  from  the  British  works,  and  with 
each  extremity  resting  upon  York  river. 
The  French  wing,  under  the  general  com- 
maud  of  De  Rochamheau,  was  composed 
of  the  West-India  regiments,  under  the 
marquis  de  St.  Simon,  and  the  French 
light-infantry,  under  the  baron  de  Viome- 
nil,  assisted  by  Montmorenci,  Deuxports, 
Custine,  and  other  Frenchmen  of  rank 
and  military  experience.  The  American 
wing,  under  the  command  of  General  Lin- 
coln, was  composed  of  the  Virginia,  Mary- 
land, and  Pennsylvania  troops,  command- 
ed by  the  baron  Steuben  ; the  New-York, 
Rhode-Island,  and  New-Jersey  brigades, 
including  the  sappers  and  miners,  under 
GeneralJames  Clinton,of  New  York;  and 
the  light-infantry,  under  Lafayette.  The 
French  artillery  was  posted  in  the  centre, 
near  the  quarters  of  Washington  and  Ro- 


chambeau.  On  the  right,  across  a marsh, 
w^as  the  American  artillery,  under  General 
Knox,  assisted  by  Colonel  La, mb  and  oth- 
er skilful  officers.  The  count  De  Grasse, 
with  his  fleet,  remained  below,  in  Lynn- 
Ilaven  bay,  to  beat  off  any  naval  force 
that  might  come  to  the  aid  of  the  British 
commander. 

Governor  Nelson,  of  Virginia,  had  also 
brought  into  the  field  a goodly  number 
of  (he  state  militia,  who  might  have  failed 
in  their  duty  to  their  country  on  that  occa- 
sion, had  it  not  been  for  the  generous  pa- 
triotism of  their  commander.  The  treas- 
ury of  the  state  was  empty,  and  the  mi- 
litia were  threatening  to  disband  for  want 
of  pay,  when  “ Nelson  learned  that  an  old 
Scotchman,  named  R ■,  had  a consid- 

erable sum  in  gold,  which  like  most  other 
monej'ed  persons  of  that  period,  he  kept 
carefully  concealed.  The  governor  wait- 
ed upon  the  man  of  gold,  a ram  avis  in 
those  times,  and  begged  and  prayed  for 

a loan  on  behalf  of  the  state.  R was 

inexoi’able,  saying,  ^ I ken  naething  o'  govr 
goovernnient,  but  if  ye  ivull  line  the  siller  for 
yoursef  general,  dcil  talc'  me  hut  every  huivhvc 
of  it  is  at  your  service  I'  Nelson  accepted 
the  offer,  and  obtained  on  his  own  bond, 
and  by  his  own  personal  influence,  a loan 
for  the  state  of  Virginia,  when  that  promi- 
nent state  had  neither  a coin  in  her  treas- 
ury nor  credit  to  obtain  one.  The  gov- 
ernor received  the  gold,  and  quickly  did 
its  circulation  give  a new  and  cheering 
aspect  to  our  destinies  at  that  momentous 
period.  And  now,”  continues  Mr.  Custis, 
“ it  would  be  naturally  asked,  ‘ Who  paid 
the  bond  and  its  accumulated  interest?’ 
Posterity  would  answer,  ‘A  grateful  and 


— 

912  BATTLES  AMEUiCA.  [i-art  ii. 

admiring  country,  surely.’  Sa}'’,  rather, 
the  impoverished  familj  of  the  patriot'."^' 

• The  erection  of  two  redoubts 

Octi 

during  the  night,  by  the  Ameri- 
cans, drew  upon  them  a heav^y  Ccinnonade 
from  the  enemy  next  morning.  While 
the  chaplain,  Mr.  Evans,  was  standing  by 
the  side  of  Wiishin<>:ton,  a ball  struck  the 
ground  so  near  as  to  throw  the  sand  upon 
Ids  hat.  Removing  it  fiom  his  head,  the 
parson  exclaimed,  in  great  agitation,  “See 
here,  general !” — “ Mr.  Evans,”  quietly  an- 
swered the  chief,  “you  had  better  carry 
that  home,  and  show  it  to  your  wife  and 
children.” 

After  a delay  of  several  days  in  land- 
ing the  heavy  artillery  and  military  stores 
from  the  French  ship.s,  the  allied  armies 
began  to  break  ground,  as  the  town  was 
now  fully  invested.  Upon  Major-General 
Lincoln  devolved  the  honor  of  opening 
^ ^ ^ the  first  paiallel.  Under  cover 

of  a dark  and  stormy  night,  he 
silently  advanced  to  the  ground  with  a 
large  detachment.  The  armed  troops  led 
the  way,  followed  by  the  working-parties 
bearing  fascines  and  intrenching-tools  on 
their  shoulders,  horses  drawing  cannon, 
and  way-ons  loaded  with  bay's  filled  with 
.sand  for  constructing  breastwork.s.  Un- 
disturbed by  the  foe,  the  troops  worked 
laboriously  that  night;  and,  before  day- 
light, they  had  nearly  completed  the  first 
parallel  line  of  almost  two  miles  in  length, 
besides  laying  the  foundations  of  two  re- 
doubts within  six  hundred  yards  of  the 
enemy’s  works. 

„ On  the  afternoon  of  the  third 

Oct.  9.  , , , . ^ , 

day, several  batteries  of  eigliteen 

♦ Recollections  of  Washington,  p.  337. 

and  twenty-four  pounders  were  prepared 
to  open  upon  the  town,  “ when  his  excel- 
lency General  Washington  put  the  match 
to  the  first  gun,  and  a furious  discharge 
of  cannon  and  mortars  immediately  fol- 
lowed,” giving  Earl  Cornwallis  his  first 
salutation.*  This  cannonade  was  contin- 
ued throimh  the  niy;ht,  and  ear- 

1 1 10. 
ly  the  next  morning  the  brencli 

opened  three  batteries  upon  the  enem3\ 

For  eight  hours  the  roar  of  the  big  guns 
was  continuous,  and  hundreds  of  bomb- 
shells and  I'ound-shot  were  hurled  upon 
the  British  work.  So  tremendous  was  the 
bombardment,  that  very  soon  the  cannon 
of  the  besieged  were  nearly  silenced.  At 
niy:ht  the  French  dischary^ed  red-hot  shot 
at  the  British  squadron  lying  at  anchor 
in  the  river,  setting  fire  to  the  Charon,  a 
forty-four  gun  ship,  and  to  three  trans- 
ports. The  flash  and  thundering  of  the 
artillery,  the  burning  of  the  vessels,  the 
plunge  of  the  balls  into  the  river,  followed 
by  great  spouts  of  water,  produced,  we 
can  well  believe,  as  a spectator  declares, 

“ one  of  the  most  sublime  and  magnificent 
spectacles  which  can  be  imagined.” 

Throughout  the  night  the  allies  kept 

up  their  cannonade,  and  the  next  morn- 

iny:  another  British  vessel  was 
o Ccti  11. 

set  on  fii'e  by  a red-hot  ball,  and 

was  consumed.  From  the  9 th  to  the  16  th 

% 

the  siege  continued;  and  in  the  meantime 
the  French  and  Americans  increased  the 
number  of  their  batteries,  and  maintained 
“a  tremendous  and  incessant  firing,”  du- 
ring which  Lafayette,  Hamilton,  Lauren.s, 
Ogden,  Gibbs,  Stevens,  Carrington,  and 
other  American  officers,  as  well  as  many 

* Thacher. 

REVOLUTIONAUT.] 


STORMING  OF  THE  REDOUBTS. 


of  their  French  comrades,  distinguished 
themselves  by  their  bravery. 

On  the  night  of  the  11th,  the  second 
parallel  was  opened,  and  batteries  were 
erected  within  three  hundred  yards  of  the 
British  works.  Both  besiegers  and  be- 
sietred  now  betjan  to  fire  with  redoubled 
fury.  The  enemy  uncovered  new  embra- 
sures, and  were  thus  enabled  to  return  a 
more  effective  cannonade.  Two  of  their 
advance-redoubts  hanked  the  second  par- 
allel, and  so  greatly  annoyed  the  working- 
parties  of  the  besiegers,  that  it  was  deter- 
mined to  take  them  by  assault. 

Two  detachments  were  accord- 
Oct.  14.  . , . , • .1 

ingly  marched  out  in  the  even- 
ing, one  composed  of  American  light-in- 
fantry, under  Lafayette,  to  attack  the  re- 
doubt on  the  left ; and  the  other  of  F rcnch 
grenadiers  and  chasseurs,  commanded  by 
the  baron  de  Viomenil,  to  assail  the  re- 
doubt on  the  right  of  the  British  lines. 
The  advanced  corps  of  the  American  de- 
tachment was  led  by  Colonel  Alexander 
Hamilton,  long  the  favorite  aid-de-camp 
of  the  commander-in-chief,  but  now  re- 
stored to  his  rank  and  duty  in  the  line.* 

* In  the  February  preceding,  General  Sullivan  had  rec- 
ommended the  a|)pointment  of  Colonel  Hamilton  as  secre- 
tary of  the  treasury.  “ It  was  at  this  time,”  says  Lossing, 
“that  a misunderstanding  occurred  between  Washington 
and  Colonel  Hamilton,  which  caused  the  withdrawal  of  the 
latter  from  the  military  family  of  the  commander-in-chief 
According  to  Hamilton’s  account,  the  rupture  was  caused 
by  his  being  charged  with  disrespect  by  Washington.  He 
was  passing  Washington  on  the  stairs,  when  the  general  told 
Colonel  Hamilton  that  he  wished  to  speak  to  him.  The 
latter  answered  that  he  would  wait  upon  him  immediately. 
He  went  below,  delivered  a message  to  one  of  tlie  aids,  and 
stopped  a minute  on  his  way  back,  to  converse  with  Lafay- 
ette on  matters  of  business.  The  general  met  Hamilton  at 
the  head  of  the  stairs,  and  said,  ‘ Colonel  Hamilton,  you 
have  kept  me  waiting  at  the  head  of  the  stairs  these  ten  min- 
utes. I must  tell  you,  sir,  you  treat  me  with  disrespect.’ 
Hamilton  replied,  ‘I  am  not  conscious  of  it,  sir  ; but,  since 
115 


1)13 

Lnfiiyette  luitl,  in  the  first  insttuice,  hon- 
ored Ids  own  aid.  Colonel  Giinat.  by  giv- 
ing him  the  command.  ILuuillon,  how- 
ever, had  insisted  that,  as-  it  was  his  tour 
of  duty,  he  was  entitled  to  the  position. 
Upon  referring  the  question  to  Washing- 
ton, he  decided  in  fiivor  of  his  former  :ud- 
de-camp ; and  it  was  fintdly  tigreed  th;it 
Giimtt’s  .should  take  the  advance  of  Iltim- 
ilton’s  battalion,  but  that  the  latter  officer 
should  take  the  precedence  in  command. 

At  a given  signal,  the  detachments  ad- 
vanced to  the  assault.  The  Americans 
made  an  impetuous  rush  for  the  redoubt 
on  their  side,  pulling  up  the  abaitis  with 
their  hmid.s,  knocking  down  the  palisades, 
leaping  over  the  ditch,  and  scrambling  up 
the  walls  into  the  enemy’s  works.  Ham- 
ilton was  the  first  on  the  parapet — avail- 
ing himself,  however,  of  the  aid  of  one  of 
his  soldiers,  upon  whose  shoulder,  as  the 
man  knelt,  the  little  colonel  stepped,  and 
v.'as  thus  raised  to  the  requisite  height 
for  mounting.  Not  a gun  was  fired,  and 
the  redoubt  w’as  taken  by  the  push  of  the 
bayonet  alone.  The  assault  was  so  rap- 
idly effected,  that  the  loss  of  the  Ameri- 
cans was  trifling,  amounting  only  to  nine 
killed  and  thirty-two  wounded.  Major 
Campbell,  in  command,  with  seventeen  of 
his  garrison,  were  taken  pri.soners.  Eight 

you  liave  thought  it  iiecessai-y  to  tell  me  so,  we  pact.’  Wash- 
ington rejoined,  ‘ Very  well,  sir,  if  it  be  your  choice.’  In 
less  than  an  hour  afterward,  one  of  Washington’s  aids  wait- 
ed upon  Hatnilion  with  a tender  of  reconciliation.  This  the 
offended  young  gentleman  would  not  accept.  He  seems,  by 
his  letter  of  explanation  to  General  Schuyler,  to  have  beet, 
anxious  to  lea\e  bis  position  in  Washington’s  family,  and 
have  the  command  of  a regiment.  In  that  letter  he  says, 
‘I  was  always  detcrmincil,  if  there  should  ever  happen  a 
breach  between  us,  never  to  consent  to  an  accommodation.' 
This  is  the  key  to  the  whole  matter.  'I'he  affront,  of  itself 
was  too  slight  to  have  caused  the  rupture.” 


9U  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii 

were  killed  in  tlie  lieut  of  the  assault,  but 
not  a man  wms  touched  after  he  ceased  to 
resist.  A New-IIaiupshire  cnptaiu  threat- 
ened to  shoot  Campbell,  in  revenge  for 
the  death  of  Colonel  Scammel,  who  was 
. from  his  native  state ; but  Colonel  Ham- 
ilton interposed,  and  saved  the  mnjor’s 
life. 

“ As  the  Americans  wei’e  mounting  the 
redoubt,”  says  Custis,  ‘-Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Laurens,aid-de-camp  to  the  command- 
er-in-chief, appeared  suddeidy  on  their 
tlaid?,  at  the  head  of  two  companies.  Up- 
on Major  Fislf'=  hailing  him  with — ‘ Why, 
Laurens,  what  brought  you  here  ?’  the  he- 
ro replied,  ‘ I had  nothing  to  do  at  head- 
quarters, and  so  came  here  to  see  what 
you  all  were  about.’  Bravest  among  the 
brave,  this  Bayard  of  his  age  and  country 
rushed  with  the  foremost  into  the  works, 
making  with  his  own  hand  Major  Camp- 
hell,  the  British  commandaut,  a prisoner- 
of-war.  The  cry  of  the  Americans  as  they 
mounted  to  the  assaidt  was,  ‘Remember 
New  London!’  But  here,  as  at  Stony 
Point,  notwithstanding  the  provocation 
to  retaliate  was  justified  by  the  inhuman 
massacres  of  Paoli  and  Fort  Griswold,  mer- 
cy perched  triumphant  on  our  country’s 
colors.” 

The  French  were  not  so  expeditious  in 
their  assault.  They  were  determined  to 
do  the  thing  according  to  the  most  ap- 
proved rules  of  art,  and  would  not  ad- 
vance till  their  pioneers  had  “regularly” 
cut  down  the  ahatiis.  In  the  meantime, 
they  were  exposed  to  a galling  fire.  The 
marquis  de  Lafayette,  with  the  Ameri- 

* Major  Nicholas,  Fi-.h,  of  the  New  York  line,  and  fatlier 
of  llamiltun  FUh,  late  governor  of  the  state  of  New  York, 

cans,  having  accomplished  his  duty,  sent 
Mttjor  B.irbour,  his  aid,  to  inform  De  Vio- 
menil  that  “he  was  in  his  redoubt,  ivnd  to 
ask  the  baron  where  he  w:is.”  Barbour 
found  the  French  commander,  while  his 
pioneers  were  “systematically”  clearing 
away  the  abaitis,  waiting  to  begin  the  as- 
sault. “ Tell  the  marquis,”  he  sjiid,  in  an- 
swer to  Lafiiyette’s  message,  “ that  T am 
not  in  mine,  but  tvill  be  in  five  minutes  T 

The  assault,  once  begun,  was  made  with 
a gallant  dash.  The  regiment  of  the  Gati- 
nais,  mindful  of  the  promise  of  De  Ro- 
chambeau,  fought  with  great  spirit.  The 
French  general,  who  had  formerly  served 
cas  colonel  of  the  D’Auvertfne  reifiment, 
out  of  which  the  Gatinais  had  been  formed, 
had  promised  them  to  get  back  from  the 
king  their  old  name  of  D' Auvergne  sans 
tache,"  if  they  proved  themselves  worthy 
of  it  on  that  night.  The  name  was  re- 
stored. The  loss  of  the  French  was  con- 
siderable. Count  de  Deuxponts  received 
a wound,  and  Count  Charles  de  Lameth 
was  shot  by  a musket-ball  which  passed 
through  both  his  knees;  while  neaily  a 
hundred  of  the  privates  were  either  killed 
or  wounded. 

The  British  kept  up  an  incessant  can- 
nonade from  all  their  works  durint;  the 
assaults  upon  the  two  redoubts.  Wash- 
ington, with  Generals  Lincoln  and  Knox 
and  their  suites,  having  dismounted, stood 
watching  the  result.  One  of  Washino; 
ton’s  aids,  observing  that  his  position  was 
an  exposed  one,  became  solicitous  for  his 
safety,  and  remarked  : “Sir,  you  are  too 
much  exposed  here.  Had  you  not  better 
step  a little  back?” — “Colonel,”  replied 
the  chief,  “if  you  are  afraid,  you  have 

REvoi-uTioNAiiY.]  DESPERATE  EXPEDIENTS  OF  LORD  CORNWALLIS.  01,j 

liberty  to  step  bitck.”  Soon  afterward,  a 

on  the  batteries,  together  with  the  artil- 

musket-ball, after  striking  a cannon,  rolled 

lery  that  had  been  taken,  the  besiegers 

at  Washington’s  feet,  when  General  Knox, 

were  enabled  to  act  with  tremendous  ef- 

grasping  his  arm,  ventured  to  remark,  “My 

feet  upon  the  town.  The  situation  of 

dear  general,  we  can’t  spare  you  yet.”  — 

Earl  Cornwallis  was  becoming  desperate. 

“ It  is  a spent  ball — no  harm  is  done,”  was 

Ilis  works  were  crumbling  to  pieces,  and 

the  simple  reply.  When  the  last  redoubt 

nearly  all  the  guns  on  his  left  were  dis 

was  taken,  Washington  turned  to  Knox 
and  said,  “ The  work  is  done,  and  ivell 

mounted  or  silenced.  It  was  now 

....  Oct.  1.5. 

ten  days  since  the  time  appoint- 

doim,”  and  then  called  to  his  servant — 

ed  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  for  the  sailing 

“Billy,  bring  me  my  horse.”'^ 

of  the  fleet  and  troops  from  New  York  to 

“ Washiimton,  durino;  the  whole  of  the 

his  lordship’s  I'elief;  and  yet  there  was 

siege,”  says  Custis,  “continued  to  expose 

not  a sign  of  their  approach,  or  a single 

himself  to  every  danger.  It  was  in  vain 

word  received  to  account  for  the  torturing 

his  officers  remonstrated.  It  was  in  vain 

delay.  Cornwallis,  however,  still  strug- 

that  Colonel  Cobb,  his  aid-de-camp,  en- 

gled  against  fate.  To  retard  the  progress 

treated  him  to  come  down  fiom  a parapet. 

of  the  second  parallel,  now  nearly  com- 

whence  he  was  reconnoitring  the  enemy’s 

pleted,  and  to  gain  still  a little  time,  his 

works,  the  shot  and  shells  hying  thickly 

lordship  ordered  a sortie  of  three  hundred 

around,and  an  officer  of  the  New-England 

and  fifty  men,  composed  of  guards  and 

line  killed  within  a very  few  yards.  Du- 

light-infantry,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 

ring  one  of  his  visits  to  the  main  battery. 

Abercrombie,  against  two  of  the  French 

a soldier  of  Colonel  Lamb’s  artillery  had 

batteries,  almost  finished. 

his  leg  shattered  by  the  explosion  of  a 

The  assault  began  a little  before  day- 

shell.  As  they  were  bearing  him  to  the 
rear,  he  recognised  the  chief,  and  cried 

break.  Abercrombie  divided  his 
- . 1 , Oct.  16. 

lorceinto  twodetachments,send- 

out,  ‘ God  bless  your  excellency  ! save  me 

ing  the  guards  against  one  battery  and 

if  you  can,  for  I have  been  a good  soldier. 

the  light-infantry  against  the  other.  Both 

and  served  under  you  during  the  wdiole 

attacks  were  made  with  a gallant  dash  ; 

war.’  Sensibly  affected  by  the  brave  fel- 

the  French  were  driven  out,  with  the  loss 

low’s  appeal,  the  general  immediately  or- 

of  a hundred  killed  and  wounded,  and  all 

clered  him  to  the  particular  care  of  his 

their  guns  spiked. 

own  surgeon.  Doctor  Craik.  It  was  too 

A support,  however,  soon  came  np  from 

late;  death  terminated  his  sufferings  after 

the  trenches,  and  drove  the  British  out 

an  amputation  was  perforrned.” 

of  the  batteries  again.  The  cannon  had 

The  captured  redoubts  being  now  in- 

been  so  hurriedly  spiked,  that  the  spikes 

eluded  in  the  second  parallel,  which  was 

were  readily  w’ithdrawn;  and  before  the 

almost  completed,  and  the  heaviest  of  the 

ensuing  night  the  batteries  were  finished. 

guns  from  the  French  ships  mounted  up- 

and  now  opened  with  great  eflect  upon 

* Lossing. 

the  town. 

- 

91G  BATTLES  (JF  AMERICA.  [pab\  i , 

On  tills  diiy,  Lord  Cornwallis 
began  to  despair  of  being  longer 

a portion  of  the  twenty-third  regiment, 
were  embarked  in  boats,  and  landed  on 

able  to  hold  bis  position.  His  crumbling 

Gloucester  Point.  So  secretly  was  this 

works  could  hardly  show  a mounted  gun  ; 

effected,  that  the  besiegers  on  neither  side 

he  was  almost  reduced  to  his  last  shell ; 

of  the  river  were  conscious  of  the  move- 

and  his  troops  were  so  worn  by  their  in- 

ment.  The  rest  of  the  army  was  ready 

cessant  watching,  exposure,  end  severe 

to  follow,  when  a violent  storm  of  wind 

labor,  that  the  hospitals  were  filled  with 

and  rain  arose,  which  prevented  the  boats 

the  sick  and  wounded.  Hopeless  now  of 

from  returning,  and  ruined  the  whole  pro- 

receiving  aid  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in 

ject.  Cornwallis  now  abandoned  all  hopes 

time  to  save  himself,  his  lordship  was  re- 

of  escape,  and  recalled  the  troops  fio:n  the 

duced  to  the  alteinative  of  surrendering 

other  side.  The  day,  however,  vvas  coe 

or  attempting  an  escnpe.  The  latter  was 

siderabljMidvanced  before  they  s^’ere  abb 

a bold  and  hazardous  expedient,  but  the 

to  return,  when  they  were  seeii  by  the 

earl  bravely  chose  it. 

besiegers,  and  expo.sed  to  their  fire. 

Lookintr  across  Yoik  river,  and  to  the 

The  allies,  in  the  rnearitime,  bad  kept 

wide-spreading  country  beyond,  his  lord- 

up  their  destructive  c*innonade.  At  day- 

ship  hoped  to  save  at  least  a portion  of 
his  troops  by  a daring  and  rnpid  move- 

break,  several  new  batteries  in 
the  second  parallel  were  opened. 

ment.  He  would  secretly  cross  the  river 

by  which  a more  terrible  tempest  of  shell 

in  the  night,  before  break  of  day  attack 

and  round-shot  was  poured  upon  York- 

General  de  Choise  (wbo  bad  completely 

town  than  had  yet  been  sent.  It  was  on 

invested  Gloucester),  cut  to  pieces  or  sur- 

this  occasion  that  Governor  Nelson,  who 

prise  his  force,  seize  the  French  cavalry- 

commanded  the  first  battery,  made  a most 

horses  and  those  he  could  find  on  his 

noble  and  touching  display  of  patriotism. 

route,  mount  his  infantry,  make  with  all 

The  incident  is  best  related  in  the  words 

speed  for  the  fords  of  the  Rnppahannock, 

of  Lafayette,  himself  a prominent  actor 

Potomac,  and  other  great  rivers,  and  force 

in  the  scene,  who  thus  narrated  it  to  Cus- 

his  way  through  Maryland,  Pennsylvania, 

tis,  on  his  last  visit  to  Mount  Vernon,  in 

and  New  Jersey,  thus  effecting  a junction 

1825:  — 

with  the  British  commander-in-chief  at 

“ I had  just  finished  a battery,”  said  tbe 

New  York.  The  artillery,  military  stores. 

nation’s  guest,  “ mounted  with  heavy  pie- 

bao:«:a«:e,and  the  sick  and  wounded,  would 

ces;  but,  before  I opened  on  the  town,  I 

have  to  be  left  behind  ; but  bis  lordship 

requested  the  attendance  of  the  governor 

had  determined  even  upon  this  sacrifice. 

of  Virginia,  not  only  as  a compliment  due 

in  order  to  save  himself  the  mortification 

to  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  state  in 

of  a surrender. 

which  I was  serving,  but  from  his  accu- 

Accordingly,  at  a late  hour  on 
Oct.  16.  , T 

the  same  night,  the  light-inhin- 

1‘ate  knowledge  of  the  localities  of  a place 
in  which  he  bad  spent  the  greater  part  of 

try,  the  greater  part  of  the  guards,  and 

his  life.  ‘ To  what  particular  .spot  would 

EjKvc r.uTioNAKV.]  EARL  CORNWALLIS  IN  THE  CAVE.  917 

your  excellency  dii-ect  that  we  .should 

bill!  while  carrying  a tureen  of  soup  to 

point  the  caunon  ?’  I asked.  ‘There,’ 

bi.s  master’s  Lible. 

promptly  i-eplled  the  noble-minded,  patri- 

“ The  British  genertd  then  removed  hi." 

otic  Nelson,  ‘ to  that  house.  It  is  mine. 

hendquarters  to  the  house  of  Governor 

and  is,  now  tliat  the  secietary’s  is  neaily 

Nelson,  nnd  finally  to  otrutments  exca- 

knocked  to  pieces,  the  best  one  in  the 

vated  in  the  bank  on  the  southern  ex- 

town  ; and  there  you  will  be  almost  cer- 

tremity  of  the  town,  wbt're  two  looms 

tain  to  find  Lord  Cornwallis  and  the  Brit- 

were  wainscotted  with  boiinls,  und  lined 

ish  headquarter.s.  Fiie  upon  it,  my  dear 

with  baize,  for  his  accommodiition.”  'fhe 

marquis,  and  never  spare  a particle  of  my 

cave,  whose  entrance  was  concealed  by 

property  so  long  as  it  affords  a cornfort 

an  old  house,  was  probably  made  for  the 

or  a shelter  to  the  enemies  of  my  conn- 

hiding  of  valuables.  “ It  was  in  that  ca  v- 

try.’  The  governor  then  rode  away,  leav- 

ernous  abode  tlnit  the  earl  received  his 

ing  ns  all  charmed  with  an  instance  of  de- 

last  letter  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  It  was 

votional  patriotism  that  would  have  shed 

brought  by  the  Honorable  Colonel  Coch- 

a lustre  upon  the  purest  ages  of  Grecian 

ran,  who,  landing  from  an  English  cutter 

oi'  Roman  virtue.”* 

on  Cape  Charles,  procured  an  open  boat. 

The  first  headquarters  of  Earl  Corn- 

and  threading  his  way,  under  cover  of  a 

wall  is,”  adds  Custi.s,  “ were  in  the  house 

fog, through  the  French  Heet,  arrived  safe- 

of  Mr.  Secretary  Nelson,  a relative  of  the 

ly,  and  delivered  his  despatches.  They 

governor,  and  a gentleman  attached  to 

contained  orders  for  the  earl  to  hold  out 

the  royal  cau.se.  It  was  a very  large  and 

to  tlie  last  extremity,  a.s.suring  him  that 

splendid  brick  mansion,  and,  towering 

a force  of  seven  thousand  men  would  be 

above  the  ramparts,  afforded  a fine  mark 

immediately  embarked  for  his  relief 

foi'  the  American  artillery,  that  soon  rid- 

“ While  taking  wine  with  his  lordship 

died  it,  having  learned  from  a deserter 
that  it  contained  the  British  headqnar- 
teis.  Ilis  lordship  remained  in  the  house 
until  his  steward  was  killed  by  a cannon- 

* “ When  I visited  Yorklowii  a few  years  ago,”  says  Los- 
siii";,  “ Governor  Nelson’s  house  was  yet  staridinfr,  and  was 
oeeupied  hy  his  nrandson.  It  was  a lar(;e,  two-storied  hriek 
huildintr,  fronting  the  main  street  of  the  town,  a short  dis- 
tance from  the  river  hank.  It  hore  many  sears  of  the  ean- 

after  dinner,  the  gallant  colonel  proposed 
that  lie  should  go  up  to  the  rampart.s  and 
take  a look  at  the  Yankee.s,  and  upon  his 
return  give  Washington’s  health  in  a,  bum- 
per. He  was  dissuaded  from  .so  rash  a 
proceeding  by  every  one  at  the  table,  tbe 
whole  of  the  works  being  at  that  time  in 
so  ruinous  a state,  that  shelter  could  be 

nonade  and  Irombardment  alluded  to;  and  in  the  yard,  in 

had  nowhere.  The  colonel,  however,  per- 

fiont,  lay  an  unexploded  bombshell,  cast  there  at  the  time 
of  the  siege.  A few  feet  fiom  the  door  was  a fine  laurel-  ree. 

sisted;  and,gayl3^  observing  that  he  would 

fioin  whose  boughs  a handsome  civic  wreath  was  made,  on 

leave  his  glass  as  his  representative  till  his 

the  occasion  of  Lafayette’s  visit  there,  in  1824.  The  wieath 
was  placed  upon  the  brow  of  the  nation’s  guest,  when  he  in- 

return,  which  would  be  quickly,  away  he 

stantly  removed  it  and  laid  it  upon  that  of  Colonel  Nicholas 

went.  Poor  fellow!  he  did  return, and  that 

Fish,  of  the  Uevolution,  who  accompanied  him,  remarking 
that  no  one  was  better  entitled  to  wear  the  mark  of  honor 

than  he.” 

quickly,  but  he  was  borne  in  the  arms  ol 
his  soldiers,not  to  his  gla.ss,  but  his  grave.” 

918 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II 


^ ^ Under  (lie  terrilde  and  inces- 

sant cannonade  of  the  besiegers, 
witli  which  the  earth  trembled  for  a great 
distance  around,  the  British  works  were 
so  knocked  to  pieces,  that  liai  dly  a gun 
could  be  fired  from  them.  Yorktown  had 
now  become  so  evidently  untenable,  that 
Lord  Cornwallis  felt  that  it  would  be  mad- 
ne.ss  to  await  an  assault.  After  consul t- 
ino;  his  eimineers  and  officers,  he  accord- 
ingly  beat  a parley  about  noon,  and  pro- 
posed a ce.ssation  of  hostilities  for  twenty- 
four  hours,  and  the  appointment  of  com- 
mi.ssioners  on  either  side,  to  settle  the 
terms  of  a surrender.  Ilis  lordship’s  ob- 
ject was  to  gain  time,  as  he  was  in  hourly 
expectation  of  the  arrival  of  a naval  force 
from  New  York. 

Washington,  in  reply,  objected  to  the 
long  delay ; for  he,  too,  had  information 
of  the  expected  arrival  of  succor  for  Corn- 
wallis, and  he  was  fearful  his  prey  might 
escape.  He  therefore  expressed  the  de- 
sire that  the  earl,  previous  to  the  meeting 
of  the  commissioner, s,  would  state  in  wri- 
ting his  proposals,  for  which  purpose  a sus- 
pension of  hostilities  for  two  hours  would 
be  granted.  His  lordship  complied  with 
the  request,  and  sent  back  his  written  prop- 
osition.s.  These,  however,  not  being  con- 
sidered admissible,  Washington  rejoined 
with  a statement  of  his  own  term.s,  which 
were  agreed  to  by  the  earl,  and  made  the 
basis  upon  which  the  capitulation  \vas 
finally  adjusted. 

Colonel  John  Laurens  and  Viscount  de 
Noailles  (the  latter  Lahiyette’s  brother- 
in-law)  were  appointed  the  two  commis- 
sioners in  behalf  of  General  Washington, 
and  Colonel  Ross  and  Lieutenant-Colonel 


Dundas  on  the  part  of  Lord  Cornwallis 
The  commissioners  met  in  the  morninti: 
and  discussed  the  terms  of  the 
surrender,  on  which  they  could 
not  fully  agree,  and  the  entii'e  day  was 
spent  in  conferences  and  negotiation, s. 

Washington  would  not  allow  any  fur- 
ther delay,  and  early  the  next  morning 
he  sent  a fair  transcript  of  rough  articles 
to  Cornwallis,  with  a letter,  in  which  he 
informed  his  lordship  that  he  should  ex- 
pect them  to  be  signed  by  eleven  o’clock 
that  dajq  and  that  the  troops  of  the  gar- 
rison would  march  out  to  surrender  by 
two  o’clock  in  the  afternoon.  To  this  the 
earl  was  obliged  to  submit.  The  articles 
were  signed  by  the  respective  parties 
(at  the  house  of  Mr.  Moore,  in  the  neigh- 
borhood), and,  at  the  hour  appointed,  the 

garrisons  at  Yorktown  and  Glou- 

f ...  . „ , Oct.  lit. 

cester,  the  shipping  in  the  har- 
bor,and  all  theordnance,ammunition,and 
store.s,  belonging  to  the  British  at  York- 
town, w'ere  surrendered  to  the  land  and 
naval  forces  of  France  and  the  United 
States,  after  a siege  of  thirteen  day.s. 

Tlie  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  ar- 
ticles of  capitulation  : I.  The  garrisons  at 
York  and  Gloucester  to  surrender  them- 
selves prisoners-of-war;  the  land-troops  to 
remain  prisoners  to  the  United  States  — 
the  naval  forces  to  the  naval  army  of  the 
French  king.  11.  The  artillery, munitions, 
stores,  etc.,  to  be  delivered  to  proper  oHi- 
cers  appointed  to  receive  them.  HI.  The 
two  redoubts  captured  on  the  16th  to  be 
surrendered,  one  to  the  Americans,  the 
other  to  the  French  troop.s.  The  garrison 
at  York  to  march  out  at  two  o’clock,  with 
shouldered  arms,  colors  cased,  and  drums 


r 

REVOT.CTiONARY.]  SURRENDER  OF  LORD  CORNWALLIS.  919 

beating;  there  to  lay  down  tlieir  arms, 

the  soldiers,  and  of  the  hospital-sui'geons 

and  return  to  their  encampment.  Tlie 

when  travelling  on  account  of  the  sick. 

woi’ks  on  the  Gloucester  side  to  he  deliv- 

XIII.  The  shipping  and  boats  in  the  two 

ered  to  the  Americans  and  French  ; the 

harbors,  with  all  their  appendages,  arm.s, 

garrison  to  lay  down  their  arms  at  three 

and  stores,  to  be  deliveied  up  unimpaired 

o’clock.  IV.  The  officers  to  retain  their 

after  the  private  property  was  unloaded. 

side-arms,  papers,  and  private  pioperty. 

XIV.  No  article  of  the  capitulation  to  he 

Also,  the  property  of  loyalists  found  in 

infringed  on  pretext  of  reprisal ; and  a 

the  garrison  to  he  retained.  V.  The  sol- 

fair  interpretation  to  be  given,  according 

diers  to  be  kept  in  Virginia,  Maryland, 

to  the  common  meaning  and  acceptation 

and  Pennsylvania,  and  to  he  subsisted  by 

of  w'ords. 

the Ameiican.s.  British, Anspach, and  Ile.s- 

These  articles  were  signed,  on  the  part 

sian  officers,  allowed  to  he  quartered  near 

of  the  British,  by  Loi  d Cornwallis,  and  by 

them,  and  supply  them  with  clothing  and 

Thomas  Symomls,  the  naval  commander 

nece.ssities.  VI.  The  officers  allowed  to 

in  York  river;  on  the  part  of  the  allied 

go  on  parole  to  Europe,  or  to  any  part  of 

armie.s,  by  Washington,  Rochainbeau,  De 

the  American  confederacy ; proper  ve.s- 

Bai  ras,  and  De  Grasse. 

sels  to  be  granted  by  Count  de  Gra.sse  to 

The  ceremony  of  the  surrender  present- 

convey  them,  under  Hags  of  truce,  to  New 

ed  a scene  of  imposing  interest.  News 

York,  within  ten  days,  if  they  choose; 

of  the  defeat  and  expected  capitulation 

passports  to  be  granted  to  those  who  go 

of  the  British  earl  had  spread  throughout 

l)y  land.  VII.  Officers  allowed  to  keep 

the  adjoining  country,  and  the  inhabit- 

soldiers  as  servants;  and  sei'vants,  not 

ants  by  thousands  flocked  to  the  allied 

soldiers,  not  to  be  considei’ed  prisoners. 

camp.  Doctor  Thacher,  who  was  an  eye- 

VIII.  The  Bonetta  to  be  under  the  entire 

witnes.s,  estimated  that  the  spectators  on 

control  of  Cornwallis,  to  go  to  New  York 

the  occasion  were  in  number  equal  to  tlie 

with  despatches,  and  then  to  be  delivered 

military  who  were  to  capitulate. 

to  Count  de  Grasse.  IX.  Traders  not  con- 

General  Lincoln  was  appointed  by  tlie 

sidered  close  prisoners-of-war,  but  on  pa- 

commander-in-chief  to  conduct  the  sur- 

role,  and  allowed  three  months  to  dispose 

render,  which  was  upon  the  same  terms 

of  their  propei’ty,  or  remove  it.  X.  Boy- 

as  those  pre.3cribed  to  that  ollicer  the  pre- 

alists  not  to  be  punished  on  account  of 

vious  year  at  the  capitulation  of  Charle.s- 

having  joined  the  British  army.  (Con- 

ton.  Lincoln  doubtless  felt  a natural  sat- 

sidering  this  matter  to  be  of  a civil  char- 

isfaction  in  being  thus  made  the  instru- 

acter,  Washington  would  not  a.ssent  to  the 

ment  in  this  “humiliation  of  those  who 

ai'ticle.)  XI.  Proper  hospitals  to  be  fur- 

had  made  him  pass  under  the  yoke.” 

uished  for  the  sick  and  wounded,  they  to 

At  about  twelve  o’clock,  the 

be  attended  by  the  British  surgeons.  XII. 

, , 1 , . vClt  I «*• 

coinbined  army  was  drawn  up  in 

Wagons  to  be  furnished,  if  po.ssible,  for 

two  line.s,  extending  more  than  a mile  in 

ta»rrvin<2:  the  bayirajjreofofficei’s  atteudinu; 

/ o o c o o 

length.  The  Americans  were  posted  on 

920 


BATTLES  OF  Ai\I  ERICA. 


[part  II. 


the  right  side  of  the  road  leading  from 
Yorktown  to  Hampton,  and  the  Fiench 
on  the  left.  At  the  head  of  the  former, 
Washington,  mounted  on  his  noble  steed, 
took  his  station,  attended  by  his  aids-de- 
camp.*  At  the  head  of  the  latter  was 
the  count  de  Kochainbeau,  on  a splendid 
bay  horse,  accompanied  by  his  suite.  The 
French  troops,  in  complete  uniform,  pre- 
sented a mai  tial  appearance.  The  Ameri- 
cans, too,  though  not  all  in  uniform,  and 
many  of  them  shabbily  clothed,  exhibited 
asoldierlike  bearing.  The  imniensecrowd 
of  spectators  looked  on  in  silence,  but  with 
a manifest  expression  of  joy  on  their  faces. 
It  is  also  related  that  when  the  British 
soldiers  were  about  to  march  out  and  lay 
down  their  arms,  Washington  said  to  his 
troops,  “My  boys,  let  there  be  no  insults 
over  a conquered  foe  ! When  they  lay 
down  their  arms,  don’t  huzza:  posterity 
mill  huzza  for  pou 

At  two  o’clock,  the  captive  army  came 
out  of  the  intrenchments,  and  began  to 
advance  between  the  lines  of  the  allie.s. 
Every  eye  gazed  eagerly  upon  that  pro- 
cession, to  catch  a sight  of  the  renowned 
and  long-dreaded  Cornwallis,  the  terror 
of  the  South,  in  this  the  hour  of  his  ad- 
versity ; but  all  were  destined  to  disap- 

*  “ On  the  (lay  of  the  surrender,  the  commander-in-chief, 
rode  his  favorite  and  splendid  charfjer,  named  Nelson,  a lij^ht 
sorrel,  si.xteen  hands  hifih,  with  white  face  and  legs,  and  re- 
markahle  as  being  the  first  ‘nicked  ’ horse  seen  in  America. 
This  famous  charger  died  at  Mount  Vernon  many  years  af- 
ter the  Revolution,  at  a very  advanced  age.  After  the  chief 
had  ceased  to  mount  him,  he  was  never  ridden,  but  grazed 
in  a ])addock  in  summer,  and  was  well  cared  for  in  winter; 
and  as  often  as  the  retired  farmer  of  Mount  Vernon  would 
be  making  a tour  of  his  grounds,  he  would  halt  at  the  pad- 
dock,  when  the  old  war-horse  would  run,  neighing,  to  the 
fence,  proud  to  be  caressed  by  the  great  master’s  hands.” — 
CcsTis’s  ItecoUi clions  of  Waskimjton.  \ 


pointment.  His  loitl.sihip,  who  so  often 
had  boldly  confronted  the  Americans  in 
battle,  lacked  the  courage  to  meet  them 
on  this  day  of  their  triumph.  Despond- 
ing and  humiliiited,  the  earl,  affecting  in- 
disposition, iippointed  Genei’fil  O’Htiia  to 
deliver  up  his  sword  to  W.ishington,  and 
to  conduct  the  vauqui.shed  army  to  the 
place  of  surrender.  O’Hara,  lumdsomel  )' 
mounted,  walked  his  horse  iit  the  hetul  of 
the  column  of  conquered  troops,  as  they 
moved  slowlv  along  with  shouldered  ju  ins, 
colors  cased,  and  drums  beating  a British 
march.  On  observing  Washington,  how- 
ever, he  immediately  rode  up  to  where 
the  chief  wiis  standing,  in  order  to  pre- 
sent the  sword  of  his  superior,  and,  hiking 
off  his  hat,  apologized  for  the  .ibsence  of 
Lord  Cornwallis.  Washington  courteou.s- 
ly  referred  him  for  directions  to  General 
Lincoln,  who  took  the  sword  from  OTIai'a, 
and  then  politely  handed  it  bfick,  to  be 
returned  to  the  earl.  The  British  troops 
were  now  conducted  by  Lincoln  into  a 
spacious  field  which  had  been  selected  for 
them  to  ground  their  arms. 

As  they  advanced,  “it  w’as  remarked 
that  the  British  soldiers  looked  only  tow- 
ard the  French  army  on  the  left,  whose 
appearance  was  assuredly  more  bi'illiant 
than  that  of  the  Americans,  though  the 
latter  were  respectable  in  both  their  cloth- 
ing and  appointments;  while  their  admi- 
rable discipline,  and  the  hardy  and  vet- 
eran appearance  of  both  officers  and  men, 
showed  they  were  no ‘carpet-knights,’  but 
soldiers  who  had  seen  service,  and  were 
inured  to  war. 

“ Lafayette,  at  the  head  of  his  division, 
observing  that  the  captives  confined  their 


r 

REVOLUTIONARY.]  DELIVERY  OF  THE  ARJIS  AND  STANDARDS.  921 

admiration  exclusively  to  the  French  ar- 

threw  their  arms  to  the  ground  in  sullen 

my,  neglecting  his  darling  light-infantry, 

despair.  One  fine  veteran  fellow  displa3'ed 

the  very  apple  of  his  eye  and  pride  of  his 

a soldierly  feeling  that  excited  the  admi- 

heart,  determined  to  bring  ‘ eyes  to  the 

ration  of  all  around.  He  himged  his  mus 

right.’  He  ordered  his  music  to  strike  up 

ket  to  his  bosom,  gazed  tenderly  on  it, 

Yankee  Doodle.  ‘ Then,’  said  the  good  gen- 

pressed  it  to  his  lips,  then  threw  it  from 

eral,  ‘ they  did  look  at  us,  my  dear  sir,  but 

him,and  marched  away  dissolved  in  tears.” 

were  not  very  well  pleased.’”* 

One  of  the  most  painful  events  to  the 

The  royal  army  was  in  bright  array. 

captives  was  the  surrender  of  the  twen- 

Every  soldier  wore  a new  uniform,  for 

ty-eight  regimental  flags.  For  this  pur- 

Cornwallis  had  opened  his  stores  and  sup- 

pose,  twenty-eight  British  captains,  each 

plied  each  man  with  a new  suit  just  be- 

bearing  a flag  in  a case,  were  drawn  up 

lore  the  capitulation.  “ But  in  their  line 

in  line.  Opposite  to  them,  at  a distance 

of  march,”  says  Thacher,  ‘‘  we  remarked  a 

of  six  paces,  twenty-eight  American  ser- 

disorderly  and  an  unsoldierlike  conduct; 

geants  were  placed  to  receive  the  colors. 

their  step  was  irregular,  and  their  ranks 

and  an  ensign  was  appointed  by  Colonel 

frequently  broken.  But  it  was  in  the 

Hamilton,  the  officer  of  the  day,  to  con- 

field,  when  they  came  to  the  last  act  of 

duct  the  ceremony.  When  the  ensign 

the  drama,  that  the  spirit  and  pride  of 

gave  an  order  for  the  captains  to  advance 

tlie  British  soldier  was  put  to  the  severest 

two  paces,  and  the  American  sergeants  to 

test ; here  their  mortification  could  not  be 

advance  two  paces,  the  former  hesitated, 

concealed.  Some  of  the  platoon-officers 

saying  that  the^"  were  unwilling  to  sur- 

appeared  to  be  exceedingly  chagrined 

render  their  flags  to  non-commissioned 

when  giving  the  word  ‘ Ground  arms!'  and 

officers.  Hamilton,  sitting  upon  his  horse 

I am  a witness  that  they  performed  this 

at  a distance,  observed  this  hesitation  ; he 

duty  in  a very  unofficerlike  manner;  and 

rode  up,  and,  when  informed  of  the  diffi- 

that  many  of  the  soldiers  manifested  a 

culty,  ordered  the  ensign  to  receive  all 

sullen  temper,  throwing  their  arms  on  the 

the  colors,  and  hand  them  over  to  the  ser- 

pile  with  violence,  as  if  determined  to  ren- 

geants. 

der  them  useless.  This  irregularity,  how- 

This  ceremony  being  concluded,  and 

ever,  was  checked  by  the  authority  of 

the  arms  and  accoutrements  laid  down. 

General  Lincoln.” 

the  captive  troops  were  conducted  back 

“ When  ordered  to  ground  arms,”  says 

to  their  lines,  under  a sufficient  guard. 

Custis,  ‘‘  the  Hessian  was  content.  He 

The  number  of  men  thus  surrendered  as 

was  tired  of  the  war;  his  pipe  and  his  pa- 

prisoners  amounted  to  seven  thousand 

tience  pretty  well  exhausted,  he  longed 

and  sevent^'-three,  of  whom  five  thousand 

to  bid  adieu  to  toilsome  marches,  battles. 

nine  hundred  and  fifty  were  rank  and  file. 

and  the  heat  of  the  climate  that  consumed 

These,  added  to  two  thousand  sailors,  fif 

him.  Not  so  the  British  soldier:  many 

teen  hundred  tories,  and  eighteen  hun- 

* Custis’s  Recollections  of  Washington. 

nr. 

dred  negroes,  made  the  total  British  loss 

1 

1 

922  BATTLES  OF  AMERICA.  [part  ii. 

nearly  twelve  thousand.  Their  loss  du- 

or  war,  of  ^ All  our  friends^  gave  ‘ The  Brit- 

ring  the  siege  in  killed,  wounded,  and  mis- 

ish  armyl  with  some  complimentary  re- 

sing,  was  five  hundred  and  fifty  two.  The 

marks  upon  its  chief,  his  proud  career  in 

allied  force  consisted  of  about  seven  thou- 

arms,  and  his  gallant  defence  of  York- 

sand  regular  American  troops,  more  than 

towm.  When  it  came  to  Cornwallis’s  turn. 

five  thousand  French,  and  four  thousand 

he  prefixced  his  toast  by  saying  that  the 

militia,  forming  a total  of  sixteen  thou- 

war  was  virtually  at  an  end,  and  the  con- 

sand.  The  loss  of  the  allies  in  the  siege 

tending  parties  would  soon  embrace  as 

was  only  about  three  hundred.  The  ar- 

friends;  there  might  be  affairs  of  posts, 

tillery,  and  military  stores  and  provision 

but  nothing  on  a more  enlarged  scale,  as 

surrendered  by  the  British,  were  of  very 

it  was  scarcely  to  be  expected  that  the 

considerable  amount.  There  were  sev- 

ministry  would  send  another  army  to 

enty-five  brass  and  one  hundred  and  sixty 

America.  Then,  turning  to  Washington, 

iron  cannon ; seven  thousand  seven  him- 

his  lordship  continued  : ‘ And  when  the 

dred  and  ninety-four  muskets;  twenty- 

illustrious  part  that  your  excellency  has 

eight  regimental  standards  (ten  of  them 

borne  in  this  long  and  arduous  contest 

English,  and  eighteen  German) ; a great 

becomes  matter  of  history,  fame  will  gath- 

quantity  of  mortars,  bombs,  cannon  and 

er  your  brightest  laurels  rather  from  the 

musket  balls,  carriages,  etc.  The  military 

banks  of  the  Delaw^are  than  from  those 

chest  contained  nearly  eleven  thousand 

of  the  Chesapeake.’ 

dollars  in  specie. 

‘‘Colonel  Tarleton,  alone  of  all  the  Bnt- 

“ The  day  after  the  surrender,” 

Oct.  20.  ^-n  in  IT 

says  Gustis,  “ Earl  (Jornwallis  re- 

ish  officers  of  rank,  was  left  out  in  the  in- 
vitations to  headquarters.  Gallant  and 

paired  to  headquarters  to  pay  his  respects 

high-spirited,  the  colonel  applied  to  the 

to  General  Washington  and  await  his  or- 

marquis  de  Lafayette  to  know  whether 

ders.  The  captive  chief  was  received  wdth 

the  neglect  might  not  have  been  acci- 

all  the  courtesy  due  to  a gallant  and  un- 

dental.  Lafiiyette  well  knew  that  acci- 

fortunate  foe.  The  elegant  manners,  to- 

dent  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  matter. 

gether  with  the  manly,  frank,  and  soldier- 

but  referred  the  applicant  to  Lieutenant- 

ly  bearing  of  Cornwalli.s,  soon  made  him 

Colonel  Laurens,  who  as  ud-de-camp  to 

a prime  favorite  at  headquarters,  and  he 

the  commander-in-chief,  must  of  course 

often  formed  part  of  the  suite  of  the  com- 

be  able  to  give  the  requisite  explanation. 

mander-in-chief  in  his  rides  to  inspect  the 

Laurens  at  once  said  : ‘ No,  Colonel  Tarle- 

levelling  of  the  works  previous  to  the  re- 

ton,  no  accident  at  all ; intentional,  I can 

tirement  of  the  combined  armies  from  be- 

assure  you,  and  meant  as  a reproof  for 

fore  Yorktown. 

certain  cruelties  practised  by  the  troops 

“ At  the  grand  dinner  given  at  head- 

under  your  command  in  the  campaigns 

quarters  to  the  officers  of  the  three  ar- 

of  the  Carolinas.’ — ‘What,  sir!’  haughti- 

mies,  Washington  filled  his  glass,  and,  af- 

ly  rejoined  Tarleton,  ‘ and  is  it  for  severi- 

ter  his  invariable  toast,  whether  in  peace 

ties  inseparable  from  war,  which  you  are 

. 

RKvoi.uTiONAUY.J  THE  JOYFUL  NEWS 

IN  PIIILADELPIIIA.  923‘ 

pleased  to  term  cruelties,  that  I am  to  be 

ington  expressed  his  approbation  of  the 

disgraced  before  junior  officers  ? Is  it,  sir, 

conduct  of  both  armies,  making  specitd 

for  a faithful  discharge  of  my  duty  to  my 

mention  of  several  officers,  among  whom 

king  and  my  country,  that  I am  thus  hu- 

were  Knox  and  Du  Porttiil,  of  the  artille- 

miliated  in  the  eyes  of  three  armies?’  — 

ry,  who  were  etich  promoted  to  the  rank 

‘Pardon  me,’  continued  Colonel  Laurens, 

of  niiijor-general.  Tluiuks  were  also  ren- 

‘ there  are  modes,  sir,  of  discharging  a sol- 

dered  to  Governor  Nelson  ; and,  tluit  ev- 

diei‘’s  duty  ; and  where  mercy  has  a share 

ery  one  might  share  in  the  general  jo}'. 

in  the  mode,  it  renders  the  duty  the  more 

all  offenders  under  arrest  were  ordered  to 

accepLihle  to  both  friends  and  foes.’  Tarle- 

be  set  at  lilierty.  Washington  closed  his 

ton  stalked  gloomily  away  to  his  quarters. 

order  with  a notice  that  on  the  morrow 

which  he  seldom  left  until  his  departure 

(which  was  the  sabbath)  divine  service 

from  Virginia.* 

would  be  held  iu  the  several  brigades  and 

“Upon  the  surrender  of  the  post  of 

divisions;  and  he  earnest!}'  recommended 

Gloucester,  Colonel  Tarleton,  knowing 

that  the  troop.s,  not  on  duty,  should  uni- 

himself  to  be  particularly  obno.xious  to 

versall}'  attend,  “ with  that  sei'iousness  of 

the  Americans  from  his  conduct  in  the 

deportment  and  gratitude  of  heart  which 

South,  requested  a guard  for  his  person. 

the  recognition  of  such  reiterated  and  as- 

This  was  afterward  dispensed  with  ; but 

tonishing  interpositions  of  Providence  de- 

he  was  destined  to  be  sadly  humiliated 

manded  of  them.” 

Tqion  his  arrival  in  York  town,  being  dis- 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Tilghman  was  sent 

mounted  in  the  street  from  a beautiful 

express  to  Philadelphia  with  Washington’s 

blood-horse  that  was  claimed  by  a Vir- 

despatches  to  Congre,ss,  and,  as  he  spread 

ginian  gentleman  as  his  property.  The 

intelligence  of  the  great  event  on  his  wa  y. 

colonel  was  on  his  way  to  dine  with  the 

the  country  became  vocal  with  rejoicings. 

baron  de  Viomenil ; and,  but  for  a French 

It  was  midnight  when  he  entered  Phila- 

officer  who  was  passing,  dismounting  an 

delphia.  lie  made  his  way  directly  to  the 

ordeily,  and  giving  his  steed  to  the  unfor- 

house  of  President  M‘Kean,  and  delivered 

tunate  colonel,  this  celebrated  cavalier. 

his  despatches.  Soon  afterward  the  whole 

badly  calculated  for  a pedestrian,  fiom  a 

city  was  in  commotion.  The  watchmen 

defect  in  one  of  his  feet,  must  have  trudged 

everywhere  in  proclaiming  the  hour,  add- 

it  to  the  baron’s  quarters,  a distance  of 

ed,in  loud  voices,  ^^and  Corwvallk  is laJcen 

more  than  a mile.” 

„ In  the  orders  of  the  day  suc- 

Oct.  20.  -.  , ...  ttt  1 

ceedmg  tlie  capitulation.  Wash- 

That  annunciation,  ringing  out  upon  the 
frosty  night-air,  aroused  thousands  from 
their  beds.  Lights  were  soon  seen  inov- 

* Oil  his  return  to  England,  the  inhabitants  of  his  native 

ing  in  every  house  ; and  before  daylight 

city  (Liverpool)  elected  him  their  representative  in  the  house 
of  oonimons.  In  1798  he  married  the  daughter  of  the  duke 
of  Anca.ster,  and  in  1817  heeanie  a niajor-general  in  the  Brit- 

the  streets  were  thronged  with  people. 
Anxiously  (hey  had  awaited  this  hoped-. 

ish  army.  Upon  the  coronation  of  George  IV.,  in  182.0, 
General  'J’arleton  was  created  a baronet.  He  died  in  1833, 

for  intelligence  from  Yorktovvn,  and  now 

,u  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years. 

* Lossing. 

- 

■ 024  BATTLES  OF  A^MERICA.  [part  n. 


tlu'if  joy  was  coioplefe.  The  old  state- 
liouso  hell  rang-  out  its  notes  of  gladness, 
and  the  first  hlush  of  the  morning  was 
greeted  with  (he  roar  of  cannon. 

At  an  early  hour  Congress  assembled, 

and  the  members  of  that  grave  body  were 

highly  excited  when  Secretary  Thompson 

read  Washington’s  despatches.  During 

the  reaxling  they  could  scarcely  repress 

huzzas;  and  atitsconclusion  theyresolved 

to  <>;o  in  procession  at  two  o’clock 
Ocl.  24.  '■ 

that  day,  “and  return  thanks  to 

Almighty  God  for  crowning  the  allied  ar- 
mies of  the  United  States  and  France  with 
success.”  The  tlnniks  of  Congress  were 
presented  to  Washington,  Rochambeau, 
and  De  Grasse,  and  the  officers  and  men 
under  their  respective  commands.  They 
also  resolved  that  two  stands  of  colors''' 
taken  from  Cornwallis  should  be  present- 
ed to  Washington,  in  the  name  of  the 
United  States;  that  two  pieces  of  the  field- 

* “I  foutul  in  the  Pliiladelphia  Sunday  Despatch,”  says 
Mr.  Lo.ssiiig,  “in  one  of  a series  of  articles  on  the  ‘History 
of  Chestnut  Street,’  from  the  pen  of  one  of  the  editors,  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  an  old  paper,  entitled  the  ‘Allied  Mer- 
cury, or  Independent  Intelliijencer,’  of  the  date  of  5th  Novem- 
hcr,  1781,  which  relates  to  the  British  banners  surrendered 
at  Yoi'ktown  — 

“On  Saturday  last  (November  3,  1781},  between  three 
and  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  arrived  here  twenty-four 
stand  inks  of  colors  t.aken  with  the  British  army  under  the 
command  of  Earl  Cornwallis.  The  volunteer  cavalry  of  this 
city  received  these  trophies  of  victory  at  Schuylkill,  from 
whence  they  escorted  and  ushered  them  into  town  amidst 
the  acclamations  of  a numerous  concourse  of  p -ople.  Con- 
tinental and  French  colors,  at  a distance,  preceib  d the  Brit- 
ish, and  thus  they  were  paraded  down  Market  street  to  the 
6tatehou.se.  They  were  then  carried  into  Congress  and  laid 
at  their  feet. 

The  crowil  exulting,  fills  with  shouts  the  sky  ; 

The  walls,  the  woods,  and  long  canals,  reply: 

‘ r.ase  Itritons ! tyrant  Ijritons I knock  under  — 

Taken 's  yonr  carl,  soldiers,  and  plunder. 

Huzza  ! what  colors  of  the  bloody  foe, 

Tweiity-lbnr  in  uumher.  at  the  statehouse  door! 

Look;  they  are  Hritish  standards;  how  they  fall 
At  the  president's  feet,  Congress  and  all  1’  ” 


onlnnnce  captured  at  York  should  be  pre- 
sented to  each  of  the  French  comma  nders, 
Rochambeau  and  De  Grasse ; tliat  a borse 
should  be  presented  to  LientenanbColo- 
nel  Tilghman  by  the  board  of  war,  in  the 
name  of  the  United  States;  and  that  a 
marble  column  should  be  erected  at  York- 
town,in  commemoration  of  the  surrender. 
Congress  likewise  appointed  the  30th  of 
December  as  a day  of  general  thanksgiv- 
ing and  prayer  throughout  the  Union. 

On  the  very  day  of  Earl  Corn- 
walliss  surrender  at  lorktown, 
the  British  lleet  of  twenty-five  ships-of- 
the-line,  two  fifties,  and  eight  frigates,  un- 
der Admiral  Graves,  sailed  from  New  York 
with  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  seven  thou- 
sand of  his  choicest  troops  on  board.  On 
reaching  the  capes  of  Virginia,  they  stood 
ofl'  the  mouth  of  the  Chesapeake  until  the 
29th,  when,  finding  that  it  was  too  late  to 
lie  of  any  service  to  Cornwallis,  they  re- 
turned to  New  York. 

A fte  r th  e s u r re  n d e r of  Yo  rk  to  wn,  Wasli- 
ington  strove  to  persuade  De  Grasse  to 
co-operate  witk  General  Greene  in  an  ex- 
pedition against  Charleston  or  Wilming- 
ton. The  French  admiral,  however,  re- 
fused compliance,  on  the  ground  of  differ- 
ent  orders  from  his  government.'''  The 

* Francois  Joskpu  Paul,  Count  tie  Gias.-ie,  .a  native  of 
France,  was  born  in  1723.  lie  was  the  junior,  in  service, 
of  Count  de  Barras,  but  was  made  his  superior  in  command, 
with  the  title  of  lieutenant-general.  His  Hag-ship,  ihe  Villo 
de  Paris,  was  a present  from  the  city  of  Paris  to  Louis  XVI. 
She  rated  a hundred  and  ten  guns,  and  carried  thirteen  hun- 
dred men.  “ On  her  arrival  in  the  Chesapeake,”  says  Cus- 
tis,  “ flowers  and  tropical  plants  were  interspersed  upon  het 
quarter-deck,  amid  the  engines  of  war;  while  her  sides,  cov- 
ered with  bright  varnish,  gave  to  this  superb  vessel  a most 
brilliant  and  imposing  appearance.”  On  the  5ih  of  Noveni- 
l)er,  De  Grasse  left  the  Chesapeake  for  the  West  Indies.  On 
the  12th  of  April,  1782,  he  was  attacked  and  totally  defeaterl 
by  Admiral  Rodney.  The  Ville  de  Paris  was  reduced  ai- 


REVOLUTIONARY.]  CLOSE  OF 

THE  WAR.  925 

American  army  (with  the  excejition  of  a 

went  by  sea  to  New  York,  on  ptiiole,  iiml 

body  of  men  under  General  St.  Clair,  who 

were  finally  all  exchanged.*  Soon  tifler- 

marched  .southward  to  reinforce  Greene) 

ward,  Henry  Laurens  wjts  liberated  from 

set  out  for  the  North,  leaving  Count  de 

the  Tower  of  London,  and  excliiinged  for 

Rochambeau  and  three  thousand  French 

General  Burgoyne,  who,  though  at  large 

troops  at  Williamsburg,  in  Virginia. 

in  England,  and  constiintly  debating  in 

Within  a fortnight,  Yorktown  was  evac- 

the  hou.se  of  commons  against  the  minis- 

uated  by  both  victors  and  vanquished.  A 

try,  was  still  held  as  a pi  isoner  on  ptirole. 

portion  of  the  prisoners  were  removed  to 

The  succe.ss  of  the  allies  at  Yorktown 

Winchester,  in  Virginia,  and  some  to  Fort 

virtiiallj^  closed  the  war.  No  one  doubt- 

Frederick  and  Fredericktown,  in  Mary- 

ed  th^t  the  United  States  Inid  not  only 

land.  The  latter  were  finally  marched  to 

won  its  independence,  but  the  tardy  jtc- 

Lancaster,  in  Penn.sylvania,  and  guarded 

knowledgment  of  it  from  Great  Britain. 

by  continental  troop.s.  The  favor  grant- 

A treaty  of  peace  was  not  signed,  howev- 

ed  to  Lord  Cornwidlis,  of  being  allowed 
to  send  the  Bonetta  sloop-of-war  to  New 

er,  until  the  beginning  of  1783,  ^ 
the  British  retaining  their  hold 

York  unsearched,  gave  his  lordship  an  op- 

upon  New  York  until  the  25th  of  Novem- 

portunity  of  sending  off  a number  of  to- 

her  following,  although  not  an  action  oc- 

ries  to  the  protection  of  Sir  Henry  Clin- 

curred  in  the  meantime  (excepting  the 

ton,  as  he  could  not  prevail  upon  his  con- 

campaign  in  South  Carolina,  already  de- 

querors  to  guaranty  their  safety.  The 

tailed)  of  sufficient  moment  to  deserve  a 

earl  himself,*  with  other  British  officers. 

record  among  the  “ Battles  of  America.”* 

most  to  a wreck  by  the  Canada,  commanded  by  Captain 
Cornwallis,  brother  of  the  carl,  who  seemed  determined  to 

Our  narrative,  therefore  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  closes  with  the  decisive  tri- 

avenf^e  his  kinsman’s  fate  at  Yorktown.  Still,  Do  Grasse 

umph  of  Washington  over  Cornwalli.s,  the 

refused  to  yield  to  any  ship  carrying;  less  than  an  admiral’s 
flag.  He  finally  struck  to  the  Barfleur,  of  ninety-eight  guns. 

greatest  of  the  English  generals. 

commanded  by  Sir  Samuel  Hood,  having  but  two  men  left 

* The  operation.s  of  the  American  navy,  afnr  the  exploit.s 

alive  on  the  quarter  deck  ! Four  of  the  prizes  taken  hy  the 

of  Paul  Jones  (who  had  been  made  a rear-admiral  in  the 

British  (the  Ville  de  Baris,  Centaur,  Glorieux,  and  Hector, 

Russian  service^  were  so  limited,  that  we  need  give  them 

and  the  English-built  ship  Ramilies)  foundered  at  sea.  On 

but  a passing  notice.  In  June,  178U,  the  twenty-eight  trun 

arriving  at  Portsmouth,  the  English  sailors  mounted  De 

ship  Trumbull,  commanded  by  Captain  Nicholson,  attacked 

Grasse  on  their  shoulders,  and  carried  him  in  triumph  to  bis 

the  British  ship  Watt,  of  much  greater  force,  and  was  dis- 

lodgings.  His  later  years  were  unhappy,  through  the  bad 

abled,  but  not  captured.  She  lost  thirty-two  in  killed  and 

conduct  of  his  second  wife  and  the  neglect  of  the  king.  He 

wounded;  the  enemy  ninety-two.  In  October,  the  sixteen- 

died  early  in  1788,  aged  sixty-five  years. 

gun  sloop  Saratoga,  Captain  Young,  captured  a Briii>h  ship 

* Charles,  marquis  of,  and  son  of  the  first  Earl  Corn- 

and  two  brigs,  but,  while  convoying  them  into  port,  was  over- 

W ALLIS,  was  born  in  1738,  and  entered  the  army  as  soon  as 

taken  by  the  Intrepid,  a seventy -four,  and  the  prizes  were 

he  had  completed  his  education  at  Cambridge.  In  America, 

retaken.  The  Saratoga  escapeii.  On  the  2il  of  April,  1781, 

as  we  have  seen,  he  acted  a conspicuous  part.  In  1786,  he 

the  Alliance,  Captain  Barry,  captured  two  Guernsey  priva- 

was  made  gcvernor-general  and  commander  in-chief  in  India. 

teers ; and,  soon  after,  she  captured  two  British  nieii-of-war. 

In  1798,  he  was  sent  to  Ireland  as  lord-lieutenant;  and,  in 

one  of  which  was  retaken  on  its  way  to  America.  In  Jnne, 

the  trving  and  terrible  scenes  of  the  rebellion,  he  so  con- 

the  Confederacy,  Captain  Harding,  was  taken  by  two  armed 

ducted  himself  as  to  gain  the  gooii  opinion  of  the  public. 

British  vessels  In  August,  the  Trumbull  was  eapinred  by 

while  vigorously  upholding  and  vindicating  the  laws.  In 

three  British  cruisers  off  the  Delaware  capes  ; and  on  the  6th 

1804,  he  was  a second  time  appointed  governor-general  of 

of  September,  the  Congress,  Cajitain  Geildes,  capitiP’d  the 

India.  He  died  the  following  year,  aged  sixty-seven. 

British  ship  Savage,  but  the  prize  was  subsequently  retaken. 

- 

926 


BATTLES  OF  AMERICA. 


[part  II. 


In  Eno-land,  the  intellii^ence  of  the  ca- 
pitulation  of  York  town  produced  a pow- 
erful effect,  and  greatly  perplexed  the 
king  and  his  ministers.  On  the 
assemblingof  Parliament, its  first 
business  was  a consideration  of  American 
affairs.  News  of  Cornwallis’s  surrender 
had  reached  the  ministry  at  noon  on  Sun- 
day, the  25th.  Wraxall,  in  his  Memoirs, 
says  he  asked  Lord  George  Germain  how 
Lord  North  “ took  the  communication.” 
— “As  he  would  have  taken  a cannon-ball 
in  his  breast,”  Lord  George  replied  ; “for 
he  opened  his  arms,  exclaiming  wildly,  as 
he  paced  up  and  dowm  the  apartment  for 
a Tew  minutes,  ‘ 0 God  I it  is  all  over !'  — 
words  which  he  repeated  many  times,  un- 
der emotions  of  the  deepest  consternation 
and  distress.” 

Violent  debates  upon  the  subject  im- 
mediately ensued  in  the  house  of  com- 
mons, and  Charles  James  Fox  even  went 
so  far  as  to  insinua  te  that  Lord  North  was 
in  the  pay  of  the  French  ! The  minister 
indignantly  repelled  the  insinuation,  and 
vaiidy  attempted  to  defend  the  war  on 
the  ground  of  its  justice,  and  the  proper 
maintenance  of  British  rights.  Upon  this 
point,  however. he  was  fiercely  assailed  by 
Fdmund  Burke,  who  exclaimed:  “Good 
God  ! are  we  yet  to  be  told  of  the  rights 
for  which  we  went  to  war?  0 excellent 
rights  ! 0 valuable  rights  ! Valuable  you 
should  be,  for  we  have  paid  dear  at  part- 
ing with  you.  0 valuable  rights!,  that 


1782. 


have  cost  Britain  thirteen  provinces,  four 
islands,  one  hundred  thousand  men,  and 
more  than  seventy  millions  of  money  1” 
The  younger  Pitt  distinguished  himself 

in  this  debate  airainst  the  minis- 

°.  Nov.  30. 

try.  ihe  opposition  now  pro- 
posed the  bold  measure  (last  adopted  du- 
ing  the  Revolution  of  1688)  of  withhold- 
ing supplies  till  the  ministers  should  give 
a pledge  that  the  war  in  America  should 
cease.  This  motion,  however,  was  lost  by 
a vote  of  nearly  two  to  one.  But  every 
day  the  war  grew  more  and  more  unpop- 
ular in  Fimland  ; and  at  leimtli  a resol  a- 

O / O 

tion  offered  in  the  new  Parliament  by  Gen- 
eral Conway,  in  February,  which 
was  preliminary  to  an  act  ordering 
a cessation  of  hostilities,  was  lost  by  only 
one  vote.  Fncoiiraged  by  this,  the  oppo- 
sition urgently  pressed  the  subject;  and 
on  the  4tb  of  March,  Conway  moved  that 
“ the  house  would  consider  as  enemies  to 
his  majesty  and  the  country  all  those  who 
should  advise,  or  by  any  means  attempt, 
the  further  prosecution  of  offensive  war 
on  the  continent  of  America.”  This  reso- 
lution was  carried  without  a division,  and 
the  next  day  a plan  for  a truce  with  the 
Americans  was  introduced  by  the  attoi- 
ney-general.  After  an  administration  of 
twelve  yeans.  Lord  North  now  resigned 
the  seals  of  office.  Orders  were  accoid- 
ingly  issued  to  the  respective  British  mil- 
itary and  naval  commanders  in  America 
for  a cessation  of  hostilities. 


END  OF  PART  II. 


INDEX.  927 


INDEX. 

Colonial  and  Revolutionary. 


A. 

Abercrombie,  Col.,  makes  a sortie  at  Yorktown,  915. 

Abercrombie,  Major-Gen.,  at  Albany,  in  i756  and 
1758,  93,  103  ; his  expedition  against  Ticonderoga, 
104  ; his  defeat  and  retreat  to  Fort  Edward,  105. 

Acadians,  expulsion  of,  from  Nova  Scotia,  in  1755,  90. 

Ackland,  Lady  Harriet,  with  her  husband  in  Bur- 
goyne’s  army,  543 ; visits  her  husband  in  the 
American  camp,  564  ; her  kind  reception  by  Gates, 
565  ; subsequent  history  of  {note),  536. 

Ackland,  Major,  at  the  second  battle  of  Bemis’ 
Heights,  558  ; death  of  {note),  566. 

Adams,  John,  nominates  Washington  as  commander- 
in-chief,  157 ; anecdote  told  by,  of  Franklin,  344 ; 
conversation  of,  with  Lord  Howe,  345,  346. 

Adams,  Mrs.,  describes  the  cannonades  at  the  siege  of 
Boston,  346,  349. 

Adams  Samuel,  an  early  friend  of  the  popular 
cause  in  Boston,  141. 

Agnew,  Gen.,  in  the  expedition  to  Danbury,  464. 

Aix-la-Chapelle,  Cape  Breton  and  Louisburg  ceded  to 
France  by  the  treaty  of,  in  1748,  33. 

Alden,  Col.  Ichabod,  his  negligence  at  the  defense  of 
Cherry  Valley,  in  1778,  677. 

Alfred  and  Raleigh,  American  frigates,  cruise  of,  593. 

Alfred,  American  frigate,  captured  by  the  British,  666. 

Allen,  a clergyman,  at  the  battle  of  Bennington,  531. 

Allen,  Ethan,  capture  of  Ticonderoga  undertaken  by, 
153  ; a favorite  wiih  the  “■  Green-Mountain  Boys,” 
155  ; letter  of,  to  the  provincial  congress  of  New 
York,  195  ; superseded  in  command— employed  to 
raise  recruits  in  Canada — his  attempt  on  Montreal, 
199 ; made  prisoner  by  the  British  and  sent  to 
England  300  ; his  abuse  of  his  jailers,  443  ; visit 
of,  to  Valley  Forge,  and  his  return  to  Vermont  618. 

Alliance,  an  American  frigate,  put  at  the  disposal  of 
Lafayette  when  returning  to  France  in  1779 — diffi- 
culty in  finding  a crew — conspiracy  to  mutiny  dis- 
covered on  board,  680  ; in  the  squadron  of  Paul 
Jones  in  1779,  703  ; with  the  Bon  Homme  Richard 
during  her  action  with  the  Serapis.  708. 

* Ajperican  Turtle,”  attempt  made  by  means  of,  to 
sink  the  ship  Eagle,  318  : sunk  in  the  Hudson  by 
the  Brit'sh,  371. 

I— a 


Amherst,  Lord,  his  expedition  against  Louisburg,  100, 
103  ; takes  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point— retreats 
from  Montreal.  li  7 ; on  Lake  Ontario  and  the 
St.  Lawrence.  133  ; Montreal  surrendered  to,  134. 

Anderson,  Mr.,  his  plan  for  the  destruction  of  Howe’s 
fleet,  313  ; plan  favored  by  Putnam,  314. 

Andre,  Major  John,  quartered  in  Franklin's  house  in 
Philadeljihia — carries  off  portrait  of  Franklin,  605  ; 
theatrical  tastes  of,  60  i ; advances  made  by  Arnold 
to  Sir  H.  Clinton  through — assumed  name  of,  John 
Anderson — biographical  notice  of,  761  ; efforts  of, 
to  obtain  an  interview  with  Arnold,  763,  765  ; visits 
Arnold,  767 ; his  adventures  after  parting  with 
Arnold,  769 ; captured  by  Cowboys,  773  ; letter 
written  by,  to  Washington,  775  ; removal  of,  from 
North  Salem,  781  ; kind  treatment  of — efforts  made 
by  Sir  H.  Clinton  to  obtain  the  release  of,  783  ; trial 
of — condemned  to  death— letter  written  by,  to  Sir 
H.  Clinton,  783  ; conference  to  consider  the  case  of — 
letter  of  Arnold  to  Washington  in  favor  of,  785  ; 
letter  of,  to  Washington — Thacher’s  account  of  the 
esecution  of,  787  ; remains  of,  removed  to  West- 
minster Abbey  in  1831 — testimony  of  Clinton  to  the 
character  of — feeling  of  sympathy  for,  788  ; monu- 
ment erected  to  the  memory  of,  at  Tarry  town- 
captors  of.  rewarded  by  Congress.  789. 

Angel],  Cob,  bridge  over  the  Rahway  at  Springfield 
defended  by,  750. 

Arbuthnot,  Admiral,  fleet  of,  sails  past  Fort  Moultrie 
into  Charleston  harbor,  734. 

,Arm.strong,  Col.  John,  destroys  Kittanning  in  1756,. 
96. 

Armstrong,  Gen.,  commands  the  American  left  wing 
at  the  battle  of  the  Brandywine,  531. 

Armstrong,  Major,  at  the  battle  of  Camden,  741. 

Armand,  Col.,  bad  conduct  of  the  cavalry  of,  at  the 
battle  of  Camden,  740. 

Army,  American,  necessity  for  the  reorganization  of, 
in  1776,  358  ; bounties  offered  by  Congress  to 
encourage  enlistments  in  {note),  359. 

Arnold,  Benedict,  after  the  battle  of  Lexington,  150  ; 
his  anxiety  to  lead  the  expedition  against  Ticonder- 
oga, 154;  enters  the  fort  with  Ethan  Allen,  155; 
St.  Johns  on  the  Sorel  captured  and  abandoned  by, 


928 


INDEX. 


[parts 


156  ; on  Lake  Champlain,  193  ; superseded  in  com- 
mand— his  disappointment  and  irritation — desires 
to  attempt  the  conquest  of  Canada,  191  ; proposes 
an  expedition  against  Canada  195 ; expedition 
against  Canada  entrusted  to,  193  ; his  progress 
from  the  Kennebec  to  Quebec,  301-200  ; letter  to 
Schuyler  intrusted  by,  to  an  Indian,  205  ; arrives  at 
Point  Levi — his  approach  known  in  Quebec,  200  ; 
wounded  in  his  attack  on  Quebec,  212  ; attempts  to 
blockade  Quebec — made  brigadier-general,  213  ; 
movements  of,  after  the  surrender  of  Butterfield  at 
the  Cedars.  273  ; convention  made  by,  for  an  ex- 
change of  prisoners,  274  ; retreat  of,  from  Montreal 
— narrow  escape  of,  from  Burgoyne,  279 ; fleet 
equipped  on  Lake  George  through  the  energy  of — 
difiiculty  of,  with  the  goods  of  Montreal  merchants, 
S65  ; his  engagement  with  Carleton’s  fleet  on  Lake 
Champlain,  367  ; escape  of  his  fleet — pursued  and 
overtaken,  fights  again,  368  ; abandons  his  vessels 
and  retires  to  Ticonderoga,  369  ; sent  against  the 
British  on  Rhode  Island,  451;  name  of,  omitted  from 
the  list  of  major-generals,  454  ; efforts  of  Washing- 
ton in  favor  of,  455  ; attempts  to  intercept  Tryon,  on 
his  retreat  from  Danbury — narrow  escape  of,  467  ; 
appointed  major-general — horse  presented  to,  by 
Congress — letter  in  relation  to  his  wrongs — Richard 
H.  Lee  a strong  friend  of,  469  ; Washington  a friend 
of,  470  ; recommended  by  Washington  for  the  com- 
mand of  New  York  and  New  England  militia,  497  ; 
service  in  the  northern  army  accepted  by,  500  ; move 
ments  of,  for  the  relief  of  Fort  Schuyler — proclama- 
tion issued  by,  526  ; exaggerated  stories  of  the  force 
under,  527  ; goes  to  the  assistance  of  Gates,  528  ; ac- 
tivity of,  at  Bemis’  heights,  540  ; offended  at  Gates, 
546  ; letters  of,  written  to  Gates,  546,  547  ; his  resig- 
nation accepted  by  Gates,  547  ; his  excitement  at  the 
battle  of  Bemis’  heights,  559  ; command  at  West 
Point  obtained  by,  756  ; history  of  the  treason  of,  757 
-780;  extravagant  style  of  living  of,  at  Philadelphia, 
758-759  ; tried  by  court-martial — language  of  Wash 
ington’s  reprimand  to — early  insight  into  the  char- 
acter of,  759  ; exorbitant  claims  of— ^his  attempt  to 
obtain  a loan  from  the  French  embassador,  760;  de- 
tested by  the  people  of  Philadelphia — opens  com- 
munications with  Sir  H.  Clinton,  761  ; his  interview 
with  Major  Andre,  767  ; price  demanded  by,  for  his 
treason  769  ; receives  intelligence  of  the  capture  of 
Andre,  777  ; escapes  on  board  the  V ulture,  778  ; dis- 
covery of  his  treason  by  Washington — letter  writ- 
ten by  to  Washington,  exonerating  Mrs.  Arnold  and 
others,  779  ; letters  written  by,  in  favor  of  Major 
Andre,  782,  786  ; scheme  for  the  abduction  of,  786  ; 
proclamation  issued  by,  from  New  York,  789  ; des- 
pised by  the  British  officers  and  soldiers,  79 ) ; expe- 
dition against  Virginia  intrusted  to,  820  ; reward 
offered  for  the  capture  of,  821  ; plan  for  blockading, 
in  Portsmouth,  843  ; his  escape  from  Lafayette  and 


De  Tilley,  844  ; succeeds  to  the  chief  command  of 
the  British  forces  in  Virginia — what  an  American 
captain  said  would  be  done  with,  if  caught  (note) — 
returns  to  New  York,  846  ; expedition  against  New 
London  intrusted  to,  905  ; gratification  of,  at  the 
sight  of  New  London  in  flames — the  last  military 
service  of,  907  ; publicly  insulted  in  England,  790  ; 
death  of,  in  obscurity,  791. 

Arnold,  Mrs  , parting  of  Arnold  with,  777 ; letter  of 
Arnold  to  Washington,  requesting  bind  treatment 
for,  779  ; entirely  innocent  of  her  husband’s  treason, 
780  ; little  sympathy  felffor  in  Philadelphia,  791. 

Assumpink  creek,  encampment  of  Washington  on — 
arrival  of  the  British  at,  429  ; critical  position  of 
Washington’s  army  on,  430  ; deception  practised  on 
the  British  at,  432. 

Atlee,  Col.,  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Long 
Island,  327. 

Augusta,  Ga.,  taken  possession  of  by  the  British,  688; 
surrender  of,  to  Gen  Pickens  and  Col.  Lee — Col. 
Griesson  killed  at,  after  the  surrender  of,  864. 

B. 

B.\ird,  Sir  James,  attack  made  by,  upon  the  rear  of 
Gen.  R,  Howe’s  forces,  near  Savannah,  687. 

Balcarras,  Lord,  gallantry  of,  displayed  at  Bemis’ 
heights,  557,  559. 

Balfour,  Col.,  tyrannical  conduct  of,  in  Charleston, 
880. 

Ball,  Lieut.,  surrender  of,  to  the  French,  in  1756,  91. 

Baltimore,  Congress  adjourns  to  meet  at,  in  1776,  414. 

Barre,  Isaac,  in  Wolfe's  expedition  against  Quebec, 
109. 

Barren  hill,  skilful  retreat  of  Lafayette  from,  624. 

Barrett,  Col. , at  Concord,  144  ; the  bridge  at  Concord 
defended  by,  145. 

Barry,  Capt.,  exploits  of,  on  the  Delaware,  in  1778, 
623  ; capture  of  the  Raleigh,  commanded  by,  671. 

Barry,  Major,  Simms’  account  of  the  capture  of,  890. 

Barton,  Col.,  capture  of  Gen.  Prescott  by,  on  Rhode 
island — honors  and  rewards  received  by,  from  Con 
gress,  501. 

Basking  Ridge,  capture  of  Gen.  Lee  at,  410. 

Baume,  Col.,  expedition  against  Bennington  command- 
ed by — instructions  of  Burgoyne  to,  518,  521,  522  ; 
letter  written  by,  to  Burgoyne,  519  ; asks  reinforce- 
ments from  Burgoyne,  520  ; deserted  by  his  Indians, 
521,  522  ; attacked  in  his  intrenchments,  521  ; his 
brave  defense — mortally  wounded,  522. 

Baxter,  Col.,  position  of,  in  the  defense  of  Fort  Wash- 
ington, 389  ; killed  in  the  attack,  390. 

Baylor,  Col.,  surprise  and  massacre  of  light-horse 
under,  674. 

Beaumarchais,  French  financial  agent,  620. 

Bellamy,  George  Anne,  anecdote  of  Braddock  told  by, 
52.  • 

Bdleisle,  Count  de,  death  of,  at  Exilles,  95 


1 

I AND  11.]  INDEX.  929 

Bemis’  heights,  the  American  anny  at,  537  ; encamp- 

neglect  of  Captain  Jack,  66,  67;  his  anger  against 

ments  at,  538  ; position  of  the  British  and  American 

the  provinces,  68  ; his  precautions  against  surprise. 

forces  at,  539  ; battle  at,  540  ; victory  at,  claimed  by 

73  ; sudden  attack  upon,  at  the  Monongahela,  76  ; 

Burgoyne,  543  ; the  ammunition  of  the  Americans 

his  conduct  on  the  field  of  battle,  77  ; retreat  ordered 

nearly  exhausted  at,  544  ; the  second  battle  at,  556; 

by — mortally  wounded,  78  ; his  impatience  for  death. 

killed  and  wounded  at  the  second  battle  of,  560. 

79  ; deserted  by  his  troops — joined  by  Gage,  80  ; his 

Bennington,  expedition  against,  under  Baume,  517  ; 

death  at  Great  Meadows — funeral  services  for,  read 

battle  of,  521  ; consequences  of  the  British  defeat 

by  W ashington  81  ; effect  of  the  defeat  of,  85. 

at,  523. 

Bradstreet,  Col.,  his  efforts  for  the  relief  of  Oswego, 

Bermuda,  inhabitants  of,  and  the  cause  of  America, 

91,  94  ; sudden  attack  upon,  by  French  and  Indians, 

220. 

93  ; in  the  expedition  against  Ticonderoga,  104  ; 

Bernie,  Major,  death  of,  at  Monk’s  Corner,  725. 

Fort  Frontenac  taken  by,  105. 

Billingsport,  works  at,  taken  by  Col  Stirling,  585. 

Brandywine  river,  position  of  Washington’s  arinv  on, 

Black  Mingo  swamp,  party  of  torics  defeated  by 

before  the  battle,  531  ; crossed  by  Howe  and  Corn. 

Marion  near,  812. 

wallis — rout  of  Sullivan’s  division  at  the  battle  of. 

“ Bloody  Bill,”  foray  made  by,  from  Charleston,  892. 

534  ; the  American  army  retreats  after  the  battle  of. 

Bon  Homme  Bichard,  engagement  of  the,  with  the 

— killed  and  wounded  at  the  battle  of,  535. 

Serapis,  704,  710. 

Brant,  joins  with  Walter  Butler,  in  an  expedition 

Bordentown,  storehouses  destroyed  at,  626. 

against  Cherry  Valley,  676  ; Miuinsink  settlement 

Boston,  artillery  and  ammunition  of,  seized  by  Gage, 

ravaged  by,  679. 

140  ; citizens  of,  remove  to  the  country,  160  ; dispo- 

Breed’s  hill,  intrenchments  thrown  up  on,  163  ; forti- 

sition  of  the  American  forces  near,  161  ; force  and 

fications  on — cannonaded  from  Copp’s  hill  and  men. 

position  of  the  American  and  British  armies  at  the 

of-war,  164  ; panic  among  the  men  on,  1 15  ; prepa- 

siege  of,  188  ; sufEerings  of  the  british  army  in,  190, 

rations  by  the  British  for  an  attack  upon,  166  ; 

230  ; hopes  of  the  tory  citizens  of,  191  ; opinions  as 

attack  upon,  intrusted  to  Maj.-Gen.  Howe,  167 ; 

to  the  propriety  of  an  attack  upon.  217  ; firewood 

arrival  of  Warren  and  Pomeroy  at,  169  ; the  assault 

supplies— disturbance  of  a dramatic  performance  in. 

upon,  171  ; repulse  of  the  British  at,  172;  officers 

231  ; Washington  authorized  to  make  an  assault 

picked  off  at,  173  ; second  repulse  of  the  British  at. 

upon,  233 ; movements  of  the  British  in,  234 ; 

174  ; reinforcements  of  marines  brought  to  Howe 

Washington  in  favor  of  an  assault  upon,  over  the 

at,  li5  ; failure  of  ammunition  to  the  defenders  of. 

ice,  243  ; bombardment  of  the  British  in,  244  ; plan 

175,  176  ; third  attack  of  the  British  upon,  175  ; 

of  Washington  for  an  attack  upon,  245  ; insecurity 

retreat  from,  176  ; killed  and  wounded  at,  178  ; 

of  the  British  in,  247  ; preparations  for  the  evacua- 

British  officers  who  fell  at,  180. 

tion  of,  248  ; plunder  of  stores  in,  250  ; evacuation 

Breyman,  Col. , at  the  battle  of  Bennington,  523. 

of,  252  ; departure  of  tories  from,  253,  254  ; taken 

Brier  creek,  Ashe  defeated  at,  by  Prevost,  690. 

possession  of,  by  the  American  forces,  253  ; small- 

Bromfield,  Major,  kills  Col  Ledyard,  at  Fort  Griswold 

pox  prevalent  in,  254  ; joy  caused  throughout  the 

after  its  surrender,  906. 

colonies  by  the  evacuation  of,  256 ; news  of  the 

Bronx  river,  American  army  encamped  on,  375. 

evacuation  of,  how  received  in  England,  257  ; Brit- 

Brooklyn,  troojjs  at,  reinforced,  323  ; visit  of  Wash- 

ish  vestels-of  war  driven  from — British  transports 

ington  to,  325  ; arrival  of  Mifflin  in,  with  reinforce- 

captured  in  the  harbor  of,  281. 

ments — retreat  from,  determined  upon  by  a council 

Boston  Neck,  fortified  by  Gen.  Gage,  in  1775,  140. 

of  war,  332  ; American  works  at,  tak-en  possession 

Boston  port-bill,  138,  139. 

of  by  Gen.  Howe,  337. 

Boston  “tea-party,”  138. 

Brunswick,  Franklin  and  Adams  at,  on  their  way  to 

Boundbrook,  Lincoln  driven  out  of,  by  Cornwallis,  464. 

the  quarters  of  Lord  Howe,  344  ; retreat  of  Wash- 

Bowling-Green,  New  York,  leaden  effigy  of  George 

ington  to,  399  ; British  kept  in  check  at,  by  Alex. 

III.  in  destroyed,  306. 

Hamilton,  405  ; march  of  the  army  of  Washington 

Boyd,  Capt  , Major  Andre  delayed  by,  at  Crowpond, 

to,  after  the  battle  of  Monmouth — court  martial  at. 

771. 

for  the  trial  of  Gen.  Lee,  643. 

Braddock,  Fanny,  biographical  notice  of,  48  ; suicide 

Brush,  Crean,  stores  in  Boston  plundered  by,  250. 

of,  50. 

Buford,  Col.,  his  troops  massacred  by  Tarleton,  729. 

Braddock,  Gen. , biographical  notice  of,  47-52  ; a strict 

Bunker’s  hill,  occupation  of,  advocated,  161  ; the 

disciplinarian,  53.  64  ; arrives  in  Hampton  Roads 

neighborhood  of,  described,  162  ; breastwork  raised  ' 

— council  of  governors  called  by,  at  Alexandria.  55  ; 

on,  166  ; defenses  on,  169  ; disposition  of  the  Amer- 

slow  progress  of  the  army  of  63  ; arrival  of  the 

ican  forces  at  the  battle  of,  171  ; efforts  of  Putnam 

army  of,  at  Fort  Cumberland,  63  ; a funeral  in  the 

to  rally  the  Americans  at,  177  ; breastwork  raised 

camp  of,  64 : his  treatment  of  the  Indians.  65  ; his 

on,  by  the  British.  178. 

930  INDEX.  [parts 


Burgoyne,  Gen.,  anecdote  of  {Mte),  160  ; scene  at  the 
battle  of  Breed’s  hill  described  by,  173  ; biographi- 
cal notice  of.  483,  484  ; welcomed  and  aided  by  Gov. 
Carleton,  in  Canada — force  under — his  directions  to 
his  Indian  allies,  485  ; proclamation  issued  by,  486  ; 
approach  of,  to  Ticonderoga,  490  ; breaks  through 
■the  bridge,  boom,  and  chain,  supposed  to  protect 
Skenesborough,  494  ; delay  of,  at  Skenesborough, 
498,  500  ; proclamation  issued  by,  500  ; slow  prog- 
ress of,  towards  Fort  Anne,  509  ; unable  to  restmin 
his  Indians.  510  ; greatly  in  need  of  horses,  517  ; ex- 
pedition sent  by,  against  Bennington — -encampment 
of,  opposite  Saratoga,  518  ; determination  of,  to  form 
a junction  with  Howe,  if  possible.  536  ; crosses  the 
Hudson  to  Saratoga — operations  of  Lincoln  in  the 
rear  of,  537  ; army  of,  harrassed  on  its  march  by 
Arnold.  538  ; letter  of,  to  Sir  G.  Carleton,  after  the 
battle  at  Bemis’  heights,  542  ; letter  received  by, 
from  Sir  H.  Clinton,  544  ; deserted  by  many  of  his 
Indians — fortifies  his  camp — advises  an  attack  on 
Fort  Montgomery — scarcity  of  provisions  in  the 
camp  of,  541  ; compelled  to  fight  or  starve,  555  ; 
narrow  escape  of,  at  the  second  battle  of  Bemis’ 
heights— camp  abandoned  by,  in  the  night,  560  ; 
cautious  retreat  of,  towards  Saratoga,  562,  563  ; re- 
treat of,  from  Saratoga,  566  ; condition  of  affairs  in 
the  camp  of,  567  ; desperate  plans  of,  for  extrication 
from  his  position.  569  ; completely  hemmed  in,  570  ; 
negotiates  for  surrender,  and  agrees  on  terms,  571 ; 
hears  too  late  from  Sir  H.  Clinton,  572  ; the  surren- 
der of,  573  ; friendly  footing  established  between, 
and  Gen.  Gates,  574  ; a prisoner  on  parole.  925. 

Burr,  .\aron  a volunteer  in  Arnold’s  Quebec  expedi- 
tion, 198  ; way  of  escape  from  New  York  pointed 
out  to  Putnam  by,  351. 

Burton,  Col.,  at  the  battle  of  the  Monongahela,  77. 

Bushnell,  contrivance  of,  for  blowing  up  British  ships, 
314;  plan  of , favored  by  Putnam,  315  ; his  “Ameri- 
can Turtle”  sent  to  the  bottom,  371. 

Butler,  Col.,  surprised  by,  near  Tarrytown,  675. 

Butler,  Col.  John,  British  and  Indians  led  by,  against 
Wyoming,  653  ; Wyoming  abandoned  by.  656. 

Butler,  Col.  W.,  expedition  of,  against  Indians,  676. 

Butler,  Col.  Zeb. , defense  of  Wyoming  undertaken  by, 
652  ; defeat  and  massacre  of  the  troops  under,  654. 

Butler,  Walter,  escape  of,  from  prison,  at  Albany — 
expedition  of,  against  settlers  in  Tryon  county,  676. 

C. 

Cadwallader,  Col.  Lambert,  at  the  defense  of  Fort 
Washington,  389;  efforts  of,  to  co-operate  with 
Washington  at  Trenton,  423  ; march  of,  to  Borden- 
town,  426  ; appointment  as  brigadier  general  not 
accepted  by,  452  ; duel  of,  with  Gen.  Conway.  617. 

Cassar  and  Isis,  battle  between  the,  662. 

Caldwell,  Mrs.,  shot  dead  in  her  own  house,  748. . 


Caldwell,  Rev.  Mr.,  shot  by  a sentinel  (wofe),  748 ; 
distributes  hymn-books  to  the  militia  for  wadding, 
751. 

Callender,  Capt.,  bad  conduct  of,  at  Breed’s  hill,  172. 

Cambridge,  commotion  created  in,  by  the  arrival  of 
General  Howe  at  Charlestown,  168  ; apprehensions 
of  a British  attack  upon,  181  ; arrival  of  Washington 
at,  186  ; centre  of  the  continental  army  at,  189  ; 
want  of  discipline  in  the  army  at.  214  ; visit  of  the 
committee  of  Congress  to  the  camp  at.  216;  sickness 
in  the  camp  at,  220  ; appearance  of  the  camp  at, 
227  ; copy  of  the  king’s  speech  sent  to  the  camp  at, 
by  the  British  commander,  233. 

Camden,  battle  of,  740  ; killed  and  wounded  at,  745  ; 
several  prisoners  taken  at,  hanged  by  order  of  Corn- 
wallis, 793  ; march  of  Gen.  Greene  towards.  843  ; 
attempt  of  Greene  to  surprise  Lord  Rawdon  at,  854  ; 
evacuated  and  burned  by  Rawdon,  861  ; miserable 
fate  of  the  loyalists  of,  862. 

Campbell,  Col.,  of  Virginia,  at  King’s  mountain.  796  ; 
at  Hobkirk’s  hill,  857  ; death  of,  at  Eutaw  Springs, 
889. 

Campbell,  Lieut. -Col  , death  of,  in  his  attack  on  Fort 
Montgomery,  552. 

Campbell,  Lieut. -Col.,  and  British  troops,  made  pri- 
soners on  board  transports  in  Boston  harbor,  282  ; 
harsh  treatment  of,  at  Concord — efforts  of  Washing- 
ton in  favor  of,  444  ; expedition  sent  to  the  South 
under  the  command  of,  686  ; troops  landed  by,  near 
Savannah — Gen.  Prevost  ordered  to  co-operate  with, 
687  ; Augusta  taken  possession  of  by,  688. 

Campbell,  Lord  W. , governor  of  South  Carolina,  mor- 
tally wounded  at  the  siege  of  Charleston,  294. 

Canada,  conquest  of,  determined  on  by  Pitt,  107  . 
expedition  against,  resolved  upon  by  Washington, 
193  ; desire  of  Benedict  Arnold  to  attempt  the  con- 
quest of,  194  ; invasion  of,  intrusted  to  Gen.  Schuy- 
ler, 195;  expedition  against,  intrusted  to  Arnold,  196; 
efforts  of  Ethan  Allen  and  Major  Brown  to  obtain 
recru  ts  in,  198  ; Gen.  Lee  ordered  to  take  command 
of  the  army  in,  258 ; letter  of  Washington  to 
Schuyler,  relative  to  affairs  in,  262  ; commissioners 
appointed  to  visit,  263  ; condition  of  affairs  in,  as 
described  by  the  commissioners,  275. 

Canadians,  cruelties  practised  by,  on  English  prison- 
ers, during  Wolfe’s  siege  of  Quebec,  114. 

Canseau,  taken  by  the  French,  7 ; the  rendezvous  of 
the  expedition  against  Louisburg  in  1745,  13. 

Cape  Breton,  captured  by  the  provincials,  30  ; ceded 
to  France  by  the  treaty  of  Aix-la-Chapelle,  32. 

Cape  Finisterre,  French  fleet  defeated  off,  in  1746,  32. 

Captain  Jack,  biographical  notice  of,  66. 

Carleton,  Sir  G.,  in  Wolfe’s  expedition  against  Que- 
bec, 109  ; at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  195, 197; 
defeat  of — escape  of,  at  Montreal,  201  ; escape  of, 
past  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel,  in  disguise — i.  .rival 
of,  at  Quebec,  207 ; measures  taken  by,  for  the 


r AND  II.]  INDEX.  931 


defense  of  Quebec,  208;  Immanity  of,  towards  Ameri- 
can prisoners,  260  ; reinforcements  received  by,  at 
Quebec,  278  ; fleet  launched  by,  at  St.  Jolms,  366  ; 
Crown  Point  taken  possession  of  and  abandoned  by, 
370  ; services  rendered  by,  to  Burgoyne,  485. 

Carlisle,  Earl  of,  British  commissioner,  character  of, 
628  ; challenge  sent  to,  by  Lafayette,  {note)  631. 

Caswell,  Gen.,  in  command  of  North  Carolina  militia, 
736  ; forms  a j unction  with  Gates,  739. 

Cedars,  a fort  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  surrender  of,  272. 

Cedar  Springs,  attempted  surprise  of  Col.  Clark  at,  735. 

Champe  Sergd.,  attempts  to  abduct  Arnold,  786. 

Cliarleston,  preparations  for  the  defense  of,  289  ; chief 
command  at,  assumed  by  Gen.  Lee,  290  ; aid  brought 
to,  by  Pulaski.  691  ; propositions  for  surrender  made 
by  the  defenders  of,  to  Prevost — retreat  of  Prevost 
from,  on  the  approach  of  Lincoln,  692  ; siege  of,  by 
Sir  H.  Clinton,  723  ; surrender  of,  by  Lincoln,  728  ; 
movements  of  Clinton  after  the  fall  of,  729  ; Lord 
Rawdon  held  in  check  at,  by  Marion  and  Sumter, 
863  ; evacuation  of,  by  the  British,  895. 

Charlestown,  panic  in,  149  ; shelled  and  set  on  fire  by 
order  of  Gage,  173  ; houses  in,  burned  by  order  of 
Putnam,  232, 

Charlottesville,  state  assembly  dispersed  at,  848. 

Chastellux.  Marquis  de,  accompanies  Rochambeau  to 
America,  753  ; visit  of,  to  Mount  Vernon,  904. 

Chatham,  Earl  of,  speech  of,  in  Parliament,  on  Ameri- 
can affairs,  after  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  577. 

Chaudiere  river,  arrival  of  Arnold  at — narrow  escape 
of  Arnold  and  his  party  from  a cataract  on,  205. 

Cherokee  Indians,  Col.  Gist  authorized  to  raise  a num- 
ber of,  for  service  against  the  British,  in  1777,  452. 

Cherry  Valley,  expedition  of  Walter  Butler  and  Brant 
against,  676  ; massacre  of  the  inhabitants  of,  677. 

Chesterfield,  Lord,  remarks  of,  on  colonial  affairs,  99. 

Cheyney,  Thomas,  important  information  given  by.  to 
Washington  at  the  battle  of  the  Brandywine,  533. 

Church,  Dr  , attempted  treasonable  correspondence  of, 
with  Capt.  Wallace,  218  ; subsequent  fate  of,  219. 

Clarke,  Major  G.  R.  biographical  notice  of — expedition 
of,  to  recover  Vincennes  from  the  British  693. 

Clinton,  Col.  and  Gen  James,  in  command  of  Fort 
Montgomery  and  Fort  Constitution,  286  ; warned  by 
Washington  of  the  approach  of  British  ships-of- 
war,  371  ; wound  received  by,  while  defending  Fort 
Clinton,  552  ; at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  911. 

Clinton,  Gen.  Geo. . militia  in  command  of,  307 ; co-oper- 
ation of.  with  Heath,  in  the  Highlands,  385  ; appoin- 
ted brigadier-general,  452  ; New  York  militia  called 
out  by,  549  ; his  defense  of  Fort  Montgomery,  551  ; 
narrow  e.scape  of,  before  the  surrender,  552  ; move- 
ments of,  after  the  fall  of  Forts  Montgomery  and 
Clinton , 553  ; hangs  two  British  spies,  554. 

Clinton,  Sir  Henry,  arrival  of,  at  Boston,  160  ; bio- 
graphical notice  of,  288  ; at  the  siege  of  Charleston, 
291  ; repulse  of,  293  ; at  the  battle  of  Long  island,  ! 
l-b 


324 ; efforts  of,  to  form  a junction  with  Burgoyne, 
548  ; lands  at  Tarrytown  and  Verplanck’s  Point,  549  ; 
sudden  attack  made  by,  upon  Forts  Clinton  and 
Montgomery,  550 ; letter  of,  to  Burgoyne,  554 ; 
scheme  of  Washington  for  seizing  the  person  of,  623  ; 
Lafayette  sent  to  watch  the  movements  of,  624  ; 
secrecy  of  the  movements  of,  632  ; measures  taken 
by  Washington  for  harassing  the  retreat  of,  633  ; 
puts  his  baggage  in  front  and  his  be.st  troops  in  the 
rear,  634;  retreat  of,  after  the  battle  of  Monmouth — 
losses  sustained  by  the  army  of,  641  ; movement  of, 
for  the  defense  of  Rhode  Island,  665  ; attack  upon 
Little  Egg  Harbor  planned  by,  674;  expedition  of. 
against  South  Carolina,  721;  movements  of,  in  South 
Carolina,  729  ; return  of,  to  New  York,  731  ; con- 
tempt of,  for  the  meanness  of  Arnold,  778  ; refuses 
to  exchange  Arnold  for  Andre,  784  ; emissaries  sent 
by,  among  the  mutineers  at  Morristown,  824  ; delu- 
sion of,  as  to  Washington’s  proposed  attack  upon 
New  York,  904. 

Coates,  Col.,  surprised  at  Quinby  bridge,  875;  stand 
made  by,  at  Shubrick’s  plantation,  877. 

Coffin,  Capt.,  command  of.  cut  to  pieces  by  Col.  Wash- 
ington after  the  battle  at  Hobkirk’s  hill,  860 

Colerus,  M. , annoys  Washington  by  importunities  471. 

Collier,  Admiral  Sir  G . the  Massachusetts  expedition 
against  McLean,  at  Penobscot  bay,  broken  up  by,  713 

Commissioners,  British,  arrival  of,  at  Philadelphia,  in 
1778,  628  ; personal  description  of,  628,  629  ; re- 
ception of,  629  ; despatches  sen^  by,  to  Congress — 
rejfiy  of  Congress  to — efEor:.s  made  by,  to  bribe  dis- 
tinguished Americans,  6-iO ; efforts  of,  to  turn  to 
account  the  naticual  prejudice  against  the  French, 
631  ; total  fadure  of  all  their  exertions,  632. 

“Common  Sense,”  Paine’s  pamphlet,  influence  of,  301. 

“ Conciliatory  bills,”  of  Lord  North,  how  received,  628. 

Concord,  design  of  Gen.  Gage  to  seize  arms  and  am 
munition  at,  140;  as  it  was  in  1775 — stores  destroyed 
*.t,  by  Col.  Smith,  144;  the  battle  at  the  north  bridge 
of,  145. 

Congress  and  Montgomery,  burning  of  the  frigates, 
on  the  Hudson.  553 

Connecticut  Farms,  in  New  Jersey,  plundered  and 
burned  by  Knyphausen — Mrs.  Caldwell  shot  dead 
in  her  own  house  at,  748. 

Connecticut,  mercenary  spirit  pervading  the  troops 
from,  222  ; troops  from,  anxious  to  leave  the  con- 
tinental army,  224  ; places  of  troops  from,  supplied 
from  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  226  ; body 
of  light-horse  from,  discharged  by  Washington,  298  ; 
desertions  from  the  army  in  New  York,  of  the 
militia  from,  339. 

Continental  army,  adoption  of,  158  ; generals  chosen 
for.  158,  188  ; constituent  elements  of,  158  ; com- 
mand of,  assumed  by  Washington,  186  ; description 
of  the  camp  of,  at  Cambridge — generals  appointed 
for,  187  ; little  discipline  in,  189,  214  ; hunting-shirts 


933  INDEX.  [PAKTS 

recommended  for,  189  ; alarming  want  of  ammuui- 
* tion  in,  189, 190  ; arrival  of  ammunition  in  the  camp 

of,  192 ; condition  of,  220  ; characteristics  of  the 
Massachusetts  officers  in— difficulty  experienced  in 
selecting  officers  for,  221  ; resolution  to  reorganize, 
222;  little  patriotism  displayed  by  the  Massachusetts 
soldiers  in,  225;  improved  condition  of  afEairs  in,  220; 
necessity  for  the  reorganization  of,  358  ; efforts  of 
Congress  to  procure  enlistments  in  {note),  359. 

Continental  money,  extreme  depreciation  of,  720. 

Coutrecceur,  the  British  fort  on  the  Ohio  fork  taken  by, 
35  ; his  fears  of  the  force  of  Braddock,  82  ; Indian 
cruelties  towards  British  prisoners  witnessed  by,  83 

Conway,  Col.  and  Gen.,  impression  produced  upon 
Washington  by,  471  ; at  the  battle  of  the  Brandy- 
wine, 535  ; intriguing  letter  written  by,  613  ; at- 
tempt of,  to  explain  away  his  words  to  Washington 
- resignation  offered  by — appointed  inspector-gen- 
eral of  the  army — officers  in  conspiracy  with,  to 
supplant  Washington — cabal  of,  brought  to  an  issue 
by  Washington’s  letter,  914 ; instrumentality  of 
Wilkinson  and  Lord  Stirling  in  exposing  the  cabal 
of,  G15,  016  ; impertinent  letters  written  by,  to 
Washington — resignation  of,  accepted — wounded  in 
a duel  with  Gen.  Cadwallader — penitent  letter  writ- 
ten by,  to  Washington,  617. 

Cook,  Capt.,  the  navigator,  in  the  expedition  against 
Louisburg,  in  1758,  103 ; in  Wolfe’s  expedition 
against  Quebec,  109. 

Cornwallis,  Earl,  at  the  battle  of  Long  island,  324  ; 
movements  of.  to  attack  Fort  Lee,  393  ; carelessness 
of.  in  Few  Jersey,  418  ; command  in  New  Jersey 
resumed  by,  427  ; confidence  of.  at  Assumpink  creek, 
432  ; hears  thunder  from  Princeton,  435  ; alarmed 
for  his  stores  at  Brunswick  437  ; permitted  to  send 
money  and  stores  to  Hessian  prisoners,  448;  takes 
possession  of  Philadelphia,  580  ; arrives  at  Char  es- 
tou,  726  ; left  in  command  in  South  Carolina,  731  ; 
night-march  of,  towards  Clermont,  739  ; rigorous 
measures  of.  after  the  battle  of  Camden,  792;  retreats 
from  Salisbury,  802 ; jjosition  of  his  forces,  on 
Greene’s  taking  command  in  the  South,  810  ; bag- 
gage destroyed  by,  to  facilitate  his  pursuit  of  Morgan, 
819,  826  ; crosses  the  Catawba  river,  at  night  828  ; 
narrow  escape  of,  while  crossing  the  Catawba,  829  ; 
retires  from  the  Dan  to  Hillsborough,  833  ; leaves 
Hillsborough  for  Allaniance  creek,  836  ; harassed  by 
Col.  Williams,  and  by  Pickens  and  Lee,  837  ; move 
ment  of,  to  attack  Greene  at  Guilford  courthouse, 
838  ; manoeuvre  resorted  to  by,  at  Guilford  court- 
house, 840  ; retreats  to  Cross  creek,  842  ; marches 
to  Wilmington,  N.  C. , — determines  to  form  a junc- 
tion with  Phillips  and  Arnold,  in  Virginia,  843  ; de- 
terred from  attempting  to  surprise  Lafayette,  846  ; 
deception  practiced  by,  on  Lafayette — ordered  by 
Sir  H.  Clinton  to  send  a portion  of  his  troops  to  New 
York — determines  to  seek  the  cover  of  Portsmouth, 

849;  devastations  of,  in  Virginia  and  North  Carolina, 

851;  concentrates  his  whole  force  at  Yorktown,  896; 
shut  up  in  Yorktown  by  Lafayette,  St.  Simon,  and 

De  Grasse,  897  ; ordered  by  Clinton  to  send  several 
of  his  regiments  to  the  North,  899  ; Washington’s 
secret  intention  to  march  against,  901  ; reinforce- 
ments promised  to,  by  Clinton,  909  ; confidence  of, 
to  hold  Yorktown,  910  ; situation  of,  at  Yorktown, 

915  ; last  letter  received  by,  from  Clinton,  917  ; pro- 
positions of,  for  the  surrender  of  Yorktown,  918  ; 
a guest  at  the  headquarters  of  Washington,  922  ; 
subsequent  career  of,  925. 

Cow-boys,  arrest  Major  Andre  near  Tarrytown,  772. 

Cowpens,  account  of  Col.  Tarleton’s  defeat  at,  814,  818. 

Cressop,  “ the  rattlesnake  colonel,”  roguery  of,  (i3,  68. 

Crown  Point,  expedition  against,  87  ; capture  of,  by 
“Green-Mountain  Boys,”  155;  determination  to  with- 
draw the  army  from,  285 ; wretched  condition  of 
the  American  troops  at,  364  ; fleet  of  Arnold  at,  365  ; 
taken  possession  of,  by  Carleton,  370. 

Cruger,  Col.  defense  of  Ninety-Six  by,  865  ; left  at 
Ninety-Six  to  protect  the  retreat  871  ; in  command 
of  American  royalists,  at  Eutaw  Springs.  885. 

Culpepper  volunteers,  flag  and  motto  of,  238  ; Gov 
Dunmore’s  attempt  on  Hampton  defeated  by,  239. 

Cunningham,  Gen.,  encounter  of  a body  of  tories 
under,  with  Gen.  Sumter,  892. 

Cunningham,  W..  foray  made  by,  from  Charleston,  892. 

Custis,  J.  P.,  with  his  mother  at  Cambridge,  225  ; ac 
companies  Washington  as  aid,  904. 

C’ustis.  Mrs.  Martha,  marriage  of,  to  Washington,  185. 

D. 

DANBUKY.Tryon’s  expedition  to  destroy  stores  at — Sul- 
livan’s efforts  for  the  defense  of,  464;  stores  at,  des- 
troyed, 465  ; retreat  of  Tryon  from,  466  ; Gates  and 
McDougall  stationed  at,  673. 

Dan  river,  retreat  of  Gen.  Greene  to,  831  ; recrossed 
by  Greene  after  the  retreat  of  Cornwallis,  833. 

D’Anville,  failure  of,  to  recapture  Louisburg,  31. 

Davidson,  Gen.,  defends  the  fords  of  the  Catawba 
against  Cornwallis,  828  ; shot  dead  while  mounting 
his  horse,  829. 

Dearborn,  Major  IL,  with  Gates  at  Stillwater,  537. 

De  Barras,  arrives  safe  with  his  squadron  in  the 
Chesapeake,  905. 

De  Beaujeu,  death  of,  in  his  attack  upon  Braddock,  76; 
the  ambuscade  for  Braddock  was  contrived  by,  82. 

Deborre,  Gen.,  ill  conduct  of,  at  the  battle  of  the 
Brandywine,  534,  535. 

De  Bougainville,  retreat  of,  at  Quebec,  130. 

Declaration  of  Independence,  adoption  of,  303  ; read 
to  the  American  army  in  New  York,  305. 

De  Grasse,  Admiral,  arrives  with  a fleet  in  the  Chesa- 
peake, 896  ; fight  between  his  fleet  and  that  of  Ad- 
miral Graves,  905  ; Lafayette  urged  by,  to  attack 
t’ornwallis,  907 ; interview  of  Washington  with, 908  , 

I AND  II.] 


urged  to  aid  in  the  siege  of  Torktown,  909  ; sub- 
sequent career  of  {note),  924. 

E'e  Heister,  Hessians  under,  at  the  battle  of  Long 
Island  324  ; surrender  of  Lord  Stirling  to,  329 

De  Kalb,  Baron,  arrives  at  Charleston,  S,  C. , 50C  ; 
made  a major-general,  503  ; march  of  troops  under, 
from  Morristown  to  the  South,  736  ; superseded  by 
Gates  in  command  of  the  Southern  army,  737  ; at 
the  battle  of  Camden,  741;  mortally  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Camden — biographical  notice  of  {note),  743. 

Delancey,  Oliver,  biographical  notice  of,  360  ; efforts 
of,  to  raise  recruits  among  the  tories  on  Long  Island, 
861  ; expedition  planned  by  Washington  against  the 
loyalists  under,  at  Morrisania,  898 

Delaplace,  Capt , Ticonderoga  surrendered  by,  155 

Delaware,  surrender  of  the,  to  the  British,  585. 

Delaware  river,  crossed  by  the  retreating  army  of 
Washington — arrival  of  the  troops  of  Cornwallis  at, 
405  ; efforts  of  Washington  to  prevent  the  British 
from  crossing,  416;  obstructions  placed  in,  and  forts 
on,  579  ; eiforts  of  Sir  W.  Howe  to  secure  the  com- 
mand of,  580,  584,  537  ; American  vessels  destroyed 
on,  591,  626,  671. 

Delawares  and  Shawnees,  singular  origin  of  a war 
between,  650. 

De  Levi,  defeats  Gen.  Murray,  near  Quebec,  133. 

Denison,  Col.,  surrenders  Fort  Forty  to  Col.  John 
Butler,  655. 

De  Peyster.  Capt.,  surrender  of,  at  King’s  mountain, 
after  the  death  of  Col.  Ferguson,  800. 

D’Estaing,  Count,  too  late  to  cage  Lord  Howe  in  the 
Delaware — biographical  notice  of,  658  ; in  pursuit 
of  Howe’s  fleet — fears  to  attack  Howe  within  Sandy 
Hook — sails  for  Newport — single  vessels  of  Byron’s 
fleet  escape,659;  swears  at  the  English  luck, 660;  sails 
out  of  Newport  to  fight  the  fleet  of  Howe,  661;  fleet 
of,  dispersed  by  a storm,  662  ; returns  to  Newport 
— determines  to  return  to  Boston,  to  refit — indigna- 
tion of  Sullivan  at  the  conduct  of — offence  taken  by, 
at  Sullivan,  663  ; letter  written  by,  to  Congress — 
officers  of  the  fleet  of,  hooted  in  the  streets  of  Bos- 
ton, 664 ; co-operates  with  Lincoln  in  the  siege  of 
Savannah,  714  ; the  siege  raised  through  the  obsti 
nacy  of,  717  ; returns  to  France,  718. 

Destouches,  M.,  naval  forces  sent  by,  to  blockade 
Arnold  in  Portsmouth.  843;  blockaded  by  the  British 
in  Newport — driven  away  from  the  Chesapeake  by 
Admiral  Arbuthnot,  844. 

DeVaudreuil,  his  conduct  after  Montcalm’s  defeat,  131. 

De  Villiers,  Fort  Necessity  surrendered  to,  43. 

Dickenson,  Gen.  Phil.,  performs  a gallant  action,  448. 

Dieskau,  Baron,  approach  of,  to  Lake  George,  88  ; de- 
feated by  Col.W'illiam  Johnson,  at  Lake  George,  89. 

Dillon,  Count,  at  the  siege  of  Savannah,  717. 

Dobbs’  ferry,  Gen.  Howe  with  the  main  body  of  his 
army  at— supplies  sent  to,  by  Lord  Howe,  384  ; 
Washington  joined  by  Rochambean  at,  898. 


933 


Donop,  Count,  defeat  and  death  of,  at  Fort  Mercer,  586; 
flight  of  the  troops  of,  to  Haddonfield,  587. 

Dorchester,  S.  C.,  abandoned  by  the  garrison,  on  the 
approach  of  Lee  and  Hamilton,  874;  British  garrison 
driven  out  of,  by  Greene,  894. 

Dorchester  heights,  preparations  of  Washington  for 
an  attempt  upon,  243  ; description  of  the  occupation 
of,  244;  attempt  to  dislodge  Washington  from, 
given  up  by  Howe,  247. 

Doyle,  Major,  succeeds  Col.  Stewart  after  the  battle  of 
Eutaw  Springs.  891  ; ravages  of,  on  the  Santee  and 
Cougaree,  893. 

Drake,  sloop-of  war,  captured  by  Paul  Jones,  669. 

Duchambon,  the  surrender  of  Louisburg  demanded 
from,  by  Pepperell  and  Warren,  27. 

Ducoudray,  M.,  claims  of,  to  command  American  ar- 
tillery— drowned  while  crossing  the  Schuylkill,  471. 

Dunbar,  Col.  Thomas,  in  command  of  one  of  Brad- 
dock’s  regiments,  54 ; panic  in  the  camp  of,  after 
Braddock’s  defeat,  81 ; cowardly  retreat  of,  84. 

Dundas,  Col  , associated  with  Arnold  in  his  expedition 
to  Virginia,  820. 

Dunmore,  Lord,  refuge  taken  by,  on  board  a ship  of- 
war — his  attempt  on  Hampton  defeated — joined  by 
tories  from  Norfolk,  239  ; Norfolk  cannonaded  and 
burned  by,  240  ; departure  of,  to  St  Augustine,  241. 

Duplessis,  strengthens  the  defenses  at  Fort  Mercer,  585, 

Duquesne,  Marquis,  forts  established  by,  in  1753,  33. 

E 

Eden,  W.,  British  commissioner  to  the  United  States, 
629. 

Edge  hill,  near  Philadelphia,  skirmish  at,  in  1777,  596. 

Edgeworth,  Maria,  notice  of  {note),  762. 

Edgeworth,  R chard  Lovell,  notice  of  {note),  761. 

Edmondstou,  Capt.,  death  of,  at  King’s  mountain,  800. 

Eggleston,  Major,  at  the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  888. 

Elizabethtown,  British  incursion  to,  from  Staten 
Island,  721. 

Elk  river,  Howe’s  troops  land  on  the,  in  1777,  530. 

Emerson,  Rev.  W. , describes  the  camp  at  Cambridge, 
187. 

Enos,  Col  , deserts  Arnold  on  his  Quebec  expedition, 
204. 

Erskine,  Sir  W. , with  Tryon  in  his  attack  on  Danbury, 
464. 

Esopus,  burned  by  the  British  under  Vaughan,  553. 

Eutaw  Springs,  retreat  of  the  British  under  Stewart 
to,  883  ; battle  of,  884  ; killed  and  wounded  at,  890. 

Eyre,  Col.,  mortally  wounded  at  Fort  Griswold,  906 

Eyres,  Major,  his  defense  of  Fort  William  Henry,  98. 

F. 

Fairfax,  Bryan,  visits  Washington  at  Valley  Forge. 
618. 

Fairfield,  Conn.,  laid  in  ashes  by  the  British,  698. 

Fairlawn,  British  at,  surrender  to  Col.  Shelby,  893. 


INDEX. 


93+  INDEX.  [pa  bts 


Falmouth,  bombardment  and  burning  of.  in  1775,  215. 

Ferguson,  Capt.,  expedition  against  Little  Egg  Harbor 
intrusted  to — Pulaski’s  force  surprised  by,  675. 

Ferguson,  Col.  Patrick,  humanity  of,  726  ; defeat  and 
death  of,  at  King’s  mountain,  800. 

Ferguson,  Adam,  British  commissioner  to  the  U nited 
States,  629  ; refused  a passport  to  Congress,  630. 

Fitzgerald,  Col.,  at  the  battle  of  Princeton,  434. 

Five  Nations,  influence  of  Col  \Vm.  Johnson  with,  88. 

Flatbush,  night-march  of  Gen.  Clinton  from,  326. 

Fleury,  Capt.  Louis,  horse  presented  to,  by  Congress, 
535  ; at  the  capture  of  Stony  Point,  700. 

Forbes,  Gen.  expedition  of  against  Fort  Duquesne,  105. 

Fordham  heights,  Howe’s  army  encamped  on.  386. 

Fordyce,  Capt.,  death  of,  at  the  head  of  grenadiers,  in 
a conflict  with  Virginia  riflemen,  240. 

Fort  Clinton,  defense  of,  against  Sir  H.  Clinton,  by 
Gen.  James  Clinton,  550  ; surrender  of,  552. 

Fort  Clinton,  at  West  Point,  erected  by  Kosciusko,  624. 

Fort  Constitution,  opposite  West  Point,  286. 

Fort  Duquesne,  constructed  by  Mercier,  in  1754,  40  ; 
determination  of  Gen.  Braddock  to  proceed  against, 
58;  feeble  garrison  of,  82;  expedition  against,  under 
Gen.  Forbes  105  ; taken  by  Forbes  in  1758,  108. 

Fort  Edward,  the  Northern  army  at,  after  St.  Clair’s 
defeat— miserable  condition  of  the  army  at,  489  ; 
Burgoyne  determines  to  make  a road  through  the 
forest  to,  500  : arrival  of  Burgoyne  at,  512. 

Fort  Forty,  at  Wyoming,  capitulation  of — refuge  taken 
in,  by  the  survivors  of  the  Wyoming  massacre.  655. 

Fort  Frontenac,  capture  of,  by  Col.  Bradstreet,  105. 

Fort  Granb}',  near  Columbia,  surrender  of,  863. 

Fort  Griswold,  defense  of,  by  Col.  Wm.  Ledyard,  906. 

Fort  Hardy,  the  scene  of  Burgoyne’s  surrender,  573. 

Fort  Independence,  summons  of  General  Heath  dis- 
regarded by  the  garrison  of,  439. 

Fort  Johnson,  near  Charleston,  289. 

Fort  Lee,  evacuation  of,  by  Gen.  Greene,  394. 

Fort  Levi,  on*Isle  Royale,  surrender  of,  in  1760,  133. 

Fort  Mercer,  defeu.se  of,  by  Col.  Greene — death  of 
Count  Donop  at,  586  ; insufficient  reinforcements 
sent  to,  587  ; taken  by  Cornwallis,  591. 

Fort  Mifflin,  defense  of,  by  Col.  Smith.  587;  batteries 
erected  against,  on  Prov'ince  island,  588;  guns  of  the 
British  Fleet  brought  to  bear  upon — killed  and 
wounded  at,  589. 

Fort  Montgomery,  in  command  of  Col.  Jas.  Clinton, 
286  ; boom  and  chain  recommended  to  be  placed 
across  the  Hudson  at,  477  ; defense  of,  by  Gov.  G. 
Clinton.  550  ; service  rendered  by  Col.  Lamb,  in  the 
defense  of,  551  ; surrender  of,  552. 

Fort  Motte.  surrender  of,  to  Gen.  Marion,  863. 

Fort  Moultrie.  (See  Fort  Sullivan.) 

Fort  Necessity,  constructed  by  Washington,  41  ; the 
attack  of  the  French  awaited  by  Washington  at,  42, 
43  : surrender  of,  43  ; terms  of  capitulation  at,  44  ; 
destroyed  by  the  French,  45 


Fort  Ontario,  taken  by  Montcalm,  95. 

Fort  Schuyler,  movements  of  Arnold  for  the  relief  of, 
526  ; siege  of,  abandoned  by  Col.  St.  Leger,  527,  528. 

Fort  Stanwix,  invested  by  Col.  St.  Leger — defense  of, 
by  Col.  Gansevoort — efforts  to  relieve,  512 ; sortie 
made  from,  513.  (See  Fort  Schuyler  ) 

Fort  Sullivan,  in  Charleston  harbor,  erected  by  Col. 
Moultrie,  289  ; attack  upon,  292  ; British  cannonade 
upon,  295  ; name  of,  changed  to  Fort  Moultrie,  296. 

Fort  Washington,  works  at,  under  the  superintendence 
of  Gen.  Mifflin,  297  ; useless  for  the  defense  of  the 
Hudson,  307  ; Col.  Magaw  left  in  charge  of,  375 
doubts  as  to  the  utility  of  holding,  384  ; Greene  and 
Magaw  in  favor  of  defending,  385  ; investment  of, 
385,  386  ; condition  of — force  of  the  defenders  of — 
disposition  of  the  British  forces  when  attacking,  387; 
attempt  of  Washington  to  reach,  from  Fort  Lee — 
inadequacy  of  the  defenses  of,  388  ; simultaneous 
attack  of  the  British  upon,  390  ; the  attack  upon, 
witnessed  from  Fort  Lee,  391  ; surrender  of,  392  ; 
name  of,  changed  to  Knyphausen — prisoners  taken 
in,  sent  to  New  York — loss  sustained  by  the  British 
at  the  capture  of,  393  ; treatment  of  the  prisoners 
taken  at,  441. 

Fort  Watson,  expedition  of  Marion  and  Lee  against — 
singular  expedient  adopted  by  the  besiegers  of,  855. 

Fort  William  Henry,  Vaudreuil’s  expedition  against, 
97  ; defense  of,  by  Major  Eyres,  98  ; capitulation 
of,  99. 

France,  arrival  of  arms  from,  in  1777,  457  ; change  in 
the  policy  of,  after  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne — 
independence  of  the  United  States  acknowledged 
by,  576  ; arrival  at  Valley  Forge  of  the  news  of  the 
treaty  with,  626  ; measures  taken  by  the  British  on 
becoming  aware  of  the  American  treaty  with,  627  , 
anniversary  of  the  alliance  with,  celebrated  in  the 
American  camp,  683. 

Franklin,  Benjamin,  visits  Gen.  Braddock  at  Fred- 
ericktown,  59  ; conversation  of,  with  Braddock-* 
undertakes  to  procure  wagons  for  the  British  army 
60  ; commendation  bestowed  upon,  by  Braddock- 
luxuries  procured  by,  for  Dunbar’s  and  Halket’s 
subalterns,  61  ; his  doubts  of  Braddock’s  success, 
85  ; visits  the  American  camp,  at  Cambridge,  216  ; 
payment  made  to,  by  the  Massachusetts  general 
court,  for  services  in  England — money  sent  by  the 
hands  of,  from  England,  for  the  sufferers  by  the 
battle  of  Lexington,  217  ; early  intimacy  of  Admiral 
Howe  with,  309 ; pungent  reply  of,  to  a letter  of 
Lord  Howe,  342  ; journey  of,  from  Philadelphia  to 
Staten  Island,  344  ; sharp  remark  made  by,  to  Lord 
Howe,  345  ; remark  of,  respecting  the  entrance  of 
the  British  into  Philadelphia,  606  ; aid  furnished  by, 
in  fitting  out  Paul  Jones’  squadron  in  France,  702. 

Fraser,  Gen.,  defeat  of  Gen.  Thompson  by,  at  Three 
Rivers  277  ; commands  a division  of  Burgoyne’s 
army,  485  ; attacks  Francis  and  Warner,  at 


I AND  ir.  J 


Hubbardton,  496 ; mortally  wounded  at  Bemis’ 
heights,  557  ; dying  request  of,  561  ; Burgoyne’s 
description  of  the  burial  of — American  honor  to  the 
memory  of,  562. 

Fredericksburg,  encampment  of  Washington  at,  673. 

Fry,  Col.  Joshua,  in  command  of  troops  sent  to  the 
Ohio,  in  1754,  34  ; death  of,  at  Will’s  creek,  41. 

Q. 

Gabrowski,’  Count,  killed  at  Fort  Montgomery,  552. 

Gadsden,  Col.,  in  command  of  Fort  Johnson,  near 
Charleston,  289  ; refuses  liberty  on  parole,  793. 

Gage,  Col.  and  Gen.,  with  Braddock  at  the  Mononga- 
hela,  76  ; appointed  governor  of  Massachusetts,  137; 
American  colonists  not  understood  by,  138  ; design 
of,  to  seize  arms  and  ammunition  at  Concord — artil- 
lery and  ammunition  belonging  to  the  city  of  Boston 
seized  by,  140  ; passes  refused  by — force  under  the 
command  of,  160  ; proclamation  issued  by,  161  ; 
alarm  of,  after  the  battle  of  Breed’s  hill,  181  ; suf- 
ferings of  the  army  of,  190  ? a comrade  of  Washing- 
ton in  Braddock's  campaign — correspondence  with, 
in  relation  to  prisoners,  192  ; superseded  by  Gen. 
Howe.  215. 

Gainey,  Major,  surprised  by  Gen.  Marion,  812. 

Gansevoort,  Col.  P.,  in  command  of  Fort  Stanwix,  512. 

Gardner,  Col.,  death  of,  at  Breed’s  hill,  177. 

Garth,  Gen.,  ravages  of,  in  Connecticut,  in  conjunction 
with  Tryon,  697. 

Gates,  Horatio  appointed  major  general,  biographical 
notice  of,  282  ; letter  of,  to  Charles  Lee,  283  ; com- 
mand of  the  Northern  army  claimed  by,  284  ; claims 
of,  reisisted  by  Gen.  Schuyler,  285  ; troops  sent  by, 
to  reinforce  Washington,  intercepted  by  Gen.  Lee, 

407  ; urged  by  Washington  to  hasten  to  Pittstown, 

408  ; affected  by  the  capture  of  Lee — arrival  of, 
at  the  Delaware — suspicions  of.  413  ; junction  of 
his  division  with  that  of  Washington.  414  ; conduct 
of,  on  the  eve  of  the  attempt  upon  Trenton,  417; 
unwilling  to  accept  the  position  of  adjutant-general, 
458  ; supersedes  Schuyler  in  command  of  the  North- 
ern army,  459  ; restores  the  command  to  Schuyler, 
481  ; requested  to  withdraw  from  the  floor  of  Con- 
gress, 482  ; appointed  by  Congress  to  supersede 
Schuyler  in  command  of  the  Northern  army — popu- 
larity of,  in  New  England— letter  of,  describing  the 
condition  of  his  command,  52 1 ; charges  of  cruelty 
made  by,  denied  by  Burgoyne,  525  ; army  of,  large- 
ly reinforced — officers  under  the  command  of.  537  ; 
scarcity  of  ammunition  in  the  camp  of,  546  ; urged 
by  Arnold  to  attack  Burgoyne.  555  ; his  slow  pur- 
suit of  Burgoyne,  564  ; follows  Burgoyne  to  the 
Fishkill,  566  ; mistaken  movement  ordered  by,  on 
Burgoyne’s  camp.  570  ; his  courtesy  towards  Burg- 
oyne, at  his  surrender,  573  ; his  movements  towards 
Albany,  to  meet  Gen.  Vaughan,  576  ; withholds  re 
inforcements  from  Washington,  587,  59  ) ; improper 

J-o 


935 


conduct  of,  towards  Washington,  613  ; appointed 
to  command  the  forces  in  the  South,  736  : prophetic 
caution  given  to,  by  Gen.  Leo — precipitate  march 
of,  to  meet  Lord  Kawdon  at  Camden,  737  ; priva- 
tions suffered  by  the  trcojts  of,  on  the  march,  738, 
739  ; detachment  sent  by,  to  reinforce  Gen.  Sumter 
— reinforced  by  Gen.  Stevens,  with  Virginia  militia 
— junction  of  the  army  of,  with  Gen.  Caswell’s 
militia,  739  ; unexpected  meeting  of,  with  Corn- 
wallis’ army,  740  ; total  defeat  of,  743 ; miserable 
condition  of  the  wreck  of  his  army,  745  ; British  as 
cendency  established  in  the  South  by  the  defeat  of 
— humiliation  of,  74'i;  wretched  condition  of  the 
army  of,  at  Hillsborough,  801  ; superseded  by  Gen 
Greene — affected  by  the  kindness  of  Washington, 
805  ; subsequent  career  of  {note),  809. 

George  III.,  destruction  of  the  leaden  effigy  of,  at  the 
Bowling-Green  New  York,  306. 

Georgetown,  on  Winyaw  bay,  attacked  and  carried  by 
Marion,  864. 

Gerard.  M , arrives  in  company  with  Silas  Deane,  from 
France,  659  ; grand  dinner  given  to,  by  Arnold,  758. 

Germantown,  Washington  removes  his  camp  to,  503  ; 
retreat  of  Washington  to,  578  ; encampment  of  Gen. 
Howe  at,  580  ; position  of  the  British  at — plan  of 
attack  upon  the  British  in,  581  ; night  march  to — 
British  at,  compelled  to  retreat — battle  at,  lost  by 
delay  at  Chew’s  house,  582  ; panic  among  the 
American  troops  at — British  nearly  defeated  at, 
583  ; killed  and  wounded  at — retreat  of  Washington 
from,  to  Perkimen  creek,  584. 

Gibbon,  Lieut  , forlorn  hope  led  by,  at  the  storming 
of  Stony  Point,  700 

Gist,  Braddock’s  guide  narrow  escape  of,  73. 

Glasgow,  a British  twenty-gun  ship,  escape  of,  269. 

Gloucester,  Va  , investment  of,  by  French  and  Amer- 
ican troops,  909  ; cavalry  skirmish  near,  910. 

Glover,  Col  , regiment  of,  from  Marblehead,  299  ; at 
the  retreat  from  Long  island,  333  ; services  of,  in 
removing  the  sick  and  stores,  349  ; resists  Sir  W. 
Howe,  near  White  Plains,  375  ; skirmishes  with 
Hessians,  381  ; appointed  brigadier  general,  452  ; 
with  Gates  at  Stillwater,  537. 

Grant,  Col.  and  Gen  , his  opinion  of  American  courage, 
139  ; commands  British  troops  on  Long  island,  324  ; 
Stirling  attacks,  at  the  battle  of  Long  island,  326  ; 
out-manoeuvred  by  Lafayette  at  Matson's  ford,  625. 

Grant,  Major,  death  of,  at  Hubbardton,  496. 

Graves,  Admiral,  attack  by  French  and  Americans 
upon  New  York  prevented  by  the  arrival  of,  754 
ships  of,  engage  those  of  Count  de  Grasse  off  the 
capes  of  Virginia — return  of,  with  his  crippled  fleet, 
to  New  York,  905. 

Gravesend,  Long  island,  landing  of  Howe’s  troops  in 
the  neighborhood  of,  322. 

Graydon,  treatment  of,  while  a prisoner,  441 ; descrip- 
tion by,  of  Washington’s  camp  at  Morristown,  473. 


INDEX. 


936  INDEX.  [parts 


Great  Meadows,  a position  cliosen  by  Washington  in 
1754,  37  ; Fort  Necessity  constructed  by  Washington 
at,  4 1 ; arrival  of  Braddock  at,  72  ; death  of  Brad- 
dock  at,  81. 

Great  Portage,  formidable  obstacles  presented  by,  to 
Arnold,  on  his  way  to  Quebec,  3 !3. 

Greenburg,  encampment  of  the  French  and  American 
forces  on  the  hills  of,  898. 

Greene,  Col.  Christopher,  his  defense  of  Fort  Mercer, 
580  ; murdered  by  Delancey’s  men,  851. 

Greene,  Nathaniel,  joins  the  patriot  army  at  Cam- 
bridge, *151  ; commands  the  American  troops  on 
Long  island,  319  ; sickness  of,  at  the  time  of  Howe’s 

• landing,  331  ; urgency  of,  for  the  evacuation  of 
New  York,  340  ; difficulty  of,  with  the  New  York 
militia,  383  ; determined  to  defend  Fort  Washing 
ton,  385  ; how  consoled  for  the  loss  of  the  fort,  393  ; 
covers  the  retreat  at  the  battle  of  th^  Brandywine, 
535  ; movements  of,  in  New  Jersey,  on  the  approach 
of  Clinton  and  Knyphausen.  749,  750  ; supersedes 
Gates  in  the  southern  department,  805  ; biographical 
notice  of,  80G  ; movements  of,  in  the  South,  809  ; 
efforts  of,  to  join  Morgan  after  the  battle  of  the 
Cowpens,  837 ; destitute  condition  of  the  forces 
under,  838  ; British  pursuit  of —narrow  escape  of — 
assistance  rendered  to,  830  ; object  of.  in  retiring 
before  Cornwallis,  831 ; sufferings  of  the  army  of, 
833  ; receives  reinforcements — Fabian  policy  of,  837 ; 
attacked  by  Cornwallis  at  Guilford  courthouse.  838; 
retreats  to  Reedy  fork,  840  ; retreats  to  Troublesome 
creek — ^pursues  Cornwallis,  843  ; deserted  by  his 
militia,  843 ; marches  into  South  Carolina,  854 ; 
surprised  by  Lord  Rawdon  at  Ilobkirk’s  hill,  856  ; 
gloomy  forebodings  of — cheered  by  the  news  that 
Rawdon  had  determined  to  evacuate  Camden,  861  ; 
Ninety-Sis  besieged  by,  864  ; retreat  of,  pursued  by 
Rawdon  -siege  of  Ninety-Six  abandoned  by,  on  the 
approach  of  Rawdon,  870  ; encampment  of,  on  the 
High  hills  of  the  Santee,  873;  activity  of  the  cavalry 
of.  883  ; movement  of,  towards  Eutaw  Springs,  883  ; 
attacks  the  British  at  Eutaw  Springs,  884  ; returns 
to  the  High  hills  of  the  Santee — reinforcements  re- 
ceived by,  891 ; resumes  offensive  operations  893  ; 
attempts  of,  to  drive  the  British  into  Charleston, 
893  ; panic  in  the  garrison  of  Dorchester  on  the  ap 
proach  of,  894  ; peaceable  evacuation  of  Charleston 
permitted  by,  on  conditions,  895. 

" Green  Mountain  Boys”  and  the  New-Hampshire 
grants.  153  ; hostility  of  Arnold  towards.  195  ; ser- 
vices rendered  by.  under  Seth  Warner,  201. 

Grenadiers,  British,  burned  alive  by  Indians,  83. 

Grey,  Sir  C.,  depredations  of,  at  New  Bedford  and 
Martha’s  Vineyard,  665 ; light  horse  under  Col. 
Baylor  surprised  by,  674. 

Gridley,  Col.  R...  marks  out  lines  on  Breed’s  hill,  163. 

Griffin,  Col.,  attention  of  Count  Donop  diverted  by, 
during  the  attack  upon  Trenton,  433 


Griffiths.  Rev.  David,  warning  given  to  Washington 
by,  on  the  eve  of  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  638 
Guilford  courthouse,  battle  at,  838 ; killed  and 
wounded  at — a dear  victory  to  the  British,  841. 
Gunby,  Col.,  regiment  of  at  Hobkirk’s  hill,  858. 

H. 

IlACKENS.tCK,  encampment  of  Washington  at,  386. 
Hale,  Capt.  Nathan,  hanged  as  a spy,  348. 

Hale,  Col.,  flight  of,  with  a militia  regiment  at  Hub 
bardton — surrender  of,  to  British  troops,  496. 

Halket,  Sir  Peter,  colonel  of  one  of  Braddock’s  regi- 
ments, 54 ; death  of,  and  his  son,  at  Braddock’s 
defeat,  78. 

Hamilton,  Alexander,  biographical  notices  of,  266,  459 
personal  appearance  of  (note),  267  ; good  conduct  of 
at  White  Plains.  379  ; British  held  in  check  at 
Brunswick  by  the  artillery  of.  405  ; received  into 
the  military  “family”  of  Washington,  459  ; affec- 
tionate treatment  of,  by  Washington,  460 ; rein- 
forcements for  Washington's  army  obtained  by, 
from  Putnam  and  Gates,  590 ; Washington  aband- 
ons the  scheme  of  seizing  the  person  of  Clinton  by 
the  advice  of,  633  ; Arnold’s  treason  made  known 
by,  to  Washington,  778  ; sympathy  of,  for  Andre, 
783 ; storms  a British  redoubt  at  Yorktown — 
misunderstanding  of,  with  Washington  (note),  913. 
Hampton,  Col.  Wade,  dragoons  made  prisoners  by.  874. 
Hancock,  John,  an  early  friend  of  the  popular  cause, 
141  ; desirous  to  be  made  commander-in-chief,  157. 
Hand,  Col.,  wheat  destroyed  by,  on  Long  island,  333  , 
appointed  brigadier-general  by  Congress,  453. 
Harlem,  position  of  both  annies  at  the  battle  of,  353  ; 

death  of  Col  Knowlton  and  Major  Leitch  at,  354. 
Hartford,  Washington  visits,  to  meet  Rochambeau,  763. 
Haslet,  Col.,  conduct  of  the  Delawares  and  Maryland- 
ers commanded  by,  at  the  battle  of  Long  island,  337. 
Haw  river,  party  of  loyalists  under  Col.  Pyle  surprised 
near,  835  ; retreat  of  Tarleton  across,  836. 

Hayne,  Col.  Isaac,  executed  in  Charleston,  879;  case  of, 
similar  to  that  of  Andre — proclamation  issued  by 
Gen,  Greene  relative  to  the  execution  of,  881. 
Hazelwood,  Commodore,  Hessians  at  Fort  Mercer  fired 
upon  by,  586  ; thanks  voted  to,  by  Congress,  587. 
Heath,  Gen  , commands  the  provincials  at  Lexington, 
148  ; biographical  notice  of,  375  ; forts  under  the 
command  of,  385  ; orders  of  Gen.  Lee  disregarded 
by,  396  ; Lee's  attempt  to  get  two  of  his  regiments, 
401  ; certificate  given  to,  by  Lee,  403  ; letter  of 
Washington  to,  438  ; movements  of,  near  Fort  Inde- 
pendence and  Kingsbridge,  439 ; his  conduct  at 
Fort  Independence  criticised,  440 ; appointed  to 
receive  Rochambeau  at  Newport,  754. 

Heights  of  Abraham,  how  ascended,  by  the  army  of 
Wolfe,  127. 

Henderson,  Col.,  night-sortie  made  by,  from  Charles- 
ton, 727  ; wounded  at  Eutaw  Springs,  886. 


r' 

I and  II.]  INDEX.  93? 

Henley,  Major  Tliomas,  death  of,  in  an  attempt  upon 

his  movements  after  the  battle  of  Long  island,  329  ; 

Montressor’s  island,  358. 

unwilling  to  believe  that  the  Americans  had  left 

Henry,  Patrick,  urges  a levy  of  troops  in  Virginia,  238. 

the  island,  336  ; inactivity  within  his  lines — rein- 

Herkimer,  Gen  , efforts  of,  to  relieve  Fort  Stanwix, 

forcements  from  England  desired  by.  360  ; moves 

513  ; ambuscade  laid  for  the  troops  of,  514  ; Strug- 

towards  Throgg’s  Point  and  New  Rochelle,  372  ; 

gle  of  the  troops  of,  with  the  “Johnson  Greens” — 

alarmed  at  the  defeat  of  the  Hessians  at  Trenton, 

death  of,  515. 

427  ; his  movements  in  the  spring  of  1777,  453  ; his 

Hessians,  ferocity  of,  at  the  battle  of  Long  island. 

plan  for  the  campaign  of  1777,  461  ; his  designs  un- 

329 ; surrender  of,  at  the  battle  of  Trenton,  422  ; 

known  to  Washington  462  ; his  movements  near 

humanity  of  Washington  towards,  440  ; their  slow 

Brunswick,  478,  479  ; real  object  of  the  movements 

march  to  Bennington,  518,  521,  522  ; forbidding 

of,  478  ; retreats  from  Brunswick  to  Amboy  and 

aspect  of,  to  the  Philadelphians,  580. 

Staten  island,  480  ; perplexing  movements  of,  502  ; 

High  hills  of  the  Santee,  Greene’s  encampment  on. 

his. arrival  in  the  Chesapeake,  529  ; lands  on  the 

873,  Greene  resumes  his  position  on,  891. 

banks  of  the  Elk  river,  530  ; before  the  battle  of 

Highlands  of  the  Hudson,  militia  ordered  up  to,  372  ; 

the  Brandywine,  531  ; encami)ment  of,  at  German- 

measures  taken  for  the  protection  of,  G73  ; position 

town,  580  ; indolence  of.  in  Philadelphia,  606  f com- 

of  Washington’s  army  in  701. 

mand  of  the  armv  resigned  by.  607  ; the  MiscManza 

Hillsborough,  condition  of  Gates’  army  at,  801  ; 

got  up  in  honor  of,  607-612  ; careful  of  the  lives 

attempt  of  Cornwallis  to  raise  recruits  in,  833  ; 

and  comfort  of  his  men;  629. 

abandoned  by  Cornwallis,  836. 

Howe,  Earl  Edward,  death  of,  at  Ticonderoga,  104. 

Ilinman,  Capt.,  services  of,  at  sea,  in  the  Alfred,  592. 

Howe,  Gen.  Robert,  expedition  of,  against  tories  in 

Ilobkirk’s  hill,  battle  at,  856  ; losses  at,  860. 

Florida,  686  ; defeat  of,  near  Savannah — tried  by  a 

Holland,  independence  of  the  United  States  acknow- 

court-martial  and  acquitted,  687 ; superseded  by 

ledged  by,  after  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  577. 

Gen.  Lincoln,  689  ; mutiny  at  Pompton  suppressed 

Hood,  Sir  S , arrives  with  a fleet  at  New  York.  904. 

by,  824. 

Hopkins.  Commodore,  cruise  of,  268  ; censure  of  270. 

Hudson  river,  measures  taken  by  the  Clintons  for  the 

Ilorseneck,  salt-works  destroyed  by  Tryon  at,  696. 

defense  of,  308  ; British  vessels-of-war  sail  up,  371  ; 

Howard,  Col.,  charge  of,  at  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens, 

Washington’s  efforts  to  obstruct,  372  ; forts  on. 

817  ; silver  medal  presented  to,  818. 

feebly  garrisoned  at  the  time  of  Sir  11.  Clinton’s 

Howe,  Admiral  Lord  R.,  arrives  in  New  York  bay — 

advance,  548. 

biographical  notice  of — proclamation  by — his  early 

Huger,  Gen.,  surprised  at  Mark’s  Corner,  725;  junction 

intimacy  with  Franklin.  309  ; intends  to  cut  off  the 

of,  with  Greene  and  Morgan,  at  Guilford  court- 

retreat  from  Long  island,  332  ; committee  of  Con 

house,  831  ; at  Ilobkirk’s  hill,  856. 

gress  appointed  to  meet,  at  Staten  island — reply  of 

Huger,  Maj.B.,  and  twelve  men,  killed  by  mistake,  692. 

Franklin  to  a letter  of,  342  ; reception  by,  of  the 

Humber  river,  vessels  destroyed  in,  by  Paul  Jones,  704. 

committee  from  Congress,  344,  345  ; conversation 

of  the  committee  with,  345  ; success  of  the  proclam- 

1. 

ation  issue!  by,  404  ; residence  of,  in  Philadelphia, 

Indians,  in  the  camp  of  Braddock,  65  ; cruelty  of,  to 

605  ; prepares  to  receive  D’Estaing  at  Sandy  Hook, 

English  prisoners,  83 ; visitors  at  the  camp  at 

659  ; arrives  off  Rhode  island,  in  search  of  D’Estaing, 

Cambridge,  220  ; humanity  of  Burgoyne’s  directions 

661  ; his  fleet  dispersed  by  a storm,  662  ; return  of 

to,  486 ; Burgoyne  unable  to  restrain,  510. 

his  fleet  to  New  York,  to  refit.  663. 

Isis  and  Caesar,  French  and  English  ships,  battle 

Howe,  Col.  and  Gen.  Sir  W.,  in  Wolfe’s  expedition 

between,  in  1778,  662. 

against  Quebec.  109  ; arrival  at  Boston,  in  1775  160  ; 

Isle  aux  Noix,  Montgomery  and  Schuyler  at,  197. 

attack  on  Bread’s  hill  intrusted  to— biographical 

notice  of — character  of,  167  ; address  to  his  soldiers 

J. 

at  Breed’s  hill,  171  ; artillery  of,  at  Breed’s  hill,  172  ; 

J.\CKSON,  Col.  M.,  attempt  on  Montressor’s  island,  un- 

his  courage  at  Breed’s  hill,  174  ; wounded  at  Breed’s 

dertakeu  by,  356. 

hill,  176 ; assumes  chief  command  in  Boston.  215  ; 

Jameson,  Col.,  his  disposition  of  Major  Andre  and  his 

fortifications  strengthened  by — harshne.ss  towards 

papers — unwilling  to  believe  Arnold  guilty  of 

the  patriots  in  Boston,  216  ; Boston  spared  by,  248  ; 

treason,  774. 

impatience  of  to  get  away  from  Boston,  250  ; proc- 

James  river,  ravages  of  Arnold  on,  820  ; Lafayette 

lamations  issue!  by,  251  ; uncertainty  of  the  move- 

and  Wayne  deceived  by  Cornwallis  at,  850. 

ments  of,  272  ; arrives  in  the  bay  of  New  York,  301 ; 

Jasper,  Sergeant,  courage  displayed  by,  at  Fort  Sulli- 

awaits  the  arrival  of  Admiral  Howe,  302  ; assistance 

van,  295  ; mortally  wounded  at  the  siege  of  Savau- 

from  tories  expected  by.  306  ; superiority  of  the 

nah,  717. 

forces  of,  315  ; plan  of  attack  on  Long  island,  324  ; 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  efforts  of,  to  save  Richmond  from 

. 

938  I N D 


tLe  Britisli  under  Arnold — narrow  escape  of,  from 
Arnold.  820  : reward  offered  by.  for  the  capture  of 
Arnold,  821  ; escape  from  Tarleton’s  dragoons,  848. 

John’s  island,  Sir  H.  Clinton  lands  his  troops  on— Pre- 
vost  sends  reinforcements  to,  722  ; attempt  to  dis- 
lodge the  British  from,  894. 

Johnson,  Col.,  attacked  by  Wayne  at  Stony  Point,  G99. 

Johnson,  Col.,  William,  biographical  notice  of.  87  ; 
Baron  Dieskau  defeated  by,  at  Lake  George,  89. 

Johnson,  Sir  John,  operations  of  General  Schuyler  to 
counteract  the  plans  of,  236  ; Highlanders  of.  dis- 
armed by  Schuyler,  237  : trick  played  upon,  and  St. 
Leger,  by  Indians,  52S. 

Johnstone,  Gov.,  his  language  relative  to  the  battle 
of  Banker’s  hill,  178  ; British  commissioner,  629. 

Jones?  John  Paul,  biographical  notice  of,  666  ; squad- 
ron placed  under  the  command  of,  by  the  French 
government,  702  ; cruise  of,  before  meeting  with 
the  Serapis  and  Countess  of  Scarborough,  702-701  ; 
account  of  his  capture  of  the  Serapis,  705-710  ; 
language  ascribed  to,  on  receiving  the  sword  of 
Capt.  Pearson  {note),  710. 

oonquiere,  failure  of,  to  recapture  Louisburg,  31  ; fleet 
of,  defeated  and  captured  off  Cape  Finisterre,  32. 

J umonville,  death  of,  38  ; claimed  to  have  been  assas- 
sinated, 38,  44,  46  ; a spy  as  well  as  an  embassador, 
39  ; remains  of,  buried  by  De  Villiers,  45. 

K. 

Kin'OSBridge.  intrenchments  thro^vn  up  at,  by  Mifflin, 
297  ; headquarters  of  Washington  at,  341  ; secret 
expedition  against,  proposed  by  Washington,  477. 

King’s  mountain,  account  of  the  battle  of,  795-801  ; 
monument  erected  at  the  scene  of  the  battle  of,  801  ; 
plans  of  Cornwallis  changed  by  the  battle  of,  802 

Kirkwood,  Capt.,  at  the  ba  tleof  Eutaw  Springs.  884. 

Kittanning,  destroyed  by  a force  under  Armstrong,  96. 

Knowlton.  Capt  , battery  erected  by,  at  Breed’s  hill, 
170  ; mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Harlem,  354. 

Knox,  Col.  and  Gen.,  arrival  of,  with  artillery,  at 
Cambridge,  243  ; celebrates  the  anniversary  of  the 
French  alliance,  683  ; at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  911. 

Knox,  Lieut.,  forlorn  hope  led  by,  at  Stony  Point  7C0. 

Knyphausen,  Gen.,  reinforces  Sir  W.  Howe  with 
Hessians,  375  ; sent  by  Howe  to  take  possession  of 
Kingshridge,  384  ; at  the  investment  of  Fort  Wash, 
ington,  387  ; at  the  battle  of  the  Brandywine,  532, 
534;  incursion  into  New  Jersey  ordered  by,  720; 
New  York  left  to  the  care  of,  by  Sir  H Clinton,  721  ; 
incursion  of,  into  New  Jersey,  747  ; movements  of, 
in  New  Jersey,  748-750  ; reinforced  by  Clinton,  749. 

Kosciusko,  Thaddeus,  impression  produced  upon 
Washington  by,  471  ; biographical  notice  of — com- 
mended by  Franklin  to  Washington,  472  ; fortifi- 
cation of  Mount  Independence  intrusted  to,  486 ; 
works  at  West  Point  put  under  the  supervision  of, 
701  ; Greene’s  engineer  at  the  siege  of  Ninety  Six, 


[PAETS 


865  ; in  command  of  light-troops  near  Charleston — 
subsequent  career  of,  {note),  894. 

L. 

Laf.vtette,  Marquis  de,  first  meeting  of  Washing- 
ton with — biographical  notice  of,  504  ; arrives  at 
Charleston — his  description  of  Charleston,  5C6 : 
appointed  major  general  — his  anxiety  for  com- 
mand, 507  ; his  appearance,  508  ; wounded  at  the 
battle  of  the  Brandywine,  534;  in  charge  of  the  Mora- 
vians— impatience  of,  for  action — narrow  escape  of. 
from  British  dragoons,  594  ; skirmish  of,  with 
Hessians— commended  by  Washington — appointed 
to  the  commanil  of  Stephen’s  division,  595  ; attempt 
to  make  an  instrument  of,  in  an  expedition  against 
Canada,  618  ; returns  to  Washington,  at  Valley 
Forge  619  ; retreats  from  Barren  Hill,  624  ; dis- 
satisfied with  Lee’s  extreme  caution  637  ; with 
IVashington.  on  the  night  after  the  battle  of  Mon- 
mouth 630  ; in  the  expedition  against  Rhode  island, 
660  ; scheme  of,  to  invade  Canada,  679  ; returns  to 
France  680  ; his  receiition  in  France — appointed  to 
the  command  of  the  dragoons  of  the  king’s  guard 
681  ; returns  to  America  in  1780,  751  ; his  reception 
by  Congress,  752  ; equips  his  corps  at  his  own 
expense,  755  ; Cornwallis  unable  to  force  him  to 
action,  847  ; junction  of,  with  Wayne  and  Steuben, 
849  ; retires  up  James  river  to  Green  springs,  850; 
his  plans  to  prevent  the  escape  of  Cornwallis  by 
land,  896  ; refuses  to  attack  Cornwallis  before  the 
arrival  of  Washington  and  Rochambeau,  907. 

Lake  Champlain,  movements  of  Arnold  on,  193  ; 
British  fleet  on — naval  engagement  on,  367. 

Lake  George,  encampment  of  Col.  William  Johnson 
on  the  banks  of,  described  by  Bancroft — named  by 
Col.  Johnson,  88. 

Lamb,  Capt.,  ice  battery  of,  destroyed  at  Quebec,  210  ; 
part  of  his  jaw-bone  shot  away  at  Quebec,  212  ; 
wounded  during  Tryon’s  retreat  from  Danbury, 
468  ; at  the  siege  of  Yorktown  911. 

Laurens,  Col.  John,  envoy  to  France,  902.  903  ; Major 
Campbell  made  prisoner  by.  at  Yorktown,  914; 
death  of — succeeded  by  Kosciusko,  894. 

Laurens,  Henry,  exchanged  for  General  Burgoyne,  925. 

- Lauzun,  accompanies  Rochambeau  to  America,  753. 

Learned,  Col.  and  Gen.,  Washington  and  Howe  agree 
to  spare  Boston,  through  the  agency  of,  248  ; ap- 
pointed brigadier  general,  452  ; with  Gates  at  Still- 
water, 537. 

Lechmere’s  Point,  attack  upon  British  soldiers  at,  223  • 
fortifications  erected  on,  by  Washington,  226. 

Ledyard,  Col.,  killed  by  Major  Bromfield,  at  Fort 
Gri.swold.  after  its  surrender.  906. 

Lee,  Gen.  Charles,  at  Prospect  hill,  189;  biograph 
ical  notice  of — called  ‘ ‘ Boiling  Water  ” by  the 
Mohawks — under  Burgoyne  in  Portugal— made  a 
brigadier  general— personal  appearance  of,  229  ; 


EX. 


r 

I AND  II.]  INDEX.  939 

impiety  of , 230  ; operations  of,  against  the  New  York 

643  ; skilful  defense  made  by,  643  ; sentenced  by 

tories,  235, 236;  ordered  to  take  command  of  the  army 

the  court-martial  — duel  fought  by,  with  Col. 

in  Canada — sent  to  the  i^outh — Washington’s  opin- 

Laurens— hostility  of,  to  W''.  H.  Drayton,  of  South 

ion  of  the  capacity  of,  258  ; letter  of,  to  Washington, 

Carolina,  644 ; malevolence  of,  towards  Washing- 

259  : at  the  defense  of  Charleston — Fort  Sullivan 

ton,  644,  645  ; summarily  dismissed  from  the  army 

strengthened  hy,  290  ; remarkable  general  orders  of. 

— his  eccentric  mode  of  life  in  Virginia — death  of. 

290,  291 ; Charleston  pronounced  defenseless  hy,  296  ; 

645  ; will  left  by — strange  conduct  of,  at  Valley 

return  of,  from  the  South,  372  ; commands  a divis- 

Forge,  646  ; conduct  of,  at  Monmouth,  justified  by 

ion  at  Kingsbridge — reputation  of,  much  increased 

some — treason  of,  proved,  {note)  — W’ashington’s 

by  his  success  in  the  South — letter  of,  respecting 

conduct  towards,  not  influenced  by  personal  feel- 

the  probable  movement  of  Howe,  373  ; recommends 

ings,  647  ; ranked  with  the  traitors  Church  and 

a change  of  position  of  the  army — opposed  to  hold 

Arnold,  648. 

ing  Fort  Washington,  374  ; anecdote  of,  at  White 

Lee,  Capt.  and  Gen.,  services  of,  as  a cavalry  officer 

Plains— high  opinion  held  by  Washington  of  the 

— biographical  notice  of,  530  ; skirmish  of,  at  Derby, 

military  talents  of,  377  ; in  command  at  Newcastle, 

622 ; his  surprise  of  Paulus  Hook,  711- ; medal 

• 385  ; efforts  of,  to  induce  his  militiamen  to  remain. 

awarded  to,  712  ; bridge  at  Springfield  defended  by. 

386  ; mortification  of,  at  the  loss  of  Fort  Washing- 

750  ; deception  practiced  by,  upon  Col.  Pyle,  834  ; 

ton,  392  ; urged  by  Washington  to  come  to  his  aid 

at  the  siege  of  Ninety-Six,  866  ; attempts  to  set  fire  to 

in  New  Jersey,  395  ; reasons  given  by,  for  remain- 

the  fort  at,  867  ; prisoners  taken  by,  from  Rawdon’s 

ing  at  Newcastle,  396  ; letters  written  to,  by  Gen. 

cavalry,  872  ; at  the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  886. 

Heed  and  others,  397  ; motives  of,  in  disobejdng  the 

Leitch,  Major,  death  of.  at  the  battle  of  Harlem,  354. 

orders  of  Washington — letter  of,  to  Reed,  read  by 

Leith,  descent  upon,  proposed  by  Paul  Jones,  704. 

Washington,  399  ; letter  of,  from  Peekskill,  ad- 

Leslie,  Capt. , defeated  near  Norfolk,  by  Virginia  rifle- 

dressed  to  Washington — efforts  of,  to  get  two  of 

men,  240  ; death  of,  at  the  battle  of  Princeton,  436. 

Heath’s  regiments,  401  ; Hudson  river  crossed  by. 

Leslie,  Gen.,  arrives  at  Charleston,  with  reinforce- 

4 2 ; his  purpose  of  acting  independently,  403  ; his 

ments  for  Cornwallis,  814  ; British  under,  confined 

continued  neglect  of  the  summons  of  Washington — 

to  the  neighborhood  of  Charleston,  894  ; prepares 

Col.  Hampton  sent  to,  by  Nt'ashington,  for  informa- 

to  evacuate  Charleston,  895. 

tion— impudence  of  the  rejjly  of — success  of.  in 

Lexington,  battle  of — minute  men  fired  upon  at,  143  ; 

recruiting  in  New  Jersey,  406  ; unwillingness  of,  to 

killed  and  wounded  at  the  battle  of,  149  ; effect  in 

leave  Chatham — regiments  intercepted  by,  407  ; ac- 

England  of  the  news  of  the  battle  of,  157  ; relief 

count  of  the  capture  of,  410  ; designs  of,  at  the 

from  England  for  the  sufferers  by  the  battle  of.  217. 

time  of  his  capture — letter  of,  to  Gates — capture  of. 

Lincoln,  Gen.  Ben. . appointc  J major-general,  452  ; 

supposed  to  have  been  made  by  collusion,  412  ; cap- 

driven  out  of  Boundbrook  by  Cornwallis,  464  ; joins 

ture  of,  calmly  spoken  of  by  Washington.  413  ; 

Gates  with  New  Hamiishire  militia,  546  ; Gen.  R. 

a prisoner  in  New  York.  443  ; requests  that  dele- 

Howe  superseded  by,  in  the  South — biographical 

gates  be  sent  to  him  from  Congress,  to  receive  a 

notice  of,  689  ; loss  sustaiued  by,  at  Brier  creek. 

communication — non-compliance  of  Congress  with 

690  ; attack  of,  on  John’s  island,  694  ; his  siege  of 

his  request — Washington’s  sympathy  for,  449  ; 

Savannah,  714;  his  defense  of  Charleston,  against 

treatment  of,  while  a prisoner — exchanged  for  the 

Sir  H.  Clinton,  723  ; attacked  by  the  British  on 

British  general  Prescott,  618  ; opinions  of,  unfav- 

Harlem  river— expedition  of,  against  Delancey’.s 

orable  to  a general  attack  on  Sir  H Clinton.  632  ; 

corps,  at  Morrisania,  898  ; opens  the  first  parallel 

res  gns  his  command  to  Lafayette — anxiety  of,  to 

at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  912  ; appointed  to  con- 

resume  his  command,  633  ; ordered  to  form  a June- 

duct  the  surrender  of  Yorktown,  919. 

tion  with  Lafayette  at  Englishtown,  634  ; ordered 

Little  Egg  Harbor,  expedition  against,  by  Capt. 

to  attack  Clinton’s  rear — contradictory  intelligence 

Ferguson — shipping  and  buildings  burned  at,  675. 

brought  to,  respecting  Clinton’s  movements,  635  ; 

Little  Meadows,  arrival  of  Braddock  at,  70. 

line  formed  by,  on  the  plains  of  Monmouth  — mes- 

Livingston,  Col.,  with  Gates  at  Stillwater,  537. 

sage  sent  by,  to  W'ashington,  636  ; confusion  in  the 

Livingston,  Gov.,  letter  of  Washington  to,  anticlpa 

orders  of — movement  of  Washington  in  support  of 

ting  an  attack  by  Howe  on  Fort  Washington,  383  ; 

— intelligence  of  the  retreat  of.  given  to  Washing 

assistance  requested  from,  by  IVashington,  394, 

ton  637  ; a traitor,  according  to  the  belief  of  many 

404 ; improved  organization  of  the  New  Jersey 

— Washington  warned  against,  on  the  eve  of  the 

militia  suggested  to,  by  Washington,  451. 

battle  of  Monmouth — language  of  W’ashington  to, 

Long  island  intrenchments  thrown  up  on,  297  ; Gen. 

638  ; subsequent  conduct  of  on  the  field  of  Mon- 

Greene  in  command  of  the  American  trpops  on,  319; 

mouth , 639  ; court  -martial  assembled  at  Brunswick 

Greene’s  account  of  the  tories  in,  320  ; landing  on. 

to  try,  642  ; letters  written  by  to  Washington.  642, 

J-rf 

of  tlie  troops  of  (jen.  Howe — language  of  Wasbiug- 

1 

» 

y40  I -N  1) 


ton  to  the  troops  sent  to,  322  ; Howe’s  plan  of  at- 
tack on,  324 ; battle  of,  325  ; American  officers  out- 
generalled  at  the  battle  of,  327  ; comparative  losses 
at,  329;  arrival  at,  of  the  b*att allions  of  Shee,  Magaw, 
and  Glover,  330  ; retreat  of  the  American  army 
from.  333  ; Howe’s  ignorance  of  the  American  re- 
treat from,  335  ; American  army  demoralized  by  the 
defeat  in,  338  ; abundance  of  tories  in,  360. 

Loudoun,  earl  of,  sent  to  America  as  general  in-chief, 
93  ; arrives  at  Albany,  94  ; expedition  of,  against 
Louisburg,  98  ; superseded  by  Gen  Amherst,  100. 

Louisburg,  fortifications  of,  6 ; plan  for  the  capture 
of,  7 ; arrival  of  the  fleet  at.  16  ; coup  da  main 
upon,  abandoned,  18  ; sufferings  at  the  siege  of — 
summoned  to  surrender,  19  ; plans  for  a general 
attack  on,  22,  26  ; information  given  by  a deserter 
from,  24  ; general  attack  upon,  27  ; surrender  of, 
to  Pepperell — ammunition  aud  stores  found  in,  28  ; 
deception  practised  on  French  ships  at — effect  in 
London  of  the  news  of  the  capture  of,  29  ; influence 
of  the  capture  of.  30  ; expedition  for  the  recapture 
of — failure  of  the  expedition  against,  31  ; ceded  to 
France  by  the  treaty  of  Aix-la-Chapelle,  32  ; Am- 
herst’s expedition  against,  100,  102  ; unconditional 
surrender  of,  103. 

Lovell,  Gen.,  in  command  of  Massachusetts  militia- 
men, sent  against  McLean,  at  Penobscot  bay,  713. 

Luzerne.  M.  de  la,  refuses  to  loan  money  to  Arnold, 
760  ; interview  of  Washington  with,  at  Fishkill,  776. 

M. 

M’Cre.^,  Jane,  story  of  the  murder  of,  510  ; attempt 
of  Burgoyne  to  punish  the  murderer  of,  511  ; Bur- 
goyne  charged  with  procuring  the  murder  of,  525. 

Macdonald,  Capt. , at  the  siege  of  Louisburg,  25. 

Macdonald,  Donald,  at  the  heights  of  Abraham,  127. 

M’Donald,  Donald,  royal  standard  unfurled  by,  in 
North  Carolina,  in  1776,  241  ; defeat  of,  at  Moore’s- 
creek  bridge,  242. 

M’Dougall,  Gen.,  succeeds  Heath  iu  command  at 
Peekskill,  462  ; ruse  practised  upon,  by  Gen  Howe, 
463 ; substituted  for  Putnam  in  the  command  of 
West  Point,  696. 

M’Leod,  Col.,  death  of,  at  Moore’s  creek  bridge,  242. 

Maepherson,  Allan,  escapes  Indian  torture,  106. 

Magaw,  Col.,  in  command  at  Fort  Washington,  385  ; 
his  reply  to  Howe’s  summons  to  surrender,  388  ; 
compelled  to  surrender  Fort  Washington,  392. 

Mahan,  Capt. , British  position  at  Monk’s  Corner  taken 
by,  891. 

Maitland,  Col.,  at  the  siege  of  Savannah,  715  ; death 
of,  a few  days  after  the  raising  of  the  siege,  718. 

Malmedy,  M , Washington  annoyed  by  the  complaints 
of,  470  ; at  the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  884 

Manchester,  Va.,  stores  and  tobacco  destroyed  at,  845. 

Manly,  Capt.,  commander  of  one  of  the  schooners 
fitted  out  by  Washington,  220  ; British  brig  Nancy 


[parts 


taken  by,  223  ; continued  successes  of,  224. 

Manning.  Lieut.,  Simms’s  account  of  his  capture  of 
Major  Barry  at  Eutaw  Springs,  890. 

Marion.  Gen.  Francis,  biographical  notice  of,  732 ; 
miserable  equipments  of  his  men,  738  ; exploits  of, 
in  South  Carolina,  794;  title  of  “Swamp  Fox” 
given  to — privations  endured  by  men  under,  812  ; 
failure  of  his  attack  on  the  British  at  Georgetown, 
on  Winyaw  bay — anecdote  of  a British  officer  in- 
vited to  dine  with— camp  formed  by,  on  Snow’s 
island,  813  ; operations  of,  iu  South  Carolina — attack 
upon,  by  Cols.  M atson  aud  Doyle,  852  ; his  brigade 
dissatisfied  with  Sumter’s  partiality,  878  ; on  the 
Santee,  879  ; at  the  ijattle  of  Eixtaw  Springs,  884. 

Marjoribanks,  Major,  at  Eutaw  Springs,  885. 

Martha’s  Vineyard,  the  inhabitants  of,  levied  on,  065.» 

Martin,  Gov.  of  North  Carolina,  proceedings  of,  241. 

Marjdand,  backwardness  of,  in  affording  aid  to  Brad- 
dock,  59  ; brigades  from,  at  the  battle  of  Camden, 
742  ; troops  from,  at  Guilford  courthouse,  840. 

Massachusetts,  aid  from,  to  the  expedition  against 
Louisburg,  8 ; first  in  resistance  to  Briti.sh  tyranny, 
137  ; expedition  from,  to  Penobscot  bay,  712. 

Mathew,  Gen.,  at  the  investment  of  Fort  Wasii- 
ington,  387  ; ravages  of,  in  Virginia,  in  1779,  695. 

Mawhood,  Col , collision  of, with  Gen.  Hugh  Mercer.  433. 

Maxwell,  Gen.,  at  the  battle  of  the  Brandywine.  532  ; 
mutiny  on  the  part  of  the  officers  of,  prevented,  682. 

Megantic  Lake,  arrival  of  Arnold  at,  205. 

Meigs,  Col. , stores  destroyed  by,  at  Sag  Harbor,  475. 

Mercer,  Gen.  Hugh,  at  Amboy,  on  the  approach  of 
Sir  W.  Howe,  302  ; ordered  to  occupy  Forts  Con- 
stitution and  Lee.  339  ; collision  of,  with  Col.  Maw 
hood,  433  ; his  riflemen  overcome  by  the  British, 
434  ; left  for  dead  on  the  field  of  battle,  435,  436  • 
biographical  notice  of,  436. 

Mercier,  the  constructor  of  Fort  Duquesne,  40. 

Messerve,  Col.,  makes  cannon  sledges  at  Louisburg,  18. 

Middlebrook,  American  camp  shifted  to,  from  Morris- 
town. 478  ; strength  of  tlie  American  position  at,  479. 

Mifflin,  Gen.  T , biographical  notice  of,  297  ; at  Kings- 
bridge  and  Fort  Washington,  302  ; takes  reinforce- 
ments to  Brooklyn,  331  ; at  the  retreat  from  Long 
island,  332;  retreats  from  the  lines,  through  mis 
take,  334  ; sent  to  make  known  to  Congress  the 
straits  of  the  American  army,  394 ; appointed 
major-geneial,  452. 

Miles,  Col.,  on  the  eve  of  the  battle  of  Long  island,  324 

Militia,  opinions  as  to  the  inefficiency  of,  338,  339  ; 
bad  conduct  of,  at  White  Plains,  378  ; order  of 
Washington  to  encourage,  379  ; their  dread  of  cav- 
alry, 380;  unreliability  of,  428;  Virginia,  throw  down 
their  loaded  arms  at  the  battle  of  Camden,  742. 

Mininsink  s.'ittlemeut,  ravaged  by  Brant,  in  1779,  679. 

Mischiama,  got  up  in  honor  of  Sir  W.  Howe,  in  Phila- 
delphia. 607-612;  language  of  Paine  respecting,  612 

Mohawk.s  expedition  against.under  Gen.  Sullivan,  677. 


EX. 


t AUD  ii.J  INDEX.  941 

Monakatuca,  made  prisoner  by  French  and  Indians, 

men  of,  557  ; retires  towards  Broad  river — Tarleton 

71  ; his  son  killed  by  mistake,  by  Braddock’s  men , 74, 

sent  against,  814  ; ground  chosen  by,  at  the  Cow- 

Monckton,  Gen.  Robert,  in  Wolfe’s  expedition  against 

pens,  815  ; addresses  his  troops,  816  ; gold  medal 

Quebec.  109  ; Point  Levi,  taken  by,  114  ; death  of. 

presented  to.  818  ; pursuit  of,  after  the  battle  of  the 

at  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  C40. 

Cowpens,  819  ; encumbered  with  prisoners  and  bag- 

' Moncrieff,  (engineer)  at  the  defense  of  Savannah,  716. 

gage,  826  ; saved  by  the  swelling  of  the  Catawba. 

Money,  continental,  great  depreciation  of,  604, 

827  ; retires  from  the  army,  832, 

Monk’s  Corner,  Gen.  Huger  and  Col  Washington 

Morris,  Capt. , killed  at  the  siege  of  Charleston,  294 

surprised  at,  by  Tarleton,  72.5  ; escape  of  the  British 

Morris,  Roger,  house  of , occupied  by  Washington,  350 

under  Col.  Coates,  from  Sumter  at,  875. 

Morris,  Major,  at  the  battle  of  Bemis’  heights,  540. 

Monmouth,  position  of  the  British  before  the  battle 

Morris,  Robert,  money  raised  by,  for  the  army 

of,  634  ; battle  of,  63-5-640  ; fatal  effects  of  the 

treasury,  427  ; patriotic  financial  operations  of,  825; 

excessive  heat  at  the  battle  of — killed  and  wounded 

money  borrowed  of  Rochambeau  by,  900. 

at,  641. 

Morristown,  winter-quarters  of  Washington  at,  438 ; 

Monongahela,  fords  of,  passed  by  Braddock,  75  ; de- 

the  troops  at,  inoculated,  457 ; description  of  the 

feat  of  Braddock  at  the,  76  ; losses  at  the,  83. 

camp  at,  473  ; desertions  from  the  camp  at — social 

Monroe,  Col  Jame.s,  at  the  battle  of  Trenton,  421. 

enjoyment  in  the  camp  at — sources  of  anxiety  for 

Montcalm,  Marquis  de,  biographical  police  of,  94  ; 

Washington  at,  474  ; camp  shifted  from,  to  Middle- 

operations  of,  against  Oswego.  95  ; expedition  of, 

brook,  478  ; camp  at,  moved  to  Pompton  Plains, 

against  Fort  William  Henry,  99  ; vexation  of,  at 

497 ; sufferings  of  the  army  in  winter-quarters  at. 

the  loss  of  Point  Levi,  115  ; thwarted  by  Vaudreuil, 

719  ; inefficiency  of  the  army  at  720  ; mutiny  of 

124  ; letter  of,  to  M.  de  Mole,  125  ; unwilling  to 

regiments  at — sufferings  of  the  army  at,  821. 

believe  the  English  had  attained  the  plains  of 

Motte,  Mrs.,  patriotism  of,  in  South  Carolina,  862 

Abraham.  127  ; disposition  of  his  forces  when  at- 

kloultrie.  Col.  William,  fort  erected  by,  on  Sullivan's 

tacking  Wolfe,  128  ; his  conduct  on  the  field  of 

isiand,  289 ; honors  to,  for  his  defense  of  Fort 

battle,  129,  130  ; mortal  wound  received  by,  130  ; 

Sullivan,  295,  296  ; British  driven  out  of  Port  Royal 

language  of,  on  the  approach  of  death,  131. 

by,  689  ; departure  of  the  British  from  Charleston, 

Montgomery,  Gen.  Richard,  in  command  of  Ticonde- 

in  1782,  witnessed  by.  895. 

roga — biographical  notice  of,  197  ; operations  of. 

Mount  Bigelow,  ascent  of,  by  Major  Bigelow,  203. 

against  St.  Johns  on  the  Sorel.  198  ; entrance  of, 

Mount  Defiance,  commanding  Ticonderoga,  fortifica- 

into  Montreal — surrender  of  St,  Johns  to,  201  ; want 

tion  of,  urged  by  John  Trumbull,  488. 

of  discipline  among  the  troops  of — junction  of,  with 

Mount  Hope,  taken  possession  of,  by  the  British,  490. 

Arnold,  at  Point  aux  Trembles,  208  ; operations  of. 

Mount  Independence,  fortified  under  Kosciusko,  486. 

before  Quebec,  209  ; resolves  to  attack  Quebec,  210  ; 

Mount  Vernon,  hospitalities  to  the  poor  at,  225  ; levy 

death  of,  211  : remains  of,  honorably  buried,  213. 

on  the  estate  of,  made  by  a British  cruiser  on  the 

Montgomery,  Major,  shot  dead  in  the  storming  of 

Potomac.  745  ; Washington  visits,  on  his  way 

Fort  Griswold,  New  London.  906. 

towards  Yorktown,  903. 

Montgomery  and  Congress,  American  frigates,  burned 

Mowatt,  Lieut.,  bombards  and  burns  Falmouth,  215. 

on  the  Hudson,  553. 

Mugford,  account  of  his  caj)ture  of  the  Briti.sh  ship 

Montmorenci,  attempt  of  Wolfe  to  cross  the  river 

Hope,  280  ; death  of,  defending  his  ship,  281. 

near  the  falls  of,  116, 

Muhlenberg,  appointed  brigadier-general,  452  ; hospi- 

Montreal,  invested  by  Geti.  Amherst,  in  1760,  134  ; 

talities  of,  683. 

entrance  of  Montgomery  into,  in  1775,  201. 

Munro,  Col.,  surrenders  Fort  William  Henry  to  Mont- 

Montressor’s  island,  attack  upon  the  British  on, 

calm,  99. 

planned  by  Gen.  Heath,  356  ; unfortunate  result  of 

Murray,  Gen. , defeat  of,  near  Qrrebec,  by  De  Levi,  133. 

the  attempt  upon,  358, 

Murray,  Mrs.  Robert,  Putnam’s  escape  owing  to,  352. 

Moore,  Gen.,  operations  of,  in  North  Carolina,  241. 

Musgrove’s  mill,  British  under  Col.  Innis  defeated 

Moore’s-creek  bridge.  Col.  McDonald  defeated  at,  242. 

at,  745. 

Morepang,  death  of,  in  defense  of  Louisburg,  17. 

N. 

Morgan,  Charley,  a spy  in  the  camp  of  Cornwallis, 

Nancy,  a British  ship,  captured  by  Capt.  Manly — ■ 

846  ; returns  with  deserters  to  Lafayette’s  camp,  847. 

anecdote  connected  with  the  capture  of,  223. 

. Morgan.  Gen.  Daniel,  arrival  of,  in  the  camp  of  Brad- 

Nantasket  roads,  delay  of  the  British  fleet  in,  after 

dock — anecdote  respecting  67  ; accompanies  Arnold 

the  evacuation  of  Boston,  255. 

against  Quebec,  198  ; batteries  taken  by,  at  Quebec 

Navy,  American,  eariv  commanders  of,  219 ; vessels 

— made  prisoner  with  his  command,  212  ; with 

and  officers  of,  in  1775.  267 ; early  attempts  to  es- 

Gates  at  Stilhvater,  537 ; defeat  of  his  corps  at 

tablish,  unfortunate,  666  ; summary  of  the  opera- 

Bemis’  heights,  540  ; Gen.  Fraser  shot  by  the  rifle- 

tions  of,  after  the  exploits  of  Paul  Jones  {note)  925. 

. 

942  I X D E X . [PAETS 


Nelson,  Rov.,  money  borrowed  by,  for  the  state  of 
Virginia,  911 ; touching  display  of  patriotism  made 
by,  91G  ; house  of,  in  Yorktown  {note),  917, 

“ Neutral  Ground,”  prisoners  taken  by  the  British,  at 
Young’s  house  on,  721. 

Newark,  retreat  of  Washington  to,  after  the  loss  of 
Fort  Washington,  394  ; position  of  the  army  at,  395. 

New  Bedford,  depredations  of  Sir  Charles  Grey  at,  6’65. 

New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey.  Lord  Cornwallis  at,  447 

Newcastle,  duke  of,  his  ignorance  and  incapacity,  47. 

Newcastle,  Gen.  Lee  left  in  command  at,  385  ; Lee 
urged  to  break  up  his  encampment  at,  395. 

New  England,  interest  taken  by,  in  the  expedition 
against  Louisburg.  8 ; manners  of  the  officers  from, 
according  to  Graydon  and  Gordon,  298  ; account  of 
“a  riot.”  illustrating  the  manners  of  officers  from, 
300  ; measures  taken  by  Washington  for  the  pro- 
tection of,  673  ; governors  of,  urged  by  Washington 
to  forward  troops  and  supplies,  899  ; disaffection  of 
troops  from,  at  being  marched  into  Virginia,  902. 

Newfoundland,  ceded  to  Great  Britain  by  the  treaty 
of  Utrecht,  6. 

New-Hampshire  grants  and  the  “Green-Mountain 
Boys,”  152. 

New  Hampshire,  victory  obtained  at  Bennington  by 
militia  of.  under  Gen.  Stark,  522. 

New  Haven,  ravages  of  Gov.  Tryon  in,  097. 

New  Jersey,  proclamation  issued  in,  by  the  brothers 
Howe  404  ; outrages  of  British  and  Hessians  on  the 
people  of,  425  ; command  of  the  British  forces  in, 
resumed  by  Cornwallis,  427  ; sufferings  of,  from 
the  soldiery  of  both  armies,  446  ; efforts  of  Wash- 
ington to  prevent  plunder  in,  447  ; movements  of 
Sir  NV.  Howe  in,  in  1777,  453  ; inferiority  of  Amer- 
ican forces  in,  453,  457  ; Americans  left  in  posses 
siou  of,  by  the  retreat  of  Howe  to  Sfaten  island,  480; 
abandoned  by  Clinton  and  Knyphausen,  750;  mutiny 
of  the  troops  from,  in  1781,  824. 

New  London,  destruction  of,  proposed  by  Sir  H.  Clin- 
ton, 698  ; expedition  against,  postponed  by  Clinton, 
791  ; expedition  against,  intrusted  to  Arnold,  905  ; 
reduced  to  ashes  by  Arnold,  907. 

Newport,  Rochambeau  and  De  Ternay  at,  in  1780, 
752  ; project  of  Sir  H.  Clinton  for  an  attack  upon 
the  French  at,  754  ; French  fleet  blockaded  in,  by 
Admiral  Arbuthnot,  755. 

New  York,  alarm  occasioned  in,  by  the  simultaneous 
arrival  of  Clinton  and  Lee,  235  ; condition  of  the 
army  in,  265  ; the  army  improving  the  defenses  of, 
297  ; jealousies  existing  among  the  troops  at,  300  ; 
action  of  the  secret  committee  of  the  state  conven- 
tion of,  306  ; statement  of  the  American  force  in,  at 
the  time  of  the  Howes’  arrival  at  Staten  island,  317; 
commiseration  felt  by  Washington  for  the  helpless 
in — Gen.  Howe  delays  the  attack  on,  321  ; excite- 
ment of’ the  inhabitants  of,  on  the  landing  of  Howe 
on  Long  island — Washington  assures  the  people  of. 


that  the  city  should  not  be  burned,  323  ; evacuation 
of,  contemplated — Congress  interrogated  as  to  the 
destruction  of,  337  ; urgency  of  Gen.  Greene  for  the 
evacuation  of — Washington  directed  by  Congress  to 
spare  in  case  of  evacuation,  340;  Washington  in 
favorof  the  evacuation  of,  341,  347  ;British  cannon- 
ade upon  the  American  works  at,  348  ; efforts  of 
Washington  to  have  the  sick  and  stores  removed 
from,  349  ; taken  possession  of,  by  the  British,  352; 
great  fire  in,  355  ; fire  in  checked  by  the  exertions 
of  Howe’s  sailors,  356  ; abundance  of  tories  in,  360; 
militia  of,  in  a state  of  mutiny,  383  ; plan  of  Wash- 
ington for  an  attack  upon,  754 ; joint  French  and 
American  attack  upon,  proposed  by  Washington 
and  Rochambeau,  897  ; southern  states  relieved  by 
Washington’s  threatened  attack  on,  899  ; plan  for 
the  attack  upon,  abandoned  by  Washington,  900. 

Niagara,  surrendered  to  the  British,  107. 

Nielson,  Col  , Major  Stockton  and  fifty  nine  New 
Jersey  royalists  taken  prisoners  by,  454. 

Ninety  Six,  siege  laid  to,  by  Gen.  Greene — garrisoned 
by  American  royalists,  864 ; description  of  the 
fortifications  of,  865  ; attempt  to  take  the  fortre.ss 
of,  by  storm,  868  ; siege  of,  raised  by  Greene,  on 
the  apjjroach  of  Kawdon,  870 ; abandonment  of, 
by  Rawdon,  871  ; dismal  civil  war  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of.  879. 

Nixon.  Gen.,  with  Gates  at  Stillwater,  537. 

Nook’s  hill,  attempt  of  Washington  to -get  possession 
of,  at  the  siege  of  Boston,  249  ; second  and  success 
fill  attempt  to  take  possession  of — effect  of  the 
American  occupation  of,  upon  Gen.  Howe’s  move- 
ments, 251. 

Norfolk,  defeat  of  Dunmore  at,  and  burning  of,  240. 

North  Carolina,  loyalists  in,  under  Col  Bryan,  make 
their  escape  to  Cheraw  hill,  731  ; flight  of  the  mili- 
tia of,  at  the  battle  of  Guilford  courthouse,  839. 

North,  Lord,  “conciliatory  bills”  of,  how  received  in 
the  United  States',  628;  how  affected  by  the  sur- 
render at  Yorktown — seals  of  office  resigned  by,  926. 

North  river  plans  for  obstructing,  286;  Highland  passes 
on,  intrusted  to  M’Dougall  and  Geo.  Clinton,  476. 

Norwalk,  laid  in  ashes  by  the  British,  698. 

Nova  Scotia,  ceded  to  Great  Britain  by  the  treaty  ot 
Utrecht,  6;  expulsion  of  Acadians  from,  in  1755,  90. 

O. 

OCHTERLONT,  Capt. , killed  at  the  siege  of  .Quebec,  119. 

O’Hara,  Gen.,  appointed  by  Cornwallis  to  give  up  his 
sword  to  Washington.  920. 

Ohio  territory,  claims  of  England  and  France  to,  32 

Orangeburg,  surrender  of,  to  Gen.  Sumter,  863. 

Orme,  Capt.  R.,  invites  Washington,  by  letter,  to  join 
Braddock,  57  ; wounded  at  Braddock’s  defeat,  79. 

Oswego,  expedition  of  the  French  against,  in  1756.  9l; 
taken  by  the  French  under  Montcalm,  95  : dcstrmt- 
tion  of  the  fort  at,  96. 


I AND  II.]  INDEX.  943 


P. 

Paine,  Thomas,  influence  upon  tlie  popular  mind,  of 
his  pamphlet  “Common  Ss/ise  ” — biographical  notice 
of,  304. 

Palfrey,  Col.,  sent  on  board  Admiral  Howe’s  ship,  to 
negotiate  re.specting  prisoners,  313. 

Palmer,  Edmund,  hanged  as  a spy  by  Putnam,  503. 

Parker,  Admiral  Sir  Peter,  arrival  of,  at  Cape  Fear, 
388  ; attacks  Port  Sullivan,  393  ; wounded,  394. 

Parker,  Capt.,  assembles  minute-men  in  Lexington, 
143. 

Parsons.  Gen.,  at  the  battle  of  Long  island— Lord 
Stirling  sent  to  the  aid  of,  325. 

Patterson,  Col.,  sent  by  Gen.  llowe  with  a flag  to 
Washington  310  ; appointed  brigadier-general,  453  ; 
with  Gates  at  Stillwater,  537. 

Paulding,  John,  one  of  the  Cow-boys  who  arre.st('d 
Major  Andre,  773  ; burial-place  of,  789. 

Paulus  Hook,  surprise  of,  by  Major  Henry  Lee,  711. 

Pearson,  Capt.,  commander  of  the  Serapis  in  the 
fight  with  the  Bon  Homme  Richard.  705  ; obliged 
to  haul  down  his  colors  himself — made  a baronet, 
{note).  710. 

Peekskill,  visit  of  Washington  to,  385  ; concentration 
of  troops  at,  460  ; stores  destreyerl  at,  by  the  British, 
463  ; Putnam  retreats  from,  553. 

Pellew,  in  the  fight  on  Lake  Champlain,  in  1776,  367. 

Pennsylvania,  backward  in  affording  aid  to  Braddock, 
59  ; influence  in,  of  the  success  of  the  brothers 
Howe,  405  ; intentions  of  Gen  Howe  to  confine  his 
operations  to,  463  ; the  legislature  of,  interferes 
with  plans  of  Washington,  601  ; American  com- 
missaries repulsed  by  farmers  of,  602,  604  ; mutiny 
of  regiments  from,  831. 

Pennytown,  outrages  in,  by  British  and  Hessians,  435. 

Penobscot  bay,  expedition  against  Col.  M’Leanat,  713. 

Pepperell,  William,  commmander  of  the  expedition 
against  Louisburg,  9 ; biographical  notice  of,  10 , 
great  personal  influence  of,  11  ; superseded  by  Com- 
modore Warren,  14  ; friendly  intercourse  of,  with 
Warren.  30  ; letters  of,  relative  to  the  progress  of 
the  siege  of  Louisburg,  31,  34;  disheartened  by 
want  of  success  in  a night  attack,  33  ; reinforcements 
received  by,  35  ; rivalry  between,  and  Warren,  37 ; 
baronetcy  conferred  upon,  29. 

Percy,  Lord,  conversation  overheard  by,  respecting 
the  expedition  to  Concord,  141  ; penurious  character 
of  {note) — reinforcements  taken  by,  to  Col.  Smith, 

147  ; narrow  escape  of,  at  the  battle  of  Lexington, 

148  ; in  command  of  the  force  intended  to  attack 
Dorchester  heights,  346  ; at  the  battle  of  Long  island, 
324  ; reinforcements  brought  by,  to  Gen.  Howe,  at 
White  Plains,  382. 

Petersburg,  ravages  of  Phillips  and  Arnold  in,  845. 

Pej-ton,  rescue  of,  from  Indians,  at  siege  of  Quebec,  119. 

Phelps,  Capt.  Noah,  Ethan  Allen’s  guide  to  Ticon- 
deroga,  154. 

r— e 


Philadelphia,  people  of,  unwilling  to  believe  the  rumor 
of  Braddock’s  defeat,  85  ; plans  of  Washington  foi 
the  protection  of,  405  ; Putnam  charged  with  the 
fortification  of,  406  ; supposed  intentions  of  the 
British  with  regard  to,  476  ; march  of  Washington’s 
army  through  the  streets  of,  530;  shoes  and  blankets 
procured  from,  579  ; march  of  troops  under  (forn- 
wallis  into,  580  ; a council  of  war  decides  against 
attacking  Gen.  Howe  in,  593  ; British  army  in.  well 
supplied  with  provisions,  603  ; want  of  discipline 
among  the  British  troops  in,  604.  605  ; MiHchiama 
got  up  in,  in  honor  of  Sir.  W.  Howe  607-613  ; joy- 
ful reception  of  the  British  commissioners  by  the 
inhabitants  of — confusion  in,  on  the  evacuation  by 
Sir  H.  Clinton,  629  ; promises  made  by  the  tories 
of,  to  the  commissioners,  630  ; suspicious  conduct 
of  Arnold  in,  while  military  governor,  757  ; march 
of  American  and  French  armies  through,  901. 

Phillipsburg,  encampment  of  Washington  at,  898. 

Phillij)S,  Gen.,  commands  Burgoyne’s  artillery,  485; 
chief  command  in  Virginia  assumed  by,  844  ; ravages 
of,  in  Virginia,  845  ; death  of,  at  Petersburg,  846. 

Pickens,  Col  , defeats  loyalists  at  Kettle  creek,  638  ; 
biographical  notice  of,  733  ; sword  presented  to, 
for  his  services  at  the  Cowpens,  818  ; at  the  battle 
of  Eutaw  Springs,  884. 

Pickering  'rimothy,  adjutant-general,  after  Reed,  458. 

Pigott,  Gen  Sir  R.,. left  wing  of  the  British  led  by, 
at  Breeds  hill,  171;  repulse  of,  at  Breed’s  hiil, 
172  ; defends  Rhode  island  against  Sullivan,  Greene, 
and  D’Estaing,  660. 

Pitcairn,  Major,  enters  Lexington  with  British 
troops,  143  ; fires  upon  minute-men  at  Lexington. 
143 ; his  conduct  at  Lexington  disapproved  by 
Gage,  149  ; death  of,  at  Breed’s  hill,  176. 

Pluckimen,  halt  of  the  American  army  at,  437. 

Point  aux  Trembles,  retreat  of  De  Vaudreuil  to,  131. 

Point  Levi,  taken  by  Gen.  Monckton,  1 14  ; defenses 
of,  strengthened,  115  ; disastrous  night  attack  on, 
by  Montcalm.  117. 

Pomeroy,  Major,  letter  of,  from  before  Louisburg, 
19  ; his  gallant  conduct  at  Bunker’s  hill,  177. 

Pompton.  Gen.  Sullivan  stationed  at,  by  Washington, 
481  ; mutiny  of  New  Jersey  troops  at,  834. 

Pompton  plains,  camp  of  Washington  moved  to,  497. 

I’oor,  Gen  , with  Gates  at  Stillwater,  537. 

Port  Royal,  British  driven  out  of,  by  Col  Moultrie, 689. 

Portsmouth,  Va. , taken  possession  of,  by  Arnold,  in 
1781,  831  ; arrival  of  Cornwallis  at,  850. 

Prescott,  Col.  William,  ordered  to  fortify  Bunker’s 
hill — personal  appearance  of,  163  ; intrenchments 
thrown  up  by,  on  Breed’s  hill,  instead  of  Bunker’s, 
163  ; observed  by  Gen.  Gage  walking  on  the  para- 
pet at  Breed’s  hill,  165  ; narrow  escape  of,  at  Breed’s 
hill,  177. 

Prescott,  Gen. , capture  of,  at  Rhode  island — treatment 
as  a prisoner,  501  ; exchanged  for  Gen.  Lee,  618 


944  ■ INDEX.  [parts 

Prevost,  Gen.,  operations  of,  in  Georgia,  in  1779,  688  ; 

Q. 

Gen.  Aslie  defeated  by,  at  Brier  creek,  690  ; march 

Quebec,  expedition  of  Wo’fe  against,  in  1759,  109, 

of,  to  Charleston,  691  ; rapid  retreat  of.  to  John’s 

111  ; fortifications  of.  111  ; fire-ships  sent  against 

island,  693  ; his  defense  of  Savannah,  714. 

the  British  fleet  at,  113  ; movements  of  Lieut. 

Princeton,  retreat  of  Washington  to,  405  ; march  of 

Rogers  at  the  siege  of,  1 15  ; failure  of  Gen.  Monck- 

Washington  to,  from  the  Assurapink,  431  ; entrance 

ton’s  attack  on  at  the  Montmorenci — adventures  of 

of  Gen.  Leslie  into — battle  of,  135  ; retreat  of 

Ochterlony  and  Peyton  during  the  siege  of,  ]18; 

Washington  from— losses  at  the  battle  of,  436. 

barbarity  during  the  siege  of.  122  ; position  of  tne 

Pringle,  Capt. , British  fleet  under  the  command  of,  on 

French  at,  124  ; surrender  of,  to  the  British,  in  1759, 

Lake  Champlain,  367. 

131  ; expedition  of  Arnold  against,  in  1775,  196, 

Prisoners,  cruel  treatment  of,  by  the  British,  441  ; 

201-206  ; summoned  to  surrender,  206  ; departure 

letters  of  Washington  to  the  Howes,  in  relation  to 

of  Arnold  from,  to  Point  aux  Trembles,  2 )7  ; oper- 

the  treatment  of,  443 ; letter  of  Washington  to 

ations  of  Montgomery  and  Arnold  at  209,  211  ; ice- 

Congress,  in  relation  to  the  treatment  of,  445. 

battery  constructed  by  Montgomery  at,  209  ; de- 

Providence,  a twelve-gun  ship,  exploits  of,  670. 

struction  and  abandonment  of  the  ice  batterv  at,  210  : 

Pulaski,  Count  Casimir,  biographical  notice  of.  508  ; 

united  attack  upon,  by  Montgomery  and  Arnold, 

brigadier-general,  509  ; daring  of,  displayed  at 

211  ; operations  of  Gen.  Wooster  at — reinforcements 

Trenton,  623  ; legion  of,  surprised  by  Capt.  Fergu- 

received  bv  Carleton  in— retreat  of  the  American 

son,  675  ; aid  brought  to  Charleston  by,  691  ; death 

army  from,  261. 

of,  at  the  siege  of  Savannah,  717. 

Queen’s  Rangers,  prisoners  made  from,  by  Lord  Stir- 

Putnam.  Col.  Rufus,  anecdote  of,  266  ; charged  with 

ling  376  ; successful  foraging  expeditions  of,  624. 

the  construction  of  forts  on  the  North  river,  286, 

Quinby  bridge,  exploits  of  Sumter,  Marion,  and  Lee 

Putnam,  Gen.  Israel,  with  Col.  Williams  when  at- 

at,  875  ; desperate  position  of  American  officers  at 

tacked  by  Dieskau,  89  ; joins  the  patriots  after  the 

877  ; killed  and  wounded  at,  878. 

battle  of  Lexington,  150  ; at  Breed’s  hill,  168  ; 

• 

efforts  of,  to  get  reinforcements  to  Breed’s  hill,  175  ; 

R. 

efforts  of,  to  rally  the  Americans  at  Bunker’s  hill. 

R.\nL,  Col.,  in  the  attack  on  Fort  Washington,  390; 

177  ; Prospect  hill  fortified  by,  181  ; woman  con- 

force  under,  in  Trenton  418  ; twice  warned  of  the 

nected  with  Church’s  treason  arrested  by,  218  ; mor- 

intended  attack  upon  Trenton,  419  ; surprise  of. 

tar  captured  by  Capt.  Manly  christened  by,  224  ; in 

when  attacked,  421  ; shot  at  the  head  of  his  men. 

command  of  the  army  in  New  York,  260,  265 ; chevaux- 

422  ; Washington  visits  his  death  bed,  424. 

de-frise  devised  by,  to  obstruct  British  ships  on  the 

Rahway  river,  bridge  across,  defended  by  Col.  Angel, 

North  river,  314,  371  ; plans  of  Anderson  and  Bush- 

against  the  troops  of  Sir  H.  Clinton,  750. 

nell  endorsed  by,  316  ; in  command  on  Long  island. 

“Raid  of  the  dog  days,”  in  South  Carolina,  873. 

322,  824  ; visit  of  Washington  to,  in  Brooklyn,  325  ; 

Raisin  river,  battle  at  Frenchtown.  near,  101,  102. 

favors  the  evacuation  of  New  York,  341  ; commands 

Raleigh,  cruise  of,  in  company  with  the  Alfred,  592  : 

the  rear-guard,  at  the  evacuation  of  New  A'ork,  349  ; 

command  of,  given  to  Capt.  Barry  671  ; chase  and 

abandons  New  York,  351  ; attacked  by  the  British  on 

capture  of.  by  the  Experiment  and  Unicorn,  671-673. 

their  march  to  Harlem — incident  to  which  his  escape 

Ranger,  memorable  cruise  of  Paul  Jones  in  the,  in 

was  owing,  352  ; charged  with  the  fortification  of 

1778,  666  ; action  of  the,  with  the  Drake,  669. 

Philadelphia,  406  ; fails  to  co-operate  with  Washing- 

Rapelye,  Mrs  , information  sent  by,  to  Lord  Howe,  of 

ton  at  Trenton,  423  ; letter  of  Washington  to,  after 

the  American  retreat  from  Long  island,  335. 

the  battle  of  Princeton,  437  ; small  force  under,  at 

Rathburne,  Capt.,  cruise  of,  in  the  Providence,  C70. 

Princeton,  450  ; intrusted  to  place  a boom  across  the 

Rawdon,  Lord,  at  the  storming  of  Fort  Montgomery, 

Hudson  at  Fort  Montgomery,  477  ; reply  sent  by,  to 

550,553  ; at  Charleston,  with  reinforcements  for  Sir 

Sir  H.  Clinton,  on  his  demanding  the  liberation  of 

H.  Clinton,  726  ; in  command  of  the  British  at 

Edmund  Palmer,  502  ; in  command  at  Peekskill, 

Camden,  731  ; command  in  South  Carolina  devolved 

540  ; discouraged  by  the  successes  of  Clinton,  554 ; 

upon,  802  ; compels  Sumter  to  raise  the  siege  of 

unwillingness  of,  to  send  reinforcements  to  Wash- 

Fort  Granby,  852  ; attempt  of  Greene  to  surprise, 

ington,  590  ; revolt  in  the  division  of,  at  Danby,  683  ; 

at  Camden,  854  ; Greene  surprised  by,  at  Hobkirk’s 

narrow  escape  of,  at  Greenwich,  096  ; Lossing’s  ac- 

hill,  856 ; force  of,  at  Hobkirk’s  hill,  principally 

count  of  the  escape  of  (note) — subsequent  vigorous 

American  royalists,  857 ; junction  of  Col.  Watson 

action  of,  097. 

with,  at  Camden,  860  ; Camden  evacuated  and 

Pyle,  Col.,  deception  practiced  upon,  by  Pickens  and 

bur.ned  by,  861  ; held  in  check  at  Charleston  by 

Lee,  near  the  Haw  river,  834  ; surprise  and  defeat 

Marion  and  Sumter,  863  ; Ninety-Six  abandoned  by. 

of — left  for  dying  but  survived,  835  ; teiTor  pro- 

871  ; pursuit  of,  by  Greene — retreat  of,  to  Granby, 

duced  among  the  loyalists  bv  the  surnrise  of,  836. 

872  ; junction  of  Cols.  Stewart  and  Cruger  with — 

i _ _ 

I AND  II.] 


INDEX. 


945 


strong  ground  taken  by,  near  Orangeburg,  873  ; re- 
treats to  Charleston,  and  departs  for  Europe — 
succeeded  by  Stewart  at  Orangeburg,  870. 

Rawlings,  Col.,  at  the  defense  of  Fort  Washington,  388. 
Red-bank,  fort  at,  taken  by  Cornwallis,  591. 

Reed,  Col.  Joseph,  correspondence  of  Washington 
with,  222;  state  papers  intrusted  to,  by  Washington, 
323  ; an  admirer  of  Qen.  Leo — biograjihical  notice 
of — esteem  of  Washington  for — flattering  letter 
written  by,  to  Lee.  397  ; letter  of  Washington  to, 
enclosing  the  letter  of  Lee,  400 ; letter  from,  to 
Washington,  urging  active  measures.  410  ; letter  of 
Washington  to,  informing  him  of  the  hour  for  the 
attack  on  Trenton,  417  ; British  commissary  and 
foraging  party  made  prisoners  by,  428  ; brigadier- 
general,  452  ; resignation  of,  as  adjutant  general, 
457  ; answer  made  by,  to  British  offers,  631  ; meas- 
ures taken  by,  to  end  the  mutiny  of  the  Pemisylva- 
nia  troops,  823. 

Reidesel,  Baron,  in  command  of  Brunswick ers,  485. 
Reidesel,  Baroness,  with  her  husband  in  Burgoyne’s 
army,  542  ; reminiscences  of,  of  the  night  following 
the  second  battle  of  Bemis’  heights,  560  ; the 
British  camp  on  the  Fishldll  described  by,  567  ; her 
joy  at  the  prospect  of  surrender,  572,  573  ; conducted 
to  the  tent  of  Gen.  Gates  by  Schuyler,  574  ; taken 
by  Schuyler  to  his  own  tent — marked  kindness  of 
Schuyler’s  family  to,  575. 

Revolution,  battles  of  the,  137. 

Rhode  Island,  perfect  tent-equipages  of,  in  the  conti- 
nental army,  187  ; arrival  of  ammunition  from,  in 
the  camp  at  Cambridge,  192  ; aid  demanded  by, 
from  Congress,  against  the  exactions  of  Capt. 
Wallace,  227  ; Arnold  dissuaded  by  W ashington 
from  making  an  attack  upon,  451  ; D’Estaing’s  fleet 
at — expedition  against  the  British  on,  660  ; delays 
in  the  attack  upon,  661  ; want  of  co-operation  in 
the  attack  upon,  661-6(i3 

Richiiiond,  occupied  by  Arnold,  820  : buildings  burned 
in,  821  ; designs  of  Phillips  and  Arnold  against,  845. 
Riviere  aux  Boeufs,  French  fort  on,  in  1754,  34. 
Robertson.  Gen.,  arrival  of,  in  New  York,  with  rein- 
forcements for  Sir  H.  Clinton,  548. 

Robinson.  Col.  Beverly,  headquarters  of  Arnold  at  the 
house  of,  756  ; accompanies  Major  Andre  to  Dobbs’ 
ferry,  to  meet  Arnold,  763  ; corre.spondence  of 
Arnold  with,  on  board  the  Vulture,  764. 
Rochambeau, Count  de,  news  of  the  coming  of,  brought 
by  Lafayette,  751  ; instructions  of  the  French  minis- 
ter to,  in  relation  to  the  precedence  of  American 
officers,  752  ; biographical  notice  of — lands  at  New 
port,  753  ; his  reinforcements  blockaded  in  Brest, 
755;  conference  of  Washington  with,  at  Hartford, 
763  ; interview  of  Washington  with,  at  Weathers- 
field,  897  ; money  loaned  by,  to  Robert  Morris,  900; 
visits  Mount  Vernon,  904. 

Rogers,  Major,  biographical  notice  of.  361  ; Dr.  Whee- 


lock’s  account  of  his  interview  with,  362  ; arrested 
at  South  Amboy — the  Queen’s  Rangers  recruited  by 
— excites  the  Connecticut  people  by  his  threats,  303; 
Americans  anxious  to  get  possession  of,  376. 

Rose  and  Phcenix,  British  ships  of-war,  pass  the  bat. 
teries  on  the  Hudson,  307  ; interrupt  communica- 
tions, 312  ; chain  forged  to  prevent  their  progress, 
313  ; their  conflict  with  row-galleys,  and  withdrawal 
from  the  river,  317  ; not  hindered  by  Putnam’s  che- 
vaux-de  friae,  3i8. 

Roxbury,  Winter  hill  fortified  at,  182  ; right  of  the 
continental  army  at  under  Gen.  Ward,  189. 

Rugely  Col.,  surrender  of,  with  a wooden  cannon,  811. 

Rutherford,  Gen.,  patriot  force  gathered  by,  733. 

Rutledge,  Gov.  John,  patriotic  conduct  of.  090  ; militia 
called  out  by,  723  ; aid  for  South  Carolina  promised 
to,  733  ; with  Greene  in  his  camp  on  the  Pedee,  812. 

S. 

S.VG  Harbok,  stores  at,  destroyed  by  Col  Meigs,  475. 

St.  Clair,  Gen. , appointed  major  general,  452  ; at 
Ticonderoga,  487  ; Ticonderoga  abandoned  by,  492  ; 
mid  night  retreat  of,  493  ; pursued  by  Gen.  Fraser 
and  Baron  Reidesel,  494  ; retreat  of,  to  Hubbardton 
Castleton.  and  Bennington.  495  496;  arrival  of.  at  Fort 
Edward.  498  ; justifies  the  abandonment  of  Ticon- 
deroga 499  ; inquiry  nto  his  conduct  at  Ticonderoga, 
523  ; suspected  of  comjfiicity  in  Arnold’s  treason,  784. 

St.  Clair,  Sir  John,  sent  to  Virgnia,  54;  obtains  re- 
cruits there,  56  ; threats  made  by,  to  the  Pennsyl- 
vania commissioners  58. 

St.  John,  on  the  Sorel,  capture  and  abandonment  of, 
by  Arnold,  156  ; surrender  of,  to  Montgomery,  201. 

St.  Leger,  Col.,  gives  up  the  siege  of  Fort  Schuyler, 
527  ; trick  played  upon,  by  Indians,  528;  retreats 
to  Ticonderoga,  545. 

Saltonstall,  Capt  , commands  a Massachusetts  fleet 
sent  against  Col.  M’Lean  at  Penobscot  bay,  713. 

Sandy  Hook,  French  fleet  under  D’Estaing  at,  659. 

Santee  river,  encampment  of  Gen.  Greene  on  the 
‘ High  hills”  of,  873,891. 

Saratoga,  Gen.  Burgoyne  at,  537  ; retreat  of  Burgoyne 
to,  563  ; retreat  of  Burgoyne  from,  566  ; British  loss 
at,  and  consequences  of  Burgoyne's  surrender  at,  576. 

Saunders,  Admiral,  with  Vl'olfe  in  his  expedition 
against  Quebec,  109. 

Savannah,  Gen.  R.  Howe  defeated  near,  687  ; siege 
of,  714 ; siege  of,  raised — death  of  Count  Pulaski 
at  the  siege  of — Sergeant  Jasper  mortally  wounded 
at  the  siege  of,  717  ; losses  at  the  siege  of — death 
of  Maitland  at,  718  ; Br’itish  evacuation  of,  895. 

Scammel,  Col.,  in  the  retreat  from  Long  island,  334 ; 
death  of,  at  the,  siege  of  Yorktown,  910. 

Schuyler,  Gen.  Philip,  directed  to  undertake  the  in- 
vasion of  Canada.  195  ; fortifies  Ticonderoga,  197  ; 
operations  of,  against  Sir  J.  Johnson,  236  ; letter  of 
Washington  to,  in  relation  to  affairs  in  Canada,  262  ; 


946  INDEX.  [[’ARTS 


dislike  of  the  New  England  troops  towards — Gray- 
don  on  the  manners  of,  363  ; letter  of  Washington 
to,  in  relation  to  imputations  on  his  character — 
biographical  notice  of,  264 ; resists  the  claims  of 
Gen.  Gates  to  the  command  of  the  Northern  army, 
285;  irascibility  of — insinuations  of  Col.  Trumbull 
against,  458  ; superseded  by  Gates,  459  ; reinstated 
in  command,  481  ; his  ignorance  of  the  fate  of  St. 
Clair,  495  ; his  account  of  the  Northern  army  at  Fort 
Edward,  499  ; proclamation  issued  by,  501  ; retreat 
of,  before  Burgoyne,  509  ; efforts  of,  to  obtain  rein- 
forcements, 510  ; Congress  determines  to  supersede, 
533  ; Gates  appointed  the  successor  of — noble  con- 
duct of,  when  superseded,  534 ; house  and  mills 
of,  destroyed  by  Burgoyne,  566  ; kindness  of,  to 
Baroness  Reidesel — generosity  of,  to  Burgoyne,  575. 

Serapis,  engagement  of,  with  the  Bon  Homme  Richard, 
704-710  ; words  .said  to  have  passed  between  Jones 
and  Pearson  at  the  surrender  of,  710. 

Sevier,  Col.,  at  the  battle  of  King’s  mountain,  797. 

Seward,  Anna,  notice  of,  703. 

Shelby,  Col.,  at  the  battle  of  King’s  mountain,  797; 
British  at  Fairlawn  surrender  to,  893. 

Sherbourne,  Major,  troops  under  the  command  of, 
made  prisoners  near  the  Cedars,  in  1776,  373. 

Shippen,  Miss  Margaret,  one  of  the  Mm'hiama” 
ladies,  612;  marriage  of,  with  Arnold — corres- 
pondence kept  up  by,  with  Andre,  after  her  mar- 
riage— tory  proclivities  of  her  family,  758. 

Shirley,  Braddock’s  secretary,  death  of,  78. 

Shirley,  Gov.,  his  scheme  for  the  capture  of  Louisburg, 
7;  letter  of,  to  Pepperell,  14;  coup  de  main  on  Louis- 
I'urg  abandoned  by,  18  ; despatch  of  Pepperell  to, 
relating  to  the  siege  of  Louisburg,  38  ; design  of,  to 
invade  Canada,  in  1745,  30  : expedition  of,  against 
Niagara,  86. 

Silliman,  Gen.,  efforts  of,  to  resist  Tryon  in  his  attempt 
on  Danbury,  464 

Silver  Bluffs,  British  post  at,  reduced  by  Major  Rudolph 
after  the  evacuation  of  Camden,  863. 

Simcoe,  Col.,  with  Arnold  in  his  expedition  to  Virginia, 
830  ; despatched  to  the  Point  of  York,  848  ; decep- 
tion practised  by,  upon  Baron  Steuben,  849. 

Six  Nations,  Gen.  Sullivan’s  expedition  against — sub- 
sequent history  of  {note),  677  ; destruction  of  the 
houses  and  gardens  of— name  of  Toum  Destroyer 
applied  to  Washington  by,  678. 

Skene,  Major,  capture  of  the  son  of — discovery  of  the 
body  of  the  wife  of,  156  ; Burgoyne  advised  by,  to 
send  an  expedition  to  Bennington,  517  ; accompanies 
Col.  Baume  on  the  expedition,  518. 

Skenesborough,  arrival  of  Burgoyne’s  gun  boats  at — 
efforts  of  Col,  Long  for  the  defense  of — reinforce- 
ments sent  to,  494  ; retreat  of  Col.  Long  from,  to 
Port  Edward— delay  of  Burgoyne  at,  498,  500. 

Smallwood,  Col.,  appearance  of  the  regiment  of.  299  ; 
Marylanders  under,  330  ; regiment  of,  at  the  battle 


of  Long  island,  328;  brigade  of,  at  the  battle  of  Cam- 
den, 741  ; commands  militia  of  North  Carolina,  803. 

Smith,  Col.,  expedition  of,  to  seize  arms  at  Concord, 
141, 143  ; severely  wounded  on  his  retreat  from 
Concord,  146  ; reinforced  by  Lord  Percy,  147. 

Smith  Col.,  defends  Port  Mitllin,  587*. 

Smith,  Joshua  Hett,  instrumentality  of,  in  procuring 
a meeting  between  Andre  and  Arnold,  766,  767  ; 
arrested  on  suspicion  of  complicity  with  Arnold,  780. 

Snow’s  island,  camp  formed  by  Gen.  Marion  on  813. 

South  Carolina,  ravages  of  the  British  in,  694  ; ex- 
pedition of  Sir  n.  Clinton  against,  731  ; operations 
of  the  patriots  in,  851  ; march  of  Gen.  Greene  into, 
854;  conduct  of  militia  from,  at  Quinby  bridge,  878; 
legislature  of,  convened  by  Gov.  Rutledge.  894. 

Spain,  independence  of  the  United  States  acknowl- 
edged by,  after  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  577. 

Specht,  Gen.,  in  command  of  Bruuswickers,  485. 

Springfield,  New  Jersov,  burned  by  the  British,  750. 

Stacey,  sailing-master  on  the  Bon  Homme  Richard, 
reproved  by  Paul  Jones  for  ])rof'anity,  707. 

Stark,  John  in  the  garrison  of  Fort  William  Henry, 
in  1757,  98  ; in  the  expe.lition  against  Ticonderoga, 
104  ; joins  the  patriots  after  the  battle  of  Lexington, 
150  ; his  coolness  under  fire,  on  his  way  to  Bunker’s 
hill,  171  ; commands  New-Hampshire  militia — 
biograj)hical  notice  of,  5 9 ; refusal  of  to  obey  the 
orders  of  Gen.  Lincoln,  530  ; in  the  neighborhood 
of  Bennington,  520.  531  ; hi.>  plan  of  attack  upon 
Col.  Baume  521  ; celebrated  speech  of.  523  ; good 
influence  of  his  victory,  533  ; militia  under,  refuse 
to  remain  at  the  battle  of  Bemis’  heights,  539. 

Staten  island,  troops  of  Gen.  Howe  landed  on,  307  ; 
great  accumulation  of  British  troops  at.  316  ; tories 
in,  360  ; expedition  against  the  British  on,  720. 

Stephen.  Gen.  Adam,  apiroiuted  major-general,  452. 

Sterling,  Gen.,  mortally  wounded  by  a sentinel,  747. 

Steuben,  Baron  1''.  W.  A.,  arrives  at  Valley  Forge — 
biographical  notice  of,  619  ; strongly  recommended 
by  Franklin  and  Deane— complimentary  letter  of, 
to  Washington,  630  ; appointed  inspector-general 
of  the  American  army — character  and  personal  ap- 
pearance of,  621  ; important  services  rendered  to 
the  American  army  by,  633  ; evidence  of  the  value 
of  his  labors,  684  ; Arnold  pursued  by,  837  ; driven 
by  Phillips  and  Arnold  across  the  Appomattox,  845; 
deception  p)ractised  upon,  by  Col  Simcoe,  at  the 
point  of  York — ^junction  of,  with  Wayne  and  Laf- 
ayette, 849  ; at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  911. 

Stevens,  Gen.,  at  the  battle  of  Camden,  741 ; wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Guilford  courthouse,  840. 

Stewart,  Col.,  succeeds  Rawdon  at  Orangeburg,  879  ; 
retreat  of,  to  Eutaw  Springs,  883  ; attacked  by  Gen. 
Greene  at  Eutaw  Springs,  884  ; wounded  at  Eutaw 
Springs,  890;  command  of,  devolved  on  Major  Doyle, 
891  ; ravages  of.  in  South  Carolina,  892  ; succeeded 
by  Gen.  Leslie,  894. 


r 


I AND  II.]  INDEX.  947 


Stillwater,  American  army  at,  under  Gates,  512,  537. 

Stirling,  Col.,  takes  the  works  at  Billingsport,  585. 

Stirling,  Lord,  in  command  of  the  troops  in  New  York 
— biographical  notice  of,  259  ; attacks  Gen.  Grant, 
326  ; caught  between  the  troops  of  G .’ar  t an  1 Corn- 
wallis, 328  ; surrender  of,  329  ; sent  to  New  Jersey 
with  the  Virginia  and  Maryland  regiments,  385  ; 
appointed  major-general  452  ; chosen  to  conduct  an 
expedition  against  Staten  island,  720. 

Stobo,  Capt.  K.,  left  as  a hostage  at  Fort  Necessity,  44. 

Stockton,  Major,  and  New-Jersey  royalists,  made  pris- 
oners by  Col.  Nielson,  454. 

Stony  Point,  cajdure  of,  by  Sir  II.  Clinton,  695  ; history 
of  the  capture  of,  by  Wayne,  699  ; losses  at — 
abandoned  by  Washington — reoccupied  by  Sir  H. 
Clinton.  701 ; medals  to  Wayne  and  others,  engaged 
in  the  storming  of,  712. 

Sugar  loaf  hill  fortification  of,  urged  by  Col.  Trum- 
bull, 488  ; importance  of,  discovered  by  Burgoyne. 
491  ; taken  possession  of,  by  Gen.  Phillips — christ- 
ened “ Mount  Defiance”  by  the  British,  492. 

Sullivan,  Gen.  John,  supersedes  Wooster  in  Canada, 
262  ; biograidiical  notice  of,  274  ; letter  of,  from 
Canada,  275;  Washington's  opinion  of — Gen  Thomp 
son  sent  by,  to  attack  the  British  at  Three  Rivers, 
276  ; contradictory  dispatches  of,  277.  278  ; retreat 
of,  from  Canada,  279  ; in  charge  of  troops  on  Long 
island,  322 ; negligence  of,  in  not  sending  out 
patrols,  326  ; surrender  of,  329  ; anxiety  of,  for  the 
loss  of  the  battle  of  Long  island,  330  ; sent  on  board 
Lord  Howe's  ship,  336  ; sent  with  a verbal  message 
from  Lord  Ilow-e  to  Congress,  336-342  ; Adams’ 
opinion  of  his  mission  from  Ilowe  to  Congress,  347; 
junction  of,  with  Washington,  near  Coryell’s  ferry, 
414  ; letter  of  Washington  to,  456  ; letter  conveyed 
to.  urging  him  to  betray  the  American  cause,  482  ; 
charged  with  ill  conduct  at  Staten  island.  5.30;  at 
the  battle  of  the  Brandywine,  531  ; route  of  the  di- 
vision of,  at  the  battle  of  the  Brandywine,  534  ; his 
conduct  at  the  battle  of  .the  Brandywine  536  ; ex- 
pedition against  the  British  on  Rhode  island  under 
the  command  of,  660  ; movements  of,  witlv  at  the 
CO  operation  of  D’Estaing,  661  662  ; indignation  of, 
at  the  conduct  of  D’Estaing,  663  ; deserted  by  his 
militia— skilful  retreat  of — battle  fought  by,  with 
the  British  on  Rhode  island  664 ; escapes  from 
Rhode  island — escapes  from  Sir  H.  Clinton,  665  ; 
his  expedition  against  the  Mohaw’ks,  677. 

Sullivan’s  island,  fort  erected  on,  by  Col.  Moultrie.  289. 

Sumner,  Gen.,  at  the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  884 

Sumter,  Col.  and  Gen.,  biographical  notice  of,  731; 
scarcity  of  arms  and  ammunition  among  the  patriots 
under — royal  troops  defeated  by.  734  ; patriots  flock 
to  the  standard  of — Prince  of  Wales’  regiment  cut 
to  pieces  by,  at  Hanging  Rock — patriots  encouraged 
by  the  enterprises  of,  735  ; prisoners  an  1 baggage- 
wagons  intercepted  by — rax)id  pursuit  of,  and  des 
-I  /■ 


truction  of  his  force,  744  ; pursuit  of,  by  Tarleton— 
attempt  of  Major  Wemyssto  surprise,  803  ; Tarle- 
ton defeated  by,  near  Tiger  river,  804  ; severely 
wounded,  80.5  ; Fort  Granby  invested  by — driven 
from  the  investment  of  Fort  Watson— attacked  by 
Major  Fraser,  near  Camden,  852  ; “ Raid  of  the  Dog- 
Days,”  under  the  command  of,  873  ; attacks  Col. 
Coates,  at  Monk’s  Corner,  874 ; attacks  Coates,  at 
Shubrick's  plantation,  877  ; returns  to  the  camp  of 
Gen.  Greene,  878  ; retires  from  the  service,  882  ; his 
encounter  with  Gen.  Cunningham,  892. 

Sutherland,  Major,  in  command  at  Paulus  Hook,  711. 

“■  Swamp-Fox,”  a title  given  to  Gen.  Marion,  812. 

T. 

Tallmadge,  Major,  conveys  Andre  to  North  Salem, 
775  ; conversation  of,  with  Andre,  on  his  w'ay  to 
Tappan,  781. 

Tanacharisson,  his  advice  to  Ensign  Ward,  35  ; his 
message  to  M’ashington,  37  ; at  the  attack  on 
Jumonville,  38  ; at  Fort  Necessity,  41  ; deserts 
Washington,  42  ; his  opinion  of  Washington  at 
Fort  Nec.essity,  45. 

Tarleton,  Col  B. , biographical  notice  of — death  of  his 
cavalry-horses  on  the  voyage  from  New  York  to 
Charleston,  722  ; night-attack  of,  at  Monk’s  Corner, 
725  ; surprises  Col.  White  at  the  Santee  river,  726  ; 
his  massacre  of  troops  under  Col.  Buford — his 
ferocity  denounced  in  England,  730  ; pursues  militia 
at  the  battle  of  Camden.  742  ; decides  the  battle  of 
Camden,  743  ; routs  Sumter’s  force,  745  ; defeated 
by  Sumter  near  Tiger  river,  804;  sent  by  Cornwallis 
against  Morgan,  814  ; pursues  Davidson’s  riflemen, 
829  ; narrow'  escape  of  Gen  Greene  from,  830  ; at- 
temirt  of  Pickens  and  Lee  to  surprise,  834  ; relreat'< 
across  the  Haw  river,  836  ; troopers  of,  driven  back 
at  Guilford  courthouse,  838 ; rapid  ride  of,  from 
Richmond  to  Charlottesville — narrow'  escape  of  Jef- 
ferson from,  848;  unhorsed  in  a cavalry  skirmish, 
911  ; not  invited  to  headquarters  after  the  surrender 
at  Yorktown,  922  ; subsequent  career  of,  923. 

Thayer,  Major,  obstinately  defends  Fort  Mifflin,  588. 

Thomas,  Gen.,  commands  the  American  forces  in 
Canada,  260  ; retreats  from  before  Quebec,  pursued 
by  Sir  G.  Carleton,  261  ; death  of,  262. 

Thompson,  Col.  and  Gen.,  attacks  the  British  at  Lech 
mere’s  Point,  223  ; sent  by  Sullivan  to  attack  the 
British  at  Three  rivers — misled  by  his  Canadian 
guide,  276  ; attacked,  routed  and  taken  prisoner  bv 
Gen.  Fraser,  377. 

Ticonderoga.  expedition  against,  in  1758.  103;  death 
of  Earl  E.  How'e  at.  104;  capture  of,  by  Amherst, 
107  ; expedition  for  the  capture  of,  lof ; capture  of, 
154  ; strite  between  Arnold  and  Allen  for  the  com- 
mand of,  193  ; operations  of  Sir  G.  Carleton  against, 
195, 197  ; placed  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Mont- 
gomery, 197  ; artillery  conveyed  from,  to  Cambridge. 


948 


INDEX. 


243  ; retreat  of  the  American  army  to,  286  ; pre- 
parations for  the  defense  of,  against  Carleton — rein- 
forcements received  at,  364  ; force  collected  at,  hy 
Gen.  Gates — Carleton  retires  from — small  force  left 
at.  under  Gen.  St.  Clair,  3T0  ; threatening  move- 
ments in  Canada  in  relation  to,  481  ; supposed  hy 
Washington  to  he  out  of  danger,  483,  487  ; St.  Clair 
ordered  to,  by  Schuyler,  483  ; force  at,  inadequate 
for  its  defense — working-men  and  supjdies  sent  to, 
by  Schuyler,  486  ; description  of  the  bridge  connect- 
ing, with  Mount  Independence,  487  ; the  works  at, 
commanded  by  Sugar-loaf  hill  and  Mount  Hope, 
488  ; approach  of  Burgoyne  to.  489  ; weakness  of 
St.  Clair's  position  at,  490  ; useless  consumption  of 
powder  at,  491  , intentions  of  Burgoyne  to  invest — 
abandoned  by  St.  Clair,  493  ; delight  of  George  III. 
on  hearing  of  the  capture  of,  496 ; Washington 
unwilling  to  believe  the  story  of  the  loss  of,  497  ; 
Washington  misinformed  as  to  St  Clair’s  means  of 
defense  at,  498 ; abandonment  of,  justified,'  499. 

Townshend,  Col.  George,  in  Wolfe’s  expedition  against 
Quebec,  109  ; suggestions  of,  adopted  by  Wolfe,  131; 
assumes  command  on  the  death  of  Wolfe — retreat 
of  De  Bougainville  before  130, 

Trenton,  hour  fixed  for  the  attack  upon,  417  : Col. 
Raid  in  command  at,  418  ; Washington’s  plan  for 
the  attack  upon,  419  ; men  frozen  to  death  on  the 
march  to  430;  names  of  officers  at  the  battle  of,  430, 
431  ; losses  at,  433  ; Washington  commends  his 
troops  for  their  conduct  at — failure  of  Gen.  Putnam 
to  co-operate  with  Washington  at,  433  ; effect  of  the 
success  at,  434  ; attempt  of  the  British  to  surprise 
Wayne  and  Pulaski  at,  633. 

Trumbull,  Gov.,  row-galleys  sent  to  Washington  by, 
to  operate  against  the  Rose  and  Phoenix,  313  ; New 
York  tories  consigned  to  the  keeping  of,  330  ; urged 
to  hastily  equip  the  Connecticut  troops,  4.50. 

Trumbull,  John,  recommends  the  fortification  of 
Mount  Defiance,  commanding  Tieonderoga,  488. 

Tryon,  Gov,,  heads  a tory  conspiracy,  387  ; expediti.m 
under,  to  destroy  stores  at  Danbury,  464  ; retreats 
from  Danbury — attempt  of  Arnold  to  intercept — 
pursued  by  Wooster,  460  ; retreats  to  his  ships,  468; 
sends  copies  of  Lord  North’s  “conciliatory  bills” 
to  Washington — resolutions  of  Congress  offering 
pardon  sent  to,  by  Washington.  638  ; marasding 
expeditions  of,  696.  697  ; salt  works  destroyed  by, 
696  ; proclamation  to  the  inhabitants  of  Connecticut 
issued  by,  697  ; excuse  given  by,  for  his  burning  of 
houses  in  Norwalk— thoroughly  disliked  by  the 
English  people — Fairfield  and  Norwalk,  laid  in 
ashes  by,  698  ; his  conduct  approved  by  Lord 
George  Germain,  699. 

V. 

Valley  Forge,  description  of — Washington’s  reasons 
for  selecting,  for  winter  quarters,  597  ; destitution 


[parts 


of  the  American  army  at,  598,  599  ; testimony  of 
Lafayette  to  the  sufferings  of  the  army  at,  600  ; 
letters  of  Gens.  Huntington  and  Varnum,  in  relation 
to  the  sufferings  of  the  troops  at — anecdote  of  Wash- 
ington overheard  at  prayer  at,  601  ; patience  of  the 
troops  at — Washington  authorized  to  supply  the 
necessities  of  the  troops  at,  by  force,  603 ; camp- 
fever  in,  and  desertions  from  the  army  at,  603  ; 
committee  of  Congress  visit,  017  ; Mrs  Washington 
and  other  ladies  in  the  camp  at — arrival  of  Gen. 
Charles  Lee  and  Ethan  Allen  in  the  camp  at  618  ; 
arrival  of  Baron  Steuben  in  the  camp  at,  619  ; re- 
ception iit,  of  the  news  of  the  treaty  with  France, 
636  ; rejoicings  at  637  ; camp  at,  broken  up,  6.33 

Vaudreuil,  Rigaud  de,  expedition  of,  against  Fort 
William  Henry,  97;  capitulates  to  Gen.  Amherst 
at  Montreal,  134. 

Vaughg,n,  Gen.,  the  British  under,  burn  Esopus,  553. 

Verplanck’s  Point,  Sir  11.  Clinton  lands  at,  549  ; cap- 
ture of,  by  Sir  H,  Clinton,  095  ; guns  of  Stony  Point 
turned  upon,  by  Gen.  Wayne,  701. 

Vincennes,  fort  at,  recovered  from  the  British,  693. 

Viomenil,  Baron  de  leaves  Newport  for  Portsmouth, 
894  ; British  redoubt  at  Yorktown  stormed  by,  913. 

Virginia,  levy  of  troops  in,  urged  by  Patrick  Henry, 
238  ; ravages  of  the  British  in,  695  ; bad  conduct  of 
the  militia  from,  at  the  battle  of  Camden.  743  ; ex- 
pedition against,  intrusted  to  Arnold,  830  ; militia 
from,  at  the  battle  of  Guilford  courthouse,  840  ; 
ravages  of  Phillips  and  Arnold  in,  845  ; British  de- 
vastations in.  851  ; alarm  caused  in,  by  the  invasion 
of  Cornwallis,  899  ; Washington  and  Rochambeau 
deternrine  to  attack  the  British  in  900. 

Vulture,  British  sloop-of  war,  sent  to  Teller’s  Point, 
to  facilitate  a meeting  between  Arnold  and  Andre 
— correspondence  of  Arnold  w'lth  Col.  Robinson  on 
board  of,  764  ; fired  upon,  from  Teller's  Point,  768; 
Arnold  escapes  on  board  the,  777. 

W. 

WAf.LACE,  Capt.,  attempted  treasonable  correspona- 
ence  of  Dr.  Church  with,  218  ; brutality  of,  227  ; 
anecdotes  of,  337,  238  ; depredations  of,  in  Rhode 
island,  228. 

Walpole.  Horace,  remarks  of,  on  colonial  affairs,  in 
1756-  7,  96,  99  ; on  Wolfe's  victory  at  Quebec,  133  ; 
on  the  battle  of  Lexington,  153;  on  the  character 
of  Burgoyne,  484  ; on  Lafayette’s  challenge  to  the 
earl  of  Carlisle  (iiote),  631. 

Ward,  Gen.  Artemas,  experience  of,  under  Abercrom 
bie,  159  ; sends  aid  to  Prescott,  on  Breed’s  hill,  166 

Warner,  Col.  Seth,  supersedes  Ethan  Allen  in  com 
mand  of  the  ‘‘  Green-Mountain  Boys,”  199  ; his  op- 
portune arrival  at  the  battle  of  Bennington,  522. 

Warren,  Commodore,  refuses  aid  in  the  expedition  ^ 
against  Louisburg,  13  ; arrives  with  his  fleet,  at 
Canseau  14  ; friendly  intercourse  of,  with  Pepperell. 


r 

" 

I AOT>  ii.J  INDEX.  940 

• 20  ; impatiencti  of,  at  the  slow  progress  of  the 

358  ; his  opinion  upon  militia — his  efforts  to  prevent 

siege,  21,  22;  captures  the  French  ship  Vigilante, 

the  practice  of  plundering,  359  ; his  anxiety  le.st  he 

21  ; rivalry  between,  and  Pepperell,  27  ; made  an 

should  be  left  without  troops,  383  ; his  per^ilexity 

admiral  by  the  British  government,  29. 

as  to  Howe’s  movements,  386  ; letter  of,  in  relation 

Warren,  Dr.  Jos.,  sends  warning  to  Concord  of  the 

to  the  loss  of  Fort  ■ Washington — unsuspicious  of 

approach  of  Col.  Smith,  141  ; at  the  battle  of  liCxing- 

Gen.  Lee,  396  ; (kuplicity  of  Lee  and  Col.  Reed  dis- 

ton,  148  ; volunteers  as  a private  soldier,  171  ; death 

covered  by,  399  ; gravity  of  his  manner  after  cros.s- 

of,  at  Breed’s  hill,  177  ; biographical  notice  of,  179. 

ing  the  Delaware — his  confidence  in  final  success — 

Washington,  Capt.  William,  at  the  battle  of  Trenton, 

increased  powers  given  to,  414  ; his  letter  touching 

421  ; Col.  Hamilton  and  others  made  prisoners  by, 

the  difficulties  of  his  position — recommends  the 

722  ; surprise  of,  at  Monk’s  Corner,  725  ; Col.  Rugely 

formation  of  a standing  army,  415  ; endowed  with 

and  his  command  made  prisoners  of-war  by,  811  ; 

the  powers  of  dictator,  429  ; resolution  conferring 

body  of  tories  attacked  and  defeated  by,  813  ; at  the 

the  dictatorship  up.on,  430  ; his  dangerous  position 

battle  of  the  Cowpens  817  ; personal  conflict  of. 

at  Princeton,  434  ; anxiety  felt  for  his  safety  at  the 

with  Tarletou — silver  medal  presented  to,  for  his 

battle  of  Princeton,  435  ; his  perplexity  with  regard 

services  at  the  Cowpens,  818  ; at  the  battle  of  Guil- 

to  the  claims  of  foreign  officers  451,  470;  his  anxiety 

ford  courthouse,  840  ; at  Ilobkirk’s  hill,  857  859  ; 

respecting  the  recruitment  of  a new  army,  451  ; 

Capt.  Coffin’s  party  surprised  by,  after  the  battle 

colonels  of  the  new  army  appointed  by,M52  ; appre- 

of  Hobkirk’s  hill,  859  ; on  the  lower  Santee,  882  ; 

ciation  of,  in  Europe,  454  ; affectionate  treatment  of 

at  the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  887. 

Hamilton  by,  460  ; his  preference  of  natives  for 

Washington,  George,  commissioner  to  the  French  on 

places  of  trust — composition  of  his  life-guard,  472  -, 

Lake  Erie.  33;  progress  of,  towards  Little  Meadows, 

his  language  respecting  some  of  his  officers  at  Mor- 

30  ; attacks  the  party  of  Juraonville  38  ; surrenders 

ristown,  474 ; his  perplexity  as  to  the  British  on 

Fort  Necessity,  43  ; little  justice  done  to,  in  England 

Staten  island  and  the  Hudson,  481  ; unwilling  to 

— slandered  by  the  French,  46  ; invited  by  Braddock 

believe  the  story  of  the  loss  of  Ticonderoga,  497  ; 

to  become  one  of  his  aids,  57  ; his  advice  asked  by 

misinformed  as  to  St.  Clair’s  means  of  defense  at 

Braddock  at  Little  Meadows,  70  ; his  sickness  at 

Ticonderoga,  498  ; letter  addressed  to  Burgoyne, 

Great  Crossings,  72  ; rejoins  Braddock  at  Thickety 

put  into  the  hand?  of — his  camp  removed  to  Ger- 

Hun,  73  ; his  escape  at  Braddock's  defeat.  78  ; covers 

mantown,  503  ; his  first  meeting  with  Lafayette, 

Braddock’s  retreat,  79  ; horse  and  negro  servant  left 

504  ; his  movements  before  the  battle  of  the  Brandy- 

to,  by  Braddock— reads  the  service  at  the  burial  of 

wine.  531  ; retreats  to  Germantown,  578  ; overheard 

Braddock,  81  ; hears  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Lex- 

in  private  prayer  at  Valley  Forge -his  sympathy 

ington,  151  ; nominated  as  commander  in-chief,  157; 

with  the  suffering  troops  at  Valley  Forge,  601  ; his 

accejits  the  appointment.  158  ; biographical  notice 

encampment  at  Fredericksburg,  673  ; his  remarks  on 

of,  182  ; school-days  of — ^raidshipman’s  warrant  oh- 

public  men,  682  ; his  hospitalities  in  camp,  684  ; lion- 

tained  for,  183  ; surveys  land  of  Lord  Fairfax — 

ors  bestowed  upon,  by  Louis  XVL.  755  ; conference 

initiated  into  military  life — visits  Barbadoes,  184  ; 

of,  with  Count  Rochambeau,  763  ; design  of  Arnold 

marriage  of — called  to  take  command  of  the  army 

to  capture,  769  ; visits  Mount  Vernon,  903  ; personal 

at  Cambridge — personal  appearance  of,  185  ; as- 

exposure  of,  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  912,  914,  915. 

sumes  command  of  the  army,  186  ; desires  the  com- 

Washingtofi,  Mrs.,  arrives  at  Cambridge,  225  ; leaves 

mencement  of  operations  in  Boston — New  England 

New  York  for  Mount  Vernon,  when  Howe  lands 

disaffected  towards,  214;  fits  out  a fleet  of  schooners. 

on  Long  island,  323  ; at  Valley  Forge,  618. 

219  ; annoyed  by  the  Connecticut  troops,  224  ; ap 

Waterbury,  Gen.,  taken  prisoner  in  the  naval  engage- 

peals  to  the  patriotism  of  the  army,  232  ; unable  to 

merit  on  Lake  Champlain — released  on  parole,  360. 

move  for  want  of  troops  and  ammunition,  234 : 

Wayne,  Gen.  Anthony,  brigadier-general,  452  ; his 

honored  for  his  services  at  Bo.ston,  256  ; his  opinion 

contempt  for  British  soldiers,  473  ; defeated  near 

of  the  British  jtlans  for  negotiation,  270  ; his  cares 

the  Schuylkill.  579  ; attacks  the  British  at  German- 

and  perplexities  in  New  York,  271  ; conspiracy  to 

town,  582  ; Philadeljihia  and  Bucks  counties  laid 

cjipture  the  person  of — influences  an  increase  of  the 

waste  by,  623  ; at  the  battle  of  Monmouth.  636 ; 

. army,  286  ; order  issued  by,  in  anticipation  of  the 

scheme  of  Cornwallis  and  Knyphausen  to  surprise, 

encounter  with  Gen  Howe’s  forces,  302  ; commiser- 

674;  willing  to  carry  out  plans  of- Washington.  696; 

ates  the  helpless  in  New  York,  321  ; his  anxiety  on 

captures  Stony  Point,  699  ; wounded  in  the  head,  at 

the  eve  of  the  battle  of  Long  island — his  activity 

Stony  Point,  700  ; mutiny  of  his  troops,  at  Morris- 

during  the  retreat  from  Long  island,  336  ; has  little 

town,  821  ; led  by  a stratagem  to  make  an  attack  on 

confidence  in  his  troops.  338  ; annoyed  at  the  bad 

Cornwallis.  850  ; British  driven  out  of  Georgia  by. 

conduct  of  militia  and  Connecticut  troops,  350  ; his 

891,  occupies  Charleston  on  the  departure  of  the 

remarks  on  the  necessity  of  reorganizing  the  army. 

British— subsequent  career  of  (note),  895. 

f 


950  IXDEX.  [parts 

Wemyss,  Major,  devastations  of,  on  the  Pedee  and 

ness,  121  ; his  despondent  letter  to  Pitt,  123  ; daring- 

Black  rivers,  794  ; attempts  to  snriirise  Snmter,  803  ; 

resolve  of,  to  attain  the*Plains  of  Abraham— obtains 

wounded  and  a prisoner  in  the  hands  of  Sumter,  804. 

information,  from  a deserter,  124  ; last  orders  of. 

West  Point,  selected  as  a suitable  site  for  a fort,  623  ; 

to  his  army,  125  ; disposition  of  his  forces  when  at- 

fortification  of,  intrusted  to  Kosciusko,  624  ; Gen. 

tacked  by  Montcalm.  128  ; his  conduct  on  the  field 

Putnam  stationed  at,  673  ; anxiety  of  Washington, 

of  battle— mortally  wounded,  129  ; death  of,  130  ; 

for  the  preservation  of,  696  ; headquarters  of  Wash- 

honors  paid  to  the  memory  of,  132. 

ington  at,  701  ; command  of,  solicited  and  obtained 

Wooster,  Gen.  David,  inactivity  of,  at  Montreal  and 

by  Arnold,  756  ; plans  of,  furnished  to  Major  Andre 

Quebec,  260  ; disagreement  of  Arnold  with,  261  ; 

by  Arnold— troops  of  Sir  H.  Clinton  embarked  for 

superseded  by  Gen.  Sullivan.  262  ; mortally  wound- 

the  purpose  of  capturing,  769. 

ed,  when  in  pursuit  of  Gov.  Tyron— death  of,  467  ; 

Whitemarsh,  reinforcements  from  the  Northern  army 

biographical  notice  of,  468. 

received  by  Washington  at.  593 ; Washington’s 

Wyoming,  description  of  the  vale  of,  649  ; frequently 

camp  at,  threatened  by  the  British,  595  ; withdrawal 

the  scene  of  Indian  warfare — Count  Zinzendorf  the 

of  the  British  from,  in  the  night,  597. 

first  white  man  who  visited  the  valley  of.  650  ; orig- 

White  Plains,  approach  of  Sir  W.  Howe’s  army 

inally'  settled  by  New-Englanders,  651  ; claims  of  a 

towards — Washington’s  headquarters  established 

Pennsylvania  company  in  the  vale  of —volunteers 

at — Col.  Glover  at,  375  ; fortified  camp  at,  376  ; 

from,  for  the  continental  army — threatened  by  the 

battle  of.  378  ; Alexander  Hamilton’s  gallantry  at. 

British  and  Indians,  652  ; efforts  made  in,  for  de- 

379  ; condition  of  the  troops  at,  380  ; Howe  awaits 

fensp,  under  the  leader.ship  of  Col.  Z.  Butler,  652, 

reinforcements  at,  381  ; retreat  of  Wa.shington  from 

653  ; gunpowder  made  in,  by  the  aid  of  the  women 

— courthouse  and  other  buildings  burned  at,  382  ; 

— iuhabilants  of,  march  to  meet  the  enemy,  653  ; 

withdrawal  of  the  British  from,  383  ; Washington 

patriots  defeated  and  massacred,  654  ; anecdotes  of 

at,  in  1778.  673. 

the  massacre  of,  654,  ( 55  ; capitulation  of  the  de- 

Wilkinson,  Maj.  and  Gen.,  his  account  of  the  capture 

fenders  of,  in  Fort  Forty,  655  ; abandoned  by  Col. 

of  Gen.  Lee,  408  ; escape  of.  after  the  capture  of 

John  Butler  to  his  Indians,  656  ; houses  of,  pillaged 

Lee,  413  ; life  of  Major  Ackland  saved  by,  at  Bemis’ 

and  burned  by  the  Indians,  656,  657  ; exodus  of  the 

heights,  558  ; sole  American  witness  of  the  sur- 

survivors  of  the  massacre  at — monument  erected 

render  of  Burgoyne,  573  ; made  brigadier-general. 

at,  657. 

576 ; instrumentality  of,  in  exposing  Conway’s 

Y. 

cabal,  615,  616. 

Yadkin  river,  a rise  in,  interrupts  the  pursuit  ol 

Williamsburg,  Va  , property  in,  destroj^ed  by  Philliits 

Greene  by  Cornwallis — march  of  Cornwallis  to  the 

and  Arnold,  845 ; Washington  and  Kocbambeau 

upper  fords  of,  830. 

arrive  at,  907  ; rendezvous  of  the  allies  at,  908. 

Yorktown,  shipvard,  vessels,  and  stores,  destroyed  at. 

Williams,  Col.  Ephraim,  sent  by  Col.  Johnson  to  meet 

815  ; fortified  by  Cornwallis,  896  ; approach  of  the 

Dieskau,  88  ; routed  by  Dieskau,  89. 

allied  armie.s  to.  909  ; confidence  of  Cornwallis  in 

Williams,  Col.  Otho  Hodaud,  cruel  treatment  of,  as  a 

his  power  to  defend — description  of  the  fortifications 

prisoner.  441  ; advice  given  by,  to  Gates,  at  the 

of,  910  ; investment  of,  by  the  allies,  911  ; opening 

battle  of  Camden,  742  ; covers  the  retrgat  of  Gen. 

of  the  first  parallel  at  the  siege  of,  912  ; French 

Greene  to  the  Dan — rapid  retreat  of,  to  the  Dan, 

driven  from  their  batteries  at,  915  ; articles  of 

832  ; driven  across  the  Haw  by  Cornwallis,  837 ; 

capitulation  of.  918  ; imposing  scene  at  the  sur- 

at  Hobkirk’s  hill,  857  ; at  Eutaw  Springs  884. 

render  of,  9:9  ; number  of  troops  surrendered  at. 

Winslow,  Gen.,  sent  against  Fort  William  Henry,  93; 

922 ; Sir  H.  Clinton  sails  from  New  York  for  the 

strengthens  Forts  Edward  and  W’illiam  Henry,  96 

relief  of,  on  the  day  of  the  surrender,  924  ; evacu- 

Wolfe,  Gen.  James,  biographical  notices  of,  100,  107  ; 

ated  by  both  armies  within  two  weeks  after  its  sur- 

in  the  expedition  against  Louisburg,  102  ; expedi- 

render — the  surrender  at,  virtually  closed  the  War 

tion  against  Quebec  intrusted  to — personal  descrip 

for  Independence,  925  ; reception  in  England  of  the 

tion  of,  107  ; famous  camp  song  written  by',  108; 

news  of  the  surrender  of — Lord  North  powerfully 

men  afterwards  distinguished,  in  his  expedition 

effected  by  the  fall  of,  926  ; operations  of  Gen. 

against  Quebec,  109  ; enthusiasm  pervading  the 

Greene  after  the  surrender  of,  893. 

army  under,  110  ; proclamation  issued  by,  113  ; ac- 

tivity  of,  iu  studying  the  defenses  of  Quebec,  117  ; 

♦ z. 

eilect  upon,  of  his  failure  at  Moutmorenci,  120  ; 

ZiNZENDOKP,  Count,  the  first  white  man  who  pene- 

news  of  the  successes  of  Amherst  and  Johnson  re- 

trated  the  vale  of  Wyoming — preservation  of,  from 

ceived  by— devises  nlans  of  attack,  during  sick- 

Indian  murderers— biographical  notice  of  \note),  650. 

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